Zhang Xuelan’s voice dropped lower, pausing before furrowing her brow.
“But we’re worried the cancer might have recurred and spread to his head, and the tumor could be pressing on nerves causing the dizziness.”
Qian Haisheng’s expression twitched, but he still smiled lightly. “Doctors always consider the worst. But Dad’s surgery wasn’t that long ago. It’s unlikely.”
Zhang Xuelan nodded and gently patted her husband’s hand. “Yes, Dad is a blessed man.”
……
Back in the camp.
After hanging up, Qian Duoduo hurriedly washed and got ready, shoved her entry card into her bag, and strode out the door.
On her brisk walk toward the mess hall, she pulled out her phone and called Xue Weigan, explaining that her grandfather was sick and she needed to take half a day off to go to the hospital.
Commissar Xue expressed full understanding of the sudden situation. After a few words of comfort, he reminded her, “Teacher Qian, go to the hospital first. If you need anything here, just let us know.”
Grateful, Qian Duoduo ended the call and then stopped by the back kitchen of the mess hall to inform Cui Yurong and the others, promising to return before lunch.
After notifying them, she turned and placed a ride-hailing order on her phone.
While waiting for a driver to accept, she hurried along the small road near the camp’s main gate.
It was still before seven in the morning, the sky not yet light, the world wrapped in a thin morning mist.
The running groups had long since dispersed, leaving only a few soldiers doing early exercises on the training field.
The patrol searchlight on the guard tower swept left and right, casting cold, authoritative white light.
Looking at the “Waiting for driver to accept” message on the ride-hailing interface, Qian Duoduo frowned and lightly bit her lip.
She had only been in the camp a few days and hadn’t taken many rides before. She hadn’t realized how difficult it was to get a ride here.
The order had been placed for a full eight minutes and still hadn’t been accepted.
Could it be that it was too early, and Shishui Camp was too remote, with no drivers nearby?
She had no idea how her grandfather’s situation was going…
Moments later, Qian Duoduo tapped “Cancel” and placed another order, waiting again.
Pacing anxiously along the path near the gate, suddenly an engine roared behind her, catching her attention.
She instinctively turned her head.
Two headlights shone directly toward her, soft low beams like the gentle eyes of a beast lowering its head.
A sleek black SUV drove slowly along the driveway, less than twenty meters from her.
Qian Duoduo blinked.
That car looked somewhat familiar?
Lost in thought for two seconds, the SUV had already reached her left side. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing a handsome, rugged face.
Her eyes suddenly flickered. She called out loud, “Team Leader Lu, are you heading out?”
“Mm.”
Lu Qiming had been summoned by the Commander before dawn to arrange for someone to pick up two veteran specialists coming from the East for an exchange visit.
Passing by dorm 406 on his way back, he just happened to hear a girl talking on the phone inside.
Though the conversation was faint and unclear, he gathered she was about to go out.
“What’s Teacher Qian doing here?” Lu Qiming asked through the car window.
“I’m trying to get a ride, but it’s probably too early, and no drivers are accepting orders nearby…” Qian Duoduo sighed, then smiled at him. “I’ll just wait a bit longer.”
“Where are you going?” Lu Qiming asked again.
His aura was cold and imposing; when he didn’t smile, his gaze was steady and heavy, pressing down on you.
Qian Duoduo froze for a moment and obediently replied, “People’s Hospital.”
Lu Qiming studied her, mentally running through the city’s road map before saying, “Cancel your order. Get in.”
“…” Qian Duoduo didn’t understand what he meant and looked at him blankly, standing still.
“I’m going to the airport and will pass by the hospital.” Lu Qiming said. “I can give you a ride.”
……
Normally, Qian Duoduo would be too embarrassed to trouble Lu Qiming. But given the situation, she didn’t hesitate.
After thanking him, she pulled open the front passenger door and got in.
Once the girl buckled her seatbelt, Lu Qiming released the brake. The black SUV crossed the speed bump, passed the raised electronic barrier, and drove out of the gate at a steady pace.
The sky began to brighten with a faint, milky glow. Through the cloud sea, a layer of pale gold was barely visible.
Sitting in the car, Qian Duoduo glanced at Lu Qiming and asked curiously, “You’re heading out so early. Not another urgent mission, right?”
Lu Qiming shook his head. “Going to pick someone up at the airport.”
“Why are you driving yourself?”
“The unit’s car is under maintenance today,” he replied.
“Oh…” Qian Duoduo’s mind was still on her grandfather’s situation. After a few more words, she fell silent, clutching her phone and anxiously texting Zhang Xuelan.
【What tests did the doctor say? Any results yet?】
【Why was there water on the bathroom floor? Is there a leak? That house is so old, the bathroom tiles weren’t treated for slip resistance. I always worried they might slip and fall.】
【I’m on my way, should arrive in twenty minutes.】
……
She sent a barrage of messages without waiting for Zhang Xuelan’s replies, only to hear a deep, magnetic voice.
“Who in your family is sick?” Lu Qiming asked, his tone carrying a barely perceptible concern.
“My grandfather…” Qian Duoduo’s gaze darkened and her voice dropped. “My mom just called and said Grandpa took a bad fall.”
Lu Qiming’s brows knit into an elegant crease. “Is it serious?”
“Should be okay.” Qian Duoduo forced a smile, trying to sound light. “Mom said Grandpa was quite agile and used his arms to break the fall. He didn’t hit his head.”
“Are your parents already at the hospital?”
“Yes, they’re both there.”
“Don’t worry too much. Listen to the doctors first.” Lu Qiming’s expression softened unconsciously as he comforted her. “If it’s just a bone or muscle injury, rest is all that’s needed.”
“Since Grandpa is elderly, the hospital is probably being very cautious. Mom said they ordered a lot of tests and even started the admission process.” Qian Duoduo whispered. “It feels a bit scary.”
“Most elderly have underlying conditions. Doctors tend to be extra careful with older patients.”
“I know all that. I just feel a bit lost.” Qian Duoduo touched her brow, staring at the bustling street outside the window. “Grandpa was always healthy. Grandma said he could still play basketball with the young guys at sixty. But these past few years, I can see he’s really aging.”
Lu Qiming kept driving quietly, listening without interrupting.
Qian Duoduo continued, “When I said I wanted to visit Grandpa, Mom originally didn’t want me to come because she didn’t want me to miss work. I understand why.”
“My mom feels your two cousins are too ‘relaxed.’ Ever since Grandpa’s diagnosis, I go get traditional medicine every two weeks and visit the grandparents for meals weekly. She thinks it’s unfair. Why do the grandchildren have to bear all the pressure, while the cousins don’t?”
“But I don’t think like that.” Qian Duoduo silently curved her lips, lowering her eyelids. “They are who they are, I am who I am. Grandpa and Grandma are kind to me, so I must be kind to them. For the people I love, I’m willing to give everything. I don’t care about fairness or loss.”
The car fell silent.
After a moment, Qian Duoduo suddenly snapped back to reality, breaking free from her thoughts, and inwardly cursed.
Zhang Xuelan had said that in relationships, the worst is to reveal too much too soon.
She and Lu Qiming were just ordinary acquaintances— talking about such personal matters was inappropriate…
He might think she was overly familiar.
Qian Duoduo furrowed her brow and bit her lip— blaming it on just waking up and being half-asleep.
In a sudden impulse, she blurted out the family’s internal conflicts to a stranger.
Regretting it more and more, she quickly cleared her throat and said, “Um, I was rambling earlier, saying nonsense. Please don’t take it seriously, just forget you heard it.”
Lu Qiming was silent for a few seconds, then said, “Actually, I think that’s not bad.”
Qian Duoduo stiffened, puzzled. “What’s not bad?”
“You’re willing to share your troubles with me.” Lu Qiming’s lips twitched faintly. “That feeling is nice.”
Qian Duoduo tested, “You don’t think I talk too much?”
“No.”
“Nor that our family overthinks everything?”
“No.”
“…Okay then.” She stammered.
Lu Qiming was steady and composed, always carrying the calmness of a mountain unmoved by earthquakes. His presence soothed Qian Duoduo’s earlier embarrassment and regret, and she smiled as she replied, “You’ve told me about your comrades before. Let’s be each other’s confidants and call it even.”
They chatted casually as time passed smoothly.
Before long, Qian Duoduo glanced out the window and saw Lu Qiming had stopped the SUV at an intersection.
People bustled back and forth on the street. The People’s Hospital stood directly across, its red cross sign especially prominent— a symbol of saving lives.
“I’ll get off here.” Qian Duoduo unbuckled her seatbelt while speaking, not forgetting to thank him again, “Thanks again, Team Leader Lu. You really helped me out in a pinch.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Bye, I’m going.” She opened the door and hopped out.
Lu Qiming watched the graceful curve of her as she adjusted her clothes, then unexpectedly spoke again, “Are you alone?”
The question was odd.
Qian Duoduo paused, turning her head toward him confused and whispered, “Alone? What do you mean…”
—I mean, do you want me to accompany you?
That thought caught in Lu Qiming’s throat, almost spilling out but held back.
After a moment, he answered calmly, “Nothing. Goodbye.”
The girl smiled, waved at him, and ran into the crowd.
No long stops were allowed at the intersection. Lu Qiming stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
Just then, his phone in his coat pocket vibrated. His military phone rang.
Lu Qiming answered. “Hello?”
“Team Leader Lu, you said this morning you’d send a car to pick people up at the airport. The car is ready now. Who should I assign?”
“No need.”
“Ah?”
“I’m free this morning. I’m already on my way to the airport.”
“You’re going personally?” The caller was surprised. “Driving your own car?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright, understood. Team Leader Lu, goodbye.” The other side was puzzled but didn’t ask further and hung up.
Lu Qiming put the phone away.
Recalling the absurd thought that flashed just now, he chuckled to himself.
To accompany her to the hospital, visit a sick elder with her, help her face unkind relatives, and confront life’s unexpected challenges.
Would he skip the airport trip and neglect work?
Most importantly, in what capacity or role could he appear by her side?
Lu Qiming found it unbelievable.
He was supposed to be rational and restrained, yet had bent his rules for her countless times.
But these strange recent changes— external and internal— were so novel and absurd, they were addictive.