Qi Taiguo led Chiang Qing and her companions to the dormitory before returning to the unit. Only then did he pick up a large porcelain jar emblazoned with the People’s Liberation Army insignia and take a couple of sips of water when Gao Linbing and Long Shaoguang cornered him in the office to talk.
"Old Qi, how is it?" the two asked with curious faces.
"How is what?" Qi Taiguo asked, a look of puzzlement on his face.
"That Doctor Chiang, they say she’s a cold and stunning beauty. Is she easy to talk to?" Gao Linbing said.
Qi Taiguo was somewhat mystified and replied, "What do you mean easy to talk to or not? She’s just another person."
With that said, he sat down at his desk and flipped through the report files.
"I heard that Doctor Chiang comes from quite a prominent background!" Long Shaoguang said with a profound look on his face.
"Oh?"
"Do you know who Jiang Conghe is? The political commissar of the Jinling Military Region. I heard that he’s going to be transferred to the Yanjing Military Region as the commander next year, and he has already reported to Yanjing," Long Shaoguang said.
"Jiang Conghe, the one who fought against the Japanese devils?" Gao Linbing pondered aloud.
"Sort of. He was lucky. He joined the military right before liberation and helped carry an explosive pack to blow up a Japanese outpost. That’s how he made his merit and has had a smooth ride in his military career ever since!" Long Shaoguang sighed.
"Keep it down!" Qi Taiguo reminded.
Walls have ears, after all. If the wrong person heard them casually discussing senior officers, who knows what might be said about them!
Long Shaoguang coughed twice and continued, "This Jiang Conghe is indeed fortunate; he later married a girl from the Loo Family in Beijing. Now his wife, Lu Xiaofen, is a director at the Beijing Cultural Art Troupe, and her family is rich and powerful."
"Chiang..." Gao Linbing thought for a moment: "You’re not suggesting that this Chiang Qing is the daughter of Jiang Conghe, are you?"
Long Shaoguang nodded.
"Born into a good family, both her parents are wealthy and influential cadres, she herself is attractive, and she’s a military doctor. This Doctor Chiang really is God’s favorite child – she seems to have it all!" Long Shaoguang clicked his tongue, "It’s exactly because of this that people call her a cold and stunning beauty. She’s so proud that ordinary people don’t even register in her eyes, but she does indeed have something to be proud of!"
"So what we’re saying is that our unit has welcomed a Bodhisattva – untouchable and beyond offense, someone we can only revere," Gao Linbing said, raising an eyebrow.
Long Shaoguang nodded: "Us brothers need to be cautious too, to avoid unwittingly offending the beauty and enduring the wearisome consequences!"
Gao Linbing laughed.
Qi Taiguo then said, "Whether she’s a Bodhisattva or a death god, the military region has its rules and orders. As long as we follow these rules in our work, we don’t need to fear her."
"You, you are stubborn as an ox!" Gao Linbing pointed at him and laughed, "But look, that Doctor Chiang seems to see you with different eyes, quite amiable she was – after all, she’s young!"
"Nonsense!" Qi Taiguo frowned.
"Enough! Don’t tease him. Old Qi is devoted to his wife," Long Shaoguang said with a smile.
Gao Linbing touched his nose and said, "But it’s strange about Doctor Chiang. With her background, she would have been welcomed in any military region. Why insist on coming down to our small Qing City? I really can’t fathom her thoughts!"
"Who knows the thoughts of a young lady? Anyway, let’s just respectfully revere her as usual," Long Shaoguang said with a sigh.
Qi Taiguo listened from the side, pondering Chiang Qing’s demeanor and finding himself unable to understand it either. Yet, listening to his comrades’ analysis, he couldn’t help agreeing – it’s best to steer clear of such a princess when possible!