Searching for someone in northern Myanmar, and you call that earning tuition fees?

The entrance to Jiangnan University.

Su Ming got out of the taxi and patted Li Changfeng on the shoulder: "Brother Li, I'm going to the library to reserve a seat. I need to catch up on my advanced mathematics class."

After saying that, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and joined the vibrant student crowd. His back was straight and his steps were steady, just like an ordinary college student who was focused on his studies.

Li Changfeng stood there, watching Su Ming's figure disappear around the corner of the teaching building. He took a deep breath; the air was no longer salty and damp with seawater, nor did it carry the smell of gunpowder or burnt meat.

He felt that he had been given a second chance at life, but it seemed that half of his soul was still lost on Hainan Island.

Back at the security office, a familiar aroma of tea wafted over.

Li Changfeng pushed open the door to the duty room, where Old Zhao was drinking water from his enamel mug, which he hadn't used for twenty years.

Upon seeing Li Changfeng, Old Zhao's thermos cup froze in mid-air. He looked Li Changfeng up and down for three seconds, then put the cup down, his eyes filled with pity and some confusion.

"Old Li, you're back? It's only been a few days." Old Zhao walked up and circled Li Changfeng. "Why are you so tanned? Was the seafood bad over there? Or were those rich women on Hainan Island too ruthless, turning you into this mess?"

Li Changfeng walked expressionlessly behind his desk, plopped down, and the old chair frame creaked in despair.

"Old Zhao, bring me that 'Application Form for Work-Related Injury Determination.' The latest one, the kind that needs to be double-certified by the military and the school." Li Changfeng's voice was heavy, and his words carried the salty taste of the seawater from Hainan Island.

Old Zhao was taken aback, then leaned closer and lowered his voice: "You're injured? Where are you injured? Your arms and legs look fine to me."

He glanced down at his groin, his expression turning serious yet gossipy: "Could it be that you were ambushed in your groin by an illegal organization during a mission? That can't be, I've heard about your Iron Shirt Kung Fu..."

"Do you think your Iron Shirt can stop Newton?" Li Changfeng interrupted him irritably, pulling a pen from the pen holder. "Give me a watch."

Old Zhao pursed his lips, pulled a brand-new form from the filing cabinet, and handed it over.

Li Changfeng spread out the form, unscrewed the pen cap, and held the pen tip on the paper for a long time without dropping it.

He had a bellyful of grievances, but didn't know where to begin writing.

A few minutes later, he finally began to write. Old Zhao, holding a teacup, peeked at him and saw Li Changfeng's pen moving across the paper with such force that it almost tore through the paper.

[Report on the Application for Recognition of the Work-Related Injury Suffered by Comrade Li Changfeng During His Recuperation in Hainan Island]

This month, I was ordered to go to the No. 3 Sanatorium on Hainan Island for paid recuperation. During this period, due to the force majeure actions of my caregiver, Comrade Su Ming, I suffered the following serious injuries:

1. Psychological Trauma: Within seven days, I witnessed a series of abnormal physical shocks, including but not limited to "a mop handle launching a trash can," "a coconut volleyball hitting my head," "sunscreen bowling," and "a leaky electric oven and electrotherapy array." These events have severely shaken my scientific beliefs. Now, when I close my eyes, I see Newton turning in his grave to discuss physics with me, causing me sleepless nights. I recommend being classified as having a level one psychological disability.

2. Physiological damage: Due to prolonged periods of high-stress preparation (primarily out of fear of being accidentally injured by Comrade Su Ming's various impromptu physical traps), symptoms such as premature ventricular contractions and arrhythmia occurred, and blood pressure repeatedly exceeded the critical threshold. Furthermore, without my knowledge, I was forced to inhale nebulized medication of unknown composition (according to the Hassan brand equipment manual, it was a fast-acting nitroglycerin tablet), resulting in unknown effects on my bodily functions.

3. Damage to reputation: Comrade Su Ming publicly flaunted the story of "paying a large sum of money to help Mr. Li, who is partially paralyzed," resulting in me receiving over three hundred sympathetic, pitying, and regretful glances from passersby at Hainan Phoenix International Airport, hotel lobbies, and various public places along the way. My personal image and military dignity have suffered devastating damage, and the psychological trauma is immeasurable by current mathematical tools.

In summary, to safeguard the physical and mental health and basic dignity of a decorated veteran, I hereby apply for six months of work injury leave for psychological rehabilitation and the rebuilding of a scientific worldview. I am also applying for "Newton's coffin lid maintenance expenses," "personal image and reputation repair public relations expenses," and "cardiac hypertension emergency training expenses," totaling RMB…

As Li Changfeng was writing down the amount, pondering how much to fill in to express his overwhelming grievances, the red encrypted phone on the table rang.

He instinctively straightened up and answered the phone.

"Commander!"

"Changfeng, you're back?" came the old general's steady voice from the other end of the phone.

"Yes! I just arrived at school!"

"Hmm, I heard about what happened on Hainan Island. You did a good job. I heard those assassins didn't even manage to scratch you. You're in great physical shape."

Li Changfeng's nose tingled with emotion; he felt he had finally found his organization, someone to confide in. He quickly said, "Commander, I was just about to report to you! I'm applying for work injury compensation! I..."

"Work injury?" the old general interrupted him, a hint of doubt in his voice. "What's wrong? Are some parts missing? Or perhaps you've suffered some emotional distress? That chubby little guy from Saudi Arabia, Hassan, said you're not in good health and often need medication. He even thanked us specifically, saying you and Comrade Su Ming provided excellent protection. By the way, what about that kid Su Ming?"

"Reporting to the commander, Comrade Su Ming went to the library for extra lessons as soon as he returned to school!"

"Look! Look at his dedication!" The old general's tone instantly shifted to one of satisfaction and admiration. "He's accomplished such a great feat, and the first thing he does upon returning is to catch up on his studies! Where can you find a child these days who sees fame and fortune as fleeting and is solely focused on learning? I just spoke with your school's principal, and in light of Comrade Su Ming's outstanding performance on Hainan Island, the school has decided to award him a 'Special Scholarship for Outstanding Students' and waive all his tuition fees for the next three years. You can handle the paperwork for him; don't let this hero sweat and run errands."

Li Changfeng felt as if his heart had been squeezed hard by pliers.

Li Changfeng rubbed his throbbing temples: "Sir, I'll handle the paperwork. But what about my six months of work injury leave..."

"Oh, right, on vacation."

There was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.

After three seconds, the old general spoke slowly, "Changfeng, you've changed."

Li Changfeng was taken aback: "What?"

"You used to be a pure person, someone who had transcended vulgar interests." The old general's voice carried a hint of pity. "How much did that chubby Hassan pay you for this mission? Although Su Ming is stingy, since he personally said he would give you 20%, he certainly won't shortchange you."

"Sir, I haven't touched a single penny of that money; I plan to donate it all to..."

"Donating to the company mess hall to improve the food? That's your awareness, and I'm proud of you." The old general immediately interrupted him, "But the organization can't ignore your personal growth just because you have high awareness. Changfeng, take a good look at your current situation. You single-handedly took down a top international mercenary group, captured an A-level wanted criminal, and even managed to carry out a successful community spiritual civilization construction project, improving the happiness index of the surrounding elderly comrades. What kind of achievement is that?"

Li Changfeng was a little confused. Had he really improved the happiness of retired cadres?

"You made the right decision to donate that money; it was a test of the organization's trust in you." The old general's tone suddenly became serious and affectionate as he changed the subject. "Changfeng, you may feel like you are suffering, but what I see is a rapidly growing future strategic talent."

Li Changfeng was taken aback: "Who? Su Ming?"

"No, it's you." The old general began his performance. "Think about it, without Su Ming, could you have personally experienced this brand-new, low-cost, highly creative, and easily replicable new model of special operations? This approach of fully utilizing basic physics knowledge to fight special operations is low-cost and highly efficient. It has simply opened a new door for our urban counter-terrorism and border defense construction. What a tremendous inspiration this is!"

The old general didn't give them a chance to refute.

He then let out a long sigh on the other end of the phone, his voice filled with heartache for a comrade who had "gone astray": "Changfeng, you have to have a conscience. You're on Hainan Island, living in a multi-million dollar beachfront villa, eating top-quality lobsters specially flown in by the Saudi royal family, and having a world-class bodyguard with a daily wage of tens of millions by your side. You call this torture? If this is torture, every officer in the entire army would be vying to suffer like this!"

"I……"

"Alright. The gatekeeper said you're in good health and you're handling work as soon as you get back, that's great. Since you're maintaining good physical condition and mental awareness, then get to work as soon as possible. The school sports meet is coming up soon, the security pressure is huge, and there will be many foreign guests. You have a lot of experience, so I'll entrust this matter to you in full charge. Do a good job, I have faith in you."

beep--

The call was abruptly ended.

Li Changfeng remained standing at attention, his muscles stiff.

Old Zhao, who was standing to the side, had already stopped drinking his tea. He looked at him with pity, mouth agape, and tentatively asked, "Old Li, how about... we take the afternoon off and go to the Sixth Hospital to make an appointment?"

Li Changfeng sat back down in his chair, picked up his pen again, and added a sentence at the very bottom of the "Application Form for Work-Related Injury Determination":

[Addendum: If Hassan's transfer application is approved, please have me buried directly under the crooked tree at the school gate. No inscription is needed on the tombstone. I have only one request—please ensure it's erected according to the principle of balance, so that Su Ming won't have to straighten me when he passes by.]