Cheng Su wrapped the bandage around Qi Taiguoās arm and asked, "What happened here, it looks like a chunk of flesh has been taken out?"
The wound itself didnāt seem too big, but Cheng Su couldnāt tell if it was Qi Taiguoās nonchalance or something else that made it look rather ferocious, which was quite frightening to look at.
"Itās not as serious as you put it, just grazed by a bullet," Qi Taiguo replied nonchalantly.
A bullet!
Cheng Suās hand paused, and after a long look, she finally said, "Is every mission you go on this dangerous? Fighting for your life amidst gunfire and bullets?"
Qi Taiguo frowned, thinking she was being unsatisfied and scornful, and couldnāt help saying, "Protecting our home and country is the sacred duty of a soldier, what would you understand!"
Her tone was somewhat harsh, and Cheng Su lowered her eyes as she said, "Protecting our home and country is indeed your sacred duty, but you have to be more careful. Youāre not alone anymore! As the saying goes, āOur parents gave us our body, skin, and hairā, how heartbroken would your parents be if they knew about this?"
Parents? That sounded odd.
Qi Taiguo didnāt speak.
With him silent, Cheng Su didnāt feel out of place using 21st-century lingo, and without further questioning, one canāt become fat with one bite, after all. By her reckoning, she had been here nearly two months, but the days she had interacted with him were still short-lived. There would be more time to get along, so take it slow, she thought.
Besides, he had just come back, injured no less. How could she bear to argue with him intensively?
"Are there any other injuries?" After tying the bandage, she took another look at the skin not covered by his tank top.
Qi Taiguo, seeing her like this, softened his tone and said, "No, it was just a careless scrape this time. But itās a minor injury; thereās no need for the bandage." As he spoke, he reached out to untie the bandage.
"That wonāt do. The weather is hot, and you will be training with the troops again. Sweat is salty; it will sting the wound and make it harder to heal. You may even get an infection. Better to leave it wrapped," Cheng Su insisted on her opinion. She had seen news of people dying from tetanus from a small wound.
Having heard that, Qi Taiguo didnāt continue and let his hand drop.
Cheng Su put away the medicine box and then asked, "Why donāt you go rest? I can take care of the things here."
Qi Taiguo felt a bit strange inside and walked towards his room, then heard her ask, "By the way, are you going to the troop tomorrow? Just came back from a mission; canāt you take a day off?"
"Rest for a day, need to write a report," Qi Taiguo answered, asking, "Is there something you need?"
"Nothing, just asking. Go get some sleep!" Cheng Su smiled.
Qi Taiguo saw her taking the bowls and utensils out to the kitchen, went back to his room with a heart full of curiosity, and laid down on the bed. It was a while before he heard the door closing; he looked at the door gap ā the light in the hall had gone out.
He could understand her less and less!
Qi Taiguo thought this and soon fell asleep.
Summer night, slightly cool.
Perhaps it was a soldierās natural alertness, or maybe he had not fallen into a deep sleep yet, but when Qi Taiguo heard the faint sound, he opened his eyes, steadied his mind, reached out for a small alarm clock to check the time.
Five oāclock.
So early, what was she up to? Hmm
Qi Taiguo intended not to bother, but the thought of the bowl of noodles and the bandage on his arm eventually got him out of bed.
Iām just returning a favor, not that Iām concerned about her!
Qi Taiguo convinced himself of that.
He opened his room door and indeed saw Cheng Su, all dressed up and reaching for the door latch, looking like she was about to go out.
"Itās not even fully light out yet, where are you going?" Qi Taiguo asked, frowning heavily behind her.
Her abrupt voice startled Cheng Su nearly into jumping up; she turned around swiftly: "Jeez, are you trying to scare me to death?"