The man walked slightly ahead. He had changed out of his wet daytime training uniform into the winter service uniform.
His sharp shoulders and the lines beneath his uniform resembled rolling mountains. His expression was calm, cold, and handsome.
The girl walked beside him, with long black hair and pale skin, her aura cold and ethereal.
They seemed to be talking.
Suddenly, the girl laughed, her eyes and eyebrows lighting up vividly.
The two of them looked harmonious together—like a match made in heaven, like a painting.
Qian Duoduo’s eyes flickered as she recognized the girl walking with Lu Qiming from the shooting range earlier that day. Her name was An Meng.
Just as she was quietly observing, she overheard a few low voices nearby.
“Who’s that next to Team Leader Lu?” someone asked a companion.
“She’s from the Municipal Publicity Department, here to shoot some footage of the military camp,” the companion answered casually. “Probably discussing news material with Team Leader Lu.”
Another voice chimed in, “You’re naive. It’s not that simple.”
“Oh? So you’re implying there’s more going on?”
“The girl’s name is An Meng. Both her parents are from the Beijing Military District. She knows Commander Xiao personally,” an insider revealed generously. “I just heard from Yang Qian in the Operations Office that this afternoon the Commander specially called Team Leader Lu and this girl to the office alone. Probably trying to play matchmaker for them.”
“Commander Xiao really is something. Always watching out for our Team Leader Lu, like he’s afraid Lu won’t find a wife.”
“Well, the Commander has a big heart. Besides, Team Leader Lu isn’t young anymore—he’s the only unmarried lieutenant colonel in the Southern City Military District. With all his Medals of Honor, how could he not attract attention?”
Listening to the conversation, Qian Duoduo suddenly realized.
So An Meng was Lu Qiming’s matchmaking partner, and her parents and Commander Xiao were old acquaintances.
No wonder the Commander went out of his way to have the publicity department eat at the camp.
They were trying to create opportunities for Lu Qiming and Miss An Meng to spend time together.
Qian Duoduo’s brow twitched faintly as her thoughts raced.
A moment later, the couple reached the Mess Hall entrance.
As dusk’s veil gently fell, Qian Duoduo noticed them approaching and decided against calling out to Lu Qiming, instead turning back discreetly to swipe her PLA Card and eat alone.
Unexpectedly, just as she moved, her peripheral vision collided with a gaze.
Lu Qiming saw her.
Among the flickering shadows of people, his gaze landed on her precisely— deep, brooding, and carrying an indescribable directness. It seemed he had noticed her long ago.
Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.
Qian Duoduo’s fingertips twitched nervously.
That look again.
That predator’s gaze, full of conquest and possession, always made her helplessly flustered.
“…” Taking a deep breath, she paused for half a second to steady herself, forcing her mind to ignore the gaze’s grip and continued toward the canteen hall.
But to her surprise, Lu Qiming immediately called out to her. His tone was calm and courteous. “Teacher Qian.”
Hearing that, Qian Duoduo froze.
The surrounding people’s attention was drawn by his call, glancing in her direction. Even An Meng next to Lu Qiming was startled, turning her neck to look at Qian Duoduo.
Now that she had been called out by name, there was no chance of escaping.
Qian Duoduo puffed her cheeks and took a deep breath, turning calmly with a faint smile as she greeted the approaching pair, “Team Leader Lu, Miss An.”
Her smile was gentle, polite, and poised, without any trace of awkwardness.
An Meng, already favorably impressed with this young and capable blogger, returned a warm smile. “Teacher Qian, what a coincidence. You’re here to eat too?”
Qian Duoduo nodded.
“I heard about it earlier. You’ve been the head chef in the camp canteen recently. The comrades highly praise your cooking skills.”
“It’s just started. I haven’t cooked many meals yet,” Qian Duoduo said. “Everyone’s too kind.”
“Since we’ve met…” An Meng’s tone grew tentative as she glanced at the handsome lieutenant colonel beside her, “Why don’t you join us for dinner?”
“No need, no need.” Qian Duoduo waved off the offer without hesitation. “You guys go ahead. I need to find my Cooking Squad teammates to discuss some matters…”
Before she finished, a sudden voice interrupted.
“Discuss matters during dinner?” Lu Qiming’s face was calm, but he interjected unexpectedly.
“Yes. Mainly about…” Qian Duoduo’s voice grew timid and faltering. “The dishes for Friday’s competition.”
“One meal won’t take much time.”
“But…”
“Winners accept the consequences,” he lowered his gaze on her. “Excluding breakfast, Teacher Qian, you still owe me ten meals.”
Qian Duoduo was blocked cold. Her pale cheeks flamed red, eyes wide. The rest of her words were swallowed back.
Mentioning that bet so suddenly— did he think she was trying to dodge her debts?
Flustered, she stammered, “I remember I still owe you ten meals. I’m not trying to shirk responsibility. I’m not that kind of person.”
Lu Qiming’s expression softened slightly as he took in her flushed ears and cheeks. A subtle smile curved his lips. “Mm. I trust you, Teacher Qian.”
Qian Duoduo pressed her lips lightly.
She hadn’t wanted to be a third wheel in the matchmaking setup, but now that the lead himself insisted, she was helpless.
“Then let’s eat together,” Qian Duoduo agreed reluctantly, “If you don’t mind.”
An Meng was smart and vaguely sensed the subtle atmosphere between Lu Qiming and this beautiful blogger. A flicker of realization appeared in her eyes, and she smiled gently. “I don’t mind at all.”
–
In the Mess Hall, everyone had to swipe their cards before queuing for food.
An Meng went to find a seat first.
Qian Duoduo stood at the front of the line, planning to swipe her card and buy a meal for An Meng as well. But just as she swiped twice, a slender, beautiful hand reached from behind to lightly block her card.
Qian Duoduo’s eyes flicked with surprise. She turned and asked softly, “What are you doing?”
Lu Qiming said nothing and swiped his own card.
Qian Duoduo frowned slightly. “I have plenty of balance on my card. Each meal costs just a few yuan. I can easily swipe for Miss An.”
“The Commander ordered that An Meng’s dinner is my responsibility,” Lu Qiming said with a calm, strictly business tone. “I am working.”
Qian Duoduo was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding. “So? I can swipe for you, why can’t I swipe for An Meng?”
“Two different matters,” he replied.
Qian Duoduo didn’t argue further, quietly put away her dining card, and took her own tray.
Because she had been delayed at the door earlier, most of the seats in the hall were already occupied when she entered. An Meng had found a spot near the food serving area, just a few steps away.
After picking up their meals, Qian Duoduo and Lu Qiming approached the table.
“Thank you both,” An Meng smiled warmly, wiping the table with a clean tissue. “Team Leader Lu, Teacher Qian, please sit.”
The table was for four. Qian Duoduo naturally sat beside An Meng, leaving the seat opposite free for Lu Qiming.
Unexpectedly, the lead did not follow the usual routine.
After Qian Duoduo sat, Lu Qiming immediately placed his plate down and bent at the waist to sit directly opposite her.
Qian Duoduo: “…”
Her expression stiffened for a moment.
In contrast to their words, the two leads’ faces were relaxed. Lu Qiming lowered his eyelids and ate quietly by himself, while An Meng glanced at Qian Duoduo with a smile and asked, “Teacher Qian, did you make all these dishes?”
“The steamed pork with rice flour and the duck leg stew are mine,” Qian Duoduo smiled at An Meng. “The rest were cooked by other comrades in the Cooking Squad.”
An Meng lowered her head, sniffed lightly, then picked up a piece of duck leg with her chopsticks and took a bite.
“Mm, very tasty,” she sincerely praised. “Beautiful in color, aroma, and flavor.”
“Is that so?” Qian Duoduo smiled brightly. “Then Miss An must eat more.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t be polite with you.”
Throughout the meal, Qian Duoduo and An Meng, two young women, chatted casually as they ate. Lu Qiming didn’t participate, quietly eating in silence.
By the end, Qian Duoduo even felt a confusing sense that the comrade opposite her was an outsider, as if she herself were the one on the matchmaking date with Miss An.
Night descended like a dark curtain.
Dinner ended, and while Lu Qiming tidied up the trays, Qian Duoduo exchanged brief greetings with An Meng and quietly left to help in the kitchen again.
While cleaning leftover dishes with Squad Leader Cui, Xiao Honghua’s voice rang softly beside her. “Teacher Qian?”
Qian Duoduo looked up. “Yes?”
Xiao Honghua held a rectangular iron tray full of leftover soup, smiling innocently. “Team Leader Lu has been looking for you everywhere. Probably something urgent.”
At this, surprise flickered in Qian Duoduo’s eyes but quickly returned to normal. She nodded. “Oh, okay, I got it.”
–
Daylight was swallowed by darkness. A few birds flapped their wings slowly, crossing the city skyline far away.
Qian Duoduo washed her hands and walked out of the Mess Hall. Looking up, Lu Qiming was standing under a phoenix tree not far off.
His posture was casual, left hand hooked loosely by his trouser pocket. His black eyes lowered, lashes brushing, fixed intently on her, his emotions unreadable.
For some reason, Qian Duoduo felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, as if she had done something wrong and was afraid of being found out.
Clearing her throat, she stepped closer and smiled with narrowed eyes at the impeccably dressed man. “Team Leader Lu, were you looking for me?”
Lu Qiming stared at her for a moment, then said calmly, “I was busy this afternoon and only saw your WeChat message now.”
Qian Duoduo thought for half a second and realized he meant the message asking why he knew her clothing size.
“So…” she tilted her head slightly and asked, “Why do you know my size?”
“I observe people. My eyes are the measure,” he said without blinking, his gaze fixed on her. “Usually, I don’t make mistakes.”
Qian Duoduo was momentarily stunned by his answer, blinking slowly before nodding. “I see.”
The surroundings quieted as if the air itself froze.
“There’s more.”
Suddenly, Lu Qiming added, “An Meng and I have no relationship beyond work.”
This statement came without any preamble, leaving Qian Duoduo a bit dazed.
She was stunned for a moment, then asked confusedly, “Team Leader Lu, why are you suddenly telling me this?”
Lu Qiming lowered his gaze and met her eyes. “Because this matters. Qian Duoduo, I don’t want you to misunderstand.”
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