Chapter 14: First Encounter with Qionghua

Lin You sat at the medical team, eyes on her book, but her mind wandering. Last night felt like madness she’d actually thought he’d be upset if she rejected him. But even if she had, he wouldn’t give up. He was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, hiding his true intentions, waiting for her to fall into his trap. Next time, she resolved, she’d be more guarded.

What Lin You didn’t know was that next time, Qin Lang would come up with new tricks. As an experienced special forces soldier who understood human nature well, he had plenty of ways to handle someone like her.

Dr. Liu had noticed Lin You’s spaced out expression for almost a full fifteen minutes. Clearing her throat, she walked over and playfully teased, “Dr. Lin, lost in thought? You’ve been staring at the same page forever. Thinking about the captain?”

Caught off guard, Lin You blushed and quickly turned the page, denying, “No way, why would I be thinking about him?”

Dr. Liu wasn’t convinced and continued teasing, “Then is it some other lover? Your face is so red.”

Flustered, Lin You quickly put on her mask. “Dr. Liu, don’t make stuff up!”

“If it’s not him, why so flustered?” Dr. Liu laughed at her reaction, amused by Lin You’s obvious embarrassment.

Seeing Dr. Liu laughing, Lin You felt a bit indignant but couldn’t find the words to refute her. She sat there looking like a helpless little rabbit.

Sensing she’d gone too far, Dr. Liu softened, “The captain really cares about you. I only joined a few years after him, but I’ve never seen him close to any female soldiers. Clearly, you’re the only one he’s ever had eyes for.”

Lin You nodded, quiet but thoughtful. Her own feelings were sometimes unclear, but others’ observations often reflected things she missed. After that, her annoyance at Qin Lang’s antics from last night faded.

Dr. Liu noted how quickly Lin You moved on and thought she was quite easygoing, forgiving quickly with just a few kind words. She reminded herself to hold back on the teasing, upsetting Lin You might lead to real consequences with the captain.

Dr. Liu wondered how the two had met, and why they’d married so young. She decided she’d ask more about their love story one day it might help her find a partner before 30!

For Lin You, life had been simple and protected. Her parents cherished her deeply, and she was naturally well behaved, never hearing a harsh word. After moving in with the Qin family, her in laws treated her with even greater care. During her university years, Professor Song often visited her. When she noticed how much he traveled for her, she decided to pursue her studies nearby.

Professor Song, thinking marrying Qin Lang was a bit of a compromise for Lin You, did everything to make her life easier. Over six years, he quietly paved the way for her, shielding her from trouble, which had nurtured her kind and gentle nature.

The only thing that puzzled her was her mother’s decision to leave when she was so young, choosing to follow her father despite having a young daughter. Why hadn’t she thought of her? Even after so many years, Lin You struggled to forgive her mother, always omitting her at annual memorials, offering flowers only to her grandfather and father. Whenever Professor Song tried to broach the subject, she shut down, unable to comprehend the love that could make a mother leave her child.

What Lin You didn’t know was that in the future, she would experience a love like her parents’ and face a similar choice. At that moment, she would finally understand and forgive her mother.

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That afternoon, things at the medical team remained calm. Suddenly, Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei came rushing in, whispering something to Dr. Liu.

“Qionghua’s here?” Dr. Liu exclaimed, and the three of them turned their eyes toward Lin You in unison.

“What’s going on?” Lin You asked, confused by their reaction.

Xiao Bei came over and warned her, “Lieutenant Qionghua is here. She’s a well known special forces ‘tiger’ don’t respond to anything she says, Dr. Lin.”

“But I just got here; I haven’t done anything to her. Why would she say anything to me? Isn’t she just here for treatment?”

Xiao Nan quickly advised, “You don’t get it yet, Dr. Lin just follow what I said.”

Just then, a short haired woman in rugged tactical gear strode in confidently. She took a seat beside Lin You and stared intently at her.

Lin You took a good look at her. For someone in intense training, her skin was surprisingly fair, and her eyes had a determined glint, similar to Qin Lang’s but without his commanding aura.

She glanced at the others, who held their breath, looking tense. She wondered what this was about.

“Is there something bothering you?” Lin You asked, trying to keep it professional.

Without answering, the woman averted her gaze and simply remarked, “Disappointing a frail weakling not worth mentioning,” then got up and walked out, disappearing from sight.

It was over in a matter of minutes. If the others hadn’t spoken up, Lin You might have thought she’d imagined it.

Xiao Nan assured her, “Dr. Lin, that’s just how she is. Ignore her.”

Xiao Bei added, “Exactly. Just because she’s good looking and fair skinned, she thinks she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Dr. Liu, watching Lin You, noted she hadn’t taken offense and seemed calm. She sat down across from her.

“Who is she? How rude!” Lin You exclaimed.

“Her name is Qionghua,” Xiao Nan replied. “Her parents hold high military positions, and she’s skilled, rose to lieutenant at 25. But her arrogance makes people avoid her.”

Lin You shared her honest thoughts, “I think she’s kind of unlikeable, despite her looks.”

“We all feel the same way, Dr. Lin! You’re way prettier, and we like you.”

“I like you all too,” Lin You replied, and the four of them burst into laughter together.