Chapter 214 - 214 213 Scattering Happy Dog Food (8)

Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Scattering Happy Dog Food (8) Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Scattering Happy Dog Food (8) Tang Zelin scratched his head, feeling somewhat agitated. Just as he reached for his pocket, a cigarette appeared before him.

Qu Guo’an said, “Here, take one on the house.”

“Thanks.” He took the cigarette, lit it, and placed it between his lips.

After a couple of puffs, he suppressed the inexplicable irritation and began to speak, “It’s not what you think. I don’t know what’s going on. When I don’t see her, I’m fine, but as soon as I see her, I always want to take advantage of the girl.” He finished speaking and let out a long sigh before turning to look at Old Qu.

On Tang Zelin’s face was a deep helplessness that Qu Guo’an had never seen before.

Qu Guo’an said, “…”

That’s a tough one…

Tang Zelin flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, “I, Tang Zelin, have lived for many years and have seen countless women. I don’t even know when I became like this, always thinking about bullying a young girl.”

Qu Guo’an was silent for a long time before suddenly lifting his head to speak—not so much to ask but to declare with certainty.

“Old Tang, tell me the truth, when you said back in the new recruits’ company that you had seen countless women, were you talking bullshit?”

“Cough cough—damn it, you’re bringing up ancient history?” Tang Zelin was caught by surprise, choking on his saliva and coughing violently.

“You owe me a cigarette and two bottles of liquor, pay me back!”

“I’m heading back to the barracks.”

“You still owe me a cigarette and two bottles of liquor!”

…

On the first night of Tang Zelin’s return, he and his longtime partner Qu Guo’an drank from beneath the big tree to inside the barracks, and from the barracks to the ground, chatting about memories from the past all the way up to the present. Qu Guo’an watched as Tang Zelin’s brows, heavy since his return, gradually relaxed, and the anxiety he’d carried all day finally settled down.

After washing his face with clear water, he helped Tang Zelin onto his bunk, then went back to his place to lie down and doze off for a bit.

Before Old Tang returned, their superiors had vaguely reminded him to be sure to pay attention to Tang Zelin’s mental state.

As for work, there was no rush. Old Tang still had three days of leave left. Before falling asleep, Qu Guo’an pondered the words Old Tang had said to him that night.

He thought, no problem, if it really comes down to it, I’ll just try calling that girl Su Shu over.

Since coming back from this mission, he had noticed something off about Tang Zelin.

He didn’t mention a single thing about the mission, only stating, “We caught the person.”

He wanted to ask more but the topic was always deflected by him. Such an obvious change was clearly visible. If Tang Zelin didn’t talk, Qu Guo’an believed it was because Tang Zelin had always been a man with a strong inner fortitude. If he didn’t want to say, he must have had his reasons.

So Qu Guo’an didn’t ask.

Neither did he know what exactly had happened during Tang Zelin’s time away.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, Qu Guo’an eventually drifted off to sleep.

…

Dawn’s early light peeked through, and birds chirped amongst the trees.

Su Shu was awoken by the sound of the birds, turning over to lie in bed and gather her senses.

Suddenly, there was a low knock at the door.

Hmm??

Who would come over so early in the morning?

Su Shu hesitated for a moment, and when the knocking sound came again, she got dressed and went to open the door.

“Who is it?”

Standing by the door, she cautiously asked.

“It’s me.”

Su Shu was stunned, realizing it was Tang Zelin. Why had he come over again so early?

She casually opened the door and indeed saw the tall figure of the man standing in the doorway against the wind. Just as she was about to speak, she heard him speak first.

“Hmm, you’re alright, then I’m relieved.”

“You…”

Su Shu hadn’t finished speaking when Tang Zelin had already turned and walked away with large strides.

Standing in the doorway, Su Shu was perplexed: “…”

What’s going on here?!

He comes when he wants, leaves when he wants?

Su Shu’s brows knitted slightly, unable to understand the man’s intentions, feeling quite exasperated…

She thought that such mornings were just accidents.

However, the days that followed were a day, two days, three days…

Su Shu’s expression finally changed. One afternoon, she intentionally sought out Tang Zelin just after he had finished training the troops and cornered him at the door of the regiment headquarters.