Volume One, Chapter 15: Have You Started Looking for Your Next Target?

Since both of them lived in the military district, Shen Qingran supported Qin Dahai as they waited for the bus.

While waiting, she spoke softly, “Comrade Qin, your stomach problem is quite serious. You need to take good care of yourself, or it will only get worse.”

Stomach ailments require careful nurturing, unlike other illnesses.

Qin Dahai chuckled, “It’s an old habit. When I was young and a soldier, we had little to eat—wild vegetables, roots, bark, snow residue—we ate all sorts of things. It’s nothing.”

No wonder.

Shen Qingran looked at Qin Dahai with deep admiration. Without their heavy burdens borne in the past, how could the present peace and stability exist?

“Comrade Qin, if you trust me, I have some medical knowledge. How about I help you manage it?”

Qin Dahai gazed into the young woman’s clear, earnest eyes, which held a stubborn seriousness.

Though she appeared delicate, her spirit was anything but weak.

“All right then, I’d appreciate your help.”

Today, a few acupuncture needles eased his pain—the most comfortable he had felt in years.

Besides, the young lady was quite to his liking.

If that brat Huo Tingxiao hadn’t beaten him to it, he would have surely handed her over to his own son.

That boy, Huo Tingxiao, always wore a scowl as if the whole world owed him money. This young woman was truly a flower blooming in manure!

The two of them chatted and laughed all the way, arriving at the military district gate around five in the afternoon.

The sentry’s eyes widened as he saw Shen Qingran supporting Qin Dahai through the gate.

“Old squad leader, why are you back on your own? Where’s Commander Song?”

Qin Dahai immediately frowned, snapping, “Does he not know the way? Do I have to bring him back?”

Song Chuxiao, having searched for a long time without finding anyone at the agreed time, had no choice but to call back to the military district, only to find out they had already returned.

The old man was growing more willful with age.

Seeing him return, Huo Tingxiao frowned.

“Back already?”

Song Chuxiao sat in the driver’s seat. “Yes. You treat me like a laborer when you come, and even when we go back. Why did you let Xiao Sun leave first?”

Huo Tingxiao rested one hand on the window, his eyes dark and deep. “He had some things to take care of.”

“Tsk, tsk, such important matters that he had to leave in such a hurry. Oh, I heard from Xiao Sun that you’re still staying in the dorm?”

Huo Tingxiao’s expression showed a hint of weariness. “Since when have you become as nosy as Xiao Sun?”

Song Chuxiao smiled. “Just reminding you. I’ve heard the gossip from a few days ago. Watch yourself. You’re tough, but your sister-in-law is a woman; she’s sensitive.”

Huo Tingxiao’s hand curled slightly. “What did they say?”

“Nothing nice. Want to know? Look it up yourself.”

His long fingers rubbed against the glass as thoughts drifted to her pitiful, lonely figure yesterday—like a bullied puppy.

His heart felt as if it had been scorched by fire.

He felt an inexplicable wave of frustration.

—

On the other side, after sending Qin Dahai home, Shen Qingran returned to prepare a detailed treatment plan.

First was dietary therapy. Stomach ailments wouldn’t heal simply with Western medicine; nourishment through food was essential—using food as medicine.

Later, she would combine it with traditional herbal decoctions to maximize the effect.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and the entire house plunged into darkness.

Shen Qingran glanced outside; neighboring houses still had their lights on.

So, it must be a power trip at her place.

She opened the door and found the circuit breaker box on the right side of the house.

It was dark.

Looking at the lush grass in the corner, she felt her hairs stand on end.

Could there be snakes?

She was afraid of snakes.

Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, she grabbed a stick and waved it toward the bushes ahead.

“Qingran, did the power trip?” came a voice from across the way.

She stepped aside.

“Grandpa Qin, yes, the power went out. I’m checking if the fuse blew.”

Qin Dahai’s voice was low and steady. “You’re a woman; it’s not easy for you to handle this. Luckily, my son just got back. I’ll have him fix it for you.”

“Xiang Bei, come out.”

A man with a somewhat baby-faced appearance stepped out of the house.

He resembled a trainee Shen Qingran knew—possessing a kind of naïve clarity typical of a college student.

The man nodded in greeting.

“Hello, Comrade Shen.”

“Hello, Comrade Qin.”

Qin Dahai beamed. “No need for ‘Comrade Qin.’ Just call him Xiang Bei.”

Shen Qingran obediently and softly called out, “Comrade Xiang Bei, thank you.”

Qin Xiang Bei looked at Shen Qingran through the moonlight and was taken aback.

He hadn’t expected Tingxiao to marry such a beautiful wife—much more attractive than the women at the research institute.

“Qingran, let me handle this.”

Qin Xiang Bei climbed over the fence and pulled out a tester pen.

He bit down on a flashlight.

Shen Qingran offered, “Comrade Xiang Bei, let me hold that for you.”

“Okay, thank you, Comrade Qingran.”

She took the flashlight and leaned closer so he could see better.

Huo Tingxiao entered the courtyard and saw the two of them close together.

In the darkness, it looked as if Shen Qingran was embracing the man in front of her.

Immediately, his sharp brows furrowed, lips tightening into a straight line.

His voice was cold as icy spring water: “What are you two doing?”

Shen Qingran was startled and turned to see Huo Tingxiao’s expressionless, cold face under the moonlight. His thin lips pressed lightly, radiating a proud aloofness.

His eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, fixed unblinkingly on the two of them.

She instinctively stepped back, almost falling, but Qin Xiang Bei reached out and steadied her arm.

Huo Tingxiao’s fists clenched as he saw the hand gripping Shen Qingran’s fair arm.

“Tingxiao, the circuit breaker tripped. Qingran is a woman; it’s hard for her to fix it alone. I just happened to be back, and my father asked me to help.”

Huo Tingxiao’s eyes scanned the pitch-black house before settling on her face, pausing for a few seconds.

“I’ll handle it.”

Qin Xiang Bei quickly handed over his tools. “Then I’ll be going now.”

“Comrade Qingran, I’m off.”

Shen Qingran looked at him, a gentle smile curving her lips, her voice soft and sweet, “Thank you, Comrade Xiang Bei.”

Qin Xiang Bei smiled and waved his hand. “We’re neighbors; it’s no trouble at all.”

Huo Tingxiao glanced sideways, noticing how sweetly she smiled at Qin Xiang Bei, her cheeks flushed.

His brows furrowed slightly, eyes deep in thought.

Had she been frightened by the rumors and was now ready to give up on him, actively seeking someone else?

The thought unsettled him.

Just now, she stood quite close to someone else to hold the flashlight.

If it were his turn to stand far away, would he be a monster?