During this period, Jiang Shuiyun has been taking time out of her day to handle work matters. So far, everything is stable and progress is normal. There shouldn't be anything major that requires her to call in the middle of the night to ask questions.
Jiang Shuiyun answered the phone in the study and listened quietly to the conversation on the other end. Xu Xu and Lei Yu sat opposite her, observing Jiang Shuiyun's expression. Even after Jiang Shuiyun hung up the phone, she didn't say anything, only some meaningless responses, making it impossible to guess the meaning of the call.
"Professor, what happened?"
Xu Xu watched Jiang Shuiyun hang up the phone and couldn't help but ask a question.
"I might have to go back for a while." Jiang Shuiyun's brows showed no sign of fatigue. She had agreed to take a vacation, but she had to go back in just a few days. I doubt anyone could be happy about that.
"How long will this take?" Lei Yu asked. They hadn't received any notification yet; they probably needed to ask Jiang Shuiyun's opinion first before they would be notified.
"The timeframe is uncertain. We'll come back whenever the issue is resolved. To be conservative, it'll take at least a year."
Jiang Shuiyun felt a slight headache.
"A year?" Lei Yu and Xu Xu exchanged a glance, knowing something big had happened, after all, Jiang Shuiyun had only stayed for a few months before. "Professor, what about Miss Yi? Are you going to be in a long-distance relationship again?"
"Professor, you can bring Miss Yi along. It's not like you can't bring your family. Why don't you two get married and register your marriage first, right?"
Xu Xu suggested that although it was just a brief meeting, she could tell that Jiang Shuiyun and Yi Jinbai had a very good relationship and had decided to be together, so it wouldn't hurt to get their marriage certificate sooner.
“Professor, I think this is a bit inappropriate,” Lei Yu said from the side. “Professor, you two are getting married. It would be good if Miss Yi could come with you, but the base doesn’t allow people to come and go as they please. Even you, Professor, have trouble getting in and out, let alone Miss Yi. Miss Yi has her own career. Are you going to make her give up her career because of this?”
Holding her forehead, Jiang Shuiyun had already thought about both questions, but of course, she hadn't been able to come to a conclusion. "Alright, I'll think about it."
Returning to her room from the study, Jiang Shuiyun was still thinking about this matter. She didn't know how to bring it up with Yi Jinbai. She had thought that after returning this time, she could finally enter a semi-retired state, but it turned out that she had been delusional.
Pushing open the door to the room, Jiang Shuiyun looked at Yi Jinbai, who was sitting on the bed reading a book. The warm light fell on her face, making her look gentle and beautiful.
"What are you looking at?"
After closing the door, Jiang Shuiyun walked over, leaned against Yi Jinbai, and wrapped her arms around him.
"I don't know where this book came from. It was on that table over there. I probably just put it there when I was tidying up the bookshelf last time. It's a novel, and it's quite interesting."
Yi Jinbai closed the book and placed it on the bedside table, then leaned into Jiang Shuiyun's arms. "Finished with work?"
"Um."
Jiang Shuiyun responded, the fragrance emanating from Yi Jinbai calming her somewhat agitated mind.
"By the way, are you free tomorrow? If not, how about we tidy up the rooftop garden? Spring is just around the corner, it's a good time to add some flowers. I've had my eye on a few before, now we can plant them ourselves."
Yi Jinbai twirled Jiang Shuiyun's hair with his fingertips, discussing with her with a smile. Although she had always taken care of things by herself before, it was always different when the two of them did it together.
"Um……"
Jiang Shuiyun nodded at Yi Jinbai's expectant look, but then remembered that she had to leave.
Who wouldn't want such a peaceful and leisurely life? It's just that sometimes, once you make that first decision, the subsequent developments are no longer within your control.
Yi Jinbai looked up. Although Jiang Shuiyun didn't say anything, she still sensed something was wrong and asked with some concern, "What's wrong? You look preoccupied?"
“There is something,” Jiang Shuiyun paused for a moment, then decided to discuss it with Yi Jinbai, “I just received a notice that I may have to return to the base.”
"So soon? Is it like last time?" Yi Jinbai was a little surprised, then reluctant. They had only been together for a few days, and now they had to part again.
"It will take a little longer than last time."
Yi Jinbai hugged Jiang Shuiyun tightly without saying a word. Jiang Shuiyun also felt uneasy. Xu Xu's suggestion lingered on her lips several times, but she didn't say it in the end. She didn't want Yi Jinbai to make a choice, nor did she want Yi Jinbai to give up the path she wanted to take because of her.
When are you leaving?
After a long while, Yi Jinbai's muffled voice finally rang out from Jiang Shuiyun's arms.
"ASAP."
Jiang Shuiyun didn't mention a specific time, but Yi Jinbai knew that if it weren't for him, Jiang Shuiyun might already be on her way, just like last time.
The reluctance to part was hidden in the silence until Yi Jinbai took the initiative to kiss Jiang Shuiyun, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
Holding Jiang Shuiyun's shoulder, Yi Jinbai made up his mind, his clear black and white eyes looking earnestly at Jiang Shuiyun, "Let's go get our marriage certificate. No matter how long you're gone, I'll wait for you."
Jiang Shuiyun met Yi Jinbai's eyes. Before she could say anything, Yi Jinbai brought it up first, "Won't you regret it? What if this kind of waiting becomes the norm in the future?"
"Then I'll accept it." Yi Jinbai has a gentle temper, but on this kind of issue, she is more stubborn than anyone else. No one can predict the future, and no one knows if they will regret it one day, but for now, she still has to make this decision.
Jiang Shuiyun stroked Yi Jinbai's face, "I only have one morning tomorrow. If I go to get the marriage certificate, I won't be able to help you tidy up the garden."
"Then we'll wait for you to come back and pack. There's plenty of time, no need to rush."
Yi Jinbai was also a little disappointed, but compared to the other option, getting the marriage certificate was clearly more important.
Yi Jinbai had made up her mind. Jiang Shuiyun saw that she showed no sign of wavering and ruffled Yi Jinbai's hair. "Go to sleep first, we'll talk about it tomorrow morning."
"No," Yi Jinbai grabbed Jiang Shuiyun's hand, "What if you run away without a word tomorrow morning?"
"I can still run away?" Jiang Shuiyun was amused. "Okay, I promise you, I'll wait for you to wake up tomorrow, and we'll get our marriage certificate before I leave. I definitely won't run away."
Yi Jinbai looked at Jiang Shuiyun suspiciously, then nodded after a long while, giving in, "If you dare to lie to me, you can expect to break up with me."
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 08:46:31 on June 29, 2022 and 16:29:35 on June 30, 2022!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Zhen Mulin, employee number 5076 (1 landmine);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 85
The next morning, Jiang Shuiyun woke up early and glanced at the sleeping Yi Jinbai. Just as she was about to get up, she realized that Yi Jinbai was still holding her waist. She tried to gently remove Yi Jinbai's arm, but she didn't expect that such a small movement would wake Yi Jinbai up.
Rubbing his eyes, Yi Jinbai rolled over and pinned Jiang Shuiyun beneath him. "Are you leaving?"
"No, I'll get up and make you breakfast, okay? Be a good girl."
Jiang Shuiyun helplessly rubbed Yi Jinbai's rosy face, which was still wet from sleep.
"Then I'll get up too."
Although Yi Jinbai was so sleepy he couldn't get up, he still got up with her, and almost put his clothes on backwards in his drowsy state.
"You can sleep a little longer."
Jiang Shuiyun had no intention of running away. She knew Yi Jinbai's temper. If she had dared to leave without a word this morning, Yi Jinbai would definitely have broken up with her if she came back. Yi Jinbai was usually gentle, but she was stubborn, and when she was stubborn, Jiang Shuiyun really couldn't do anything about it.
"It's nothing," Yi Jinbai stretched and looked down at Jiang Shuiyun, who was buttoning his clothes. He then put his arm around Jiang Shuiyun's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
Jiang Shuiyun patted Yi Jinbai's back, "Shall I carry you down?"
“No need,” Yi Jinbai released Jiang Shuiyun, then took her hand instead, “Let’s go.”
The two went downstairs together. Jiang Shuiyun went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, while Yi Jinbai sat in the tea room on the other side, gazing absently at the garden outside.
"Good morning, Miss Yi," Lei Yu said, passing by the tea room. He greeted Yi Jinbai and glanced at her white shirt. "Miss Yi, are you going out?"
"Yes, we're going to get our marriage certificate."
Yi Jinbai snapped out of his daze and smiled as he spoke to Lei Yu.
Lei Yu was a little surprised, but also happy for them. "Congratulations! No wonder the professor asked me to come over earlier. By the way, Miss Yi, Xu Xu is packing her luggage now. If there's anything you particularly need to bring, you can let her know. Most daily necessities are prepared at the base, so you don't need to bring them."
"Me?" Yi Jinbai was taken aback. "I need to pack my luggage too?"
"Isn't that right?" Lei Yu scratched his head in confusion. "Miss Yi, didn't you and the professor go to the base together after you got your marriage certificate?"
“Oh,” Yi Jinbai nodded calmly, “Yes, we can only go together after we get the marriage certificate.”
Lei Yu nodded, "Yes, otherwise we wouldn't have had to rush. But today is an auspicious day, so it's fine. Let's just take advantage of it."
Yi Jinbai nodded, "Yes, Lieutenant Lei, you can go ahead and get busy. She's in the kitchen."
"good."
Lei Yu vaguely sensed something was wrong, but couldn't figure out what it was, so he didn't pay much attention to it and went to find Jiang Shuiyun.
As expected, Jiang Shuiyun asked Lei Yu to arrange the trip to the Civil Affairs Bureau, and Lei Yu agreed and went to make the arrangements.
After giving her instructions, Jiang Shuiyun continued to focus on flipping the pan-fried buns in the pan. A few deliberately light footsteps sounded from behind her. She knew it was Yi Jinbai as soon as she heard them, and a smile flashed in her eyes, but she pretended not to notice.
Yi Jinbai hugged Jiang Shuiyun from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Shuiyun?"
A gentle breeze brushed against her ear, sending a tingling sensation through her, making Jiang Shuiyun's heart skip a beat. Holding a spatula in one hand, she grasped Yi Jinbai's hand, which was clasped around her abdomen, with the other. "Hmm, what's wrong?"
Yi Jinbai leaned closer to Jiang Shuiyun's ear, "Wife?"
Jiang Shuiyun froze, she could even feel Yi Jinbai's lips brush against her earlobe, making her feel as if she were frozen in place, her heart pounding wildly, and blood rushing to her head.
Jiang Shuiyun felt a moment of dizziness and immediately realized something was wrong. Yi Jinbai's sudden initiative and intimacy were too abnormal.
Jiang Shuiyun turned off the stove and tried to turn around, but Yi Jinbai tightened his grip on her waist, preventing her from turning. This made Jiang Shuiyun even more certain that something was wrong. She tentatively turned her head to meet Yi Jinbai's gaze, "Jinbai?"
Yi Jinbai had a smile on his face, but there was no smile in his eyes, which sent a chill down Jiang Shuiyun's spine.
Do you want to break up with me?
"Of course not," Jiang Shuiyun blurted out without a second's hesitation.
"Really?" Yi Jinbai asked again.
"I really mean it."
Jiang Shuiyun did the same without hesitation.
"That's a lie."
Yi Jinbai released his grip on Jiang Shuiyun, his smile vanished, and he turned away with a cold snort.
"What's wrong now?" Jiang Shuiyun was completely confused. "What did I lie about?"
"Is there something you haven't told me?" Yi Jinbai prompted Jiang Shuiyun, giving her another chance.
Jiang Shuiyun thought about it carefully this time, and remembered the trip to the base. Feeling a little guilty, she asked, "You mean the marriage certificate?"
"What else could it be? We got our marriage certificate, so I could go to the base with you, but you didn't even tell me. You really want to break up with me? If you don't want to be with me that much, then what's the point of getting the certificate?"
Once things were out in the open, Yi Jinbai told everything in one breath. However, the more he talked, the more aggrieved he felt. He wanted to glare at Jiang Shuiyun, but his eyes involuntarily reddened, and tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably.
Jiang Shuiyun tenderly wiped away the tears on Yi Jinbai's face. This time, she didn't hide anything and told him the whole story. "It's not that I don't want to be with you, or that I don't want to take you there. It's just that once we go there, you'll lose your personal freedom. Your career is just starting out, and this would be very disadvantageous for you. I don't want you to suffer because of me..."
"Because of what? Are you afraid I'll give up my career because of you?" Yi Jinbai interrupted Jiang Shuiyun, seeing her lower her head in silence, tears streaming down her face. "Why didn't you ask what I thought? You just made decisions for me all the time. Do you even know what I want?"
Jiang Shuiyun hurriedly wiped away Yi Jinbai's tears and hugged him tightly. "I was wrong, don't cry."