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

"What did you hear?" Lu Zhenghan picked up a piece of food and turned his head around, somewhat bewildered.

"Outstanding girls are in high demand, you can't keep taking it easy like this."

Chen Xiu smiled, as if speaking with a hidden meaning.

Lu Zhenghan thought Chen Xiu was referring to him and Xia Qiuran. He straightened his back and his ear tips turned slightly pink, but his face remained calm.

"Auntie, I still don't understand what you're talking about."

Xia Qiuran unconsciously quickened her pace, her head bowed, her mind in turmoil. What if Chen Xiu really tried to match her up with Lu Zhenghan again?

Should she agree? What if Lu Zhenghan's family gets angry if she agrees?

I was both nervous and at a loss, my mind filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts.

"It's about you and Comrade Nie Ru. You two are both so outstanding, you must hurry up and make a move," Chen Xiu said immediately.

The sound was loud and clear, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear clearly.

Lu Zhenghan paused, glancing out of the corner of his eye towards Xia Qiuran's direction. He hadn't expected Chen Xiu to suddenly bring up Nie Ru's matter, and wondered if Xia Qiuran would misunderstand after hearing it.

The next second, Lu Zhenghan quickly put down his chopsticks and said, "Auntie, I've already talked to my grandfather about this. We're not suitable for each other."

"You haven't even met yet, how do you know it's not a good match? This time you've taken leave to visit your family, so you can get to know each other better." But Chen Xiu didn't stop there, and intensified her persuasion of Lu Zhenghan.

"Yes, Zhenghan, you two have known each other since childhood, so your relationship is naturally deeper than others. Besides, you even helped her take a bath. This must be fate." At this point, Zhou Guangming also put down his chopsticks to help persuade her.

"Uncle Zhou, those were just children who didn't know any better. I've long forgotten about what happened before. Please don't bring it up again."

Lu Zhenghan's heart tightened suddenly. What did he mean by helping her take a bath? He panicked instantly, his eyes filled with undisguised anxiety, and he quickly interrupted.

"ah."

Xia Qiuran was not paying attention when she was pricked by the needle under the sewing machine. The sharp pain brought her back to her senses immediately.

The three people at the table all looked at Xia Qiuran's face without prior arrangement.

Xia Qiuran then gave an awkward laugh and immediately explained, "This sewing machine is really hard to operate; I accidentally pricked my finger."

"Xia, you don't use it often, you're not used to it. Just leave it there and I'll help you with it later," Chen Xiu said.

Xia Qiuran: "I'm fine, Auntie. You eat first. I'll try again. If it still doesn't work, I'll have to ask you for help."

"Okay, then be careful."

"Eh."

Xia Qiuran walked to the tap, rinsed her fingers briefly, and then sat back down.

Holding the trousers in his hand, his face was calm, and there was even a polite smile on his lips, but his heart was already in turmoil.

Who is Nie Ru? Have we known each other since childhood? And she even helped me take a bath? Could this be the ex-girlfriend that Lu Zhenghan mentioned before?

Their relationship has progressed to this point; what's the difference between that and marriage?

Judging from their conversation, Lu Zhenghan's family seemed to be very satisfied with this woman named Nie Ru.

A bittersweet unease swept over Xia Qiuran's entire body, making her chest feel unbearably tight, but she couldn't show it at all.

"Zhenghan, we're just chatting, don't get excited. Here, have a piece of meat."

Seeing Lu Zhenghan's strong reaction, Chen Xiu first offered a few words of comfort before continuing.

"Your aunt knows you resent the constant pressure from your family to get married, but you're at the age where you should really think about this issue."

"We'll solve problems as they arise. You and Nie Ru can get to know each other first, and if it doesn't work out, you can break up."

Lu Zhenghan's expression was tense, and his tone of voice carried an urgency that he himself did not realize.

"Auntie, I think some things are a matter of fate. Nie Ru and I are not a good match."

"Then tell your aunt exactly where the difference lies?" Chen Xiu asked directly, getting a little anxious.

Lu Zhenghan clenched his fists. Right now, his family was pressuring him to be with Nie Ru at the most intense moment. If he were to reveal his relationship with Xia Qiuran now, it would be detrimental to Xia Qiuran. He absolutely could not reveal it now.

After pondering for a long time, I still couldn't find a suitable reason.

"If you can't say it, then there's no problem." Chen Xiu laughed when she saw that Lu Zhenghan hadn't spoken for a long time, and then turned to look at Xia Qiuran.

Thinking that the two had been together for a while, Lu Zhenghan might listen to Xia Qiuran's words to some extent.

"Xia, you be the judge. Nie Ru is Zheng Han's childhood friend and a key talent who returned from studying abroad. Are the two of them suitable to be together?"

Hearing Chen Xiu call her, Xia Qiuran quickly loosened her grip on the military pants that she had clenched so tightly that they were all wrinkled, and tried to force a smile.

"I don't really understand these things, Auntie, so I can't comment. I've finished hemming my trousers. Political Commissar, Regiment Commander, Auntie, please enjoy your meal. I'll head back now."

After saying that, he picked up his pants, stood up, greeted everyone, and walked out.

Lu Zhenghan watched Xia Qiuran's retreating figure, wanting to chase after her but not daring to. He could only hold back for now, thinking he would explain things to her later when he had the chance.

...

On the path in the residential compound, Xia Qiuran was holding a pair of pants in her hand. The pant legs were touching the ground, and she didn't even notice that they were covered in dust.

If I hadn't come to borrow the sewing machine this time, I probably wouldn't have known that Lu Zhenghan's family had already found him a partner, and that the person he was with was so close to him.

Her childhood friend helped her take a bath, and Chen Xiu's words just now kept repeating in her ears like a tape recorder.

Even if Nie Ru were reborn ten times, she still couldn't compare to such an outstanding woman. Aren't they really a better match?

It was so annoying. Xia Qiuran was so upset that she simply buried herself in the covers and went to sleep as soon as she got back to her dorm room.

After finishing his meal, Lu Zhenghan left Zhou Guangming's house and took advantage of the time to walk around the military base. When he arrived at the entrance of the girls' dormitory, he looked out at one of the windows on the second floor.

His eyes were deep and dark, seemingly even darker than the night itself.

They didn't turn and leave until the lights went out.

The next day, Xia Qiuran still wore her old military uniform to the canteen for breakfast. After getting her food, she found a corner against the wall to sit down and eat.

A short while later, Lu Zhenghan also arrived at the cafeteria. He spotted Xia Qiuran sitting there from afar. After getting his food, he didn't care about the consequences or whether anyone would notice him. He walked straight towards her.

The moment Xia Qiuran looked up, she noticed Lu Zhenghan. Before she could even swallow the steamed bun in her mouth, she picked up her lunchbox and walked out.

She didn't know why she was avoiding him; she just didn't want to talk to Lu Zhenghan.