Chapter 41 (1/2): Comforting You

The train car was quiet, but Zhang Xiaohai’s humming wasn’t exactly soft; it was just loud enough for Lu Qiming to hear clearly.

This young guy in the courtyard was no stranger to surfing the internet— he could sing a few lines from any Network Hit Song or Douyin Pop Music at the drop of a hat.

The song Zhang Xiaohai was humming now was one Lu Qiming had heard online before.

At first, Lu Qiming even paid attention to whether Zhang Xiaohai was singing the lyrics correctly or if he was off-key.

But the moment Qian Duoduo’s message popped up on his phone, every sound around him completely disappeared.

It was as if he had been instantly transported into another dimension, leaving only two Chinese characters in the chat window, crystal clear before his eyes.

Baby?

Lu Qiming recalled with no expression.

When they parted that morning, she had said she’d think carefully about a private nickname for him. Was this it?

After about two seconds of silence, Lu Qiming lowered his gaze and typed a reply on his phone: 【Why “Baby”?】

A moment later, the girl responded.

Qian Duoduo: 【I thought about it for a long time after I got back and felt that boyfriend and girlfriend nicknames should be a bit more affectionate, so I asked some friends around me…】

Qian Duoduo: 【I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t know what guys like their girlfriends to call them. I just tried it out.】

Qian Duoduo: 【Sorry. If you think this nickname is too cheesy and don’t like it, I won’t call you that anymore.】

The military off-road vehicle jolted as it moved along.

Lu Qiming’s eyes stayed glued to the screen, watching the girl send a continuous stream of messages.

He could almost picture the awkward, flustered expression on her face through the screen.

Lu Qiming lightly raised an eyebrow, then smiled.

After a brief pause, his slender fingers typed a few words: 【I don’t dislike it.】

Qian Duoduo: 【?】

Qian Duoduo blinked: 【What do you mean?】

Lu Qiming: 【It’s a pretty good nickname. You can just call me that.】

Meanwhile, at the Stonewater Military District compound.

Cadre Dormitory 406.

The sound of running water stopped as the bathroom door was opened from the inside.

Qian Duoduo casually grabbed a tissue to dry her hands. After tossing the trash away, she picked up her phone from the desk.

She checked the new message from Lu Qiming while casually lifting a nearby cup to drink some water.

After reading, she suddenly widened her eyes and let out a soft laugh as the warm water in her mouth nearly choked her.

What a good, good, good little baby.

Qian Duoduo: 【You really do like it, don’t you?】

Lu Qiming: 【Mm.】

Qian Duoduo: “…”

Receiving that confirmation, Qian Duoduo’s eyes grew even wider.

She thought about it—sending that “Baby” on WeChat was partly based on Zhao Jingxi’s suggestion and partly a whim to tease him.

After all, this PLA Comrade usually appeared so solemn and aloof; calling him that was a playful way to tease the pure, innocent military officer.

She could tell Lu Qiming’s emotions were steady and his temper good, so she didn’t expect him to get mad over something so small.

But she never expected that not only would he not be angry, he’d even compliment the nickname and happily accept it.

“…” Qian Duoduo felt confused and a bit overwhelmed.

No wonder her closest girlfriends would say men were often secretly coquettish.

The more serious they seemed on the surface, the bigger the contrast behind closed doors.

But.

Since he didn’t mind, she shouldn’t be bothered by it either.

Thinking this, Qian Duoduo couldn’t help but smile softly and replied once more: 【Okay.】

Then, she changed Lu Qiming’s contact name in her WeChat from 【Lu Qiming】 to 【Baby】.

After the change, she took a screenshot and sent it over.

At the other end of the city.

The military vehicle slowed as it approached a traffic jam. Its desert camouflage stood out clearly among the bustling cars.

The bulletproof windows were all pitch black, completely blocking any outside view.

Zhang Xiaohai, in his personal “car karaoke,” started humming his seventh song—an old classic by Dao Lang called “2002’s First Snow.”

To best capture the song’s spirit, the young soldier deliberately tightened his vocal cords to make his voice hoarse. After a few lines, he even managed to imitate some of the original style.

Lu Qiming lowered his eyelids, studying the latest screenshot of the girl’s reply.

Reply: 【Nickname changed, what’s the next step?】

Qian Duoduo: 【Hmm…】

Qian Duoduo: 【Maybe we should start dating?】

Lu Qiming: 【I suggest we change the way we communicate next.】

Reading the new message from her newly appointed boyfriend, Qian Duoduo puffed her cheeks and rolled onto her bed, switching to a prone position as her slender legs lazily swayed.

His words always carried a formal, official tone—it was interesting chatting with him.

She typed: 【For example, what habits?】

Lu Qiming replied: 【Don’t be too polite.】

Qian Duoduo raised her eyebrows.

But the next message surprised her.

Lu Qiming: 【When people are close, being too polite in words and actions feels distant.】

Lu Qiming: 【We should both try to be more…】

Her cheeks flushed faintly, the thin skin tinged with soft red.

Qian Duoduo: 【Mm, I know that. I’ll adapt.】

Lu Qiming was silent for a moment before replying again: 【I’ve never dated before, so I have no experience to refer to. Being your boyfriend is a completely new experience for me. But I will try my best within my abilities.】

After reading this, Qian Duoduo burst out laughing.

Her fingers unconsciously traced the metal edges of her phone, the usually cold touch now strangely warm.

Sunlight poured through the window, but the light in her heart was even brighter. Under that glow, a small flower bloomed, swaying gently in the breeze.

Qian Duoduo sent a panda emoji to him.

Then, Lu Qiming seemed to get busy and sent a brief message, “I’ll contact you later,” before going silent.

Qian Duoduo hugged her phone and waited a while.

When no reply came, she exited the chat.

Auntie had already told her long ago that when she dated uncle, it was only during his annual leave while he was stationed in Nan City.

They had just confirmed their relationship and started dating when uncle had to return to his base in Tibet.

Qian Duoduo thought this was probably just how relationships with soldiers worked.

One moment they were sweetly chatting, the next, they could be off on some mission or busy with work.

Thinking this, she glanced at the new nickname she’d set for Lu Qiming and found it amusing, then couldn’t help but want to share it with Zhao Jingxi.

They had just chatted that morning, and Zhao Jingxi’s avatar was still easy to find at the top of the chat screen.

Qian Duoduo opened the chat and typed with a sigh: 【Guys really are such mysterious creatures.】

Zhao Jingxi, probably fully sober by now and playing on her phone, quickly replied.

Zhao Jingxi: 【What?】

Qian Duoduo: 【I always thought only artsy guys like Liang Yuan would like their girlfriends to call them “Baby.” Someone like Lu Qiming, a rough type, would definitely reject it.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Stop right there.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Don’t tell me you also called him “Baby Number Eleven”?】

Qian Duoduo: 【Yeah.】

Qian Duoduo: 【I tried it today, and surprisingly, he liked it.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【???】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Hahahahahahaha! That’s ridiculous! I’m literally dying laughing…】

Not wanting to miss any details of this rare event, Zhao Jingxi immediately gossip-asked:

【Since when did you guys officially become a couple? When are you planning to do the “thing”?】

Qian Duoduo was confused and replied: 【The “thing”?】

Zhao Jingxi sent a string of clapping emojis.

Clapping? Clapping… clapping for love…

Within seconds, Qian Duoduo realized and her pale face instantly blushed pomegranate red.

Embarrassed, she replied: 【I don’t know, I’ve never thought about it.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Oh.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【So you probably kissed, right? How’s the soldier boyfriend’s kissing skill?】

Qian Duoduo’s face turned so red it looked like it might bleed, and she shyly typed back: 【We just confirmed our relationship this morning. Things haven’t progressed that fast.】

Zhao Jingxi was amused: 【If you don’t do anything, is it still called dating?】

Qian Duoduo: 【It’s not like we kissed and slept together right away. We’re going on a date tomorrow night—planned to watch a movie together.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Then you’ll find out his kissing skills tomorrow.】

Qian Duoduo’s heart suddenly sped up.

She hesitated and messaged back: 【Why are you so sure?】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Isn’t it obvious? The cinema is dark, the perfect place for “business.” With a soft and sweet girl next to him, what normal young man could resist?】

Zhao Jingxi: 【You really don’t understand men.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Men are all lecherous; there are no exceptions.】

Qian Duoduo’s chest pounded wildly, but she forced herself calm: 【Lu Qiming isn’t like that.】

Zhao Jingxi: 【Hah.】

Qian Duoduo: 【I’m going to wash my hands and eat. Since you’re hungover, remember to eat lightly today.】

She exited the chat, turned off her screen, and stared blankly at the few withered trees outside the window.

After a moment, she realized her cheeks were burning hot and casually pressed the back of her phone to her face.

The movie date was her idea.

If Zhao Jingxi was right, Lu Qiming would make a move in the theater…

Thinking of this, her racing heart fell into chaos again.

Qian Duoduo was a mess of nerves and blushing, feeling nothing but panic.

Was dating really this fast nowadays?

Just confirmed, and already kissing?

*

In a bedroom filled with the scent of rose fragrance.

Zhao Jingxi had drunk a lot of strong whiskey last night. Hours later, her hangover still throbbed like tides in her skull.

After chatting with Qian Duoduo, Zhao Jingxi tried to get up, but dizziness hit her hard the moment she sat up, so she covered herself and went back to sleep.