Chapter 96 It wasn't him

The next morning, Qin Wanqiu spent the entire morning with Xie Jingchen under the guise of work.

Just as Lei Ming had predicted, Xie Jingchen, as the team leader, had to accompany and coordinate the work of Qin Wanqiu, the medical team leader sent by his superiors, throughout the entire process.

Together they surveyed the proposed site for the temporary medical station and discussed medical support plans for the training.

Xie Jingchen also summoned relevant battalion and company officers to listen to Qin Wanqiu explain the latest combat wound first aid standards and hygiene and epidemic prevention requirements.

Throughout the entire process, Xie Jingchen performed flawlessly.

He was calm, efficient, and professional, readily agreeing to all reasonable requests and issuing clear and decisive orders, fully demonstrating the qualities of a commander and his emphasis on medical support.

But only the bodyguards around him could sense that the commander's aura was lower than usual today, and his eyes were colder.

Aside from necessary exchanges of formulas, the team leader barely spoke a word more to Captain Qin.

Even if Captain Qin's smile was perfectly polite, it couldn't hide the fact that she was subtly trying to get closer to the regimental commander.

However, all contact between the group leader and her was strictly limited to public places and normal work scope, without any transgression.

Time passed in this open and tense atmosphere.

At noon, the crowd dispersed, and the officers and soldiers headed to the canteen.

Qin Wanqiu tidied her stray hairs and smiled appropriately. "Commander Xie, you've worked hard all morning, busy with the medical team's work. How about I treat you to lunch as a way of thanking you for your strong support?"

Qin Wanqiu's tone was relaxed, even revealing a hint of playfulness.

She was trying to use this method to shift her relationship with Xie Jingchen from a professional, business-like colleague relationship to a private one.

Xie Jingchen's expression was cold and stern. He didn't even give Qin Wanqiu a second glance and said indifferently, "Captain Qin, you're too kind. Supporting the medical team's work is simply my duty, and I don't need your extra thanks. There's no need for dinner; I already have an appointment. Excuse me."

After saying this, Xie Jingchen nodded slightly to Qin Wanqiu and strode away.

Qin Wanqiu hadn't expected Xie Jingchen to refuse so decisively. Her smile froze, and seeing him walk away quickly, she subconsciously followed and asked, "Do you have an appointment? Is there other work?"

Xie Jingchen didn't want to waste any more words with Qin Wanqiu, but seeing her like this, he knew that she wouldn't give up until he made things clear, so he stopped and turned around to look at her.

"It's not work. I made an appointment with Comrade Xia Fanxing at noon to check if the ointment she prepared for Team Leader Li Chongshan is suitable."

Although Qin Wanqiu had already guessed that it might be related to Xia Fanxing, she was still angry when the answer actually came from Xie Jingchen's mouth, and the smile on her face could hardly stay on.

But their meeting and dinner had a "pretext" that somehow dragged Li Chongshan into it.

She was right. Xia Fanxing had secretly used tricks to curry favor with Li Chongshan, and had even prepared ointment for him.

How ridiculous!

Given Li Chongshan's status, what kind of ointment couldn't he get? Why would he use an ointment prepared by Xia Fanxing, an unknown nurse?

It seems Xia Fanxing's attempt to flatter him is going to backfire this time.

"Commander Xie, are you still not done?" A cool voice rang out.

Xia Fanxing walked over at some point and stood a few steps away, looking at Xie Jingchen and Qin Wanqiu with a calm expression.

With a quick glance, she could guess what was going on.

She walked over and stood naturally next to Xie Jingchen, her tone carrying a hint of intimacy and a deliberately coquettish air.

"Didn't we agree to have lunch together today? I was quite busy this morning, and I'm really hungry now. I heard the braised pork in the cafeteria is extra tender and juicy today; it's a special treat only for the leaders. You wouldn't be so stingy as to not treat me, would you?"

As soon as Xia Fanxing said this, several soldiers who hadn't gone far nearby secretly pricked up their ears, their faces showing amusement.

Xie Jingchen looked at Xia Fanxing, who was so close to him, and his originally cold and hard expression softened quickly, with a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Xia Fanxing had never acted like this before, and he knew why she was suddenly behaving so strangely.

So he nodded in agreement, his voice not loud but loud enough for Qin Wanqiu to hear clearly: "Okay, you can eat whatever you want, two servings."

Compared to Xie Jingchen's cold, businesslike tone towards Qin Wanqiu, his tone when speaking to Xia Fanxing unconsciously carried a hint of indulgence.

It's like both coaxing and pampering; the favoritism is self-evident.

Qin Wanqiu stood to the side, watching the two of them sing in unison. Especially after hearing Xie Jingchen's almost indulgent reply, she felt a surge of anger rush to her head, making her so angry that she almost lost control of her expression.

But she quickly forced herself to adjust her mindset and expression, trying her best to make her voice sound natural.

She deliberately used a teasing tone to say, "So Commander Xie made an appointment with Nurse Xia. That's perfect. I'm also going to the cafeteria. Since we're all going to eat, let's go together."

Qin Wanqiu attempted to forcefully interfere in Xie Jingchen and Xia Fanxing's "date" in this way.

Even in crowded places like the cafeteria, she wouldn't let the two of them be alone together.

Xia Fanxing said calmly, "The cafeteria belongs to everyone. Everyone can go there. Captain Qin doesn't need to report to us if he wants to go to the cafeteria."

She gave Xie Jingchen a look, and the two left side by side.

Qin Wanqiu was speechless again by Xia Fanxing's words, but she didn't have time to process her emotions. If she didn't catch up soon, she really wouldn't be able to sit with them anymore.

On the way to the cafeteria, Qin Wanqiu felt a mix of emotions.

Because whether it's the regimental commander's staff, family members, or soldiers, everyone would stop and greet the three of them warmly when they saw them.

"Thank you, Commander!"

"Captain Qin!"

"Nurse Xia, have you eaten?"

The public held Xie Jingchen in greater awe, and their respect for Qin Wanqiu stemmed from politeness towards an expert sent by higher authorities.

However, their greetings to Xia Fanxing revealed genuine warmth and respect.

During the parasite outbreak in the military, the few critically ill soldiers who received treatment personally from Xia Fanxing would jokingly crack a harmless joke.

"Nurse Xia, how many people did you save today?"

Xia Fanxing would respond with a faint smile to the greetings from the public.

This invisible yet perceptible influence secretly alarmed Qin Wanqiu.

She originally thought Xia Fanxing was just a "folk doctor" who gained popularity by relying on her looks and a bit of luck, but she never expected that Xia Fanxing had such a deep foundation in the regiment and was so popular with the masses that it far exceeded her imagination.

Qin Wanqiu couldn't help but look at Xia Fanxing's back. Her eyes were deep and she seemed to be thinking about something.

Upon arriving at the canteen, braised pork was indeed available at the small kitchen window.

Braised pork was a rare commodity in those days, especially at the regimental headquarters; it wasn't something you could buy just by having money and ration coupons.

It was a delicacy reserved for regimental-level leaders and important superiors.

Xie Jingchen said directly to the cook serving the food, "Give her both of the two servings of braised pork."

He gestured to Xia Fanxing beside him with his eyes.

The cook glanced back and forth between Xia Fanxing and Xie Jingchen, then chuckled and ladled two large spoonfuls of food for Xia Fanxing.

The meat is juicy and tender, the pieces are trembling and glistening with oil, making it look incredibly tempting.

When it was Qin Wanqiu's turn, although she was an expert sent by her superiors, her meals were quite good, with both meat and vegetables.

But compared to the glistening braised pork, it looks much more ordinary.

She held her own rice plate, then looked at the two conspicuous pieces of braised pork on Xia Fanxing's plate, and felt a tightness in her chest, making her unable to taste anything.

Xia Fanxing and Xie Jingchen sat down facing each other, and Qin Wanqiu reluctantly walked over and sat on Xia Fanxing's side.

In order to break the silence and regain some face, Qin Wanqiu deliberately started a conversation.

“Nurse Xia, I heard from Commander Xie that you prepared some ointment for Team Leader Li? I remember telling you yesterday that Team Leader Li is an experienced veteran military doctor, and he must know his own health condition. If you rashly send him medicine, firstly, it might seem unnecessary, and secondly, if it's not the right medicine and Team Leader Li uses it and gets something bad, wouldn't that be counterproductive?”

Qin Wanqiu's subtext was a sarcastic remark about Xia Fanxing's inappropriate way of flattering.

Xia Fanxing didn't even look up. "This is my own business. Captain Qin doesn't need to worry about it."

Qin Wanqiu's expression stiffened for a moment, but she didn't give up. She turned to Xie Jingchen and said, "Commander Xie, medication is no small matter. It's important to treat the symptoms correctly. After all, Nurse Xia... well, she may lack experience, and the ointment prescription may not be quite standard."

"How about this, let me take a look at the ointment and help her check it? After all, my field of expertise is closer to modern medicine, and the procedures are more standardized."

Qin Wanqiu is secretly using qualifications and standards to undermine Xia Fanxing again.

Before Xie Jingchen or Xia Fanxing could speak, a young soldier walked awkwardly to their table.

His face flushed with embarrassment, and he said softly, "Hello, Nurse Xia, I'm sorry to disturb your meal. I accidentally strained my back during training, and it hurts a bit. Could you take a look at it after you finish eating?"

Before Xia Fanxing, the person seeking help, could speak, Qin Wanqiu smiled and took over the conversation.

She said gently, "Young soldier, the medical conditions in the army were limited before, which is why we had to trouble the regimental hospital. Now that our medical team has been stationed here, if you feel unwell anywhere in the future, you can come directly to our medical team's doctor."

After saying that, Qin Wanqiu stood up and symbolically pressed the spot the soldier had mentioned that was uncomfortable. "This should just be a muscle strain, a very common minor problem, nothing serious. I'll prescribe some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine for you, go and get it."

Qin Wanqiu took out her prescription book and pen, and was about to write down the name of the medicine when she heard Xia Fanxing's cold voice.

"Captain Qin, the regimental hospital pharmacy may not have much stock of those Western medicines you're selling. They need to be reserved for more seriously ill patients. Our conditions here are limited, and we really can't compare to the military region hospital."

Qin Wanqiu's hand froze as she wrote, and her face instantly turned red!

She was only thinking about showcasing her professionalism and authority, but she overlooked the important reality that she was now at the grassroots level and that the regimental hospital was facing a severe shortage of medicines.

It's incredibly shameful that such a basic mistake could happen to someone like her, an "expert"!

The soldier stood there, bewildered and embarrassed, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Xia Fanxing said to the soldier, "Go and get your food tray first. I'll give you two acupuncture needles. It won't affect your eating. I can remove the needles after you finish eating, and you'll feel much better."

The soldiers, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, hurried over to retrieve their mess trays.

Xia Fanxing put down her chopsticks and stood up. After briefly disinfecting the silver needles, she determined the corresponding acupoints according to the soldier's description and quickly inserted the needles into his lower back.

Her movements were fluid and graceful, possessing a serene beauty.

After the soldiers finished eating, Xia Fanxing started her needlework.

The soldier stretched his back and was pleasantly surprised to find that the pain had lessened. "Wow, that's amazing! Thank you so much, Nurse Xia! You're so kind of you!"

He bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude and ran off happily.

The onlookers, who had been watching closely, all wore expressions that said, "No wonder she's Nurse Xia."

Qin Wanqiu sat in her seat, feeling so guilty that she didn't dare to look up, wishing she could bury her face in her rice plate.

Her face flushed red and then turned pale; she really wanted to disappear into the ground.

Her performance just now contrasted sharply with Xia Fanxing's. Xia Fanxing's treatment methods were simple and direct, which naturally made her methods seem pale and ridiculous.

Whether it was her imagination or not, she could even feel the subtle gazes of those around her, as if they were silently mocking her.

Qin Wanqiu tried her best to maintain her last shred of dignity, but she found herself on the verge of collapse.

"Nurse Xia, your medical skills are indeed excellent... I've finished eating, you can continue eating." After saying that, she was too ashamed to stay any longer.

They practically fled in panic, forgetting to even clear their plates.

Xie Jingchen didn't even glance at her.

He looked at Xia Fanxing with a gentle smile in his eyes, urging her teasingly, "Didn't you say you wanted to eat braised pork? Eat quickly, it's getting cold."

Xia Fanxing quickly placed a few pieces of braised pork on Xie Jingchen's rice plate, her smile truly playful. "Thank you so much for your cooperation, Commander Xie. I can't finish all of this, so please help me finish some."

Xie Jingchen deliberately pretended to be serious and said, "Comrade Xia Fanxing, wasting food is a shameful act. Even if you are stuffed to burst today, you must not waste a single grain of rice. Otherwise, the organization will punish you."

Xia Fanxing became interested. "How will you punish me?"

Xie Jingchen, carrying his rice tray, kept a small distance from Xia Fanxing; the meaning of the "punishment" was self-evident.

Xia Fanxing, however, was not affected. She also moved her plate in the opposite direction, which made the two of them even further apart.

Upon seeing this, Xie Jingchen immediately returned silently.

Xia Fanxing suppressed a laugh: "The organization isn't going to punish us?"

Xie Jingchen looked at her deeply and said, "It's okay, no matter what, I'm willing to back you up."

·

After finishing the meal.

Xie Jingchen and Xia Fanxing arrived at the door of Li Chongshan's office.

Xia Fanxing took out a small jar of ointment from her cloth bag. Although it was sealed, a faint bitter smell could still be detected when she brought it close.

"Wait here for me, I'll go in and report to Team Leader Li," Xie Jingchen said.

"Mm." Xia Fanxing nodded.

She stood quietly in the corridor, expecting to wait a while, but the office door opened quickly, and the person who came out was not Xie Jingchen.