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Chapter 154
Shen Ziming’s apology was sincere, but Shi Tingyu’s indifference was also genuine.
She kept smiling, “Comrade Shen, that was a long time ago. Even though you didn’t inform me back then, I respect your choice. We had only met a few times and didn’t have deep feelings for each other, so you don’t need to feel guilty.”
Shen Ziming felt a stab in his heart at her words.
Shi Tingyu chuckled lightly, “Comrade Shen, you and my brother are comrades-in-arms. Your relationship with my brother comes first, then your relationship with me. You should treat my brother as you always have, without worrying about me. If I were in your shoes, I would choose my family too.”
Shi Tingyu truly didn’t mind. At the time, she was a bit angry, but not because he didn’t come to the blind date, but because he didn’t inform her. Besides, she and he had never met, so there were no real feelings involved. Any affection was just a vague impression the original person had of him.
They had no verbal promises or vows.
In short, it wasn’t a big deal.
Just as Shen Ziming was about to say something more, Lu Weiguo returned.
Shi Tingyu looked at him and winked.
Lu Weiguo had a slightly embarrassed look on his face.
He had overheard their conversation at the door.
He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop; he had just finished washing the lunchbox and happened to hear it. He felt it wasn’t right to interrupt at that moment.
Unexpectedly, his wife had noticed him.
He hadn’t known that Shen Ziming and his wife had such a history.
He suddenly remembered the first time he met her at the state-run restaurant.
Back then, he hadn’t looked at her, focusing only on eating. He had only heard their conversation and knew that her blind date had stood her up.
It was only later, when Feng Wei introduced them, that he realized the woman he was to meet was the same one who had been stood up at the restaurant.
He hadn’t expected the man who stood her up to be Shen Ziming.
Thinking about the man’s appearance and then his own, he couldn’t help but feel a bit lucky and grateful. If Shen Ziming had shown up, his wife might not have become his wife.
Shen Ziming, seeing Lu Weiguo arrive, didn’t bring up the past blind date. He said, “I’ll take you to the camp to get your luggage to the rented room.”
This time he said “you,” implying that Lu Weiguo’s presence might make Shi Tingyu more comfortable.
Lu Weiguo thought for a moment and said, “Thank you, Comrade Shen. But I’ll go alone. Xiaoyu should stay and take care of my brother-in-law.”
He knew what their dog was like; they definitely needed someone to go. Besides, it wouldn’t be right to ask for help while staying behind to relax.
The road to the camp was uneven, and his wife had already traveled a long way. It was better for her to rest here.
Shen Ziming looked at Lu Weiguo, wondering if he had heard the earlier conversation and was trying to keep him away from Shi Tingyu.
In the end, Shen Ziming drove Lu Weiguo to the camp.
Neither spoke much during the ride.
Shen Ziming wanted to explain but feared it would seem like protesting too much.
Finally, Lu Weiguo, noticing his hesitation, started a conversation about the military, easing the tension.
Despite any complicated feelings, Shen Ziming had indeed helped a lot, and Lu Weiguo felt proper courtesy was necessary.
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Shi Muhuan and Shi Tingyu talked about the New Year.
He asked if she was doing well at her in-laws’.
Shi Tingyu had indeed had a fulfilling time at her in-laws’, so she began to recount her experiences to the bored Shi Muhuan.
When Shi Muhuan heard that she had used a portrait to identify a murderer, he sat up abruptly.
This was news to him.
“Are you saying you can recreate a portrait from a description?”
Shi Tingyu nodded. “You should know my skill in painting.”
Shi Muhuan did know his sister’s high level of painting skills, as she was a well-known artist who had held exhibitions. However, how could her usual creative work be compared to painting from a description?
His eyes brightened. “Xiaoyu, do me a favor. I’ll describe, and you help me paint a portrait.”
“Who do you want to paint?” Shi Tingyu asked, puzzled, then recalling his recent injury, she added, “Is it related to this mission?”
Shi Muhuan hadn’t expected his sister to hit the nail on the head.
He needed her assistance now, and there was no need to hide anything. “It all started with our parents being sent down.”
“I don’t know when those spies found out about our parents being sent down, but they secretly contacted me, thinking my beliefs would be shaken because of my parents’ situation.”
Shi Tingyu was extremely surprised. So her brother almost got turned by the spies?
Shi Muhuan continued, “I thought to lure out the people behind them, so I pretended to cooperate with them first. Then I reported the matter, and later our company commander formulated a plan for me to go deep and find the spy’s location.”
“So you got injured at the spy’s location?” Shi Tingyu asked.
Shi Muhuan nodded. “We caught quite a few people, but one person escaped. That person is the one who injured me.”
“He usually disguises himself. I’ve only seen him once. Now in my condition, as you can see, I can’t participate in operations. The longer it drags on, the greater the chance he’ll escape.”
Shi Tingyu also understood the seriousness of the situation. Without thinking about anything else, she stood up. “I’ll go buy some paper and pens.”
Shi Muhuan stopped her. “No need to trouble yourself. Go find Director Zhao from the hospital; he should have some.”
This was a military hospital, and everyone here held military positions. Even if they couldn’t disclose information, asking for some paper and pens was acceptable.
Sure enough, after Shi Tingyu went out for a while, she soon returned with paper and pens.
Closing the ward door, Shi Tingyu and Shi Muhuan began their task: one describing, the other drawing, cooperating seamlessly.
Shi Muhuan described the person clearly, and if there was any inconsistency in the drawing, he could point it out immediately.
For military officers like them, remembering people was part of their training, and there was no such thing as a vague memory.
Soon, a portrait of the spy was completed.
Shi Muhuan carefully examined the portrait, making a few minor adjustments with Shi Tingyu’s help.
Then he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Xiaoyu, you’re really something!”
Shi Tingyu just smiled and then asked, “Will you be able to make a merit this time, Brother?”
Shi Muhuan smiled back. “I found the spy’s location and captured quite a few people. I’ve already made a merit.”
It was just a third-class merit, though.
Shi Muhuan put away the portrait, planning to have Shen Ziming take it back with him.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Shen Ziming and Lu Weiguo arrived.
Shi Muhuan handed the portrait to Shen Ziming. “This is a portrait of the person who escaped. With this, tracking him down will be much simpler.”
Shen Ziming looked at the portrait, then glanced at Shi Tingyu before turning and leaving.
Such matters couldn’t wait for anyone.
After taking Shi Muhuan to the restroom, Lu Weiguo took Shi Tingyu back to their rented house to pack up.
They also bought groceries to prepare for dinner.
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