Chapter 76: Inquiring for News

On the sixth day after the outbreak of the plague, thanks to an ample supply of medicine and the prompt quarantine measures enforced by the military district hospital, the epidemic gradually came under control. The entire hospital was filled with relief and joy. Liu Guangmin even prepared to visit the hospital to tell Zuo Lan:

“This time, the epidemic was discovered, quarantined, and controlled in a timely manner. The prognosis is good, and I’ve already reported it to the higher-ups. I reckon it won’t be long before a commendation is issued. Zuo Lan, you’ve done an outstanding job. If it weren’t for you, I can’t imagine how many more innocent soldiers would have lost their lives.”

Zuo Lan, however, did not claim credit.

“Commissar Liu, I wasn’t the first to discover the outbreak this time. The person who first noticed it was Comrade Zhong Xiao.”

Liu Guangmin was taken aback. “Comrade Zhong Xiao? The young woman brought here by Elder Qin...?”

“Yes, that’s her,” Zuo Lan smiled and continued, “Comrade Zhong Xiao not only identified the plague in the military district at the earliest possible moment, but she also provided us with a substantial quantity of medicine free of charge—all antibiotics targeted at the plague. If not for her timely intervention and generosity, we wouldn’t have been able to resolve this so quickly.”

Now Liu Guangmin was truly puzzled. That Zhong Xiao, so young and seemingly naïve, had only been here a short while, but she’d already helped the military district solve two major crises. If an ordinary soldier had accomplished as much, they would have been promoted twice over by now. But this Comrade Zhong Xiao, after such significant achievements, had not once come forward to claim credit or seek reward. If Zuo Lan hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known at all.

This Comrade Zhong Xiao was certainly no ordinary person.

Commissar Liu said, “If that’s the case, I’ll report it to the higher-ups this evening. At the very least, Comrade Zhong Xiao deserves formal recognition. Where is she now? Still staying in the hospital’s female staff dormitory?”

Zuo Lan replied, “Commissar, I must admit a fault here. Xiao Xiao isn’t actually a staff member of our hospital. Her staying in the staff dormitory for so many days was not entirely appropriate. If anyone complained to you, I apologize for the trouble. But don’t worry, she’s already moved out—she’s living at my house now, just moved in today.”

Commissar Liu looked thoroughly confused. “What complaint? No one has reported anything about Comrade Zhong Xiao to me.”

“Huh?” Zuo Lan was taken aback as well. Wasn’t it Ting Shen who said someone had reported Zhong Xiao, and that’s why they had to move her out so quickly? Before she could think further, Commissar Liu waved a hand.

“It’s nothing. It’s actually better she moved out. If anyone were jealous and started spreading rumors, it would be bad for Comrade Zhong Xiao’s reputation. But now that she’s living in your home... is that convenient?”

Of course, Commissar Liu was well aware of Zuo Lan’s family situation. Song Qingfeng was now practically living at the hospital handling administrative affairs; their eldest son, Song Yanzhou, was bedridden and paralyzed; the younger son, Song Tingshen, had lost his memory and was still unmarried; and at home, there was a pregnant daughter-in-law.

Zuo Lan smiled. “It’s no trouble at all. Xiao Xiao is a thoughtful child. She absolutely refused to let me give up my own quota for her to have a room, so I simply let her stay at our house for now.”

Commissar Liu pondered for a moment, then as if remembering something, said, “Isn’t there a simpler way? Doesn’t Tingshen have a betrothal agreement with Comrade Zhong Xiao? He even asked me to apply for family status in advance. With that proof and a marriage certificate, the two of them could have their own place.”

Zuo Lan sighed. “That would have been possible, but Shen has lost his memory.”

“What’s amnesia got to do with it! Parental orders, matchmakers’ words—set a date for the two kids, bring out the engagement contract, close the door, and that’s that!”

Zuo Lan was speechless.

The hospital was much quieter than in previous days, and the nurses finally had a chance to rest, chattering merrily. Yuan Tianqing, after a while, realized that Hou Manling, usually the most talkative, was missing. Looking around, she found Hou Manling sitting in a cubicle, staring blankly.

Yuan Tianqing walked over and placed her hands on Hou Manling’s shoulders from behind.

“Manling! Why are you in here alone? Everyone else is outside chatting.”

Hou Manling looked upset. “You all go ahead.”

“What’s wrong?” Yuan Tianqing noticed something was off and came around to face her. Hou Manling’s eyes were red; she had clearly been crying.

Yuan Tianqing was startled. “Manling, what happened?”

Hou Manling and Yuan Tianqing had always been close. This time, she couldn’t hold back and burst into tears.

“Zhong Xiao... Zhong Xiao really moved into Tingshen’s home!”

“What?!”

Yuan Tianqing’s face instantly changed. “When did this happen? How do you know? Are you sure?”

Hou Manling nodded through her tears. “Tingshen told me himself. She moved in today—he personally came to fetch her and carried her luggage... Tianqing, I don’t want to live anymore, I really don’t.”

Yuan Tianqing pressed her lips together. “Manling, are you really just going to give up like this?”

Hou Manling wiped her tears. “It’s come to this—what else can I do?”

Yuan Tianqing was silent for a while, then began to offer suggestions. “Manling, Zhong Xiao is from Yuecheng, right? I have contacts there—I’ll try to find out some information. Didn’t you say Zhong Xiao came from a capitalist family? With that kind of background, how could she dare come to the military district? If someone finds out and reports her, for the sake of his own future, Commander Song definitely wouldn’t want to be involved with someone like her.”

Hou Manling paused. “You have a way?”

Yuan Tianqing said, “I’ll try.”

Hou Manling broke into a smile, moved to tears, and threw her arms around Yuan Tianqing.

“Tianqing, you really are the best! You’re my dearest friend and comrade!”

But Yuan Tianqing only smiled and said, “It’s nothing, Manling. You’re so devoted to Commander Song—of course I should help you as your friend.”

“Only...” Yuan Tianqing added, “if one day you really do marry Commander Song, you must remember to help me in return, all right?”

Hou Manling nodded. “Then I’ll be Director Zuo’s daughter-in-law, and I’ll definitely put in a good word for you—help you become head nurse!”

Yuan Tianqing smiled and pressed her lips together. “All right, it’s a deal.”