Chapter 20: Good listener, I want to kiss

Have you ever seen the sea?

The sea breeze is salty.

But the seawater isn't deep blue; it's a murky color.

"The wind and waves are strong here at the pier, and the ships have a deep draft. The mud and sand by the sea are murky, so the seawater you see doesn't look good.

Once you get to the Sea Island, there are several coral reefs in the island's waters. The seawater there is crystal clear, and when the weather is good, the seawater is deep blue, as beautiful as a sapphire..."

Jiang Ye drove the green jeep, following slowly behind the large truck loaded with supplies, patiently waiting in line.

The afternoon sun shone on him, as if draping him in a layer of golden radiance. His facial contours were sharp, his eyebrows were like swords, and his eyes were like stars—he was incredibly eye-catching.

Jiang Ye rolled up the sleeves of his snow-white shirt to his elbows, revealing the strong, powerful muscle lines of his bronze-colored forearms.

At the same time, he opened the driver's side window to ensure he could clearly hear the vehicle sorting announcements coming from the loudspeaker ahead.

The sea breeze whistled past, wantonly blowing the black hair that had been neat and tidy on his forehead, making it a bit messy. But this chaos only added a touch of rugged, wild, and unique charm.

Shen Man rested her chin on one hand, tilting her head slightly, her gaze falling without restraint on Jiang Ye's exquisite, handsome face, which looked as if it had been carved by a knife. She sighed softly in her heart:

*He is indeed a soldier who has dedicated himself to the country; he's truly handsome. *

"Brother Jiang Ye, do people go 'sea-catching' on the Sea Island? Can you pick up beautiful seashells, small fish, and shrimp while sea-catching?"

"Yes, many military wives, as well as the fishermen on the island, go sea-catching after the tide goes out.

As for whether you can pick up beautiful seashells and fish or shrimp, I'm not sure, but if you want to experience it, I can take time off and take you to the seaside to go sea-catching."

"Brother Jiang Ye, once I get to the island, where will I live?"

"Do you have an introduction letter?"

"Yes, I do. Grandfather arranged for someone to issue a new introduction letter for me, and he also gave me a task."

"Oh? What task?"

"Grandfather wants me to go on blind dates in the military, find a partner to marry as soon as possible, settle down on the Sea Island, and then bring him, the old man, to the Sea Island to spend his retirement."

"Then, then what requirements do you have for your future husband?"

Hearing this, Jiang Ye's deep eyes no longer dodged but locked firmly onto the little girl.

*Playing it straight? *

Tangyuan's head, which had been about to fall asleep, instantly woke up.

It hurriedly lay on its back on its master's lap, pricking up its ears to eavesdrop.

Shen Man picked up the innocent-looking Tangyuan and scolded it softly:

"You little perverted cat."

"Meow, meow, meow~"

*Master, stop worrying about me for a second. Hurry up and answer the Child of Destiny's question. He's looking at you intensely, waiting for your answer. *

"Requirements?"

Shen Man hugged Tangyuan into her arms nonchalantly, stroking it absentmindedly, pretending to think, until the gaze stuck to her became increasingly scorching, and then she answered:

"He must be handsome, have a good figure, a high military rank—at least a battalion level—and a good temper. As for age—"

Jiang Ye, who was secretly competing with himself, became solemn when he heard "age."

"As for age, anything within ten years is acceptable. My grandfather said that when choosing a man, you should find one a few years older than you because they know how to cherish you and can tolerate your bad temper..."

This wasn't something Shen Man had made up on the spot; it was her grandfather's original words.

She wouldn't consider someone younger, and those of the same age were too noisy; it was better to have someone older who knew how to cherish her.

But he couldn't be too much older—within ten years, first marriage, no children, a high rank, and a good allowance—only then could he delicately raise this rose.

Jiang Ye listened carefully and instinctively defended her: "Your temper isn't bad."

Shen Man covered her lips and asked with a smile: "Hmm? Brother Jiang Ye, are you trying to pursue me?"

Jiang Ye heard his own heartbeat and responded according to his heart:

"Yes, I am."

"Then you'll have to work hard. You have to pass my brother's test first."

The girl's smile was like a flower, and a strand of long hair by her ear was playfully blown away by the wind, revealing a section of snow-white, delicate neck.

The contrast between purity and desire rarely appeared so concretely on one face.

Jiang Ye nodded very lightly, indicating he understood.

He turned his head away, one hand on the steering wheel, while the other hand felt around in his pocket for the cigarette case, but then he rubbed his fingers and gave up the idea of taking out the cigarette case to smoke.

When men are restless or have something on their minds, they all smoke and drink, and he was the same.

But in all his years in the military, he had followed discipline and never touched alcohol.

Tobacco could numb the nerves, and the spicy taste could relieve stress and soothe his mood.

Previously, he had thought he would be alone for the rest of his life, so he hadn't curbed his smoking habit.

Now, a woman more important than cigarettes had appeared; did cigarettes still need to exist?

For a time, the car became quiet, and neither of them spoke, the atmosphere carrying a hint of subtlety.

"Meow, meow, meow."

*Master, look, such a big ship~*

*Hmm, that's a steamer, a passenger ship. *

"Meow, meow, meow."

*Master, I'm scared. Hold me tight. *

*No way, you're an artifact spirit. You get seasick? *

"Meow, meow, meow."

*Master, there's a lot of black qi on that ship. I don't like it. I feel so uncomfortable. *

*Black qi? *

Shen Man frowned slightly upon hearing this. If she remembered correctly, black qi was on bad people.

Were there bad people on the passenger ship?

"Woo, woo, woo."

The passenger ship docked, and the waves at the pier smashed heavily against the reef wall on the shore, stirring up white spray.

The gangplank was suspended from the bow of the ship, connecting to the pier, separating two passages.

Jiang Ye drove the jeep, following behind the supply truck, passed through quickly, and drove the car into a parking space inside the passenger ship's cabin.

Then he got out of the car, took a sign, and protected Shen Man as they walked into the cabin from a side pedestrian passage.

"This passenger ship is very large. The belly is the cabin, the passenger lounge. We'll find a window seat and sit down. If you feel uncomfortable, it might be that you're prone to seasickness."

As he spoke, Jiang Ye took something in its original packaging out of his pocket. "This is preserved plum. If you get seasick, keep it in your mouth."

"Thank you, Brother Jiang Ye."

Shen Man squinted her eyes to thank him and reached out to take the preserved plum from his hand.

It seemed she didn't get seasick.

But Tangyuan was truly seasick; its tongue was already sticking out.

This preserved plum should be given to Tangyuan; she would just put an orange candy in her mouth later to cover it up.

*Good listener, I want to kiss. *

Jiang Ye suppressed the greed in his heart, not daring to look at the little girl, and protected her as they sat down by a window.

He wiped the chair with his sleeve, got the little girl's luggage bag, and asked if she was thirsty—he would go get water.

In the gap while Jiang Ye left his seat to get water, several aunts wearing blue headscarves who were traveling together took the initiative to strike up a conversation—

"Little sister, your brother is really good to you."

"Little sister, is your brother married? Do you want me to introduce a partner?"

"Little sister, how old are you? Are you an adult? I have a nephew about your age..."

The enthusiastic aunts wore smiles, and their tones were gentle, making it impossible to dislike them.

Shen Man pretended to be shy and lowered her eyes, not saying a word. She was afraid that if she spoke, these aunts would become even more enthusiastic... ===== CHAPTER 21 =====