Chapter 68: You’re Cute When You’re Jealous
Xie Huaizheng was dressed in an army-green military uniform, his expression cold and severe.
He seemed to have materialized out of thin air, giving Su Zhaozhao a start.
"What are you doing here?"
’Hasn’t he left for a mission? He said he wouldn’t be back until the day after tomorrow, so how could he suddenly show up while she was having dinner with Lin Shumo?’
"If I hadn’t come back, my fiancée might have run off with someone else." Xie Huaizheng looked at her, his tone laced with a strange sullenness.
When he had spotted Su Zhaozhao and Lin Shumo from the truck, the young soldier beside him had sighed with admiration. "Wow, look at that couple! The guy’s so handsome and the girl’s so beautiful. They’re a perfect match, made in heaven."
What young man at that age wouldn’t be envious of someone in a relationship?
And such a beautiful couple, at that.
The men were all chattering about it until they noticed their Camp Commander’s sour expression and fell silent.
Xie Huaizheng had made an excuse to get out of the truck.
Hearing Xie Huaizheng’s words, Su Zhaozhao immediately broke into a smile. "How could that be? We’re just having a meal together. Doctor Lin said he was very grateful to me."
"Oh? In that case, I’m sure Doctor Lin wouldn’t mind treating me—Su Zhaozhao’s fiancé—as well, would he?" Xie Huaizheng’s heavy gaze swept over Lin Shumo.
His thin lips curved into a nonchalant arc, as if he were smiling.
And yet, his expression was frigid.
Lin Shumo also offered a gentle smile. "Of course not."
He called the owner over and ordered a serving for Xie Huaizheng.
Su Zhaozhao could sense Xie Huaizheng was in a bad mood. ’Is he upset because I came out to eat with Lin Shumo?’
’This man and his damned possessiveness.’
Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but inch closer to Xie Huaizheng. "Are you tired? It must have been rough."
It was rare to see any sign of fatigue on Xie Huaizheng.
He was the type of person who usually seemed to have limitless energy.
But at this moment, the bloodshot veins in his eyes and the dark circles beneath them told her he was exhausted.
’Still, she didn’t understand. Where on earth did he come from?’
’Was it from one of those military trucks that just passed by?!’
’Did he see her with Lin Shumo from the truck and decide to rush over?’
Su Zhaozhao suddenly understood everything, and a flicker of happiness sparked within her.
’This man... he never says anything, but I can feel his attitude toward me is slowly changing.’
Xie Huaizheng grunted in affirmation. "Tired. So tired."
Su Zhaozhao poured a glass of water for Xie Huaizheng. "Here, have a drink. Your mission must have been tough."
Xie Huaizheng took it. He lifted his gaze to glare at Lin Shumo. "Doctor Lin, being a doctor must be quite busy and exhausting, mustn’t it?"
Lin Shumo smiled and nodded. "Yes, when things get busy, it can be quite taxing. But it’s nothing compared to what you all go through."
"So exhausting, yet you still made a special trip by bicycle all the way into town just to eat? It seems you have plenty of leisure time on your hands."
Su Zhaozhao was speechless.
’Why do I feel like Xie Huaizheng is being so childish!’
’He started bombarding Lin Shumo the moment he arrived.’
Just then, the owner brought over the lamb soup. Su Zhaozhao immediately passed it to Xie Huaizheng. "You eat first."
’Maybe some food will shut him up.’
Xie Huaizheng was indeed hungry. For the past two days, they had been too busy to rest, subsisting on whatever compressed biscuits and dry rations they could get their hands on.
A single sip of the piping hot lamb soup made his whole body feel comfortable.
Su Zhaozhao called the owner over again and ordered a separate plate of meat and an extra serving of noodles.
She was worried it wouldn’t be enough for Xie Huaizheng.
"Eat up!" Su Zhaozhao said.
She still had the ten yuan Xie Huaizheng had given her. Treating him to a meal wouldn’t cost much.
"Why don’t I get this tonight?" Su Zhaozhao said to Lin Shumo. She felt a little embarrassed since he had originally only intended to treat her, and now Xie Huaizheng was here too.
"It’s alright, Zhaozhao. I said it’s my treat, so let me," Lin Shumo said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Camp Commander Xie can’t eat that much. I can still afford one meal."
Su Zhaozhao still felt a bit awkward, but Lin Shumo insisted.
’That’s right,’ she thought. ’Lin Shumo is such a perfect second male lead. Since he said it was his treat, there’s no way he’d let me pay.’
Xie Huaizheng raised an eyebrow, watching them without a word.
After they finished eating, Lin Shumo was about to settle the bill, but the owner came running over with change for Xie Huaizheng. "Comrade Soldier, you paid too much. Here’s your change."
Su Zhaozhao was stunned. She hadn’t expected Xie Huaizheng to have already paid at some point.
"This one’s on me." Xie Huaizheng’s lips curled slightly. "No need to be polite, Doctor Lin. And don’t worry about paying me back next time."
Lin Shumo just smiled. Su Zhaozhao pressed a hand to her forehead. Xie Huaizheng’s actions were always so unexpected.
As they prepared to leave, a problem suddenly occurred to Su Zhaozhao. She had gotten a ride here on Lin Shumo’s bicycle.
How would the three of them get back now?
Before she could voice her question, a military jeep pulled up and stopped in front of them.
The window rolled down, revealing Xiao Yuanming’s cheerful face.
"Brother Zheng, Sister-in-law, heading back?"
Su Zhaozhao froze. Xie Huaizheng had actually called Xiao Yuanming to come pick them up. Clearly, he had anticipated this situation.
’But what about Lin Shumo?’
Xie Huaizheng spoke up. "Doctor Lin, would you like a ride? Although, it might be a bit difficult to fit your bicycle."
Lin Shumo’s handsome face still held a gentle smile. "No need. I can just ride my bike back. You all go ahead."
He remained as gentle and courteous as ever, showing no hint of awkwardness or displeasure.
Su Zhaozhao said to Lin Shumo, "Be careful on your way back."
The next thing she knew, Xie Huaizheng’s arm shot out and wrapped around her shoulders.
He pulled her into his embrace, squeezing so tightly that Su Zhaozhao felt her bones ache.
’This man... where did this sudden, inexplicable possessiveness come from?’
He practically stuffed Su Zhaozhao into the jeep and then climbed in after her.
The door slammed shut, and they drove off—all in one smooth motion.
Su Zhaozhao frowned. "Xie Huaizheng, you’re so childish!"
Xie Huaizheng toyed with the lighter in his hand. CLICK. A blue flame sprang to life, and his eyes, illuminated by the firelight, held a sinister glint. "You two seem to be on pretty good terms."
"I just think of Lin Shumo as a friend," Su Zhaozhao said.
’Of course, she was too embarrassed to tell Xie Huaizheng that back when she read the book, she had preferred a sweet guy like Lin Shumo over him, the male lead.’
’I mean, what reader wouldn’t prefer the gentle and considerate second male lead?’
’She was just making the same mistake every reader in the world makes!’
"Friends? You believe in platonic friendships between men and women?" Xie Huaizheng scoffed.
From the way Lin Shumo looked at Su Zhaozhao, he refused to believe the man didn’t have ideas about her.
Xiao Yuanming, who was driving, heard this and couldn’t help but shrink back in his seat.
’Aah! My friendship with Su Zhaozhao is purely platonic! I hope the Camp Commander doesn’t get the wrong idea about me!’
Hearing this, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh. "Mhm, you’re right. I’ll be sure to keep my distance from him from now on."
With that, Su Zhaozhao scooted closer to Xie Huaizheng, pressing herself tightly against him. She tilted her head up to look at him. "Xie Huaizheng, has anyone ever told you that you’re cute when you’re jealous?"