"Commander, tell me, what food does Zhilan like or dislike? I must make a dish for her that she loves for lunch tomorrow!" Kang Xing, with his legs crossed on his bed, spoke in a somewhat loud and anxious voice.
Without waiting for He Teng to reply, he continued, "Zhilan must be scared staying alone at the guest house, right?"
"Kang Xing." He Teng was getting a bit impatient. "If you’re not going to sleep, go for a few runs downstairs until you’re tired and ready to sleep."
On the other hand, Niu Rang had chuckled at this and rolled over, completely ignoring the deflated-looking Kang Xing.
Kang Xing pouted, understanding that He Teng was essentially ignoring him. Hence, his resentment towards He Teng grew a little more, as did his sympathy for He Zhilan, He Teng’s ex-wife.
"No one ever told me that the commander is so heartless. He doesn’t care about Zhilan, and he doesn’t even allow me to care about her. Just you wait, once I make it big, I will marry Zhilan!" Kang Xing murmured as he lay back on his bed.
Niu Rang stretched his leg out and gave Kang Xing’s bed a kick, scolding, "You imbecile, where did you see the commander not caring about Zhilan? Our commander cares about her more than anyone else, or else why would he only get back at this hour?"
However, He Teng’s way of caring for someone was unspoken. Perhaps at first, his words and actions could mislead others into thinking his character too cold. But in reality, once you get to know him, you could see that He Teng can be very considerate once he cares for someone.
The next day, He Zhilan felt even more tired and weary due to oversleeping after going to bed early the previous night. After freshening up and following He Teng, her mind was in a fog. Seeing He Teng stop to wait for her, she instinctively leaned her head against his shoulder, almost wishing he would just drag her along.
"You went to bed so early last night, how can you be so sleepy?" He Teng was puzzled. With all the people coming and going in the barracks, leaning on him didn’t look good. He gently pushed He Zhilan’s head away, "Stand straight and walk by yourself, don’t make me drag you around like an old cow."
"Who are you calling an old cow?" He Zhilan pouted and mumbled her protest. Only then did she straighten up, while yawning unglamorously behind He Teng and rubbing her eyes, before she realized something was off.
"Brother, why are there so many young... female family members visiting the barracks today? In this weather, all wearing skirts. Don’t they feel too chilly?" She changed her words just in time.
He Zhilan was one to feel hot in summer and cold in winter. So in this weather though already past the time of wearing He Teng’s army coat around the barracks. However, she definitely couldn’t bring herself to wear a skirt. Frankly, she felt a shiver just looking at them.
"What’s it to you?" He Teng briefly glanced at a few young female visitors who had just arrived at the barracks that morning. His expression was indifferent and after a quick look, he pulled He Zhilan, who was hiding behind him, to his side.
Chastised by He Teng, He Zhilan kept her mouth closed and made an effort to walk uprightly trying not to embarrass He Teng.
But suddenly, it hit her that those few female visitors...were actually here for He Teng!
Looking again, she recognized Tang Tang among them, and He Zhilan’s brain completely froze.
"Tang Tang is an actress with the cultural troupe, not related to anyone in the barracks. Why on earth would she come here?" Feeling confused, He Zhilan noticed Tang Tang looking their way. She instinctively gripped He Teng’s arm and hurried their pace.