Chapter 36 

“What are you doing here?” When Dean He strolled into Su Xi’s office, she didn’t see Su Xi, what she saw was the last person she expected to see in the room.

Xie Zhen was writing their marriage application report. When he saw the visitor, he put down his pen and said, “Auntie He.”

Dean He couldn’t be bothered to look at him. She peeked into the room where the doctors usually rested, but she didn’t want to directly pull back the curtain. She lightly coughed and gestured vaguely inside, “Are you alone?”

Xie Zhen was somewhat puzzled by Dean He’s sneaky behavior but still nodded.

Only then did she shift her attention to Xie Zhen and ask, “Why are you at the hospital? Didn’t you say you weren’t injured a few days ago?”

Xie Zhen replied frankly, “I’m accompanying my partner to work.”

Dean He choked for a moment before reacting. She incredulously pointed at Xie Zhen, trembling, “You… your partner is Su Xi?”

Xie Zhen nodded.

Dean He’s expression momentarily froze. Remembering Xie Zhen’s fierce reputation for training new recruits in the army, she suddenly understood the expression of the head nurse, who had just eaten something foul.

If she hadn’t watched this kid grow up and understood his nature, she might have thought that Xie Zhen, with his cold demeanor, wouldn’t be affectionate and wouldn’t be suitable for Su Xi, who was so delicate and charming.

Dean He suddenly remembered something, her eyes widened. “Wait, didn’t you say before that you liked someone and you had known her for 5 years?”

Facing Auntie He’s expression that seemed to say, ‘You little rascal, you’ve gone bad.’ Xie Zhen forced a smile, “It’s Su Xi.”

“How is that possible? You knew each other 5 years ago. How did you meet?”

Xie Zhen, being a meticulous person, could see that Auntie He was suspicious. Though he found it somewhat amusing, he still explained, “Five years ago, the place I was on a mission happened to be Su Xi’s hometown. I was injured at the time, and the attending doctor was Su Xi’s brother, Su Dong. We met at that time.”

Dean He fell silent for a moment, remembering that Su Xi was only 20 years old this year. She looked at Xie Zhen and said with some difficulty, “So, five years ago, when you were 23, you fell for Su Xi, who was only 15 at the time?”

Xie Zhen’s forehead wrinkled. What did Auntie take him for? A pervert? He gritted his teeth and said, “No! We met again in Province G last year, and that’s when I started to have feelings for her.”

Dean He thought about it and realized it made sense. Since she had watched Xie Zhen grow up, she didn’t think he would do something that outrageous.

She awkwardly adjusted her collar and took off the stethoscope hanging around her neck, then smiled. “That’s what I thought. You’re someone I’ve watched grow up, you’re definitely not that kind of person.”

Xie Zhen: I believe in your lies, you weren’t thinking like that earlier.

However, thinking of her previous plans, Dean He sighed with a smile, “It’s probably fate for you two. A few days ago, when I mentioned wanting to introduce a girl to you, it was Su Xi. I didn’t expect you two to be together already.”

Xie Zhen raised his eyebrows in surprise, realizing Auntie He was talking about Su Xi. So, in the eyes of others, they were such a good match?

Xie Zhen smirked slightly, feeling somewhat pleased!

Seeing Xie Zhen’s softened expression, Dean He didn’t tease him. She just sighed with emotion: ‘This child was finally going to get married.’

Now that she knew who Su Xi’s partner was, Dean He didn’t stay long. She had another meeting later, so she declined Xie Zhen’s offer to see her off. Dean He turned and left with her hands behind her back. When she reached the door, she seemed to remember something, turned back, and asked, “Have you two submitted the marriage application report?”

Xie Zhen pointed to the paper on the table and said, “We’re writing it now. We are planning to submit it today.”

Dean He was satisfied. “Alright, Auntie He will be looking forward to your wedding banquet.”

Hmm… I should call Suyun right away. That woman will be ecstatic!

With this in mind, Dean quickened as she left.

Xie Zhen: “…..” 

………..

Xie Zhen was not able to spend the whole day with Su Xi.

After having lunch together in the hospital cafeteria and asserting his sovereignty, he was called away by the duty officer, saying that the brigade commander wanted to see him.

When Xie Zhen arrived at the brigade commander’s office, he found that the commander of the First Battalion, Yan An, and the commander of the Second Battalion, Yan Guoqing, were already there. A few of them were having tea, and their faces were relaxed, indicating it wasn’t anything serious.

The brigade commander surnamed Zhang, was in his fifties, dark-skinned and thin, with a face full of wrinkles that looked somewhat stern. But when facing his capable subordinates, he rarely showed a smile.

Seeing Xie Zhen come in, Commander Zhang smiled and pointed to the empty seat next to Yan Guoqing. “Come and sit.”

After Xie Zhen sat down, Commander Zhang handed him a cup of tea before saying, “I called you all here today to talk about something concerning National Day.”

After saying this, Commander Zhang deliberately paused, and Old Shen took a sip of tea while waiting for Captain Zhang to speak.

Glancing at his three capable subordinates, he found that none of them even blinked. Suddenly feeling a bit bored and disdainful, he said, “You young ones, always with wooden faces every day, no fun.”

Xie Zhen and Yan An were drinking tea quietly, unmoving like mountains, while Yan Guoqing, the oldest among them at 36, was the most lively.

He grinned, scratching the back of his head. “Commander, just say it straight. Training tasks are waiting for me in the battalion.”

Commander Zhang put the teapot on the table, not beating around the bush. Since these brats weren’t cooperating, he said directly, “Alright, let’s get to the point. Regarding the National Day, it’s been 11 years since we’ve been stationed on this island. These years, the soldiers have had it tough. Besides basic training and missions, they also have to do farming and construction. From a barren island with nothing, it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from many people to reach the current scale.”

Talking about these years of hardship, Commander Zhang’s eyes showed a hint of bitterness. Xie Zhen and the others fell silent. Having transferred from other units, Xie Zhen and Yan An had a basis for comparison, understanding even more clearly how much harder the soldiers on the island had it compared to those on the mainland.

Even if the subsidies were higher, it was still what they deserved.

Commander Zhang sighed lightly, then smiled and said, “Fortunately, we’re getting better and better. Compared to before liberation, it’s like living in paradise now.”

“Commander!” Yan Guoqing, who had followed Commander Zhang for ten years, frowned and reminded him. Recently, there had been talk of dismantling the old ways outside, although there hadn’t been any specific documents issued yet, they still needed to be cautious about these so-called paradises and ghosts.

Commander Zhang waved his hand, showing a simple smile on his weathered face. “It’s fine. We’re all comrades here. Let’s not mention that. I called you all here today for good news.”

With that, he took another sip of tea before continuing, “We’re in a remote location here. Besides a few female comrades in the hospital and communication unit, it’s mostly men. The soldiers’ marriages have become a big problem.”

Saying this, Commander Zhang glanced meaningfully at Xie Zhen.

Xie Zhen: “…..”

“The leaders are thinking about us and understanding our difficulties. They’ve decided to have the provincial cultural troupe come to perform and entertain us during National Day. Taking advantage of the opportunity, we’ll also arrange a social event so that the young male and female comrades can have a chance to get to know each other. This is a good thing. I think I’ll leave it to Xie Zhen to handle it. After all, Xie Zhen is almost thirty and still single.” Commander Zhang calmly stated the purpose of today’s gathering.

Receiving the provincial cultural troupe would be cumbersome, but this time the commander-in-chief would also come to the island to inspect and console. For the officers, it was also a good opportunity to show their faces in front of the leader.

The battalion commanders under his command were all good young men, so he didn’t play any tricks. To avoid any misunderstandings among the three, he directly called them all here to talk openly and honestly.

As the commander of a battalion, Yan An spoke first: “That’s good. I have no objections.”

Yan Guoqing also nodded vigorously. Being a rough old man, he really didn’t know how to get along with a bunch of delicate girls. It was better to let Xie Zhen, that kid, handle it. He didn’t want to get beaten up by the mother tiger at home.

Xie Zhen’s face darkened… “I’m still on vacation.”

Commander Zhang waved his hand. “I didn’t ask you to take over right now. You only have one vacation this year, unless there are special circumstances, I won’t let you end your vacation early. National Day is still more than a month away. You can wait until your vacation is over. No rush.”

Xie Zhen decided to present evidence that he was no longer single to firmly express his refusal.

He took out the neatly placed marriage application report from his chest pocket and handed it to Commander Zhang. The usually calm and steady man had a hint of childish pride on his handsome face.

Commander Zhang took the paper suspiciously, opened it, licked his lips, looked at the marriage application report, and then looked at Xie Zhen. His gaze moved back and forth between the report and Xie Zhen several times before he finally asked in doubt, “Is this real?” Are you trying to avoid receiving the female comrades and using this to stop me? “

Xie Zhen’s handsome face turned serious, his gaze sharp as he spoke slowly. “Of course, it’s real.”

Commander Zhang wasn’t afraid of his scowling face. He still looked suspicious, rubbing his chin. “When did this happen?”

Xie Zhen… “Yesterday.”

Commander Zhang… “Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?” Why was he becoming more suspicious?