Chapter 95: Let Him Have It at a Bargain

The military martyrs’ cemetery of Taizhou Island Command was located on Baiyun Mountain, just behind the residential quarters. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a real cemetery. The entire mountain was filled with the remains and gravestones of soldiers from the command who had fallen in service.

Song Tingshen gazed silently in the direction of Baiyun Mountain. Zhong Xiao glanced at him, smiled deliberately, and said, “Forget it, I almost forgot—Commander Song, you’ve lost your memory, so you probably don’t know where it is. I’ll go ask someone else, and make my way there alone.”

As Zhong Xiao was about to walk away, Song Tingshen called out to her.

“I know where it is.”

Zhong Xiao stopped and turned back, her gaze unreadable as she looked at Song Tingshen. Unexpectedly, he continued, “I’ve talked with the others about it before. Sometimes, when they’re feeling down or under pressure, or before heading out on a mission, they’ll visit their old comrades and commanders there. I should know where it is.”

Zhong Xiao tilted her head, her tone nonchalant. “Oh, really? Then, would you mind taking me there?”

Song Tingshen hesitated for a moment before saying, “You’re going to see your father. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to tag along?”

Quickly, another voice echoed in his mind, full of frustration: Damn it, what am I pretending for? What’s so inappropriate? Xiao Xiao already asked, how can I be so useless?

Zhong Xiao blinked, her hands clasped behind her lower back, a smile tugging at her lips. “Alright then, I’ll just go by myself.”

She turned to leave. As expected, Song Tingshen hurried to make amends, “I’d better go with you. The mountain paths are rough at night, and as a woman, you might be frightened in a place like that.”

Zhong Xiao stopped and looked back, feigning seriousness. “That’s a martyrs’ cemetery. All who are buried there are heroes and warriors of our nation. They protected this land and laid down their lives for it—why would I be afraid? If there were any monsters or ghosts, I’m sure they’d chase them away for me.”

Song Tingshen fell silent, just as she expected. Her words were true. That place brimmed with righteous energy—the men buried there were heroes who died to protect the people, and could never harm the living. Song Tingshen found himself at a loss for words.

Zhong Xiao watched him for a while, suppressing her amusement, then said, “But Commander Song is right—the road up the mountain isn’t easy. I’ve never walked it before, and I’d be nervous to go alone. If you’re free, could I trouble you to take me?”

Song Tingshen lowered his gaze, a subtle, unfathomable smile flickering in his dark eyes before it vanished. When he spoke again, his tone was still cool, as if he were only reluctantly agreeing, “Very well. When do you want to go? Now, or a little later?”

Zhong Xiao thought for a moment and replied, “A little later. I’ll go change first.”

She was wearing a dress in a light color, hardly suitable for climbing and not solemn enough for such an occasion.

Song Tingshen nodded and headed for home. “Let’s go.”

Zhong Xiao followed, watching his broad and silent back. She lowered her head and smiled softly.

—

Back at the Song house, Song Tingshen opened the door to see his sister-in-law, Jiang Yuan, pushing a wheelchair. Song Yanzhou sat in it, raising his eyes to see Song Tingshen and Zhong Xiao entering together, looking remarkably well-matched.

Song Tingshen was tall and slightly tanned, while Zhong Xiao, beside him, was half his size, her skin as fair as a peeled egg—a striking contrast, yet somehow they complemented each other.

His face was expressionless, his gaze as cold as if he regarded everyone as an enemy. She, on the other hand, wore a gentle smile, with dimples flickering at the corners of her mouth, sweet and demure.

To outsiders, it might seem strange for Song Tingshen to have such a young girl by his side, given his stern demeanor. But as his elder brother, Song Yanzhou could keenly sense that his brother was very fond of Zhong Xiao.

He knew Song Tingshen all too well. If he didn’t like someone, he’d never let them live in his house, let alone across the hall—and certainly wouldn’t bring them home with him, for fear of any unnecessary misunderstanding.

Song Yanzhou smiled as he looked at the two of them. “You’re back? I heard everything’s been resolved, Xiao Xiao—are you alright? You didn’t suffer, did you?”

Zhong Xiao quickly waved her hand. “Not at all, big brother.”

She had become quite accustomed to calling Song Yanzhou and Jiang Yuan “big brother” and “sister-in-law.” “Commander Song and the others all helped me. Besides, with my second grandfather around, who could bully me?”

As she spoke, her chin tilted up ever so slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She looked for all the world like a proud little peacock, but without the slightest trace of arrogance—she was, in fact, adorable.

Jiang Yuan asked, “That… that Yuan Tianqing, was she really a spy?”

Song Tingshen nodded. “She was from Japan, but grew up in our coastal cities. She came to Taizhou Island in 1960, sat for the nursing exam, and got into the People’s Hospital here. Later, due to good performance, she requested military aid and was transferred to our command hospital. Her background has been thoroughly checked, and she’s confessed.”

Jiang Yuan patted her chest, still unsettled. “My goodness, who would have thought!”

“Your brother often went to the hospital for dressing changes, and she was always the one to help. She was so attentive and enthusiastic, asking about his diet and sleep, checking repeatedly for any abnormalities. I thought she was a wonderful comrade.”

“I enjoyed chatting with her, too. She was careful and considerate, spoke well, and knew just how to comfort people.”

“But one time, when your brother went for a dressing change, Yuan Tianqing asked why he’d come to the hospital that day—hadn’t he said he was going for physiotherapy? That struck him as odd, so he came home and asked how she knew. I told him I’d mentioned it in conversation. After that, he sternly warned me never to reveal the family’s whereabouts to outsiders.”

“Still worried, he decided it was better if I didn’t accompany him to the hospital anymore—said I was too talkative and might cause trouble. Gradually, we lost touch with her.”

“I was upset about it at the time, but now I see I was wrong. If I hadn’t been so careless, it could’ve been disastrous.”

The two Song brothers remained silent, until Zhong Xiao stepped in to comfort her. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. It’s not your fault. Some spies are experts at winning people over. Fortunately, she’s been caught and no great harm was done. From now on, we just need to be more careful—discuss everything with big brother, and nothing will go wrong.”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “You’re so thoughtful, Xiao Xiao.”

She looked at Song Tingshen. “Second brother, having someone like Xiao Xiao by your side—your big brother and I couldn’t be happier. She’s so beautiful and sensible; you’re truly a lucky man.”