“It’s late. I shall not disturb you then. Bye.” The military training had ended. He had to resume his usual duties as soon as possible.
Regiment Commander Zhai was injured. At the thought that there were many issues to handle in the army, he could not continue to slack off outside.
“Goodbye, Brother Zhou.” Qiao Nan had only met Zhou Jun for a few times but she had quite a good impression of him. In the end, their relationship became so awkward. This was something that Qiao Nan had not expected.
“Goodbye.”
Zhou Jun forced a smile. He turned his back earlier than Qiao Nan. He then moved forward in large strides. He dared not stayed behind until the last minute. He also dared not look at the back of Qiao Nan as she walked further and further away from him. This time, he would be the first to turn away.
At the sight of Zhou Jun leaving, Qiao Nan let out a sigh of relief. She then returned to her dormitory.
After returning to the dormitory, Qiao Nan immediately gave Zhai Sheng a call. “Brother Zhai, I say, you’re really too… Have you known about Brother Zhou’s thoughts since a long time ago?”
“Miss Nurse, can I trouble you to use less strength when you change the bandage for me?” Zhai Sheng’s unhappy and sullen tone could be heard from the other side of the phone. It seemed as if Zhai Sheng deliberately covered the phone receiver and lowered his volume to avoid Qiao Nan from hearing that. “Hello, Nan Nan, are you still around? What did you say? I did not hear that.”
The junior soldier who had been addressed as ‘Miss Nurse’ widened his eyes. He pointed at his nose with his fingers, seemingly asking Regiment Commander Zhai silently if the latter was really referring to him just now. When did he change his gender to become a ‘woman? When did he transform from a soldier into a nurse?
Although he was filled with questions, the junior soldier did not utter a word as he abidingly continued to change the bandage and medicine for Zhai Sheng.
“Brother Zhai, how are your injuries? You still have to apply medication? When can the stitches be removed?” Qiao Nan became anxious. She had heard from Sister Zhai Hua that Brother Zhai had injured his right arm. Most likely, it would not be very convenient for him to go about with his daily needs such as eating and changing clothes. He would need people to take care of him in many ways.
At the thought that the people in the army once told her that Zhai Sheng had the problem of disliking having outsiders to take care of him when he was injured, Qiao Nan felt anxious. “Brother Zhai, it’s already half a month. During this period, don’t tell me that you didn’t let anyone take care of you?” That would be too stubborn of him!
“There is someone taking care of me,” Zhai Sheng said. “I still remember what you told me last time. Right, what were you telling me just now? I didn’t hear that. Can you repeat? I will definitely listen to it clearly this time.”
Qiao Nan relaxed the corners of her lips that were pursed earlier. She felt extremely disheartened. “I didn’t say much just now. I was just asking about your injury.
“Oh, I’m recovering quite well.” Zhai Sheng’s voice was slightly raised. His mood seemed to have improved by a lot. “How is your life in college?”
“Don’t you already know?” Qiao Nan rolled her eyes. Brother Zhai was asking the obvious. “Brother Zhai, you’re so stubborn. You hired two orderlies to stay by my side. Others won’t know about my situation, but would you not know?”
Brother Zhou clearly told her that he had already told Brother Zhai about her situation. Brother Zhai was still pretending in front of her!
“I just didn’t expect that Zhou Jun was actually the one who went eventually. Having met your old friend, are you happy?” Zhai Sheng said, sounding jealous. Zhou Jun was, in fact, not the one that Zhai Sheng had arranged for this task.
Zhou Jun seemed so foolish at normal times, and he only found out about his relationship with Nan Nan only after the engagement. Moreover, Zhou Jun had to play such ‘cheap tricks’ before his eyes this time. Facing Zhou Jun that was sometimes smart and sometimes not, Zhai Sheng did not know what to say.
“Nonsense.” Qiao Nan was speechless. “Do you think what you have said is meaningful? Right from the start, I have always seen Brother Zhou as my elder brother. I didn’t even know that Brother Zhou felt that way toward me.”
“Okay.” Zhai Sheng had diverted the topic and had long extinguished that anger in Qiao Nan Nan’s heart. Zhai Sheng always had a way to diminish Qiao Nan’s anger without her knowing it. Hence, in this lifetime, it was impossible for Zhai Sheng not to have Qiao Nan eat out of his hands. “Do you wish to change dormitory or stay outside?”
After diminishing Qiao Nan’s anger, Zhai Sheng reverted to the main topic.
Qiao Nan’s shoulders drooped. “I can’t decide at this point in time. Moving out is, of course, the most direct and clean-cut way. The problem is that property prices are high in the capital. The rental fee is already shocking enough for a place that is only as big as a block of tofu. As to changing the dormitory, this time, there is a Tang Jiayun. Perhaps there will be a Zhang Jiayun or a Lee Jiayun next time. It’ll be a headache.”
“You don’t need to. I have already found a way for you.” Qiao Nan’s problem was never seen as a problem in Zhai Sheng’s eyes.
“Brother Zhai, you know…” She was not very willing to accept too much help from Brother Zhai.
Zhai Sheng said stubbornly and firmly, “Nan Nan, have you forgotten? We are already engaged now. We no longer need to draw such a clear line for some matters like we did in the past, do we?”
The fiancé wanted to buy something or spend money on the fiancée—this was normal. No one could refute that.
There was a huge difference between being engaged and not.
“I’m still not quite used to it.” Qiao Nan held her forehead. “Most probably, my self-esteem and pride are too strong. I have not changed.” Qiao Nan was aware of her own problem. She also did not run away from it. It was just that this was a habit that had persisted for many years. Qiao Nan nearly forgot that, in fact, she did not need to be so careful after getting engaged to Brother Zhai.
Zhai Sheng was a little surprised that Qiao Nan would admit her own psychological issue so honestly. He then laughed proudly thereafter. This was certainly the lady that he had taken a liking to. “Rest assured. Resolving your housing issue this time does not have much to do with the Zhai family. Tomorrow, someone will send you the keys and bring you to see the house.”
“It does not have anything to do with the Zhai family? Then, who has something to do with this?” Besides Brother Zhai and Shi Qing, she did not know anyone else that was wealthy in the capital.
Zhai Sheng smirked. “My precious Qiao, have you forgotten that you still have a master? Do you think it is so easy to be a master? Elder Lin has houses in the capital but he doesn’t have the time or energy to live there. Elder Lin has already thought of passing you the keys earlier but he also guessed that you would be too stubborn. Most likely, you wouldn’t accept this kind of assistance if you did not encounter any problems. When you have hit your head and know that it hurts, you will then be willing to accept it.”
“Don’t worry. Elder Lin is only lending his house for you to stay. He doesn’t intend to gift it to you. During your stay, you have to keep a good watch on the house and ensure its cleanliness. If you mess up the house, be careful that Elder Lin will settle scores with you.” Knowing Qiao Nan’s temperament well, Zhai Sheng was willing to indulge Qiao Nan temporarily.
Most importantly, without Zhai Sheng, how could Qiao Nan find and acknowledge a master like Lin Yuankang who had a good family background, reputation, and status?
If Lin Yuankang’s qualities were not good enough, he could not possibly have let him become Qiao Nan’s master either.
