As he left the guesthouse, the corners of He Teng’s lips were lifted in a smile. Worried about waking the woman whose actions did not match her words, he moved lighter on his feet than he ever had in the past.
"Did you see that? A man in love behaves differently. It’s midday and He Teng is caught smiling." Chen Zheng and Lan Li chanced upon He Teng exiting the guesthouse. At first glance, Chen Zheng thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Lan Li looked towards He Teng. But He Teng had already walked far. His paced had quickened, so he didn’t see him smiling as he came out of the guesthouse.
"What do you think Lan Li? Isn’t He Teng’s wife nice? To see this introverted man so happy, she must be good! Lan Li, aren’t you jealous? You and He Teng are of the same age. He’s got a wife now. What about you? When will you get serious about your own life? Power and rank are not achievements. If you are a real man, you better marry a sweet wife soon. Then you’ll know how intoxicating it is to be in love!" Chen Zheng teased He Teng in a slightly off-beat manner and also took a jab at Lan Li.
"Corporal! Why didn’t you bring Sister-in-law to join us for lunch? Niu Rang and I even saved seats especially for you both. We didn’t let anyone else sit, and almost got beaten up for it." Upon seeing He Teng, Kang Xing ran up to him, expressing his woes with a pitiful look.
Niu Rang sneaked a glance at Kang Xing, cursed him for being an idiot in his heart, and sped away like the wind.
"Kang Xing!" He Teng glanced at the fleeing Niu Rang, and bellowed, "Niu Rang!"
"Here!" Niu Rang felt a chill go down his spine.
"For wasting resources, hand in a reflection report by tomorrow. Now, run ten kilometers with a weight of twenty kilograms! Within half an hour!"
"Half an hour! Corporal! You’re asking me and Niu Rang to fly!" Kang Xing’s knees buckled, but He Teng had already marched away.
"Kang Xing, you unreliable bastard, I’m going to sever ties with you! You messed up and even dragged me in!" Niu Rang gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath.
After He Teng left, He Zhilan woke up after a short nap, and realized he’d left for training when she didn’t see him after getting up.
With nothing much to do, He Zhilan decided to go tutor Chen Ya’nan. However, she had underestimated the latter’s commitment to studying; she had been working hard all morning. When Chen Zheng mentioned that several squads were going to the shooting range in the afternoon, Chen Ya’nan couldn’t wait to join them. As soon as Chen Zheng left, she slipped out with the intention of sneaking off to the shooting range.
The two ran into each other near the family block. Upon seeing He Zhilan, Chen Ya’nan immediately pulled her along, "Aunt He, doesn’t studying require a balance of work and play? I’ve worked hard all morning, don’t I deserve a break? Let’s go watch Uncle He practice his shooting! His shooting skills are impeccable! I also haven’t touched a gun in ages, my hands have been itching!"
Chen Ya’nan wasn’t sure whether He Teng was among the squads heading to the range, but she believed that she could trick He Zhilan into going along with her. After all, she had told her mother that she was going to study hard with Aunt He.
"He Teng’s shooting skills are really good?" Zhilan asked.
"Of course! Absolutely! Uncle’s rank in the troop is first when it comes to shooting skills, even better than Uncle Lan. Uncle He is the one who taught me how to shoot!" Chen Ya’nan said with great pride. Praising He Teng’s shooting skills not only made her feel proud but also enhanced her own credibility, considering she was his protégé.