Before dawn the next morning, the rhythmic sound of stirring slogans and steady, powerful footsteps surged like an incoming tide. Shen Niantang woke early, washed, and prepared to report to the Translation Department of the military base.
Dressed in simple, professional attire, Shen Niantang arrived at the third floor of the military office building. Pushing the door open, she saw that He Qian was already sitting at his desk. Hearing her enter, he turned around, beaming.
"Comrade Shen, you've arrived."
"I tidied up a desk for you yesterday. Come, sit here. Since you’re here, let me officially introduce myself. My name is He Qian. From now on, we’ll be colleagues."
Shen Niantang looked around the sparse office; aside from two large desks and some basic equipment, it felt quite empty.
"Is it just the two of us here?"
"Yes, that's right. Although the military offers excellent benefits and salary, the materials handled by this department are strictly confidential. Because of that, the political vetting and individual background checks are incredibly rigorous. Before you arrived, I was the only one here."
Shen Niantang nodded, saying nothing more. The workload in the military's Translation Department was relatively light.
Watching Shen Niantang sit at her desk, He Qian dropped his formal guard; he was genuinely curious about her true proficiency. It was rare, after all, to find someone of her age with such a high level of translation skill.
Shen Niantang lifted her eyes to meet He Qian’s gaze. A flicker of subtle tension crossed her clear, water-like eyes. She knew that the level of translation she had demonstrated far exceeded normal expectations, and it was inevitable that she would invite suspicion. She gently set down her fountain pen, her fingertips unconsciously smoothing over the desk, before offering a humble smile.
"Comrade He, in truth, I only have a modest interest and hobby in translation."
Her voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake.
"I usually enjoy studying foreign language books, but there is still much for me to learn. I am not as capable as everyone seems to think."
Her tone was sincere, her words tinged with humility, as if she were truly just a beginner passionate about translation. Watching her slightly lowered lashes and earnest expression, He Qian’s doubts gradually dissipated. He couldn't help but recall his own naive beginnings in the field, and a knowing smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Comrade Shen, you are being too modest."
He Qian pushed up his glasses, his tone becoming a shade warmer.
"To possess such skill is already quite remarkable. In the future, we shall work together and learn from one another."
Shen Niantang noticed the wariness in He Qian’s eyes fading, replaced by genuine appreciation. She let out an internal sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. Sunlight filtered through the window, bathing her profile in a soft glow that made her appear all the more gentle and lovely.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Comrade He."
She said softly, her fingers neatly organizing the documents on her desk.
Throughout the morning, because Shen Niantang had not yet cleared the final political vetting, she simply sat beside He Qian, assisting with minor, non-essential files. The two worked in a silent, seamless rhythm, and whenever they exchanged words, Shen Niantang was always able to pick up the conversation exactly where it needed to be. Her laughter was crisp and pleasant, echoing through the quiet office like a string of silver bells. He Qian found that this seemingly delicate girl was not only exceptionally talented but also remarkably insightful. Unknowingly, the distance between them had shortened significantly.
"This set of documents needs to be re-filed by date," He Qian said, handing a stack of papers to Shen Niantang. "I'm sorry to trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all," Shen Niantang replied, taking the files and flipping through the pages with nimble fingers.
Her movements were clean and efficient, without a hint of hesitation. He Qian watched from the side, his eyes filled with admiration. They continued to work, a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere filling the office.
Meanwhile, as the morning sun cast its first light, Commander Gu was leading his soldiers through their morning run. He wore a dark green training uniform, beads of sweat trailing down his sharp, angular jawline and glinting like scattered diamonds in the sun. His stride was steady and powerful, his breathing even, but his thoughts had drifted far away.
"I wonder what Shen Niantang is doing right now..."
The thought intruded into his mind uncontrollably, causing him to frown slightly. He tried to focus on his training, but the image of Shen Niantang’s smiling eyes and gentle expression constantly surfaced.
After the run, Gu Tingchuan returned to his office, throwing his military jacket carelessly over the back of his chair. He sat at his desk and picked up a document, only to find he couldn't absorb a single word. His pen spun between his fingers, leaving a small, blooming ink stain on the paper, though he was completely unaware of it.
"It’s her first day of work. I hope everything is going smoothly for her..."
Gu Tingchuan tapped his fingers unconsciously on the desk, his gaze fixed on the tall parasol tree outside the window. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, as if mocking his restlessness.
Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.
"Come in."
Gu Tingchuan quickly gathered his thoughts, returning to his usual stern expression. A logistics soldier entered, carrying a stack of supply request forms.
"Commander Gu, these supplies require your signature for confirmation."
Gu Tingchuan took the documents and scanned the contents. The forms listed several textbooks for cultural studies, which reminded him that He Qian had been responsible for overseeing the military's cultural education during this period. A thought suddenly crossed his mind: Shen Niantang’s English was excellent—did she know how to teach? After all, the teaching standards in the military were in need of improvement, and instructors were scarce.
After signing the forms, Gu Tingchuan stood up and, as if drawn by some invisible force, headed toward the Translation Department on the third floor. His footsteps in the hallway were steady and forceful, but his heart was racing uncontrollably. He tried to frame a reasonable excuse for himself: as the commander, it was only right to check on the progress of a new comrade.
When he reached the door of the Translation Department, he looked through the window and saw Shen Niantang chatting and laughing with He Qian. Sunlight streamed through the glass, outlining her delicate profile. She was smiling, her brows curved, radiating a warmth that seemed to fill the room. He Qian was laughing heartily as well; the atmosphere between them seemed light and pleasant.
Gu Tingchuan’s brow furrowed involuntarily, a surge of unexplainable bitterness rising in his chest. His frown deepened. But soon, he took a deep breath, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The sound interrupted the laughter in the office. Shen Niantang turned, and her smile faltered for an instant when she saw Gu Tingchuan standing at the doorway. She quickly stood up and straightened her jacket. She didn't know why, but she always felt an inexplicable nervousness in front of this man, and his naturally stern, joyless demeanor only added to his imposing authority.
"Commander Gu."
Her voice remained gentle, though it held a hint of reserve.
He Qian also stood up. "Commander Gu, are there any instructions?"
Gu Tingchuan walked into the office, his military boots clicking sharply against the floorboards. His gaze lingered on Shen Niantang’s face for a second before shifting to He Qian.
"I’ve come to check on how the new comrade is settling into her work."