"If you’re busy with school, you don’t have to come here every day. I am lying here in the same way, unable to move, and don’t need much care." He Teng suddenly spoke. He glanced at He Zhilan to find her glaring back at him in response, causing him to swallow his next words. Smiling, he found her growing courage somewhat amusing.
"Nevermind, pretend I didn’t say anything." He Teng sighed a bit helplessly. He was not a man of many words, and he wasn’t sure what to talk about with He Zhilan. So he suggested, "If you’re bored, read a book or something. If anything happens, I’ll call you."
He Zhilan was taken aback, "I didn’t bring a book." Then she added, "I have enough studying at school. Here in the hospital, my job is to keep you company."
He Zhilan understood He Teng’s meaning. He was a man of few words, and there could be long stretches of awkward silence. But He Zhilan didn’t feel that way. even when she spent time with him in his military unit during the National Day, she didn’t feel bored.
It didn’t matter if He Teng wasn’t good at making conversation. She was.
He Zhilan pulled a chair next to He Teng’s bed, rested her cheek on her hand and looked at him. She sighed suddenly, "Brother, I heard from Commissar Chen Zheng that you’ve been injured many times, but you’ve never told us at home. If Dad knew how dangerous it was for you to serve in the military, he would have insisted you stay home and farm."
He Teng’s eyes darkened slightly. He was worried about his father worrying at home, so he had never shared anything with them. Just time, even though he knew He Zhilan was in the capital, he decided not to inform her. It was unexpected that she found out about his injury.
This time, the best outcome would be for him to recover well, return to his unit, then go to the military academy in the capital for further studies. The worst outcome would be for him to take off his uniform, leave the unit. At that point, there would be nothing much to share.
However, thinking about the worst scenario, He Teng looked at He Zhilan and said, "I asked the doctor. If my foot doesn’t recover well, it might have some side effects. If there are any, I’ll have to retire from the army and probably have to go back home and farm with Dad."
"Isn’t there a good outcome too?" He Zhilan thought He Teng was worrying about his foot, so she comforted him saying, "Brother, don’t worry. The doctors at the General Military Hospital are very skilled. Also, Commissar Chen Zheng said that even in the worst-case scenario, the military can arrange your future. Right now, the most important thing is for you to recuperate instead of brooding."
The gentle reassurances from the young woman left He Teng surprised. Only now did he realize that He Zhilan had misunderstood his intentions. Did she think he was concerned about his injury?
After twelve years in the army, with multiple experiences of getting injured on missions, He Teng had learned to do his best and leave the rest to destiny. Even if the doctor told him that his injured leg was useless now, he would just sigh and not think much about it.
Perhaps he’s just gotten used to it.
"He Zhilan." He Teng suddenly sounded more serious as he said her name. "What I meant was, if the worst happens and I return home empty-handed, forced to spend my days farming with Dad, what will you do?"