Sour Smell

Cui Jin had only hung out with boys since he was young. Because he hated how fussy girls were, he knew nothing about how to interact with girls. Looking at the girl he liked, he decided to be direct. “Jiang Chun, do you have a boyfriend?”

“Huh?” Jiang Chun was stumped by this straightforward question.

After Jiang Chun was stunned for a moment, she suddenly realized that Cui Jin had feelings for her, so she replied embarrassedly in a low voice, “No.”

After Cui Jin heaved a sigh of relief, he stared at Jiang Chun’s face and asked, “Then can I be your boyfriend?”

Jiang Chun was stunned by Cui Jin’s abruptness. “But we don’t know each other very well.”

Since Jiang Chun didn’t reject him directly, the tense expression on Cui Jin’s face eased up. “I have 12 days of leave this time. Subtracting the time for the round trip, I have nine days to let you learn more about me.”

“My family is from the countryside. There are a total of five people in my family. I also have a pair of six-year-old twin siblings. I know you’re from the city, so I wonder if you mind.”

Jiang Chun shook her head and said with a blush, “I don’t mind. I’m quite good at taking care of people, so you can rest assured.”

Then, she explained her family’s situation. She emphasized her father’s illness, that she was an only child, and that she needed to support her parents in their old age.

Jiang Chun’s actions gave Cui Jin a better impression of her. He admired her frankness and open-mindedness. “In the future, I’ll treat your parents as my own.”

Their relationship had yet to be confirmed, but they were already talking about their post-marriage life. Jiang Chun felt that their conversation was too forward-looking, but at this point, she continued to talk about her plan. “Don’t worry, I have a job too. I can afford my father’s medical expenses.”

When Cui Jin heard this, he hurriedly said, “A son-in-law is like a son, so I should pay for it. My father is the village chief, and my mother is a doctor in the commune. My parents said that since they have a salary and a pension, I should spend all my money on my own family. After we get married, my salary will be yours.”

There were people who pursued Jiang Chun, but whenever they found out about Jiang Chun’s family’s situation, they hesitated. Having to take care of a patient who needed medicine for the long term was like throwing money into a bottomless pit.

When Jiang Chun heard Cui Jin’s words, she was very touched. “My family’s situation is like this. Other than being a city dweller, my conditions are not as good as yours. If you don’t mind, we can date each other.”

historical

Cui Jin revealed a rare smile. “No problem!”

Jiang Chun thought of his accommodation, so she asked, “Where are you staying tonight?”

Cui Jin replied, “I have a letter of recommendation and a military certificate, so I’ll explain it to the village chief later. Any place is fine.”

It was still early, so the two of them chatted as they walked toward the end of the village.

Jiang Chun and Yu Bing would take care of Cui Jin’s meals. Yu Bing couldn’t ask Jiang Chun about the exact situation in front of Cui Jin, but she was very surprised at the speed at which the two of them suddenly confirmed their relationship and when Jiang Chun had met such a soldier. She didn’t notice at all.

After dinner, Jiang Chun was worried that Cui Jin wouldn’t be able to find his way, so she brought him to the village chief’s house to settle down. Cui Jin was also worried that it wasn’t safe for Jiang Chun to walk alone at night, so he insisted on sending Jiang Chun home. In the end, the two of them continued to chat under the tree at the door.

After Yu Bing washed up, she waited for a long time. The moon was already rising, but the two people outside the door still didn’t seem to have finished talking. Seeing this scene, she couldn’t help but marvel, “It’s good to be young! How come I feel like the air is filled with the sour smell of love?”

They didn’t part until nine-thirty.

When Yu Bing saw Jiang Chun close the door, she immediately rushed forward and said fiercely, “If you confess, I’ll forgive you. If you resist, I’ll punish you severely! Tell me honestly, how did you guys meet under my nose without me knowing?!”

Jiang Chun pursed her lips and smiled in embarrassment. Then, she tilted her head and said to Yu Bing, “Do you still remember the 0.5 yuan on the stove?”

After Yu Bing came to a realization, she slapped her thigh and said, “I knew it! Moreover, you clearly looked a little off that night. I just didn’t think too much about it, so you were able to brush it off. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Jiang Chun, you hid it quite well. I was deceived by you!”

Jiang Chun hurriedly explained, “I didn’t do it on purpose. The mission he was on had to be kept a secret. Moreover, he was in trouble at that time. One more person knowing about it would mean more danger.”