As if sensing her gaze, He Xu glanced over with hawklike sharpness in his eyes, causing Shen Tang to immediately avert her gaze.

The young woman’s eyes were red and brimming with tears, softening her usual cool demeanor and making her appear somewhat timid and pitiable.

Tsk, still acting tough.

A brave little coward.

“He Xu, what brings you here?”

“I wanted to discuss changing dormitories with the Political Commissar.”

Zhou Ling beamed with joy and congratulated him: “That’s right! Now that you’ve been promoted to battalion commander, you’re eligible to apply for a single room. You’ve really made something of yourself! Come to our place for dinner tonight to celebrate.”

“Sure, thank you for your trouble, Auntie.”

He Xu didn’t stand on ceremony. Zhou Ling had watched him grow up, and after he joined the army, Political Commissar Fang’s family had always looked out for him. During holidays, if he didn’t return to the capital, Zhou Ling would invite him over for meals.

Most of the time, he would bring meat, milk candies, malted milk, and other gifts.

Zhou Ling nodded and was about to ask him inside to wait for Political Commissar Fang when she turned and saw her niece weakly sliding down against the door.

Alarmed, she rushed over and, noticing Shen Tang’s flushed face, quickly felt her forehead. “Oh no, she’s burning up! Honghua, pour a cup of tea for Battalion Commander He. I’m taking your cousin to the hospital.”

The hospital was some distance from the residential compound. Just as she was about to fetch her bicycle, she saw Shen Tang swaying unsteadily without support, on the verge of collapsing. Frantic, she hurried to hold her up.

Seeing this, He Xu pushed the bicycle to the entrance and said, “Auntie, let me handle it.”

With that, he lifted Shen Tang onto the bicycle seat. Noticing her dazed state, her beautiful eyes half-closed and filled with tears, she seemed much more docile than when she was chasing after Han Zhongguo.

“Comrade Shen, can you hear me? Hold on to me later, or else if you fall and get hurt, it won’t be my fault.”

Earlier, when Shen Tang mustered the courage to confront someone, she hadn’t felt unwell. But now, as she relaxed, a throbbing headache set in.

It felt as if the whole world were spinning.

Hearing He Xu’s words, she nodded vaguely.

He Xu swung his long leg over the bicycle, and a soft, warm body slowly pressed against his back, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance that made his throat tighten slightly.

“Shen Tang, just hold on to my clothes.”

What would people think if she held him so close?

Shen Tang lifted her head slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. Clearly, she hadn’t understood what he meant.

He Xu: “…”

Forget it. He wouldn’t argue with someone who was sick.

With a push of his long legs, he rode the bicycle to the hospital.

He helped Shen Tang off the bicycle, intending to take her inside, but the young woman who had been clinging to him moments earlier suddenly closed her eyes and fainted completely. Alarmed, he scooped her up and rushed into the hospital.

This little coward better be okay—otherwise, his old man would surely beat him to death!

His father and Shen Tang’s grandfather were longtime comrades-in-arms. When his father learned that Shen Tang had joined the cultural troupe of his military unit, he repeatedly urged He Xu to look after her.

He Xu was thoroughly annoyed by the constant reminders, but when it came to a matter of life and death, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

The doctor checked Shen Tang’s temperature. “Thirty-nine degrees. Let’s start an IV.”

He Xu frowned. “Doesn’t she need to be hospitalized? She fainted.”

What if her fever spiked again after going back?

The doctor took Shen Tang’s pulse. Having seen many similar cases, his expression remained unmoved. “The fever is likely due to emotional distress. She’ll be fine once she learns to relax. No need for hospitalization—she’ll wake up soon. Go pay the fee.”

He Xu glanced at Shen Tang’s flushed little face and wondered, What kind of taste does this girl even have?

She’d been pampered and cherished growing up, and she wasn’t bad-looking either. How could she possibly be into Han Zhongguo’s weathered face?

Thank goodness someone else snatched him away, or she’d have regretted it for the rest of her life.

Even though they were in a military hospital, He Xu didn’t dare leave Shen Tang unattended. Just then, he spotted Company Commander Hao, who was recovering from a leg injury sustained during a recent mission, and called him over.

The moment Hao Yun saw the girl next to He Xu, his eyes lit up with admiration, followed by a cheeky grin. “Battalion Commander, you’re something else! Even the flower of the cultural troupe has fallen for you.”

Despite his baby face, Hao Yun was only a month younger than He Xu.

The military base was full of men, and the most popular topic of discussion was always the pretty girls from the cultural troupe.

Shen Tang had only been at the base for a little over a month. Aside from training days, she’d only performed on stage once, but her beauty was unforgettable—she was the stuff of many soldiers’ dreams.

He Xu shot him a glare. “Stop talking nonsense. I’ve got no interest in being made a fool of. Keep an eye on her—I’m going to pay the fee.”

Hao Yun’s eyes sparkled as he plopped down next to the girl. “Sure thing, Battalion Commander. You go ahead.”

He Xu gritted his teeth. The reason he didn’t want to leave her alone was precisely because he was worried one of these wolves might sneak in and snatch her away the moment his back was turned.

But just as he expected, the unreliable Hao Yun was already staring at her with a lovestruck expression.

Irritated, He Xu shoved the money into Hao Yun’s hand and kicked his uninjured leg. “You go pay.”

Hao Yun’s face instantly fell. “Wait, Battalion Commander, have a heart! My leg’s already injured, and you’re making me go pay?”

He’d been hoping to chat with Shen Tang a bit when she woke up.

So what if the Battalion Commander minded? He didn’t!

Everyone’s young once—who hasn’t had a crush or two?

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Maybe Hao Yun would be the one to win the beauty’s heart!

Just imagine holding a sweet, soft wife in his arms…

“Ouch—!”

Hao Yun’s fantasy was cut short as he clutched his nearly kicked good leg, grimacing in pain.

Seeing the stormy look on his battalion commander’s face, he didn’t dare daydream any longer. He quickly grabbed his crutch, stood up, and hobbled toward the cashier with the money, muttering under his breath all the way.

“The Battalion Commander’s so selfish. Why keep all the good stuff to himself? What’s so great about Han Zhongguo anyway?”

He walked slowly but had plenty to say. He Xu’s face grew darker with every word.

“Keep talking, and I’ll add extra training drills when we get back!”