Sticking out her tongue, He Zhilan too felt relieved that her voice was very low. She was safe, since the people over there were distant. Otherwise, if they had heard her, she’d be reprimanded - indeed, misery comes from the mouth!
This military camp overflowing with masculinity, had finally been visited by a group of young ladies from the performance group. This made every young soldier passing by gaze non-stop, smiling broadly, some even with blush-filled faces.
Watching this, He Zhilan mumbled to herself how innocently smitten many of the young soldiers seemed.
"What’s there to look at?" Spotting He Zhilan watching the performance group girls so attentively she stopped minding where she was going, He Teng pulled her toward him. Every year, the performance groups would entertain the soldiers but to him, none of these girls were as beautiful as his wife.
"So many people are enjoying the sight, brother, can’t you spare a few more glances?" After teasing He Teng, He Zhilan anticipated a reaction from him. Yet he just walked briskly forward, unfazed. He even passed by the performance group girls without a single sideways glance, let alone any lingering look.
Even more, He Teng scoffed at He Zhilan’s attempt to jest with a seeming distaste.
He Zhilan giggled secretly, having a man who doesn’t understand romance does have its perks. At least, she didn’t have to feel jealous about He Teng obsessing over the performance group girls.
Over by the performance group, Tang Tang along with her colleagues were heading towards the canteen to grab some hot water. The performance group needed to prepare their makeup ahead of time, so they didn’t share dinner with the soldiers in the canteen. Hearing one colleague mention He Teng’s name, she turned and saw He Teng standing with He Zhilan. Tang Tang was puzzled, as she saw He Zhilan working in the restaurant just yesterday, so how could she be in the military camp today?
Looking at He Zhilan’s hands wrapped in cloth, Tang Tang thought of Gu En. She sighed as she then called out to the two up ahead, "He Zhilan!"
Hearing this, He Teng paused before He Zhilan did, and they both looked towards the voice. He Zhilan watched as a woman approached. She seemed unfamiliar. Then, He Zhilan recognized her as the girl from the restaurant who sat with Gu En the day before.
Today, the girl was done up in makeup, wearing her performance gear with a heavy cotton coat over it. He Zhilan hadn’t recognised her straight away, but she felt surprised to learn that Gu En’s friend was from the performance group.
"He Zhilan, what a coincidence seeing you in the camp! How’s your hand? Gu En was just joking around yesterday, but she’s so impulsive she didn’t think about the consequences. I shouldn’t have let her, I’m really sorry. This injury must be tough for you during the holidays," As Tang Tang spoke, her gaze only lingered for a few seconds on He Zhilan’s hand. Instead, throughout the conversation, her eyes were set on He Teng without moving away.
Tang Tang has been coming to this battalion for comfort performances several times. At least once a year, sometimes two or three times. So, she has seen He Teng many times and has heard many people in the battalion praising He Teng, but they always sigh about how he cannot advance in military rank, which they consider a waste of talent.