Chen Yuting was about to cry out more, but Chief of Staff Xu angrily said:
"Chen Yuting! You've disappointed me too much! You show no remorse! Your father can't save you either! Your behavior doesn't befit this military uniform anymore!"
Chen Yuting trembled all over from fear, collapsed onto the ground, and didn't dare to say another word.
Chief of Staff Xu stood up and walked to Song Ning.
"Comrade Song Ning! Don't worry! Since you are our military family, the unit will support you! You can state any demands you have!"
Song Ning rubbed her eyes hard and said with red eyes:
"Chief of Staff Xu! Comrade Lu Changqing and I are indeed in an arranged marriage. Since Military Doctor Chen and Comrade Lu are in love, I can step aside. There's no need to make everyone unhappy..."
Chief of Staff Xu shook his head and said: "Right is right! Wrong is wrong! It doesn't matter if you came looking for them or not, they made mistakes and should be dealt with! Discipline will not favor anyone! Moreover, their mistakes are not just this one matter!"
He thought for a moment and said, "How about this, Comrade Song Ning, I will arrange for you to return to the military region as soon as possible. We owe you a fair explanation for what has happened these past few days! Once we get to the unit, we can sit down and discuss future matters slowly! What do you think?"
Song Ning didn't say anything further and nodded.
Chen Yuting was sent away that day.
Whether she was sent back to the military region or to another disaster relief site, it was unknown.
And that very evening, Director Sun happily informed the medical team of a series of good news...
Because of the medical team's outstanding performance, doctors with establishment positions would be considered for promotion and advancement, and barefoot doctors without establishment would receive long-term subsidies after returning to their villages, with priority opportunities to take formal establishment exams for township hospitals.
This was not just superficial honor, but tangible benefits!
It was equivalent to doctors getting promoted and barefoot doctors who could only earn Work Points now having subsidies.
The subsidies might not be a lot, but having them long-term meant a stable income!
This unexpected joy made everyone beam with happiness for a moment.
Finally, Director Sun said that the reason for the commendation before the disaster relief had even ended was due to two matters.
First, the military region had sent a telegram to the local government, apologizing for the misconduct of certain comrades and, more importantly, thanking the Second Medical Team for their unity and close cooperation with the troops during the disaster relief, acknowledging their outstanding contributions.
The second matter, however, was somewhat unexpected.
The child named Tie Dan, whom Song Ning had saved, was fully reported by reporters stationed at the hospital covering the disaster as he was being sent for medical treatment.
When everyone learned that it was the comrades of the Second Medical Team who had fearlessly jumped into the mudslide to save the child, it caused a huge reaction in society.
Praise and donations poured in, and letters from the masses were almost piled up like a mountain.
It was only then that everyone understood that the main reason they were receiving commendations was—because of Song Ning.
Doctor Feng was the first to speak, "We are being commended, but Little Doctor Song received nothing!"
They only now realized that Song Ning was just a passenger who had been stranded on the road, coming to help with disaster relief as an obligation!
These subsidies and promotions couldn't be applied to her!
Moreover, she was here to find her fiancé!
And currently, her fiancé was entangled with another woman and had almost colluded to bully her!
It was truly a bit tragic!
For a moment, everyone felt a pang of guilt and a sense of injustice towards Comrade Song Ning, making the commendation feel less deserved...
Fortunately, Director Sun said at the end that Chief of Staff Xu had assured him that the military would not mistreat Song Ning, which finally calmed their uneasy hearts.
As for Song Ning, she had already asked Doctor Feng for leave before Director Sun arrived, unable to bear everyone's gazes filled with "sympathy."
Doctor Feng naturally agreed readily, only repeatedly instructing her to seek treatment if she had any injuries.
There were indeed some injuries; after drifting for seven or eight kilometers, it was inevitable to get bumped and bruised.
But most of them were bruises on her joints and minor abrasions, which she disregarded.
However, when she returned to the tent she had been in before, Zheng Changan also followed her in without a word.
Song Ning was puzzled, "What's wrong? You're as silent as a clam right now!"
Zheng Changan looked at Song Ning, his eyes full of guilt.
"I'm sorry! Sister Ning! I didn't realize you and Lu Changqing had that kind of relationship. Before, I... I wasn't careful with my words!"
Before, he had even gloated when Lu Changqing fell into a coma again, and he had repeatedly brought up his relationship with Chen Yuting in front of her. Thinking about how Song Ning might have been secretly sad in her heart at those times, he felt that he...
Sigh...
Song Ning smiled at him and said:
"Actually, my feelings about their situation were similar to yours! Although we were engaged! We had never met before and had no emotional foundation! Him being involved with another woman doesn't affect me. I don't care, so why are you so dejected!"
"But... but you clearly looked very sad back then..." Zheng Changan was a bit lost for words.
"I wasn't truly sad; I just felt that showing a little weakness at that time wouldn't hurt! As someone who was wronged, there was no need to be strong in that situation! The more pitiful I appeared, the heavier their punishment would be! So why not! Can you understand what I mean?"
Song Ning wasn't just not sad; she actually felt lucky.
Before encountering Lu Changqing, she had indeed made some hypotheses.
The 13th Army's 7th Regiment was a famous independent regiment during the war years, with glorious achievements. In the original owner's memory, her grandfather always spoke of Lu Changqing with praise and affirmation.
Therefore, after two years of not fulfilling the engagement, there was a possibility—he had sacrificed himself.
If that were the case, as his un-wedded wife, it would be very necessary for her to lay a bouquet of flowers for him and fulfill her grandfather's wish.
Of course, a greater possibility was that this Lu Changqing was a heartless man who had completely disregarded the agreement with the old man and had already remarried in the army long ago.
If that were the case, she would definitely seek justice for the old man and the original owner, and she would turn his world upside down! A soldier who broke his promise did not deserve a peaceful life!
The reality was that before she even reached the unit, she had encountered the person she was looking for and had seen the "female lead" who was ambiguously involved with him...
This was for the best! Because she didn't have to bother finding the truth herself! Nor did she have to spend effort seeking justice!
Not only were the bystanders clear about what happened, but the unit's leaders and comrades also understood the truth of the matter immediately.
And she, as the wronged party, now only needed to quietly await a result!
A result that would be worthy of her deceased grandfather and the original owner, and also satisfy her, Song Ning!
It would be best if they cooperated.
If they didn't cooperate, she was also prepared for a protracted battle.
She would accept what fate brought her. She had come with the expectations of the original owner and her grandfather. Since the other party intended to be a heartless man, she would not rest until he was thoroughly exposed.
Zheng Changan was silent for a moment, seemingly understanding Song Ning's meaning, but his expression did not lighten:
"But Sister Ning! He... he has already changed his heart, are you still going to the unit?"
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