“……”
@Infinite great stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
As soon as she said it, Lu Qiming stopped, turned to look at her. “What did you imagine I was like?”
Qian Duoduo was stunned, at a loss for words.
Lu Qiming asked calmly, “Like a caveman living in a cave?”
“…Not at all.”
Qian Duoduo coughed awkwardly, her face reddening, and mumbled, “Maybe it’s just that before, I really didn’t know much about you all. People who don’t know might subconsciously think you’re all strict, old-fashioned…”
Lu Qiming caught sight of her flushed ears, and his lips curled up slightly. “The army is a steel torrent— seriousness is the baseline. But even amid unity and tension, we have to be both serious and lively.”
“As for old-fashioned, that’s a broad term. Does it mean outdated thinking and rigid behavior, or just that I seem—” Here, Lu Qiming paused for half a second, then continued in a mild tone, “uncool?”
Cough.
Qian Duoduo was caught off guard again and waved her hands frantically, “Definitely not, I don’t think you’re uncool at all!”
Realizing she might have dug herself deeper with her nervous words, she quickly changed the subject.
“We’ve been walking a while, Team Leader Lu, where’s your car parked?” She deliberately looked around, her voice trembling.
“We’re here.”
@Infinite great stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
At that, Lu Qiming stopped in front of a pure black SUV.
The SUV had a high chassis, a huge frame, a sleek black body, and clean wheels— hardly a speck of dirt.
Qian Duoduo glanced at the distance between the car and the garage door, a little puzzled. “Why did you park so far in?”
“I’m not married, don’t have a girlfriend, and I rarely leave the camp, so I don’t use the car much.” Lu Qiming’s eyes were clear and cold as he answered, “The married officers have to go home every day, so I leave the easy spots for them.”
Qian Duoduo understood.
She subconsciously muttered, “So it’s burning yourself to light up others.”
Her words were soft and mumbled, just a sigh to herself, but the man by the SUV immediately looked up. “What did you say?”
Lu Qiming’s eyes were sharp and dark. When those black eyes looked straight at you, it was an overwhelming pressure.
Feeling his gaze on her, Qian Duoduo suddenly felt flustered, like she’d been caught doing something wrong.
But then she thought, “burning yourself to light up others” isn’t a bad thing!
With that realization, she forced herself to calm down and smiled, “Nothing, just saying you’re a really good person.”
Lu Qiming’s lashes fell lightly, and he looked at her with that calm, upright, unhurried gaze, saying nothing.
They stared at each other for about two seconds.
Under those dark eyes, Qian Duoduo suddenly felt a rush of heat in her chest and her ears, and she looked away. “Let’s go eat.”
They got in the car, one on each side.
The car started slowly.
The driving speed in the camp was limited, so Lu Qiming kept it slow. As they passed a low building, he glanced out the window and asked, “Does Teacher Qian usually work out?”
“Yeah.” Qian Duoduo nodded. “I go to the gym two or three times a week.”
“That’s the gym in the camp,” Lu Qiming said.
Qian Duoduo turned to look.
Through the car window, she saw the one-story building, and through the glass doors, she could clearly see some professional gym equipment and a few young soldiers in training gear, muscles taut as they stretched and lifted weights.
“When is the gym usually open?”
“All day on weekends, on weekdays from six-thirty to eight-thirty in the evening.”
“Can I use it too?”
“Yeah.” Lu Qiming thought for two seconds, then frowned slightly. “But it’s mostly guys inside, and after a workout, the smell can be strong. If it’s convenient, you can let me know each time and I’ll coordinate.”
Qian Duoduo’s eyes instantly brightened, then she thought of something. “Don’t trouble others just for me— just let me know when I can avoid the crowds.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you, Team Leader Lu.”
“There are four office buildings in this compound, plus an undisclosed military storage area—that’s a restricted zone, you can’t go near it. The rest, like gardens, supermarket, gym, laundry, sports hall, training grounds, no special restrictions.”
“Oh, okay!”
“Tomorrow morning, Xue Weigan will probably come find you to sign a confidentiality agreement,” Lu Qiming said. “There’ll be more details in there. Make sure to read it.”
“Mm, I got it.”
After that, Lu Qiming stopped talking and drove quietly.
Qian Duoduo looked out the window at the camp scenery, then pulled out her phone to message Zhang Xuelan.
Qian Duoduo: [Mom, I’m at the camp now, all settled in ^.^ Don’t worry]
About a minute later, Zhang Xuelan replied: [How’s the place? Do you have a private bathroom? Hot water?]
Qian Duoduo stifled a laugh and replied: [Of course! Come on, dear mom, this is a modern PLA Camp, not some remote mountain with no water or electricity. Your questions are… ]
Zhang Xuelan: [As long as you have it. Sigh, I heard life in the army is tough, eat more every day, don’t get skinny, okay?]
Qian Duoduo: [I’m just here for a support event, not actually joining the army. It won’t be hard.]
Qian Duoduo: [The environment is great here, just can’t take pictures. Otherwise, I’d send you a video. The greenery is top-notch.]
Zhang Xuelan: [Good, good.]
Zhang Xuelan: [Also, about work, remember what I told you—keep it in mind.]
Qian Duoduo, confused: [What is it?]
Zhang Xuelan: [I told you to try finding a boyfriend! The camp is full of men, all kinds—can’t you just pick one and bring him back for me? I’m not asking much.]
Qian Duoduo: [ . . . ]
Qian Duoduo: [Mom, didn’t you say after meeting Lu Qiming you’d stop pushing me? It’s only been a little while and you’re at it again?]
Zhang Xuelan: [I just said I wouldn’t introduce you to anyone, never said I’d stop worrying.]
Zhang Xuelan: [You’re my own daughter, how can I not worry about you?]
Qian Duoduo: [Yeah yeah, I know.]
Qian Duoduo: [I’m hungry, going to eat now, love you, mom! Mwah!]
Zhang Xuelan: [Every time I mention something important, you dodge the question. Trying to get away with it, huh?]
Zhang Xuelan: [Sigh, I really think it’s a pity about that Lu Comrade. So tall, handsome, capable, filial, kind to the elderly—where else could I find such a perfect guy? Your grandparents even called today, asking if things are going well with you and Lu. You two are such a good match!]
Qian Duoduo: “…”
Looking at the long string of texts from Zhang Xuelan, Qian Duoduo subconsciously turned to glance at the driver’s seat.
Lu Qiming had one hand on the wheel, his eyes calm, profile sharp and handsome. Maybe because he was so tall, his seat was pushed far back, his long legs barely fitting.
Qian Duoduo glanced at Lu Qiming’s long legs, then at her own slender legs tucked under the seat, and quietly looked away.
How were they a good match?
She was like a quail in front of him— he could pick her up with one hand.
Just their size alone didn’t match at all.
Thinking this, Qian Duoduo pressed her lips together and typed: [You’re right, Lu Qiming really is great.]
Qian Duoduo: [That’s why we’ve become friends.]
This time, Zhang Xuelan took a full two minutes to reply: [Fine, whatever you want.]
Qian Duoduo: [Did you and dad eat yet? What did you have?]
Apparently, Mom was upset. After that message, there was no reply.
Qian Duoduo waited a bit, didn’t get a response, raised her brows and smiled helplessly, then sent her beloved Zhang Xuelan a bear-hug emoji and turned off her phone.
*
Lu Qiming took Qian Duoduo to a Yue Cuisine restaurant called “Four Seasons Restaurant.”
While they sat down to order, she searched the name on a popular platform and found the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
Apparently, the owner was from Guangfu and had been running the restaurant in Nan City for years.
This Four Seasons Restaurant’s Yue Cuisine wasn’t just traditional, but had been modified to suit local tastes in Nan City.
All over the country, when eating Guangdong Cuisine, tea was a must.
Boiling water poured over tea leaves, the fresh aroma immediately filling the air.
Qian Duoduo happened to be thirsty and took a sip from her cup. Authentic Yunnan Pu’er, the fragrance lingering between her lips and teeth.
She smiled.
Lu Qiming handed her the menu politely, but Qian Duoduo declined with a bright smile, “You know the dishes, Team Leader Lu. You order first, and I’ll add anything afterward.”
A few minutes later.
“I’ve ordered some of the restaurant’s specialties,” Lu Qiming said, closing the menu and handing it to her again. “See if there’s anything else you want.”
Qian Duoduo browsed the menu, then asked the waiter softly, “How many dishes do we have now?”
“Six.”
“That’s enough for now,” Qian Duoduo said with a smile.
“Alright, please wait a moment,” the waiter said, taking the menu and leaving.
Their table was by the window. Outside, the night had fallen, the roads were crowded, and the flow of traffic became lines of unbroken lights.
Qian Duoduo sipped her tea and watched the view for a while, then turned to the man opposite. “Team Leader Lu, are you hungry?”
Lu Qiming paused, then nodded. “Yeah.”
Meals in the camp were always at fixed times, so his body had developed a regular clock.
When it was time to eat, he was hungry right on cue.
“The food might take a while,” Qian Duoduo said, her black eyes sparkling. “You can have the Snowflake Nougat I gave you as a snack.”
Lu Qiming looked up, his black eyes meeting hers.
The young girl looked eager and cheerful. She added, “This time I added a new ingredient to the Snowflake Nougat. No one else but me has tried it yet. Try it and give me some feedback?”
Hearing this, Lu Qiming took out the Snowflake Nougat.
Pink coconut water, white Snowflake Nougat. This was the second gift she had given him.
He’d wanted to save it.
But he unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.
Across the table, Qian Duoduo suddenly got nervous.
She stared at him and asked softly, “How is it?”
Lu Qiming didn’t answer right away.
Qian Duoduo grew suspicious, about to ask when she suddenly remembered—oh no, of course, they’re not that close.
As a self-proclaimed “plastic friend,” she had forgotten that PLA Comrades didn’t like sweets!
Thinking this, Qian Duoduo was embarrassed and guilty, just about to apologize when Lu Qiming spoke.
“It’s good,” he said.
“…But I thought you didn’t eat sweets?” Qian Duoduo said, stunned.
Lu Qiming looked at her, his expression calm but with a lava flow under the ice. “But making an exception once in a while feels pretty good.”