At the ward entrance, several upright figures in grass-green military uniforms filed in.
“Commander Yan, Political Commissar Zheng, Battalion Commander Chen…”
Lu Shiye started to rise to salute at once.
Battalion Commander Chen stepped forward quickly and pressed a hand to his shoulder, his tone warm with concern. Lu, stay lying down. You are still recovering from your wounds—there is no need for formalities.
Commander Yan stood tall in his crisp uniform, followed by the refined, scholarly Political Commissar Zheng and several other officers, all carrying tin cans and malted-milk nutrient tins in their hands.
The group walked slowly to the bedside. Glancing at Yu Zhaozhao, Commander Yan asked, Lu, who is this young comrade?
Lu Shiye spoke earnestly as he introduced her to his superiors and comrades. Commander, Commissar, Battalion Commander—this is my intended, Comrade Yu Zhaozhao. She is the daughter of a machine-tool factory worker, and graduated from high school this year.
I have just written a marriage application and was about to ask my younger brother Lu Shiguang to rush it to the regimental headquarters for approval. I had not expected all of you to visit today.
Yu Zhaozhao stepped forward half a pace, bowed slightly in salute, and spoke in a clear, steady voice—respectful yet poised, neither deferential nor proud. Greetings, Leaders. My name is Yu Zhaozhao. I am the daughter of Yu Jianshe, Director of the Second Workshop at the Machine-Tool Factory. I am eighteen years old. This is my household registration booklet.
She drew the booklet from her shoulder bag, along with her high-school graduation certificate.
The officers looked surprised by how thoroughly prepared she was.
Yu Zhaozhao offered a quiet explanation: she had been looking for work since graduation, and so had gotten into the habit of carrying her documents with her.
Political Commissar Zheng nodded gently. Comrade Yu Zhaozhao, please sit. Do not stand on ceremony. Tell us a little about your family circumstances. When an officer in the armed forces applies for marriage, the organization must review the family background of both parties in advance.
Yu Zhaozhao spoke without evasion, laying out her history clearly and coherently. My mother, Wu Min, passed away when I was very young. My father, Yu Jianshe, works at the machine-tool factory.
When I was barely a year old—less than three months after my mother’s death—my stepmother Wen Zhihua married into the family, bringing her daughter with her. She gave birth prematurely to my younger half-brother Yu Yaozu soon after.
When I was four, my godmother died in service. I was sent to live with my paternal aunt in the countryside, and was not brought back to the city until I turned eight, when I began attending the Preparatory Red Class. I started first grade at nine.
For years, my stepmother and stepsister have schemed against me at every turn. Just a few days ago, my stepmother conspired with outsiders to drug me, intending to compromise my virtue. They also arranged for my stepsister to be found in bed with Zhou Xiangyang, who had been betrothed to me since childhood.
The entire incident is on record with the Neighborhood Committee, the Women’s Federation, the Machine-Tool Factory, and the Textile Factory. The Women’s Federation director was present throughout as a witness—and the dispute was brought here to this very hospital.
At the mention of the hospital, Lu Shiguang spoke up too. I happened to be here bringing my brother his meal, and saw the whole affair unfold downstairs. I felt deep sympathy for Comrade Yu Zhaozhao.
Besides—after my brother was seriously wounded and admitted to hospital, every family that had once sought his hand withdrew their proposals. That is why I introduced Comrade Yu Zhaozhao to him.
Lu Shiguang recounted the whole scene in forthright detail.
When Commanders Yan and the others learned that Yu Zhaozhao had once been betrothed to a college sweetheart from childhood, only to be cast aside through her stepmother and stepsister’s treachery, expressions of sympathy softened their faces.
What a hard life this young woman had known.
And it roused their anger.
The punishment handed down is far too lenient, Commander Yan said quietly.
He studied Yu Zhaozhao with careful, unobtrusive appraisal.
She possessed fine, almond-shaped eyes, elegantly set beneath graceful brows; the outer corners lifted gently, framed by thick, dark lashes. Her nose was delicate, her lips soft in contour—by all outward appearances, a girl who looked gentle, vulnerable, and easily overlooked.
Yet she carried herself with a quiet composure that balanced that fragility. Her spine was straight, her stance sure, and every gesture marked by perfect restraint—not a hint of narrow-minded timidity about her.
She wore a faded light-blue blouse printed with small blossoms, the hem pressed neat and smooth. In her simple, well-worn clothes she seemed all the more fresh, pure, and uncluttered.
Commander Yan nodded inwardly. Lu Shiye had excellent judgment—this was a poised, generous-hearted young woman.
Commander Yan and Political Commissar Zheng examined Yu Zhaozhao’s household registration booklet and graduation certificate. Then Commander Yan turned to the orderly accompanying them and gave orders: Proceed at once to the Machine-Tool Factory and the Neighborhood Committee, verify every detail of Comrade Yu Zhaozhao’s account, and obtain official records of the disciplinary actions taken. Report back here as quickly as possible.
Since all senior officers were gathered here, and provided the background check passed, they could sign and approve the application on the spot.
Yes, Sir! The two orderlies saluted and hurried from the ward.
At that point Political Commissar Zheng spoke. We came today for two purposes: first, to check on your recovery. And second—to bring you two pieces of good news from Headquarters.
You have been awarded a Citation for Merit and the rank of Second-Class Hero—an honor you have truly earned.
And the organization has approved your promotion to Battalion Deputy Commander, to take effect upon your return to full duty following recovery.
With a smile, Political Commissar Zheng drew out a certificate of merit, a medal, and a formal letter of appointment from his briefcase, and together with Commander Yan presented them to Lu Shiye.
The honors had originally been scheduled to be conferred upon his return to duty. But Lu Shiye had sustained such grave injuries that he could barely move, and had been confined to the military-family ward at the city hospital ever since.
Medical staff had attended to him at first—but upon regaining consciousness, Lu Shiye had declined female nurses to attend to his personal care. Lu Shiguang had stepped in to look after his brother, and had done so without complaint.
Now, seeing his brother engaged and soon to be married, Lu Shiguang found himself missing his own wife keenly.
Before long, the orderlies hurried back to the ward and saluted smartly.
Reporting to Commander Yan and Political Commissar Zheng—verification is complete. The Neighborhood Committee, the Machine-Tool Factory, and the Textile Factory all confirm that Comrade Yu Zhaozhao’s account is entirely factual.
Wen Zhihua has been dismissed from her post at the Textile Factory and sentenced to six months’ hard labor in sanitation duties, for adultery and the deliberate drugging and attempted harm of Comrade Yu Zhaozhao.
Yu Zhaodi, Zhou Caixia, and all others involved have received recorded disciplinary sanctions. In every respect, Comrade Yu Zhaozhao is confirmed as the victim of the affair, and bears no fault whatsoever. Neighbors and residents of the compound are prepared to testify to this.
With all facts verified, Political Commissar Zheng opened the marriage application Lu Shiye had just written, took up his fountain pen, and wrote the official approval on the spot.
Commander Yan and Battalion Commander Chen signed and affixed their official seals in turn.
Political Commissar Zheng handed the approved application back to Lu Shiye, wearing a warm smile. All particulars have been verified. Comrade Yu Zhaozhao passes the political-background review; her character is found without blemish. The organization hereby grants its full approval to your marriage application, effective upon signature.
Commander Yan clapped Lu Shiye on his uninjured arm. Lu—congratulations on your promotion to Battalion Deputy Commander, and on your betrothal. Once you have fully recovered and returned to duty, we shall hold your wedding in the Regimental Headquarters Auditorium. Commissar Zheng and I shall personally officiate and witness your vows, and every soldier in the regiment will come to offer his congratulations.
Thank you, Commander, Commissar, Battalion Commander. I shall apply myself diligently to rehabilitation and build up my strength, so that I may return to duty as soon as possible, Lu Shiye replied.
He held the signed marriage application tightly in his hand, hardly able to contain his joy. He turned his gaze to Yu Zhaozhao standing beside him—and in his eyes shone such tenderness it seemed to melt.
For Yu Zhaozhao, a great weight had finally lifted from her heart. She would not be sent away to the countryside. She would not be trapped forever in the Yu family’s web of bitterness.
She lifted the corners of her lips in a quiet smile, and spoke her gratitude earnestly. Thank you all, Leaders, for granting your blessing.
Political Commissar Zheng returned her household registration booklet to her and gave final instructions. Formalities for joining your spouse at the military post will be processed through the regiment once Shiye returns to duty.
For now—devote yourself to his recovery. Should you encounter any difficulty at all, you may come directly to the Neighborhood Committee or to the military garrison office and seek us out. The organization stands ready to ensure your well-being.