Chapter 119: Who Will Appreciate
In the Dark Arrow Western Monitoring Zone, the Xuánjiǎ Brigade’s base is located. After receiving closed treatment, Méng Huái successfully returned to work after crossing the threshold of death. From early morning, a strange yet vibrant atmosphere began to permeate the entire base, both on the surface and underground.
Waiting in front of the base were not only officers ranked above squad leader from the Xuánjiǎ Brigade, but even Chief of Staff Zhēn Guǎngquán from the Western Monitoring Zone Command was present. Among the crowd, the excitement of Táo Qiǎo’ér had not diminished; several hours prior, she had gone from disbelief to impatience regarding Méng Huái’s return, completely ignoring any hints from superiors when they conveyed related messages.
As the military vehicle came to a stop, Méng Huái stepped down in a neatly pressed uniform, first scanning the crowd before finally fixing his gaze on Zhēn Guǎngquán.
“Sir!”
Taking a few steps forward, Méng Huái saluted Zhēn Guǎngquán solemnly.
“Everyone is waiting for your good news, which shows that heaven did not treat us unfairly! The Western Monitoring Zone has finally welcomed a living first-class merit!”
Zhēn Guǎngquán laughed heartily, clapping Méng Huái on the shoulder with a beaming face.
“Méng队 (Captain Méng)…”
Táo Qiǎo’ér bounded forward, nearly throwing herself onto Méng Huái, tears brimming in her eyes as the young officers around them laughed good-naturedly.
Behind the crowd, standing next to a military vehicle, was a beautiful female officer who quietly watched Méng Huái surrounded by admirers, a smile of happiness and loneliness mingling on her face.
“Third sister… why are you staring from such a distance?”
Hán Jiélì suddenly appeared at Hán Xiǎo’s side, smiling as she looked at a delicate gift box in the other’s hand. “Oh, there’s a gift. Should we go greet him?”
“Xiao Lì, this feels unreal. I know your and Dad’s circumstances… please don’t tell me this is just a show. I have a bad feeling…”
Hán Xiǎo’s eyes suddenly reddened, filling with tears. She turned her head away, wiping the corners of her eyes with her hands, afraid to look at the lively scene in the distance.
“Third sister, you’re overthinking it… Méng Ge is truly fine this time; he even brought back the duty transfer documents, just waiting for his discharge.”
Hán Jiélì frowned slightly, but the expression faded quickly as she casually mentioned it, smiling as she took the small gift box from Hán Xiǎo’s hands and turned to head toward the crowd.
“Ha ha, Méng Huái, you’re going to carry out the toughest task in the world. This is something Dad hinted at personally. How could the Hán family let you go so easily?”
Hán Xiǎo climbed into her car, suddenly covering her face with her hands and crying. The suppressed sobs were desperately stifled by her fingers, unable to escape.
In the large conference room of the base, a serious handover ceremony for the captain’s position was taking place.
Táo Qiǎo’ér, personally awarded by Zhēn Guǎngquán, had her rank changed from captain to major, then sat across from Méng Huái’s desk.
“Méng队 (Captain Méng)… I…”
Under the watchful eyes of Deputy Captain Zhào and several squad leaders, Táo Qiǎo’ér trembled as she picked up the pen, but the duty transfer document before her felt like another unacceptable bad ending, making it impossible for her to write.
Méng Huái said nothing, merely watching the tip of her pen silently with an impassive expression.
“Sir, can we delay this a bit? Captain Méng can remain a commander from a distance. He can still command the Xuánjiǎ Brigade!”
Suddenly, Táo Qiǎo’ér wiped her face and put down the pen heavily, rising to salute Zhēn Guǎngquán with a pleading expression.
“You’re a soldier; do you treat this as a game? The formal documents from headquarters are not child’s play; obedience to orders is a soldier’s duty.”
Zhēn Guǎngquán’s expression instantly soured, and his tone became extremely severe: “You are about to become the captain; you must set an example!”
The words of the chief of staff fell in the meeting room like a heavy hammer, causing silence among Deputy Captain Zhào and the squad leaders.
“I’ll finish the last battle for them and stand the last post of the year.”
In the stillness, Méng Huái signed his name alone after a dozen seconds, standing up and turning to look at Zhēn Guǎngquán, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
“This matter is not negotiable. Méng Huái, and you all, this is a military camp, not a negotiation table for business!”
Zhēn Guǎngquán could hardly believe the bizarre turn of events today, his face almost turning blue with anger.
“Sir, I brought the documents. The final effective date for this captaincy handover is December 31… if you find it problematic, please verify it with a phone call?”
Hán Jiélì suddenly approached Zhēn Guǎngquán, speaking softly and smiling mischievously at the desolate Xuánjiǎ Brigade officers around them.
“What kind of joke is this? Are we allowing two captains?”
Zhēn Guǎngquán was taken aback and rushed to the table, grabbing the duty transfer documents and quickly skimming through them. Finally, with a helpless smile, he pointed at Méng Huái and Táo Qiǎo’ér, deeply sighing.
“Both commanders are out on field research or meetings; I’ll contact them to confirm. Just consider today’s events as if they never happened; otherwise, it’ll be a huge embarrassment for the Western Monitoring Zone in the entire army!”
This kind of duty transfer document was something he had never encountered before; otherwise, there would be warnings and punishments.
Zhēn Guǎngquán left, but not before smiling on his way out. In the conference room, almost everyone surged toward Méng Huái except for Hán Jiélì.
Through the crowd, Méng Huái’s gaze met Hán Jiélì’s, showing a hint of resolute bitterness while she seemed relieved.
…
…
At C City’s Third People’s Hospital.
Hè Jiànqíng sat upright on a chair in the outpatient corridor, staring blankly at a promotional poster on the opposite wall. On the bench diagonally across, several patients waiting for their appointments were secretly scrutinizing this ice-cold beauty in a black dress.
“Let’s go, everything is fine now.”
The door to the consultation room opened, and Zhōng Jǐng, holding a prescription slip, stood before Hè Jiànqíng with a smile.
Hè Jiànqíng did not speak; she instinctively stood up and positioned herself next to Zhōng Jǐng.
“Aren’t you going to suggest I have a full-body check-up? Or emphasize how amazing your grandpa’s private doctor is?”
As they walked along the corridor, Zhōng Jǐng turned his head and chuckled softly at the cold and slightly anxious girl in the black dress.
“I always thought Jǐng-kun hated hospitals.” Hè Jiànqíng lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper, and Jǐng-kun seemed not to like topics that stirred much discussion about her.
Zhōng Jǐng did not lead her to the crowded medication hall but inexplicably turned down a remote corridor.
Their footsteps echoed eerily, alternating in the vast emptiness of the corridor.
Zhōng Jǐng suddenly stopped, turned around, and grabbed Hè Jiànqíng’s shoulders, leaning in closely.
The black-dressed girl instinctively raised a hand to shield her face, but was instantly caught by Zhōng Jǐng, who held her wrist, causing her to involuntarily retreat against the wall of the corridor.
If it weren’t for Zhōng Jǐng’s frighteningly cold expression, this classic, sudden wall-pressing move would have been the most romantic and thrilling moment in any shoujo manga.
But as the moment unfolded, Hè Jiànqíng had already anticipated this change, transitioning from shock to fear, and finally to silence, feeling no excitement or rapid heartbeat, and didn’t dare look at his face.
“If this is just another consultation, aside from wasting money, one could easily avoid arousing suspicions from everyone.”
Zhōng Jǐng used his free hand to slam the consultation notebook and prescription against the wall, a hint of mocking amusement at the corner of his mouth: “Acute gastroenteritis is common; I would have thought the same before you came, given how unhealthy my diet is.”
“But since you arrived, I’ve had three cases of unexplained diarrhea followed by this acute vomiting; I wonder what other strange symptoms will emerge later.”
Zhōng Jǐng’s icy stare locked onto Hè Jiànqíng’s beautiful, dodging eyes, his voice cold as he continued: “There were only the two of us for lunch—did Hè小姐 (Miss Hè) not realize whether she ate cold century eggs?”
Zhōng Jǐng’s heavy, chilled breath brushed against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. Hè Jiànqíng turned her head, avoiding his gaze, even a hint of moisture forming at the corners of her eyes.
“Let’s face it; are you trying to sabotage your future betrothed? I hope you, as you once promised, will never do anything to wrong me.”
Zhōng Jǐng released her, stepping back two paces, rubbing his shoulder and resuming his carefree smile: “You’ve successfully evoked my pity for you, so please don’t easily destroy this understanding, understood?”
After his words, Zhōng Jǐng tore the consultation notebook and prescription into pieces and tossed them into the nearest trash can before striding down the corridor.
“Jǐng-ge, come to Japan with me; don’t stay in Huaguo anymore! Just half a year!”
Hè Jiànqíng suddenly cried out, her voice cracking as she shouted.
Zhōng Jǐng’s steps halted, turning slowly to glance at the trembling girl in the black dress, his face beaming with a cheerful boyish smile.
“So you’re saying that everything will conclude within six months? Hehe… such beautiful thoughts.”
At night, on the first day the Jīn Hé Club resumed operations, the national style theme was well-received, and as more guests joined in, the atmosphere was vibrant.
Taking photographs—various types—as handsome older men surrounded the young beauties, who blossomed with national charm. Meanwhile, female guests enjoyed a free traditional makeover, eagerly discussing beauty topics with Xiao Ai, Xiao Dong, and others.
“Are you thinking of going south with me to play around? That’s a beautiful thought!”
In a corner of the hall, faced with Jiāng Yáo pulling at her arm, Jiāng Yán rarely used her ultimate eye-rolling technique: “The action to go south was agreed upon by Wàn Jie and the big boss of the Invisibility Alliance. Now that Zhaó Péng is in a promotion-induced slumber and Xiao Dong just recovered from a serious illness, someone needs to hold down the fort here.”
You and Wàn Jie have already left, and with Zhaó Péng lying down, I just don’t feel secure.
Jiāng Yáo toyed with her braids that hung to her chest, her face expressing obvious anxiety and dissatisfaction: “What if something happens and we can’t contact you? Xiao Ai is all focused on Zhaó Péng; she’s in the lead, and I feel it’s unreliable…”
Sigh, Xiao Yáo has become stronger, yet her disposition remains unchanged; I wonder how she faced the attacks from the four Blackblood Tribe back then… Observing Jiāng Yáo, dressed beautifully in a red skirt today, Jiāng Yán couldn’t help but sigh softly.
“At least there’s still half a month until we leave; it’s not immediate. Why are you so anxious? You could go; I’d stay back. With Wàn Jie there, I’d feel assured.”
Jiāng Yán smiled while adjusting her skirt, glancing toward the entrance to see new customers arriving, prompting her to rise to greet them.
“No way! I haven’t finished speaking!”
Jiāng Yán blurted out almost instinctively, grabbing Jiāng Yáo’s arm again and pausing to look down.
“What’s wrong with you today?”
Jiāng Yán frowned, slowly resuming her seat and assessing the somewhat strange expression on Jiāng Yáo’s face: “Are you hiding something from me?”
“It’s not a big deal… Sister, Méng Huái is back…”
Jiāng Yáo bit her lip, taking a long time before whispering, “Zhōng Jǐng told me yesterday; I heard he’s recovered from his illness.”
Jiāng Yán paused her actions but maintained an unfazed expression, quietly observing.
“It’s good that he’s better. He should be discharged now and can live a normal life…”
A strange thought crossed Jiāng Yán’s mind, causing her to unconsciously turn her head toward the night scenery outside the glass wall, as if someone had swiftly passed by.
“I’m just worried that during that time when he was so close to dying, he got too close to you… I know you were just comforting him, but I’m afraid he’ll cling to you again; it’d be better if he had stayed dead…”
Jiāng Yáo complained impatiently, secretly watching Jiāng Yán’s reaction, relieved to see no particular emotion displayed.
“There’s no casual cursing of death… Stop overthinking it; I’m much more composed than you.”
Jiāng Yán reached out, smoothing Jiāng Yáo’s braids, then lightly tapped her cheek with her fingertip, smiling: “I currently have no thoughts to care about these women’s emotions.”
“You’re so beautiful; if you don’t care, others will force you to! Did you forget about that guest this afternoon? He was at least in his forties and kept staring at you wherever he went; we all understand that look! I really wanted to gouge out his eyes… What if Méng Huái looks at you like that?”
Jiāng Yáo’s expression at that moment could be described as grinding her teeth.
“That’s exaggerated; stop overthinking it. Go and welcome the guests.”
Gently pushing Jiāng Yáo’s arm, Jiāng Yán walked toward the employee passage nonchalantly.
…
In the personal storage compartment of the changing room, there were always a few items usually taken out, such as a simple canvas shoulder bag.
Taking out the canvas bag, she opened it, gently retrieving a box that contained a first-class meritorious medal—a parting gift from Méng Huái, who knew he was on the road to nowhere.
She had thought that all the absurdity and suspicion could end after that symbolic farewell embrace, no longer to be unearthed, but fate played a gigantic trick on them both.
She never expected that she could provoke someone to return from the gates of the underworld even more effectively than Zhōng Jǐng.
Jiāng Yán mumbled to herself, pulling out the military medal and lifting it to the light in the changing room, examining it repeatedly.
A plain military medal, aside from its dazzling brilliance, also carried a slight weight of death, tightly gripped in her hand, giving her a thrilling and unsettling sensation.
I can’t even be sure of what you truly want… Now that we have parted, do not reappear again.
Murmuring a series of troubling thoughts, Jiāng Yán prepared to remove her makeup and change, for this dignified black silk embroidered dress felt somewhat inauspicious at this moment.
Sitting at the dressing table, her hand moved to the back of her head to remove the hairpin. As she slightly raised her head, her gaze fell on the girl’s reflection in the mirror, and her hand motion halted.
Jiāng Yán’s reflection withdrew her hand slowly, straightened her back, and the girl in the mirror also sat straight, appearing cool and deep.
After slight contemplation, the corners of her lips lifted. The girl in the mirror mirrored her expressions, turning softer and more delightful, with bright, shiny eyes and rosy lips.
Jiāng Yán gradually stood up, a strange impulse flickering in her heart… She glanced back at the door, as if no one was approaching the changing room.
Clearing her throat, she took two steps back, mimicking actions from some online videos, one hand brushing a strand of hair at her shoulder and the other gripping the hem of her dress, beginning to swivel and pose.
The figure in the mirror followed her movements, graceful as a willow, full of charm and tranquility. After blinking a few times, she exchanged glances with the girl in the mirror.
Hehe, it’s still quite good-looking; I never dared to look too much before… Méng Huái, do you also care about such things like Zhōng Jǐng?
Not just Méng Huái, but many male guests at the club, as if at this moment, numerous figures and gazes were converging from all directions, causing the girl in the mirror to grow increasingly shy, while Jiāng Yán felt a hint of delight, a thrill coursing through her.
“Xiao Yán, can you switch your night shift today…”
The door to the women’s changing room suddenly swung open, and Xiao Ai walked in, bumping into Jiāng Yán, who was lost in self-admiration.
Xiao Ai was momentarily taken aback, as though witnessing something rare, raising two fingers to cover her mouth.
Although Jiāng Yán didn’t lack in her choice of attire, her grooming process was always hurried and mechanical, showing little variation in style with no habits of admiring herself in the mirror. This might be Xiao Ai’s first time seen her like this.
“Ah, Xiao Ai Jie… I…”
Jiāng Yán immediately straightened her posture, her face slightly reddening, instinctively stealing a glance at the mirror. The girl in the reflection was like a startled deer, one hand unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her dress.
While she may not be as vain as Xiao Ling or Xiao Ping, you really should pay more attention to yourself and seek more styles… You don’t need to stick to this black; although it’s dignified, how old are you? You could actually consider lighter colors…
Xiao Ai smiled, walking over to Jiāng Yán and touching her dress waist, helping to tidy some details.
Why isn’t Xiao Ai wearing a Han dress today? Jiāng Yán felt even more awkward and began to shift the topic.
“Me?” Xiao Ai moved her lips slightly, her words trailing off, “I don’t know how long he will be in slumber for, sleeping so soundly; who am I dressing up for with such time-consuming outfits?”
The ‘he’ Xiao Ai mentioned was naturally Zhaó Péng.
Listening to Xiao Ai’s seemingly non-complaining murmurs, Jiāng Yán turned back to the mirror, falling into a trance.
