After speaking, several of them let out ambiguous, unclear chuckles. Then a female soldier with a somewhat clearer voice said, “Hey—where’s Sui Zi?”
Someone replied in a pinched voice, “Sui Zi said she was going to deliver something to her Lu-gege. Something she specifically brought back from her performance in Xinjiang.”
“I heard Sui Zi say she’s known Lu Huaizheng for quite a while. They used to live in the same compound. Later, after Lu’s father passed away, Lu Huaizheng left with his aunt, and they saw each other less.”
“Don’t you think Sui Zi is quite fake? She acts like she doesn’t understand anything, like some innocent airhead who only knows how to act cute.”
Someone laughed, “You don’t happen to like Lu Huaizheng too, do you? Is that why you’re so annoyed with Sui Zi?”
That person made a dismissive sound, scoffing, “Who would like a military commander? Lu Huaizheng’s face doesn’t look like a soldier’s at all. I prefer Sun Kai. But I definitely wouldn’t date anyone in the military, and even if I did, I wouldn’t pick someone from the Air Force compound.”
At this point, someone else chimed in, “To be honest, I don’t like Sui Zi either. She loves to steal the spotlight. Last time we had dinner, we were all sitting at table B, but she had to squeeze in at the leaders’ table. We’ve all been classmates for so many years, but when has she ever opened up to us? She’s always so mysterious, who cares about her.”
“Alright, that’s enough talk.”
Yu Hao waited inside for a while. The group moved on to other gossip, and she grew impatient. She pushed the door open and walked out.
The female soldiers had been enjoying their discussion, but when they suddenly saw a strange woman emerge from the stall, they all froze. Their animated chatter abruptly ceased. With uncertain expressions, they exchanged glances. Once Yu Hao’s figure completely disappeared through the doorway, they finally whispered, “Who was that?”
Everyone shook their heads in confusion. “No idea.”
As Yu Hao walked down the corridor, she heard someone calling from downstairs. The voice was sweet: “Huaizheng-ge!”
She instinctively looked over. A girl dressed in black tight-fitting dance clothes was standing under a small magnolia tree, enthusiastically waving her hand at a group of men in the distance, her face full of smiles.
In the dim streetlights of the night, under the pale moonlight, Yu Hao squinted as she observed the girl. Being a dancer, her figure was graceful and proportionate, with slender, delicate arms—a true beauty.
Sui Sitian ran a few steps toward Lu Huaizheng and handed him a small wooden box. “Here, this is what I brought for you last time. I searched for so long, my legs nearly gave out from all the running.”
Lu Huaizheng lowered his head to accept it, saying a brief “Thank you.”
Sun Kai teased, “Well, my little sister Sui is growing more beautiful by the day.”
Sui Sitian revealed a row of perfectly aligned teeth. “I heard Captain Sun is getting married. Congratulations!”
Sun Kai exclaimed, “Oh my! How did even you hear about my marriage?”
Sui Sitian replied, “We just love to gossip when we have nothing better to do. Please don’t mind, Captain Sun.”
Sun Kai laughed, putting his hand on Lu Huaizheng’s shoulder, “You all usually gossip about Captain Lu. Don’t think I don’t know.”
Sui Sitian laughed awkwardly, then looked at Lu Huaizheng again, “Can I find you after dinner? I have something I want to ask you.”
Lu Huaizheng scratched his eyebrow, just about to speak.
Sui Sitian added, “Just five minutes, very quick.”
In the end, Yu Hao saw him nod.
…
Yu Hao didn’t eat that night. She lay in bed and slept for two hours. When she woke up, her stomach felt a bit better, and she prepared to go downstairs to the supermarket.
Zhao Dailin happened to come in carrying two plastic bags of items, which she placed on the table. She glanced at Yu Hao and said, “You didn’t go down for dinner, and Captain Lu specifically had the kitchen save some for you. He was worried you’d be hungry when you woke up. He just left. Should I call him back so he can watch you eat?”
Yu Hao squatted to put on her shoes. “No need. I’m not hungry. I’m going out for a bit.”
Zhao Dailin made a curious sound. “You’ve barely eaten all day. Eat something first. Are you going to find Captain Lu? No need, he said he’d come back later.”
“As if I’d go find him.” Yu Hao put on her jacket. “I’m going out to buy something. If he comes, just tell him I’m asleep.”
Zhao Dailin had a keen sense and immediately pulled her back. “What’s wrong? Everything seemed fine just now.”
Yu Hao turned her face away. “Nothing. I just think you were right last time. Girls shouldn’t be too forward.”
“Good that you understand.” Zhao Dailin smiled. She pulled out a chair and sat down. “However, from my observation, Lu Huaizheng is a man you should hold onto. I think he’s excellent in all aspects—mature, steady, but not dull. He’s also witty. Haven’t you seen how those soldiers worship him—tsk, tsk.”
Yu Hao didn’t listen further and turned to leave.
…
Having been shut out, Lu Huaizheng was tiptoeing down the stairs when he was surrounded by several recruits. The young soldiers crowded around him, craning their necks and asking repeatedly, “Captain Lu, Captain Lu, is your assault team recruiting this year?!”
Just as they asked, Sun Kai came running down from upstairs. Lu Huaizheng grabbed him, making him join in receiving the recruits’ interrogation.
“We just finished a recruitment round before the New Year. Why didn’t you apply?” Lu Huaizheng asked, looking at the small-statured soldier in front of him.
Wen Yang had joined the army just last year. His overall qualities were quite good, but he was rather reserved. Having enlisted for a short time, he hadn’t passed the physical assessment before the New Year and had missed his chance. He lowered his head somewhat embarrassed.
Lu Huaizheng understood and patted his shoulder reassuringly. He rarely discouraged enthusiastic recruits and smiled, saying, “Don’t worry, you’ll qualify next year.”
Wen Yang suddenly seemed energized, standing ramrod straight with his hands pressed firmly against his trouser seams, and shouted, “Yes, sir!”
The group stood at the bottom of the dormitory building, chatting enthusiastically, completely unaware they were blocking the passage for those going up and down. Sun Kai, feeling playful, decided to tease Wen Yang and asked, “Hey, if you qualify next year, do you want to join Captain Lu’s team or come to mine?”
This question is like when relatives ask children, “Do you like dad or mom more?”
Everyone knew that all three assault teams were elite among the elite. Though Lu Huaizheng and Sun Kai had been good brothers for many years, there were always rumors that despite their outward friendship, they secretly competed for the position of team leader and battalion commander.
Sometimes when these rumors reached Comrade Li Hongwen’s ears, he would get even angrier than the two of them, dragging the rumor-spreaders to his office for a severe reprimand. Meanwhile, the two would just lean against doorframes smoking, not taking it seriously at all.
Others might not understand, but this life-and-death friendship wasn’t something a few words could destroy. During missions, one look from Lu Huaizheng was enough for Sun Kai to understand—a rapport built through countless life-and-death situations and years of struggling together.
They were undoubtedly among the best in the airborne forces.
Once, when Team One was heading out on a mission, Sun Kai joked with Lu Huaizheng, “You’d better come back in one piece, or there won’t be anyone to compete with me for the top position.”
Lu Huaizheng had just smiled and put on his cap, saying nothing but patting Sun Kai’s back in reassurance.
In their daily lives, they could joke about anything without concern.
Both men could be quite irreverent in private, often making crude jokes, but once they put on that camouflage uniform and cap, they would suddenly become serious, their gazes becoming dignified and righteous.
What amazed Sun Kai most was that Lu Huaizheng seemed to be a person who feared nothing. During missions, he didn’t talk much but completed tasks cleanly, efficiently, and beautifully. Yet that one time on a mission, Sun Kai saw melancholy in his eyes for the first time, along with a hint of reluctance.
Sun Kai pushed his shoulder, “Brother, don’t scare me. I’ve never seen you like this.”
Lu Huaizheng had been looking up at the sky, but hearing this, he lowered his head to adjust his gloves, his voice quite somber: “It’s nothing. Just suddenly felt a bit of regret.”
Sun Kai asked, “What regret?”
Lu Huaizheng just smiled without saying more, put on his gloves, and with his back to Sun Kai, waved his hand and walked away.
Later, Sun Kai wondered what Lu Huaizheng would be like if he fell in love. On the battlefield, he was such an unyielding man—bulletproof and invincible. Was his heart soft?
Coming back to the topic, in terms of training, Sun Kai was stricter than Lu Huaizheng. Sometimes Lu Huaizheng would joke around with you, while Sun Kai maintained a stern face throughout. His punishments weren’t as harsh as Lu Huaizheng’s, but his imposing manner was certainly no less.
The soldiers did tend to like Lu Huaizheng more than Sun Kai.
Wen Yang looked at Lu Huaizheng and then at Sun Kai with a troubled expression, almost on the verge of tears.
Just then, a soft voice came from the stairs, “Excuse me, could you let me through?”
Everyone turned their heads in unison to see a young woman standing two or three steps above them, with a neat ponytail, her appearance clear and elegant, incredibly beautiful.
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly made way. Sun Kai was the first to greet her, “Dr. Yu, going out?”
Yu Hao came down the stairs and replied with a simple “Mm.”
After walking a few steps, Yu Hao circled back, bypassing Lu Huaizheng who was leaning against the wall, and asked Sun Kai, “Captain Sun, do you know if there’s a supermarket nearby?”
Sun Kai was momentarily surprised, but reacted quickly, pointing at Lu Huaizheng, “Captain Lu knows. It’s late at night, let Captain Lu accompany you. It’s not safe for a young woman alone.”
Yu Hao said, “No need. Just tell me the address. I’m going to buy something and will be back soon.”
“The address isn’t easy to find,” said Sun Kai. “There’s no supermarket around here. You’d have to walk to town. I’m afraid you might not find your way back if you go alone. Let Captain Lu drive you.”
“Never mind then, I’ll go tomorrow.”
Yu Hao turned and ran back upstairs.
Behind her, Sun Kai nudged Lu Huaizheng’s chest, “Hey, did you offend her again?”
Lu Huaizheng’s gaze was firmly fixed on her retreating figure, his voice cold, “I haven’t spoken to her since we got out of the car.”
Sun Kai suddenly understood and patted his shoulder with the expression of someone who had been through it all, “Do you know what women are?”
Lu Huaizheng frowned slightly, glancing at him sideways.
Sun Kai changed to putting his arm around Lu Huaizheng’s shoulders. Being shorter than Lu Huaizheng, it was somewhat difficult for him, but he sincerely shared his personal experience: “Women, this species, are like this: if you talk to them, they find you annoying; if you don’t talk to them, they get angry; if other women don’t talk to you, they think you lack charm; if other women do talk to you, they get jealous. They like steak but say ‘whatever’; they constantly talk about losing weight but complain about being tired after running for just a bit. And there’s another situation—if she ignores you, it’s probably because her period has come. During those few days when women have their periods, they’re extremely irritable. They can’t touch water, can’t lift things, and if you say something harsh, they want to break up. Their bodies are bleeding, so they want your heart to bleed too. The gentle and virtuous ones are always someone else’s—the domineering and professional ones are your own.”
The group of recruits listened to Sun Kai’s seemingly profound words as if they were listening to a comedy sketch, greatly amused.
Lu Huaizheng raised an eyebrow, “You’ve got quite a collection of insights. When you get married, I’ll compile all these golden phrases into a booklet and send it to your bride.”
Sun Kai’s expression changed, “Damn, are you still human?”
Lu Huaizheng pushed him away and turned to go upstairs. As he passed by Yu Hao’s dormitory, Zhao Dailin had just closed the door and was coming out. She waved at him.
He walked over.
“Is Yu Hao asleep?” He was wearing his camouflage uniform, hands in his pockets, leaning against the corridor outside the dormitory.
Just as he finished speaking.
“Click—”
The previously lit dormitory suddenly went dark. The corridor lights shone brightly, and Lu Huaizheng stared blankly at the dark window frame.
Zhao Dailin looked back and said, “She’s in bed playing with her phone. Didn’t even eat dinner.”
Lu Huaizheng leaned lazily against the wall, hands still in his pockets, his gaze casually shifting elsewhere as he said, “Call her up. Didn’t she want to go to the supermarket? I’ll take her there and get her something to eat while we’re out. We officially start training tomorrow, and I won’t have much time to accompany her.”
The way he said it.
Zhao Dailin crossed her arms over her chest, lifting her head high, examining him with an intriguing expression for a few seconds before deciding to help the young woman inside, “Hey, Captain Lu.”
Lu Huaizheng heard her and turned his gaze back to look at Zhao Dailin.
Zhao Dailin said, “Are you trying to pursue our Yu Hao?”
He lowered his head and smiled, his shoulders shaking almost imperceptibly, “What do you think?”
What kind of person was Zhao Dailin? Having lived for more than thirty years and studied psychology for so many years, her emotional intelligence was indeed above average. She could tell at a glance whether someone had good intentions or not. Like that man from the neighboring compound who had been pursuing Yu Hao a few years back—wearing thick glasses like bottle bottoms, his skin thicker than his knowledge, those squinty eyes exuding nothing but lewdness.
The good thing about Lu Huaizheng was that he didn’t hide anything. His eyes were clear, radiating light. His thoughts were deep, but not with any lewd intentions. His mischief was completely open and straightforward, making it direct and touching.
As soon as Zhao Dailin looked into his eyes, she understood—he was reliable, a kindred spirit. She didn’t beat around the bush with him: “Yu Hao isn’t like other girls. She’s very pure. She may seem cold, but she’s truly innocent. If you want to pursue her, show some attitude. Keeping her hanging like this, what’s that about? If I were Yu Hao, I wouldn’t pay attention to you either.”
“I know,” Lu Huaizheng said, hands in his pockets, lowering his eyes, his head down as he muttered, “It’s precisely because of this that I don’t dare. I’m afraid that if something happens to me, how will she be able to forget me?”
“Then break it off. Don’t pay attention to her.”
“I can’t do it. I can’t care about her.” Lu Huaizheng sighed, straightened up, and said to Zhao Dailin, “Let me think for a few more days. I would dare with anyone else, but with her alone, I don’t dare.”