She Lives without Regret in This Life

"That godforsaken place is nothing but ice and snow," Xu Qigang mumbled in an unclear voice.

Sheng Ning's heart ached, and she asked anxiously, "Are you hurt? Is everything okay? Should we go to the hospital to check?"

"No, don't worry!"

"Really? You're not lying to me, are you?" Sheng Ning was tense with worry.

"Really, there's nothing to worry about, I promise."

"I can't help but worry!" Sheng Ning observed him; his complexion wasn't bad. Aside from being a bit thinner and his eyes sharper than before, everything else seemed fine. Her heart, which had been suspended in fear, finally settled.

"Focus on driving well, and I'll check to see if you're injured."

"Don't move recklessly!" Xu Qigang firmly held her hand.

"Oh! Isn't it enough that I listen to you?" Sheng Ning obediently sat back, unable to suppress a foolish grin.

The jeep was speeding down the road, and Sheng Ning glanced outside to see they had already left the city. The roads on the outskirts were pitch black, and on this New Year's Eve, the crescent moon hung high in the sky.

"Where are you going?"

"Home!" Xu Qigang turned to look at her, a fierce flame burning urgently in his deep, dark eyes.

Xu Qigang slammed on the brakes, his great self-control finally breaking down. He parked the jeep haphazardly in the middle of the road, "Xiao Ning, you asked for this."

He kissed her lips fiercely,

She hung her head shyly, not daring to look at him.

******

The performance at the Provincial Command Center was coming to an end, and the General Union Dance Troupe had achieved great success. However, Sheng Ning was nowhere to be found during the celebration, causing panic among everyone. Just as Yang Wenying was about to lose her temper, she saw Chen Yingjie coming around to the backstage.

Yang Wenying's heart skipped a beat, and her expression instantly relaxed. It turned out Xu Qigang had returned, no wonder Sheng Ning had disappeared.

There's a charm in reuniting after a short absence; it really wouldn't have been appropriate for her to disturb the couple's affectionate moment.

"Good day, Captain Yang." Chen Yingjie greeted.

Wu Youli and Liu Yilan quietly greeted him as well.

"Hello, Captain Chen. Was the mission successful? When did you get back?"

"Very smoothly, I've just returned. Captain Yang, may I speak with you in private?" Chen Yingjie said awkwardly, scratching his head. His hair was noticeably longer than before and didn't comply with the regulations, indicating that he had returned in a hurry and had not had the chance to get a haircut.

"Of course," Yang Wenying smiled and nodded, "please, this way!"

"Thank you, Captain Yang." Despite Chen Yingjie's unruly demeanor within the War Wolf Rescue Team, he knew how to behave properly in public.

The two stepped outside and Chen Yingjie conveyed the message that Xu Qigang had asked for leave on behalf of Sheng Ning.

"Absolutely," Yang Wenying had already guessed as much and agreed promptly: "We were supposed to take a break tomorrow anyway, I approve her leave for three days before the scheduled visit to the border defense unit for a consolation performance three days later."

"Thank you!" Chen Yingjie left, pleased.

Yang Wenying stood there, shaking her head with a chuckle. Who would dare deny Xu Qigang at this moment? Let alone three days, she would probably agree even if it were a month.

********

Today, Qianjin had been completely overshadowed. After the performance, the topic of conversation among the comrades was Hope Field and the solo piano performance. It was the Union Flower, Sheng Ning, the Phoenix; Bai Oulan was the only one not mentioned.

She stood in a daze at the edge of the stage, enveloped in darkness where the light couldn't find her. Just like her heart, shrouded in a cloud of gloom.

Bai Oulan walked off the stage in a trance and slowly leaned against a pillar. She had once been the brightest star, the focus of leaders' attention, adored by young comrades, envied by female comrades, and revered by the average comrade.