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

"It's nothing. Didn't you have something to tell me before? Tell me now."

With a stern face, Lu Zhenghan took out real thread from his sewing kit and began to sew on the buttons.

Xia Qiuran also remembered what had happened before, but hadn't everything been explained at Xiaocao's house that day? Could it be that Lu Zhenghan wanted to go back on his word?

"Commander Lu, didn't we already agree on this?" Xia Qiuran said cautiously.

"Is it settled?" Lu Zhenghan looked up hesitantly.

"Yes, when we were at Xiaocao's house, didn't you already promise me that once my reserve soldier spot became available, you would go to Political Commissar Zhou to discuss letting Xiaocao come?"

Xia Qiuran stared nervously at Lu Zhenghan, her eyes filled with worry and unease, as if she were afraid that Lu Zhenghan would change his mind.

"Is this what you wanted to talk about?" Lu Zhenghan confirmed.

"Yes." Xia Qiuran nodded heavily.

Lu Zhenghan's expression froze for a few seconds, then he returned to normal and continued sewing the buttons.

"Commander Lu, are you alright?"

"fine."

"But your buttons are sewn on backwards," Xia Qiuran said, pursing her lips slightly.

The air seemed to freeze, and after a moment Xia Qiuran asked cautiously again.

"Shall I sew it for you?"

"Need not."

"…Oh well."

Xia Qiuran didn't dare to say anything more. Last time, she had already upset Lu Zhenghan by mending his vest without his permission, and she absolutely couldn't do that again this time.

...

After a bumpy ride, the car finally arrived in the city.

Since it was the weekend when they returned, the military training was not intense. As soon as the two entered the military base, everyone who saw them gathered around them.

"Brother Zhenghan." Bai Yunyun was the first to run over and hooked her arm around Lu Zhenghan's in front of everyone.

"Dr. Bai, if you continue to address me like that, I'll have no choice but to give you a demerit." Lu Zhenghan's face darkened as he dodged to the side, his already hard jawline becoming even more taut.

Aunt Lü glanced sideways at Bai Yunyun, thinking, "She's no good at prescribing medicine and treating patients, but she's got a knack for seducing men."

Then he pulled Xia Qiuran aside and said, "Qiuran, you're finally back! I've used up all the ointment you gave me last time. Could you make me some more?"

"Of course, I'll give it to you tomorrow," Xia Qiuran replied readily.

"Qiuran, thank you so much! You don't know how much better my husband's joints are now, they don't hurt even on cloudy or rainy days." Aunt Lü immediately thanked her.

Bai Yunyun had prescribed so many medicines for her before, but they had little effect. She was extremely grateful to Jing for being cured by Xia Qiu's free plaster. She then pulled over a somewhat shy boy behind her.

"This is Zhang Xiaoliang, a new recruit. He also wants to see you for treatment."

"Okay, what's wrong, Comrade Xiao Zhang?" Xia Qiuran looked at the boy who seemed even younger than him and asked with a slight smile.

"Greetings, Commander."

"Dr. Xia, I hurt my shoulder during training yesterday. Can you take a look?" The boy greeted Lu Zhenghan first, then looked at Xia Qiuran. After answering, his cheeks turned red.

He's still a shy boy, Xia Qiuran thought to herself with a smile. But she really liked hearing him call her "Dr. Xia." "I'll go back and put my luggage down. You can wait for me in the infirmary."

"Okay." Zhang Xiaoliang replied and obediently walked towards the infirmary.

After the two left, someone nearby asked Aunt Lü, "This Zhang Xiaoliang seems to be younger than Qiu Ran, right?"

"She's a year younger, so what? A girl's age is a golden opportunity. This little guy has a pretty face, a good personality, and is especially good at taking care of people. Isn't that what we women want when we get married—someone who cares about us and is there for us?" Aunt Lu said without any hesitation.

Zhang Xiaoliang was the most handsome, gentle, and kindest boy she had ever seen among all the new recruits.

Of course, she would save such an exceptional boy for Xia Qiuran first.

Lu Zhenghan, who had been standing at the back, frowned slightly, a strange look flashing in his eyes. He stepped forward and said, "Isn't it said that a woman who is a year older than a man is not a wife? How come you completely change your mind about Aunt Lü?"

"Hey, Commander, sometimes you can't believe all these old sayings. You have to look at the person. Did you see Zhang Xiaoliang's face? It's rare to see a boy with such a tender face. It would be so nice to have a handsome young man like that by your side every day," Aunt Lü replied immediately.

But he couldn't help but wonder why Commander Lu, who usually didn't like to get involved in such trivial matters, had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation today.

A handsome young man? 18 years old!

Lu Zhenghan's face was grim, his fingers unconsciously clenched, his eyes were as cold as ice, but his expression remained unchanged.

Medical room.

Since the internship slots at the First Hospital won't be available until next month, Xia Qiuran has to stay and work in the infirmary during this period.

She had no time to unpack her luggage in the dormitory, so she quickly went to the infirmary.

Upon entering, they discovered that Lu Zhenghan had arrived earlier.

"Commander Lu, aren't you going back to rest?" Xia Qiuran asked with some confusion.

"I've been walking a lot these past few days, and my toes are all rubbed raw. I came to get some medicine," Lu Zhenghan replied expressionlessly.

"Oh, then let me take a look for you."

Xia Qiuran walked over to check Lu Zhenghan's wound, but Bai Yunyun stepped in front of her first.

"Xia Qiuran, your Zhang Xiaoliang is waiting for you over there. Commander Lu, you can leave this to me."

Xia Qiuran glanced back at Zhang Xiaoliang and thought about it. She realized that she couldn't possibly see all the patients by herself; she had to leave some room for others.

"it is good."

Xia Qiuran turned around and went to Zhang Xiaoliang's side.

"Comrade Zhang, take off your clothes."

As soon as he said this, Zhang Xiaoliang's blush deepened, and he seemed somewhat apprehensive.

Lu Zhenghan remained seated in the infirmary chair, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

"Didn't you say the injury is on your shoulder? How can I see it if you don't take off your clothes?" Xia Qiuran continued, noticing Zhang Xiaoliang's embarrassment.

Zhang Xiaoliang then slowly unbuttoned his shirt, barely revealing one shoulder.

Xia Qiuran reached out and tugged at Zhang Xiaoliang's shirt again, wanting to get a better look.

"Dr. Xia, I can do it myself," Zhang Xiaoliang said softly.

Bai Yunyun glanced at Lu Zhenghan, then deliberately said, "Zhang Xiaoliang, don't be shy, Dr. Xia is very gentle."

"Doctors don't distinguish between men and women, you don't need to be embarrassed." Xia Qiuran ignored Bai Yunyun and spoke directly to Zhang Xiaoliang, then lifted his arm and rotated it. "Does it hurt like this?"

"It doesn't hurt."

"Okay. It's nothing serious, just a minor injury. I'll write you a prescription later, and you'll be fully recovered after taking the medicine for two days." Xia Qiuran quickly made the diagnosis and took out paper and pen to write down the prescription.

"Thank you, Dr. Xia."

"You're welcome."

"Dr. Xia, can I come again tomorrow?" Zhang Xiaoliang asked after getting dressed.

Xia Qiuran assumed Zhang Xiaoliang wanted to ask about his injuries, so she answered truthfully, "No need to come. You should be fully recovered after taking this medicine for two days. If you are still in pain, you can come to me."

Zhang Xiaoliang didn't leave after hearing this. He stood there awkwardly for a while, then quickly took out a receipt from his pocket. "Dr. Xia, here's a cloth ration coupon for you."

"Medical care in the military is free, except for a few special items that require out-of-pocket payment. You don't need to give me this," Xia Qiuran said to Zhang Xiaoliang, assuming he was a new recruit and unaware that medical care in the military was free.

"No, I don't need this. You can keep it to make a dress." Zhang Xiaoliang stammered, his ears turning red as he spoke.

Bai Yunyun, who was standing to the side, had already figured out what he meant. She raised her voice in Lu Zhenghan's ear and said, "Zhang Xiaoliang, you're so young, I didn't expect you to be able to chase girls. You two are about the same age and your personalities are compatible. You look like a match made in heaven."

When his feelings were exposed, Zhang Xiaoliang's face flushed red, and he lowered his head, at a loss for what to do.

Lu Zhenghan, who had been silent until now, suddenly asked in a calm voice,

"Zhang Xiaoliang, you're a new recruit who just joined the army this year, right?"

Upon hearing Lu Zhenghan's question, Zhang Xiaoliang immediately stood up straight, looked ahead, and answered in a loud voice, as if a switch had been flipped.

"Reporting to the commander, I enlisted in early March this year."