It was Qin Yao and Zhang Yufei’s first time aboard such a large ship, and both were curious and excited, wanting to look around. But their movements were restricted to a small medical center.

The so-called medical center was a tiny cabin, equipped with everything essential, though cramped. Besides the two of them, there were two military doctors and ten medical workers. Five of the medical workers were young women, assigned to a defense area on a nearby island.

The girls were split into small groups, with Qin Yao and Zhang Yufei staying together, while the other groups kept to themselves.

The military doctors specialized in treating minor injuries and respiratory illnesses, and gave them a brief lecture on some basic knowledge.

Compared to their training, there was a lot of free time on the ship, but it was only relative freedom. They were confined indoors and could only peer out through a small window. They weren’t allowed to walk around on deck.

The food was sea fish, vegetables, soy sauce, and steamed buns or rice.

At night, they slept on narrow fixed beds, only one person per bed, making it hard to turn over. Life on the ship was better suited to small people. If you were tall, navigating through tight spaces was a challenge, often bumping into things.

No wonder the ship’s doctors were experts in treating bumps and bruises.

Aside from the slight discomfort, Qin Yao felt bored out of her mind. Zhang Yufei felt the same way. During the three months of training, their days were packed, but now, on the ship, aside from studying and observing, they had to find ways to kill time.

Qin Yao was so bored that she took the “love poem” written by Gu Cheng out of the candy box he had given her. She read it once, holding back a laugh. Just as she turned her head, her eyes fell on the training manual on the desk, and she froze.

Gu Cheng had written it.

The medical department had many professional medical books, as well as some equipment manuals for the young soldiers to study. The military encouraged learning and skill development, with the possibility of transferring roles if one acquired new skills.

As Qin Yao flipped through the pages, she saw the author’s name—it was the same person she knew.

She carefully looked at the stack of books and realized that the “love poems” only contained three lines, but he had written quite a few books.

Some people’s poems were straightforward, but when she opened a procedural manual and read a few pages, it made her feel seasick. It was like reading an ancient text, and she couldn’t understand it at all.

What she could understand were the articles in military journals and literary magazines. She noticed that Gu Cheng had written quite a few articles.

His articles were as direct and efficient as he was, with concise language that got straight to the point. Most of them were practical work summaries, far more interesting than his love poems.

After reading a few articles, Qin Yao suddenly remembered that night on the deck when Gu Cheng had told her about his “Fishing and Adventure in the South China Sea.” He hadn’t lied.

Gu Cheng had traveled to many places and experienced a lot.

At that moment, Qin Yao was able to connect the “Commander Gu” she had met recently with the Gu Cheng she had known before.

Even so, thinking about the cold-faced man who had handed her the love poem… she still couldn’t figure out what kind of man he really was.

The mind of a man is like a needle in the sea.

“Reading Commander Gu’s articles?” Doctor He Chunyan teased her with a glance, shaking his head. “I knew it, young girls are all the same.”

Qin Yao put down the journal and said seriously, “Just browsing.”

“Heh, no need to hide it. These pages are nearly falling apart from being flipped so many times. I know what you girls are thinking. It’s not just the young girls, many of the male soldiers admire Commander Gu as well.”

Qin Yao smiled. “Really?”

…

Female medical worker Sun Jing glanced at Qin Yao and joked, “Could it be that you fancy Commander Gu? Although he’s not married, his standards are high. You’re pretty, but Commander Gu doesn’t like your type. Don’t waste your time.”

Qin Yao curiously asked, “Then what type does he like?”

“You’re too gorgeous. He likes someone with the temperament of a white lotus, elegant and poised. The last woman he went on a blind date with was a noble, graceful music teacher.”

Qin Yao couldn’t hold back a laugh.

A noble, graceful white lotus music teacher—Chen Baozhen.

“What are you laughing at?” Seeing Qin Yao’s smiling face, which was as bright as a peach blossom, Sun Jing grew irritated.

Among all the medical workers, Sun Jing held herself in high regard because of her family’s wealth. She knew that she wouldn’t have to stay on the small island for long before being transferred to the base hospital.

Because she was well-informed, most of the female medical workers treated her like their center, eagerly listening to anything she had to say. Sun Jing took pride in this.

At that moment, Qin Yao’s smile seemed to challenge her authority, which, in Sun Jing’s ears, turned into mockery.

During dinner, Sun Jing somehow managed to get a can of meat, a genuine luxury in this era. Meat cans were made with solid ingredients, using good quality meat.

Military doctors were allocated meat cans, but they usually saved them, reluctant to eat too many, in order to bring some home to their wives and children.

Sun Jing generously opened the can and shared it with the military doctors and other medical workers, but deliberately excluded Qin Yao and Zhang Yufei. The others nearby had some but stayed quiet, and Sun Jing didn’t say anything either. However, she smiled and deliberately flaunted the can of meat to Qin Yao.

The rich smell of the meat filled the entire cabin, making everyone’s mouths water. For ordinary people, canned meat was a luxury, let alone for Qin Yao, who had been living on simple porridge and vegetables and eating fish and greens on the ship for a while.

Seafood made one crave pork more and more.

Tender, fatty pork was a true delicacy.

The smell had Qin Yao and Zhang Yufei unconsciously salivating; it was a natural response to hunger. Zhang Yufei, a quiet and honest girl, lowered her head to eat without saying a word.

At that moment, Qin Yao found herself thinking of the female teacher from Chen Baozhen’s office.

So Qin Yao spoke up, “Please move the meat away from me, and don’t give me any. I can’t eat too much pork.”

Sun Jing was surprised, “Why?”

Qin Yao propped up her chin, pretending to be melancholic. With her delicate, beautiful appearance, even if she was pretending, she gave off an innocent, pitiful vibe like a little lady looking for sympathy.

“Do you know how much I weighed three months ago?”

Sun Jing was confused. “?”

“I weighed 140 pounds.”

“My body is special; I gain weight easily. Even drinking cold water makes me put on weights. Now that I’ve finally lost some weight, I need to maintain it,” Qin Yao sighed and continued, “I want to look good, at least until I get married and find a partner. I need to keep it this way.”

Sun Jing: “…”

She looked at Qin Yao’s face, which was simply stunning. Her large, bright eyes and small chin, even in the dim and damp cabin, seemed to shine like a pearl.

What would her face look like if she gained 30 to 40 pounds?

Sun Jing’s expression turned strange, and she handed over the can of meat, kindly persuading, “You don’t have to be so hard on yourself, Qin Yao. Have some, life on the ship is so bland. The fish is tasteless, with no fat at all.”

“If we keep eating like this, who can stand it?”

Qin Yao took the can, her eyes curving into a radiant smile, “Alright, I’ll have a little.”

She took some for herself and gave some to Zhang Yufei. Seeing this, Sun Jing continued to urge her to eat more.

Qin Yao lowered her head and continued eating, thinking that she could probably write a book about her life in the 70s, “The Days I Tricked People into Feeding Me.”

*

Zhao Mingjin worked in the maintenance department. He had gone to the medical room for some ointment and even brought a can of meat for his friend’s sister. He had been thinking about the girl he had seen when they boarded the ship earlier. His heart was racing, but he hadn’t had the chance to speak to her.

However, he wasn’t in a hurry.

Zhao Mingjin tossed a bottle of ointment to Commander Gu and said, “Commander Gu, no need to thank me. I brought this for you.”

Gu Cheng frowned. “Who told you to get this for me?”

“It was nothing, just a small favor,” Zhao Mingjin smiled. As a technician in the maintenance department, he had a good relationship with Commander Gu. They often exchanged technical knowledge, so the distinction between them wasn’t so clear-cut.

After finishing the work-related discussion, Zhao Mingjin hesitated for a moment, then mustered up the courage to ask, “Commander Gu, are you close with Head Nurse Ge?”

Gu Cheng: “…”

The corners of his eyes twitched slightly as he internally scoffed. Close? Was this the kind of relationship where others gave him wedding candy?

“Do you remember the nurse, Xiao Qin, Qin Yao? You must not remember, because you, Commander Gu, don’t notice beautiful women,” Zhao Mingjin continued, smiling.

Gu Cheng’s expression remained unchanged. “I have eyes, I can see.”

Zhao Mingjin smiled even more. “She’s a really beautiful girl, the prettiest I’ve ever seen. And she’s not married yet. She’s about to start working at the military hospital as a nurse. I think she doesn’t have a boyfriend. If I get there first, it’ll be like a fish entering a pond, and I’ll be in a great position. I should secure it before anyone else does.”

“This is an opportunity, a chance given by fate. I’m the one who met her first.” Zhao Mingjin thought about his own qualities: young, capable, and good-looking—he was a perfect match for Qin Yao.

If he made a move first, he might win her over.

To improve his chances, he also needed some backup. Head Nurse Ge would be a great ally—if she spoke a few good words for him in front of Qin Yao, it would make everything fall into place.

With this thought, Zhao Mingjin felt a sense of satisfaction, believing that good things were on the way. “Commander Gu, do me a favor and speak to Head Nurse Ge for me. If I marry Xiao Qin, I’ll send you a big bag of wedding candy.”

Gu Cheng: “…”

Wedding candy, huh?