Due to the second round of the competition requiring a simulated real-life scenario, twelve minutes of free time were left for them to rest.
Su Jinhui was reviewing the thrilling moments and her underwhelming performance in the previous round, trying to avoid the same mistakes in the upcoming challenge.
She didn’t notice the resentful glances from those around her. If jealousy could kill, she would have been done for by now.
“Comrade Jinhui, I didn’t expect someone so young to be so capable,” Liu Hongxi said with a smile, enthusiastically offering her a piece of chocolate. “Here, try it. It’s a scarce treat sent from my family.”
“No, thank you,” Su Jinhui replied politely but distantly.
Liu Hongxi sneered. “Let’s talk about your conditions. I’ll try my best to meet them, but you have to voluntarily withdraw from the competition.”
She knew in her heart that Wang Erlei wasn’t her rival, but Su Jinhui was different. With Su Jinhui in the competition, there was no chance for her this time!
No! She could never accept that!
“What can you offer me?” Su Jinhui raised an eyebrow.
Although they were speaking face-to-face, Liu Hongxi could read nothing of her emotions and could only continue, “Money? Gold? Ration coupons or cloth?”
In her view, any sign of Su Jinhui softening would be an obvious opportunity.
Su Jinhui nodded thoughtfully. In her mind were the five large boxes of gold, silver, and jewels in her space—how could she be interested in such trifles? “Sorry, I only want this spot,” she said, turning away without looking back, unwilling to waste any more time.
Liu Hongxi watched her walk away, stomping her feet in anger. “I’m telling you! Don’t be so arrogant! I’m not afraid of you!”
“That little bribe won’t work on her,” Wang Erlei said quietly from behind.
Liu Hongxi turned suspiciously to him. “What do you mean?”
She had just offered with full sincerity and had already decided that anything Su Jinhui asked for, she would provide to the utmost.
But Wang Erlei called it a “small bribe”!
Her anger flared even hotter at his words.
“I just found out she’s Deputy Regiment Commander Yan’s fiancée. She came to the island for the wedding. Do you know what her status was before she arrived?” Wang Erlei smirked.
Liu Hongxi furrowed her brows. “What status?”
“She’s the daughter of a capitalist! Do you think she’s short of money?”
At his words, Liu Hongxi’s eyes widened, a gleeful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Looks like the military doctor has nothing to do with her. In the end, it’s still our competition.”
“Don’t be so sure who will win,” Wang Erlei said as he strode out.
The three of them entered the neighboring room, which was dark. Though not completely pitch-black, the visibility was very low.
Chen Jun carried a candle and slowly walked in, bringing the only light in the room. “The second round is a simulation. The typhoon has caused a power outage. With only candlelight, you three must treat a soldier with exposed intestines and a ruptured femoral artery.”
It was quite a challenge. Su Jinhui was already eager to try. She had never performed surgery under such harsh conditions—it would be her first time.
But she quickly noticed a problem. “Excuse me, but there are no sutures?”
“That’s right. Suppose you have limited equipment. How would you handle it?” Chen Jun threw the question back to them.
Wang Erlei froze. He was already uneasy about operating in poor lighting; now without basic materials, it seemed impossible.
Liu Hongxi also had no ideas and stood still.
Just as they smugly thought the round would end in a draw, Su Jinhui took the first step.
“You can’t do it, so stop pretending. I don’t believe you can manage it!” Wang Erlei rudely interrupted.
Su Jinhui didn’t even glance at him. Instead, she cut a lock of her hair, disinfected it with alcohol, and soaked it in shark oil for smoothness.
Then she sprayed the wound with spirit water, carefully treated it, and began suturing.
“You’re crazy! Hair can’t be used as sutures!” Liu Hongxi exclaimed, staring in disbelief as if dreaming.
Even stranger, Chen Jun didn’t stop her but let her continue.
Su Jinhui worked skillfully, finishing in just a few minutes.
Though she had set a standard example, the other two still refused to try, eventually conceding. Su Jinhui won the second round.
“The competition is meant to select the best. Comrade Su Jinhui’s performance far surpasses the others. The assessment is concluded,” Chen Jun announced just as someone interrupted.
“I refuse! She cannot enter the military hospital!”
“Yes, I also refuse! Even if Liu Hongxi were admitted, I could accept it, but Su Jinhui absolutely cannot!”
The two, usually at odds, rarely stood on the same side.
Commissioner Zhao frowned. “Why can’t Comrade Su Jinhui? You need a valid reason, not just random defamation!”
“Go on, explain,” Liu Hongxi tensed and stepped back two steps, seizing the moment to shove Wang Erlei.
He stumbled, nearly falling. Too late to retreat, he forced himself to speak. “Her background is improper! She’s the daughter of a capitalist! I don’t believe she will wholeheartedly care for our soldiers!”
“Yes! We don’t mind who wins, but not her! Commissioner Zhao, Director Zhang, you must consider this carefully!”
The atmosphere froze. Director Zhang asked first, “Comrade Jinhui, are you really the daughter of a capitalist?”
“Yes,” Su Jinhui admitted calmly.
Liu Hongxi immediately smiled. “Hear that? She admitted it herself! This competition is invalid. I should be the one to enter the hospital!”
“Why you? I found out first! If I hadn’t reported it in time, I’d have credit too!” Wang Erlei turned against her.
Just as they were about to fight, Commissioner Zhao spoke sharply, “Quiet! Comrade Jinhui, why don’t you tell the truth?”
His prompt left everyone stunned.
Su Jinhui slowly spoke. “I am indeed the daughter of a capitalist, but my parents recently publicly disowned me. Now I belong only to the state, to the military, and have no other identity!”
“This was already reported to me by Deputy Regiment Commander Yan. If I had not known in advance, how could Comrade Su Jinhui have safely set foot on the island?”