In her sweet slumber, Guo Youning dreamed of White Impermanence expressing gratitude to her, saying his job was secure, the fruits were delicious, and he had received the pocket money.
He also told her she could burn incense anytime she encountered difficulties, and he would help as much as possible, owing her a great favor.
In the dream, Guo Youning curiously asked, "Why didn't you transmit your voice directly like last time? Entering dreams seems so troublesome!"
White Impermanence sighed and replied, "Cross-realm voice transmission consumes immense energy. My magical power is too feeble to sustain it; I only use it in dire emergencies. But I can handle dream visits with ease, though the response is slower."
The human and the ghost official had a friendly conversation in the dream.
At 5:30, Tang Xin woke Guo Youning. Actually, the alarm in her space had rung too, but she had lost sleep the previous night and struggled to get up.
Bleary-eyed and yawning, she went to the washroom to freshen up. Suddenly, she noticed two soldiers standing rigidly guard at the staircase leading to the third floor.
Their uniforms matched those of the soldiers she had seen in the alley the night before.
Guo Youning's drowsiness vanished instantly. Looking closely, she found their faces somewhat familiar—clearly, they were from the same group. Truly, after searching far and wide, here they were, effortlessly found!
What luck!
But why were they at the hospital? Had someone been injured? Were they soldiers or spies? What exactly had happened… Countless questions flooded her mind.
Tang Xin, who had followed her out to get breakfast, noticed her fixed gaze on the soldiers and quickly patted her shoulder, whispering a reminder, "Ningning, don't be curious. Hurry up and wash, then let the doctor check you. If everything's fine, we should leave early. Ah, our soldiers have it tough—catching bad guys late at night, often ending up bruised and battered. They're truly admirable."
Guo Youning stared intently at Tang Xin and asked curiously, "Mom, do you know what happened?"
Tang Xin replied softly, "Around two or three in the morning, there was a loud noise outside that woke many patients. Soon, the hospital became chaotic. I heard a team of soldiers encountered an explosion while on a mission nearby. Three were carried in and taken straight to the operating room upstairs. All the hospital doctors were mobilized. I don't know how they are now, but they're all heroes. Without them, we wouldn't have such stable lives."
Weak from her condition, sleep-deprived, and having met with White Impermanence, Guo Youning had slept deeply through the early hours and heard nothing.
She sighed heavily, moved by the thought. "There's no such thing as peaceful times—just someone bearing the weight for everyone else. They are the most beloved people."
Tang Xin nodded and urged her to hurry with her washing.
Distractedly carrying her towel and basin toward the washroom, Guo Youning's mind raced, pondering how to safely hand over the documents.
After a quick face wash, she returned to the ward, ate the congee and steamed buns her mother had prepared, was cleared by the doctor, and got ready to leave the hospital.
Just then, firm, resonant footsteps echoed in the corridor. Guo Youning glanced curiously.
A distinguished, gray-haired elder, surrounded by six guards, was heading upstairs, followed by several doctors in white coats emblazoned with "Beijing Military Region General Hospital."
The two guards at the staircase stood at attention and saluted respectfully: "Commander Yan!"
Guo Youning's heart grew heavier. The commander was here! Doctors from the military region general hospital had come too!
It seemed something earth-shattering had occurred!
I may not be able to help with other matters, but delivering these research findings can compensate for their losses to the greatest extent.
From the soldiers' conversation last night, it was clear that there were corrupt individuals within the military. These research findings must not fall into the wrong hands again.
Commander Yan, who had just come upstairs earlier, was clearly no ordinary person. Entrusting the documents to him would undoubtedly be the right choice.
While Guo Youning was lost in thought, Tang Xin had already finished packing and urged her to leave quickly, as they still needed to pick up meat from the Meatpacking Plant.
Guo Youning glanced back repeatedly as she walked, continuing to ponder how to deliver the documents. The research findings, paid for with the soldiers' lives, must not be mishandled in her hands.
She decided to take the risk. Just as they reached the entrance of the inpatient building, she clutched her stomach and said to Tang Xin, "Mom, please wait for me in the lobby for a moment. My stomach is acting up again—I need to use the restroom."
Tang Xin replied with concern, "Go ahead. I'll go find a doctor right away to get you some digestive medicine."
Guo Youning agreed while hurrying back upstairs.
When she emerged from the restroom, she was holding a large file folder with the words: "To the Most Beloved: For Commander Yan's Eyes Only."
Still several meters from the staircase, she waved the file folder and urgently called out to the guards, "Comrades, comrades! I just found this document in the restroom—it's for Commander Yan."
The two soldiers immediately grew alert. One of them scrutinized her and asked, "How did you know Commander Yan is here?"
Guo Youning was somewhat intimidated by their stern expressions, but since she was doing a good deed, there was no need to fear. Pointing to the room she had previously stayed in, she replied obediently, "I was staying in that room earlier and heard you shouting energetically, 'Hello, Commander Yan!' That doesn't count as eavesdropping."
The two soldiers relaxed their guarded expressions, and one of them reached out to take the file.
Guo Youning stepped back slightly and said seriously, "This file is sealed so securely—it must be extremely important. Since it says 'For Commander Yan's Eyes Only,' I must hand it to him personally or present it in his presence. My schoolteachers told many stories about spies—it's better to be cautious."
The two soldiers exchanged glances, whispered to each other, and asked her to wait while one of them went upstairs.
Before long, Guo Youning was escorted to a conference room on the third floor. Commander Yan entered, flanked by two guards. This time, Guo Youning observed him carefully.
Although he was past sixty with graying hair, he had a robust build and an aura of integrity that commanded respect. His sharp eyes seemed capable of seeing right through a person.
Guo Youning's first impression was that he was a leader worthy of trust.
Steeling herself under Commander Yan's penetrating gaze, she presented the file folder with neither humility nor arrogance. "Hello, Grandpa Commander. I'm a patient staying here. I found this earlier in the restroom."
One of the guards took the folder, carefully felt it, shook it, and even sniffed it. Finding nothing unusual, he slowly opened it under the old man's instruction.
When the stack of documents was revealed, the old man's expression shifted dramatically. He snatched the file and began flipping through it intently.
The more he read, the more excited he became. He couldn't help exclaiming, "Yes, this is it! Finally recovered! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
After resealing the documents, he examined the writing on the envelope: "To the Most Beloved: For Commander Yan's Eyes Only." A smile spread across his face.
His gaze toward Guo Youning softened with kindness. He smiled and said, "Thank you, young lady. You're a clever and cautious child. You've done us an enormous service—a great achievement. Is there any reward you'd like?"
Guo Youning waved her hand and said shyly, "Thank you for the praise, but no reward is needed. I just did what came naturally. May I leave now? My mother is still waiting for me downstairs."
Commander Yan, appreciating her humility and lack of arrogance, smiled even more sincerely. "We never neglect those who have rendered service. Please leave your address. We will send you a certificate of merit and a monetary award later."