Chapter 110: Passing the Test
Song Tingshen, however, did not agree with Lou Huaijin’s words in the slightest.
He was neither servile nor overbearing, his expression grave and resolute.
“Commander Lou, I’m sorry, but I need to interrupt you for a moment,” he began unhurriedly, meeting Song Qingfeng’s warning gaze with composure. “All these years, I’ve trained diligently, kept to my duties, completed every task with care, followed all orders. Whether facing enemy fire or the unknown on the battlefield, I have never once faltered. Because this is my duty as a soldier.”
“My mission is to defend my country and protect our people, to safeguard the lives of our citizens. I have never forgotten that.”
“What gives the people a sense of security is our courage, our fearlessness, our principles, and our bottom line—not our families, our romances, or our private lives.”
“I believe that the people I risk my life to protect will understand that I, too, have someone I love. I can give the rest of my life to my country, to its people. But my heart, in addition to loving this land and its people, also loves my fiancée. I do not see a conflict between the two!”
Song Tingshen’s words rang out like a clarion call, prompting Liu Guangmin, standing nearby, to give him a silent thumbs-up in his mind.
He hadn’t expected this usually cool and seemingly cold-blooded young man to have such a genuine and passionate side—he truly had the same spirit Liu himself had back in the day!
No wonder his wife had said that this time, Tingshen was determined; nothing could stand in his way.
Lou Huaijin, too, was silent for a long moment before finally speaking:
“So, do you choose the people of the world, the masses, or do you choose her, Zhong Xiao, alone?”
Song Tingshen furrowed his brows, his presence undiminished, matching Lou Huaijin’s authority without yielding an inch.
He enunciated each word clearly: “Forgive me, Commander Lou, I don’t understand your meaning. If I choose the people, does that mean I cannot choose Zhong Xiao? Why? Is she not one of the people? Does she not have the same blood running through her veins as we do?”
“I love this land, I love our people, and I love Zhong Xiao. If you ask me to give up any of them, I refuse and cannot accept it.”
“Furthermore, if I cannot even protect the one I love, if I cannot keep her by my side, how could I ever have the face to talk about protecting the people at large?”
Lou Huaijin took a step forward, his presence growing even more commanding, his tone deepening.
“So what you mean is, no matter what, you are determined to marry her, is that it?”
Meeting Lou Huaijin’s scrutinizing, warning gaze, Song Tingshen stood his ground, almost without hesitation.
“Yes,” Song Tingshen drew a deep breath, “even if I must shed this military skin, I will marry Zhong Xiao.”
Hearing this, Song Qingfeng’s face changed.
Such words were nothing less than a naked threat. No matter how close Lou Huaijin and Song Qingfeng might be, it was highly irregular for a subordinate to risk his future in order to pressure a superior.
Yet Song Tingshen’s expression remained unwavering, his voice firm as iron:
“Reporting, Commander Lou, I am determined to marry Comrade Zhong Xiao. I am willing to bear all the consequences!”
For a few seconds, the atmosphere was thick with awkwardness and gravity.
Just as Liu Guangmin was about to say something to ease the tension, Lou Huaijin’s hearty laughter suddenly rang out.
He clapped Song Tingshen hard on the shoulder, his laughter echoing through the office.
“Well done! You have the very spirit I had in my youth! Truly excellent!”
Lou Huaijin declared, “A man should have such mettle, the determination to stay the course, no matter how dark the road ahead!”
“I have already investigated Comrade Zhong Xiao’s background. The Zhong family are old revolutionaries. Since coming to the military district, Comrade Zhong Xiao has resolved the crisis when old Song was trapped, tackled the plague in the district, and even helped uncover a long-hidden enemy spy who had infiltrated our ranks for years. Such a comrade is a blessing to our district. Just now, I was merely testing you on her behalf!”
“Comrade Song Tingshen!”
“Here!”
Lou Huaijin extended his hand: “You have passed the organization’s test. Now, I officially announce that the organization has approved your marriage application. You and Comrade Zhong Xiao may choose an auspicious day and register your marriage!”