Chapter 1 The Closest Yet Farthest Person (8)

“Yes,” Jingyi said.

“Haha… I told you, my eyes don’t deceive me! One look, just one look!” Pang Dunhuang laughed heartily, his index finger pointing near his nose and eyebrows. He used such exaggerated movements to hide his overly excited emotions. Seeing Jingyi smiling at him, he said, “Because of you, I’ve delayed my military duties. If I’m disciplined by the military, you’ll have to take responsibility.”

He squinted his eyes, suddenly taking on a somewhat roguish demeanor.

“A proper Army Major General, the commander of the 35th Army, in charge of all defense operations in this area—calling you a local tyrant isn’t an exaggeration at all. Who would dare deal with you?” Cheng Jingyu paid no heed to his “threat.”

Fang Dunhuang burst into hearty laughter once more. Gazing at Jingyu’s serene and composed face, he said meaningfully, “It seems you’ve got a clear grasp of our situation.”

Cheng Jingyu looked at him, and Fang Dunhuang suddenly fell silent.

Silently, the two faced each other.

Pang Dunhuang sized up Cheng Jingyi in front of him: her snow-white doctor’s robe was starched flat and crisp, worn over her slender frame, inexplicably adding a sense of substance to her. Her fair complexion and serious expression faintly resembled the stubborn woman from back then… it was as if only a pair of gold-rimmed glasses had been added.

Slowly, Pang Dunhuang merged the shadow before his eyes with the one from his memory…

He raised one eyebrow and said, “You little brat, still the same.” He didn’t say that on her face, he couldn’t even see a single wrinkle that could be considered unnecessary. He wondered if his eyesight had worsened, or if he still believed she would forever remain in the year he had first known her—even if wrinkles existed, they wouldn’t be visible in his eyes.

“If not like this, what else could we do?” Cheng Jingyi’s tone was flat as she spoke.

Pang Dunhuang remained silent for a moment before saying, “It’s good that you’re back.”

“Dunhuang, arrange for me to see Nannan,” Cheng Jingyi said, looking at Pang Dunhuang.

Pang Dunhuang gazed at her, seemingly pondering how to respond.

“Is that all right? I don’t want to suddenly appear and frighten Nan Nan.” She did not tactfully express her wishes.

“Not to see him?” Pang Dunhuang asked, his eyes fixed on Jingyi.

“No,” she replied immediately. Pang Dunhuang shook his head. She said, “At least, not now.”

Pang Dunhuang pondered and said, “Jingyi, since you’ve returned…”

“Right now, I just want to see Nannan first.”

“I’ll make the arrangements then,” Pang Dunhuang finally relented.

“Thank you,” Cheng Jingyi said as she walked Pang Dunhuang to the garden exit.

Pang Dunhuang smiled.

He reached out his hand, and she reached out hers, tightly, and he grasped her hand.

“Just like before, the last thing I ever want to hear from your mouth is still a word of thanks.”

“You’ve barely changed at all.” Cheng Jingyu said softly.

“Yet I had hoped you would change.” Pang Dunhuang released her hand, straightened his military uniform, and said, “See you another day.”

“Aren’t you going to ask where I live?” Jingyi asked.

“Like you said, this is my territory. If I want to know, I can even tell you how many male and female spiders there are in your kitchen.” Pang Dunhuang laughed heartily.

Cheng Jingyi smiled.

Watching Pang Dunhuang get into the car, the convoy filed out through the hospital’s back gate.

The fog gradually thickened again.

    *************

“Report!” A crisp voice called out.

“Come in.” Without looking up, the general who was observing the terrain with his staff officers by the sand table spoke. His broad shoulders, under a crisp gray shirt, resembled two sturdy logs. When he moved, the two silver plum blossom stars on his shoulders glittered. “What is it?” he asked. Before he spoke, the command center had been completely silent.

“Report, Commander, a telegram from the Central Army!” the communications officer reported.

“Read!” He straightened up, his gaze still fixed on the sandbox, and casually reached for the cigarette box from the side.

“To Tao Zong’s Division: You are ordered to rest and reorganize where you are from today, awaiting further orders. Cheng Zhichen.” The communications officer closed the telegraph log.