“What are you doing? What do you think I’m doing, Secretary Song?”
Xie Jinghuai fixed Song Huairen with a sharp, piercing gaze.
It was clear he was waiting for an explanation.
The moment Song Huairen saw Xie Jinghuai, his heart sank. How did this brat end up provoking this man?
His eyes flickered rapidly. Then he stepped forward and delivered a hard slap to Song Jianjun.
“You brat! Are you out of your mind? You even caused trouble during shooting practice! Even if you want to prove yourself, you can’t just act recklessly!”
Song Jianjun was stunned for three seconds.
Huh? Uncle, aren’t you supposed to back me up? Why are you hitting me?
Though usually arrogant, he was quite good at reading the situation. He glanced nervously at Xie Jinghuai.
Who exactly is this man? Even my uncle is backing down… I’ve stepped on a landmine.
He quickly lowered his head.
“I… I was confused. My brain wasn’t working properly. I’m sorry.”
Song Huairen, an old fox, was quite satisfied.
At least this nephew wasn’t hopelessly stupid.
He turned with a righteous expression and bowed apologetically toward Lin Chengxin, who was sitting on the ground.
“I’m very sorry, comrade educated youth. Song Jianjun has caused you harm. You may decide how this should be handled. You don’t need to consider my position.”
Lin Chengxin didn’t dare demand justice at all. He stammered,
“It’s… it’s nothing. I’m friends with Comrade Song. He didn’t do it on purpose.”
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Song Huairen’s eyes.
Then he turned to Xie Jinghuai.
“Captain Xie, you see, this young man is my nephew from my own family line. He just returned after falling ill and hasn’t fully recovered from heatstroke.”
“He’s young and eager to prove himself, so he made a mistake. What do you think should be done about this?”
Xie Jinghuai glanced at Song Jianjun and Lin Chengxin.
“Secretary Song can handle it as you see fit. However, the medical expenses for Comrade Ruan’s treatment should be paid.”
Only then did Song Huairen notice Ruan Liuzheng standing nearby with her head lowered.
When he saw her face, he paused slightly.
Too strikingly beautiful.
He immediately understood why his nephew had caused trouble—and why he had ended up offending Xie Jinghuai.
The idiot really had no brain. Even if she was beautiful, did he think he could compete with Xie Jinghuai?
No one else might know, but Song Huairen did. Xie Jinghuai wasn’t just highly decorated militarily—he also had a strong background. Rumor had it he was from a high-ranking official family. No sensible person would offend him.
Fortunately, this situation could still be salvaged.
He clapped his hands and smiled warmly.
“Comrade Ruan? Also from our commune? I didn’t expect you to know medical skills as well. Truly an excellent comrade. Of course the medical fees must be paid.”
He turned and kicked Song Jianjun.
“Why are you still standing there? Take out the money.”
Song Jianjun felt a bit wronged.
Just make me pay, why kick me?
Then he looked again at Ruan Liuzheng’s face and felt even more suffocated.
Reluctantly, he took out his wallet.
But Song Huairen snatched it away and directly pulled out two rolls of large-denomination banknotes.
“Comrade Ruan, this is your medical fee.”
Ruan Liuzheng looked nervously and blankly at the money in her arms.
But inside, she was delighted.
Free money delivered to my door—why wouldn’t I take it?
Xie Jinghuai gave her a reassuring nod.
“Since Secretary Song gave it to you, take it. It’s your hard-earned compensation.”
Ruan Liuzheng nodded hard, her eyes curving into little crescents of joy.
Seeing their interaction, Song Huairen felt even more pleased with himself.
Good move. If I want to climb onto Xie Jinghuai’s level, this is the right approach.
Song Jianjun, on the other hand, felt even worse.
Ruan Liuzheng had been the woman he had his eyes on. He had even planned to pursue her.
Now, a towering figure like Xie Jinghuai had appeared in between.
Something he could see but not touch—his heart ached with frustration.
He even began to resent Ruan Liuzheng.
This woman did it on purpose. If she’s got such a powerful backer, why didn’t she say so?
Song Huairen waved his hand.
“Alright, comrades, it’s getting late. Everyone should go rest. No need to continue training today.”
Xie Jinghuai left directly with Ruan Liuzheng.
Watching the tall man and petite woman walking away together, Song Huairen smacked Song Jianjun on the back of the head again.
Warning him coldly,
“Put those thoughts away. That woman isn’t someone you can touch. Look at yourself—do you think you can protect a flower like that?”
Song Jianjun: “……”
Truly my own uncle.
Even Lin Chengxin hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.
Now he worried inwardly—would this woman seek revenge on him later?
Meanwhile, Ruan Liuzheng hadn’t even bothered to think about him at all.
After leaving the commune, she caught up with Xie Jinghuai.
Smiling brightly, she handed him the other bundle of “Great Unity” banknotes in her hand.
“Comrade Xie, this is yours.”
Xie Jinghuai looked at her small palm-sized face filled with a smile. Her eyes were bright and reflective, as if his image were shining inside them.
He couldn’t help but feel like teasing her.
“What if I want both bundles?”
What?
Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes widened into perfect circles.
Damn it—was Xie Jinghuai some kind of corrupt official?
Would it cost a lot of money to win him over in the future?
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but fall into thought.
Men were worthless compared to money.
But she still needed to survive.
And she still had to earn money over these next two months.
A hundred thoughts flashed through her mind at once.
At the same time, she even came up with three different “strategies” for dealing with this supposedly greedy Xie Jinghuai.
Seeing her expression change like a chameleon, Xie Jinghuai couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright, keep it. It was meant as medical fees anyway.”
Ruan Liuzheng instantly reacted—this man had done it on purpose.
Jerk.
Her face flushed red, and she said awkwardly,
“Th-then I’ll buy more food next time.”
Xie Jinghuai felt like laughing. She clearly loved money, yet still forced herself to give it away. And when he refused, she looked so relieved she couldn’t even hide it.
She looked just like a little rabbit secretly stuffing food into its nest.
Kind of cute.
“Forget it. It’s getting late. I’ll take you back.”
He pushed his bicycle while she walked lightly behind him.
Then he asked quietly,
“Since you don’t like that man, why did you help him?”
Ruan Liuzheng rolled her eyes internally.
Of course it was to put on a show for you.
Don’t all men like pure and kind women?
She wasn’t a saint. If someone treated her like that, she wouldn’t let it go easily.
On the contrary, she was very vindictive.
It was just that when she was a doctor before, she strictly followed professional ethics.
But after getting sick, she had come to terms with things.
Life was simple—if you’re not satisfied, fight back. If you live, you live. If you die, you die.
Doctors were still human too; even terminal illness meant death.
So it was better to follow one’s heart.
If it weren’t for Xie Jinghuai, she would have definitely extorted that person first, then saved him anyway.
But unexpectedly, Xie Jinghuai had handed her a sum of treatment money right into her hands.
Not bad at all.
Of course, she couldn’t say her real thoughts out loud.
Tilting her head, she said softly,
“I do dislike him a little, but if he isn’t a bad person… if I didn’t help him, he might become disabled. If his leg became crippled, his life would be very hard.”
Xie Jinghuai couldn’t help but think that this little girl was too soft-hearted.
If she met bad people in the future, she might easily be deceived.
Ruan Liuzheng didn’t know what he was thinking—if she had, she would’ve definitely shot him a look that said: you’re overthinking it.
The two of them returned to Zhengyang Production Brigade like this.
Xie Jinghuai watched until she entered the educated youth residence before leaving.
Neither of them noticed that near the well in front of the courtyard, a figure swayed slightly.