Chapter 62: Past Events

As soon as Song Tingshen finished speaking, several pairs of eyes immediately fell upon him.

Zhong Xiao felt somewhat baffled. For no reason at all, why was he offering to escort her back to the dormitory?

Hou Manling was nearly mad with jealousy, unable to fathom why Song Tingshen treated Zhong Xiao so well. He always protected her, and now he was openly offering to walk her back to her dormitory? Everyone knew that the military district was crowded, eyes everywhere, and the two of them were conspicuous. Walking together, they were bound to attract attention. The thought of everyone witnessing Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen together drove Hou Manling to the brink of envy.

Zuo Lan and Qin Dezheng, on the other hand, responded in much the same way—simply puzzled. Song Tingshen wasn’t known for being so warm-hearted.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Song Tingshen explained, “I need to go by the office to apply for a commendation for Comrade Zhong Xiao. I’ll pass by the women’s dormitory.”

Oh, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. So that was it.

But unexpectedly, Zhong Xiao suddenly stepped forward, flashing Song Tingshen a broad smile. “You’re going to help me apply for a commendation? Can I go with you? When will the commendation be ready? Can it be expedited? I’ve never even seen a commendation certificate before.”

Song Tingshen’s usually indifferent gaze was suddenly met by Zhong Xiao’s smiling face, so close that her breathtaking beauty bloomed less than half a meter from him, like a flower in a shadowed valley that awakens into radiance as he draws near.

He heard his own heartbeat—thud—pause for a beat.

Zhong Xiao was clearly unaware of the impact her smile had on those around her; she smiled to herself, eyes full of anticipation. It was this pure, untainted expectation that made her gaze so captivating.

Song Tingshen remained silent for a full ten seconds.

In the end, it was Hou Manling, unable to endure any longer, who pulled Zhong Xiao aside.

“Comrade Zhong Xiao, please show some restraint and keep your distance from male comrades! Besides…” Hou Manling pressed her lips together, saying, “Tingshen… Tingshen doesn’t like close contact with others!”

Zhong Xiao glanced at Hou Manling, then at Song Tingshen. Oh, jealous.

She shrugged indifferently and urged Song Tingshen again.

“Colonel Song, let’s go.”

Song Tingshen withdrew his gaze from her face, his brows lowered, concealing his emotions. After a few seconds, he looked up again, hesitating for a moment. “Alright, let’s go.”

Song Tingshen started down the corridor. After Zhong Xiao bade farewell to Zuo Lan and Qin Dezheng with a quick “bye,” she immediately turned to follow Song Tingshen.

Hou Manling watched their departing figures, driven mad with envy. She wanted to follow, but Zuo Lan called her back.

“Manling, you weren’t on duty this afternoon, so you should return to your department. With the plague rampant, as medical staff you must uphold your responsibilities. Focus on what’s important and don’t get distracted, understand?”

Hou Manling pressed her lips in silence.

Zuo Lan glanced at her, then added, “You always tell Xiao to keep her distance, but you call Tingshen by his first name so easily—how do you explain that? Your relationship with Tingshen is hardly close. By rank, you should be addressing him as Colonel Song. Manling, you’re usually steady and careful; don’t lose your composure.”

After Zuo Lan’s admonition, Hou Manling’s cheeks flushed. At last, she nodded and said, “Yes, I understand, Director Zuo.”

Zuo Lan gave a brief nod. “Go on, then.”

When Zuo Lan had left, Qin Dezheng remarked, “That Comrade Hou Manling, it’s clear she has other intentions toward Tingshen.”

“Not just intentions,” Zuo Lan sighed, “Manling’s feelings for Tingshen run deep. Years ago, she was rescued by him on Taizhou Island after an incident with some thugs. Since then, she’s followed him, transferring from Taizhou Island Central Hospital to the military hospital, all for Tingshen. I’ve already hinted to her that Tingshen is engaged, but she doesn’t seem to mind.”

“It’s my fault,” Zuo Lan continued, “You told me Xiao was reluctant to leave Yuecheng for Taizhou Island, so I thought Tingshen’s engagement had little hope, and I didn’t strictly forbid Manling from interacting with him. Now Xiao is here, and Tingshen has lost his memory… Sigh, as his mother, I don’t know what to do.”

Compared to Zuo Lan’s worries, Qin Dezheng was much more relaxed.

He smiled and said, “Zuo Lan, Xiao is strong-willed and knows how to protect herself. Just look at how she handled Du Huacheng in Yuecheng; even I was impressed. If she likes Tingshen, no one can take him away; if she doesn’t, no one can force her. Let the children sort it out themselves. One thing is certain: Xiao won’t let herself be wronged, so you can rest assured.”

—

Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen stepped out of the military hospital together. As they descended to the ground floor, Song Tingshen stopped by the hospital service department to collect several masks, handing one to Zhong Xiao and donning one himself.

He gave her the rest of the masks as well. “Keep them; change daily.”

Zhong Xiao accepted them without protest. “Thank you, Colonel Song.”

Song Tingshen heard this address and glanced at her, saying nothing.

Outside, a gentle rain had begun to fall.

Song Tingshen opened his umbrella. It wasn’t large, but just big enough for the two of them to fit beneath it.

Their shoulders were separated by barely half a centimeter—not touching, yet not too far apart.

Song Tingshen wore black from head to toe, even his umbrella was black. By contrast, Zhong Xiao’s attire was bright and vivid. Standing together, they looked like a unique jasmine flower blossoming above the endless black sea.

They walked through the rain, breathing softly, steps in harmony, both silent.

In the quiet atmosphere, only the sound of the gentle rain could be heard.

Zhong Xiao watched the rain drops fall in dense patterns and murmured, “Rain at a time like this isn’t good. Wet weather breeds bacteria; the rats will be more rampant.”

Song Tingshen was silent for a moment, then asked calmly, “You seem to know quite a bit about medicine.”

Whether it was discovering the plague first or promptly bringing medicine to Song Qingfeng, Zhong Xiao hardly seemed like an ordinary heiress.

But Zhong Xiao didn’t know how to explain. She certainly couldn’t say a fish or an aloe plant had told her. As for the medicine, that had really been a matter of luck—she’d grabbed some antibiotics at random from her space.

She hesitated for a while before saying, “It’s all from my second grandfather. He used to be the chief physician at your military hospital, remember?”

Song Tingshen stared ahead, indifferent. “No, I don’t.”

Zhong Xiao: “…”

Damn. She almost forgot—Song Tingshen was suffering from amnesia, remembering nothing.

Just as she was about to change the subject, Song Tingshen spoke again, “If you have time, you can tell me about the past. Maybe I’ll remember something. For example… did anything ever happen between us before?”