Chapter 19 - I Have A Favor to Ask

Shen Leng slept extremely well. In order to keep up the good acting, when he woke up on schedule, he forced himself to make it seem like he was still befuddled for a few moments before he got up and folded the quilt. When he stepped out of the room, he saw that the two garrison brothers were still there. Immediately, Shen Leng felt guilty.

“My two brothers, I’m truly sorry.”

He cupped his fist and apologized.

Of course, the two people did not know the real reason why he apologized - they even thought that Shen Leng felt bad because he felt that he had implicated them into staying up the entire night. One of them gestured and said, “I’m glad that you’re ok. If Pang Zhang were to bully you again, let us know. We’ve always been able to dig up information that can be used against him within the garrison. We will help you get back at him.”

The other one added, “That’s right. Don’t be afraid. We hardship brothers should help each other!”

Shen Leng thanked them once again. The side door opened and Yang Qibao walked into the room. “Brother, you’re awake? Don’t be in a rush to head back. The general instructed me to bring you to him once you’re awake.”

Shen Leng thought to himself: I can fool everyone, except for the general. Mr. Shen said that General Zhuang is a very shameless person. But who knows if that’s true or not.

　

He walked over with Yang Qibao. Throughout the entire journey, he kept thanking and apologizing to him. That was because he truly felt bad towards Yang Qibao. He lied to a person who he could actually be friends with. It was a bad feeling. Precisely because it felt too torturous, Shen Leng made a vow that he would never plot such a thing ever again.

On the other hand, Yang Qibao only felt that Shen Leng was too polite, and that he was also a sincere person.

　

When they got to the main tent in the center of the camp, Shen Leng could not go in. That was because General Zhuang had a guest that early in the morning. The soldiers who were keeping guard outside instructed Shen Leng to wait for a while. Shen Leng thanked him and stood upright while waiting. After all, he was in the military.

Within the tent, Mr. Shen laughed and put the gift down. “It’s only been a short while and I’m here to see you again.”

Zhuang Yong was somewhat embarrassed. “You didn’t have to bring a gift”

Mr. Shen replied, “Of course it’s because I have a favor to ask of you. How can I come here empty-handed?”

Initially, Zhuang Yong was too embarrassed to see what the gift was. But after Mr. Shen said that, he subconsciously glanced over. Thereafter, he started coughing. “The two jars of tea leaves that you took from me?”

Mr. Shen nodded. “Yes, that’s right. It’s good. I drank two cups of it, it tastes really good.”

Zhuang Yong replied, “Can you get any more shameless?”

Shen Cha Yan, who was dressed like a boy, sat at the side, feeling a little uncomfortable. When she heard his question, she nodded earnestly. “He can. He had switched the tea leaves and left yours in the Daoist temple. The tea leaves in here were casually bought outside.”

Zhuang Yong looked at Mr. Shen. Mr. Shen looked as calm as ever. “The ones I bought are pretty decent too. Yeah, although they pale slightly in comparison. If you feel that they are not good enough for a general like you, I can take them back.”

Zhuang Yong responded, “You dare to do that?”

　

Mr. Shen kept the two jars of tea leaves. “Yes.”

Zhuang Yong felt that he must have betrayed the love of his life in his previous life, bringing her hardship as a result, which was why he ended up becoming friends with this fella in this life. When that thought appeared in his head, he was taken aback. I have gone crazy because of the anger.

“Tell me directly. What do you want from me?”

Mr. Shen cleared his throat and said with a serious look on his face. “My daughter is not young anymore…”

Zhuang Yong stared blankly for a few moments. “But I don’t have any sons. I have a daughter too. Ruo Rong. You have seen her before as well. She’s about the same age as Little Cha.

Mr. Shen replied, “No, I am not trying to play matchmaker with you. What I’m trying to say is, she’s older now, and does not need to depend on her father anymore. Leng is still kept in here, right? She and Leng, ahem ahem…even if I were thick-skinned, I would still be too embarrassed to say it directly. You know what I mean, right?”

Zhuang Yong did not see this coming - he truly assumed that Shen Leng was Shen Xiaosong’s son.

“Finish your sentence.”

“What I’m trying to say is, my daughter wants to see Leng more in the future. And since I don’t have the authority, all I can do is ask you.”

　　

Zhuang Yong replied, “The soldiers in the Navy have four vacation days every month. This is the special privilege that people in the Navy enjoy. Why, is four days not sufficient?”

　　

Mr. Shen had not finished his words, but Master Cha lowered her head and said in a soft voice, “Not quite enough…”

Zhuang Yong sighed. “Forget it, forget it. I will give him an extra day. Only him. You must not tell anyone about this, or it’ll make me hard to lead my men.”

Mr. Shen quickly thanked him. “Thank you, thank you. However, this is not what I meant. You are also a father. Naturally, you are able to understand what your daughter is thinking if she has someone special that she fancies. She would want to be lovey-dovey with him every day. Of course I know this is impossible! Men have to attach great importance to their future. How can they be bogged down by love between a man and a woman?”

Zhuang Yong responded, “You’re suddenly being reasonable. I have a feeling that there’s a catch.”

Mr. Shen coughed twice before continuing, “Of course, my daughter is worried that if they don’t see each other for long periods of time, what if he falls for another person?”

Zhuang Yong replied, “It’s my first time seeing a father like you…Didn’t you think about it properly? There isn’t a single woman in the entire camp. Who else is he going to fall for?”

Mr. Shen laughed wickedly, “Did you really think that I don’t know that it’s possible for two people to fall in love within a military camp? Initially, it might not have been possible. But if they are too deprived, they might not mind…”

Zhuang Yong responded, “Ahem ahem…can’t you be more solemn in front of your daughter? What you’re saying is nonsense!”

　　

Mr. Shen replied, “Oh oh, our Leng is so outstanding, what if…”

Zhuang Yong hurriedly stopped him from continuing his sentence. “Say whatever you want to say, stop going in circles.”

Mr. Shen said, “I just want to ask you a favor…isn’t Leng in the new recruits’ camp right now? How about this - can we be in charge of delivering the food? You get Leng to unload from the chariot every day. That way, both of them can meet every day. Don’t worry, I will tell them to practice self-control…”

　Zhuang Yong said to Shen Cha Yan, “I suspect your father is a fake one.”

Master Cha lifted her head. “How did you know?”

　

Mr. Shen was speechless.

Zhuang Yong lamented, “Fine, I’m scared of you. Even if I agree to your request, it’s pointless. They will be carrying out an evaluation for the new recruits in five days. Based on Shen Leng’s skills, he will have no problem passing. So even if you deliver food for the new recruits’ camp, you won’t be able to see him.”

Master Cha asked, “Then can we switch over to the combat military’s kitchen in five days?”

Zhuang Yong thought to himself: She was indeed raised by Shen Xiaosong…

　

Mr. Shen was not as bad as her. He hurriedly added, “Let’s talk again in five days then. If Leng gets selected to join the combat military, then we will deliver for the combat military’s kitchen instead, ok?”

Master Cha looked at Mr. Shen. “Five days though!”

Mr. Shen said to her, “Bear with it, bear with it…”

Zhuang Yong accepted it. He could not do anything about the pair of father and daughter. He decided to change the topic. “The last time, you told me that Leng is your son. Cha is your daughter as well. What is going on?”

Mr. Shen replied, “Yeah they are both my children.”

Master Cha interrupted, “It’s fake.”

Zhuang Yong responded, “You are thinking of betrothing your daughter to your own son?”

　

Mr. Shen replied, “Don’t let one’s own fertile water flow into others’ field.

Shen Cha Yan glared at him. Mr. Shen realized that he was after all a father. He should not say such things about his daughter. Hence he decided to tell him, “Honestly speaking, they are both orphans that I adopted.”

　Zhuang Yong was taken aback. Immediately, he grew some respect for Shen Xiaosong, “No wonder you have been alone for so many years. So this was the reason. It must be hard on you.”

Mr. Shen replied, “It isn’t that hard, but it makes me easily anxious. These two people are not easy to raise…”

Zhuang Yong laughed as he shook his head. “Forget it, forget it. If five days from now, Shen Leng gets selected to join the combat military, you will be in charge of sending the food to their kitchen every morning. But you have to keep this in mind - you are only allowed to see him. You cannot engage in other interactions. If this gets out, I will lose my prestige as a general.

　

Mr. Shen quickly thanked him and said, “ Since that’s the case, I will come again in five days.”

Even though Master Cha felt that waiting for five days itself was unbearable, she did not say anything else. After all, she had ruined two of Mr. Shen’s clothes by cutting them earlier on. If she continued to do that, he would have nothing else to wear. One must not bully intolerably.

Both of them sat for a while more before taking their leave. Zhuang Yong saw them out personally. When Master Cha left the tent, she saw Shen Leng standing by the entrance. Her eyes lit up and she went to grab Shen Leng’s arm. Before she could say anything, Zhuang Yong and Mr. Shen started coughing at the same time - one coughing harder than the other.

Shen Leng was very surprised, and overjoyed. His mouth was slightly open when he saw her. He had an inexplicable impulse to bite something.

“This brother over here…his chest is very sturdy.”

Master Cha laughed awkwardly. She patted him on the chest a few times before she released her hand. When she left, she kept turning her head around every few steps. Shen Leng had never seen that look in her eyes before. If he did not leave the Daoist temple to join the military camp, he might never be able to see that look in her eyes.

Shen Leng looked on as Mr. Shen and Master Cha walked farther and farther away. His heart was still palpitating.

　

“What are you thinking about?” asked Zhuang Yong.

“Master Cha is so beautiful.”

“What?”

“Uh…greetings, general!”

Shen Leng quickly snapped out of his thoughts and hurriedly saluted him, cupping his fist. Zhuang Yong laughed and shook his head. “Come in and talk.”

Shen Leng followed him into the tent, and stood there respectfully.

Zhuang Yong returned to his seat and realized that Shen Xiaosong actually took the two jars of tea leaves back.

“No point in taking revenge over small matters.”

Zhuang Yong snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Shen Leng. “Even though Pang Zhang went a little overboard, don’t you think you went overboard as well, beating him up to a pulp? Fortunately, there isn’t any evidence that could be traced back to you. I can leave this matter alone for now. However, if you don’t manage your temper, you will get into trouble sooner or later.

　

Shen Leng stood upright. “But general, I can’t manage it.”

　

“Why?”

Zhuang Yong frowned.

Shen Leng’s attitude made him slightly displeased.

Shen Leng replied, “When sir took me in, he said that I have a soft personality, and that is bad. Hence, he gave me a small hunting knife without the scabbard. I asked him why didn’t he give me the scabbard, he said that...I should not conceal my aggression and power!”

　

“Don’t conceal aggression and power?”

Zhuang Yong kept repeating it over and over again. Chills ran down his spine…Shen Xiaosong, Shen Xiaosong, what kind of monster are you trying to cultivate? Don’t conceal aggression and power…if you teach Shen Leng to be like that, how difficult is his life going to be in the future?

“You may go back.”

Zhuang Yong gestured. All of a sudden, his heart somewhat ached for this child.

“Yes, sir!”

Shen Leng turned around and walked away.

“Five days from now, the new recruits will be undergoing an evaluation. I promised Shen Xiaosong that if you get accepted into the combat military, he and Cha will be in charge of sending food over every morning, and you will be unloading it.”

Shen Leng’s shoulders evidently trembled for a bit. He turned around and stood respectfully. He placed his right arm across his chest and did the official Great Ning salute.

“Thank you, general!”

“Ok, run along.”

Zhuang Yong opened up the document before him. He kept thinking about what Mr. Shen said to Shen Leng, and it continued to linger in his mind.