(Third Part)
After replying to Lu Qiming, Qian Duoduo tossed her phone on the bed, rolled her neck, stretched, and got ready for a shower.
Just then, a voice came from the living room. “What’s this, are you planning to open a convenience store with all these snacks?”
Wearing slippers, Qian Duoduo walked out.
Sure enough, her gorgeous best friend had stumbled into her stash and was gaping at the full racks of snacks in awe.
“All samples from our sponsors,” Qian Duoduo said grandly, waving her hand like a tycoon. “Take whatever you want, don’t be shy.”
Zhao Jingxi said, “Does your company feed you guys like this every day?”
“Of course.” Qian Duoduo winked mischievously and leaned closer. “Our content director’s about to quit. What do you think, Producer Zhao? Want to come on board?”
Zhao Jingxi laughed and shook her head lazily. “Pass. I’m super strict about managing my figure. I’m not trying to gain five kilos in a month.”
“That’s an exaggeration,” Qian Duoduo gasped. “Besides, you’re so slim— wouldn’t a little weight be a good thing?”
Zhao Jingxi shot her a look. “When I gain weight, my face is the first to show it. Not like you—your weight goes exactly where it should. Out of your hundred pounds, at least ten are boobs and butt.”
Qian Duoduo was caught off guard and stammered, her cheeks flushing. “I’m gonna shower! Take what you want, I’m not dealing with you.”
She turned to leave.
“Hey, wait a sec,” Zhao Jingxi called after her.
Qian Duoduo stopped and turned back reluctantly. “Hm?”
Zhao Jingxi grabbed a big bag of chips from the shelf, tore it open with a rip, and looked at Qian Duoduo with eyes gleaming with gossip. “So, who did you ditch me for tonight to go have dinner with?”
Before Qian Duoduo could answer, Zhao Jingxi threw out a guess: “Number Eleven?”
“…Yeah.” Qian Duoduo nodded honestly.
“Ha, knew it.” Zhao Jingxi chuckled, putting on a knowing expression like she’d expected this all along.
Her tall figure leaned against the shelf as she said coolly, “Just a few days ago you were swearing up and down that you weren’t into Number Eleven. Now look at you — having dinner together, accepting his flowers. Women, tsk.”
Qian Duoduo felt a little flustered and a little guilty, but mostly helpless. “I didn’t expect to run into him at the hospital. He helped out, so I had to at least treat him to dinner to say thanks. As for the flowers— he already bought them. What was I supposed to do, just refuse?”
Zhao Jingxi crunched loudly on the chips.
Qian Duoduo hunched her shoulders, feeling a chill run down her spine. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t look at me like that.”
Zhao Jingxi gave her a meaningful smile, raising her brows. “The guy clearly likes you. Why not give him a chance? Dating is a great thing— it’s good for your skin and your mood.”
Qian Duoduo mulled it over and mumbled, “I’ve already told him several times how I feel. He knows where I stand— he should’ve given up by now. And I really don’t want to date a soldier.”
“Is Number Eleven good-looking?”
“Very.”
“Tall?”
“Tall.”
“Built?”
Qian Duoduo paused, recalling Lu Qiming’s biceps, which were about as thick as her calves, and the firm definition along his upper body.
She swallowed unconsciously and nodded. “Extremely.”
“There you go.” Zhao Jingxi raised a slender finger and used it to hook a lock of Qian Duoduo’s hair, brushing it across her cheek in a teasing gesture. “Dating a guy like that? Total win for us. And if it doesn’t work out — sleep with him and kick him to the curb. Still worth it.”
Qian Duoduo laughed at the ridiculous logic and rubbed Zhao the Beauty’s cheek. “My boss just messaged me. I need to reply real quick.”
*
Using that excuse to escape, Qian Duoduo grabbed her pajamas and headed to the bathroom.
She removed her makeup, cleansed her face, and set an alarm on her phone to pick up the CT results tomorrow afternoon.
She hadn’t expected to jinx herself, but just as she was doing that, a new message popped up.
It was from Chang Kai: [Ms. Qian, take a look at this document. It’s related to Tuesday night’s dinner. We’re not going in unprepared— we’re aiming to win this in one go.]
Qian Duoduo tapped open the file.
Office of the People’s Government of Nancheng
Doc No. XX Issued no. XXX
Notice Regarding the Special Event “Into the Field Kitchen” to Support the Military
To all district governments, city veterans affairs departments, and related organizations:
To thoroughly implement the spirit of the “Opinions on Supporting National Defense and Military Development in the New Era” (State Council Doc No. [20XX] X), and to further strengthen civilian-military unity, the city government has decided, after research, to jointly host the “Into the Field Kitchen” culinary-themed campaign with the stationed military units of Nancheng. The event details are as follows:
I. Purpose of the Event
To send local culinary professionals into military field kitchens and use the concept of “Support the Troops Through Taste” to showcase the city’s progress in civilian-military integration, promote traditional values of respecting and supporting the military, and enhance communication between civilian and military food cultures. The goal is to improve soldiers’ sense of happiness and belonging.
II. Organizational Structure
Organizers: Nancheng People’s Government, Political Work Department of the Nancheng Military Region
Undertakers: City Veterans Affairs Bureau, Double Support Work Leading Group Office
Co-organizers: Nancheng New Media Industry Association, relevant enterprises
III. Event Schedule
1. Duration: November 20XX to January 20XX (three phases)
2. Location: Nancheng military bases (specific camps to be scheduled by the military district)
3. Main Activities:
(1) “Open Field Kitchen Day” kickoff ceremony
(2) Selection of 5 top-tier food bloggers with strong political integrity and culinary skill to enter field kitchens
(3) “Hometown Flavors in the Barracks” initiative (three local dishes introduced per phase)
(4) Filming of a promotional documentary titled Camouflage on the Tip of the Tongue
……
There was still a lot more content, including duties of participating organizations, requirements, contact details, registration info, etc.
Qian Duoduo skimmed the rest quickly.
In short, the gist of the file was that the Nancheng government and military were co-hosting an event called “Into the Field Kitchen.” They wanted to invite five well-known local food bloggers into military bases to cook hometown-style dishes for the troops and shoot a promo video to showcase the city’s efforts in “supporting the military and fostering military-civilian unity.”
After reading the file, Qian Duoduo blinked a few times.
No wonder Mr. Chang was placing so much importance on Tuesday night’s dinner — and even offered her a major bonus. Clearly, he wanted her to represent the company in this campaign.
If all went well, she’d build ties with the government and military, and it would boost the company’s standing within the industry.
She replied: [Mr. Chang, I’ve finished reading the document.]
Chang Kai: [Everything’s spelled out clearly in the file, so I won’t repeat it.]
Chang Kai: [Tuesday’s dinner is very important. Ms. Qian, come to the office two hours early that day. We’ll head over together.]
Qian Duoduo: [Okay.]
*
Zhao Jingxi was a total night owl, with no concept of wellness — she never went to sleep before two or three in the morning.
Qian Duoduo had a different routine, so after they both showered and chatted a bit in bed, they each did their own thing, playing on their phones quietly before going to sleep.
She slept through the night, dreamless.
When Qian Duoduo woke the next morning, Zhao Jingxi was still asleep beside her.
She packed up her things and headed to the company.
Before leaving, she scribbled a note and stuck it on the table, telling her friend that there were beef slices and dumplings in the fridge that she could cook.
Work wasn’t too heavy this week — Monday morning only required filming a cooking video.
After finishing up, she drove to pick up the old man and took him to the hospital.
“Beep—”
After scanning the barcode, the machine spit out a CT film and a printed report.
Cough, cough… Grandpa Qian coughed twice and asked his granddaughter, “What does the report say?”
“There’s a slight infection.” Qian Duoduo let out a breath of relief, the weight on her chest finally lifted. She smiled easily at her grandfather. “It’s nothing serious.”
“I knew it. I know my own body. Your grandma was just overreacting and scared you for nothing. Cough.” Grandpa Qian muttered a few complaints under his breath.
At the consultation room, after looking over the scans, the doctor wrote a prescription and advised, “Take the medicine first and come back in a week for a recheck. If the infection hasn’t improved, we’ll likely need to use antibiotics. I’m letting you know ahead of time.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
Previously, it was Zhang Xuelan who brewed the medicine, but with Mom not at home now, Qian Duoduo naturally took over the task herself.
She brewed the medicine, delivered it, and stayed to have dinner with the elderly couple.
By the time she got home, it was already nine at night.
When she opened the door, the house was pitch dark—Zhao Jingxi was nowhere to be seen.
Qian Duoduo felt suspicious and was about to call, when a message popped up from her friend almost instantly: [I went out to grab a couple outfits, be back later. Mwah~]
[Did you see Auntie?]
[Nope. Don’t want to either.]
Qian Duoduo was speechless, sent a simple “stay safe” in reply, and ended the conversation.
She took a hot shower, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue of the day.
After drying off, she slipped into a cotton nightgown and curled up under the covers, ready to scroll on her phone before bed.
She opened her WeChat Moments and started swiping: a blogger friend had posted scenic photos from Europe; a coworker had shared wedding blessings; her second aunt had posted pictures of fresh strawberries picked from their orchard…
Suddenly, an avatar of a dark night sky caught her eye.
Qian Duoduo’s finger paused mid-swipe.
The photo was taken casually, with no composition, no lighting.
A pale pink drink bottle was held in a long-fingered hand.
The background looked like some street or road — dim streetlights, no one around.
Caption: Tastes good.
Qian Duoduo raised her eyebrows in surprise and instantly recognized it—it was the coconut water she had bought him yesterday at 7-Eleven.
It had been such an offhanded gesture, yet she clicked into that profile.
Lu Qiming’s Moments were almost empty—this was the only post in recent years.
Like a weathered boundary marker in the desert, all emotion buried deep, impossible to read or detect.
Which is why Qian Duoduo was so surprised.
She hadn’t expected him to make a special post just to praise that drink.
As she pondered it, her gaze drifted and landed on the time of the post: 5:45 a.m.
So early? No wonder the street was empty.
But hadn’t that PLA comrade been working overtime last night? Why was he out again before sunrise?
He really was busy. And hardworking.
With admiration for those working on the front lines of national defense, Qian Duoduo casually liked Lu Qiming’s post — then returned to her game.
*
Jichuan, Building 793.
The expert team led by Lu Qiming had departed from the southern district early in the morning and arrived at Unit 793 by noon.
After checking into the military guesthouse, they grabbed a quick bite and immediately jumped into a focused seminar.
They worked straight through till late into the night.
Wang Siqi walked out of the conference room carrying a stack of documents. Not far ahead, she saw a tall figure in a crisp uniform, posture perfect. She quickened her pace to catch up.
“Captain Lu!” Wang Siqi called out, then eagerly said, “Engineer Jiang and I are heading out for some barbecue. Want to come?”
“No, I’ve still got some things to work on.” Lu Qiming patted her shoulder. “You guys go ahead.”
“Then we’ll bring back some lamb skewers or something for you in a to-go box?” Wang Siqi suggested.
“Up to you.”
“Got it! Let’s go.”
Wang Siqi dashed off and slipped into the elevator just before the doors closed.
Lu Qiming returned alone to the guesthouse, turned on the lights, casually hung up his military jacket, and powered on his military laptop.
While the tactical map loaded, he checked the work group on WeChat.
Someone had just uploaded a new file.
Lu Qiming clicked it open for a glance.
The title included phrases like “Support the Troops,” “Into the Mess Hall,” and “Special Event,” prompting a raised brow.
Local governments ran these military appreciation events every year—civil-military joint projects to build camaraderie between troops and civilians. Nothing new to him.
These were handled by political officers and had little to do with his combat operations unit.
He closed the file, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something. He opened up Moments.
A notification sat at the top: Qian Duoduo liked your post.
The map had finished loading.
Cold blue light from the digital terrain display lit up Lu Qiming’s eyes— silent, but turbulent with a quiet, searing heat.
His tongue still remembered the subtle sweetness of the coconut water. The callused pad of his finger lightly brushed the notification.
What were the three major disciplines and eight points of attention again? Every line is memorized. They told him to be solemn. To be gentlemanly. To restrain himself and follow rules.
So why did he feel possessed now?
He knew Qian Duoduo wasn’t into him— but still, he shamelessly couldn’t let go.
He studied internet slang, learned how to post updates, picked up every little trick to get on the same wavelength as her…
After a long pause, Lu Qiming lit a cigarette and closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his brow.
So this is what it felt like to yearn for a girl?
Every minute, every second, his eyes couldn’t bear to look away. Willingly letting himself sink — rationally, and calmly, into obsession.
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