Chen Shouwang heard Hualingās question and his expression became somewhat panicked. His gaze shifted and met Qi Taiguoās piercing eyes, which made him even more flustered, so he started to cough softly.
Qi Taiguo then said, "Since heās awake and thereās nothing wrong, everyone should go back. Letās not disturb Platoon Leader Chenās rest."
Chen Shouwang gave him a grateful look.
Back at home, Cheng Su couldnāt wait to pull Qi Taiguo aside and ask what was really going on with Chen Shouwangās blood draw, as she had seen the exchange of looks between them.
Qi Taiguo pursed his lips and said, "I suspect that he might have gone to sell blood?"
"Sell... what, sell blood?" Cheng Suās eyes widened in disbelief, thinking she had misheard. She hadnāt misheard, had she? Selling blood?
Selling blood is something that one would only consider if they were desperate for money. The Chen family couldnāt possibly be so poor as to resort to selling blood, could they?
"How could that be possible? He is a platoon leader after all. His allowance might not be as high as yours, but it canāt be low, right? And Hualing also has a salary. Their family, why would they be so poor as to need to sell blood?" Cheng Su couldnāt believe it.
"I also hope I am wrong," Qi Taiguo sighed, "but Iāve noticed that Old Chen has been somewhat absent-minded these days, not focused during training. Most importantly, a few days ago, I saw a couple of hoodlums come to the military base looking for him."
"Youāre kidding!" Hoodlums looking for a soldier? Cheng Suās eyes flashed with curiosity.
"Mm-hmm, itās the same blond hoodlum who harassed you last time. Tell me, if nothing happened, why would he be associating with hoodlums? Has he forgotten that heās a soldier?" Qi Taiguoās tone had become a bit harsh by the end.
Cheng Su frowned and said, "We donāt know the actual situation, so itās better not to make assumptions."
"I will ask him for clarification later," Qi Taiguo said, resolute not to allow Chen Shouwang to fall from grace.
"If he really sold blood, then he must need money, it must be related to money," Cheng Su said. "If money can solve the problem, then it isnāt a problem. Why resort to selling blood?"
Indeed, they were comrades in arms; wasnāt there anything they couldnāt seek help for? Why risk oneās body for such a thing? Didnāt Chen Shouwang know that a soldierās greatest asset is their health?
Chen Shouwang was also troubled, putting all his effort into placating Hualing. But one lie required a hundred more to sustain it, and it was exhausting.
"I really didnāt lie to you. Iāve just been too tired from training lately, had a few blood tests, and maybe it was too hot today, thatās why I fainted. I used to get faint at the sight of blood when I was a kid!"
"Youāre still lying to me at this point, youāre still lying to me," Hualing cried. "If you didnāt have a problem, why would you go for a medical exam?"
Chen Shouwang felt a throbbing in his temples and had to close his eyes.
Seeing this, Hualing became very anxious: "Whatās wrong? Still feeling dizzy?"
"Iām just dizzy, I want to sleep for a bit. After Iāve rested, can we talk then? My good wife, I really donāt have the guts to lie to you," Chen Shouwang said.
Hualing opened her mouth, bit her lip, and said, "Iāll go buy some pig liver to make you soup."
Chen Shouwang breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Youāre going through a lot of trouble!"
As long as she didnāt ask any further, that was fine; otherwise, he really couldnāt cope. If he revealed everything, how would she react?
Chen Shouwang watched Hualingās retreating back, opened his mouth to speak, but the words halted on his lips. He couldnāt say it. He absolutely couldnāt say it.