Chapter 204: Rising Tensions
Chapter 204: Rising Tensions
Jiang Xia turned around and saw a woman in military uniform, her figure graceful as she rushed towards them.
Zhang Rui followed closely behind her, giving Zhou Chenglei an apologetic look and then glancing nervously at Jiang Xia.
Zeng Yuan rushed up to Zhou Chenglei, and Jiang Xia felt like she was about to throw herself at him. But Zhou Chenglei pulled her back a step, and Zeng Yuan managed to stop herself.
Zhou Chenglei, expressionless, took Jiang Xia's hand and stepped back.
Zeng Yuan's steps faltered, and she glanced at their intertwined hands, her nose stinging as her eyes reddened. "Zhou Chenglei, you left without saying goodbye."
Zhou Chenglei looked at her, his face devoid of emotion. "I don't see the need to bid you farewell."
Finishing, he turned to Zhang Rui, "The letter of introduction."
Zhang Rui quickly handed over the letter to Zhou Chenglei.
Jiang Xia subconsciously looked at Zhou Chenglei as she noticed the other woman's red eyes.
Zhou Chenglei took the letter, and upon realizing Jiang Xia was looking at him, he glanced down at her. "Go and pay."
Then, he pulled her away to settle the payment, not even sparing a glance at Zeng Yuan, as if he didn't know her.
Jiang Xia suppressed her curiosity and went to pay for the motorcycle first.
Zeng Yuan watched the intimate silhouette of the two, anger twisting her face as she turned away.
Zhang Rui whispered to her, "You've met the Commander, can't you leave now?"
He still had business with the Commander! And she had ruined it again!
Zeng Yuan glared at him, "Why should I leave?"
Zhang Rui: "..."
"If you don't leave, what are you doing here?"
"Mind your own business!"
Zhang Rui: "..."
His head was spinning! He had never met such a stubborn woman.
The Commander had never been kind to her, yet she acted as if she hadn't noticed and kept sticking around for years! Now that the Commander was married, what else did she want?
If they weren't from the same neighborhood and their families weren't close, he wouldn't even bother with her!
Zeng Yuan ignored Zhang Rui, her gaze falling on Jiang Xia as she scrutinized her from head to toe.
Was this what Zhou Chenglei liked?
No, Zhou Chenglei married her only out of gratitude. It was because the old commander had proposed the marriage, and the bride was the daughter of General Jiang, who had mentored and supported Zhou Chenglei when he first joined the military. That's why he couldn't refuse.
It was her fault for being a step too slow, a step too late in confessing, and a step too late in proposing!
This woman, apart from having fairer skin, was inferior to her in every way. How could she be worthy of Zhou Chenglei?
She was short, barely reaching Zhou Chenglei's shoulders, and her background and education paled in comparison. She only had a high school education!
At first glance, she seemed like the type with no fighting spirit, the kind who would hide behind a man and whine when faced with difficulties.
She was not worthy of Zhou Chenglei!
Jiang Xia took the letter of introduction from Zhou Chenglei's hand and pulled out 700 or 800 yuan and a receipt from her bag, handing it to the salesperson, "Seven hundred and eighty yuan, please count it."
Salesperson: "Seven hundred and ninety, the motorcycle has been refueled, and the fuel cost is an additional ten yuan."
Jiang Xia took out ten yuan from her bag.
Seeing that Jiang Xia hadn't fastened her bag properly, Zhou Chenglei reached out and adjusted it for her.
The salesperson carefully examined the letter of introduction and, after confirming its authenticity, took the money and began issuing the receipt. They were also reminded to take the receipt to register the motorcycle.
After asking if they had a driver's license, and upon Zhou Chenglei's confirmation, they were encouraged to test-drive the motorcycle and leave if everything was in order.
Zhou Chenglei started the motorcycle, tested it, and, finding no issues, pushed it out. He then said to Jiang Xia, "Let's go, we'll take it for a spin outside."
Zeng Yuan stood in front of the motorcycle, unable to hold back, "Alei, aren't you going to introduce us?"
Zhou Chenglei: "My wife, Jiang Xia."
Then, he introduced Jiang Xia to Zeng Yuan, "This is our former military doctor, Doctor Zeng."
Zeng Yuan stood at a height of 170 cm, towering over Jiang Xia's 165 cm. She extended her hand, "Hello, I'm Zeng Yuan, a graduate of the Military Medical University, currently serving as an attending physician in the military hospital. Every time Alei was injured, I took care of him."
Jiang Xia smiled and extended his hand, shaking hands with Zeng Yuan.
As they shook hands, Zeng Yuan subtly exerted strength.
Zhou Chenglei glanced at Zeng Yuan with a cold look.
Zeng Yuan wanted to retract her hand, but she couldn't!
Jiang Xia's smile remained unchanged as he said, "Hello, Doctor Zeng. Thank you for treating my spouse. Your role as a doctor is truly noble, healing and saving lives, selflessly caring for patients."
After speaking, Jiang Xia released her hand.
Zeng Yuan's entire palm went numb, feeling both tingly and painful, and the numbness continued to spread upwards.
Zhang Rui glanced at Jiang Xia.
Impressive, Sis-in-law!
Not only was she strong, but her words were also powerful.
She casually downplayed Zeng Yuan's care as merely a doctor's duty.
Yes, treating patients is just treating them; why mention 'caring'? It sounded so ambiguous!
Caring for patients and saving lives is merely a doctor's duty!
Zeng Yuan felt both angry and embarrassed. She took out a handkerchief, wiped the hand that Jiang Xia had held, and then threw the handkerchief to Zhang Rui, "Throw this away for me."
Zhou Chenglei's face turned cold, and he glanced at her.
Zhang Rui felt the tension rising! Damn, this handkerchief was like a time bomb!
Should he throw it away?
Jiang Xia returned to Zhou Chenglei's side, "Let's go, let's test the motorcycle."
However, Zhou Chenglei parked the motorcycle, grabbed Jiang Xia's wrist, and led her out. He then opened the water bottle and carefully rinsed the hand that had just been held by Zeng Yuan. After that, he took out a handkerchief and wiped her hand dry.
Zeng Yuan followed them out, "..."
She almost cried from frustration! After Zhou Chenglei dried Jiang Xia's hand and his own, he said to Jiang Xia, "Wait here, I'll push the motorcycle out."
Jiang Xia nodded.
After Zhou Chenglei went inside, Zeng Yuan approached Jiang Xia and looked down at her with a smile, "What is Comrade Jiang doing now?"
Seeing the sun was high, Jiang Xia took out a pair of gloves from her bag and put them on to protect herself from the sun as she replied, "I'm farming at home."
"Pfft..." Zhang Rui quickly covered his mouth.
Sis-in-law's words were so sharp!
Farming? That's incredible!
Zeng Yuan was taken aback by her words. She had never expected her to say that, especially since she was unemployed and dependent on her husband. Yet, she portrayed it as farming at home!
She wanted to make a sarcastic remark but couldn't find the right words. She couldn't very well mock the farming class.
Zeng Yuan sized up Jiang Xia.
She never expected her to be so witty and talkative!
In front of Zhou Chenglei, she acted delicate and beautiful, but did Zhou Chenglei know her true nature?
At that moment, Zhou Chenglei pushed the motorcycle out and parked it.
The sun came out, and it was a bit hot. Jiang Xia was afraid of getting tanned.
He took off the straw hat hanging on his back, gently brushed her bangs aside, and put the hat on her head, tying the strings securely. He asked, "Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?"
Jiang Xia shook her head, "No need."
Zeng Yuan: "..."
She had never seen such a gentle side of Zhou Chenglei.
Zhou Chenglei straddled the motorcycle, sat down, and then signaled Jiang Xia to get on after starting the engine.
As Jiang Xia got on, Zhou Chenglei habitually turned back to support her.
Zeng Yuan was stunned for a moment. She had always thought he was cold and distant, especially towards women, always maintaining a stern face and keeping his distance.
But that wasn't the case!
He could also be gentle and considerate.
Zhou Chenglei said to Zhang Rui, "My wife and I will head out first."
Zhang Rui had something to discuss with Zhou Chenglei, but it wasn't the right time. He nodded and waved to Jiang Xia, "Okay, see you later, Sis-in-law!"
Jiang Xia smiled and waved back, "See you later."
As Zhou Chenglei prepared to start the motorcycle, he said to Jiang Xia, "Hold on to me, let's go."
Zeng Yuan: "..."
Jiang Xia hugged his waist.
Zhou Chenglei drove off with Jiang Xia on the motorcycle.
As Zeng Yuan watched them ride away, she felt a twinge of dissatisfaction, "She doesn't deserve the Commander!"
Zhang Rui handed the hot handkerchief back to her, "Whether she deserves me or not, I don't know, but I know the Commander doesn't think highly of you."
Zeng Yuan: "..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
