White Olive Tree

34 • Too Close

When Li Jungkook  returned home, he saw the slippers that Song Lisa  had just worn when she was changing her shoes. They belonged to his father. When she put them on, she put one of her small feet in them and they made a clattering sound when she walked.

He changed his shoes, threw the keys into the bowl, and went into the house. The lights were on, the dining table and kitchen were clean, and the air still had a hint of the aroma of rice.

He leaned back on the sofa, looked up at the sky for a while, took out his cell phone and called Chen Feng.

…

The next morning, Li Jungkook  went to the army.

At 8 o’clock sharp, he arrived at the military teaching building and Chen Feng was standing on the steps waiting for him.

Seeing that his hair was cut short, Chen Feng’s eyebrows flew up, his face was full of joy, but he didn’t say much, just took a deep breath, patted his shoulder several times, and said, “Glad that you’re back.”

Chen Feng took him into the building, walked to a classroom and knocked on the door.

It was not yet time for class, and there was only a soldier in his thirties or forties writing and drawing on the blackboard with chalk.

That was Colonel Lin Miaoan, the best bomb disposal expert in Jiangcheng Military Region, with great military achievements. Li Jungkook  studied with him for the first two years of his military academy career, and later he was transferred to other areas to perform missions.

Lin Miaoan saw Li Jungkook , looked him up and down, and said with a smile: “Jungkook  has grown up. He has become more handsome too.”

“Teacher.” Li Jungkook  still used the original title, a little surprised, “I didn’t know you were back.”

“What a coincidence.” Chen Feng said, “Lao Lin has just been transferred back to Jiangcheng. The army wants to give basic explosion-proof courses to outstanding officers and soldiers so that they can select a group for professional training. Lao Lin is the main instructor and is in need of an assistant instructor. I thought it would be a good opportunity for you to help out and take classes at the same time to learn more.”

Lin Miaoan asked: “How are your ears now?”

Li Jungkook  understood what he meant and said, “It’s fine to simulate it.”

Lin Miaoan: “Can’t touch the real thing?”

Li Jungkook  smiled.

Chen Feng said hurriedly, “It’s much better now. Old Lin, you don’t know how it felt at the beginning. I couldn’t even think about it. I would roll around on the bed in pain the moment I thought about it.”

Lin Miaoan said warmly, “Cooperate with the military doctor’s treatment. There’s no rush. Take your time. I won’t really give you any bullets for the time being.”

Li Jungkook  nodded: “Yes.”

As they were talking, a new recruit walked into the classroom. When he saw them, he immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Seeing that class was about to start, Chen Feng said to Lin Miaoan, “Then once the formalities are completed, the child will be handed over to you.”

Lin Miaoan nodded and said, “My student, I’m here to collect him.”

Chen Feng took Li Jungkook  to the corridor. Seeing that Li Jungkook  was silent and had a calm expression, he asked, “You said you didn’t want to work as a clerk, but how about this? Are you still not satisfied?”

Li Jungkook  smiled faintly after hearing this: “I just wanted to go back to the army to repair the car. You are so kind to get me such a satisfactory one.”

Chen Feng laughed loudly, pointed at him twice, and sighed, “You finally figured it out. I thought you had to be stubborn for a year or so. I contacted Dr. Jackson, and he said that after the last surgery on you, your recovery was good. In half a year, you will be able to recover physically. But he can’t do anything about the tinnitus caused by psychological trauma. He has done everything he should do.”

Li Jungkook  was silent for a moment, then smiled slowly and said, “I know. The last time I saw him, he told me that he couldn’t have surgery anymore. But at that time…”

He still had tinnitus when he was in pain, and he felt there was no hope.

Chen Feng hooked his shoulder, led him out, and said, “Ah Jungkook , let the past be the past, don’t dwell on it. You are still young, and you have a long life ahead of you. You have acquired all these skills through years of hard study and practice, it would be a pity to lose them. You don’t need to tell me what you think. As long as you cooperate with the military doctor and persist in treatment, you will get better. I know you have great ambitions and don’t want to switch to civilian work at such a young age. Don’t worry, I will help you with the organizational relationship. You can learn from Lao Lin first, and when you recover and return to the training ground, I will do my best to help you. But you can’t be decadent anymore.”

Li Jungkook  listened quietly, only his flickering eyes revealed the turmoil in his heart. No one knew whether he was unwilling, or was still brooding over it, or had made up his mind.

He clenched his jaw and nodded vigorously.

…

A few days later, Li Jungkook  went through a simple resignation procedure at the Baixi Road Police Station.

It was at this time that Zhao Yuanli was detained by the police. The police had already found substantial evidence.

However, this news did not attract much attention. There were no new revelations, the heat faded, and netizens’ attention turned to new events. This made the police feel relieved.

The work at the police station was a little less busy. When Li Jungkook  was packing up that day, everyone was there, chatting.

He had been on the job for less than a month, but the police officers had a good relationship with him.

Xiaojia joked, “Just detain A-Jungkook  and don’t let him go back.”

Li Jungkook  chuckled and said, “Let’s get together more often in the future. It will be the same.”

Xiao Yi said: “A-Jungkook  is an elite bomb disposal expert. He can’t stay in our small place forever.”

Xiao Bing sighed, “Oh, I don’t know when I can get a promotion. Grassroots work is too tiring. Zhao Yuanli’s experience alone is almost killing me.”

Everyone sighed and started discussing the case.

Xiao Yi came over and said, “Ah Jungkook , I didn’t expect that what your journalist friend wrote was true. We misunderstood her before. Please apologize for us.”

Li Jungkook  smiled and said, “Okay. She has a good personality and won’t mind.”

Xiao Ding said to someone nearby: “I heard from a criminal police friend that when they went to arrest Zhao Yuanli, he refused to admit his guilt and threatened to appeal. His relatives were all cursing, saying that the reporter had harmed him. They cursed her in a very ugly way, saying that she would suffer retribution and would not have a good ending.”

Li Jungkook  was packing up his notebooks. He frowned inadvertently when he heard this.

…

Song Lisa ’s resignation was approved.

The station considered it for a long time. After all, it was not easy to train a good reporter. But considering her condition, they were afraid that her condition would worsen if she stayed, so they finally approved it. The station said that when the station needs her in the future, they hope she can come back to help as a freelance reporter or special reporter.

Song Lisa  agreed.

This is the best outcome for both parties.

After she decided to resign, her colleagues in the department had a dinner together as a farewell dinner. Shen Jennie  heard about her resignation and also came to the dinner. She did a good job in the entertainment department and was more friendly than before.

Of all the meals she had with her colleagues, this one was the most relaxing.

Xiao Qiu had the best relationship with Song Lisa , and was reluctant to let her go. She said, “Lisa, now that you’re gone, we’ll have to rack our brains to choose topics in the future.”

Liu Yufei smiled and said, “You guys should also improve your abilities. Who can rely on whom for the rest of their lives in the workplace?”

Xiao Dong shouted, “Old Liu, what you said is right. Right, right, let’s just go with Lisa. We are all just eating for free.”

It was a harmless joke, and Song Lisa  couldn’t help but laugh.

Shen Jennie  peeled shrimps and said, “However, it’s a pity to resign because of that incident in middle school. You did nothing wrong in the first place.”

Everyone lamented: “Yes, Lisa, why did you resign? You did nothing wrong.”

Song Lisa  smiled: “I just want to take a break for a while, it has nothing to do with this matter.”

Xiaochun: “However, whether Zhu Yanan suffered mental violence from Zhao Yuanli is a mystery. There is no direct evidence.”

Xiao Xia: “But Wang Han’s matter is set in stone. Zhao Yuanli has been detained now.”

Xiao Qiu: “Fortunately Wang Han stood up, otherwise Lisa would be doomed this time. That kid is quite courageous.”

Song Lisa  nodded casually.

Shen Jennie  asked: “What are your plans for the future? Go to another TV station?”

“Song Lisa  will go to the Imperial City. Her mother is there and should be able to provide a lot of help.” Liu Yufei said, “Song Lisa ’s mother is an important figure. I only found out when I was looking through the files this time.”

“What?” everyone was curious.

Liu Yufei talked about Ran Yuwei’s position.

The crowd was shocked.

Shen Jennie  was also stunned for a moment.

Xiao Qiu exclaimed: “Lisa, you are so low-key. I haven’t even heard you say that.”

Song Lisa  was a little embarrassed: “That’s her job. It has nothing to do with me. What’s there to say?”

Shen Jennie  said: “If I were you, I would go to Imperial City to develop.”

Xiao Dong said: “But Lisa doesn’t need to rely on her parents anymore. With her fame and ability, she can go anywhere.”

Song Lisa  pursed her lips and smiled. She didn’t think too much about it. She just wanted to eat seriously. The food in this local restaurant was pretty good. But while eating, she suddenly remembered the day she went to Li Jungkook ’s house to cook.

She couldn’t help but be distracted, thinking silently, next time… there might be another chance.

After the meal, everyone said goodbye one by one.

Shen Jennie  passed by Song Lisa  and suddenly asked, “Did you know that Li Jungkook  no longer works at the police station?”

Song Lisa  said, “I know.”

Shen Jennie  was stunned for a moment and asked, “How did you know?”

Song Lisa  said: “He told me.”

Shen Jennie  didn’t ask any more questions, smiled slightly, and said, “Everything will go well in the future.”

Song Lisa  smiled: “You too.”

…

There is a cool breeze at night.

Song Lisa  waited on the platform for a while before the train arrived.

There were few passengers on the night bus. Song Lisa  sat in the last row, flipping through the text messages Li Jungkook  sent her.

He said he quit today.

At this moment, she  guess he was having dinner with his colleagues.

As she was watching, her cell phone rang and a text message came in from Wang Han.

Wang Han said that the case is now almost investigated and he will not return to his original school. This time his parents take it seriously and are ready to transfer him to another school. Soon, he will go to another city and repeat his senior year of high school. He will study hard in the future and hope to be admitted to a good university in the future.

At the end of the text message, he said: “Sister, after Zhu Yanan jumped off the building, I wanted to jump too. But at that time, you called me. Thank you.”

Song Lisa  replied to him: “Be good in the future.”

Putting down his phone, Song Lisa  opened the glass window and looked outside. The night was finally no longer cold.

The bus stopped at Beimen Street Station.

Song Lisa  got out of the car, took out a flashlight from his bag, and walked towards Qingzhi Lane.

The temperature has warmed up in the past two days, and there is finally a hint of spring. However, it is still a bit chilly now that it is late at night.

Song Lisa  was wearing too thin clothes, so she held himself and walked deeper into the alley, shivering slightly.

The footsteps hit the bluestone alley, crisp and messy…

Suddenly, she alertly heard footsteps that did not belong to her.

Song Lisa  looked back and saw two figures wearing hats, walking quickly in the darkness not far behind him.

Song Lisa  had lived in this area for a long time and felt that the two people looked unfamiliar. Perhaps they were young people who took a shortcut nearby.

But she still hurried her pace nervously, almost jogging – this alley was flanked by the walls of a primary school, and there were no residents. Qingzhi Lane was still far ahead.

But as she ran, the person behind her suddenly sped up and caught up with her.

Song Lisa  ran as fast as she could, but she couldn’t outrun the man. The hood of her coat was quickly grabbed by someone. Song Lisa  was startled and turned off the flashlight. She turned back and pointed it at the man’s eyes and quickly pressed the switch twice. The enhanced flashlight shone over, and the man was caught off guard, so excited that he let go and covered his eyes.

The flashlight shone on the fruit knife in the other person’s hand, reflecting a cold light.

“Help!” Song Lisa  ran forward desperately, and the people behind her chased her again.

Song Lisa  rushed to the corner, and was about to shout with all her strength, but she ran into a dark shadow head-on. She was so shocked that she lost her voice, thinking that disaster was coming, but she didn’t expect to fall into the arms of a familiar person the next second. Li Jungkook  caught her with one hand and turned to protect her behind him, then raised his leg and kicked the person who was coming from the front several meters away. Another person came forward with a knife to stab, but Li Jungkook  spun around and kicked the fruit knife in his hand accurately and fiercely.

The other party knew that he had encountered an expert and was afraid of being exposed, so he chose to escape.

Li Jungkook  tried to chase after him, but the person behind him grabbed hold of his clothes.

Song Lisa  grabbed his waist, rested her head on his back, and trembled.

Li Jungkook  paused for a moment, but during this time of hesitation, the two men had already quickly run out of the alley.

He turned his head and looked behind him, and said in a still somewhat stern tone, “It’s all right.”

She remained in that position without moving, still trembling slightly, her fingers clutching his clothes tightly.

Li Jungkook  just stood there quietly, allowing her to adjust herself.

After a long while, Song Lisa  slowly recovered and let him go.

Li Jungkook  turned around and comforted her softly: “Don’t be afraid, it’s okay.”

Song Lisa  was still a little confused and asked, “Why are you here?”

Li Jungkook  was stunned, lowered his head and touched the back of his head, and said: “Zhao Yuanli has been arrested. The atmosphere here is not good. There are many scoundrels who take money to do things. There are always cases of reporters being retaliated against…”

He was suspicious and came to check on her, intending to make sure she was safe at home before leaving. But no one was home. He guessed that she would be late, so he simply patrolled the alley near her house.

He said, "I just happened to be off work, so I stopped by to take a look. I was just about to leave when I ran into you by chance…”

Song Lisa  didn’t believe it and said softly: “I’m not a fool.”

Li Jungkook : “…”

She looked up at him, the girl’s eyes dark and clear in the darkness.

Li Jungkook  paused, not knowing what to say next.

He pursed his lips and said, “Since they didn’t succeed this time, they probably won’t come again. However, for safety reasons, you’d better not live here alone. Where is your parents’ home?”

Song Lisa  didn’t want to go home, but she was afraid to live here alone, so she had to make do with it for the time being.

She said, “Over there in the archives.”

“I’ll take you there.”

Song Lisa  nodded: “Okay.”

Li Jungkook  stopped a car on the side of the road and told the driver that he was going to the archives.

Song Lisa  leaned back in the back seat, still a little dazed, and said sadly, “I never expected that I would be retaliated against.”

Li Jungkook  said, “You are in this business, so you should have heard something about it.”

“I’ve heard of it. But it doesn’t happen to me, so it always seems so far away.” She stared blankly into space. The street lights outside the car window were shining on her face, making her cheeks look especially soft and pure.

Li Jungkook  looked at her quietly for a while, then asked softly, “Why are you back so late today?”

She came back to her senses and turned to look at him: “My colleagues from the unit are having dinner and seeing me off.”

He smiled faintly: “Has your resignation been approved?”

“Yeah.” Song Lisa  said, inadvertently twisting her shoulders in his direction, and became more energetic. “I will probably be a freelance journalist in the future. But… I haven’t told anyone about this idea yet, so I’m telling you now.”

The smile on Li Jungkook ’s lips slowly widened, and he said, “Then I’m honoured.”

“Thank you as well. What you said the other day reminded me that record-keeping is what I am best suited for. I finally figured it out.” Song Lisa  smiled with satisfaction and asked, “What about you? I didn’t even have time to ask you in the text message why you left.”

“I’m going back to the team,” Li Jungkook  said, and slowly told her everything that had happened, including going back to study, receiving treatment, and waiting to return to his original position.

Song Lisa  was surprised: “Really?”

“real.”

“It’s great.” She said to herself, savouring the memory. As she spoke, she couldn’t help laughing, with a big smile on her face.

Li Jungkook  stared at her and asked slowly, “Are you so happy?”

“I’m happy for you.” She said sincerely, “Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted to do? Now you can go back to study and slowly wait for recovery. How wonderful it is.”

Yes, how wonderful.

Li Jungkook  smiled and looked away at the lights outside the window. Even the dim street lights looked warm and cosy.

The Archives Bureau was not far away and we arrived there quickly.

The taxi drove into the family compound, and Song Lisa  tilted her head and looked out the window.

In early March, the trees on both sides of the road have already sprouted new buds. In the early spring night, the air is crisp and the grass and trees are gathering strength to grow.

In the flower bed, the winter jasmine has sprouted, and small bright yellow buds are twisted on the new green branches.

Song Lisa  leaned over to the window and said, “Winter jasmine.”

Li Jungkook  lowered his shoulders, took a look, and said, “Maybe it will bloom tomorrow.”

The taxi stopped in the open space in front of the tube building.

Li Jungkook  asked the driver to wait for a moment, saying that he would take her upstairs and come down soon. The driver seemed to understand and said with a smile: “Okay, no rush.”

Song Lisa  felt embarrassed and said, “No need to send me up.”

But Li Jungkook  had already gotten off the car.

Song Lisa  pursed her lips and walked into the corridor silently.

The corridor was old and dilapidated, cluttered with debris and no one cared for it. The air was filled with a stale smell.

The light bulb was broken, and only the night light from outside seeped in, making it dim.

Although Song Lisa  didn’t ask him to send her off, she felt truly safe and secure with him walking beside her at the moment, and she even slowed down her pace when going upstairs.

He put his hands in his pockets and paid attention to her steps, afraid that she would accidentally step on empty air.

“How long does it take to get home from here?”

“Not far, just over ten minutes.”

“That’s good.” She walked around the corner, “You should go to bed early when you go back.”

“Um.”

“Thank you for today…” She stepped onto the stairs, turned her head to look at him, and suddenly slipped down the stairs. He quickly went to help her. She suddenly threw herself into his arms, her cheek sliding across his jaw, her body rubbing against his body face to face and falling down a step.

Li Jungkook  froze for a second.

Song Lisa ’s heart was numb, and her whole body felt like a match that was instantly lit, or a match mixed with popping candy; her face, body, and heart were all numb and crisp as if sparks were exploding.

She trembled slightly and dared not move.

I’ve had close contact with him several times, but I’ve never felt his body so hard as it does now.

She thought in a very useless way that if he did anything to her now, no matter what he did, she could only close her eyes and let it go. Or maybe even more useless, she could turn into a soft ball of mud and stick to him.

In the dim light, Li Jungkook ’s pupils were dark and deep. He held her firmly, and the friction from the front, a soft and plump touch, stuck to his chest, lingering. It burned his body like frying oil in a raging fire.

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple rolling up and down. He helped her stand steadily, and when he spoke again, his voice became darker, and he asked, “Are you not sprained?”

“No,” she hummed softly, shaking her head, her face already burning.

Too close, they were too close.

She stepped back with one foot, placed it on the step, and tried to stand on it to create some distance.

But just as her center of gravity moved upward, his hand reached behind her waist and gently pulled her down. The next second, she fell into his arms again. He lowered his head, put his chin against her cheek, and reached behind her with his other hand to hold her in his arms.

Song Lisa  was completely stunned. She tilted her head back, dazed, and heard his low voice calling her, “Lisa…”

“I like you so much.”

His warm, moist breath entered her ears, and she shuddered as if an electric shock had been passed through her body.

She closed her eyes gently, and even her breathing was trembling.

She tentatively reached out and hugged his waist, feeling a little confused and unreal, but his hot and strong body was so real. So this was love, a deep, deep love. Just hugging, she felt very happy, so happy that her whole body trembled sweetly, and so happy that countless little joys in her heart were crowded and seemed to burst and overflow.

She whispered quietly, as if telling a secret: “Me too.”

He suddenly chuckled, feeling somewhat relieved.

He tilted his head slightly, his chin brushing against her hot cheek, and their lips were close to each other.

Her breath was rapid and mixed with hers. She suddenly held her breath and waited for him to approach, her body stiff.

He tilted his head slightly, raised his chin, and his lips lightly touched hers. Song Lisa  trembled and closed his eyes.

Li Jungkook  touched her lips lightly, very carefully and softly, their breaths intertwined, an intimate and ambiguous relationship that belonged only to them.

It was a simple and pure kiss, more like a seal.

After a long time, Li Jungkook  let go of her a little. He stared at her with clear eyes.

She was shy and secretly happy, and suddenly she covered her mouth and laughed, revealing a pair of clear black and white pupils, and her eyes were curved with a smile.

He looked at her, smiled, pulled her hand away, and kissed her again.

“Hmm…” Song Lisa  shrank her neck in shock.

This time, it was a deep kiss.