"Get up, let me show you around the base, then we’ll go to the Political Commissar’s house. Tonight, there will be a lot of people at the Political Commissar’s place. Don’t be scared, even though they will tease you, none of them mean any harm." This is He Teng’s heads up to He Zhilan. He could imagine that tonight, at the Political Commissar’s house, a big crowd will certainly tease him and his new bride, He Zhilan.
He Zhilan got up efficiently and combed her hair, then obediently walked beside He Teng. It wasn’t surprising that in public, He Teng wouldn’t hold her hand. He wouldn’t even let her link arms with him. He Zhilan looked at He Teng with pursed lips thinking, what a macho man he was!
"It’s not good to show affection in the army," He Teng replied to the look on He Zhilan’s face and then led her around the base.
He Zhilan didn’t go into the training field, just watched from outside. Considering her own military training, compared to what was going on inside, hers was hardly worth mentioning.
When they passed the shooting range, He Zhilan was slightly curious. She looked up at He Teng and asked, "Brother, are your shooting skills good?"
After thinking for a moment, He Teng gave He Zhilan a modest answer, "Not bad."
"So, they’re really good then?" He Zhilan smiled, her eyes curved, "Can I watch you train tomorrow?"
"No." He Teng outright refused without a second thought and then led He Zhilan forward.
This answer did not surprise He Zhilan at all. He Teng was clear about keeping his work and personal life separate. Him showing her around the base was already more than she could have expected. Her presumptive request would only be accepted in her dreams!
The pair walked around the base for more than an hour before they went to the Political Commissar’s house.
By the time they arrived, many people were already there. When they saw He Teng and He Zhilan arrive, they opened the door, and a room full of people burst into laughter, "Hey, the newlyweds are here!"
That one comment was enough to embarrass He Zhilan. They came here just for a meal, and yet these people made it seem like it was their wedding. New arrivals indeed!
He Zhilan recognized all the men in the house. She’d seen them in the cafeteria at noon. They were He Teng’s superiors, and Lan Li was there too. However, she didn’t recognize any of the women.
He Teng introduced each person to He Zhilan. She was like a well-behaved child meeting elders, greeting each sister-in-law, causing all in the room to laugh.
"He Teng, your wife looks almost as young as my daughter!" The Political Commissar’s wife joked, "You really are a dark horse, you old bull going after the young grass!"
He Zhilan blushed, looking at the Political Commissar and his wife. They didn’t look old enough to have a daughter her age.
"Sweetie, tell us, how did He Teng, this young lad, trick you? How did someone vibrant and fresh like you get picked by this old gloomy mule?" This time, the question came from the head of He Teng’s unit. The men didn’t hold back their praise for He Zhilan while offering only ridicule for He Teng.
"My brother is really nice. My dad said, older men are more tender!" He Zhilan replied with a smile, not really sure how to answer the question.
But, everyone was just teasing. They didn’t really want an answer. So, He Zhilan’s slightly shy response with a little womanly charm satisfied them. After all, they just wanted to see He Zhilan blush, didn’t they?