Clatter
“Brother Sen”
The familiar voice slipped out before the original host’s lingering consciousness had fully faded. The iron ladle in her hand dropped to the ground with a clang.
By the time she realized and tried to cover her mouth, it was already too late.
As soon as the words fell, the soldiers gathered around the thermos paused mid-action. Their eyes unconsciously darted between the three of them, clearly eager for drama but not daring to show it openly.
Everyone present knew exactly what kind of person the commander’s wife used to be constantly causing trouble, always running to the military hospital, with her eyes and heart only for Doctor Lin.
Now she suddenly brought mung bean soup to the training ground, and Doctor Lin just happened to show up at the same time. Wasn’t it obvious? She must be using the soup as an excuse to see him.
They sneaked glances at Commander Song beside them. His aura instantly turned icy. The fingers gripping the thermos had gone pale, clearly on the verge of anger.
“Sister-in-law, you can call me Doctor Lin or Lin Sen,” Lin Sen replied awkwardly, deliberately emphasizing “sister-in-law” to draw a clear line while still giving her some face.
Damn that lingering consciousness of the original host… These past few days she’d been trying to shake off that troublesome, disliked image, yet it kept tripping her up at the worst moments.
“Sorry, slip of the tongue.” Qiao Yuwei calmly picked up the ladle from the ground, her tone detached, as if speaking to a stranger.
Her composed attitude stunned Lin Sen for a moment, disbelief flashing across his eyes.
In the past, whenever he called her “sister-in-law,” she would cry and refuse, sometimes even making a scene in the hospital corridors. To avoid disrupting patients, he had no choice but to call her by name. Yet now she was completely calm.
Maybe this was for the best. If she stayed like this, it would save them both from gossip.
At that moment, Lin Sen’s gaze shifted to the mung bean soup in the thermos. The refreshing sweet aroma and soft texture were especially tempting in the sweltering heat.
“Since when did the cafeteria get so good? This mung bean soup smells amazing.”
A soldier quickly explained, “Doctor Lin, you misunderstood. Sister-in-law made it specially for us to cool down.”
“I didn’t expect sister-in-law to have such skills. There’s only one bowl left must be really good. In this weather, a bowl like that would cool you off for the whole afternoon…” Lin Sen stared at the remaining thick soup, his desire obvious.
The soldiers exchanged knowing glances, their curiosity intensifying.
“Doctor Lin, we’ve all had some already. Only the commander hasn’t”
Song Zhinian’s face darkened as he shot them a cold look. The murmurs stopped instantly.
In everyone’s eyes, there was no doubt who that last bowl belonged to. The old Qiao Yuwei would’ve snatched anything Lin Sen wanted let alone a bowl of soup.
“I’m not thirsty.” Song Zhinian suppressed the strange feeling in his chest, his tone cold and indifferent.
Lin Sen smiled. “If the commander doesn’t want it, then I won’t be polite. I’ve been busy all morning and I’m a bit thirsty.”
“Suit yourself.”
Lin Sen stepped forward, reaching for the bowl in her hand. But she suddenly shifted aside, avoiding him.
“Doctor Lin, sorry. There’s only one bowl left.”
“It’s fine. The last bowl is the best full of bean paste, more nutritious. Thanks, sister-in-law.”
He reached out again but just as his hand was about to touch the bowl, she pulled it away.
“Oh? Doctor Lin, since you said it’s the best, then I should save it for my husband. He’s been working hard all afternoon he must be thirsty.” With that, she turned and walked toward Song Zhinian.
“Husband, here’s your sweet soup. I worked hard to make it have some to soothe your throat.” Qiao Yuwei held it out to him, her voice deliberately soft.
Lin Sen’s outstretched hand froze midair, his smile stiffening in embarrassment.
“Damn…” someone blurted out before quickly covering their mouth.
“No way… sister-in-law actually gave it to the commander instead of Doctor Lin and even called him ‘husband’ so sweetly?”
“Wow… has she finally come to her senses and realized who her husband is?”
Everyone looked utterly shocked.
Song Zhinian suddenly turned back, his deep gaze piercing through her. “No need. I won’t drink it.”
He didn’t believe for a second that she would suddenly treat him so kindly. She must be upset that Lin Sen called her “sister-in-law,” so she was deliberately embarrassing him in public to make him jealous one of her usual tricks.
Qiao Yuwei sighed inwardly. As expected, his prejudice against her ran too deep. This cold-faced commander wouldn’t be easy to win over.
But she wasn’t about to give up.
Instead of pulling her hand back, she stepped closer and muttered softly, “Dear husband, with so many people watching, at least give me some face… or I’ll be really embarrassed.”
Song Zhinian glanced around. Sure enough, everyone was staring at them intently.
“What does that have to do with me? Didn’t you ignore my dignity before? Besides…” he deliberately dragged out his words, leaning closer to her, “do you even have any left?”
“You’re really not taking it?”
“No. Give it to your Doctor Lin instead.” There was a faint trace of jealousy in his voice.
“Oh, so that’s how you want to play?” she thought. Fine no need to play nice then.
Suddenly, she smiled slyly and stepped forward, deliberately tripping over her own foot. “Ah!”
“Careful.” Song Zhinian caught her steadily and along with her, the bowl of soup that nearly spilled.
She grinned mischievously at him. “See? You already took it. Our Commander Song really is stubborn, isn’t he?”
“You…” He was left speechless.
In truth, he was already parched. The heat was unbearable, and he had finished his water an hour ago. That small sip earlier only made him crave more.
But so what? Everyone knew the last bowl was meant for Lin Sen. Why should he expect something that was never his?
“Look, your lips are already dry. Just drink it… otherwise…” Qiao Yuwei leaned closer to his ear, her eyes glinting with mischief as she glanced at his lips.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind moistening them for you with mine in front of everyone.”