Chapter 66: A Unique Identity

“What are you handing over?” A voice sounded at the door to Director Cao’s office, and Song Tingshen turned to see it was Zuo Lan.

Zuo Lan had just returned from the hospital, her expression noticeably more relaxed than before. Seeing Song Tingshen, she broke into a smile.

“Tingshen, your father is awake.”

Zuo Lan had come to the office building to collect Song Qingfeng’s belongings to take them back. Song Tingshen said nothing, but his brows moved slightly.

Zuo Lan continued, “Thanks to Xiaoxiao. If you count it, she’s saved your father’s life twice now.”

Song Tingshen frowned lightly. “Twice?”

Before Zuo Lan could reply, Director Cao spoke first:

“Tingshen probably doesn’t know yet. Everyone in our military district is aware: the first to suspect you might be on Moon Lake Island was Comrade Zhong Xiao. If it weren’t for her intuition, and the guarantee from Elder Qin, we might not have found you so quickly.”

Song Tingshen was visibly surprised.

“It was Zhong Xiao?”

“It was her,” Zuo Lan affirmed. “Honestly, even I doubted her at first, but with the professor’s endorsement, and since we had no news from you at all, we had to take a gamble. In the end, we actually found you. Xiaoxiao says it was pure luck, but I believe her sharpness and perception are highly promising—especially considering this plague incident.”

If Zhong Xiao hadn’t argued her case so forcefully, the military district would have lost at least two more days. The quarantine point wouldn’t have been set up so swiftly.

Director Cao nodded in agreement. “Director Zuo and Political Commissar Liu already spoke to me yesterday about Comrade Zhong Xiao’s two contributions to the district. She deserves recognition and a position here, but with the current staffing structure… it can’t be arranged immediately. She may have to endure some inconvenience.”

Zuo Lan said, “Xiaoxiao told me earlier she doesn’t care about such things, as long as she can stay in the district.”

Before Director Cao could respond, Song Tingshen’s voice suddenly came, deep and low.

“Under what identity will she stay here?”

Zuo Lan was taken aback. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt Song Tingshen’s voice was somewhat hoarse, as if he was suppressing some emotion.

Zuo Lan hesitated for a moment. “The specific position is still being discussed. Mainly… Xiaoxiao’s situation is unique, and we need to explain it properly to the higher-ups.”

Song Tingshen parted his lips, as if wanting to say something, but the words caught in his throat and he forced them down. In the end, he said nothing.

Zuo Lan asked again, “Tingshen, what did you urgently need from Director Cao?”

Director Cao answered, “He wanted the commendation letter and banner for Comrade Zhong Xiao—asked me to have them ready today. Isn’t that a bit much?”

Zuo Lan glanced at Song Tingshen in surprise. He was never one to break protocol. But perhaps now… it was because of his amnesia.

Zuo Lan said, “Tingshen, go rest. I’ll handle Xiaoxiao’s matters—you don’t need to worry.”

In the end, Song Tingshen said no more, nodded faintly, and left in silence.

After he was gone, Zuo Lan sighed to Director Cao.

“Old Cao, what karma am I paying for? Yan Zhou has been paralyzed with no improvement, and now Tingshen is like this. He believes Qingfeng and I are his parents now, but he’s so distant. Even when Qingfeng was in a critical condition, he didn’t seem the least bit anxious. I suppose he truly doesn’t remember us at all.”

Zuo Lan looked troubled, her gaze lost and disappointed. Director Cao, a blunt man and the worst at comforting anyone, smacked his lips, unsure what to say, and could only rub his bald head in resignation.

Zuo Lan forced a smile.

“It’s nothing, Old Cao. I’m just venting. Every hurdle is painful, but I’ll get through it. No matter what, Yan Zhou and Tingshen are both my children.”

“I’ll be off, Old Cao. I’m going upstairs to get something for Qingfeng to take to the hospital.”

“Alright, alright,” Director Cao waved Zuo Lan off.

Only after she’d been gone for a while did Old Cao realize something was off.

Wait, isn’t Tingshen suffering from amnesia?

How did he know the procedure for requesting a commendation letter involves him submitting a report and Political Commissar Liu approving it?

He can’t even remember his own parents.

How can he remember Commissar Liu and the administrative process?