Chapter 49: Stubbornly Unrepentant (Part 2)

  When Jin Huan returned to the small building, the night was as dark as ink, and the house maintained its usual quietness, but he vaguely felt a sense of abnormality. He often went down to the company to personally guide the training of the special forces members, and every time he came back late, Lin Ruolan would always wait for him in the living room, which had become a habit. But today, he didn't see her figure, so he handed his military cap to Xiao Zhao and quickly went upstairs with three steps at a time.

  Pushing open the door to Lin Ruolan's room, it was very dark inside, and no lights were on. He casually turned on the lamp, and Lin Ruolan was sitting on the sofa with her knees hugged tightly to her chest, her pretty face scrunched up like a prune, and her shoulders slumped downward.

  "What's wrong? Who bullied our Lan?" Jin Huan asked in surprise, walking over to sit beside her and putting his arm around her to pull her onto his lap.

  Lin Ruo Lan immediately hid into the safest and warmest embrace in this world, tightly hugging him, her small face rubbing back and forth on his broad chest.

  "What's wrong? Tell me." He gently comforted her, his voice extremely soft, yet wrapped in dangerous emotions, "Who provoked you? I'll go settle the score with him."

  "No one has offended me, it's me who offended Chen Jianfeng and made him almost lose his temper." Lin Ruolan buried her face in his arms, her voice muffled from his chest.

  Jin Hao's eyebrows slightly raised, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, and a hint of the most imperceptible smile spread across the corners of his mouth: "How could he possibly scold you? Don't imagine things. Tell me what I've missed."

  Lin Ruo Lan placed her hand on his chest, slowly telling him everything that had happened in the afternoon. Jin Huang raised an eyebrow and listened quietly, carefully examining her beautiful yet wronged little face, naturally understanding that Chen Jian Feng's words were indeed a bit too severe.

  He kissed her cheek, breathing in the faint scent on her body: "It's okay, he wasn't scolding you, he was dissatisfied with himself. Alright, I'll handle this matter, don't be angry, Jianfeng didn't mean to."

  She nestled quietly in his arms, her mood suddenly improved by his return. She muttered a sentence: "What about Fang Xiaotong? I've already promised her."

  "You just promised her to tell me about her request, and now I know. He lifted her chin, kissing her soft lips, scorching breath wrapped around her: 'I'll go ask Jianfeng about this matter, but no matter if she comes to beg you again, you don't have to care anymore.'"

  "Jin Huang, it's great to have you here." Her hand slid down his strong neck, gently stroking him with the soft palm of her hand, as if she were petting a beautiful leopard. She wasn't afraid of him, knowing that despite having the greatest power, he would never hurt her. Suddenly, she remembered something important and pushed his sturdy body while scolding him: "You haven't taken a bath yet, you reek of sweat!"

  Jin Hao's eyes flashed with a hint of evil charm, his deep facial features pressed against her small face, his scorching lips sealed hers, Lin Ruo Lan pushed against his chest with both hands, giggling and dodging left and right. However, he wouldn't allow it, instead using more force to press her down onto his solid chest, forcing her to feel his heartbeat and scent. His hot thin lips entwined with hers, kissing her domineeringly yet gently.

  But after a kiss, he quickly lifted his head and held her tightly in his arms. Those dark eyes were as deep as the ocean, yet burning with fierce flames. The long-suppressed desire was like an unbridled wild horse, forcing him to take deep breaths one after another to barely control himself, lest this fierce flame spread like a wildfire, swallowing everything in its path. His busy work had consumed his time and energy, but it hadn't diminished his deep longing for her.

  However, the extremely high casualty rate of special forces constantly reminded him: he couldn't entangle her in such a simple way before marriage. If one day he went to the battlefield and never came back, what would she do without that piece of paper? Who would take care of her? So even though she was the only woman he wanted to marry in this life, he still carefully controlled himself, not daring to cross the line. Because he cared too much, he became even more cautious.

  "I won't let anyone have the chance to hurt you, including myself." He whispered on her lips, his low voice filled with eternal promise. His dark large hands gently stroked her back, softly and lightly caressing, as if afraid of hurting her.

  "You won't." She replied softly with infinite trust.

  There was a gentle knock at the door, and it was Little Zhao who had brought supper. Seeing the steaming hot rice porridge in front of her, Lin Ruo Lan suddenly remembered that she hadn't eaten dinner yet.

  "Have something to eat first, I'll go take a bath." Jin Huan gently patted her head and went back to his room to get clean clothes for a shower.

  Jin Huang came out of the bath, and several deputy captains were already waiting downstairs to talk to him about work. After sending away these deputy captains, when he returned to Lin Ruolan's room, she was already breathing steadily, her eyes lightly closed, and she was dozing off on the sofa.

  Call Zhao to collect the items on the tea table, Jin Huan carried her back to bed, covered her with a quilt, and leaned against the headboard, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face. Like this, he quietly watched her for a while before turning off the lights and leaving.

  As soon as he went out, he saw Chen Jianfeng wandering in the corridor. "So late, not resting yet?" He gently closed the door and asked in a low voice.

  "Is she all right?" Chen Jianfeng's face was gloomy, and in the hours after Lin Ruolan left, a certain emotion lingered in his chest, making him anxious and irritable.

  "It's alright, I've already slept." Jin Hwan patted his shoulder, "Go sit in my room for a bit."

  After sitting down in Jin Huang's room, Chen Jianfeng took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one for Jin Huang.

  Jin Huangwei shook his head, "Quit." He had quit smoking in the field hospital and hadn't smoked once since returning to the team, everyone in the entire squad knew.

  Chen Jianfeng slightly stunned, put out the cigarette and returned it to the box, self-mockingly smiled: "I forgot, today everything is really messed up."

  Jin Hao's dark eyes narrowed, gazing at Chen Jianfeng, and he smiled casually, with a hint of warmth in his eyes. He pointed to his own chest and said, "It's your fault that this got messed up."

  Chen Jianfeng's chest involuntarily tightened, he felt a little embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "Maybe it is, this Fang Xiaotong... is really too annoying."

  Jin Hao's expression was originally gentle, but at this moment it revealed a subtle sharpness. His tone was low and steady, yet between the lines, there was an aura of controlling everything, "We both understand that Fang Xiaotong is not enough to disturb your heart, she's not worthy!"

  The two men's eyes met and parted, or more accurately, Chen Jianfeng avoided Jin Huan's gaze, lowering his line of sight. Jin Huan's words were like a splash of cold water on his heart, causing his restless heart to suddenly become calm and frozen.

  After a while, he lifted his head again and stared at Jin Huang. In Jin Huang's calm and understanding gaze, there was tolerance and clarity. His eyes became clear and determined once more, and the vitality on his face no longer dimmed. "Don't worry, I'll adjust myself quickly."

  It's easy to say, but both of them understand that giving up isn't that simple. Emotions aren't math problems, where two minus one equals one, and wanting to subtract doesn't mean you can do it cleanly. Not everyone can put something down once they've picked it up; it takes a resolute and decisive heart, as well as broad and penetrating wisdom.

  How much determination and courage does it take to completely cut off such deep emotions?

  "What are you going to do about Fang Xiaotong? Are you going to drive her away or keep her?" Jin Huan changed the subject, got up and poured himself a glass of water, drinking slowly.

  Chen Jianfeng let out a cold laugh, his sharp eyes gazing out the window at the dark night sky. "Since she insists on staying, then so be it, I don't care." He paused slightly, his tone softening: "You... you and Ruolan, have you two discussed when you plan to get married?"

  "She's going to enter the academy in September, and military schools have rules that students are not allowed to get married during their studies." Jin Huan rubbed his brow, sighed, leaned back in his chair, and fell silent.

  "You really plan to send her to the Lu Institute? Just one morning exercise can take her life!" Chen Jianfeng shifted uncomfortably, still unable to help but care about her.

  Jin Hao shrugged and returned to his usual carefree tone: "I won't go, I've already submitted the application on her behalf to the academy, so she can stay in the squad for self-study. The academy has agreed, and we'll send her over during the exams."

  Chen Jianfeng smiled slightly, stood up and patted his shoulder. "Then hurry up, such a good girl, you can meet one in this life is already lucky." He turned around and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

  Three days later, Fang Xiaotong received a notice to report to the training camp.