Chapter 81: Toasting on Her Behalf

The people dining today were all medical staff from the military hospital, along with several officers under Commander Song’s command. Zhong Xiao was largely unfamiliar with them, apart from Chen Junhui, the commander of the 2nd Regiment of the Flying Corps, whom she had met previously in Song Qingfeng’s hospital room. Of course, there was also Song Tingshen and his family.

When she turned her head, she caught Hou Manling’s gaze—full of resentment and unwillingness. Meeting her eyes, Zhong Xiao, who had been a bit tense, instantly straightened her back, lifted her chin, and looked every bit the proud little swan.

The sight only made Hou Manling feel more uncomfortable.

This was exactly the effect Zhong Xiao wanted. She even mimicked Yang Yuehe’s gentle and virtuous tone when speaking to Du Huacheng, softening her voice to speak to Song Tingshen, “Where should I get chopsticks?”

Zhong Xiao’s voice was already pleasant, but with her deliberately gentle intonation, she sounded even more tender and alluring. Not only Song Tingshen, but even the other medical staff at their table couldn’t help but blush. They spent their days in the military district, surrounded by tough, iron-willed men—how could they have ever encountered such a rare beauty as Zhong Xiao?

Song Tingshen was caught off-guard by Zhong Xiao’s tone; his hand paused mid-action, and after a moment, he said, “I’ll get them for you.”

Zhong Xiao smiled and nodded. “Alright.”

Song Tingshen’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he lowered his gaze and walked silently to the service area to fetch chopsticks for her.

Hou Manling and Yuan Tianqing were both dumbfounded. Zhong Xiao had never acted so coy before; today she seemed completely out of character.

Soon, the orderly began to serve the dishes. Before the meal began, Song Qingfeng, as today’s host and commander, stood to say a few words:

“…Recently, our military district faced a sudden outbreak. During this time, thanks to the tireless dedication and selfless spirit of the hospital’s medical staff, we were able to eliminate the epidemic in a short period. I want you to know I remember all your hard work and contributions. Today, on behalf of all the soldiers in the military district, I offer a toast to the medical staff—you’ve all worked hard!”

A round of orderly applause broke out.

Song Qingfeng drained his glass, then continued, “There’s one more person we must thank—Comrade Zhong Xiao, who came from Yuecheng to support our military district!”

“Comrade Zhong Xiao traveled thousands of miles from Yuecheng to reach us, facing countless difficulties along the way. Upon arrival, she used her foresight and experience to immediately point us in the right direction for rescue efforts. She was also the first to suggest the possibility of plague infection, and donated several urgently needed medicines. Honestly, if not for Comrade Zhong Xiao’s decisiveness and compassion, we could not have overcome the epidemic so quickly. Let’s all raise a glass to Comrade Zhong Xiao!”

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhong Xiao stood up, uncertain of what to say, when an extra glass suddenly appeared at her hand. Glancing down, she saw it was half-filled with tea—poured for her by Song Tingshen moments earlier.

Zhong Xiao raised her teacup with both hands and faced the crowd. “Commander Song is too kind. I was merely lucky. I’m just glad I could be of some help to everyone.”

Beneath her breath, Hou Manling muttered, “Exactly, it was just luck…”

But before she finished, Song Tingshen, who sat beside Zhong Xiao, rose to his feet, holding a glass of clear spirit.

“Comrade Zhong Xiao, as a woman, can’t hold her liquor well, so she will use tea instead of wine. I hope everyone will understand. As host, I’ll drink in her stead. Thank you all for your great contributions to the military district during this time!”

With that, Song Tingshen drained his glass in one go. He drank three in a row, and a faint blush appeared on his face.

Zhong Xiao tugged carefully at his sleeve. “Captain Song, are you alright? You really didn’t have to do that…”

She could drink—her tolerance wasn’t great, but a couple of glasses wouldn’t have been a problem. But Song Tingshen only shook his head gently. “It’s nothing.”

His voice was low and, perhaps due to the alcohol, warmer than usual.

Zhong Xiao quietly lowered her gaze and said nothing more.

Once they were seated again, the table gradually broke into small talk. Since most present were either medical staff or officers, their conversation largely revolved around the hospital and military district—topics Zhong Xiao had little to contribute to.

She was content to enjoy her meal in peace, eating heartily. Song Tingshen, meanwhile, noticed her out of the corner of his eye as she kept reaching for food with her chopsticks and soon finished a bowl of rice, standing to get a second helping.

Song Tingshen stopped her. “Let me.”

Zhong Xiao naturally handed him her bowl.

When he returned with her bowl, Zhong Xiao took it and continued eating enthusiastically.

Someone noticed and laughed, “Comrade Zhong Xiao really eats with gusto. Unlike many of our female comrades, who are so reserved at the table that we hardly dare eat ourselves!”

Zhong Xiao smiled shyly. “I’ve always enjoyed eating.”

Especially after ten years of hunger in the countryside.

“How are you still so slim?”

“Maybe I was just born not to put on weight,” Zhong Xiao laughed.

She was poised and confident, meeting people’s eyes directly, never shrinking back in conversation. Gradually, others started talking to her. Zhong Xiao answered every question openly, never holding back, her voice pleasant and her looks striking. Everyone quickly grew fond of this legendary woman from Yuecheng.

Many had heard of Zhong Xiao by reputation but never met her; today, seeing her for the first time, they were thoroughly impressed.

Yet the happier Zhong Xiao was at her table, the more sour Hou Manling felt at the next. She had little appetite for her food.

At that moment, the commander of the 3rd Artillery Regiment, noticing Hou Manling sitting idle, said, “Look at Comrade Zhong Xiao—she’s eating with such relish! And look at you, pecking at your food like a little chick. Food is our fuel, how will you work on an empty stomach?”

Hearing herself compared to Zhong Xiao, Hou Manling’s temper flared.

“Work, work, why is it that when I eat it’s only for work? Then what about her, what has she contributed by eating so much for the military district?”

The 3rd Regiment commander, goaded by her retort, replied, “Hey now, how can you say Comrade Zhong Xiao hasn’t made contributions? Didn’t you hear what the commander just said? If it weren’t for her, we’d still be running circles around the plague!”

Since it was the commander’s words, Hou Manling couldn’t openly argue, so she muttered under her breath, “Nonsense. Even without Zhong Xiao, we’d have figured out it was the plague ourselves—the symptoms are obvious. It’s just a matter of being a day late or early!”

The 3rd Regiment commander shot her a sidelong glance, let out a cold laugh, and said, “A day late or early? Do you have any idea how many soldiers we’d lose by delaying even a day? Even a few seconds’ delay could cost someone their life, let alone a full day. As a medical worker, how could you say such a thing? No sense of responsibility at all! And to think you were last year’s model worker!”