The aloof military doctor arrives at the unit, and the tough guy can't sit still.

Xiao Zhang didn't dare to delay, so he rode the bicycle from the group to the hospital as fast as he could. When he found Xia Qiuran, he discovered that Xia Qiuran was discussing homework with Zhang Xiaoliang.

He walked over and carefully handed the items to Xia Qiuran.

Xia Qiuran took it but became increasingly confused.

"The team leader even came to the hospital today. Why didn't he just give it to me directly, but instead made you come all the way here again?"

"I don't know about that. The team leader also said that he didn't finish writing the last part, but he will give it all to you once he finishes it."

Xia Qiuran picked up the materials Xiao Zhang had given her and carefully looked through them. She found two basic textbooks that were perfect for her current learning pace. The other one was a notebook written by Lu Zhenghan himself, which detailed the key points and difficulties of each chapter, as well as the difficult sentences. The level of detail was even more comprehensive and easier to understand than the reference books in the bookstore. Crucially, he also gave her a tape recorder and a cassette tape.

Xia Qiuran plugged in the power and listened to it. She found that it was actually Lu Zhenghan who personally recorded the words, sentences, and pronunciation. The accuracy of the pronunciation was exactly the same as the pronunciation in the English programs she heard on TV in her previous life. His voice was even more pleasant and magnetic than those announcers.

"Isn't that the commander's voice? I didn't expect the commander to speak such good English."

Zhang Xiaoliang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Compared to what Lu Zhenghan had brought, he suddenly felt that his answers to the questions were rather inadequate.

"Commander Lu was a top student before, and he was directly admitted to Tsinghua University in high school. How could he not know this basic English?"

Xia Qiuran was increasingly confused by the things Xiao Zhang had brought. She had asked him questions, but he refused to answer. Now he had brought such detailed study materials. Why was that?

And it was sent over before I even finished writing the last bit. Why the rush?

Does it mean you don't want to see her, don't want to talk to her, and want to cut ties with her?

He should just say it directly. Why is he afraid she'll cling to him?

Xia Qiuran's expression turned indifferent, and the light that had been in her eyes gradually dimmed.

Having been through so much together, Xia Qiuran had long regarded Lu Zhenghan as a reliable friend. She never expected that Lu Zhenghan would think of her this way. Thinking of this, Xia Qiuran felt the little flame burning in her heart grow stronger and stronger, and said in a cold tone.

"Take all of these back with you. Comrade Zhang Xiaoliang has already brought me some very detailed information, so I won't trouble Commander Lu. Also, please tell Commander Lu that he doesn't need to write any more notes; this information is sufficient for me."

"Huh? Take them all back?" Xiao Zhang's eyes widened, his face full of incomprehension. He had pedaled his bicycle so hard on the way here that the wheels were practically smoking, afraid of delaying the important matters the battalion commander had entrusted to him. Why was he suddenly being asked to take them back?

"Dr. Xia, these were all prepared with great effort by the commander. You should accept them. Besides, the commander didn't look too happy when he handed them to me, so please don't add fuel to the fire."

Xiao Zhang was afraid that he would be scolded by Lu Zhenghan if he failed to complete the task, so he tried to persuade Xia Qiuran.

Upon hearing this, Xia Qiuran's previously calm face suddenly turned slightly angry. What did she mean by adding fuel to the fire? She hadn't done anything out of line, so how could she be the culprit who added fuel to the fire?

"Comrade Zhang, it is precisely because the regimental commander has worked so hard to prepare these things that I cannot accept them. If I accept these things and then fail to get a passing grade, wouldn't that be letting down the regimental commander? I can't bear the responsibility if the regimental commander gets angry then."

"Besides, these small recorders aren't cheap. If I accidentally break one, I won't be able to afford to pay for it."

Xia Qiuran neatly placed the items in front of Xiao Zhang, her face tense and her tone cold, as if she was trying hard to suppress her displeasure.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Xia Qiuran, Xiao Zhang sighed and had no choice but to silently take his things and return to his unit the way he came.

After going back and forth, even though Xiao Zhang was usually well-trained, he was still panting heavily. After entering the office, he first put his things on the table one by one, and then repeated Xia Qiuran's reply verbatim.

Lu Zhenghan frowned slightly as he looked at those things, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard, and sharp line, his jawline taut as if it were about to break, and he asked Xiao Zhang in a low voice.

"You said you saw Dr. Xia studying with Zhang Xiaoliang when you went there."

"Yes. Dr. Xia also said that Zhang Xiaoliang's notes were very comprehensive, and that those notes were enough for her. But I think Dr. Xia is wrong. I also glanced at those notes, and I remember very little content. The handwriting is not as good as yours, Commander. Compared with the materials you sent, they are simply not presentable."

Xiao Zhang said indignantly. He was already annoyed that he had made two wasted trips, and then Xia Qiuran said that his regimental commander's notes were not as good as Zhang Xiaoliang's notes, which made him even more unbalanced. So he complained with a lot of emotions.

After a moment of silence, seeing that Lu Zhenghan remained sitting in the chair with a livid face and an unyielding chill between his brows, he spoke again to comfort him.

"Commander, I think you don't need to take today's events too seriously. Compared to Zhang Xiaoliang's notes, everyone would say that yours is the best."

After hearing this, Lu Zhenghan's expression did not change, but his hand on the table slowly clenched, his knuckles turned bluish-white, and the last bit of light in his eyes dimmed.

His gaze was cool and piercing, as if it could penetrate one's heart. He exuded an aura of indifference that seemed to freeze the surrounding air.

"My things are good, why doesn't she want them?"

His voice was soft, dry, and hoarse, each word seemingly conveying a sense of suppressed unease.

Xiao Zhang blinked rapidly, looking completely bewildered.

Is the commander asking him a question?

Yes, why would Dr. Xia reject such good information and instead choose Zhang Xiaoliang's not-so-detailed notes?

Could it be that the group leader angered Dr. Xia before? Otherwise, why wouldn't the group leader personally give Dr. Xia the things he prepared with such care?

As if sensing something he shouldn't know, and fearing the fire might spread to him, Xiao Zhang quickly spoke up.

"Team leader, Dr. Xia will probably accept your information once she's thought it through. If there's nothing else, I'll head down now."

After Xiao Zhang left, Lu Zhenghan stared at those things in silence for a long time.

Isn't her current choice the result of what she's figured out?

It's better not to have them. Since we've already found someone more suitable, these other things are superfluous, no matter how good they are.

Lu Zhenghan knew better than anyone that Xia Qiuran was right to do what she did, but he just couldn't convince himself. His chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making him feel like he was about to suffocate.

"Zhenghan, are you busy?"

Just then, there was a knock on the door; it was Zhou Guangming's voice.

Lu Zhenghan quickly put the things on the table into the cabinet.

"Please come in."

"Uncle Zhou, is there something you need?"

Seeing Zhou Guangming walk in, Lu Zhenghan asked.

Zhou Guangming first sighed softly, then sat down in the chair in front of the table with a frown.