Chapter 59: He Believes in Her

Song Tingshen’s brows drew together slightly as he regarded Zhong Xiao for a moment. He said nothing more, only took her by the hand and led her out of the crowd.

“Come with me,” Song Tingshen said gravely.

Before Zhong Xiao could respond, Hou Manling hurried after them. She had been at the nurses’ station, but when she looked up and saw Song Tingshen not only arriving but standing next to Zhong Xiao, a sudden sense of crisis struck her.

She immediately stepped forward and addressed Song Tingshen, “Tingshen, the whole hospital is busy right now. You shouldn’t listen to this woman’s side of the story. If things get chaotic, I’m afraid everyone will blame you for it.”

Song Tingshen didn’t spare Hou Manling a glance. He walked around her and left, asking only, “Comrade Hou, are you busy right now?”

Hou Manling thought Song Tingshen was about to ask her to help with something, so she replied hurriedly, “I’m not busy at the moment, Tingshen, what is it?”

Song Tingshen’s tone cooled. “If you’re not busy, go find something to do. Everyone else is run off their feet, and you’re the only one with nothing to do. Don’t you feel the least bit embarrassed?”

Hou Manling was left speechless.

Zhong Xiao barely managed to stifle a laugh, though she found the situation odd. Weren’t Song Tingshen and Hou Manling supposed to be… involved? Why was he treating her so coldly? Wasn’t he afraid he’d have to kneel on a washboard when they got home?

But on second thought, considering the strict regulations in the military district and their secret relationship, perhaps this kind of deliberate distance was needed to avoid suspicion in public.

Clearing her throat gently, not wanting to linger and watch the two of them act, she said, “Let’s go.”

Song Tingshen withdrew his gaze and led Zhong Xiao out of the hospital. At the entrance stood two guards, Zhao Ning and Wang Meng.

In a low voice, Song Tingshen ordered, “Go to the canteen and the dormitories and catch a few rats. Put them in iron boxes and send them to the hospital’s virus laboratory. Wear gloves and use all necessary tools—be careful not to get bitten.”

Zhao Ning and Wang Meng set off in different directions, one heading for the canteen, the other for the men’s dormitory—both prime locations for rats.

Having given his instructions, Song Tingshen started off toward the training ground. Zhong Xiao followed, asking,

“Song… Captain Song, where are you going now?”

“If it really is plague, we need to prepare a quarantine area,” Song Tingshen replied. “I’m going to survey the grounds and make an initial plan, so things won’t be a mess when the time comes.”

Zhong Xiao paused, then asked, “Captain Song, why do you trust me so much?”

Song Tingshen kept walking, not looking back, and answered flatly, “Why shouldn’t I trust you?”

“But Taizhou Island has never had any cases of infectious disease, and plague outbreaks usually happen in arid, inland cities—rarely in humid, island environments. Why do you believe me, and assume what I say must be true?”

Song Tingshen was silent for a moment, then turned his head. His gaze was cool and inscrutable as it flickered over Zhong Xiao before he looked away.

“I don’t assume it’s true,” he said quietly. “I just think you have no reason to lie.”

With that, Song Tingshen continued on alone.

Zhong Xiao stood behind, gazing at his tall, straight figure—broad shoulders and narrow waist, his every stride exuding an effortless strength, the gait of a man honed by years of military training, his legs long and powerful. Zhong Xiao had to break into a near trot just to keep up with him.

When they arrived at the training camp, the soldiers spotted Song Tingshen and snapped to attention, saluting him. Song Tingshen returned the salute and said, “Today’s training is over. After dinner, all platoons are to return to their dormitories at once, pack up your personal belongings, and await further orders.”

The soldiers never questioned orders; they followed them to the letter. In no time at all, the neatly arrayed ranks had dispersed.

Yet, as they withdrew in an orderly fashion, the soldiers couldn’t help but steal glances at Zhong Xiao, some openly, some on the sly.

First, because Zhong Xiao was strikingly beautiful. Second, because Captain Song—who had always been known for shunning women, being strict and impartial, and fiercely protective of his reputation—was now accompanied by such an attractive young lady.

To think, even the Captain’s own mother, Director Zuo Lan, had been turned away from the training ground on the grounds that “no outsiders are allowed,” when she came on urgent business. Yet now, he was openly bringing a young woman here.

Song Tingshen, however, seemed unfazed by the commotion, standing in silence as he surveyed the area, sketching out a rough plan in his mind.

Due north stood the command building, the heart of the entire military district. To the northeast was the political department, now largely empty since most staff had moved into the command building to save resources. Only some documents likely remained there.

Due south was the logistics building, housing the supply, medical, and transport departments—essential services that needed to be kept safe and well-stocked. If an epidemic broke out, this area absolutely could not be compromised.

Making a mental note, Song Tingshen turned northwest, toward the guard company. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped.

Zhong Xiao, distracted as she surveyed the vast grounds, didn’t expect him to halt so abruptly and walked straight into something hard, yelping as her forehead struck it. Rubbing her brow, she looked up—

—and found herself facing a human wall: Song Tingshen’s tall, upright back.

Song Tingshen, having felt the impact, turned and looked down at Zhong Xiao from above, his gaze dropping.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Zhong Xiao replied, rubbing her forehead.

“Watch where you’re going,” Song Tingshen admonished.

She stared at him in disbelief. Really? He was the one who stopped without warning!

But, as the saying goes, one must bow to circumstances. Annoyed as she was, Zhong Xiao knew this was Song Tingshen’s turf and didn’t bother arguing.

She might as well pity this amnesiac man.

As she was thinking this, Song Tingshen spoke again, “I’m going to the guard company to assign tasks. Go back to the hospital and find my mother. Tell her to set up a temporary quarantine area and isolate everyone currently showing symptoms. If she doesn’t believe you, say it was my order.”

Zhong Xiao nodded. Without delay, she turned and ran toward the hospital.

Halfway there, a thought struck her: she’d just been at the hospital when Song Tingshen called her out. She hadn’t done a thing except circle the training ground, only to be sent right back.

What was the point of her little detour?

Frowning, Zhong Xiao pondered as she walked.

Song Tingshen truly was a strange man.