The aloof military doctor arrives at the unit, and the tough guy can't sit still.

2

Qian Yuejin and Wu Caifeng strode in aggressively.

"Uncle, Aunt, is there something you need?" Xia Qiuran asked as she stood up.

"Xia Qiuran, Zhao Jia just told me you're breaking up with Zhao Feng?"

"Yes, Aunt, I'm going to join the army as a reserve soldier."

"What reserve soldier? I've inquired about it. It's just a name the army made up because they don't have enough people and don't want to recruit more. In reality, they just go there to do the jobs that nobody else wants to do," Wu Caifeng scoffed disdainfully.

"Zhao Feng's father is the director of the supply and marketing cooperative, and Zhao Feng is a foreman at the car factory. Those are secure jobs for life. You're giving up being the young mistress of the Zhao family to become a handyman. Have you lost your mind?"

Xia Qiuran looked at Wu Caifeng with a cold glint in her eyes. These two people, under the guise of doing what was best for their family, had done a lot of things to harm them.

Her brother Xia Pingsheng's leg injury was caused by them.

That year, my brother went up the mountain to collect herbs. Qian Yuejin and Wu Caifeng pushed a rolling stone down from above, intending to kill him and leave her as the only daughter in the family, so that the family would be ruined. But my brother was lucky and survived, but he became disabled and could no longer do heavy work.

As for her marriage to the Zhao family, it was only because Wu Caifeng received a lot of benefits from the Zhao family that she worked so hard to bring them together.

These were the truths Zhao Feng told her in her later years to spite her.

"Aunt, I'm not destined for that, nor can I enjoy that kind of happiness. My cousin doesn't have a boyfriend yet, so you can send her to be a young mistress." Xia Qiuran gave her a cold glare.

"you."

Wu Caifeng was so angry that she couldn't say a word back. This brat usually listens to everything she says and has no opinions of her own. What's wrong with her today? Why is she being so sharp-tongued?

Although the Zhao family was wealthy, they were arrogant and looked down on poor villagers like them. She couldn't bear to let her daughter marry into that family and suffer such treatment.

Moreover, Zhao Feng was extremely arrogant and didn't even look at her daughter.

"How dare you talk to your aunt like that? Your cousin has her own ideas. We are not feudal parents." Qian Yuejin shouted at Xia Qiuran when he saw his wife being rebuked.

"Uncle, I also have my own parents. We don't need to trouble you with our family matters."

"I don't have enough power yet, and now is not the time to turn against you," Xia Qiuran replied calmly.

"Xiao Ran, how can you talk to your uncle like that? Your uncle and aunt are only doing this for your own good." Qian Guifang tugged at Xia Qiuran's arm.

"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'll go register in a couple of days." Without any evidence, Xia Qiuran knew her family wouldn't believe her no matter what she said, so she simply said that and went back to her room.

Qian Yuejin and his wife were left behind, continuing to curse and grumble.

...

Three o'clock in the morning.

Even in summer, the nights in the north have a chill in the air.

Xia Qiuran left a note on the table with her packed bag and quietly left through the door.

She said she would leave in a couple of days to prevent Qian Yuejin and his gang from causing trouble, but in fact she had already decided to go out at night.

Xia Qiuran tiptoed out of the courtyard and walked along the village path. It would take about an hour to reach the bus stop.

Just as I was about to reach the intersection near my home, a light came from behind me.

Xia Qiuran felt a pang of panic and immediately started running.

The sound of wheels behind them grew closer and closer. The rural road, muddy after days of heavy rain, was so slippery that a foot could sink in. Xia Qiuran was already out of breath from running.

"Smack."

A stone tripped Xia Qiuran, sending her sprawling to the ground, instantly covering her in mud.

The people on the donkey cart then jumped off, holding onto the cart's planks.

He picked up his cane and slowly walked towards Xia Qiuran.

Xia Qiuran then realized that this was her elder brother.

"Xiao Ran, you're such a fast runner! I almost couldn't keep up with you even driving the donkey cart," Xia Pingsheng said as he helped Xia Qiuran up.

"Big brother, it's you! I thought it was Uncle and the others. Why didn't you greet me?" Xia Qiuran patted her chest, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

"If I shout it out, the whole commune will know. Hurry up and get on the bus."

"That's true." Xia Qiuran nodded.

The two boarded the donkey cart, and Xia Qiuran continued to ask, "Brother, how did you know I was leaving tonight?"

Xia Pingsheng brandished his leather whip. "Yesterday I saw you packing your luggage and even took the remaining cornbread. I guessed you were going to sneak away."

"The station is so far away, and it's dark. How could I leave you alone, a young lady? So I borrowed a donkey cart from the team to take you there."

Xia Qiuran felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this, and looked at Xia Pingsheng, "Brother, you won't blame me for being willful, will you?"

"Xiao Ran, I'm not capable of helping you much, but I think what you said today makes sense. If you marry into the Zhao family, you'll be inferior to others. You might as well marry an honest and hardworking farmer, or just stay at home. I'll support you. We'll eat cornbread when we have it, and if we don't, we'll dig for wild vegetables. There'll always be a way to survive." Xia Pingsheng still had that simple and honest look, but his eyes were unusually firm.

After hearing this, Xia Qiuran suddenly felt a lump in her throat. In her previous life, her older brother had been unable to get married because of his poor legs and the family's poverty. He had only saved some money when he was nearly fifty years old, but he was swindled out of all his possessions by a female con artist and eventually jumped into the river because he couldn't bear it.

"Thank you, brother."

Xia Qiuran thought that she would definitely make something of herself in this life, and the first thing she would do was find a wife for her older brother.

...

"Political Commissar Zhou, there are still a considerable number of enemies lurking around us. I think our primary task is to fight the enemy until we wipe them all out. As for my personal matters, we can consider them later."

In the office of the 45th Regiment, facing Zhou Guangming's renewed urging for marriage, Lu Zhenghan sat upright at the table and spoke righteously.

"Fighting the enemy is a long-term strategy, not something to be rushed overnight." Zhou Guangming immediately replied, "Zhenghan, during the war, your grandfather led more than 100 men to fight against thousands of enemy soldiers, and was seriously wounded many times. I was your grandfather's bodyguard back then, and I saw it with my own eyes. Your parents are both engaged in scientific research and didn't take care of you much when you were young. Now that you are alone in the army, your personal issues are the most important issue for the organization."

"Political Commissar Zhou, I know the organization cares about me. If I meet someone suitable, I will definitely report to you first."

Lu Zhenghan knew in his heart that his grandfather must have called Political Commissar Zhou again. Before, he would only call once every few months, but recently he had called three or four times in the past week. If he kept calling, he really didn't know how to put it off.

"I think that Dr. Bai is very good. She comes from a good family and has excellent medical skills. Moreover, the way she looks at you is obviously different. Why don't I make an introduction for you?" Zhou Guangming continued, not giving up.

"Political Commissar, Dr. Bai and I are just ordinary comrades-in-arms. You're overthinking it."

"It may seem ordinary now, but it might not be ordinary in the future."

"Political Commissar, really, it's not necessary. I still have a report to finish, so I'll head out now." Lu Zhenghan hurriedly prepared to leave.

As soon as he took a step, Zhou Guangming's expression changed completely. He put his hand to his forehead and even let out a few sobs.

"My dear former boss, I'm so sorry. Your only grandson is with me, and I haven't been able to take good care of him. I've failed your trust."

Here we go again. Looking at the old political commissar who was more than 20 years older than him and had practically watched him grow up, Lu Zhenghan sighed deeply in his heart.

"Uncle Zhou, why are you crying? I never said I wouldn't get married." Her voice softened.

"You're already twenty-six. Kids your age are old enough to run errands. How can I not be worried?" Zhou Guangming looked up at Lu Zhenghan with great anxiety.

"Report."

Before he could finish speaking, a soldier outside the door suddenly shouted.

"Come in," Zhou Guangming replied, regaining his composure.

The sentry at the gate led in a woman covered in mud.