Li Zan had a nightmare at night.
After being with Song Ran, he hasn't had nightmares for a long time.
It might have been during the day, because Candy won the Pulitzer Prize, when he took Song Ran out to eat and go shopping, a foreign child bumped into his legs and bounced to the ground, crying loudly. The foreign child had a pair of dark eyes, which suddenly reminded him of something.
I had a dream that night.
In the dream, a man from the East hugged his wife, two little boys and a little girl held the hems of their parents' clothes, they stood side by side in a blank space, looking at him quietly. Their eyes were dark and empty.
When Li Zan woke up, the back of his neck was covered in sweat, and he could hear his breathing was particularly rapid in the quiet night. But he quickly restrained himself, fearing that he would wake up Song Ran beside him.
It was past three in the morning, and there was a faint light outside the curtains. The world was so quiet that one could hear the chirping of insects outside.
It's already the end of April, but the nights are still a little chilly.
Li Zan carefully turned sideways and gently hugged Song Ran's waist, intending to go back to sleep, but her hand reached out and hugged his waist again.
After a moment of silence, Li Zan whispered, "Ran Ran?"
"Hmm?" She opened her eyes, her clear eyes shining brightly in the darkness.
"Did I wake you up?"
"No, I woke up halfway." She spoke with a nasal tone, sounding a little soft and cute, "... Did you have a nightmare?"
"Um."
"What did you dream about?"
He rubbed his eyes and said, "It's all about Dongguo. I dreamed of bombs that killed people."
Song Ran said: "These are the things I usually have nightmares about."
"Why did you wake up too? Did you have a dream?"
"Well, maybe because I won the award, I thought about those things again." She frowned, "And a lot of people want to interview me again, which is a bit annoying."
"Then turn off the phone and ignore them."
"I think so."
Li Zan put his hand on her face, stroked her temples with his fingers, and asked, "How did you get through your nightmares before?"
She said: "Lie flat on your back and look at the ceiling. Then slowly, the day will begin to dawn."
as same as him.
You can't close your eyes and try to sleep at that time. You won't fall asleep, and then the scenes will replay, which is even more painful.
Song Ran stretched his hand out of the quilt, stretched himself, and then put his arm around his neck: "But you are here now."
Li Zan said, "Why don't you go and get some hot milk? Maybe you'll feel better if you drink some."
"I also want to eat steamed buns."
"Okay." Li Zan stood up, put on his nightgown, and said, "Don't come down."
But Song Ran still chased after him in his pajamas and slippers.
The pajamas and slippers were a pair of couple's shoes, blue and pink, that they bought at the supermarket last week.
Song Ran used to think that all kinds of couple items were silly, but after she fell in love, she excitedly bought a lot of them, even toothbrushes and cups came in pairs.
Li Zan took out milk from the refrigerator and poured it into the milk pot, then placed it on the stove to heat it over low heat. He then added water, a steamer and steamed buns to the steamer.
The milk gradually became warmer and the aroma of milk filled the air.
Song Ran suddenly said, "This costs 50 dollars a cup in the East."
"Yeah." Li Zan said, "I saw on the news last night that Gamma was caught in a war."
Gama is the capital of the East Country, an ancient city with thousands of years of history.
Song Ran said: "Even Gamma Polytechnic University was bombarded."
"If Gama falls, Dongguo will..." Li Zan didn't continue speaking. He poured the milk into the cup, put the steamed buns into the plate, and the two sat down at the dining table.
Song Ran squatted on a chair and ate steamed buns.
Li Zan suddenly asked, "Do you want to go back to the East?"
Song Ran sipped his milk, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to, but I don't dare."
Li Zan said nothing.
Song Ran asked: "What about you?"
Li Zan said, "I would like to, but I can't."
They looked at each other and suddenly smiled at each other.
He reached out and touched her head, then leaned over and rubbed his forehead against hers hard.
She cried out softly, "It hurts!"
They both drank the milk and went back to bed, having a good night's sleep.
At the beginning of May, Li Zan once again asked Chen Feng to return to the team. Chen Feng couldn't persuade him this time, so he said he would think of a way to let him join the team and train with them. Chen Feng said he would think of a way, but Li Zan knew that once he agreed, the matter would most likely be settled.
That day was a Thursday. He went home in the evening and told Song Ran the news. Unexpectedly, Song Ran also had news for him.
She received a response from the National Military Channel.
The "Our Flag" column team selected Song Ran from hundreds of planning proposals and expressed the hope that she could come to the Imperial City to participate in the production of the "Our Flag" column. The column team will provide her with a generous salary, a high-level production platform and production team, and the most sincere and authoritative recommendation letter when needed in the future.
When Song Ran told him the news, his whole face seemed to glow with joy.
Li Zan hadn't seen her so excited about her career for a long time. Even winning an award some time ago didn't make her so happy.
He also smiled with his eyebrows curved, and said: "I knew it would be you. It seems that I was right."
"It's because you said it that it works." She rushed over and hugged his neck.
Li Zan laughed out loud: "I'm not a god."
But just as she was happy, she felt a little sad again and rubbed her head against his shoulder: "But... they asked me to go to the Imperial City."
He touched her hair, feeling reluctant, and said with a smile: "This is what you want to do, go ahead. The high-speed rail is also convenient. I can visit you every weekend."
"Really?" Song Ran's eyes lit up, then he frowned again, "But if you return to the team, you won't be able to get out because of the military management."
"..." Li Zan was stunned. He had been so idle recently that he forgot about this for a moment.
Just as he was frowning, Song Ran smiled and said, "Then I'll come back to see you. Family visit."
Li Zan smiled suddenly and said, "Okay."
Song Ran replied to the program team’s email that evening.
Unexpectedly, she received a notice the next day. The director hoped that she could go to Imperial City as soon as possible. The column team would hold a preliminary planning meeting at the weekend. If she could make it, she was welcome to attend.
Song Ran knew very well that the workload and time efficiency of the national television station were not comparable to Liangcheng Satellite TV. She agreed immediately.
Seeing this, Li Zan helped her buy a high-speed train ticket to Imperial City that night. It was too late for the evening flight. The check-in time was almost the same as the high-speed train.
Song Ran took the box and started packing his luggage.
Li Zan saw her stuffing her robe, slippers and towel into the suitcase and said with a smile, "Why bring all these things? They are in the hotel, and your mother's house, right?"
"That's different." Song Ran said, "I'm a pair with you."
Li Zan let her do what she wanted and said, "I just checked the weather. The temperature difference between day and night in the Imperial City is huge. Bring a sweater or coat."
"Um."
As Song Ran folded her coat, she saw Li Zan counting her bank cards, ID cards, press cards, camera batteries and cables. He took photos of the various documents and cards with his phone to keep the information: "If you lose them by accident, ask me for the pictures." He put them away and put them in a special bag and stuffed them into the compartment of the suitcase.
Song Ran felt warm in his heart, but he said, "Do you think I'm a child? I've been to the Imperial City many times, and my mother is there too. Don't worry about me."
He smiled and closed the suitcase.
On Friday night, when they went out, they encountered the evening rush hour. Li Zan was worried about traffic jams, so he took her to take the subway.
There were too many people in the carriage and there was no place to sit. Li Zan pulled Song Ran to a corner and put his arm around her to prevent outsiders from bumping into her.
She leaned against the car wall, standing in the space he gave her, and couldn't help but smile.
Li Zan stared at her expression and asked, "What are you laughing at? Are you so happy about parting ways?"
Song Ran frowned and gently hit him. She wanted to say something, but she was afraid that people around her would hear her, so she stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear. He lowered his head slightly to meet her.
She whispered: "When I was riding the subway before, I saw a boy doing this to his girlfriend, and I felt so warm."
Before he finished speaking, the subway was shaking, Li Zan's body swayed slightly, and his cheek lightly hit her lips. Very soft.
She landed on her heels and stood up. He smiled and followed her face. He looked at her for a long time, then slowly looked at the bag behind her and said, "Be careful when you are alone in a car. Don't let anything get stolen. Especially your cell phone."
"I know."
Li Zan suddenly asked: "Can you remember my phone number?"
Song Ran: “…”
Li Zan rolled his eyes at her and turned his head to look at the car door.
Song Ran refused to admit defeat, so he hugged his waist, tilted his head back, and said stubbornly, "Can you remember my phone number?"
Li Zan didn't even look at her. He looked at the line display on the door and said, "13xxxxxx529."
Song Ran chuckled: "I was just teasing you, I remember it."
Li Zan said, "I don't believe it."
"Really. 15xxxxxx101"
Li Zan looked at the route map expressionlessly. After a second or two of silence, he couldn't help but smile.
The two chatted all the way and soon arrived at the high-speed rail station.
Li Zan got off the subway holding Song Ran's hand with one hand and pulling the luggage with the other.
Song Ran, who was cheerful before, became reluctant at this moment.
They have been in love for two months. In the past sixty days, they have been together every day. Song Ran has never experienced the taste of separation, but at this moment he clearly feels the bitterness.
She suddenly said, "Do you feel that March and April passed by so quickly?"
"Yes," he said.
Since the two of them have been together, time has flown by like flowing water, and it seems like going to Jiangcheng was just yesterday.
"It's already May in the blink of an eye," she said wistfully.
He said: "When I came downstairs today, all the flowers that bloomed in the spring had fallen."
She called again: "A-Zan."
"Um?"
"I'm leaving, will you let me go?"
Li Zan pursed his lips, looked at her calmly, pulled her into his arms, leaned his head against hers, and whispered, "I'll find a way to visit you next week."
"real?"
"we have a deal."
Before they knew it, they had reached the gate. Li Zan stopped and handed her the suitcase.
Their eyes met, and they were both silent for a moment, not saying anything.
Li Zan looked at her for a moment and said, "Wait a moment."
He ran to a nearby vending machine and bought two bottles of water for her. Song Ran took it and found that he bought the most expensive one. He whispered, "One bottle is enough. Why buy so many?"
"The carriage is dry, it will take four or five hours."
Song Ran looked down at the water, his nose felt sore, and he fell silent again.
The ticket checking has already started at the gate, and passengers are queuing up to pass through quickly, with the sound of beeping tickets.
Li Zan said softly, "Go ahead."
Song Ran looked up and whispered, "You have to come see me next week."
Li Zan's eyes were reluctant, but he smiled calmly and touched her face.
He took a step closer to her, held her face in his hands, bent down and quickly kissed her cheek, and said, "Promise."
She didn't know why, but her eyes suddenly turned red. She felt like a loser, so she smiled shyly. When she looked at him again, her eyes got even wetter. She smiled as she dragged the big suitcase through the gate.
Li Zan's expression was a little difficult to maintain. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, looking at her. She walked over and turned back to wave at him. Li Zan pulled out his hand and waved.
When Song Ran turned around and walked down the escalator, she felt very upset. After living together for two months, she had become very dependent on him.
She dragged her luggage onto the bus, sat in her seat, and stared blankly.
When the train was about to start, a group of people sitting by the window on the opposite side of the carriage suddenly looked towards the platform, talking about the shadow that was blowing across the stairs and onto the platform like the wind.
Song Ran didn't care. She sat by the outer window, looking gloomily at the train slowly starting up, when suddenly someone gently scratched her head.
Song Ran looked back in confusion.
Li Zan stood in the corridor, panting and looking at her with a smile. His cheeks were red because of the high-speed running just now.
"Why are you here?" Song Ran stood up in surprise.
The girl sitting next to her was about 28 or 29 years old. Seeing this, she moved inside and said, "Let me change seats with you."
Song Ran quickly said, "Thank you."
The girl understood very well and said jokingly, "You are indeed a young person."
Li Zan, who hadn't even caught his breath yet, nodded and added, "Thank you."
The nearby passengers all gave friendly smiles.
A man in his thirties looked up from his notebook and said, "I did the same thing more than ten years ago, when the trains were still green. I got a platform ticket and paid for it after I got on the train."
When Song Ran heard this, he hurriedly asked Li Zan: "Have you bought the ticket?"
"I bought it. Luckily I could use my ID card, otherwise I would have missed it." Li Zan's face flushed, his eyes clear as he looked at her, panting, "I suddenly remembered that today is the weekend. I'll go with you first and come back on Sunday."
Song Ran suddenly wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, but considering there were many people in the car, she held it back and just held his hand tightly.
Because it was the weekend, tickets were in short supply, so Li Zan could only buy a standing ticket. Song Ran wanted to give him his seat, but he refused and stood all the way to the Imperial City.
Song Ran originally wanted to go back to her mother's house, but now that Li Zan was here, she didn't want her to know for the time being, so she went to the hotel.
When checking in, Song Ran said apologetically: "My mother is very scary, it's better not to see her for now."
Li Zan had no objection and said, "It's nice to live outside. It's comfortable."
Song Ran still felt bad, so she leaned over to his ear and whispered in his ear, "If you live at my mother's house, we won't be able to sleep in the same room."
“…” Li Zan’s lips rose silently.
After taking the room card and going upstairs, the elevator door closed and the two looked at each other without hesitation. Song Ran smiled with undisguised joy and love in his eyes.
Li Zan was confused by her gaze and pulled her into his arms.
"Have you been to the Imperial City?" Song Ran asked.
"Many times."
"What are you all here for?"
"Business trips. Exchanges. Awards. All kinds of things."
"oh."
When exiting the elevator, Song Ran thought of something and said, "I just realized that it's not worthwhile for you to come here."
"What do you mean?" Li Zan walked to the door and checked the room number.
Swipe the card and hear a beep.
She apologized, "I'm busy this weekend, so I may not have time to spend with you. Otherwise, we could go to some tourist attractions together, or walk around or something."
"slowly."
"Um?"
He pushed open the door, inserted the card into the card slot, and said softly, "I'm not here for sightseeing."
Song Ran was stunned.
"Besides, I'm not your guest, so you don't need to bother arranging my itinerary."
He just wanted to stay in the same place with her, even if they didn't do anything or talk.
Li Zan closed the door and was about to turn around when Song Ran suddenly stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, hooked his neck, tilted his head back and kissed his lips.
Li Zan was stunned, but she kissed him harder, and her slender hands reached into his collar. He suddenly felt a tingling sensation on his back.
Because of her rare initiative, his heart was instantly aroused. He bent his back and kissed her deeply; he bent down, hugged her and picked her up.
Song Ran was shocked and excited, she coiled on him, taller than him. She held his head, lowered her head and kissed him deeply, until he pressed her down on the big white fluffy bed.
The young bodies sometimes separated and sometimes stayed close together. It was as if today's unsuccessful separation awakened a stronger bond and love in the deeper parts of their bodies and minds. She was no longer as shy and immature as before, and boldly asked for and catered to him. He was no longer as considerate and gentle as before, but was particularly domineering and forceful, as if only strength and impact could vent the uneasiness, nostalgia, and deep love in his heart that could not be expressed. He and she were entangled powerfully and softly, and her heart was once again filled with his familiar solidity and hardness.
The quilt and sheets were tangled together, covering her delicate moans. Her fingers scratched at the sheets in vain, but finally grabbed his scar firmly.
That night, the two of them were like playful children who would not stop, and they tossed and turned all night long.
By the end, Song Ran's voice had become hoarse, and his legs and feet no longer belonged to him.
The next morning, Song Ran almost didn't wake up in time. It was Li Zan who gently called her several times in her ear: "Ran Ran."
"slowly."
She opened her eyes with a deep breath, and met his clear and handsome features. They smiled at each other, and she shrank into his arms, clinging to him tightly.
They say that physical contact is a sign of love.
Now I am in love to the point where my heart is filled with joy, and that intimacy is almost overflowing from my heart.
Li Zan kissed her gently for a while, their breaths intertwined and their skins caressed, and he couldn't help himself again.
But considering that she had important things to do, he finally endured it and got out of bed with her.
The hotel they stayed in was not far from the TV station, and Li Zan walked Song Ran there.
Song Ran was melancholy all the way, still worried that he had nothing to do.
Li Zan smiled faintly: "Just do your job and don't worry about me. I'm not a three-year-old child."
At nine o'clock in the morning, Song Ran met the director and production team of the "Our Flag" program.
The media professionals here are very kind and free. Even the well-known directors and planners in the industry are humble. Some even joked that Song Ran, who won the Pulitzer Prize, is the big star.
Song Ran smiled in response, and for a moment wondered if Candy's award had helped her get this opportunity, but she quickly brushed it off and didn't think about it any further.
After everyone got to know each other one by one, they didn't waste any time and quickly got down to business, discussing various ideas for the column construction.
Song Ran joined in and was quickly attracted by their innovative remarks and opinions. The collision of good ideas always produces sparks, and she also gained new ideas and creativity from everyone's speeches on the spot.
Because of her rich knowledge, covering humanities, history, literature, military, politics and geography, she quickly integrated into the team.
It was at this moment that Song Ran suddenly realized that what his mother had said had always been right.
If she stayed in Liangcheng, she would become a frog in a well.
After a day of planning meetings, Song Ran didn't feel tired at all. Instead, he felt energetic and enlightened, as if his Ren and Du meridians were opened.
When I came to my senses, the morning glow outside the floor-to-ceiling window had turned into night scenery, and it was already eight o'clock in the evening.
Song Ran quickly took out her cell phone, but there was no message. She knew that Li Zan would not urge her to disturb her, so she immediately sent a text message asking, "Where are you?"
The text message came back quickly: "Downstairs. Cafe."
Song Ran's heart ached, and just as she was about to reply again, her colleagues from the program team asked her to go out for dinner.
Song Ran said: "I won't go, my boyfriend is waiting for me downstairs."
"It's okay, just ask your boyfriend to come along."
Song Ran did not answer immediately, but sent a message to Li Zan, asking him if he would like to have dinner with her colleagues.
Li Zan said, "Okay."
Song Ran and the others went downstairs and saw Li Zan standing on the side of the road, holding a paper bag of books in his hand.
Song Ran immediately ran up and asked in a low voice: "What did you do today? Have you been waiting for a long time?"
He laughed and said, "I went to the military museum to meet a comrade and bought some books, but I didn't finish reading half of them."
Song Ran glanced at his bag, which was filled with the professional books he usually read, and he felt a little relieved.
She turned around and introduced her new colleagues: "This is my boyfriend, Li Zan."
Everyone greeted us warmly.
Li Zan also smiled politely and nodded slightly.
The dining location is at a Japanese restaurant next to the TV station, just a few steps away.
As soon as we sat down, the director kept looking at Li Zan and suddenly asked, "Are you from last year's...peacekeeping special forces program?"
Everyone looked over and said, "Yes, yes, it's Li Zan."
"That name sounded familiar to me just now."
"When that program was first aired, many female colleagues at the station were crazy about it."
Most of the people behind the program team are girls, and people working in this industry are very direct in expressing their preferences.
Li Zan just smiled and said nothing.
Song Ran secretly hooked his palm.
"Ran Ran filmed that show, right?" Xiao A said, "There were our reporters in the station at the time, but the political commissar of the station wanted to use the ones he chose. We complained about it, but we didn't expect the finished film to be so great. The male lead was filmed so well. Now that I think about it, they were a couple."
Song Ran explained: "Actually, we were not together at that time."
Little B interrupted: "But I guess you must have liked him at that time, right?"
Li Zan turned his head to look at Song Ran.
Song Ran smiled and nodded: "Yeah."
Little C laughed: "All the single girls here have learned this."
Everyone laughed good-naturedly.
Song Ran also smiled and leaned lightly on Li Zan's shoulder.
At this time, the director asked: "Which military region is Captain Li in now?"
Li Zan said: "Jiangcheng."
She asked casually: "Will you come to Imperial City in the future? With Ran Ran's strength, only the development of Imperial City is worthy of her."
Song Ran's heart tightened. She hadn't thought about this problem yet. She looked at Li Zan and was about to help him smooth things over.
Li Zan took over the conversation with a faint smile: "It's not that easy to transfer positions in the army, but there is room for maneuver for those who are fully prepared. I am slowly planning it, and it may take a year or two."
Song Ran was stunned, she didn't know that he had made such plans for her in his mind.
The people around me were already cheering softly: "Happy~~"
"That's great. Captain Li, I'll toast you a glass." The director picked up the sake and said, "Cheers to the peacekeepers, to the soldiers."
Colleagues around him also raised their glasses: "We want to toast, too. Cheers to the soldiers."
"Thank you." Li Zan picked up the cup and clinked it with everyone else's. When he took his hand back, Song Ran held the small sake cup in both hands, waiting for him with bright eyes: "I toast to you too, Captain Li."
Li Zan smiled, clinked his glass with hers, and drank the sake in the glass.