https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-176-Zhou-Zhou-s-Unusual-Behavior/12935364/
Chapter 175: Weighing Anchor and Setting Sail
Chapter 175: Weighing Anchor and Setting Sail
Just then, another person emerged from the staircase corner, "Jiang Dong, what are you doing?"
Jiang Dong turned at the sound of the voice and glanced at the speaker, "I accidentally bumped into someone."
He was still supporting Zhang Fuyan and asked, "Classmate, can you stand steady? Do you need me to take you to the school infirmary?"
Zhang Fuyan widened her eyes, "You're Jiang Dong, the 'Jiang' from the river, and 'Dong' from the winter solstice?"
Jiang Dong nodded, "Yes!"
At that moment, someone behind them recognized Zhang Fuyan and said, "Jiang Dong, this is the person I just told you about, the one who came looking for you. She's your sister's close friend."
Jiang Dong had guessed it, as he had also read the letter his sister sent him.
His sister's close friend was his sister! Jiang Dong immediately said warmly, "Xiao Yan, did you sprain your ankle? Let me take you to the hospital."
Zhang Fuyan's face darkened, thinking, 'Sister? Am I that old?'
"I'm in the same graduating class as you, from the Foreign Language Department, and I was born on the winter solstice, so I should be younger than you."
Jiang Dong: "..."
What a coincidence! He was also born on the winter solstice, hence the name Jiang Dong, and his sister was born on the summer solstice, so she was named Jiang Xia.
Jiang Dong knew that women didn't like being called old, so he tactfully refrained from calling her 'sister' again, "Comrade Xiao Yan, did you sprain your ankle?"
She was still holding onto his arm, and he was supporting her, but it wasn't appropriate for them to be in close contact for too long. Still, he was worried about her injured foot.
Zhang Fuyan moved her foot, and the pain was unbearable, "It seems so."
"I'll take you to the hospital."
"No need, I'll just apply some medicinal wine at home. Your sister's fish fry is at my place. Can you go get them now?"
Jiang Dong, having read his sister's letter, was planning to find Zhang Fuyan, so he nodded, "Yes."
He had to say yes, even if it wasn't true. He had caused his sister's friend to get injured, and if he didn't take her to the hospital, wouldn't his sister be angry when she found out? He turned to tell his father, and if his father knew how irresponsible he was, he'd break his leg when he got home!
So, Jiang Dong helped Zhang Fuyan downstairs and took her to the hospital on his bicycle. After seeing the doctor and applying medication, they headed to the hospital.
By the time they arrived, Zhang Fuyan's foot had swollen to the size of a steamed bun!
Jiang Dong secretly rejoiced that he had brought her to the hospital. After that, he took her out for a meal and then sent her home, taking the half-filled heavy-duty bag of fish fry with him as he headed back to the research institute.
He had only returned to school to borrow a book for his professor and to pick up a change of clothes from his dormitory.
After Jiang Dong left, Zhang Fuyan wanted to call Jiang Xia, but she realized it was already eight o'clock. She wasn't sure if anyone was on duty at the production team, so she decided to write a letter to Jiang Xia instead.
The first line of the letter read, "Xia Xia, your brother is so handsome! He's warm and considerate. Your family has raised such a well-mannered child!"
Ye Xian learned from a classmate that Jiang Dong had returned to school, so she hurried to his dormitory to find him, only to discover that he had left again. She clenched her teeth in anger, "After so many days without seeing him, he finally returns to school, and he doesn't even want to see me? I'm so mad!"
Little Fishing Village
On an early August night, a crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a faint glow.
The curtain in front of the window fluttered slightly in the breeze, and Jiang Xia stood in the dimly lit room, folding clothes by the bed.
The fish cage had been lowered into the sea, and tomorrow morning, after all of Zhou Chenglei's comrades had arrived, they would set out on a large ship for the open sea.
Offshore fishing trips usually lasted ten to fifteen days, and Zhou Chenglei promised to return before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
That meant at least ten days away, so after Jiang Xia finished bathing, she began packing clothes for Zhou Chenglei.
Although he was diligent and always washed his clothes after bathing, Jiang Xia still packed six sets for him to ensure he had spares if they got wet.
She folded each piece of clothing neatly and categorized them into red, white, and blue plastic bags.
After packing his clothes, Jiang Xia prepared his daily necessities, including towels, toothbrushes, razors, hangers, buckets, and basins.
Zhou Chenglei entered after taking a shower, and he saw Jiang Xia packing his luggage in the lamplight. Her profile was beautiful, with soft hair shimmering in a faint halo, and her expression was both serious and gentle.
Over the years, he had traveled south, north, and even abroad for missions, always packing his own luggage, and he always traveled light.
He had never prepared so thoroughly. Sometimes, he would set off without even packing his luggage.
Only she packed so comprehensively for him.
When Jiang Xia saw him enter, she said, "I've almost finished packing. Take a look and see if there's anything missing. Earlier, I forgot to buy some medicine for you to take to sea. Since you'll be out there for many days, it's best to prepare some basic medications, like cold medicine, fever reducers, and medicine for stomach discomfort. Tomorrow morning, I'll get up early and ride my bicycle to the town health clinic to buy some."
"There's no need." Zhou Chenglei's heart softened, and he pulled Jiang Xia into his embrace, kissing her lips passionately and urgently.
The arm muscles around her waist were taut, with veins popping out, as he kissed her and lifted her with one hand, placing her gently on the bed. With his other hand, he unbuttoned his shirt, tilted his head to the side, and continued downward.
The lights in the room stayed on all night.
Jiang Xia felt like she hadn't slept at all.
As dawn approached, she fell asleep, but it seemed like she had just dozed off when he woke her again.
Jiang Xia woke up again, and the sky was already bright. She heard several people talking outside, and her heart raced as she quickly changed her clothes and went out.
In the courtyard, several robust, tanned, and energetic men were standing in a line, talking to Zhou Chenglei.
Zhou Chenglei seemed to sense her presence and turned around. His cold expression softened, and he waved to Jiang Xia, his voice low and gentle, "Come here."
The men in line witnessed for the first time how quickly their battalion commander could change his expression! Just a moment ago, his expression had been stern, awe-inspiring, and indifferent. But now, he was like a gentle spring breeze, refined and elegant, with a gentle demeanor.
Jiang Xia walked up confidently.
Everyone immediately raised their hands in salute, "Hello, Sister-in-Law!"
Jiang Xia had never encountered such a scene and didn't know how to respond, so she smiled and returned the salute, "Hello, everyone!"
Fortunately, she had learned how to salute during military training.
The moment Jiang Xia smiled, several people were momentarily dazzled by her beauty: "The Battalion Commander's wife is so beautiful and gentle!"
No wonder the Battalion Commander had become so gentle.
A tough man with a soft heart!
Zhou Chenglei introduced Jiang Xia, "This is Jiang Yang, you've met her before."
Jiang Yang smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, it's been a while!"
Rumors indeed shouldn't be trusted. Just looking at the Battalion Commander and his wife, they seemed so loving!
Jiang Xia smiled and said, "It's been a while. How's Mei Jie doing lately?"
Jiang Yang laughed, "She's doing well. She picked some fruits and also prepared several kinds of flower seedlings for you to plant."
Jiang Yang pointed under the eaves, where there were two baskets of fruits and many flower and fruit seedlings.
The courtyard was also filled with various items, presumably brought by them.
Jiang Xia glanced at them and smiled, expressing her thanks, and said she would visit Mei Jie next time she was free.
Growing fruits didn't bring in much money, and it was dependent on the weather. If the fruits didn't sell and ended up rotting, it was easy to lose everything. The family's orchard was enough to manage with the help of her parents, so when Jiang Yang heard that the Battalion Commander was looking for someone to go to sea, he immediately agreed!
Zhou Chenglei then introduced the comrades behind Jiang Xia: "This is Yang Bin, Feng Jianjun, Kang Guoping, Zhang Jiayang, and Chen Guodong. They are all comrades who have fought alongside me through life and death."
Those mentioned greeted Jiang Xia one by one.
Jiang Xia also smiled and returned a greeting.
After the introductions, Zhou Chenglei asked them to first carry the items onto the ship.
This trip to sea was planned for ten days, so they needed to prepare enough drinking water, rice, and vegetables.
Early in the morning, Zhou Fu had already brought three large heavy-duty bags of rice to be husked, while Zhou Mu went to pick several baskets of vegetables and corn for them to take on board.
Now, the ground was piled high with baskets and bags of food.
Jiang Yang and the others immediately carried the prepared items onto the handcart and pushed it to the dock.
Clearly, one handcart couldn't hold all these items, so the rest of them simply carried the rest on bamboo poles and walked.
Jiang Xia watched as the bamboo pole bent and bounced with their movements, but they walked with ease as if the weight of over a hundred pounds was nothing.
Jiang Xia was truly impressed!
Zhou Chenglei asked Jiang Xia to wash up and have breakfast first, while he went to help everyone carry the items onto the ship.
Jiang Xia was concerned about him going to sea directly and asked, "Will you be coming back later? I haven't bought the backup medicine yet."
"No need to buy. I asked Yang Bin to bring some, and he lives in town. I'll be back later to get my clothes. You go wash up and have breakfast."
Hearing this, Jiang Xia hurried to wash up and quickly finished a bowl of congee.
She saw that there were still two baskets of fruits left in the courtyard, so she took some for home and planned to let Zhou Chenglei take the rest onto the ship.
Jiang Xia returned to the room to check if there was anything missing from Zhou Chenglei's luggage.
At this moment, Zhou Chenglei returned, pushed open the door, and closed it behind him.
Jiang Xia said, "I've checked everything, and nothing is missing."
"Mhm."
He pulled Jiang Xia into his embrace and hugged her tightly, "I'm going to sea."
Jiang Xia hugged him back and rested her head on his sturdy chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. She nodded, "Okay, smooth sailing and safe journey."
Zhou Chenglei held her tightly for a while before letting go and cupping her face to kiss her forehead, "Wait for me. I'll be back before the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Jiang Xia tiptoed and kissed him, "Okay!"
Zhou Chenglei held her waist but let go immediately.
If they didn't leave soon, he wasn't sure when they would set sail that day.
Zhou Chenglei picked up the red, white, and blue plastic bags, water buckets, and other items from the ground and walked out.
Jiang Xia gestured for Zhou Chenglei to take the basket of fruits as well.
He was about to refuse, as these were for her to eat, but when he met Jiang Xia's gaze, he agreed.
He took a bamboo pole and carried the luggage and fruits together.
The two of them walked towards the dock.
Along the way, Zhou Chenglei kept reminding Jiang Xia to be careful if she went fishing with Zhou Fu.
He told her not to dive while he was away, not to translate until late at night, to remember to drink a bowl of milk before bed, to ask his mother for help if the shower water was too heavy, and to leave the laundry for his mother if she was tired.
He also told her not to ride a bicycle or take the bus alone to the city, and if she needed to go to the city to sell dried fish, she should ask his father to send her on the tractor.
He said she didn't need to wake up early in the morning and could sleep in, as his mother wouldn't mind.
He had already told all this to his parents, but he still felt uneasy and repeated it to Jiang Xia.
He was reluctant to leave her at home, but with the large ship going out to sea for several days and a crew of men, it wasn't suitable for Jiang Xia to join them.
Zhou Chenglei couldn't bear to let her go, as deep-sea fishing meant days and nights of work, making it too exhausting and dangerous to drift at sea for over ten days.
Not to mention the strong winds and waves, there was also the possibility of encountering pirates.
After Jiang Xia heard him talk for a while, she realized that Zhou Chenglei could be quite talkative.
She had never known he had so much to say!
As they walked and talked, they reached the dock.
Zhou Chenglei handed the items onto the ship and then boarded himself.
Standing on the ship, he looked down at Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia waved and smiled, "Smooth sailing and good luck!"
Zhou Fu and Zhou Mu also smiled and wished their son, "Smooth sailing! Smooth sailing and good luck!"
Zhou Chenglei nodded and started the ship.
The anchor was raised, and the large ship gradually sailed away.
(End of Chapter)
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