Hello, Comrade. I'm Here to Marry You!

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Want to Go to Beijing Together?

In the novel, Lin Shumo was the classic, incredibly warm and gentle type.

Following the principle that "the male lead belongs to the female lead, but the second lead belongs to the audience," the author depicted Lin Shumo as a deeply devoted, gentle, and considerate model of a man.

Back when she was listening to the audiobook, Su Zhaozhao had a massive crush on the second male lead and thought his situation was just too tragic.

He silently watched over the female lead, and she didn’t even know he liked her.

He and the female lead were childhood sweethearts, both from the same small town.

Lin Shumo passed the exam to become a military doctor and came to work at the military district hospital.

The female lead ended up meeting the male lead because she came to the area after her college entrance exams to visit Lin Shumo.

As luck would have it, the male lead was also at the hospital, and that’s how their story began.

What followed was the classic plotline where the childhood friend loses out to the fated newcomer.

Now, seeing Lin Shumo, Su Zhaozhao felt like she was looking at an old friend.

Thinking of his tragic future, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.

But she was also worried about herself.

’The female lead is about to show up. So, does Xie Huaizheng actually like me, or will he fall for the original heroine at first sight?’

’I don’t know how powerful a protagonist’s halo is. If it’s as strong as they say, I have to marry Xie Huaizheng as soon as possible.’

’It’s not right to steal the heroine’s man, but... first come, first served. This world wronged me first.’

’Since it dragged me into this world for no reason, it can’t blame me for being ruthless.’

While Lin Shumo was adjusting Su Zhaozhao’s IV drip, he couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at her.

The main reason was that Su Zhaozhao’s gaze was fixed on him, yet it didn’t seem like she was actually looking *at* him.

’Is she looking through me... at someone else?’

This realization made Lin Shumo frown.

The girl in front of him was incredibly beautiful.

She possessed a beauty that made it impossible to look away after just one glance.

Her skin was fair and delicate, her features exquisite. Her cloud-like black hair spilled over her shoulders, framing a small, vulnerable face.

She looked like a girl from the south.

But in the end, Lin Shumo didn’t dwell on it. After hanging a new IV bag for her, he left.

Su Zhaozhao lay on the bed, bored out of her mind.

She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again.

At noon, it was Zhou Xiaoyun who brought her lunch.

"Huai Zheng had something to do, so he asked me to come. Zhaozhao, why are you always getting hurt? It breaks my heart to see it," Zhou Xiaoyun said with a frown.

She had brought Su Zhaozhao chicken soup, rice, and green vegetables.

"I’m just a bit unlucky, Aunt Yun. It’s okay. See? Don’t I survive every time?"

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyun couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her cheek. "You silly child, you can’t say such unlucky things, you know? Is it right for a young lady to be getting hurt all the time? Especially a pretty girl like you. I’m worried sick."

Zhou Xiaoyun pinched Su Zhaozhao’s cheek and found she almost couldn’t let go.

Honestly, Su Zhaozhao’s cheeks were so pinchable—as delicate, smooth, and soft as a child’s skin.

Su Zhaozhao ate her meal earnestly. Although she didn’t have much of an appetite, she knew she had to eat more so her body could recover faster.

’Of course, drinking the spiritual spring water would probably heal me even faster.’

’But it’s just too inconvenient while I’m in the hospital.’

’I’ll drink it after I get discharged.’

"Aunt Yun, your cooking is as delicious as ever," Su Zhaozhao said as she ate.

Zhou Xiaoyun had even put a whole chicken leg in her soup.

It was almost too much.

Su Zhaozhao was deeply moved.

’I’ve really met a lot of good people here.’

Seeing the touched expression on the girl’s face, Zhou Xiaoyun’s heart softened.

’Ah, if only my daughter were as sweet and well-behaved as Su Zhaozhao.’

Although Xie Huaizheng didn’t come to see Su Zhaozhao, her hospital room was still lively.

Not long after Zhou Xiaoyun left, Zhang Jingshu arrived.

"Aunt Zhang," Su Zhaozhao called out.

"Zhaozhao, are you okay? I heard about what happened to you all last night. It’s so frightening! The rain was so heavy, and the vehicle overturned."

"Everyone’s fine. We were all taken to the hospital for treatment," Su Zhaozhao said.

Zhang Jingshu brought Su Zhaozhao a bag of fruit.

Seeing that the table was already covered with a lot of fruit, she paused.

’It seems Su Zhaozhao is quite popular here.’

After getting up today, she had heard people talking about the details of last night’s incident all the way from the guesthouse to the dining hall.

"That Camp Commander Xie’s fiancée saved a lot of people! She even bandaged their wounds."

"She’s just a young girl, but she was so calm and collected. She kept reassuring everyone there."

"A truly impressive young lady. No wonder Camp Commander Xie has taken a liking to her."

...

As Zhang Jingshu listened to their discussions, she wasn’t surprised.

Ever since Su Zhaozhao had rescued Wen Xiaoqi, she knew the girl was remarkable.

But to be in such a perilous situation and still be able to help everyone around her—that kind of courage was something not just anyone possessed.

"Would you like an apple? I’ll peel one for you."

"Yes, please. Thank you, Aunt Zhang." Su Zhaozhao gave a radiant smile, her eyes curving into crescents.

’Ordinarily, she really looks like such a delicate and gentle girl.’

’Like a hothouse flower who had been coddled and raised with the utmost care.’

’And yet, at critical moments, she can display the demeanor of a leader.’

Su Zhaozhao ate half the apple, and Zhang Jingshu ate the rest.

After they finished, Su Zhaozhao said to Zhang Jingshu, "Aunt Zhang, let’s go for a walk outside. I’m so bored."

Having been stuck in the hospital room for so long, the smell of disinfectant was making Su Zhaozhao feel nauseous.

"But your health..."

"The doctor said I can walk around and get some sun," Su Zhaozhao said with a smile to Zhang Jingshu.

So, the two of them left the room and went to a courtyard behind the hospital.

This was a rest area where patients usually came to take a stroll.

The afternoon sun was no longer as harsh, but the heat lingered.

But since Su Zhaozhao wasn’t feeling well, she didn’t find the sun to be all that scorching.

The two of them chatted as they walked.

Zhang Jingshu was very curious about what had happened the previous night, so Su Zhaozhao told her all about it.

After hearing the details, Zhang Jingshu was so startled she couldn’t help but put a hand to her chest.

"My goodness, Zhaozhao, that’s terrifying! Thank heavens you weren’t hurt."

Her admiration for Su Zhaozhao grew even stronger.

’At first, I looked down on her because of her background.’

’Now it seems that forget my own daughter—even I can’t compare to her.’

’A nineteen-year-old girl, and yet she’s so capable.’

But Su Zhaozhao didn’t think it was a big deal. She had been terrified last night, too; she had only forced herself to stay calm to reassure the others.

"Auntie, when are you going back to Beijing?" Su Zhaozhao decided to change the subject, lest Zhang Jingshu remain shaken.

"In a couple of days. Zhaozhao, would you like to come back to Beijing with me for a visit?"