Chapter 40. Stationed at the Border
Seeing the awkward look of Mingzhu, Su Ruoqing quickly explained to Leng Yuhe and pushed him into the mansion.
Fearing that Leng Yuhe would come out again, Mingzhe didn’t dare to come forward. He could only watch Su Ruoqing getting farther and farther away.
“Mingzhu, don’t let your brother come here again. Leng Yuhe showed an unfriendly attitude when seeing him today.” Although Su Ruoqing said this to Mingzhu, her true concern was that Leng Yuhe might be jealous or sad again.
Although Mingzhu agreed, she felt puzzled. “Ruoqing, who do you think my brother likes now?”
Su Ruoqing was not in the mood to care about Mingzhe, so she did not answer her question.
As the etiquette course was coming to an end, all the students had a better impression of Su Ruoqing. She was ladylike and well-bred, as if she came from a noble family.
Moreover, since she kept a healthy diet for a long time, she had a more attractive figure and her skin had become smoother. She even looked prettier than before.
“Ruoqing, you’re so beautiful now. In contrast, I haven’t changed at all after taking the courses.” Mingzhu pouted and complained, “I am afraid that no man will take a fancy to me…”
With a smile, Su Ruoqing gently pinched Mingzhu’s hand and comforted her, “Don’t think nonsense. You already have a crush on someone, right?”
Mingzhu knew that Su Ruoqing was referring to Leng Yulin. However, out of shyness, she pretended not to take the hint. After making an appointment for their next meeting, Mingzhu hurriedly returned home.
Seeing her run further and further away, Su Ruoqing could only shake her head helplessly.
“I heard your brother went to England last month.” The two girls sitting next to Su Ruoqing began to chat.
“Yes. My parents hold the view that boys need to be more experienced and knowledgeable. He was sent abroad at the age of 13.”
“He is still so young. Tell your parents to send more people to protect him in case of potential security problems.”
“He will be fine. Before he left, my mother and I went to the temple on the North Mountain to get a talisman for him. I heard it was so powerful that it could turn calamities into blessings.”
Su Ruoqing didn’t want to listen to other people’s conversation and wanted to leave, but when she heard this, she intended to stay a little longer.
“Really? Is it so effective? I am afraid those profiteers just want to swindle money out of us.”
“Of course not. I heard from my mother that her friend’s son and several other children were kidnapped by an abductor. After taking the money, the abductor wanted to kill all the children. Guess what? Her friend’s son was the only one who finally survived.”
“If that’s the case, the talisman is really powerful. Next time, would you please take me…”
Hearing their conversation about the talisman, Su Ruoqing came up with an idea.
Leng Yuhe was about to fight against the enemies, but she couldn’t help him at all. It would be good if she sent him a talisman to protect his safety.
Thinking about this, she immediately left for the North Mountain.
On the other side, with a great number of subordinates and enough money given by Shen Nan, Su Zhiyou returned to her hometown. “Su Ruoqing, you can’t escape this time!” she thought to herself.
“Miss Su, the girl you told us to keep an eye on is heading for the North Mountain.”
Su Zhiyou sneered and put on a ferocious look. “Bring more people and go to the North Mountain with me to meet my old friend.”
Su Ruoqing arrived at the North Mountain. Without appreciating the beautiful scenery, she went straight to the temple, only to see an old monk with white hair standing at the temple’s entrance.
“Master, I heard that the talismans in this temple are quite effective. I came here in the hope of getting one to ensure my fiance’s safety on the battlefield.”
The old monk smiled kindly after listening to her words. “You are a caring girl. Please go inside.”
Once entering the temple, Su Ruoqing felt this place was majestic and solemn. While leading the way for her, the old monk said, “You can get a talisman here. As long as you are sincere, your wish will come true.”
Seeing that there was nothing else except a big Buddhist statue, Su Ruoqing kneeled on the futon in front of the statue without any hesitation.
“My name is Su Ruoqing. I am here to ask for a talisman for my beloved man. I wish him good luck forever.”
Since Su Ruoqing was sincerely begging the Buddha for help, she did not know that the people brought by Su Zhiyou had already surrounded the exit. After she came out, they would kill her mercilessly.
Su Ruoqing was very happy to get the talisman, but just as she wanted to leave, the old monk stopped her. “Since you are very sincere, I will give you some advice.”
Seeing that Su Ruoqing nodded, the old monk continued, “All good things in the world are never easy to achieve. The melons are bitter during their growth, and they become sweet when they mature.” After saying that, he turned around and left Su Ruoqing alone. She racked her brains but still didn’t know what he meant. Therefore, she decided to go home and send the talisman to Leng Yuhe.
When she walked to the exit, Su Ruoqing suddenly felt something was strange. Just as she was about to run away, she was stopped by many people.
The situation was critical. Su Ruoqing wanted to call out the guards who secretly protected her in the dark, but she saw a woman slowly walking out of the crowd. It was Su Zhiyou.
“Are you surprised to see me alive? Su Ruoqing, have you ever expected that I will come back one day?”
Looking at her aggressive manner, Su Ruoqing understood her motive for returning.
“I didn’t expect that you were stupid enough to risk your life again.” Su Ruoqing raised her voice to remind the guards. She kept staring at Su Zhiyou’s eyes, showing no panic or worry.
Sure enough, after hearing her voice, the guards arrived in time. Leng Yuhe’s subordinates were far stronger than those of Shen Nan’s, and they quickly subdued them.
“Don’t kill anyone in such a divine place. Anyway, I haven’t encountered any danger today. Let them go for the moment.” After saying that, Su Ruoqing put the talisman away and left. Su Zhiyou just stared at her back with a gloomy face.
Back in Leng Yuhe’s mansion, Su Ruoqing tried to keep her spirits up. She ordered that no one was allowed to tell Leng Yuhe about today’s incident. She was afraid that he would be distracted on the battlefield if her situation worried him.
Leng Yuhe had already dressed up in a military uniform, which made him look handsome.
“Yuhe, are you leaving?”
“Yes. President Bai ordered us to be stationed at the border and get ready for the war.”
After putting the handgun into his pocket, Leng Yuhe gently stroked Su Ruoqing’s cheek.
“Ruoqing, don’t worry.”
“I can only rest assured if you take this.” Su Ruoqing handed the talisman to Leng Yuhe. “I heard that this talisman is very effective. I just got one from the North Mountain for you. You must bring it when you are on the battlefield, for it can protect you.”
Leng Yuhe took the slightly wrinkled talisman from her. It still had the temperature of her warm hand. He was moved by her tenderness and care.
Seeing that Leng Yuhe just kept silent, Su Ruoqing thought he did not like this present.
“What’s the matter, Yuhe? If you don’t want it, I…”
“I like it very much.” Leng Yuhe kissed Su Ruoqing’s hand.
Seeing the worried look on her face, he comforted her, “If we want peace, we have to prepare for the war. With the talisman you gave me, I will definitely return triumphantly.”
Time was ticking. Before he could say anything more, Leng Yuhe put the talisman away, put on his cape and set off.
Countless soldiers in the army had long been ready to go. After striding up to the high platform, Leng Yuhe made a speech to cheer his sodiers.
“Province S wants to declare war on us. Only by winning the war can we force the enemy to obey our will. I’ve trained you for a long time, and now it’s the time to prove yourself. Who wants to join me in the battle to protect our land?”
His words were impassioned, and the morale of soldiers was highly boosted. They followed Leng Yuhe towards the border.
Bai Chongxiu was instructed by the President to go with them.
“Truth be told, I have never been so close to the war. It satisfies or once satisfied people’s combative spirit, but it also satisfies people’s desire for pillaging, destruction, cruel discipline and autocracy. I hate war.”
Leng Yuhe glanced at Bai Chongxiu. He believed that what he said was true. People like Bai Chongxiu didn’t advocate force, for they preferred to use schemes to defeat the enemies.
“It’s undeniable that the existence of war will bring about indelible disaster. But if we think about it from another perspective, we can find that the war is just laying the foundation for future peace…”
After that, no matter what Bai Chongxiu said, Leng Yuhe just ignored him. He didn’t want to hear his ambitions for the time being.
In Province S.
Shen Nan slapped Su Zhiyou in the face. “You are so useless. You missed a good opportunity. Now Leng Yuhe is taking the army to the border. Why didn’t you use Su Ruoqing to hold him back?”
Su Zhiyou didn’t dare look up at the angry man. Although she hadn’t stayed with him for a long time, she knew he was scheming and vicious. Besides, he had control over her parents…
Her long hair was suddenly grabbed by Shen Nan, but Su Zhiyou didn’t dare to resist. “Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. Do you still need me to teach you this simple truth?”
Overwhelmed by pain and fear, Su Zhiyou couldn’t help shedding tears. “Give me another chance, okay?”
Shen Nan suddenly took interest in her weak appearance. He tore open Su Zhiyou’s clothes and said, “Please me, and I’ll fulfill your wish.”
Suppressing her hatred and unwillingness, Su Zhiyou wiped away the tears on her face. Putting on a coquettish smile, she walked to Shen Nan step by step…
After satisfying his sexual desire, Shen Nan said before leaving, “This is your last chance. I will start a war right away. You must use Su Ruoqing to disturb Leng Yuhe, or you’ll lose your parents.” His voice was still gentle, but she felt he was even more scary than the devil.
Leng Yuhe and his army had been stationed for two days at the border, and the troops of Province S finally took action.
Shen Nan knew that the military strength of Province S could not match that of Leng Yuhe, and he was not sure whether Su Zhiyou could use Su Ruoqing to disturb Leng Yuhe. Therefore, he had to find another way.
“Command all the soldiers to burn down the military barracks of Leng Yuhe’s army before launching an attack.”
The subordinates hurriedly left to carry out his order. Shen Nan turned the ring on his finger. Burning their barracks was only a poor solution, and Su Ruoqing was still the key to winning the war.
Mingzhe had been missing Su Ruoqing since he saw her last time, so he tried to find a chance to meet her alone. Finally, he knew from Mingzhu that Su Ruoqing took courses of floral arts every weekend. After preparing for a long time, he stood on the path she would take so that he could pretend to run into her.
At this moment, Su Ruoqing was in danger, for Su Zhiyou secretly followed her in disguise, grasping a pistol with sweaty hands. Since it was hard to kill Su Ruoqing in public, she could only follow Shen Nan’s advice to assassinate her.