Chapter 285: Doubts Arise

Chapter 285: Growing Suspicion

"Thank you, Dr. Ye. This is so kind of you."

"It's no trouble. We have all the tools here, so it’s quite convenient."

Ye Xiaoxiao knew these researchers usually had no time to spare. Preparing medicine was just a small task for her—she could do it while reading.

Ye Xiaoxiao also gave him some Western medicine.

"Here's one dose. The herbal medicine will be ready by this afternoon. If you're busy and can't come back, I can deliver it to the entrance of the research institute."

Professor Lü thanked Dr. Ye repeatedly.

After he left, Ceng Xiaochun volunteered,

"We have a research institute at our base too? Xiao Xiao, if you're busy, I can deliver the medicine."

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced at her.

Though she said nothing, the clarity and brightness in her eyes made Ceng Xiaochun's pulse quicken.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked away and replied calmly, "No need. I have time."

Ceng Xiaochun didn’t dare say another word.

Ye Xiaoxiao grew more suspicious. Wary of this new colleague, she became even more careful with her own belongings.

Even if Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t have time to deliver the medicine herself, she would ask Li Zhen for help instead.

And Li Zhen was reliably dutiful.

If Ye Xiaoxiao entrusted her with a task, she would get it done no matter what.

No matter how hard Ceng Xiaochun tried to help, Li Zhen wouldn’t let her. After several failed attempts, Ceng Xiaochun finally had to give up.

Seeming to notice the distance between Ye Xiaoxiao and Li Zhen,

Ceng Xiaochun began looking for chances to talk with Yang Juan and Zhao Chunhua.

"Director, am I doing something wrong? I feel like Li Zhen and Xiao Xiao don’t like me."

Zhao Chunhua, wearing glasses as he checked medicine orders, didn’t even look up. "What? That can't be. Li Zhen and Dr. Ye are both very kind people."

"Besides, Xiaochun, you’re here to work. Don’t worry too much about what others think."

Zhao Chunhua, being older, didn't understand the concerns of younger people.

Getting no reassurance, Ceng Xiaochun could only approach Yang Juan.

"Dr. Yang, what are you reading?"

After the Head’s earlier encouragement, Yang Juan had bounced back.

He was determined to study hard and get into graduate school next year.

At Ceng Xiaochun’s question, Yang Juan replied briefly, "Professional books."

Not giving up, Ceng Xiaochun continued, "Maybe we could study together? I’d like to learn some medicine too."

Yang Juan turned away, "It's not very appropriate. Our study materials don’t overlap, so we can't learn together."

Ceng Xiaochun looked at the person who never spared her a glance, and a wave of helplessness washed over her.

The clinic staff seemed pleasant enough, but breaking past surface-level interactions proved impossible.

Besides, these people dealt with various medicines every day and weren’t exactly information hubs.

Ceng Xiaochun thought she needed to interact more with people outside.

This opportunity came rather quickly.

During a health check-up for the children at the nursery, Ceng Xiaochun saw Jiang Leyin.

Knowing she was a military doctor, Ceng immediately seized the chance to chat her up.

"You're the new nurse, right? How’s work at the clinic going?"

Jiang Leyin wasn’t particularly interested in the newcomer but made perfunctory small talk.

Ceng Xiaochun, however, latched onto her like an instant best friend. "I feel like the people at the clinic don’t like me much, Doc Jiang. Can I come talk to you sometimes?"

Jiang Leyin arched a skeptical brow. "Really? Even Dr. Ye gives you the cold shoulder? She has a base-wide reputation for her gentle and kind nature." [mockingly]

Ceng Xiaochun: "Is that so? Hasn’t been my experience. Maybe it’s because we haven’t spent much time together yet."

Jiang Leyin speculated: Had Ye Xiaoxiao’s niceties all been an act?

But she didn’t know what this newcomer’s character was like.

Still, if she could let this rookie badmouth Ye Xiaoxiao, she wouldn’t mind.

"You all live together now, which must be inconvenient. Sure, the clinic’s stretched thin, but it’s not like you can’t apply for separate dormitories. Why not take it up with Head Zhao to avoid worsening any conflicts?"

Though Jiang Leyin said this, Ceng Xiaochun had no intention of moving out. Living alone would cut off her access to information even more.

Instead of contradicting Jiang Leyin, Ceng vaguely replied, "We’re all making do. I believe Head Zhao will arrange something if there’s a chance."

Jiang Leyin sized up Ceng with new interest.

This new colleague was quite interesting.

Jiang Leyin was all for cultivating this connection—after all, she also disliked Ye Xiaoxiao.

...

By the time Ye Xiaoxiao noticed, Jiang Leyin and Ceng Xiaochun were practically joined at the hip.

In the cafeteria, they’d become a package deal in the mess hall.

Logically, Jiang Leyin belonged at the officers’ mess.

"How did those two end up together?"

Even Li Zhen, standing in line, did a double take and muttered under her breath.

"Isn’t it because you clinic folks give Comrade Ceng the cold shoulder and isolate her, so she ran to Dr. Jiang’s squad?"

A young soldier overheard Li Zhen and shot back.

Li Zhen's eyes went wide: "We isolate her? Why would we even bother isolating her—because she's ugly or skinny as a rail?"

Apart from being excessively thin, Ceng Xiaochun had pleasant features and couldn't be considered ugly.

But Li Zhen was too fired up right now, so her tone was quite sharp.

The young soldier who had come to line up for chow was startled by her tone.

"I'm not making this up, this is what Nurse Ceng said herself."

Li Zhen: "Don't buy her crap. She's even living in my room, yet she has the gall to say we're isolating her."

Actually, the young soldier had his doubts. Dr. Ye was gorgeous and sweet, and she was Regiment Commander Lu's fiancée. There was absolutely no reason for her to isolate a new nurse.

But Li Zhen's hostile attitude didn't look innocent at all.

He was torn, and in the end, he didn't dare to say anything more.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoxiao had already gotten her food and found a seat.

Li Zhen stomped over with her lunchbox, slamming it down heavily.

"What's wrong with you?" Ye Xiaoxiao was puzzled that she could get so angry just from getting food.

Li Zhen: "That Ceng Xiaochun is crossing a line. She actually said we're isolating her."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Did she say it herself?"

Li Zhen: "Whether she did or not, everyone thinks so now. I'm going to get to the bottom of this."

With that, Li Zhen turned and marched toward Ceng Xiaochun.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't know why Ceng Xiaochun was bad-mouthing them, but with so many people in the cafeteria, letting Li Zhen go off on her would only confirm the rumors.

Ye Xiaoxiao picked up her lunchbox and hurried after her.

Li Zhen stood right in front of Ceng Xiaochun. "Comrade Ceng Xiaochun, I heard you've been spreading rumors that we're isolating you. Mind telling us why you'd say such a thing?"

Li Zhen's voice was so loud that everyone stopped to stare.