Qu Chuning's arm was wrapped in bandages. Her dislocated arm had been reset, and her other injuries had been treated. The clinic had given her two bottles of glucose intravenously. Having waited at the garrison entrance for several days, she had finally been allowed inside today. Despite her injuries, she was satisfied with the positive progress in her situation.
As darkness fell outside, a nurse came in to remove the IV needle and asked, "Comrade, the doctor said you have low blood sugar after examining you. We just gave you two bottles of glucose. The canteen is serving meals now—shall I bring you a meal?"
Qu Chuning hurriedly expressed her gratitude. During her days of waiting, she had survived on dry rations she brought with her and hadn't eaten properly. Coupled with the day's exhausting events, it was no wonder she had fainted.
Qu Chuning rummaged through her bag and handed a meal ticket to the nurse.
After the nurse left, Qu Chuning lay on the hospital bed for a while before getting up. She went to the public restroom first. On her way back, passing by the doctor's office, she overheard a familiar voice.
"You're saying it was Regiment Commander Xi's orderly who called you over? He's involved in this matter too?"
"Why wouldn't he be? Don't forget, he's not just the regimental commander—he's also the head of the Inspection Team. Heh, even the Chief of Staff's son-in-law would lose a layer of skin if he fell into his hands!"
"So, who do you think will come out on top this time—Regiment Commander Xi or the Chief of Staff?"
The people in the office began speculating about the outcome of their clash. Leaning against the white wall, Qu Chuning reflected that whatever Regiment Commander Xi had done, he had ultimately helped her immensely. She would remember this kindness!
The nurse brought Qu Chuning a meal with both meat and vegetables, far better than what she used to eat back in her hometown.
That night, Qu Chuning pondered what punishment Lin Dongguo would face.
Early the next morning, instead of Xi Muzhou, she was visited by Shi Zhenzhen and her father, Chief of Staff Shi!
Shi Zhenzhen entered carrying a can of food and a jar of malted milk powder. She seemed somewhat embarrassed, but after her father shot her a glare, she reluctantly placed the items at the foot of the bed. Avoiding Qu Chuning's gaze, she bowed her head and apologized.
Qu Chuning hadn't eaten breakfast yet. Waking up to see Shi Zhenzhen's face instantly killed her appetite. She stared coldly at Shi Zhenzhen and said, "Comrade, you say you're apologizing to me. Then tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?"
Shi Zhenzhen was taken aback. What had she done wrong? She didn't think she had done anything wrong. Her apology was merely to secure Qu Chuning's forgiveness and expedite her husband's release.
Ahem! Chief of Staff Shi cleared his throat, walked to Qu Chuning's bedside, glared fiercely at Shi Zhenzhen, and then addressed Qu Chuning: "Comrade Chuning, I am aware of the injustice you've suffered! But the mistake has already been made. Today, I've specially brought Zhenzhen to apologize to you. Comrade Chuning, you are a kind-hearted person. I believe you will surely forgive them, won't you?"
Although Shi Zhenzhen resented her father's gentle demeanor toward a rustic village woman, what they needed most now was Qu Chuning's forgiveness.
Qu Chuning sneered inwardly. Were they trying to morally blackmail her? Just because she was kind-hearted, she deserved to be bullied?
Expecting her to forgive Lin Dongguo? Dream on!
"Comrade, may I ask what your relationship is to Shi Zhenzhen…?"
Chief of Staff Shi straightened his collar. "I am Zhenzhen's father."
Qu Chuning met his gaze: "I married Lin Dongguo three years ago. Our wedding was witnessed by our parents and attended by fellow villagers. In our countryside, many couples spend their entire lives together without ever obtaining a marriage certificate…"
Before Qu Chuning could finish, Shi Zhenzhen panicked and interrupted her: "Your marriage certificate is fake! Besides, he never went back."
This struck a nerve with Qu Chuning. Three years—she had slaved for the Lin family for three years, yet they never regarded her as a daughter-in-law. And she, foolishly thinking they were having a hard time, believed she should hold down the fort for Lin Dongguo. How ironic!
"So, Comrade Shi Zhenzhen, you also think that Lin Dongguo deceiving me for three years and making me work like a dog for his family is no big deal? Is that what you mean?" Qu Chuning was furious too. She straightened up. "Two years ago, when you got married, did you even consider for a second letting me, back in the hometown, know? If I hadn't come to his unit to find him, I wouldn't even have known you've been married for two years. What exactly were you two scheming? Only you would know. Don't expect my forgiveness—never!"
Hearing this, Chief of Staff Shi's expression darkened. After a moment's hesitation, he asked Qu Chuning, "Comrade Chuning, Dongguo was in the wrong. How about this—we compensate you for the three years you've lost, alright?"
Shi Zhenzhen lifted her chin like a proud little rooster: "You've taken care of Dongguo's family for three years. Just name your price—how much money do you want to forgive him?"
Qu Chuning nearly laughed at the absurdity of these two. Did they really think all she had lost was three years of time?
"Get out! Get out of here! I will never forgive him. Never!"
Shi Zhenzhen pointed at Qu Chuning: "Don't push it! You're just a country bumpkin. The fact that we're willing to negotiate with you is a blessing you don't deserve. Don't be ungrateful…"
"Get out!"
When Xi Muzhou arrived at the hospital room with his men, he found Qu Chuning screaming hoarsely. His eyes swept over Chief of Staff Shi and his daughter Shi Zhenzhen.
Seeing him, Chief of Staff Shi hurried forward to greet him: "Muzhou, you're here early! After Zhenzhen returned home, I looked into the matter. It's all Dongguo's fault for mishandling things and causing Comrade Chuning distress! We came to discuss with Comrade Chuning how we can compensate her!"
Xi Muzhou's expression remained unchanged. He merely gave a slight nod and took a document from his orderly, handing it to Qu Chuning.
Curious, Shi Zhenzhen rushed to look too but shrank back when she met Xi Muzhou's icy gaze, not daring to peek further.
What Qu Chuning held in her hands was the unit's disciplinary decision against Lin Dongguo!
Originally, Lin Dongguo was about to be promoted to battalion commander. Now, the punishment stipulated no promotion. Moreover, he must write a self-criticism and a pledge, and both Lin Dongguo and the Lin family must provide appropriate compensation to Qu Chuning!
"As for the compensation amount, you decide."
Qu Chuning stared at the decision in her hand. Though resentment simmered in her heart, she understood this punishment was already lenient. After all, many would argue Lin Dongguo had mitigating circumstances, and he hadn’t caused any tangible harm. Reputation was intangible—unseen and untouchable. The officer before her had, in a way, given her an answer.
Taking a deep breath, Qu Chuning grasped Xi Muzhou’s implication: she could set the compensation amount, and she wouldn’t hold back.
“Sir, leaving aside the injuries Lin Dongguo inflicted on me yesterday, I’ve spent three years tending to his parents, working the fields, and earning work points and doing household chores for his family. Demanding two thousand yuan in compensation isn’t excessive, is it?” Qu Chuning avoided looking at the Shi father and daughter, keeping her gaze fixed on Xi Muzhou. “As for yesterday’s assault and the injuries I sustained, I demand an additional one thousand yuan! Furthermore, Lin Dongguo must publish a clarification of our relationship and an apology in the newspaper. His parents must also cooperate with me in explaining the situation clearly to the villagers across the neighboring communities.”
“Have you lost your mind over money?” Shi Zhenzhen pointed accusingly at Qu Chuning. It was 1982—three thousand yuan was a sum that would take Lin Dongguo nearly a decade of scrimping and saving, even without eating or drinking, to accumulate!