Shen Linzhou stepped out of the Political Commissar's office and stood frozen in the corridor for a long moment.
He glanced down at his own hands, then looked at the bicycle parked downstairs. The vehicle was polished to a gleaming sheen, glinting under the sunlight.
In truth, he had wanted to return the bike for ages, but he had been holding back, afraid that once he gave it back, he would have no excuse left to see her again.
"What's the matter? Did the Commissar chew you out?" His comrade Zhang Yuanchao walked over and slung an arm casually around his shoulders.
The two had enlisted together, fought side by side through life-and-death battles, and shared an extremely close bond.
Zhang Yuanchao had some idea of what was weighing on Shen Linzhou's mind. He took in his friend's expression, sighed, and said, "If you ask me, you'd better nip that little thought of yours in the bud. The Political Commissar will never go for it. Doctor Xiao is really a fine person, and she's pretty too, but her family background..." Zhang Yuanchao shook his head and sighed again. "You're a regimental commander now, and you're bound to climb higher in your career. If you get together with her, she won't do anything to help you get ahead — she'll only drag you down."
Shen Linzhou said nothing, but his face darkened.
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Yuanchao assumed he was taking the advice to heart, and patted his shoulder. "I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm only looking out for you. Snap out of it before you get in too deep and end up hurting worse later."
Shen Linzhou lifted his head and looked at Zhang Yuanchao. "The Political Commissar gave me a week's leave."
"Leave? What for? To let you heal from a wound?" Zhang Yuanchao scoffed. "Last time my wife scratched my face, the Commissar wouldn't even sign off on a single day off for me."
"To let me court her," Shen Linzhou said, a hint of quiet triumph in his tone.
Zhang Yuanchao thought he had misheard. "What?"
"The Commissar said," Shen Linzhou paused, the corners of his mouth tuging up in an irrepressible smile, "a whole week's leave, so I can win Doctor Xiao over."
Zhang Yuanchao gaped at him, unable to utter a word for a long moment. "Wait — the Commissar... he knows about Doctor Xiao's family background? How could he agree to that?"
Shen Linzhou nodded.
Zhang Yuanchao suddenly slapped his palm hard on Shen Linzhou's shoulder. "Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier? I wasted all that time worrying for nothing! You already have your own place assigned, and the Commissar's given you the green light — what are you waiting for? Go pack your things and go after her right now!"
"Chasing a girl looks like it's killing you," Zhang Yuanchao grumbled, then dragged him into the dormitory.
A dozen minutes later, Shen Linzhou stared at his reflection in the mirror. He had washed his hair, shaved clean, and changed into a crisp, neat military uniform, and he was fairly pleased with how he looked.
Zhang Yuanchao pushed him out of the dormitory. "Go on, now! Don't forget what I just told you. Use returning the bike as your excuse today, and ask her out to dinner. Tomorrow you can say you're celebrating your promotion. The day after that, you can thank her for saving your life. There are tons of reasons to meet up, aren't there?"
Shen Linzhou summoned up his courage, hopped on the bicycle, and headed straight for the hospital.
Halfway there, he pulled to a stop, going over every line Zhang Yuanchao had drilled into his head. What was he supposed to say when he saw her?
"Doctor Xiao, I'm here to..." No, that didn't sound right.
"Comrade Xiao..." That didn't work either.
The more he thought, the more flustered he got. He gripped the handlebars tight, then took a deep breath. Never mind, he'd figure it out when he got there.
He pedaled to the hospital entrance with a determined but uneasy heart, got off the bike, stood still for a few seconds to pep himself up, then stepped inside.
A nurse saw Shen Linzhou and greeted him with a smile. "Deputy Commander Shen, are you here to see Doctor Xiao? She's in..."
Before she could finish her sentence, a voice cut her off.
"Hello there, Deputy Commander Shen! You're here. Is there something wrong with your health?" Tang Jing popped out of nowhere, a bright smile on her face as she leaned in toward him.
Shen Linzhou stepped back instinctively, his brows furrowing slightly.
"No, I'm here to see someone." Tang Jing acted as if she hadn't noticed his cold distance, and her smile grew even wider.
"Oh! You're looking for Doctor Xiao, right? Her friend is in the hospital, so she's been staying with him. He's in Room 213, you can go find her there."
Shen Linzhou's expression turned stern. He said nothing more and walked toward Room 213.
The young nurse beside him glanced at Tang Jing, then quickly ducked her head, pretending to sort through the medical records in her hands.
Tang Jing stared at Shen Linzhou's retreating back, a dark glint in her eyes. She had set her sights on Regimental Commander Shen a long time ago. When she found out Xiao Mandong was assigned as his attending doctor, she had been seething with jealousy.
She knew her own limits — with her family background, Regimental Commander Shen would never look twice at her. But if she couldn't have him, why should Xiao Mandong get him so easily?
Shen Linzhou hurried to the door of Room 213, then stopped in his tracks.
The door was open, and he could clearly see a man lying in the hospital bed. His face was a little pale, but he was good-looking, fair-skinned and wearing glasses, with a refined, scholarly air about him — obviously a highly educated man.
Then he thought of himself, tanned and muscular from constant military training. The contrast between the two made his heart sink unaccountably.
Just then, Sister Liu hurried over. She didn't notice Shen Linzhou standing outside, and walked straight into the ward.
"Mandong, you've worked so hard. Look what I brought you — Jia Liang's grandmother specially made this date cake for you." Sister Liu took a warm cloth bag out of her bag and handed the freshly baked date cake to Xiao Mandong.
Xiao Mandong smiled and took the date cake, popping a piece into her mouth right away. It was sweet, soft, and absolutely delicious. "Sister Liu, please send my thanks to Grandma Qian..."
As she spoke, she looked up and met Shen Linzhou's eyes. She froze for a second.
She blinked, pushing the strange little flutter in her chest down, then broke into a big, bright smile.
"Sister Liu, I'm going to step out for a minute." She got up and walked out of the ward.
Sister Liu followed her gaze out the door, and spotted the tall, straight man in military uniform standing there, looking sharp and full of spirit. She smiled and nodded knowingly.
Xiao Mandong walked up to Shen Linzhou, their eyes locking. She could tell there was something odd about the way he was looking at her.
The moment their gazes met, Shen Linzhou felt his ears burn. "Doctor Xiao, uh... I came to return your bike." He held out the keys to her.
"Would you... would you let me take you out to dinner? I... I just got promoted." He ran through the lines Zhang Yuanchao had taught him in his head.
"Congratulations! That should be my treat. Name whatever you want to eat, it's on me."
Right after she finished speaking, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor.
"Commander! Commander!" Xiao Ding came running over, gasping for breath.
Shen Linzhou ground his back teeth together. If this wasn't an absolute emergency, he would make this kid run five kilometers with a heavy pack for interrupting him — he had barely managed to get the invitation out, and this guy had to ruin it.
"Commander, emergency orders, you need to return to the base immediately." Xiao Ding panted, bracing his hands on his knees, then lifted his head.
Shen Linzhou's expression hardened at once. He looked at Xiao Mandong. "I'm so sorry. When I get back, I'll definitely make good on that dinner..."
"Go on, your work comes first." Xiao Mandong watched his back disappear down the corridor before she turned to head back to the ward.
