RYEY – Chapter 187 Li Bing’s Partner

“Come on, I’ll take you to my dormitory to have a look. You’ll stay with me tonight, relax a bit, and see our beautiful base.”

“This… isn’t that inconvenient?”

“It’s fine, you’re only in the outer area anyway. Oh right, I’ve got good news to tell you—your son-in-law has really helped out our canteen for the wounded.”

“What do you mean?”

“My younger brother doesn’t exactly follow the right path, but precisely because of that, he managed to get us a lot of rare supplies for the wounded. I’m sure you know what I mean.”

“Mm, I’ve also received a lot of benefits from my son-in-law who doesn’t exactly follow the right path.”

Cheng Liguo immediately understood what Li Bing meant. The so-called “not following the right path” could only mean that Li Huan was running the black market. He couldn’t help but worry about his daughter and son-in-law—if they got caught, that would be the end.

“Now, his ‘not-so-proper’ business has already turned into a legitimate job. Every month, he needs to prepare a batch of goods, and we’ll send people over to pick them up.”

“Really? That’s wonderful! What a lucky day—so many surprises all at once.”

Cheng Liguo was overjoyed. If one day his name could be cleared and he regained his freedom, could he perhaps follow the comrades who went to fetch the supplies, just to see his daughter whom he hadn’t seen in nearly two years?

“Uncle, relax and wait patiently. The day of your freedom will come. When that time arrives, I’ll have Qin Guoqing bring you along to my hometown, where you can see your daughter, son-in-law, and your grandson.”

Cheng Liguo patted Li Bing’s shoulder heavily and nodded with a smile. With Li Bing’s character, he believed that this man named Li Huan must also be a good one.

This was the most relaxed and comfortable day Cheng Liguo had had since coming to the base. Later, he returned to his quarters and earnestly studied how to keep every single sapling alive.

Li Bing carried the lunchbox Cheng Liguo had given him and noticed that it felt different from his own—lighter, thinner, with better quality. He instantly guessed that it must have been sent to Cheng Liguo by his younger sister-in-law.

He carefully wiped the lunchbox again and again with a towel, then put it into his green backpack. He was preparing to gift it to Mei Li. Mei Li was not only beautiful as a person, but she also loved beautiful things.

At the cultural troupe, everyone was in a meeting. They had many performance tasks but no new creations. The soldiers had grown tired of seeing the same dances and hearing the same songs over and over, and they had started voicing complaints.

So the troupe leader issued a strict order: in the near future, they had to produce something new and fresh—even if just one song or one dance—as long as it was innovative, that would do.

A young girl with a ponytail and slightly upturned nose listened to the leader’s words with full attention, her face showing guilt.

Li Bing didn’t dare show himself. The troupe’s morale had indeed been low lately. They had sung every song they knew, danced every dance they knew, and every day they wracked their brains for new ideas, but nothing came.

Finally, when the meeting ended, Mei Li spotted Li Bing. Her mood, already low, sank even further. She hadn’t spoken to Li Bing in months—and the reason was a woman named Miao Qing.

He had once promised her lifelong loyalty, to stay together forever, to hold hands until old age. But then he suddenly brought another woman back—what was she supposed to think?

The incident had deeply embarrassed her. Although she later learned the truth of what happened, she still refused to forgive Li Bing. She felt he was far too stupid—not even able to avoid such a simple trap set by a woman.

“Mei Li, this is a lunchbox my sister-in-law sent. Look closely, it’s different from the ones we use.”

Lunchboxes could be different? Mei Li’s curiosity was piqued, but her pride kept her from reaching out to take it. Seeing a chance, Li Bing quickly stepped forward and placed the lunchbox into her hands.

It was lighter than her own and its surface was smooth and shiny—definitely better than her current one. “Where did your sister-in-law get this from?”

“Mei Li, last time I went home, I heard her humming a song. It was very beautiful. But since I’m her elder brother-in-law, I didn’t dare get too close. Why don’t I find a way to ask her to write it down for you?”

“Really? But wouldn’t that count as plagiarism? That wouldn’t be right.”

“It’s not plagiarism—she writes, you sing. As long as you credit her as the composer, that’s all that matters. Or do you mean that all the songs you’re singing now are written by yourselves?”

“That’s true. Fine, then help me write her a letter—quickly. Actually, would it be possible to call? That would be even faster.”

“Sure, I’ll first apply for a phone call home. Once it’s confirmed, I’ll let you know.”

“Good, thank you.”

“Mei Li, I’m sorry. Because of my incompetence, I hurt your pure heart. I need to apologize—but more importantly, I must tell you this: the only one I like is you.”

“You…”

“Mei Li, I will never let you down.”

“What about that woman, Miao Qing?”

“The reason I brought her here was precisely so she could see reality for herself. Even my leaders disapprove of her character—how could they ever agree to me marrying her?”

“So what you mean is, if your leaders had agreed, then you would have married her?”

Mei Li’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened, filled with grievance and helplessness. Li Bing hurriedly shook his head. His tongue was too clumsy—this wasn’t what he meant at all.

“Mei Li, Mei Li, don’t misunderstand. Even if she were the last woman left in the world, I wouldn’t spare her a single glance.”

“And what if she keeps pestering you?”

“She won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“We agreed back then: if the mission couldn’t be completed within a year, then marriage was off the table. The new year is almost here, and it’s impossible for her to succeed. The only thing is… the bride price from back then probably can’t be recovered.”

“If you can’t get it back, so be it. As long as Miao Qing doesn’t cling to you, I won’t hold it against you.”

“Mei Li, you’re wonderful. From now on, every month I’ll hand over my entire salary to you, except for the ten yuan I give my mother.”

“No need for that. We’re not even officially engaged yet.”

“What do you mean ‘not’? Look, you’ve already given me a token of love. You can’t go back on your word now.”

Mei Li blushed when she saw the paper wallet Li Bing pulled out. It was too shabby. She secretly resolved that when she had time, she would go to the supply cooperative, buy some sturdy fabric, and make a proper one.

The two walked and talked until it was time for dinner. Mei Li happily used her new lunchbox to get food, feeling sweet inside.

Meanwhile, far away in the Gobi Desert, Miao Qing sat in front of an underground dugout, staring at the endless sands with despair in her heart. She had been tricked by Li Bing.

He had said that once she completed her mission, he would apply for marriage approval with the leaders. But what kind of mission had she been given? To turn the sand before her into greenery. Wasn’t that pure fantasy?

Day after day, it was nothing but planting trees, hauling water, watering, digging out the dead ones, and repeating the cycle. Occasionally, when one sapling survived a little longer, everyone was overjoyed.

But the very next day, when they woke up, the sapling that had carried their hopes had withered away again. To turn the desert into greenery—perhaps in the next lifetime.