Part Three, Chapter 7: Joy

yer, Mr. Shu, was considered decent as he didn't demand an unreasonable sum. He agreed on $800 per month, which was barely acceptable."However, we have a condition: we're willing to give her alimony,...This year, only she knew what she had gone through, and only she knew how she got to where she was today. So she cried, not just because she had topped the city's exams, but also because her life was finally going towards a bright future.

She hung up the phone and ran outside, her mind blank at this moment, she just wanted to tell her uncle the news.

Song Jingye had just finished training and was walking back alone when he saw a figure sprinting towards him, diving straight into his arms.

This hug was Chen Ling's bravest act ever, but at this moment she had no romantic thoughts, more like family sharing joy, or the camaraderie of comrades-in-arms. In short, it was pure and innocent.

Song Jingye also felt this camaraderie. He hugged her and patted her back with his right hand, asking, "Are the results out"

Although the little girl appears calm on the surface, she often mutters to herself, reviewing and estimating her scores for the college entrance exam. How could she truly be unfazed

After Chen Ling calmed down her excitement, she felt a little embarrassed. She hurriedly straightened up, wiping her tears while smiling, and repeated what the head teacher had said to her.

Song Jingye was also very surprised. She had discussed her grades with a teacher in Beijing before, and the teacher said that she had a solid grasp of fundamental knowledge, but her problem-solving thinking needed to be improved. As long as she performed normally, she could get a good score. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be really good.

Song Jingye liked children who were obedient and hardworking. He reached out and ruffled her hair, praising her, "Not bad, I'll have the monitor give you extra food tonight."

Afterward, he went back to his place to take a shower and change clothes. He was covered in sweat.

Chen Ning froze in place because of his unintentional action, her eyes staring blankly at his tall figure as he walked away, her heart pounding like thunder.

If her feelings for him before were vague and reverent, now, because of a gentle gesture, a non-romantic embrace, her emotions became clear. For him, she felt gratitude, faith, fondness, love - a surging tide of it all.

From then on, her gaze followed him.

This summer vacation after the college entrance examination is like heaven and earth compared to the last one.

She lives in apartment 301 on the third floor of a residential compound. The window faces the training ground next door, so she can see it just by opening the window.

Every morning, before the sky was fully light, she lay in bed, a small crack in her window letting her see them training outside.

So many people, row upon row, but in her eyes, they were all background, only him.

His tall figure,

His stern voice,

He shouted slogans, he reprimanded people.

Everything was fermenting and bubbling in her eardrums, until her face flushed and burned, then she quietly closed the window, afraid to look again.

She felt so happy, just being able to watch him like this forever.

Generally, after morning exercises, the soldiers line up and sing to go to the canteen for breakfast. Song Jingye and Zheng Ke will briefly communicate about the day's work arrangement on the training ground before going to the canteen.

Chen Ning would also run out of the family courtyard to the canteen at this time. This canteen had a separate area designated for families like hers.

“Xiao Ning, come back, why are you running” Zheng Ke called out to her.

Chen Ling slowed her pace and walked up to them.

Zheng Ke asked, "Have you finished filling out your college application forms"

Chen Ling nodded. "I registered, my uncle helped me register."

"What school did you apply to"

Song Jingye answered for her: "xx Academy."

Zheng Ke: "Not bad."

Everyone says that xx College is the cradle of xx Department, but in reality, very few people are actually admitted each year. Those who aren't top-tier students don't stand a chance.

But Zheng Ke has confidence in this little girl. She has light in her eyes and a tenacity about her. As long as you give her a big enough platform, I believe she can definitely do well.

On this point, Song Jingye agreed with him and was proud of it.

"By the way, a few local small media outlets contacted me yesterday and want to interview you. They want to talk about how you feel about becoming the top scorer in the city and share some study tips." Zheng Ke said.

"Chen Ning paused and quickly waved her hand, refusing. "Can I refuse"

She doesn't want to give an interview or appear in the public eye, fearing that her past experience of being kidnapped might be discovered and exposed. It was a painful chapter she didn't want to remember, a nightmare she wanted to forget. She definitely didn't want to live with that label in the future.

Song Jingye saw her face turn pale, so he said to Zheng Ke: "What kind of nonsense interview, refuse it."

"Alright, I wasn't planning on agreeing anyway. By the way, Xiaoning, when you go to school for registration, I happen to be returning to Beijing, so I'll send you there."

Chen Ning jumped back, only then realizing that if she went to Beijing to study, she would have no chance to see Song Jingye again.

Song Jingye said, "I forgot to tell you, I'm going to rotate at Wu Bian Station tomorrow for at least two months. I won't be able to send you to school."

That was a border station at an altitude of 3,000 meters. In previous years, Song Jingye would go up there during the coldest time of winter to change out the personnel. This year, because he had returned to Beijing for the New Year, he was assigned to go now.

Chen Ning's heart sank upon hearing the reply. She had thought she could at least see him every day during summer vacation.

Actually, as Song Jingye, he didn't need to come at all. But since he came to the northwest for training, or perhaps to find redemption, he hoped to truly take root here, embracing hardship and challenges head-on.

Song Jingye finished speaking, then lowered his head to look at her again, "Go have dinner quickly. I'll give you something after."

“Okay.”

Before, if he gave her gifts, she would be filled with joy. But now, all she wanted was to see him often. Please download the novel a love read a to read the latest content.

After dinner, she went to Song Jingye's office and found him. He was already there, the door open and the window open too.

On Song Jingye's desk lay a bank card and a smartphone.

"Your old phone can retire now, give it to me." He reached out his hand towards her.

Chen Ning reluctantly said, "I don't want to give up this phone."

She has grown attached to the phone and is reluctant to replace it.

Song Jingye smiled faintly: "Before, high school didn't allow the use of smart phones, but now that I'm in college, I can use them. Give me your SIM card, and I'll register a WeChat account for you so we can contact each other easily."

Chen Ling hugged the phone and said, "Can I keep using this phone"

Anyway, since she's going to Beijing for school, she has to bring this phone with her.

"Suit yourself."

Song Jingye took the card back and handed her the old phone. What a strange little girl. Other girls would want the latest model, but she didn't.

"Hey, I got an Anhao phone card and downloaded WeChat for her. I registered a WeChat account for her and asked, 'What name do you want for your WeChat' "

"Just call Chen Ning back."

It's really straightforward.

Song Jingye got her phone working in three moves and handed her the bank card beside it. "I've bound this bank card to your phone, take it with you just in case." she herself was pulled back two steps to stand in front of him."Idiot." Song Jingye muttered under his breath as he took her backpack off and slung it onto his own back."Come on." He said again, poin...