Ah, the 1970s—a time of revival and rebuilding!
Su Tong stared at that number for a long time, her emotions quietly stirring.
Only when a young nurse spoke to her did she look away. She responded with a few casual words and then calmly went downstairs.
A thin layer of snow covered the courtyard. Though it was cold, the crisp air was refreshing, lifting her spirits in a strangely comforting way.
She had already been in the hospital for several days. The reality of being in the 1970s had mostly been absorbed into her system. As unbelievable as it was, it was now fact—and she could only accept it calmly.
Su Tong took a deep breath of the cold, clean air to steady herself, then slowly toured the county hospital from front to back.
When she reached the back courtyard, she discovered a basketball court behind the hospital building. One side was against the inpatient ward, and three sides were surrounded by low buildings, enclosing the court. At the western end, several rooms had armed guards standing outside.
Although they were not wearing military uniforms, Su Tong had spent long enough in the military to tell immediately that their posture and alertness were different from ordinary police officers. The moment she showed even half of herself, several sharp gazes swept over her.
She felt a little puzzled.
Neither Ma Liu nor Zhang Kui were seriously injured—she herself had recovered from hitting a pillar. Why were they still in the hospital?
She only thought about it briefly. Since they were still here, there must be other reasons, and she had no intention of prying.
However, the nurses were gossiping about two “human traffickers” being held in the back courtyard. If they were referring to Ma Liu and Zhang Kui, she would never believe it.
Anyone carrying guns and explosives was a desperate criminal. How could their case be something minor? And it was even less likely that “human traffickers” would require soldiers to guard them. The crimes they committed were probably far more serious. Otherwise, there would be no need to release misleading information while disguising their identities as traffickers…
As Su Tong walked back, still thinking, she suddenly heard a distant scream coming from one of the rooms behind her.
It sounded like… Ma Liu?
Interrogation?
Or torture?
She glanced around. The inpatient ward was nearby, with many patients. It didn’t seem appropriate for this to be happening so close.
Just then, a door opened. Several doctors in white coats came out, followed by Qin Yi. They exchanged a few words at the doorway before dispersing, all looking troubled.
Su Tong had no intention of prying and was about to leave when she heard someone call out:
“Wu Tong!”
She turned around and saw Qin Yi walking toward her. Today he was wearing training uniform and military boots, which made him look even taller and more composed.
“How’s your recovery going?” he asked.
“Much better,” she replied, adding, “I came out for some air and ended up here by accident.”
Qin Yi noticed her cautious tone and smiled faintly.
“It’s nothing. Ma Liu and Zhang Kui are being held in the back. It’s a bit tricky.”
Hearing that he didn’t avoid the topic, she asked, “Tricky? The illness or the people?”
“Both are tricky,” Qin Yi said, looking somewhat tired. He took a cigarette from his pocket and put it between his lips, then searched for matches.
Su Tong thought about the two criminals and asked, slightly doubtful, “If it’s their medical condition, Zhang Kui only has external injuries, and Ma Liu doesn’t seem to have anything serious either…”
Qin Yi couldn’t find his matches. He took the cigarette out of his mouth and looked at her steadily.
“Are you telling me… you know medicine too?”
Su Tong blinked and met his gaze.
If it were anyone else, she would simply deny it. Just ask casually…
But this man was too sharp. He already seemed to know too many of her secrets. How should she answer?
While she hesitated, Qin Yi showed no intention of pressing further. He put the cigarette back into the pack and said:
“Ma Liu’s problem isn’t something for the doctors. He has appendicitis and needs surgery immediately. But his blood clotting function is abnormal. Surgery carries extreme risk. If we don’t operate, he probably won’t last long anyway.”
Seeing that he didn’t pursue the medical question, she asked another:
“Is Ma Liu very important?”
Qin Yi looked at her, his gaze deep.
Su Tong realized she might be asking too much. Before he could respond, she waved her hand.
“Just asking casually. If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to answer. Comrade Qin, you’re busy—I’ll go over there.”
She turned to leave, but just then a young officer hurried over. When he saw her, his expression immediately lit up. He stopped and saluted sharply.
“Wu… Wu Comrade!”
Su Tong froze for a moment, almost instinctively raising her hand to return the salute. She looked at him, confused by his overly enthusiastic gaze.
The man was Lin Li.
Ever since he learned that “Wu Tong” had stopped the vehicle, dismantled the bomb, and disarmed and restrained the criminals, Lin Li had been deeply shocked. In his mind, she had become a “heroic martial master.”
Unfortunately, his superior had ordered him not to say a word about it—and even forbidden him from visiting her. He had been holding it in the entire time.
Now that he finally saw his “hero,” he was practically bursting with excitement.
He stepped forward eagerly, almost offering a handshake, then quickly pulled back and scratched his head.
“Comrade Wu, you’re already up and walking? Why are you in the back courtyard? Are you here to help us interrogate Ma Liu?”
“Lin Li,” Qin Yi said sharply.
“Boss, Comrade Wu isn’t an outsider. She’s the one who caught him!” Lin Li muttered.
“Wu Tong is also a victim,” Qin Yi said sternly. “What? She caught someone for you and now she has to help you solve the case too?”
Lin Li chuckled awkwardly.
“No, no, I was just too excited…”
Then he lowered his voice again.
“But Ma Liu was captured by Comrade Wu. Maybe she could intimidate him…”
“You’re too idle. From today onward, double your morning training.”
Qin Yi turned and walked toward the back courtyard.
“Don’t, boss!” Lin Li immediately panicked and hurried after him.
“Boss! I was wrong! Please spare me!”
Su Tong stood still, watching their backs.
She didn’t hesitate for long before calling out:
“Appendicitis doesn’t necessarily mean surgery is impossible…”
Lin Li turned back.
“Comrade Wu, anything else?”
“Can I go see Ma Liu?” she asked calmly.
Lin Li scratched his head and looked toward Qin Yi.
From a distance, Qin Yi’s expression was unclear. After a moment, Lin Li turned back with a grin and waved her over.
“Comrade Wu, come on.”