Chapter 102: Turning Foes into Friends

Having grown used to Hou Manling's confrontational manner and her biting sarcasm, Zhong Xiao found herself somewhat unaccustomed to this new side of Hou Manling. She managed a dry, awkward smile and quickly shifted the conversation.

“It’s nothing. Even if it were someone else, I would have saved them. After all, saving a life is better than building a seven-tiered pagoda—haha.”

“Take good care of yourself. Don’t overthink things, and don’t let yourself feel pressured.” Zhong Xiao finished speaking, noticing that Hou Manling was still staring at her motionlessly.

Suddenly, a shimmer of tears appeared in Hou Manling’s eyes. Zhong Xiao, quick to notice, waved her hands anxiously. “Don’t... don’t cry. If you cry, I honestly won’t know what to do. I’m not good at comforting people, so please, don’t cry.”

Hou Manling smiled faintly, yet tears still spilled from the corners of her eyes.

“I just never expected that the friend I once trusted so deeply would betray me so completely. Nor did I ever imagine that the person I once despised would end up saving my life. Heaven truly is a masterful playwright.”

As the person who had once been so thoroughly despised by Hou Manling, Zhong Xiao pondered her words for a moment before offering comfort.

“In truth, you’re not to blame. That Yuan Tianqing was so well hidden. Her background checks turned up nothing suspicious. From passing the nurse qualification exams to arriving on Taizhou Island, and then transferring to the military hospital—it was all perfectly in line with official procedures. Even if someone had wanted to investigate her, they might not have found anything.”

But Hou Manling shook her head.

“No, I should have noticed long ago.”

Zhong Xiao was taken aback.

Hou Manling continued, “At first, regarding Ting Shen... regarding Captain Song, I did admire him, but there was no obsession. I knew how proud and unattainable he was, and I was aware my own status didn’t match his. I never entertained any improper thoughts about him.”

“It was Yuan Tianqing who kept whispering in my ear, saying that there were no longer class divisions, that everyone was equal, and encouraging me to pursue him bravely.”

“Then you arrived. Yuan Tianqing kept telling me that your status was problematic, that you weren’t a good match for Captain Song, that if you were with him, it would harm him. She insisted I had to save Captain Song from your influence.”

“She even gave me terrible advice, suggesting I take advantage of Captain Song’s amnesia and deceive him into thinking... oh, I was truly out of my mind back then.”

“Looking back now, I realize Yuan Tianqing knew far too much about you. She was meticulous in her knowledge. When you first came to the military district, nobody knew anything about you—except Yuan Tianqing. She knew you were the daughter of a capitalist, knew your background, knew about your family’s troubles. All of this must have come from intelligence operatives.”

“And her constant efforts to push me and Captain Song together—it was all so she could get closer to his family, using me as her best friend and comrade to extract information. I never once guarded myself against her…”

By the end, Hou Manling was left with nothing but regret and remorse.

“It’s all my fault. I spent five years with Yuan Tianqing, day in and day out. Five whole years, and I never saw her true face…” Hou Manling covered her face and wept.

The nearby instruments began to beep, indicating how agitated Hou Manling’s emotions had become.

Zhong Xiao quickly grabbed her hand, her voice steady and gentle.

“Comrade Hou Manling, pull yourself together. Everything is behind us now. We’ve already captured the enemy agent and foiled their plans. You still have plenty of chances to make up for past mistakes. Don’t dwell in sadness. The soldiers of the military district need you.”

Hou Manling paused.

Meeting Zhong Xiao’s gentle yet unwavering gaze, Hou Manling seemed to make a decision. She nodded deeply to Zhong Xiao.