The next day was a weekend, and Xia Yanxin got up before dawn.
She opened the wardrobe and took out all her summer clothes, laying them on the bed.
She then tried each piece against the mirror.
Although Chu Sihao hadn’t made arrangements to meet her, since their families lived close to each other, he might pass by her house by chance.
She wanted him to see her at her most beautiful.
After much deliberation, she chose a sapphire blue long dress, which, against her fair skin, looked refreshing and beautiful.
She smiled brilliantly, satisfied with her choice.
Moreover, this dress was a bargain she had found on Taobao; it was pretty and affordably priced….
The dining table was set with milk and freshly baked bread.
One of the benefits of working as a maid for the Jin Family was the abundance of food; almost every day, her mother would bring home some high-end food for her, like king prawns, Bird’s Nest Soup, and fish maw….
But Xia Yanxin always poured these away behind her mother’s back.
She knew very well that these were leftovers from the Jin Family and, no matter how high-end they were, she absolutely refused to eat them.
The milk was her own purchase, which she sipped slowly.
The bread, she simply tossed aside….
“Knock, knock, knock….”
The sound of knocking came, and Xia Yanxin thought it was her mother returning.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she reached out to open the door.
Chu Sihao’s strikingly handsome smile entered her sight, and she instantly realized she was still wearing slippers and might even have milk on her mouth.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly closed the door again, “Just a moment….”
She dashed to the bathroom at top speed to tidy herself up in front of the mirror, and changed into sandals before reopening the door.
“Brother Sihao, haha, you’re up early!”
Today, Chu Sihao wasn’t in his military uniform but wore a simple white shirt paired with a light blue striped vest, looking extraordinarily dashing and handsome, like a prince out of a fairy tale.
Under his neat crew cut were clean and warm features, tender and bright eyes, rosy lips, and white teeth, and he carried a faint scent of soap.
“Yanyan, are you free today?”
“Don’t you need to return to the base?”
“Nope!
It’s now confirmed that I will return to the base after three days, so I have some time these next couple of days to spend more time with you.”
“Then, that’s great!
I’m free, it’s the weekend!
And I don’t have to work overtime!” Xia Yanxin didn’t conceal her fondness for Chu Sihao.
It’s strange to think about, but when she was younger and fooling around with him, she never felt awkward.
Now, however, whenever she was with him, she didn’t know where to place her hands.
A military-green Land Rover was parked by the roadside.
Chu Sihao opened the door and helped Xia Yanxin into the car before taking his place behind the wheel.
“Brother Sihao, is this your new car?”
“Haha, of course not, this is my father’s subordinate’s car.
He’s just lent it to me for a few days….”
“Then what kind of car do you drive in the base?”
“Hmm…
I don’t have time to drive; I spend most of my time on warships, haha….”
“Wow, warships?
It must be tough being in the navy, I heard you’re always at sea….”
Chu Sihao turned his face, saw her simple and joyous smile, and warmth filled his heart, “It’s not too bad!
It’s the mission of a soldier to protect the country, so a bit of hardship doesn’t matter.”
Looking at Chu Sihao’s righteous and handsome face, Xia Yanxin felt a surge of excitement.
Marrying a soldier was the sweetest dream of her life.
“I heard being a reporter is dangerous, Yanyan, why did you choose that profession?”
“Er…
to expose the dark side of society, to enhance the positive energy of the nation!”
“You little girl, since when have you been so righteous?”
“Isn’t that from Brother Sihao, you do things for the country, I can’t be a drag!”
“Haha, Yanyan is much more sensible now!”
“So, does Brother Sihao like Yanyan being this way?” Xia Yanxin asked tentatively, her gaze carrying a hint of mischief.
Chu Sihao parked the car, turned, and held Xia Yanxin’s hands, his gaze intensely warm as he looked at her, “I do, no matter what Yanyan is like, I like her!”
They were very close, and she could feel his warm breath closing in.
After a while, realizing that what she anticipated didn’t happen, she opened her eyes to find Chu Sihao gazing at her with an amused smile in his eyes.
Xia Yanxin’s face heated with embarrassment.
Oh, how awkward; she had been too forward just now!
“What are you looking at?”
“Hmm, at you!
Trying to memorize every detail so I can recall them slowly….” Chu Sihao said earnestly.
Xia Yanxin’s cheeks reddened even more, and she almost couldn’t look him in the eye, “Brother Sihao, what are you talking about, can’t we just call or video chat?”
“Hmm, it’s not the same!
Let’s get out of the car!”
In the morning, the two of them went up Fragrant Hills and rowed a boat on Half Moon Lake….
In fact, there wasn’t much time left; by noon, Chu Sihao received another assignment and had to leave temporarily.
“Yanyan, my mom and dad will be home tomorrow.
I’ve arranged it, I’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow morning, and then take you to meet them….”
His eyes were filled with joy.
As much as he liked Xia Yanxin, he was a man of traditional values and strong sense of responsibility, and perhaps due to his military background, he would not make any excessive moves toward Xia Yanxin without confirming their relationship.
Xia Yanxin nodded shyly, thrilled within her heart.
If she formally met his parents, they could begin dating.
“Hmm, can you take me to the supermarket now?
I want to buy something!”
“Sure, after shopping, I’ll pick you up and take you home.”
“No need, no need, go do what you need to!
I’ll call a friend and hang out!”
After taking Xia Yanxin to the supermarket, Chu Sihao left.
She strolled around alone, texting Shen Xiaoman to consult on what gift to buy for meeting Chu Sihao’s parents the next day….
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, two bodyguards in black were slowly tailing her from behind.
When she reached a secluded spot, they quickly pounced, one pressing a handkerchief over her nose and mouth.
Within moments, she slumped down, and a bodyguard covered her head with a black plastic bag, lifting her and swiftly departing through the emergency exit.