novelraw Chapter 1422 - 936: Tough and Unyielding
Chapter 1422 - 936: Tough and Unyielding
Second update.
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"Hmm." Luo Xiaoqiong nodded, "After your brother came back, we only saw each other once. It’s not just me who’s busy; he’s busy too. Sigh, when I finally have some free time, I start to wonder if it’s all worth it, making myself so exhausted.
Honestly, watching Doudou get married, I felt quite envious. If I had stayed in the hospital, could I have been considering marriage too by now? Anyway, the more I think about it, the more it bothers me."
"Xiaoqiong, are you not happy?" Chuxia looked at her earnestly, "You have to tell me the truth. We’re the closest, and if you even hide things from me, I’d really be upset."
"It’s not that I’m unhappy. Working with Director Xu, I’ve learned a lot and I’m getting more proficient at work. I really feel quite accomplished.
But..." She bit her lip and looked at Chuxia seriously, "But I’m often uncertain if this is the life I want. I often miss the days when I first met your brother.
Back then, anytime I heard you were going to your grandma’s house, I’d find all sorts of ways to make you take me with you. I said it was to keep you company, but honestly, I just wanted to see your brother.
I felt so insecure, convinced that he wouldn’t like me, yet I secretly hoped. So, when you said you’d help me, I was over the moon with joy.
Every time I finished writing him a letter, I was so anxious. When I finally broke the ice, I couldn’t sleep all night, worried that your brother would ignore me from then on.
It wasn’t until he agreed with me that my heart truly settled, and I began looking forward to his letters every day, hoping to see him. When I learned that I could join him at the base, in the same place, my mood..." Luo Xiaoqiong grabbed Chuxia, "Can you imagine how I felt?"
Chuxia nodded, "Of course, I can."
"But now..." Luo Xiaoqiong bit her lip, "But now, even though we’re physically closer, we communicate less than we used to. Writing letters feels unnecessary when we’re so close. Meeting up is tough because we can never find a time when we’re both free.
When I have time, he’s at training. When he has time, I’m in the countryside with Director Xu. This endless busyness makes me feel like there’s no end in sight.
And I’m terrified..." She paused, biting her lip for a long moment before speaking again, "I’m terrified that one day our feelings will fade away in this constant busyness.
I’m so hesitant and conflicted right now, I don’t know what to choose. I thought about writing you a letter, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain it clearly and end up worrying you.
When I’m with your brother, he says I’ve changed, but I feel like I haven’t changed at all. Now, I’m worried that your brother might be using it as an excuse to break up with me. Chuxia, you have to help me."
"How can I help you?" Chuxia looked at her seriously, "Xiaoqiong, from what you’ve said, I think your relationship with my brother doesn’t need my help. What you need is to figure out what you want now.
Knowing my brother’s personality, if he’s uncertain about his future, it’s possible he might use it as an excuse to break up with you. But, you have to trust, that’s definitely not what he truly wants."
"I know that’s not what he truly wants, but..." Luo Xiaoqiong looked conflicted, "But when I try to have a meaningful conversation with him, he’s not responsive. And now I’m so busy that my mind is in chaos. Chuxia, do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand." Chuxia nodded, "You feel my brother has distanced himself from you, so you’re deeply uncomfortable and afraid it might end your relationship.
You understand why my brother is acting this way, but you can’t find a way to reach his heart and keep pace with him. Is that what you mean?"
"Yes, yes..." Luo Xiaoqiong kept nodding, "Chuxia, you’re so smart. That’s exactly what I mean, but I just couldn’t express it. I didn’t expect you to summarize it so clearly..."
"Alright, no need to flatter me..." Chuxia gave her a look, "I shouldn’t really suggest anything, but our relationship is more than just ordinary friends or kin.
So, I’ll just share my thoughts. Your initial feelings for my brother were a young girl’s crush. After you entered into a real relationship, it’s natural that the feelings aren’t the same as they were in the beginning.
Moreover, as you gain more experience, the halo around my brother dims bit by bit, and naturally, your feelings shift from infatuation to mutual admiration as a couple.
This feeling is naturally a bit less intense than infatuation and more rational. Incidentally, as your career progresses and even surpasses my brother’s,
guys tend to have stronger egos. My brother is probably no exception, so it’s understandable that he wants to achieve something impressive before marrying you. Right?"
"Yes, I understand that, but..." Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, "I really admire Doudou for being so decisive when it matters. I wish I could be as decisive as her, but I don’t have her courage and determination.
Chuxia, I’ve even reflected on myself, wondering if my love for Zhao Qiliang isn’t deep enough, which is why I can’t make that kind of decision. But just the thought of losing him makes my heart ache terribly.
"Oh, so now I’m confused myself. I used to think I was quite straightforward, but now I’ve become so wishy-washy. I even dislike myself."
"What exactly do you want to do?" Chuxia looked at her seriously, "Tell me clearly how you want me to help you. As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll definitely do my best."
...
"Zhao Qiliang! Someone’s looking for you in the small conference room!"
"Who is it?" Zhao Qiliang, sweating profusely, turned to look at the soldier calling him, "Have you seen them before?"
The young soldier shook his head: "I don’t know, the battalion commander asked me to call you. Hurry up, don’t keep them waiting."
"Alright, thanks." With a sigh, Zhao Qiliang ran toward the small conference room. As soon as he entered, he saw someone sitting there, smiling at him, which stunned him for a moment. His eyes filled with joy, "Chuxia, when did you come back? Did aunt and uncle come back too?"
"We just got back today. Mom and dad, and grandma and grandpa also came back..." Chuxia looked at his dripping hair and quickly took out a small towel to hand to him, "Bro, wipe off your sweat, don’t catch a cold."
"No worries, we do this every day during training..." Zhao Qiliang pushed her hand back with a smile, "Your brother’s skin is thick and rough; I won’t get sick easily."
"Bro, what do you really think about the matter with Xiaoqiong?" Chuxia cut straight to the heart of the matter, staring into Zhao Qiliang’s eyes after she asked.
"Did you go looking for her?"
"Of course."
"What did she say?"
"Do you still care what Xiaoqiong has to say?" Chuxia sighed helplessly, "Your attitude has caused her a lot of pain, so she asked me to talk to you and find out your exact thoughts."
"I told her my real thoughts, for now, let’s focus on work first. We’ll get married when conditions allow. If..." Zhao Qiliang paused and looked seriously at his sister, "If she finds someone suitable, I won’t stop her."
"Did you say that to Xiaoqiong?" Chuxia widened her eyes at her brother, "No wonder she’s so confused. Bro, you know how Xiaoqiong feels about you, how could you say something so hurtful?"
I couldn’t understand why she didn’t know what she wanted. In truth, it’s not her fault at all; it’s entirely your problem, okay? Saying things like that, she might think you’re rejecting her."
Zhao Qiliang smiled wryly: "Right now, I’m the one not deserving of her. How could I reject her? Chuxia, you should understand your brother’s intentions, given the current situation, marrying her would be irresponsible."
Plus, I can sense her feelings for me aren’t as strong as before, so I can’t be selfish. If something happens to me, I’d ruin her life."
"No..." Chuxia looked speechlessly at her cousin, "According to your reasoning, wouldn’t Instructor Zhou marrying Doudou be irresponsible and ruin Doudou’s life?"
"It’s different..." Zhao Qiliang looked seriously at Chuxia, "Yun Doudou has a worshipful love towards Zhou Hanliang. For her, not marrying him would be the greatest harm."
"So it really is like this. Zhao Qiliang, you’re too much. When I asked you, you didn’t admit it, insisting it wasn’t the reason..."
As Luo Xiaoqiong climbed up from beneath the table, Zhao Qiliang’s face turned red, and he looked somewhat reproachfully at Chuxia, "I’m not blaming you, our issues have to be resolved, I think being open about it is better.
Otherwise, Xiaoqiong would be guessing wildly, and you’d feel bad too. Neither of you is the type to beat around the bush, why act like this when doing things? Clear it up, then both lives can be better, right?"
"Zhao Qiliang, I’ve always said, if you mind that I’m more successful than you, I can give up, but you insist it’s not that, you..."
"I don’t mind..." Zhao Qiliang interrupted her, "I just feel that you’d do better without me, so..."
"Shut up and listen to me!" Luo Xiaoqiong leapt to his front in a few quick steps, "If I hadn’t pushed Chuxia to help me, I’d really be fooled by you. Fine, I won’t hold past events against you. Now I’m asking, with Doudou, do you want to get married together?"
"What?" Zhao Qiliang stared at her blankly, his mind went blank for a while, and he turned his gaze toward Chuxia, seeing his dear cousin equally shocked...
Indeed, Chuxia hadn’t expected Luo Xiaoqiong to do something so bold. The other party simply said she wanted help to understand Zhao Qiliang’s true thoughts and then decide the next step. But unexpectedly, she took such a big step... (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)