For some reason, He Teng himself didn’t know why he wanted to compare himself to Kang Xing.
Chen Ya’nan ran all the way there and back, and in her hand, apart from homework and reference books, was a bag full of snacks, with biscuits and candies included.
"Uncle He, Sister Zhilan and I need to study now, and we’ll rest after studying. Don’t hang around here and disturb us! Goodbye, Uncle He, good night!" Chen Ya’nan pushed He Teng out of the room while doing a fake goodbye gesture. Before He Teng could respond, she slammed the door shut.
Then, Chen Ya’nan raised her eyebrows and walked back in, saying, "How was that, Sister Zhilan? Do you feel vindicated? Let Uncle He taste what it’s like to get locked out!"
He Teng, who had been denied entry, heard clearly what Chen Ya’nan said from outside the room. She was being loud, clearly wanting He Teng, who was outside, to hear.
A bit exasperated, He Teng scratched his head, then knocked on the door saying, "Give me the kettle, I will go get some hot water."
"No!" Chen Ya’nan yelled from inside the room.
He Zhilan was both amused and exasperated. She gave a light shake of her head to Chen Ya’nan and picked up the kettle on the floor, then opened the door. "Could you bother getting me some hot water, brother? Thanks!"
The man outside didn’t say anything, took the kettle, and then turned and walked away with large strides.
Chen Ya’nan, who had come out at some point, stood leaning against the door with her arms crossed, looking like a little ruffian. She sneered, "No wonder so many people in the army secretly call Uncle He, He Mutou (He the Woodhead)!"
"Let’s go in, don’t you want to review your homework?" He Zhilan didn’t continue with this topic. Everyone liked to call He Teng, He Mutou, even Lin Chan.
As a matter of fact, although He Teng was wooden in demeanor, if he wanted to, he could be meticulous in many matters and do a good job.
Although Chen Ya’nan claimed to be reviewing her homework with her books and reference materials, in reality, she just couldn’t sit still and came to chat with He Zhilan.
The two sat cross-legged on the bed. Chen Ya’nan immediately tossed her book aside and hugged her snack bag. She opened her eyes wide and stared at He Zhilan, asking, "Sister Zhilan, were you angry when Uncle He locked you out of the compound last week?"
"I was pretty angry, especially at the time." Zhilan answered honestly. "How come you, being such a young girl, seem to care more about these matters than me?"
"I heard my parents discussing it and I feel it’s a pity that you and Uncle He separated." Chen Ya’nan put her hands on her cheeks and tried to act like an adult. She sighed heavily, and said, "Sister Zhilan, do you know? In fact, I’m quite certain this is the happiest year for Uncle He because you spent it with him in the army and even hand-knitted a sweater for him. During New Year’s, you burned your hand, right? You were like a little handicapped person, needing Uncle He’s help for everything. Those few days, taking care of you seemed to bring him so much joy!"
"You little rascal, you sure Uncle He wasn’t getting impatient?" He Zhilan chuckled.
"Not at all, I saw with my own eyes! The way Uncle He took care of you was just like how my mom takes care of my dad."