The twilight deepened, and their affections grew.
That evening, Han Lang and his companions returned to Le City.
The explanation to Han Zhongyi and his wife was simple.
Parents always support their children's choices and dreams unconditionally, so when Han Lang informed Han Zhongyi and Su Su of his aspiration to join the army, they agreed without the slightest hesitation.
However,
When they learned that Han Lang would be gone for three years and that communication with home would be nearly impossible, Su Su's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Children are always a mother's precious darlings!
No matter what they do, a mother worries for them from afar!
After a series of assurances from Han Lang and some comforting words from Han Zhongyi, Su Su finally accepted the reality.
In contrast, explaining to Luo Jiaying was not so straightforward.
To ease her feelings, Han Lang specifically waited until the night, when the moon and stars were bright, and took Luo Jiaying to the summit of Lingyue Mountain. While admiring the moonlight, he unexpectedly said,
"Xiao Ying, I have something I want to discuss with you!"
Luo Jiaying, unaware of his intentions, naively asked, "Brother Han Lang, just say whatever you want. There's no need to discuss things between us. Whatever your decision, I will definitely support it!"
"You said that, you can't go back on your word!"
Luo Jiaying replied, "Of course! Besides, Brother Han Lang's decisions have never been wrong!"
Looking at Luo Jiaying's beautiful smile, Han Lang finally gathered his courage and said, "I want to join the army!"
"Join the army?"
Luo Jiaying was truly surprised by Han Lang's sudden thought. She pondered for a moment and quickly responded,
"That's fine! A true man serves in the army for two years and regrets not serving for a lifetime. Brother Han Lang, I support you!"
"Really? You don't object?"
Luo Jiaying nodded and smiled, "Of course! What is there to object to!"
Han Lang was overjoyed by her response.
He hadn't expected Luo Jiaying to be so supportive!
However, he was unaware that his intention to join a special forces unit was entirely different from Luo Jiaying's understanding of joining the army.
Indeed, before Han Lang could savor his happiness for long, Luo Jiaying's request soon followed.
"I know the military has its rules! So my request isn't much. You just need to spare one day a week to chat with me on the phone for an hour. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Han Lang was instantly astonished, his eyes wide as he looked at Luo Jiaying, his face filled with disbelief.
After a long pause, he stammered, seemingly embarrassed, and replied,
"Uh... Xiao Ying! I think you might have a misunderstanding. The unit I'm joining is different from other units. A trip there is at least three years, and it's very difficult to contact home. So... I might not be able to... fulfill your request!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Jiaying instantly bristled.
"What? Three years? And no contact at all?"
Han Lang nodded awkwardly, "Uh, that's roughly it! However, if I have the chance, I'll definitely try to call you, okay?"
Luo Jiaying immediately objected without a second thought.
"Of course not! Do you know how long three years is? I'll go crazy if I don't see you for three years! How can you bear to abandon me like this?"
Han Lang was speechless.
"You can't say that, Xiao Ying. How is this abandoning you! Even if I go to the army, I'll definitely think of you every day! And with the feelings between us, three years shouldn't change anything, right?"
To his surprise, Luo Jiaying wasn't swayed by his words and continued,
"You say nice things! Do you think I'm easy to fool? Do you think I don't know? Places like the military are easy to enter, but hard to leave! There are many cases of three years turning into more years. Besides, your strength is already considerable. If you train in the army for a few more years, you'll definitely become an exceptional soldier. Such talent, the military will likely want to keep you, won't they? It might not be so easy for you to return. Moreover, if you're really just going to fulfill a dream for a few years and then come back, that's one thing, but what if the military wants to keep you by force? How long are you expecting me to wait for you? And how much of my youth can afford to wait?"
Faced with Luo Jiaying's barrage of questions, Han Lang was rendered speechless.
He couldn't answer any of her questions!
If he had to give an explanation, he could only raise three fingers to the sky and say,
"I swear! This time it's truly just to fulfill a dream, I won't stay any longer! I will return after three years, and if I break this oath, I shall be struck by heavenly punishment! How about that?"
Han Lang's oath didn't carry much weight in itself, but the more people knew him, the more they understood that such an oath, though simple, was truly heartfelt!
So, when Luo Jiaying saw his earnest expression, her eyes also began to redden.
She knew that if she insisted on her stance, she would be forcing Han Lang to choose between her and his dream.
No matter what he chose in the end, he wouldn't feel comfortable.
With this thought, Luo Jiaying, her voice trembling with tears, made one last plea.
"Brother Han Lang, do you really have to go?"
Han Lang gently pulled Luo Jiaying into his embrace. He understood her feelings at that moment and replied with a hint of reluctance,
"To be honest, if Xiao Ying supports me, I want to go; but if Xiao Ying strongly opposes it, I am willing to give up this dream for you!"
Sometimes, what a girl wants isn't necessarily your utmost effort,
More often, what they want is just an attitude, a place in your heart.
Therefore, upon hearing these words, Luo Jiaying's defenses completely crumbled.
With tears in her eyes, she sobbed and replied,
"Brother Han Lang, having your words is enough for Xiao Ying! Xiao Ying can wait for Brother Han Lang for three years, but Brother Han Lang must also promise Xiao Ying that you won't have any trouble during these three years, and as soon as you have free time, you must tell me if you are doing well!"
Looking at the understanding Luo Jiaying in his arms, Han Lang's softest spot was deeply touched.
He gently stroked Luo Jiaying's face, caressed her hair, held her tightly, and whispered softly in her ear,
"Xiao Ying! I promise you. And I also hope that after three years, when I return from fulfilling my dream, I can enter the hall of marriage with you!"
Marriage?
Luo Jiaying's delicate body trembled.
This was her ultimate expectation, and the dream she cherished.
"Brother Han Lang, are you serious?"
Han Lang smiled tenderly, "Of course! Don't you want to?"
Luo Jiaying pouted her lips, "Brother Han Lang, are you going to ask this question so casually?"
Han Lang instantly reacted.
Wasn't this a proposal? How could it be so flippant? He quickly corrected himself.
"Right, right, I almost forgot! Then after three years, I'll ask you this question again! As long as you agree then, we'll go all the way and do everything that needs to be done, alright?"
Luo Jiaying didn't reply, but nestled happily into Han Lang's embrace.
Everything was implicitly understood, wasn't it?