Song Ning nodded.
“I am definitely going to the army.”
Zheng Chang’an grew anxious.
“Sis Ning! How about—how about you come to Bijie with me? Your medical skills are so good, you can sit for the hospital recruitment exam here, you’ll definitely pass! My mom is the dean, I can get her to give you a special admission! I can even get her to help transfer your household registration!”
“Tsk.” Song Ning looked at him with a smile. “Turns out I accidentally made friends with a second-generation official.”
“Sis Ning! I’m serious! Please think about it!”
Seeing that she wasn’t taking him seriously, Zheng Chang’an clenched his teeth.
“I’ll be honest with you. Even if they’ve all been punished, Lu Changqing has already changed his heart. A man like that… even if you go after him, it won’t end well. You should find another way.”
Hearing this, Song Ning’s smile faded and she became serious.
“Zheng Chang’an, thank you for telling me this. I will indeed end this engagement—but not so hastily here.”
“My grandfather didn’t arrange this marriage with Lu Changqing for no reason. It’s not that simple. Lu Changqing… made another promise to my grandfather. Even before he passed away, my grandfather was still thinking about it. There are things I need to understand clearly.”
“This is a disaster relief site. I cannot let my personal matters take up everyone’s energy. And only by going to the army can I get what I want—and resolve this matter in the fairest way possible.”
Seeing that Song Ning had made up her mind, Zheng Chang’an sat down heavily beside her and fell silent.
Song Ning didn’t know what to say either. They had only known each other for a few days, yet he trusted her far more than expected—and right now, he even looked a bit childish.
Just as she was about to say something to comfort him, Zheng Chang’an suddenly stood up.
“Sis Ning! Wait for me! One month at most! I’ll come find you in the army!”
“F-find me?” Song Ning was stunned. “In the army?”
“Yes!”
Zheng Chang’an seemed to have made up his mind completely.
“To be honest, I’ve been an intern doctor at our hospital for two years already. The other interns have already become full staff, but I still can’t pass the probation. My mom being strict is part of it, but another reason… is that I just don’t feel interested in Western medicine!”
“But now I’ve found something I’m interested in—Chinese medicine! It’s not that I’m not suited to be a doctor, I’m just not suited to Western medicine! Sis Ning, I’ve decided—I’m going to be your apprentice! I want to learn Chinese medicine!”
Song Ning reached out and touched his forehead.
“No fever. So why are you talking nonsense?”
She cleared her throat and said helplessly,
“Zheng Chang’an, I’m like a rootless duckweed right now. I can barely take care of myself. Going to the army means relying on others. I don’t even know how I’ll live. What are you coming to find me for? To drift around together?”
“Drift together? That actually sounds challenging! We could—”
“Stop, stop! Zheng Chang’an! Go back to work properly! Maybe you’ll pass your probation this time! Just stay in the hospital and stop overthinking.”
“Sis Ning! I’m serious! More serious than ever!”
Zheng Chang’an looked at her steadily, his eyes slightly red.
Song Ning looked at him and realized this wasn’t a whim. He had truly made a decision.
After a moment of silence, she held up a finger.
“One year. Give me one year. Once I’ve established myself, we’ll talk about Chinese medicine.”
“One year is too long!”
Zheng Chang’an shook his head.
“Half a year! Sis Ning! With your ability, half a year is enough for you to carve out your own world! By then, no matter where you are—I will come find you!”
He stretched out his hand, as if demanding a promise.
Song Ning sighed and extended her hand as well.
Their hands clasped tightly and shook firmly.
That night, while Song Ning was asleep, Zheng Chang’an quietly slipped a roll of paper money into her bag.
She noticed—but did not move.
By morning, she had secretly placed it back into his pocket.
She had already received his trust—she could not take anything more.
The next day, Han Xiao and Chen Liang came to find Song Ning. They had been ordered to escort her back to the military base.
After days of continuous rain, the disaster relief work was finally coming to an end.
What followed would be a long reconstruction effort.
More government leaders and grassroots cadres would take over the continued work.
The military would withdraw in batches.
It was clear that the higher-ups had deliberately arranged for Song Ning not to travel back with Lu Changqing, but instead with Han Xiao and Chen Liang, with whom she was already familiar—considerate planning on their part.
During the journey, Chen Liang remained quiet as usual, but even the usually talkative Han Xiao seemed restrained, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Song Ning understood why. The trip to the military region would take three days, and the atmosphere was awkward.
So she spoke first.
“I actually don’t mind Lu Changqing’s matter. It was an engagement arranged by elders. Whether it goes through or not, I can accept it. These days, people even get divorced after marrying—you don’t need to avoid the topic.”
Hearing her speak first, Han Xiao sighed in relief.
“To be honest, Lu Changqing is actually a pretty good guy. Very steady and motivated. He even earned a major commendation last year. We’re from the same unit and really never heard about him and Chen Yuting. If we had known earlier, we would’ve warned you.”
“No need for warnings,” Song Ning said. “It’s already two years past the agreed marriage time—I’ve long been prepared. I’m going to the army precisely to clarify everything. This can’t be left hanging like this.”
Seeing she truly didn’t care, Han Xiao continued more openly.
“That Chen Yuting is famously the spoiled daughter in the military region. Her standards are very high. I heard Commander Chen even tried arranging blind dates for her, but she ended up liking Lu Changqing…”
Song Ning asked,
“This Commander Chen—is he from your Seventh Regiment?”
“He used to be. He was injured in battle years ago, and last year his old injuries worsened, so he stepped down. Now the Seventh Regiment’s commander is ours—Commander Gu.”
Commander Gu?
Song Ning thought for a moment.
“Isn’t his rank deputy regimental level?”
Han Xiao gave her a thumbs-up.
“That’s right. After Commander Chen stepped down, higher-ups appointed Commander Gu as acting regimental leader. But he’s still too young, so he’s under evaluation and hasn’t been officially promoted yet. He’ll probably need another merit or two before they consider it.”
“Marriage might do it!” Chen Liang, who had been silent, suddenly said flatly.
Han Xiao paused, then nodded.
“Yeah… older generations think marriage means maturity and stability. Maybe once Commander Gu gets married, he’ll get promoted.”
“So Comrade Song Ning,” Han Xiao continued,
“once we reach the military region, if you need anything, just tell us. If we can’t help, Commander Gu definitely can. After all, we’ve all caught human traffickers together—we’re revolutionary comrades now.”
Song Ning smiled.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely be troubling you both.”