Volume One, Chapter 17: Dreaming of Grandfather

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Zhu San glanced at his watch. “There are still three minutes before departure. If you don’t want to take this trip, you can get off now and I’ll refund your ticket!”

Zhou Yu wanted to argue further but, seeing the navy officer’s warning gaze, he could only shut his mouth. Today’s mission was already off to a rough start—why did he have to run into these annoying ghosts again?

Zhu San, seeing the other remain silent, assumed the matter was settled and returned to their side.

“Boss, where were we?”

Zhao Yue glanced at the driver. “You two look quite alike. He’s doing well—a promising kid.”

Hearing that the man before him was his son’s superior, Zhu San hurriedly reached out both hands.

“Boss! What a coincidence, let’s shake hands! I’ll write my son a letter later to tell him I met you!”

Zhao Yue felt the warmth in the sudden handshake—this was a father’s love—but he didn’t quite share the sentiment.

Realizing his lapse in decorum, Zhu San quickly let go.

“It’s time to depart. I have to drive now. I’ll talk to you more when we get there.”

“Mm.”

Seeing that the other was not very talkative, Zhu San didn’t push further. Although his flattery had fallen flat, it was his son who would be affected.

He returned to his seat and started the engine, his mood quite cheerful as he whistled softly.

Pressing the accelerator hard, the vehicle sped up quickly. Remembering that going too fast might cause discomfort, he eased the pace. Today, his mood was good, and he was patient enough to drive carefully.

Zhou Yu squinted, watching the driver ahead with a vague sense of dislike, just wanting to find fault with the old man. He stood up, took a book from the rack, and noticed a girl nearby whose profile was strikingly beautiful. He couldn’t help but steal a few more glances before sitting down.

Su Jinxia soon grew drowsy; her usual motion sickness returned, so she had no choice but to close her eyes.

Zhao Yue saw Su Jinxia asleep, her head slowly leaning to one side. Every time the car jolted, her head would bounce and shift further, threatening to bump against the edge.

So he gently moved her head to a different position.

The next moment, Su Jinxia’s head rested on his shoulder. She showed no sign of waking and continued to sleep.

Sensing someone’s gaze, Zhao Yue suddenly looked back at Bai Yang, warning him silently not to speak.

Bai Yang was indeed surprised. If before he only suspected, now it was confirmed.

Zhao Yue!

The famously stoic soldier had surprisingly softened toward a woman. Not long ago, a group came to the navy for training; a few girls were quite pretty, and he had drilled them mercilessly.

Well, this was major news!

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Su Jinxia dreamed she was drifting on the endless sea, parched and desperately thirsty.

Suddenly, she saw a fishing boat and her grandfather throwing down a rope to pull her from the water.

She had just called out “Grandpa” when she woke up, realizing she was in the car, her head resting on Zhao Yue’s shoulder. He sat upright and serious, looking as if he were at a military meeting, his posture impeccably straight.

Glancing outside, the blue sky and white clouds were beautiful; lush green trees full of life surrounded them. She had no idea where they were. In her past life, when she was sent to the countryside, she rode in a big truck.

Similarly, she always got motion sickness and fell into a daze, not realizing when she had arrived.

Now she noticed a wetness on her face and quickly wiped it off, then saw damp marks on the man’s shoulder.

How embarrassing!

She could have slept in peace, but instead, she drooled on someone.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Sorry, I fell asleep. I get motion sickness and always want to sleep on the ride.”

“When we get there, I’ll bring you some medicine. Motion sickness isn’t a trivial matter. What if some bad guy tries to bully you?”

Su Jinxia smiled. “Then the bad guy would be unlucky. I’m the one who bullies him, not the other way around!”

Zhao Yue imagined how the little girl would hit someone and thought ordinary bullies wouldn’t stand a chance. The more he got to know her, the more impressed he was.

Su Jinxia immediately sat up straight. “I’m fine now, no more dizziness. Where are we?”

Zhao Yue replied, “It’s still over two hours before we arrive. If you haven’t rested enough, you can sleep some more.”

Su Jinxia didn’t want to sleep anymore, afraid she’d fall asleep on someone again. She turned to look outside.

New leaves sprouted on the trees, green everywhere, refreshing to the eye.

She was unknowingly captivated, as if there was something wonderful outside the window.

Zhao Yue noticed and glanced over now and then, curious about what held her attention.

Bai Yang thought he could help out.

“Comrade Su, what are you looking at?”

Su Jinxia realized she had been staring for a long time. Turning, she saw the boy looking a bit shy, with a round, cute face.

“Just the scenery. It’s really beautiful here. If I had a camera, I’d definitely take some pictures.”

“Indeed, the scenery here is best, especially at sunset—the evening glow is stunning,” Bai Yang chatted on. “Winter’s scenery here is also very beautiful.”

“Now that you mention it, I’d like to come see it in winter too.”

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“That’s a must. Soon we’ll be taking a boat; the sea views are nice. Is this your first time on a boat?”

Su Jinxia nodded, then shook her head. She had sat on a boat in another world, but that sea was stagnant and foul-smelling due to severe pollution. All the fish died and broke down into microorganisms.

No new life could survive there.

“You’re nodding and shaking your head—what’s that about?” Bai Yang looked puzzled.

Su Jinxia smiled, explaining, “I’ve been on a boat in a dream.”

“Oh, I see. Before I joined the military, I also dreamed of being on a boat. My mom woke me up and said I wet the bed!”

He laughed at the memory.

Zhao Yue listened to their laughter and felt a twinge inside. How did Bai Yang talk so much? Why couldn’t he be quiet for a moment?

The vehicle stopped, and the chatter ceased.

The driver came over. “If anyone wants to use the restroom, get off now. If you miss this chance, the next one will be at the station.”

Everyone understood and those needing to go quickly got off.

Su Jinxia wanted to use the restroom too. Seeing many people disembark, she stood.

“I’m going out to use the restroom.”

“I’ll go with you!” Zhao Yue stood as well.

“I’ll just go with those girls up ahead.”

“We’re headed the same way but to different places.”

Su Jinxia choked on the words. “Okay, I’ll go first.”

She hurried off, embarrassed at having asked such a silly question when half asleep.

Zhao Yue got off and saw Su Jinxia join the group of women heading toward a small forest. He had to go in the opposite direction.

“Did you see that? There’s a pretty fair-skinned girl on this bus! Her figure and looks are really quite good! Even better than Lin Fangfang. If I could get her, that’d be great!”

That remark caught his attention, and he looked toward the little grove nearby.