Concern?
Using this word in this context seemed perfectly reasonable.
Qian Duoduo’s body stiffened slightly, then in the next moment she forced a smile at Lu Qiming and said, “I consider Team Leader Lu a friend. Friends should naturally look out for each other.”
Lu Qiming looked at her but remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her statement.
“At this hour, there’s not a single person in the Mess Hall. What are you doing here?” he asked casually.
“It’s like this,” Qian Duoduo patiently explained, “You’ve taken care of perfecting the details for this military support event. You arranged for Teacher Kuang and me to each lead a team to hold a small food competition in the army canteen, incorporating your troops’ fighting spirit and drive into the activity. Right now, everyone is gathering in the Mess Hall, waiting to draw lots for team assignments.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Qiming raised his eyebrows ever so slightly and said, “The officers’ department sure is busy. A simple military support event, yet they make it so complicated for you.”
“It’s not that complicated,” Qian Duoduo replied to his words, “As long as the soldiers don’t have any objections, I’ll say yes to everything.”
Hearing this, Lu Qiming said nothing further but subtly shifted his gaze to size up Qian Duoduo before advising, “Your clothes are a bit thin. It gets cold at night with the north wind; don’t catch a cold.”
“Oh, thanks for the reminder.”
With the commanding aura of an officer, Qian Duoduo almost automatically nodded along obediently. “Then I’ll go change into a thicker coat.”
She stood in the dim corridor light, her face clean and makeup-free, with a gentle, well-mannered demeanor.
The corner of Lu Qiming’s mouth twitched slightly as he nodded, “You’re welcome.”
“Goodbye, Team Leader Lu.” After politely bidding farewell, Qian Duoduo turned and headed back to Room 406.
She took off her thin jacket and found a goose down coat to put on. Yes, it was much warmer.
Qian Duoduo tidied her clothes and smoothed her hair in the bathroom mirror, then pushed the door open again.
When she stepped out, she looked up.
Lu Qiming was still standing in front of her like a mountain, seemingly unmoved.
Qian Duoduo was startled and asked, “Why are you still here?”
“Waiting for you,” Lu Qiming said.
She looked confused. “Waiting for me to do what?”
“I’m going to the Mess Hall too,” Lu Qiming answered obligingly. “It’s on the way; we can go together.”
Qian Duoduo, feeling clueless, didn’t think much of it and silently followed alongside Lu Qiming toward the stairs.
After descending a few steps, she glanced sideways at the instant noodle cup he was carrying and finally sensed something was off.
Curiously, she asked, “Team Leader Lu, I’m going to the Mess Hall to draw lots. Why are you going there?”
“I’m going to the Little Supermarket next to the Mess Hall,” Lu Qiming said, “to buy instant noodles.”
Qian Duoduo froze, then poked the air at the cup in his hand. “But you already have instant noodles in your hand.”
Lu Qiming’s expression showed no sign of cracking; he remained calm and unshaken. “Eating the same flavor every day gets boring. I’m going to get a different one.”
Qian Duoduo: “…”
Fine then.
She really didn’t understand— why would a comrade who just bought a box of braised beef flavor from the supermarket a moment ago suddenly say he’s tired of it?
No wonder Zhao Jingxi often said, “A man’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean; you never know what they’ll think next.”
And so, they walked on without speaking.
Stepping outside the dormitory building, the cold wind swept up dry leaves.
Qian Duoduo had been indoors all along, and fresh from her warm shower, she hadn’t noticed the chill. But now outdoors, as her body temperature gradually normalized, she felt a piercing cold.
Luckily, Lu Qiming reminded her earlier to change into a thicker coat.
Had she worn that thin jacket from before, she would’ve been frozen and sneezing nonstop.
Thinking this, Qian Duoduo involuntarily turned to look at him, almost popping her eyes out in surprise— this kind-hearted comrade was wearing a deep blue physical training uniform.
This training suit was a spring-autumn model; although long-sleeved and full-length pants, the fabric was thin and hardly kept out the cold.
“My goodness.” Too shocked, Qian Duoduo blurted out, “You told me to wear a thick coat, yet you came out wearing something so thin… aren’t you afraid of getting sick and ending up in the hospital?”
Lu Qiming said calmly, “No.”
Qian Duoduo was dumbfounded, almost stunned.
He turned his head, his dark eyes coldly fixed on her, casually replying, “During past exercises, I once crossed the North River by footswimming in the winter, taking seventeen minutes and nine seconds.”
“…” What was he trying to say with that?
He added lightly, “My physical fitness is still quite good.”
“…Fine then.” Qian Duoduo was at a loss for words.
The bravery of a PLA soldier was truly unstoppable.
Crossing a cold northern river by footswimming in winter?
Is that even humanly possible? His special forces training must be brutally harsh.
Muttering to herself, Qian Duoduo swallowed hard and couldn’t help stealing another glance at his outfit.
Full of explosive power, wearing loose long pants and sleeves now made him look muscular and lean at the same time.
Quite pleasant to look at.
Just as Qian Duoduo was daydreaming, they arrived near the Mess Hall.
To the left side, closer to the dormitory building.
Arriving at their destination, Qian Duoduo smiled, “Here’s the Little Supermarket. Team Leader Lu, you go in to buy what you need, then you can go. I’ll just head over to the Mess Hall to draw lots.”
No sooner had she started to take a step than a magnetic, deep voice called out from behind.
“Teacher Qian.”
“…” Qian Duoduo turned around confused.
Lu Qiming looked at her, his expression unreadable. A slight curl formed at his mouth as he suddenly asked, “Do you like to eat spicy strips?”
Qian Duoduo blinked, puzzled, “Hmm? What spicy strips?”
“There’s a type at the supermarket that tastes pretty good,” Lu Qiming said, “I can bring you a couple of packs.”
Qian Duoduo originally wanted to decline but then thought: I’m treating him to dinner for the next week anyway; it wouldn’t be a bother to accept two packs of spicy strips.
After thinking it over, she smiled warmly and said, “Sure. Thanks in advance, Team Leader Lu.”
“Okay,” Lu Qiming said, “Let me know tonight when you’re back in the dorm, and I’ll bring them over.”
“Mm-hmm.”
***
After bidding farewell to the considerate Lu Qiming who was kind enough to bring spicy strips, Qian Duoduo continued alone to the Mess Hall.
Before entering, she could hear voices chatting inside.
The volume wasn’t loud, but the varied tones made the scene sound lively.
Officer Xue Wei, dressed in standard military uniform, was standing near the entrance, glancing down at his phone as he paced back and forth with long strides, seemingly waiting for someone.
Qian Duoduo quickened her pace and greeted with a smile, “Commissar Xue, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Upon hearing her voice, Xue Wei turned around and smiled, “Sorry to bother you this late, Teacher Qian.”
They exchanged polite greetings and entered the Mess Hall together.
Inside, near the entrance, several people were already seated.
Besides the entire Cooking Squad led by Squad Leader Cui Yurong and blogger Teacher Kuang, there were two unfamiliar faces.
These two soldiers looked quite young, probably no older than twenty-three, wearing camouflage uniforms and hats, standing about 1.75 meters tall.
Their faces still held a boyish innocence, but their eyes carried a clear, determined resolve.
Qian Duoduo guessed these were the personnel temporarily assigned from the Logistics Support Battalion to the Cooking Squad.
“Teacher Qian, these two comrades are from the Support Battalion,” Commissar Xue explained, noticing the curiosity on her face. “Xu Zhibai and Wang Fei.”
Qian Duoduo immediately reached out with a warm smile, “Nice to meet you.”
The two young soldiers were startled for a moment but quickly stood and shook her hand, their ears flushing faint red.
At that moment, Cui Yurong, seated nearby, also stood up with a smile. “You all might not know, but Comrades Xu Zhibai and Wang Fei are elite soldiers from the Support Battalion. This time, they’re specially assigned to assist our Cooking Squad.”
“Exactly,” Xue Wei added. “I propose we give them a warm round of applause to welcome our new comrades!”
With that, everyone applauded enthusiastically.
Xu Zhibai and Wang Fei, both shy by nature, were somewhat embarrassed by the warm welcome and repeatedly scratched their heads, saying thanks.
The applause gradually quieted.
Xue Wei glanced at Cui Yurong and gave him a subtle look, quietly asking, “Squad Leader Cui, did you bring what I asked?”
“Of course. You can trust me to handle things, Commissar Xue,” Cui Yurong said as he picked up a box filled with folded slips of paper and slid it over to Xue Wei. “See? It’s all here.”
“Good,” Xue Wei nodded, then said, “Since you prepared the materials, please explain the drawing rules to everyone.”
“Commissar, you know me well. I like to keep things simple,” Cui Yurong began, turning to face everyone present. “Inside this box are ten slips of paper: five marked with the number 1, five with the number 2. Number 1 means you’re assigned to Teacher Qian’s team; number 2 means Teacher Kuang’s team. Everyone draws a slip and joins the team they get— no swapping allowed. Simple, right?”
The young soldiers nodded repeatedly. “Got it!”
“Good.” Cui Yurong placed the box in the center of the table. “Go ahead and draw.”
With that, everyone reached into the box and took a slip.
After a few minutes, Commissar Xue looked around and said, “Everyone seen your number? Good. Those who drew number 1, please stand!”
Five figures in uniform stood up straight. Not too many, not too few.
Xue Wei looked at the group and announced, “I declare that the Cooking Squad under Teacher Qian includes Cui Yurong, Xiao Honghua, Wen Hao, Wang Fei, and Zhang Tingqian. Please be seated.”
The five sat down neatly.
“The remaining people are in Teacher Kuang’s team,” Xue Wei said.
With the drawing complete and the two Cooking Squad teams divided, the group was officially formed.