Chapter 73: Oblivious to Affection

Song Tingshen did not return to his dormitory. Instead, he went to the administrative office building, which was closer to the women’s staff dormitory.

He climbed to the third floor and entered Director Cao’s office.

Director Cao, upon seeing Song Tingshen, stood up at once, wearing a helpless expression.

“Tingshen, the commendation letter hasn’t arrived yet. Even making the banner will take at least two days. Time is tight… Hey, what are you doing rummaging through my cabinet?”

Song Tingshen replied as he searched, “The woven sacks.”

Though puzzled as to why Song Tingshen wanted woven sacks, Director Cao was about to tell him they were “in the second cabinet below the bookcase.”

But before Director Cao could speak, Song Tingshen had already opened the second cabinet beneath the bookcase and retrieved two brand-new woven sacks.

Director Cao was stunned.

Taking out the sacks, Song Tingshen continued, “Director Cao, may I borrow a guard for a while? Comrade Zhong Xiao needs to move, and I want to help her with her luggage.”

Director Cao asked, “Is it Comrade Zhong Xiao from Yuecheng?”

Song Tingshen gave a low hum in affirmation.

Director Cao glanced at him, as if he understood the urgency. With a meaningful look, he deliberately said,

“My guard isn’t someone you can just borrow. If others found out, they’d say I don’t know the rules. Besides, moving is a private affair. If a guard is involved, it might not be appropriate.”

Song Tingshen frowned.

“How much luggage does the lady have?”

“She shouldn’t have much—just needs two sacks.”

“Well, if it’s not much, why do you need a guard? With your strength, you can easily move it all by yourself, can’t you?”

Seeing Song Tingshen standing there, Director Cao sighed at his lack of tact.

“Tingshen, you’re a good boy in every way, but you’re just like your father—completely clueless about romance, no idea how to please a lady.”

“What’s the point of just finding her some sacks? You should help her move. In this hot weather, you could carry one sack in each hand and take her luggage over. No matter what, she’d have to thank you, maybe even make you a cup of tea.”

“That would bring you closer in no time!” Director Cao concluded.

Song Tingshen merely lowered his gaze and remained silent.

Seeing this, Director Cao shook his head, half exasperated. “If you really don’t have any such intentions and insist on a guard…”

Before Director Cao finished, he saw Song Tingshen turn and stride out of the office, leaving behind only a chilly, three-word reply.

“No need.”

Director Cao stared in astonishment as Song Tingshen vanished at lightning speed, then finally gave a knowing smile.

“Oh, young people these days—how are they even more reserved than we were? Ha!”

—

Song Tingshen returned to the women’s staff dormitory just in time to see Zhong Xiao arrive at the doorway, carrying a metal trunk.

Behind her trailed Hou Manling.

Hou Manling’s voice was sharp and persistent as she followed, interrogating Zhong Xiao:

“Zhong Xiao, tell me clearly, where are you going?”

“If you don’t explain yourself, I won’t let you leave today!”

Zhong Xiao was nearly driven mad with irritation.

She’d put up with Hou Manling for Song Tingshen’s sake, not wanting to quarrel with his sweetheart, but now she realized that some people only get bolder the more you indulge them.

Yielding brought her no peace—only emboldened the other’s insolence.

Hou Manling’s voice droned on behind her. When she reached out to grab Zhong Xiao’s arm, refusing to let her go, Zhong Xiao spun around and flung the heavy metal trunk straight onto Hou Manling!

Hou Manling, caught off guard, lost her balance and stumbled back several steps before collapsing to the ground.

The sight made Song Tingshen, who’d been about to step forward, halt in his tracks.

Zhong Xiao spun back with a crisp motion, arms folded, looking down at Hou Manling’s disheveled state from above. Her tone was frosty and sharp:

“Comrade Hou Manling, who do you think you are? Does where I live concern you? You won’t let me leave? Are you some landlord or a feudal despot lording it over everyone, being so overbearing?”

Hou Manling’s face went ashen.

Such accusations—especially at a time like this—were serious indeed. If Zhong Xiao pinned those labels on her and someone with authority overheard, she’d never clear her name!

Hou Manling jabbed a finger at Zhong Xiao.

“You’re talking nonsense!”

“Is it me talking nonsense, or you being unreasonable? You’re nothing more than a regular head nurse, and I’m not one of your hospital’s nurses. What right do you have to control me?”

“I respected you only because of Commander Song, not wanting to argue. But some people always take advantage of kindness. I’m warning you: whether I sleep in or live upstairs, it has nothing to do with you. If you meddle in my affairs again, I’ll report you to the leadership!”

“I’ll say you form cliques, bully comrades, and act like a capitalist! Let’s see whose tactics are sharper!”

Zhong Xiao’s words left Hou Manling genuinely cowed. Speechless, she could only glare daggers at Zhong Xiao, seething with anger and jealousy.

All of this unfolded under Song Tingshen’s watchful gaze from a distance.

Zhong Xiao stood with arms folded, her beautiful face drawn in a frown, her delicate features filled with displeasure—like a…

Like an angry little penguin.

Song Tingshen had only ever seen a penguin once.

On a mission to the Antarctic, he’d come across one that had lost track of its group, circling anxiously. He’d photographed it with his military camera, and after developing the print, he’d kept it by his bedside ever since.

To him, at this moment, Zhong Xiao looked just like that agitated penguin.

Only she was much prettier.

Zhong Xiao pressed her lips together, shot Hou Manling a final glare, and said, “Don’t bother me again,” then turned to leave.

Only to freeze when she saw who was at the door.

She didn’t know when Song Tingshen had arrived, or if he’d seen her push Hou Manling.

His expression was as usual—calm and unreadable, betraying nothing.

He walked past Zhong Xiao and went straight to Hou Manling, bending down as if to help her up.

Zhong Xiao couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

…This is bad. She’d just pushed his sweetheart—would Commander Song hit her over it?

At that moment, Hou Manling, still half on the ground, reached toward Song Tingshen and whimpered,

“Tingshen, Zhong Xiao just pushed me, she—”

But before she could finish, she was stunned.

Because Song Tingshen didn’t spare her a glance. He bent down, ignored her outstretched hand, and instead—

Picked up the metal trunk Zhong Xiao had tossed at Hou Manling.

He carried the trunk to Zhong Xiao, looked at her, and said coolly,

“Have you forgotten your luggage?”