I Like You So Much - Chapter 37
Chapter 37
“Instructor, can you tell me now where you’re going after the military training?”
After asking this question, Li Jiao felt extremely anxious. Her large almond-shaped eyes were clear and moist, pure and bright.
Zhang Jiuling could see his reflection in her eyes.
Why is she asking this question again? Didn’t I already answer her?
He couldn’t help but curl his lips and smile lightly.
“Beep—Beep—”
Just as he was about to reply, a loud car horn suddenly sounded from behind.
Turning around, he saw a large army green Jeep parked under a distant tree. Wang Haonan was leaning out of the car, waving vigorously in their direction.
“Boss—”
“We’re leaving!”
Hearing this, Zhang Jiuling turned back. In front of him, Li Jiao was still stretching her head, looking at the people over there.
He spoke, “Hold out your hand.”
“Huh?” Li Jiao was bewildered but obediently extended her small hand.
In her palm, a piece of paper was placed, with some words and a string of numbers written on it.
The handwriting was bold and vigorous, full of pride like its owner, flowing with dragon-like strokes.
What is this? Before Li Jiao could ask, she heard Zhang Jiuling speak again.
“Li Jiao.”
“Here!”
Li Jiao instinctively stood at attention in a military posture and even saluted.
“On this paper is my name and phone number. Save it in your contacts.”
“Yes, I guarantee to complete the task!”
Li Jiao replied loudly, then stood there wide-eyed and confused.
What just happened?
Zhang Jiuling smiled slightly, took a step forward, and put down Li Jiao’s saluting hand. Looking at her, his obsidian-like eyes shone with a gentle light, warm and lingering, slow and tender.
“This is not a task; it’s my request to you.”
After speaking, he suddenly straightened up, his posture upright, his right foot close to the left. He extended his long, well-defined fingers and gave a sharp military salute.
Li Jiao was stunned, her movements frozen, staring at him in a daze.
“……..”
He had already answered the question about where he was going after the training.
“Instructor, can I ask where you are going after the training? I, I want to find you.”
“You don’t need to come looking for me.”
“Because I will come to you.”
“And also because I won’t leave…”
…………
Watching the army green Jeep disappear into the misty white rain. Finally, until the car was completely out of sight.
Li Jiao finally realized what had happened. She looked down at the piece of paper in her hand.
The curve of her mouth gradually lifted, her heart full of joy and excitement, and finally, her face was full of a bright smile.
This is simply, this is even more surprising than her being Van Gogh’s closed-door disciple!
(T/N: Closed-door disciple was the last disciple of his/her master.)
Oh my god, Van Gogh, did you see that!!!
The instructor, the instructor gave me his phone number and told me his name! Did you see that? Open your eyes and look! Your dear apprentice, her love has come!
Her love is coming ahhhh!! …
“Zhang—Jiu—Ling.”
She slowly uttered these three words, pronouncing each one carefully.
Jiuling, Zhang Jiuling? Is this the instructor’s name?
It sounds really nice.
Li Jiao held the paper and grinned like a silly girl from the east end of the village.
Then, she took out her phone and carefully entered the numbers on the paper, one by one, afraid of making a mistake.
After doing all this, she relaxed suddenly, holding up the paper against the light. The three characters written in black ink on the white paper became even clearer.
Zhang Jiuling… Zhang Jiuling… Jiuling… Jiuling…
She repeatedly chanted this name in her heart, each time feeling more joy.
“Zhang… Jiu… Ling…”
She placed the paper over her heart silently.
Your phone number will go into my contacts, and your name I will remember in my heart.
Training ground, on the high platform, the chief instructor held a loudspeaker and shouted loudly.
“All instructors, run and exit the field!”
At the command, all the instructors who were still bidding farewell to the students straightened up, obeyed the order, and shouted, “Turn back! Run—march!”
Many students, reluctant to see their instructors leave, chased after them while crying.
“Instructor, instructor—”
“Instructor, don’t go!”
“Instructor, we’ll miss you!”
“Instructor, take care!”
“Instructor, how will I live without you, instructor—”
“Instructor, we’ll definitely meet again! Definitely!”
“…………”
After running a distance, the students couldn’t keep up with the instructors, who were strong and well-trained from years of exercise. Eventually, they slowed down, with only a few boys still trying to catch up.
The rest could only stand in place, watching the most lovely and handsome group of people move away.
Instructors, take care, goodbye—
The group dressed in camouflage uniforms ran off the field.
Just like when they first arrived, running into this beautiful encounter of youth.
Running off the field, exiting this youthful memory.
Students, in the days to come, work hard, endure hardships, be down-to-earth, and your efforts will surely pay off!
Instructors, thank you for this military training that brought us together. Youth, with you, is worth it!
Li Jiao stood on the edge of the training ground, silently watching the instructors run away in the light rain, feeling a sting in the corner of her eyes.
Instructors, thank you…
Youth always involves many farewells, perhaps with regrets, perhaps with sadness, but we always have to say goodbye.
After the military training ended that day, a girl from the literature department wrote this.
“Report, instructor, requesting to join the ranks!”
“Next time, be quicker to join.”
“…………”
There won’t be a next time.
This was my last military training in life. Perhaps because it’s the last, it’s particularly acceptable and cherished.
Our encounter began with military training and also ended with military training.
Instructors, thank you for your hard work.
In life, there are many farewells and also many encounters.
May all farewells be beautiful memories and may all encounters be genuine joys.
September 2019, late September
Light rain, misty clouds
Cool breeze with intent, osmanthus fragrance everywhere
May you pick more so that next year can be compared to today.
…………”
This short post, just after being posted on the university forum, was instantly pushed to the hottest spot.
Everyone felt as if they had just woken from a dream. Yes, it’s over.
Military training, instructors, goodbye.
The one-month military training ended, coinciding with the National Day holiday. The seven-day break felt like a reward for the hard-working freshmen.
On the afternoon of September 30th, they were already allowed to pack their things and leave the school.
The previous three-day break was too short for many students to go home, but with this seven-day holiday, many had already booked tickets early to spend a few days at home.
In Li Jiao’s dormitory, Tang Yuran was the first to leave again, hurriedly as if she had somewhere urgent to be.
When Li Jiao returned, Zhang Yue and Su Linlin were also packing their luggage; both had also managed to grab tickets early to go home.
Li Jiao wasn’t in a hurry. Before the break, she had already informed her family. Her father would be coming to pick her up soon.
For the seven-day National Day holiday, her father was also off work. The family had planned to go to the nearby beach in Beishi for a vacation, swim, collect shells, drink coconut juice, and enjoy the cool sea breeze.
Everything was planned, but her father suddenly had some work and had to go on a business trip. The vacation plan fell through.
“Jiao Jiao, Dad has a meeting to attend soon, so I can’t come to pick you up.”
“How about I ask Uncle Zhang to come and get you?”
“Dad, it’s okay. I don’t have much stuff. I’ll just take the subway home.”
She didn’t have much to carry, just an empty suitcase to take home.
After leaving the university gate, the subway station was right there. She bought a ticket and took the subway for half an hour.
As soon as she exited the subway, she saw Li Hang standing by the roadside waiting for her.
With one hand in his pocket, one leg shaking, and a popsicle in his mouth, he looked like a street punk.
When he saw her, he slung his backpack over one shoulder, walked over, handed her an ice cream, and took her suitcase.
“Jiao Jiao, I’m dying from the heat. I’ve already had my fourth ice cream, and you just got here.”
“Haven’t been home for half a month; did you get lost?”
“Really, if your brain doesn’t work, you should get a GPS installed.”
Li Jiao tore open the ice cream wrapper and took a bite. The cold, stimulating sensation was followed by a sweet and sour taste that spread in her mouth. She squinted in satisfaction, feeling very happy.
“There were too many people on the subway, so I waited a few times.”
Hearing this, Li Hang raised an eyebrow and glanced at her in surprise.
She didn’t talk back?
He tested the waters, “Jiao Jiao.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re a little fat pig.”
“………”
Li Jiao held the ice cream, staring at him faintly with an eerie look in her eyes, saying nothing.
It was as if she were looking at a dying man.
……
After a while, just when Li Hang thought she was about to unleash some big move, Li Jiao sighed, stood on tiptoe, and patted his head.
“Hey, you’re so young, but it’s a pity that you can’t speak human language.”
“………”
The two of them returned home, and upon opening the door, the whole house was filled with the aroma of food.
Mama Li had already prepared dinner, waiting for the two to come back. Papa Li had meetings and work, and he hadn’t come home yet. It was just Mama Li at home.
“Mama, I’m home.”
Mama Li, wearing an apron and carrying a pot of soup, came out of the kitchen. Seeing Li Jiao, who entered first, she smiled warmly.
“Welcome home. Hurry and wash your hands. I made your favorite tomato beef brisket.”
Upon hearing this, Li Jiao, who was changing her shoes, beamed with a bright, obedient smile.
“Thank you, Mama.”
“Hey, Mama, Mama,” Li Hang, who entered after her, sought attention.
“Mama, Mama, hey!”
“Look at your eldest son, hey, Mama!”
Mama Li, who had been gently looking at Li Jiao, turned her head impatiently upon hearing her son’s voice, full of disdain.
“Mama, Mama, all day long, ‘Mama, Mama.'”
“Don’t call me Mama. I’m not your mama. You are my mama!”
The last sentence was almost shouted out by Mama Li.
After saying that, still feeling unsatisfied, she launched into a verbal barrage, criticizing Li Hang from head to toe.
“Look at you, what’s with your clothes? Where did you go to fool around again?!”
“I’m telling you, you’ll wash it yourself later!”
“And did you secretly play games again last night? I cleaned your room today. Look at the mess! The bed’s not made, clothes thrown everywhere, garbage all over the place. There’s no place to step!”
“Li Hang, do you not feel uncomfortable living in a pigsty every day? The trash can is right there, and you can’t even throw things in it?!”
“………”
Feeling unjustly scolded, Li Hang pouted, his eyes wide open, panting heavily.
He feels wronged, but he won’t say anything.
He had known for a long time that as soon as the daughter comes home, she’s a treasure, and the son is just a weed!
A wild weed, the kind that sways with the wind!
