White Olive Tree

Chapter 58

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After the open-air dinner, it was dark.

Benjamin and the others gathered together to chat. Li Zan put on his backpack, picked up an empty ammunition barrel, and took a flashlight. He said he would take Song Ran for a walk and come back later.

Everyone looked as if they knew what was going on and asked him jokingly how long it would take him to come back.

Benjamin: “Twenty minutes at most.”

Morgan: "I think at least an hour."

Kevin: "I think tomorrow morning."

Li Zan was too lazy to pay attention to them, but Song Ran's face turned red.

Not long after they walked, Li Zan looked at her in the moonlight and said with a smile: "Why are you blushing?"

She hugged his arm and asked in a daze, "What are we going to do?"

He lowered his head and leaned close to her ear, his voice hoarse: "What do you think we should do?"

"..." Her face was burning. Wild... In the wild

Li Zan saw that she was dumbfounded, so he suppressed his laughter and stopped teasing her. He said, "You'll know when you get there."

The moon is hidden by clouds.

In the forest at night, the light is dim and the shadows of the trees are looming.

It was just night, and the insects had not yet started chirping. All around was quiet, with only the crisp sound of footsteps on fallen leaves and branches.

Li Zan asked, "Are you scared?"

Song Ran said: "What should I be afraid of with you here?"

He smiled faintly.

Soon we came to the stream we had been to during the day. The clouds had dispersed, the moonlight was shining all over the mountain stream, and the stream was like a silver yarn, spreading over the gravel.

Li Zan found several spots on the hillside, stretched thin wires about ten centimeters above the ground, and hung bells on them. If someone approached, the bells would ring to warn people.

After everything was done, he took Song Ran down the mountain stream.

This is a desert climate, and the temperature is low at night. Song Ran stood by the stream, shivering.

Li Zan opened his backpack, took out a small pot and a tent bag, and picked up branches from nearby. He quickly built a pile of firewood and started a fire, then put the pot on the stove and boiled water.

She went to the fire and warmed herself: "What is this for?"

Li Zan raised his head, his eyes bright, the firelight reflected his warm smile: "Didn't you say that you haven't washed your hair and bathed properly for a long time?"

A few days ago, she did complain about the lack of water in her residence; today, she also lingered by the stream.

He cleaned the ammunition barrels, brought up a small bucket of cold water, and began to set up the tent. He dismantled the bottom of the tent, used the gravel by the stream as the floor, and quickly built a simple bathhouse for her.

The water in the pot boiled and he added it into the bucket. He tested the temperature and it was just right.

Li Zan carried the bucket into the tent and handed her his towel. Song Ran sat inside and took off his clothes. He continued to add firewood and boil water.

The towel was thick and big. Song Ran took out the hot water from the bucket and poured it on himself. He felt warm and comfortable all over.

She kept pouring water on herself and rubbing the towel around. Soon, the tent became warm.

Li Zan boiled some water for her outside and asked, "Have you finished it?"

"Run out."

He zipped the tent a little to protect her from the cold night wind.

Song Ran handed the bucket to him, he took it, zipped it up, mixed it with hot water for her and carried it in. She reached out to take it, revealing her snow-white breasts; he took a quiet look at it and zipped it up.

The cool night breeze blew, and the flames danced. Li Zan squatted beside the fire and fiddled with the firewood. The forest was silent, with only the sound of water dripping inside the tent.

He picked up some more firewood nearby, and the fire burned more and more fiercely, and the charcoal wood burst. While he was taking care of the water, he was also wary of the movements around him.

"A-Zan."

"No water?"

"Um."

After changing nearly ten buckets of water, Song Ran finished washing his hair and body and felt refreshed.

"A-Zan!"

"Um?"

"I'm done."

"good."

Li Zan took her clothes and went in, closed the tent, and half-knelt to hand her the clothes. The rocks were wet and there was nowhere to put them.

She had just taken a shower, her fair skin was pink and tender, as if it was steamed by the hot air, and her cheeks were also very red. She leaned slightly to the side, and put on her underwear in front of him with some embarrassment. His eyes were clear and dark, wandering over her fair body, and he handed her the T-shirt. She took it and held it to her chest, hesitated for a moment but did not put it on.

Song Ran turned her gaze over, her eyes clear and moist, looking straight at him; he met her gaze and swallowed very lightly.

She stepped forward and sat in his arms, hugging his neck.

He knelt on one knee with her sitting on his lap. The girl's body was soft and supple.

"A-Zan, do you think I smell good?" She put her neck close to his nose.

He sniffed her lightly, and kissed her collarbone with his thin lips. The girl's skin was thin and smooth, and he couldn't help but go deeper and kiss her heart. She trembled slightly, her fingers went into his hair, hugged him, and lowered her head to kiss his cheek. He raised his head and kissed her lips, gently holding, licking, and sucking on her lips again and again. His slender fingers rubbed her, and she whimpered through the thin cloth.

Her skin was delicate and warm under his fingertips. His heart was out of control, but his mind was still distinguishing the hidden sounds in the forest. He finally restrained himself, let go of her lips, and said in a low voice: "Put on your clothes first, I'm afraid you will catch a cold."

Besides, we are in the wild after all, and we are afraid of accidents.

He put a T-shirt, a light sweater and a jacket on her, then put on pants and shoes.

The heat in the tent dissipated and the temperature dropped.

Song Ran shrank her nose, blushed, and looked at him with watery eyes. He kissed her a few more times before closing the tent.

As soon as the tent was dismantled, Song Ran shivered. She had just taken a shower and her hair was wet. She shivered when the wind blew. Li Zan took off his military jacket and covered her head and body tightly, then led her back to the camp.

Everyone was asleep and Suk was on duty.

Li Zan set up the tent again and put a sleeping bag on the bottom of the tent.

Song Ran took off her clothes and got into the sleeping bag. It was like entering a cicada pupa. The whole place was filled with his scent, and she liked it very much.

Li Zan took off his military uniform, caught a glimpse of her excited look, and asked, "Is this your first time sleeping in a tent?"

She nodded, her eyes sparkling.

"Is it fun?" He smiled faintly.

"Yeah. Do you guys sleep like this often?"

"Homely."

"A-Zan, when we get back home, can we also set up a tent and sleep outside?"

"Okay. I'll take you out for a change of environment once in a while." He got into the sleeping bag and took her small body into his arms. "Are you cold?"

"It's not cold." She pressed close to him, "You're warm."

He then held her tighter, his eyes darkening.

He kissed her, turned over and pressed her under him, and said in a very low voice: "Ran Ran..."

"Um?"

"Don't make any noise..."

"Hmm..." Her legs rubbed and entangled with his.

Her breathing became heavier under his kiss; he was afraid that he could not control himself, so he let her go.

Tonight, it will be very difficult to endure.

For many days afterwards, Li Zan was busy carrying out his mission, and Song Ran was also busy sorting out a lot of information. The two could only see each other every few days. But it was not bad, as they did not miss each other too much. Knowing that they were in the same city made them feel at ease.

The government army gradually occupied the southern city of Cangdi, and the war showed signs of improvement. The terrorists were attacked by the Kuk soldiers, the government army, and the anti-military forces, and many of their strongholds were destroyed.

Although the situation was improving, it also triggered a crazy counterattack. There were more and more suicide bombings, causing heavy casualties among innocent soldiers and civilians, and some attackers even rushed into the government army camp. Li Zan and his team had to change their residence several times because of this. After all, the snipers, demolition experts and artillerymen in their team had outstanding past killing records and became a thorn in the eyes of the terrorists.

The situation became increasingly complicated, and in the blink of an eye it was early February.

It’s the Spring Festival.

Song Ran didn't return home for the New Year. Ran Yuwei knew that she wanted to accompany Li Zan, so she didn't say much. She just told her not to get sick or catch a cold.

Now is the coldest time in the country, but the temperature in the east is over 20 degrees during the day, so there is no chance of catching a cold.

After hanging up the phone, she looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly and there were sounds of gunfire in the distance. There wasn't a festive atmosphere at all.

But it is New Year’s Eve after all, and just thinking of these two words is enough to make people homesick.

Li Zan would not be here until later. Song Ran prepared the gas stove and oxygen tank, and went to the street to buy vegetables. After much effort, she only bought a small piece of beef, a sweet pepper, two cucumbers, two eggs, and a small bag of rice. She also bought two cans of Coke.

There was only one pot and two lunch boxes at home. Li Zan hadn't come yet, so Song Ran didn't want to cook first, fearing that the food would get cold later.

She was lying on the table surfing the Internet. It was night in China at this time, the Spring Festival Gala was halfway through, every household was having reunion dinner, and everyone in their circle of friends was posting pictures of their dining tables.

Song Ran looked around casually and searched for nearby hot spots on the Internet. It was still endless wars and terrorist attacks. Yesterday, terrorists in Cangdi blew up a bus, killing 31 people.

The sound of a motorcycle was heard downstairs. Song Ran dropped his phone and ran to the window. It was none other than Li Zan.

He parked the car, took out the key and got out.

"A-Zan!" She leaned out of the window.

Li Zan looked up and smiled at her. The golden sunlight shone on his face, making him look handsome and timeless.

He ran into the corridor. Song Ran poured a small basin of water and put it on the table. He went to open the door. As the door opened, he just walked to the door. The two almost bumped into each other and smiled at each other.

He walked in, reached out to close the door, and bent down to kiss the tip of her nose. She shrank her neck itchyly, smelling the sweat and gunpowder on his body.

"Wash it first."

"Hey." Li Zan took off his coat, dipped a towel in water, and wiped his face and neck.

Song Ran washed the rice and put it on the gas stove to cook. He then cleared the laptop on the table and put it aside. "Did you call your dad?"

Li Zan cleaned himself up and sent a video to his father. His father was in the countryside spending the New Year with his grandparents, uncles and aunts, and they were all having a great time.

Song Ran leaned forward and grinned, "Hello, Uncle Li."

When Mr. Li saw her, he smiled happily and said that he would let her visit his home again after she returned home.

"Okay." Song Ran said, "You can go home in another month."

After the video chat, the rice was steamed and emitting a fragrant aroma.

Song Ran put all the rice into a lunch box, fried an egg first, and said, "We returned to China in March. It was also March when I returned to Jiangcheng with you last year."

Li Zan thought for a moment, picked up a few grains of rice and put them into his mouth, and said, "Unconsciously, a year has passed."

"Time flies." Song Ran said, putting the fried eggs on the lid of the lunch box, "Eh? Why did you start eating?"

Li Zan scooped up a handful of white rice with a fork, put it to his mouth, opened his mouth, looked at her, and put it back obediently.

Song Ran put cucumbers into the pot and said with a smile, "Eat it. I think rice alone is tasteless."

Li Zan scooped a spoonful of rice into his mouth and said vaguely, "I haven't eaten rice for a long time." After eating it, he said, "Bread and ham, I'm going to vomit. When I return to my country, I will never eat bread and biscuits again in my life."

Song Ran smiled as he poured the cucumber soup into his lunch box and fried some beef. "We don't have the green peppers like we have back home, only sweet peppers. I spent a whole day looking for these. I don't know if they're delicious, but I'll just make do with them."

Li Zan was very satisfied.

Fried eggs, cucumber soup, and beef with red peppers, he couldn't be more satisfied with this New Year's Eve dinner.

There were no extra bowls, so the red pepper beef was served in the pot; there were no chopsticks, so the two of them used forks to share a bowl of rice.

"It tastes just average," Song Ran said. "There's no salt or other seasonings."

Li Zan smiled and said, "I think it's delicious."

"You always say yes to whatever I do." Song Ran muttered, rubbing his feet under the table.

Li Zan opened two cans of Coke, handed one to her, and said, "Would you like a toast?"

Song Ran picked up the Coke can and touched it to him, the cans touching each other: "Today is New Year's Eve, do you want to say New Year's greetings?"

Li Zan said: "I hope you are healthy, your book writing goes smoothly, and you are in a good mood every day."

Song Ran said: "Then I hope you are safe and sound, and all your wishes come true."

He laughed: "This is too greedy."

She said, "Don't be greedy. I know you don't have many wishes, so it doesn't matter, they can all be fulfilled."

"A-Zan," she asked, "what do you wish for right now?"

Li Zan took a sip of his Coke, smiled slightly, and said, "I want to go home."

"I want to, too. It's okay, I'll be back soon."

He raised his hand and touched her head.

I miss home.

But with her here, this place feels like home.

The two of them finished the three simple dishes, not even leaving any rice.

Outside the window, night falls.

It is already past midnight in China, and it is time to set off fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

Li Zan glanced at the time and said, "It's still early. I'll take you somewhere."

"where?"

"You'll know when you get there." Li Zan took out a thick coat from her suitcase and gave it to her to change into, and then put a hat and a mask on her.

The temperature difference between day and night is large here. At night, the temperature can drop below ten degrees.

Song Ran climbed onto the motorcycle and hugged his waist tightly.

The motorcycle sped towards the southern suburbs.

Passing through the empty and dilapidated streets, we soon arrived at the edge of a desert in the suburbs.

At night, the boundless desert presents a different kind of scenery.

The night sky was dotted with stars, and the horizon was slightly illuminated by sunlight. The golden desert that stretched and undulated during the day actually looked a little white in the night.

The night wind was strong, raising wisps of fine sand that looked like a hazy fluttering gauze curtain.

Song Ran slipped out of the car and looked around curiously. She thought this was why he brought her here. When he got out of the car, she rubbed against him.

Li Zan tilted his head and took off his mask, then took her into his arms and asked, "Are you cold?"

"A little bit." She nuzzled his leg.

He pulled her hat down and put back the mask she had just taken off: "You're cold, why are you taking off the mask?"

She frowned: "What if you want to kiss me?"

Li Zan was stunned, his clear eyes shining in the night. He raised a smile, fiddled with her ears, took off the mask, and lowered his head to kiss her.

She leaned her head back in his arms, gently holding his lips, and rubbing them softly.

The wind and sand were blocked outside, and in the narrow space there was only the lingering breathing of each other, the warm breath blending together and gradually warming up on the skin.

She was so fascinated by the kiss that her bones felt soft.

When he let her go, in the night, her eyes were clear and her cheeks were rosy, and she looked at him with love in her eyes.

His heart softened, he rubbed his cheek against hers, smiled softly and asked, "Is it hot now?"

She hit him lightly on the chest.

Li Zan smiled and lifted up the motorcycle seat, then took out three cubes from the storage box and placed them side by side on the sand not far away.

It turned out to be fireworks.

But there is no outer packaging, just rolls of paper tubes.

Song Ran was surprised: "Where did you buy it?"

"Buy?" Li Zan squatted on the ground and fumbled for the fuse, then turned back to look at her, "Is this still for sale in Dongguo now?"

She immediately responded: "You made it yourself? You can also make fireworks?"

"..." Li Zan looked at her, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Do you think this thing has a higher technical content than a bomb?"

Song Ran chuckled, rushed to his back, hugged his neck, and shook him twice: "The materials are hard to find."

"It's not difficult." He said, "I stole some from the materials used to make bombs. Fortunately, we were not discovered."

"Will they tell on you if they find out?"

"No. If those guys find out, I'll have to do it every now and then for them to have fun with."

"You didn't do it for them to play with?"

Li Zan said: "Am I crazy? Making fireworks to cheer up a group of men?"

Song Ran giggled, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Are you trying to make me happy?"

“…” Li Zan felt that he had dug a hole for himself.

She pecked his ear: "A-Zan, you are so nice."

He lowered his head and didn't answer. He pursed his lips carelessly, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I'm up. I need to light the fire."

"Oh." She immediately stood up and stepped back three or four meters.

Li Zan lit the lighter and quickly lit the three fuses one by one. He ran back to Song Ran and hugged her.

“Swish!” “Swish!” “Swish!”

The fireworks soared into the sky and the two of them looked up at the same time.

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”

The sky instantly exploded with blue, purple and red fireworks.

Song Ran smiled, and a few seconds later, golden stars flashed behind the disappearing fireworks.

"Even this?!" she exclaimed, looking up. This was the first time she had admired fireworks from such a close distance.

Pink, green, and golden flowers, in all their splendor, blossomed in the night sky, opening magnificently before her eyes. Starlight fell and rushed toward her face, and she reflexively shrank her neck and shuddered, but the flowers disappeared. The next one rose up, filling the entire night sky and the entire field of vision.

The sky was full of stars, and she could no longer tell whether they were stars or fireworks.

She was so engrossed in the scene that she suddenly remembered something important and shook his hand: "Should we make a New Year's wish now?" She immediately said, "My wish is that we live in peace and safety!"

But he didn't say anything.

She turned around and looked up at him: "A-Zan, make a wish!"

He whispered something, but as the fireworks exploded in the sky, she didn't hear it clearly.

She was attracted by the fireworks and looked up at the sky.

Finally, the fireworks dissipated and no trace was left.

The surroundings fell into silence, with only the whistling of the wind. She was still looking at the sky with longing, and Li Zan hugged her tightly and said, "Ranran, happy Chinese New Year."

On the way home, she wore a hat and a mask, leaned against his back, and closed her eyes happily. The night wind whistled in her ears, but she seemed to be deaf to it, and only the colorful fireworks were in front of her.

She was very happy this New Year's Eve.

It was already late at night when they got home. They packed up simply and went to bed.

Li Zan closed his eyes and lay flat for a while, then suddenly curled up his lips and said, "Thirty days left." He turned over and held her in his arms, whispering softly, "We'll go home."

"I'm counting the days, too," she said. "By the way, I didn't hear what New Year's resolution you made today."

He stripped her underwear and said, "Go home early."

"Oh." She kicked off her panties with her feet. "That will happen soon."

"Yes. Very soon." He said with a smile on his lips, and turned over to press her under him.

Fireworks exploded over the desert.

She exclaimed: "My New Year's wish is peace and safety!"

But he didn't say anything.

She turned around and looked up at him: "A-Zan, make a wish!"

The light of the fireworks reflected on her face. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Marry you."