Chapter 17 — Return to Xiangnan Military Region

Mai Tu Khanh found it funny: "If you want to buy something, you should see it for me, why do you think about everything for me?" Chu Tri Luat opened his arms, his eyes full of helplessness. "I'm a man, I don't need to dress up. As long as I can make you happy, I'm satisfied." His flirting continued with each sentence, making Mai Tu Khanh's face turn red like a ripe persimmon. Chu Tri Luat secretly observed her reaction, saw that her mood had calmed down and was no longer as melancholy as when she was in the theater, then silently breathed a sigh of relief. When she got back to the dormitory, before closing the car door, Mai Tu Khanh said to Chu Tri Luat: "Ah, I have something to do next weekend, I probably won't be able to go out with you." Hearing her cautious tone, Chu Tri Luat lowered his voice gently: "It's okay, you also need to have your own things to do, don't worry about me too much." He thought, it was probably because Mai Tu Khanh was used to looking at other people's faces to live, so she unconsciously always paid attention to everyone's feelings like that. Thinking of this, he felt another layer of pity in his heart. He secretly made up his mind that once the marriage application was approved, he would definitely organize a full and solemn wedding for her. When the jeep left, Mai Tu Khanh rubbed her stomach and felt a little full. Just now on the way home, Chu Tri Luat bought her two burgers, but they still haven't digested them all. Thinking for a moment, she decided to go out for a walk to lighten her stomach. The night wind mixed with a bit of cold air passed through the dormitory area of the military region. Mai Tu Khanh gently rubbed her tight stomach, walking slowly along the tree-lined path, towards the small forest at the edge of the barracks. Amidst the swaying shadows of the trees, she suddenly saw a red spark flickering behind the bushes, accompanied by a strong smell of cigarette smoke. She paused, intending to turn around and go another way. "So, Dr. Mai doesn't bother even coming to say hello right now?" A hoarse male voice rang out from the darkness, reeking of alcohol. Mai Tu Khanh frowned and looked over, seeing Tong Dinh Nien leaning against a tree, a half-smoked cigarette in his finger, the collar of his military uniform askew, his eyes bloodshot. "Sorry, I didn't notice anyone." She said it lightly and then turned around to leave. "Stop!" Tong Dinh Nien slammed the cigarette butt into the tree trunk, stumbling across the road. "Didn't you come to Tuong Nam to cut me off? Now that you've climbed to Chu Tri Luat, you seem very proud, right?"Mai Tu Khanh took half a step back, away from the foul smell of alcohol. "I only came here to prove myself qualified to be a doctor, it has nothing to do with anyone." She glanced at the wine bottles scattered at his feet, her voice even colder: "I won't tell you about your smoking and drinking. Get out of the way." Hearing that, Tong Dinh Nien sneered: "Prove yourself? If you're really good, then why didn't you say it in the village in the past?" "When I sent money back, why didn't you say you passed the medical exam first?" He suddenly approached, the smell of smoke and alcohol blew straight into her face. "Now pretend to be noble for whom? Do you know how Tu Sam has been arguing with me these past few days? It's all your fault!"Mai Tu Khanh was forced by him to the base of a tree, her back hitting the bark. The tree is rough and painful: "Let go!" But Tong Dinh Nien tightened his grip on her wrist: "I won't let go!" His eyes were full of resentment and madness. "If you had said earlier that you were that good, I wouldn't have chosen Tu Sam! Mai Tu Khanh, there's still time to turn around..." "Turn around?" Unexpectedly, Tong Dinh Nien was drunk and still so brazen, Mai Tu Khanh was so angry that she burst out laughing. "Marrying Chu Tri Luat, I could be a military doctor, live as myself. But if I choose you..." She looked straight at his distorted face. me, every word is like a knife cutting: "I will forever be just an unpaid sinner of the Song family, a useless shadow living in vain."

"Tong Dinh Nien was so angry that he couldn't control his anger, squeezing her wrist so tightly that it was about to crack. "Do you think Chu Tri Luat really values you? He only pitied her rural status! Waiting for it to end is strange..." "Crap!" A slap landed directly on Tong Dinh Nien's face. Mai Tu Khanh took the opportunity to withdraw her hand, but he angrily grabbed her by the collar: "This slut! What right do you have to attack me? In the past, if the Song family hadn't raised her, she would have starved to death a long time ago! Fear and disgust rolled up in her throat. Mai Tu Khanh struggled and couldn't escape. The only way was to lower her head and bite hard on his arm. Tong Dinh Nien was so hurt that he let go, then angrily pushed her hard and fell back. The soldier's strength was strong, Mai Tu Khanh couldn't stand and fell backwards. Right at the moment her head was about to hit the tree trunk, a strong arm was able to catch her. Her waist was firm. "Pop!" Next was the heavy sound of fists hitting flesh. Mai Tu Khanh raised his head, touching Chu Tri Luat's clenched jawline. He threw a punch, causing Tong Dinh Nien to fall to the ground, then used one hand to lift the man up, the toe of his military boot pressed tightly against his stomach. "Tong Dinh Nien." Chu Tri Luat's voice was full of warning, "Do you want to lose your position as business chief?" The whole forest was as quiet as paper. Tong Dinh Nien held the blood at the corner of his mouth, his chaotic mind was also awakened by that punch. He looked at Mai Tu Khanh in Chu Tri Luat's arms. He didn't understand where he got the courage and sneered: "Captain Chu, do you think you found a treasure?" In essence, she is just an ungrateful, treacherous person..." "Shut up." Chu Tri Luat threw him hard against the tree again, his eyes full of murderous intent. "If I hear you defame her half a word, I will personally take you to the military court!" After all, Chu Tri Luat was also the group leader, and had great support, after a drunken Tong Dinh Nien did not dare to argue back. Waiting for him to stumble and disappear into the darkness of the forest, Chu Tri Luat turned to carry him. Mai Tu Khanh spoke up. Rough hands gently rubbed her trembling back: "Are you hurt anywhere?" Mai Tu Khanh shook her head, her nose close to his warm chest, all previous calmness at this moment completely collapsed. Chu Tri Luat bowed his head and gently kissed the top of her hair, his voice gentle: "It's okay, I'm here." Perhaps because he was still scared, Chu Tri Luat proactively offered to take her back to the dormitory. The hallway lights are sometimes bright and sometimes dark. He used one hand to support her waist, the other to lean on the door frame, and asked in a low voice: "Can you go?" Mai Tu Khanh nodded slightly, her ears still red and not yet gone. The scene just now in the forest still made her heart pound, but now, with him protecting her by her side, she felt strangely reassured. Pushing open the door, warm yellow light poured throughout the room. Mai Tu Khanh's room is very tidy, the pink bed sheet is flat and wrinkle-free, ceramic cups and water bottles are neatly arranged on the wooden cabinet. On the windowsill is also a vase of roses she arranged from the bouquet he gave her the day before, now blooming in a glass vase. Chu Tri Luat glanced around the room, the corner of his lips unconsciously curled up: "Your room is even tidier than my parents' house." Mai Tu Khanh poured him a cup of warm water, her voice still trembling: "I'm used to it. In the countryside, if I don't tidy things up, Aunt Tong nags me all the time."