Although they had agreed on this method, Fang Mei didnât intend to hurry in mentioning marriage. After all, it was normal for there to be a process from dating to marriage. They first told their family that they were dating, their parents were calmer, and they hadnât let them down. They would observe Fang Meiâs fatherâs condition, and they would wait until they really couldnât delay it.
Fang Mei was someone who looked out for Yang Lei. Fang Mei knew that, even if it was a marriage of convenience, it would still make Yang Lei someone who had been married once. If Yang Lei wanted to get married again in the future, there would more or less be an impact. She also felt sorry for Yang Lei. Fang Mei was very considerate in her actions. Marriage would take place when absolutely necessary. Right now, while they could stall, they would stall first.
Yang Lei didnât have any objections. He followed Fang Meiâs arrangement.
When his comrade was having a wedding, Yang Lei asked about how the marriage procedures were done in the army. When the political cadre saw him asking about this, they teased: âXiao Yang, when will it be your turn to hold a wedding?â âDonât do it quietly, okay?â âŠ
Yang Lei just smiled and glossed it over. No one in the army had ever seen Yang Leiâs girlfriend. They all knew that he had high standards. He had been introduced to many people, but he didnât like any of them. They were also regiment leaders who took a fancy to him and introduced their own people to him. Last time, when Director Zhou of the military affairs department told him to pick up his daughter, Zhou Yun, there was a hint of this. Yang Lei politely declined all of these, and for this, he offended many people. Thus, those in the regiment said, with a family background and character like Staff Officer Yang, letâs see what kind of goddess he will find in the future.
The 701 regiment routinely had an actual combat drill once a month, at a military exercise field not far from the town. Every routine military drill took about three days. During the rest period, the cadres would bring people to make purchases and go back to reward the soldiers with food and drink. At night, they would lodge at outpost 531 next to the town. Every month at this time, the army would come out to drill for these days. Usually, one couldnât go into the military camp. At this time, one could meet many officers and soldiers in town. Everyone in the town knew that some small shops specifically did business with the army during these days. Yang Lei was responsible for training. Every time, he had to bring the team out for exercise. During these days of exercise, he would also often go to the town to buy some food, daily necessities, and whatnot.
This time, on the second day of drills, during the noon break, Yang Lei and several cadres went into a small shop in the town to buy things. The owner of the shop was a young person and was recovering from shock as he chatted with acquaintances.
âThere was nothing like this before in our town! The robbery in the streets scared me and my wife, and we nearly couldnât come back last night!â
âWho was it? They scared you!â
âThree big and tall men, all with knives! Fuck, once those knives came out, my wife nearly fainted. To tell you the truth, my legs went weak! At first glance, they were recidivists, not petty thieves. I think they even had the courage to kill!â
The little bossâs words attracted the people in the store to all gather around and listen.
âThatâs too scary! What happened later?â
âSpeaking of it, I really have good luck. Later, there was someone crossing the street who just happened to pass by. That brother, fuck, was really amazing! You all didnât see it. Three people with knives couldnât beat the lone and unarmed man! I didnât even clearly see what was going on, and he beat those three down to the ground. Their knives flew a few meters away. The people were kicked one by one, and they rolled on the ground for a long time, unable to get up!â
When the little boss recalled the scene from last night, his mouth was foaming.
âI donât believe that it was the skill of a plainclothes cop! Even a plainclothes cop couldnât beat him!â
âWhat kind of person is so fierce? Is he from our town?â
The talk made people curious.
âIt was too dark. I didnât really see his face clearly, but that figure and stature are definitely not from our town, but it looked a little familiar.â
The little boss thought that he had seen it before.
âWas he a soldier? Wasnât yesterday a drill day? It could be some soldier who slipped away to play in civilian clothes.â
In the hearts of the people in the town, only soldiers had the courage to fight against people with knives.
ââŠNow that you say it, I remember! Iâve seen this person before! Thatâs right, he came over these last few days for army training. He bought cigarettes at my place before! Heâs reliable. He may really be a soldier!â
On the other side, Yang Lei and several cadres heard it all. The little boss even greeted the officers with a smile: âThank you, peopleâs soldiers!â
Hearing this, the officers were all quite puzzled.
âItâs probably not our soldiers, right?â a company commander turned his head and muttered.
âIn the evening, cadres have to ask for leave to come out. It is impossible for soldiers to leave the outhouse. At the emergency assembly last night, no one was missing.â
âWe are the only cadres. We were all there last night. That definitely was not it!â
âWell, we were praised for nothing! We got the better end of the deal.â
âYang Lei, it wasnât you, was it? You won the championship in the individual combat of our regiment!â a comrade joked.
Yang Lei was paying and didnât take notice.
âYou donât say. I really lack a silk banner. Iâll go and look for those three, and do this deed of merit!â