By the afternoon, a young police officer from the station finally found Xiao Jiang. After hearing his explanation, she realized that Wen Zhiyu had truly left.
Well, now she knew—the person she had seen earlier being taken away in a car was Wen Zhiyu.
“Comrade Jiang, I’m really sorry. Doctor Wen had already asked me to come find you and tell you, but we were delayed today because of the arrest of those spies,” the young officer said, scratching his head helplessly.
Xiao Jiang sighed. “It’s fine, I understand.”
She then packed her things onto her bicycle and rode back. When she returned to the hospital, she was thinking about asking Wen Zhiyu’s friends to help bring her something from the city—nothing too much, but the important things needed to be bought—when the head nurse called her.
“Doctor Jiang, your family sent you a package.”
Confused, Xiao Jiang walked over. When she opened it, her nose turned sour and tears came pouring out uncontrollably.
These were all things sent by her parents in Beijing.
Her parents had said that if she dared go to the northwest, they would disown her—but the package arrived so quickly. Clearly, they had started preparing and sending things not long after she left.
“Doctor Jiang, your family really cares about you!” the head nurse said, seeing she was homesick on purpose.
Xiao Jiang nodded quickly. “Yes, my parents are the best!”
…
When Shen Lifeng brought Wen Zhiyu back to the military base, they happened to pass a few military wives on the road. They had seen Wen Zhiyu before.
The wives didn’t know she was planning to break off the engagement with Shen Lifeng, and assumed the couple was still very close.
One of them greeted warmly, “Battalion Commander Shen, is this your fiancée?”
The words “fiancée” landed on Wen Zhiyu, and Shen Lifeng felt as if he had been electrocuted—his heart jolted.
He also worried she might be unhappy, but when he turned to look, Wen Zhiyu calmly and politely greeted the wives.
After they left, Wen Zhiyu noticed his stunned expression and smiled.
“I won’t be staying here long, so there’s no need to cause unnecessary trouble. After I leave, you may need to explain things. If you want, you can just say you were the one who broke off the engagement.”
Shen Lifeng shook his head.
“You’re very good. As a man, I can’t slander a woman.”
Wen Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “It’s fine. It’s not really slander. I won’t hear what they say anyway.”
But Shen Lifeng still insisted.
“You are very good.”
That was his only thought.
Wen Zhiyu sighed helplessly.
Fine, then so be it.
In any case, after she left, she likely wouldn’t have any close relationship with Shen Lifeng anymore.
Shen Lifeng brought her into the administrative building of the base. There were two small three-story buildings, and many people greeted him as they passed.
After seeing Wen Zhiyu, they were all stunned by her beauty and curious about who she was.
By the time they reached the commander’s office, Shen Lifeng felt very clearly that Wen Zhiyu was too beautiful—any man who saw her would inevitably develop feelings. He would have many rivals in the future.
He knocked on the door.
Inside, the western military district leader was already waiting.
Wen Zhiyu followed Shen Lifeng in and politely greeted him.
“Hello.”
The leader, though not young, looked energetic and upright. He immediately shook her hand.
“Comrade Wen, it’s better to see you in person than in reputation! I didn’t expect you to be so young!”
Shen Lifeng frowned. The leader knew Wen Zhiyu?
He sat down in confusion as the two spoke.
The leader excitedly said, “Last year, the anti-inflammatory special medicine you led the research on saved countless lives in the northwest. We should have thanked you long ago! I didn’t expect you to be Battalion Commander Shen’s fiancée!”
The leader was so excited his voice even trembled.
Wen Zhiyu replied, “It was my duty, and I also received a good research bonus.”
“Nonsense—that’s lives we’re talking about. How can money compare?” the leader immediately objected.
He then brought up the spy incident.
“Comrade Wen, I will send security personnel to protect you. I suspect those spies were specifically targeting you.”
Wen Zhiyu agreed that this was likely true.
At first, it might have been because she treated Shen Lifeng. But later groups were probably targeting her personally.
However, when it came to bodyguards—
“No need, thank you. There are stationed soldiers near the hospital, and I rarely leave it. It should be safe.”
The leader thought about it and agreed.
“Then move to the base. I’ll arrange a dormitory for you. The hospital’s security isn’t very strict at night.”
Wen Zhiyu wanted to say the distance was too far for her daily commute, but before she could, Shen Lifeng suddenly spoke.
“I can drive her to and from the hospital every day.”
Wen Zhiyu fell silent.
Could she refuse?
The leader, however, immediately smiled as if he had seen through something.
“That’s perfect! You two young people should spend more time together. You’re engaged after all.”
Wen Zhiyu felt there was no need for that. There was no emotional relationship to cultivate.
She was about to speak when Shen Lifeng said again:
“Comrade Wen works at the hospital; commuting is a waste of time. She could treat more patients instead.”
Wen Zhiyu almost applauded him internally.
But then he continued:
“Why don’t I just stay at the hospital to protect Comrade Wen?”
Wen Zhiyu froze.
What is this situation?
“Good idea!” the leader agreed immediately, then finally asked her opinion.
Wen Zhiyu composed herself. “It’s not impossible… but wouldn’t that be too much trouble for Comrade Shen?”
The leader looked at Shen Lifeng.
“I’ve already finished most of my work. The rest can be handled by the deputy battalion commander,” he said.
The matter was settled.
The leader then promised to thoroughly investigate the spies.
Wen Zhiyu naturally trusted this. Spies were universally condemned, especially within the military.
He then asked about her life there and the progress of the new medicine research.
She answered everything she could.
As she left, the leader earnestly said:
“Battalion Commander Shen, Comrade Wen is a good girl—you must treat her well. Otherwise, the entire military base will be her family’s side!”