The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

Upon seeing the general's star on Commander Liu's shoulder, Shen Ruowen immediately composed himself and said solemnly, "Hello, Commander. I am Shen Ruowen, a reporter from the Northwest Construction Daily. I came to the desert today to gather material, and I am very grateful to you for saving me."

As she spoke, she took out her press pass from her jacket pocket and pointed to the camera on the passenger seat and her handbag.

"Ah, it's a reporter, that's great, that's great." Commander Liu immediately put on a smile, took the press pass, glanced at it, and handed it back to her. "You recognize our Regiment Commander Liang Zhe?"

A shy blush rose on Shen Ruowen's face. "We... met once in town before. This comrade helped me out of a sense of justice. I... don't know his name or position yet."

"Ah, is that so?" Commander Liu gave Liang Zhe a meaningful look. Liang Zhe remained expressionless, but his palms were slightly sweaty. He hadn't reported his act of bravery to the base when he did it in town, which, strictly speaking, was a violation of regulations in a disciplined military unit.

It seems an inspection is inevitable.

"Comrade Shen is injured, isn't she?" Commander Liu's gaze returned to Shen Ruowen, and he said considerately, "You've been implicated in our affairs. How about this? I'll have someone take you to town for medical treatment. The military will reimburse all your medical expenses, and I'll also give you twenty yuan as a token of my sympathy. How about that?"

Twenty yuan was a considerable sum at the time, and given that she had offered to take him to the hospital, Shen Ruowen should have had no reason to refuse.

But the other person looked troubled upon hearing this, pursing their lower lip without nodding or refusing.

The military doctor, Sun, chimed in, "Commander, I don't think Comrade Shen's injury is serious. He just sprained his ankle. He can just apply a cold compress and rest more. There's no need to go to the hospital."

He thought to himself, "The commander is being too generous. Twenty dollars can buy so much medicine!"

Commander Liu, however, dismissed it: "How can that be? Even a broken bone takes a hundred days to heal, let alone a woman. Xiao Wang!"

"Here!" A young soldier immediately responded and stepped forward.

"Take Comrade Shen's car and take her to the town hospital for a full check-up. Young man, don't leave any lasting health problems."

Before Xiao Wang could respond, Shen Ruowen spoke softly, "Chief..."

"Um?"

"I...can I make a request?"

"Is there still one more difficulty?"

"I……"

Shen Ruowen hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Speak up, if you have any difficulties, just ask. The People's Army is for the people." Commander Liu's attitude was kind and approachable.

Shen Ruowen's eyes flickered as if she were organizing her thoughts. After a moment, she mustered her courage and asked, "Could I... stay in the army for the time being?"

"Um?"

"What I mean is..." Shen Ruowen's cheeks flushed slightly as she hurriedly explained, "My workplace is in the provincial capital, and I have no relatives or friends in this town. Now that I have difficulty walking, I'm afraid even getting food will be a problem if I go back. I'm thinking... staying at the military base for a while, and once I've recovered, I'll leave immediately and won't stay any longer!"

Fearing that people might suspect her intentions, she quickly added, "Don't worry, I know what's important. The military has strict confidentiality rules. I will stay on the perimeter and will not wander around, look around, or ask questions. I just ask for a place to recuperate."

"Your request..."

Commander Liu stood with his hands on his hips and stroking his chin, not answering immediately, but his eyes kept glancing at Liang Zhe out of the corner of his eye.

When Liang Zhe heard her say "stay," his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. However, since the request was made to Commander Liu, given his position, he couldn't interrupt or object.

"Commander, is it really not possible?" Shen Ruowen asked, her eyes welling up with tears as she saw that Commander Liu was not answering. She was already very beautiful, but now she looked even more pitiful and endearing, making people feel sorry for her.

Sun, the military doctor, and the others were also surprised that Shen Ruowen would make such a request. The base was a military stronghold, and no unauthorized personnel were allowed to enter. Everyone thought that Commander Liu would never agree to this irregular request.

To everyone's surprise, Commander Liu pondered for a few seconds and then nodded: "What you said makes sense. It's really not easy for a female comrade to be injured in the field. Alright then, you can stay with our unit for a while, and we'll send someone to take you back once you've recovered."

"Really? Thank you, Chief." Shen Ruowen's eyes lit up, and a surprised smile appeared on her face.

Everyone else was stunned, never expecting that Commander Liu, who was always highly vigilant and principled, would agree to this request.

Liang Zhe's expression became thoughtful.

"However," Commander Liu said sternly, changing the subject, "I also have a request."

Shen Ruowen hurriedly said, "Please speak, sir."

"My request is very simple: since you've stayed, you should contribute what you can. Take more photos and write more reports for us, and spread the word about the hard-working spirit of our soldiers. This is a political task, and there's no room for ambiguity!"

"Of course, no problem! It's what I should do!" Shen Ruowen immediately agreed.

"Alright, it's settled then!" Commander Liu made the final decision. "Liang Zhe, arrange a clean room for Reporter Shen. Also, tell the logistics department to add some dishes; don't neglect our reporter."

"Yes."

Everyone got into the car, and Liang Zhe, along with several soldiers, pushed the car out of the sand pit and drove it back to the base.

Upon arriving at the camp gate, everyone else filed out of the vehicle. Only Shen Ruowen presented a challenge.

Her ankle was so swollen that she couldn't stand up at all. The women weren't strong enough to carry her inside, so only the men could do it.

So who will be the candidate?

Just as everyone hesitated, the car window rolled down, and Shen Ruowen softly called out, "Commander Liang."

Liang Zhe, who was standing under the car, paused.

"I..." Shen Ruowen's eyelashes fluttered, filled with apology and embarrassment, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

Liang Zhe instantly understood her meaning. However, he and she were complete strangers, and as a single man and woman alone together, excessive closeness would inevitably attract gossip. He had already decided to avoid suspicion, so he had no intention of going forward.

Shen Ruowen was too embarrassed to speak her mind, and Liang Zhe was unwilling to take the initiative. The air between the two seemed to freeze, filled with an indescribable awkwardness.

Commander Liu saw everything clearly and understood perfectly. He cleared his throat and said, "Comrade Liang Zhe."

"arrive!"

Liang Zhe instinctively stood at attention.

"You little brat, how come you have no sense of propriety at all?" Commander Liu gestured with his chin towards Shen Ruowen, "Go and pick up Reporter Shen, and take her back to the barracks."

Liang Zhe frowned slightly and lowered his voice: "Commander, I..."

"What do you mean 'you'?! Show some spirit of mutual assistance between the military and civilians, this is an order!"

Helpless, Liang Zhe could only reply, "Yes."