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

Xia Qiuran decided she still needed to ask clearly, otherwise she wouldn't feel at ease accepting so many benefits.

"Commander, what we just did wasn't..."

"Hurry up and eat, the food is getting cold."

But just as Xia Qiuran was about to speak, Lu Zhenghan suddenly interrupted her.

"That's right, that's right. It would be a shame to let such good food get cold. Xiao Lu, let me help you pick out the fish bones first," Qian Guifang quickly said.

Lu Zhenghan has solved all of their family's troubles. Now, she would be willing to find a board and enshrine Lu Zhenghan in her home, offering incense to him every day.

"I've already eaten, you guys eat, Mom. This is some steamed buns and vegetables I brought."

Xia Qiuran placed the lunchbox containing the food on the cabinet and then sat down on the other side.

Xia Qiuran didn't know what Lu Zhenghan was up to, but there's no such thing as a free lunch, and she felt uneasy.

"Okay, I'll save this for my next meal."

"Xiao Lu, if she doesn't want to eat, we will. Here, have some chopsticks," Qian Guifang said quickly, afraid that Lu Zhenghan would be unhappy.

She understood that Xia Qiuran was a bit stubborn and unwilling to accept charity from others, but their family was already in dire straits. If a few kind words and some flattery could help them get through this crisis, why not?

Xia Qiuran sat to the side, watching the two of them finish all the food on the table. In particular, Lu Zhenghan was unusually chatting with Qian Guifang for a few minutes at the table. Wasn't Lu Zhenghan usually the most particular about etiquette, never speaking while eating or sleeping? Why was he taking the initiative to chat with someone during the meal? What was he up to?

"I've finished eating, Mom. The commander is very busy and can't chat with you anymore," Xia Qiuran said as soon as she finished eating.

"Okay, then you all go ahead and get busy. I need to go check on your dad later," Qian Guifang said as she cleared away the dishes.

Lu Zhenghan wanted to help clear the dishes, but Xia Qiuran stopped him first and said directly.

"Commander, let me see you off."

Helpless, Lu Zhenghan could only put down his chopsticks and walk out with Xia Qiuran.

Once she was sure Qian Guifang wouldn't hear her, Xia Qiuran quickly asked.

"Commander, didn't we already have an agreement? Why are you doing this?"

Lu Zhenghan stood ramrod straight, showing no hesitation or evasion this time, his eyes seemingly still burning with a determined flame.

"I've thought about it. Relationships are like war. If you quit without even trying, you're a deserter, and I don't want to be one."

Xia Qiuran blinked, unsure of what to say. This Lu Zhenghan really had the demeanor of a regimental commander; he could actually connect emotions with fighting.

He had just delivered vegetables to his mother and said it could solve the problem, which meant he had changed tactics. He knew that things wouldn't work with her, so he was looking for another way.

He really is a brave and resourceful commander.

"So how do you think I can give up?"

Xia Qiuran kept her voice as calm as possible, asking as she had just done before refusing:

Lu Zhenghan thought for a moment, "Unless we've actually been together, we can't be sure if we're a good match."

Xia Qiuran frowned, increasingly feeling as if she had fallen into Lu Zhenghan's trap.

Are we really going to be together? If that's the case, wouldn't that be the same as saying yes?

"What if I think this won't work?" Xia Qiuran continued to ask.

Lu Zhenghan wasn't unhappy after hearing this, but his expression became even more determined.

"Then I will show you my determination. I still have more than a month of family leave left this year that I haven't taken. My grandparents are with me now, so I don't need to go back to Beijing. I will submit a report to ask for leave tomorrow."

Xia Qiuran was taken aback: "Why?"

"I'll take care of Uncle Xia for Auntie, so she can get some rest," Lu Zhenghan said, raising his chin slightly and answering earnestly.

This answer left Xia Qiuran speechless. Asking her leader to help take care of her family would instantly make her the center of attention. All the women who had feelings for Lu Zhenghan would probably target her. Being so high-profile and ostentatious would probably mean she wouldn't have a good life from now on.

No, we absolutely cannot let Lu Zhenghan do that.

Seeing Lu Zhenghan's stubborn expression, it seemed impossible to persuade him to give up.

Xia Qiuran thought for a moment and realized that this was the only way, so she asked.

"Would you take the initiative to break up as soon as you realize that we are not compatible?"

Lu Zhenghan: "Yes."

"Okay, I promise you."

As soon as Xia Qiuran finished speaking, Lu Zhenghan's body stiffened for a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"But I have a condition." Before Lu Zhenghan could even feel happy, Xia Qiuran continued.

"Any conditions are acceptable," Lu Zhenghan replied immediately.

Xia Qiuran: "You're not allowed to tell anyone."

"Don't tell anyone?" This request really puzzled Lu Zhenghan.

The two people were not related before, but pretended to be a couple in front of others. Now that they have become a real couple, they have to pretend to be ordinary friends in front of others.

Why is that?

In his mind, shouldn't two people who are together be open and honest with each other, and after a period of time, they should inform their relatives and friends to hold a wedding?

When did another procedure come up? But I can't worry about that too much. As long as I agreed, that's fine. The War of Resistance Against Japan took eight years to win. There's no such thing as a casual victory.

"Okay, I agree."

Xia Qiuran nodded: "Okay, you can't take leave tomorrow. You have to stay in the army."

Lu Zhenghan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said with a hint of hesitation, "Why? Uncle Xia is so badly injured. As your boyfriend, I should take care of him."

Seeing Lu Zhenghan's serious expression, Xia Qiuran immediately smiled to herself.

"Look, we've only just gotten together and we're already having disagreements. It seems we really aren't a good match."

One of them is serious and stubborn, while the other only wants to live a peaceful and comfortable life. Their thoughts are not on the same wavelength at all, so it's only a matter of time before they clash. I imagine it won't be long before Lu Zhenghan backs down.

Xia Qiuran left with a helpless smile.

Lu Zhenghan paused for only a second before speaking immediately.

"Xia Qiuran, I'm sorry, I won't be coming tomorrow."

His back was taut, and there was even a hint of caution in his eyes.

Relationships require effort and compromise. As a gay man, he should be more considerate of his girlfriend's feelings. He remembered Gao Yingting's words deeply. If a conflict arises over such a small matter, what kind of man is he?

Xia Qiuran's gaze sharpened slightly. She seemed to have never seen Lu Zhenghan so flustered before. Considering his usual decisive and aloof demeanor in the army, his willingness to admit his mistake without asking for a reason made Xia Qiuran feel somewhat uncomfortable.

So, unable to bear it any longer, he stepped forward and offered a few words of comfort.

"Captain, it's not that I don't want you to come, it's just that so many eyes are watching. My internship is about to end, and I don't want people to say that I got in through your connections."

Xia Qiuran's voice was soft, and her eyes were as gentle as water, causing Lu Zhenghan's heart to tremble involuntarily, as if it were being pulled by a thin thread.

The fact that Xia Qiuran can speak to him so gently now means that she's about to accept him.

The dean was right after all. Feelings are mutual. As long as you put your heart into it, you will definitely be able to move the other person. My confidence increased instantly.

"I understand. I didn't think things through. From now on, we'll discuss things like this."