"Big brother is too indulgent! Whenever I act pitiful in front of him, he becomes defenseless~" He Zhilan said with a teasing smile, but when she turned around, she unexpectedly found a towering He Teng standing two steps behind her, looking a bit puzzled at her.
He Zhilan stuck out her tongue, speaking to He Da, "Second Brother, hurry up, freshen up and join us for breakfast." Then, she quickly walked towards He Teng, saying, "I was just kidding earlier to make Second Brother happy. Don’t take it seriously!"
Seeing that He Teng didn’t respond, He Zhilan swiftly changed the topic and asked, "Brother, why haven’t I seen Niu Rang since I came to the army this time? I didn’t see him in the canteen last night either!"
"He’s on a mission, don’t ask too many questions." He Teng replied. Matters related to the army were not something he would elaborate on. Seeing that their father and brother had finished freshening up, he urged them to eat the breakfast he had brought back from the canteen while it was still hot, then asked He Zhilan when they were planning to take their father to the capital.
"I originally planned to stay in the army for a few more days, but Bian Muhe said it’s best to go to the hospital for a check-up as soon as possible. So, we plan to catch a train to the capital tomorrow morning, get Second Brother’s check-up done first, and we’ll see about the rest." He Zhilan said.
He Teng nodded, "Then I will see you off to the train station tomorrow morning. Recently the army has been busy, and I can’t spare the time, so I won’t be able to accompany you to the capital."
"I’m not going to the capital for anything important, brother. You’re busy, you should stay in the army. There’s no need for you to come with us." He Da spoke up, "Besides, Zhilan said everything has been arranged in the capital - accommodation, clothes, everything. If you come, we might be crowded."
The joking remark from He Da made everyone in the room burst into laughter. Even He Teng, who wasn’t one for jokes, couldn’t help but crack a smile. He glanced at He Zhilan who had taken over the responsibility that was originally his.
The next day, He Teng woke up early and knowing that He Zhilan and the others were heading back to the capital, he decided to wake up the still-asleep He Zhilan by lifting her up.
"Wake up, stop sleeping, or we’re going to miss the train." He Teng said, tossing He Zhilan’s clothes to her before abruptly walking out of the room.
In the living room, the already wide-awake Father He and He Da, accustomed to rising early due to their rural habits, had already taken a stroll around the army compound and returned at this point.
"Is Miss Zhilan still asleep?" He Zhongguo asked, upon seeing He Teng exit the room.
"Who told her not to sleep properly last night, messing about instead? It serves her right to feel sleepy and can’t get up." He Teng cast a glance towards the bedroom. Just then, He Dongxue walked in and hearing He Teng’s complaints about He Zhilan, she rushed to her defence.
"Big Brother, isn’t it because Sister-in-law was excited with you? What do you know?"
"Dongxue is right." Father He chuckled, "Let her sleep in, we can leave a bit later."
Just as they were speaking, He Zhilan walked out of the room, refreshed and fully dressed. She rolled her eyes at He Teng, "Don’t think I didn’t hear someone badmouthing me in there!" She then cheerfully greeted everyone good morning. Humming a tune, she headed off to freshen up in a delightful mood.
After breakfast, He Teng took everyone to the train station, and only turned back to return to the army after seeing them off on the train.
Upon returning to the army, He Teng first went to his dormitory to change into his training uniform. However, upon entering the room, he paused slightly, seeing He Zhilan’s stuff scattered around the room.