How would Xiaxia know whether Qin Qiao'an was dating anyone?
When her roommate had asked her before, she had firmly insisted that Han Ye was single. But now, she wasn't so sure.
After all, Han Ye hadn't gone to see her at school for several months, and she had no idea what he had been busy with. Unless he was on a special mission or in training, he should still have had some free time, even if he was stationed with his unit.
Yet an entire semester had passed. Aside from seeing each other twice at the beginning of the school year, Han Ye hadn't gone to see her even once.
And this time, as Han Ye drove her home, he had looked strangely uneasy the entire way. It was obvious he was hiding something, but when Xiaxia asked him about it, he refused to say.
In the past, Han Ye and Qin Qiao'an had seemed to Xiaxia like a calf and a husky—impatient, reckless, and a little adorably foolish.
She could tell what they were thinking from a single look or gesture.
This was the first time Xiaxia had been unable to figure Han Ye out.
Could it be that he really had a girlfriend?
At the thought, Xiaxia's expression grew troubled.
Qin Yuanzheng was still discussing Han Ye's love life with Qiao Lanshu. After all, Han Ye was already in his mid-twenties and had become a company commander in the army. A young man who was handsome, promising, and had risen to become an officer at such a young age was highly sought after in the military.
"Several comrades-in-arms have already asked me about Han Ye's marriage," Qin Yuanzheng said. "I told them I needed to ask Han Ye what he thought, so I've kept putting off arranging any blind dates for him."
Han Ye was much like Qin Yuanzheng had been when he was young.
He had grown into a tall, handsome man of outstanding ability, becoming an officer while still very young. Although he could be somewhat hotheaded, he knew how to distinguish priorities when it came to work. He didn't act recklessly and had a fair amount of strategic sense.
A young man like that was highly desirable. The senior officers in the military all wanted to introduce their daughters to him.
Back then, Qin Yuanzheng had been alone. Aside from his former commanding officer, he had no relatives in the military, so when his superiors introduced women to him, it had been difficult for him to refuse.
If he hadn't suffered from infertility at the time, his wife now would not have been Qiao Lanshu, but the daughter of one of his superiors.
Han Ye, however, was luckier. He had Qin Yuanzheng and Han Wenlin behind him.
If Han Ye's superiors wanted to arrange a match for him, they had to ask Qin Yuanzheng's opinion first.
And Qin Yuanzheng's thinking was much the same as that of Han Ye's superiors. He, too, was currently keeping an eye out for promising young officers in the military, hoping to find a suitable husband for his daughter, Xiaxia.
After all, there were plenty of advantages to marrying his daughter to one of his subordinates.
For one thing, the man would not dare look down on Xiaxia, and she would hold the dominant position in the household.
Even after Qin Yuanzheng eventually retired, he would still be Xiaxia's husband's former commanding officer. The man would hardly dare treat him disrespectfully.
Qin Yuanzheng simply hadn't found a suitable candidate yet. Since Xiaxia was still in college, there was no need to rush.
As she busied herself making dumplings, Qiao Lanshu said, "Actually, I think you could ask Director Han to look into it. Director Han has plenty of old friends and former colleagues. Perhaps he has someone in mind as well."
After all, Han Wenlin had only one son. He probably wanted to form a marriage alliance with the children of some of his old comrades too.
"I already mentioned it to him," Qin Yuanzheng replied. "He said everything should be based on Han Ye's wishes. We can arrange a blind date, but Han Ye has to like her."
Qiao Lanshu smiled. "That blockhead Han Ye has no idea when he'll finally figure things out. He's almost twenty-five. If he dates someone for two years, he'll be twenty-seven by the time he gets married. It's time we started introducing people to him."
Qin Yuanzheng nodded. "All right. I'll talk to him tonight."
Xiaxia listened to their conversation from the side and let out a silent sigh.
In her heart, she thought, Forget it. I'll just treat Han Ye like an older brother.
Although she was reluctant to give up, there was nothing she could do about it.
Once she had come to terms with that, Xiaxia shook her head and focused on making the dumplings.
Han Ye loved pork-and-scallion dumplings.
Or rather, as long as the filling contained meat, he loved it. Pork with scallions, pork with mushrooms and corn, lamb dumplings, beef dumplings—he liked them all.
He simply loved meat.
Xiaxia stuffed generous amounts of filling into the wrappers, making the dumplings round and plump. They looked adorable.
When Qiao Lanshu saw them, she praised her. "Oh, our Xiaxia is getting more and more skillful! Look how cute these dumplings are—thin wrappers and plenty of filling. They'll be so juicy once they're steamed. Your two brothers love them."
Then Qiao Lanshu sighed. "An'an hasn't come home in more than two years. He must be craving dumplings too."
An'an wouldn't be able to return until after the New Year, though. Like Han Ye, he had enlisted first and then taken the college entrance examination. He had specifically applied to a military academy, where he would study a military-related major before returning to serve in the army.
That would give him better prospects in the future. After all, even the military was beginning to place more importance on academic qualifications.
Qin Yuanzheng snorted. "Don't worry. The army canteen has all kinds of food. His meals might even be better than ours at home."
Over the years, the food in the military had steadily improved, as the country continued to place great importance on its soldiers.
Whatever else one could say, there was certainly no shortage of meat.
They were all young men, after all, and trained intensely every day. How could they manage without meat?
The family chatted as they cooked. By the time it grew dark, the steaming meat dumplings were ready.
The chicken soup that had simmered all afternoon was done as well.
Qin Yuanzheng went to check the braised pig's feet. He poked one with his chopsticks. The meat had been stewed until tender; the skin split at the touch, releasing a sizzling sheen of fat and an irresistible aroma.
Qin Yuanzheng lifted the pig's feet from the pot. Qiao Lanshu made blanched lettuce and stir-fried napa cabbage with vinegar, while Xiaxia prepared smashed cucumber salad. That was just about enough to start dinner.
Around six in the evening, Han Ye, Han Wenlin, and Zhao Yanfang arrived together.
The six members of the two families gathered around the large table and enjoyed a lively dinner.
Usually, Han Ye was extremely talkative and animated whenever he came home on leave. This time, however, he was unusually listless.
He sat there without saying a word, listening as the adults chatted. If someone asked him something, he would answer in a few words; otherwise, he simply remained silent and ate dumplings.
Although he seemed completely dispirited, he showed no restraint when it came to eating. He popped two dumplings into his mouth at a time, and within minutes, he had already eaten seven or eight.
Xiaxia was quiet by nature and didn't say much either. But every now and then, she would glance at Han Ye, wondering to herself whether he really had someone he liked.
Unbeknownst to her, those seemingly casual glances made Han Ye so nervous that he could hardly sit still.
He wanted to look at Xiaxia, but didn't dare. All he could do was endure her gaze while sweat beaded on his forehead.
Seeing that Han Ye had eaten nearly enough, Qin Yuanzheng took the initiative and asked, "Han Ye, how are things going in the army? Is there anyone you like?"
Han Ye nearly spat out the chicken soup he was drinking. He stared at Qin Yuanzheng in shock and said, “Uncle, it’s not like you don’t know that the army is all men. Women are as rare as giant pandas there. The only way to see one is to go to the hospital. Where am I supposed to find a girl to fall for?”
As he spoke, he instinctively glanced at Xiaxia.
Xiaxia was drinking chicken soup too, listening intently to the adults’ conversation.
Han Ye silently sighed to himself. He was interested in his own little sister—what was he supposed to do?
If the four adults sitting here found out, wouldn’t they beat his legs until they were broken?
Han Wenlin said, “I’ve heard about it. Isn’t there a commander in your military district who wants to introduce you to his daughter?”
Han Ye was stunned. “What? Who? Which commander?”
Qin Yuanzheng said, “Commander Qian from your military district. Haven’t you met him? You made quite an impression on him.”
At that, Han Ye immediately knew who he meant. He was puzzled. “What does he see in me? No, wait—how old is his daughter? I’ve never met her. We don’t even know each other. How are we supposed to date? Uncle, just help me turn him down. I’m not ready to get married.”
Han Wenlin grew anxious—not because he was eager to have grandchildren, but because Han Ye was already in his mid-to-late twenties, the perfect age to find a partner.
If he waited several more years, he would be older, and finding someone would become much harder.
He put on a stern face. “Don’t you know what kind of person you are? How dare you start being picky? That girl is willing to go on a blind date with you, so you should be secretly celebrating. The commander only agreed because he respects your Uncle Qin. If you had to rely on yourself, you’d be single for the rest of your life!”
Han Ye: “…”
Han Wenlin’s words made Han Ye’s face burn. For some reason, he suddenly felt the need to save face in front of Xiaxia.
He said unhappily, “Dad, can you stop putting me down like that? Can’t you show me a little respect?”
Han Wenlin said coldly, “You’re with family. What do you need face for?”
Han Ye: “…”
Han Ye knew he had no leg to stand on, so even his anger lacked conviction. “I can’t get through to you, you old man.”
Han Wenlin was only in his forties, but Han Ye had been calling him an old man for several years. He was used to it and didn’t get angry.
Beside him, Zhao Yanfang, Han Wenlin’s current wife, said with a smile, “Actually, if Han Ye doesn’t want to look for someone in the army, he could always find someone at a school. Lanshu and I know plenty of young female teachers. They all graduated from normal universities—young, beautiful, and well-educated. We could introduce you to one of them.”
Qiao Lanshu now taught at Wencheng University, while Zhao Yanfang taught at a high school. Both had been teachers for many years, and everyone around them was an educated professional. It would be easy enough for them to find Han Ye a good girl.
After all, Han Ye himself had plenty going for him.
But Han Ye said again, “No need, Teacher Zhao. Really, there’s no need. I don’t want to get married.”
Han Wenlin’s face turned cold. “You don’t want to get married? Then what do you want to do? When I was your age, you were almost born already.”
Han Ye was exhausted. He really didn’t want to say anything more.
The main problem was that he felt guilty and didn’t dare argue with all the adults present.
Qiao Lanshu also noticed that something was off with Han Ye. She smiled and said, “Usually, you get very angry whenever this topic comes up. But why are you being so obedient this time? You haven’t even talked back. This isn’t like you at all.”
The adults suddenly understood and all turned their eyes on Han Ye.
Han Ye: “…”
Han Ye instinctively looked at Xiaxia again. He happened to see her looking at him too. Her large, dark eyes made his heart race, and the tips of his ears turned bright red.
The moment he realized it, Han Ye suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.
The sharp crack of the slap stunned everyone.
Even Xiaxia froze for a moment, her large dark eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
The warm, cheerful atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Everyone stared at Han Ye, then at the clear handprint on one side of his face.
Qiao Lanshu was startled by him. After a few seconds of silence, she hurriedly said, “Um… Han Ye, it’s a good thing that you’re behaving better. You don’t have to hit yourself over it. Didn’t that hurt?”
At that moment, even Han Wenlin felt embarrassed to keep pressuring him about marriage.
He coughed and asked in an unusually gentle tone, “You little brat, what exactly happened to you? Tell us. Don’t hit yourself. You look like a complete idiot…”
Han Ye stood up and said, “I’m full. I’m heading home.”
Qiao Lanshu asked, “You’re going home? You’re not staying here tonight?”
“No, I’m leaving.”
With that, he didn’t even wait for Han Wenlin and Zhao Yanfang. He hurried away.
Han Wenlin had driven there, but Han Ye didn’t wait for him. Instead, Han Ye ran all the way home that night.
After Han Ye left, the four adults sat in silence for a while, looking at one another.
Xiaxia also sat there quietly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something strange about the way Han Ye looked at her.
After a long while, Zhao Yanfang finally said, “What happened to that boy? Did something happen to him in the army?”
Han Wenlin looked up at the sky and said nervously, “As long as he isn’t into men…”
Everyone else: “…”
Han Wenlin and Qin Yuanzheng had both spent many years serving in the army.
There were, in fact, some men in the military who were attracted to other men, though it was quite rare.
But Han Ye had said he didn’t want to get married or go on blind dates. He was acting strangely and had even slapped himself…
He must have done something terribly wrong.
Han Wenlin couldn’t imagine what kind of guilty act could make someone like Han Ye slap himself.
The only explanation he could think of was that Han Ye might be attracted to men.
Qiao Lanshu exchanged a glance with Zhao Yanfang and hurriedly reassured him, “How could that be? You’re overthinking it. Han Ye definitely likes girls. He probably just has something on his mind, and that’s why…”
As she spoke, she realized she didn’t know how to finish the sentence either.
Qin Yuanzheng said, “Let’s talk to him tomorrow and see what’s really going on.”
Han Wenlin glanced at Xiaxia. She had remained quiet the whole time and rarely said anything.
Han Wenlin said to her, “Xiaxia, you and Han Ye grew up together, and you two have always had a pretty good relationship. Why don’t you help us out and go talk to him? Find out what’s on his mind. Maybe he’s run into some trouble—or maybe he’s fallen for someone?”
Zhao Yanfang nodded. “If we ask him, he definitely won’t tell us. But if Xiaxia asks, he might be willing to talk.”
Qiao Lanshu sighed. “It’s a shame Zhou Dingwen wasn’t here when he came back last time. Otherwise, Zhou Dingwen would have been the best person to ask. Aren’t the two of them close friends?”
The adults sat around the dining table, but the food had long since gone cold. They made tea and continued talking in the courtyard, one person adding to another, for a long time.
Xiaxia listened to them and finally agreed to go talk to Han Ye.
She was curious too.
She just didn’t know whether Han Ye would be willing to tell her.
