Chapter 35: Cold War

Since that night, Qin Lang had been living in the dormitory and hadn’t returned home.

The squad members quickly sensed the low pressure emanating from him and dared not provoke him, even avoiding getting too close.

At that moment, the outside sky was completely dark, and Qin Lang sat alone in the office, silently smoking. The ashtray piled high with cigarette butts silently testified that he had been sitting there for quite some time.

Meanwhile, Lin You was on night duty at the health team. She quietly gazed at the bright moon hanging in the night sky, feeling a gentle wave of melancholy wash over her.

The night in this place was so tranquil and beautiful, something she really liked. Perhaps soon, she would have to leave.

Xiao Nan approached curiously and asked, “Doctor Lin, what are you looking at?”

Lin You replied softly, “The moon.”

After saying that, she turned around and sat down in a nearby chair.

Xiao Bei cautiously leaned in and whispered, “Doctor Lin, you and the squad leader haven’t made up yet?”

Lin You slightly lowered her head, remaining silent.

Xiao Bei continued, “I heard the squad leader has been living in the dormitory these past few days and has been particularly irritable during training.”

Lin You still didn’t respond.

Xiao Nan looked at her silence and said directly, “Doctor Lin, you’re great at everything except for talking.”

“Keeping things bottled up inside makes it even harder, doesn’t it?”

“Just say it, and we’ll help you figure it out.”

Lin You felt touched but struggled to express what was bothering her whether it was about Qin Lang not caring for her or their marital issues.

She couldn’t bring herself to say it and gently declined, “Thank you, but I just can’t say it.”

Xiao Nan watched her helpless demeanor and felt speechless. She could decisively deal with Yang Zhishang and could argue back against Qiong Hua’s words. Why was she unwilling to open her heart to others and share her feelings?

Seeing her vulnerable and fragile state made Xiao Nan feel exasperated.

After a sigh, she finally made a decision: “Alright, I’ll ask, and you just answer, okay?”

Lin You nodded slightly in agreement.

“Did you two argue because of Qiong Hua?”

Lin You softly replied, “Yeah.”

“Did he ever explain this to you?”

Lin You nodded again.

“It’s just a misunderstanding, right?”

Lin You hummed in response.

“Then why haven’t you reconciled yet?”

Lin You’s voice carried a hint of grievance and dissatisfaction “Because he never considers my feelings.”

Xiao Bei asked, “Then why don’t you tell him how you feel?”

“I have, but it didn’t help, he’s still like this.” Lin You shook her head helplessly.

“Maybe you didn’t express yourself clearly? Soldiers are usually direct, you should be more straightforward.”

Lin You recalled her complaints, but he hadn’t changed, acting the same that night.

She sighed, feeling somewhat powerless.

Suddenly, Xiao Nan interjected, “Is your marital life not harmonious?”

Lin You was startled by this question, almost spitting out the water she had just swallowed. She hurriedly shook her head, denying it. Ever since coming to the base, their marital life had been relatively harmonious.

“Then it’s fine! What’s there to be angry about?”

Lin You quickly explained, “You wouldn’t understand, you’re not married.”

Xiao Nan immediately countered, “Even though I’m not married, I’ve read plenty of novels. Isn’t it all about those things between couples?”

Xiao Bei teased, “Is it because the squad leader is too good, and you can’t handle it? Last time, we saw the marks on you.”

Hearing this, the water Lin You had just swallowed got lodged in her throat, and she started coughing violently.

Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei hurriedly patted her back.

The head nurse, who had been eavesdropping outside, walked in and scolded Xiao Nan “You child, how can you say such things here!”

“Things between couples aren’t that simple.”

Then she turned to Lin You and spoke earnestly

“Doctor Lin, I know you’re someone who keeps many things to yourself, but the most important thing between couples is communication; you can’t rely on guesswork for everything.”

“Regarding Qiong Hua, it really was just a misunderstanding. Everyone at the base knows that the squad leader doesn’t like her; the only person he truly cares about is you. Qiong Hua is merely one sided.”

“Moreover, the squad leader often has to go out on missions, which are very dangerous. If you maintain this cold war state, don’t you worry about him having an accident?”

The head nurse noticed the worried expression on Lin You’s face

“As a military wife, it’s indeed not easy, especially with a soldier from the special forces. You’re a couple, you should understand each other. Go talk to the squad leader tomorrow and communicate properly.”

Lin You showed a reluctant expression, knowing deep down that she didn’t want to face this issue.

“I believe the squad leader won’t hold anything against you and will come home with you,” the head nurse comforted.

“I don’t want to go,” Lin You said softly, her inner conflict making it hard for her to decide.

The head nurse then asked

“Do you love the squad leader?”

This question plunged Lin You into contemplation, feeling confused about her own feelings.

Lin You shook her head, indicating uncertainty.

The head nurse looked at her and answered on her behalf

“You do love him, otherwise, how could you feel jealous? The squad leader loves you too, otherwise, he wouldn’t be so irritable these past few days.”

Her tone was firm and affirmative, trying to help Lin You realize her true feelings.

“He’s worried he might do something to hurt you when he comes home,” the head nurse continued, hoping to alleviate Lin You’s concerns.

“Just listen, go find him tomorrow,” she encouraged, hoping Lin You could be a bit braver.

Lin You nodded.

The next day after work, when Lin You got home, she found the door unlocked, which meant Qin Lang must have returned.

Pushing the door open, she found Qin Lang was indeed there, preparing to leave with some clothes, likely to change.

The two locked eyes, both surprised to see the other unexpectedly. Lin You immediately lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. Qin Lang, seeing her unchanged demeanor, simply brushed past her and walked out.

At the moment the door closed, Lin You felt as if all her strength had been drained away, collapsing weakly onto the sofa.

Yesterday, the head nurse asked if she loved Qin Lang, deep down, she knew she did. Otherwise, why would she feel jealous over Qiong Hua? Why would she care about his kindness toward her? She knew he was pretending, yet it still made her uncomfortable, and that discomfort led to her silence.

She tortured herself and Qin Lang.

The two had become like this largely due to her own reasons. She had initially wanted to follow the head nurse’s advice and actively reach out to Qin Lang, but seeing his cold attitude now, she couldn’t summon the courage to do so.

If it were before, she wouldn’t have acted like this. Even now, she had no thoughts of divorce; those two words hadn’t appeared in her mind for a long time. But she couldn’t understand why Qin Lang had suddenly brought it up that day.

Tears blurred her vision without her realizing it.

Outside, Qin Lang didn’t hear any sound from inside the house and forced himself not to think about the person inside as he walked down the stairs.