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

Xia Qiuran understood that Lu Zhenghan was afraid that this would affect her reputation, and her sense of self-blame grew even stronger.

"Commander, but..."

"Xia Qiuran, you don't need to feel guilty about this. I hit the person first, and it has nothing to do with you. I would have done the same even if it had been someone else today."

"Don't go looking for that person again."

Lu Zhenghan lowered his voice to a very low level, his tone carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Commander, I know you're concerned about my reputation, but a clear conscience fears no accusation. If I go to Zhao Feng to mediate and he changes his mind, it's still a worthwhile deal."

Xia Qiuran was unwilling to let others pay for her mistakes, and looked at Lu Zhenghan with equal determination.

Lu Zhenghan's thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line. The words he wanted to say seemed to get stuck in his chest. The air around him instantly felt heavy, and his deep eyes stared intently at her.

"Xia Qiuran, how come I never realized you were so stubborn?"

"Commander, I'm not being stubborn, it's just a matter of principle. Although I saved you before, you've also helped me a lot. These favors should have been repaid long ago."

"We owe each other nothing, and we're not related by blood or marriage. I can't let you take on such a big responsibility for me."

Xia Qiuran's eyebrows were twitching tightly, her tone was calm but unusually stubborn, and her eyes were clear and defiant as she looked at Lu Zhenghan.

The hardest debt to repay in the world is a debt of gratitude, and Lu Zhenghan is a man of great loyalty and affection. She absolutely cannot accept help from him just because of a few words from him.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhenghan's already gloomy face darkened even further.

"Xia Qiuran, are you in such a hurry to distance yourself from me?"

"Of course not," Xia Qiuran explained hastily.

"Commander, you are a great person, with a strong sense of responsibility and a willingness to take on challenges. I am so lucky to have met a leader like you in my life."

"Then why do you still want to leave? Why are you always so polite yet distant to me?" Lu Zhenghan blurted out in a hurry, then realized his mistake and added an explanation.

"What I mean is, we're a group, there's no need to be so particular."

Xia Qiuran opened her mouth, but couldn't say what she wanted to say.

Back then, he always suspected her of having ulterior motives and was even afraid she would seduce Han Yu. Now, how dare she not be careful about her words and actions?

Besides, she said she was leaving today because she was afraid of implicating him.

Could it be that Lu Zhenghan thinks she's grown up and wants to abandon the 45th Regiment and go solo?

Perhaps the reason Lu Zhenghan helped her so much before was because she was a member of the 45th Regiment. Now that she says she wants to leave, doesn't that mean that all of Lu Zhenghan's help before was for nothing?

Seeing Lu Zhenghan's serious expression, Xia Qiuran thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Commander Lu, I saved you the first time we met, and you've helped me so many times since then. You say that's fate, right? So I think... I think..." Xia Qiuran mustered her courage.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhenghan's fingers unconsciously tightened, and a strange sense of panic welled up in his heart, thinking that Xia Qiuran had understood what he meant.

Her ears turned slightly red, but she pretended to be calm: "Say what you want to say. We are soldiers, so we should be straightforward. You can say whatever you want."

"Okay, I want to recognize you as my elder brother. From now on, you will be my own elder brother, just as important as the elder brother in my family. No matter whether I leave the 45th Regiment or not, I will never forget your help to me."

What? Become the boss?

Lu Zhenghan suddenly looked up, his brows furrowed with an unyielding frost.

Xia Qiuran thought that Lu Zhenghan was looking down on her because she was just a country girl and a reserve soldier, so she quickly explained.

"Commander, I know that with my current status, it may be unworthy for me to call you brother, but I will work hard and strive to improve my achievements."

"And no matter where I am, you'll always be my good older brother. Whenever the 45th Regiment needs me, I'll come back, anytime, anywhere!"

Seeing Xia Qiuran's serious and determined expression, Lu Zhenghan pinched his brow hard and took a deep breath.

He then glanced at Xia Qiuran with his dark gaze and waved his hand.

"If there's nothing else, go back first."

Xia Qiuran nodded. It seemed the commander still looked down on her status. She shouldn't say anything more and should hurry up and leave.

...

The next day, the relevant personnel arrived at the Public Security Bureau early.

With half a pig's head on his head, Zhao Feng stared at Lu Zhenghan with eyes full of resentment. But when Lu Zhenghan turned his head to meet his gaze, he quickly lowered his head and took a step behind Zhao Juhua.

"What are you doing? Trying to chase me to the police station to beat me up?" Zhao Juhua shielded Zhao Feng behind her, put her hands on her hips, and stepped forward with her chest puffed out.

Zhou Guangming knew they were in the wrong first, so he tried to keep his tone very low.

"Comrade, please rest assured. It was indeed wrong of us to hit you before. I apologize to you. We are here today to resolve the issue and we will definitely not let that situation happen again."

"Hmph, he's already beaten my brother up like this, he can't have done it for nothing," Zhao Juhua continued.

Zhou Guangming: "Of course not, our military will reimburse all medical expenses, as well as subsequent treatment and nutritional expenses."

Zhao Juhua: "That's more like it. So, how much are you planning to contribute?"

"I looked at the hospital bill yesterday and consulted the doctor about related issues. The total treatment cost was 12.5 yuan. The subsequent treatment, including dentures, cost about 5 yuan, and there was also a nutrition fee of 10 yuan. With a little personal contribution, I can reimburse 35 yuan," Zhou Guangming said reasonably and logically.

"What! Are you kidding me? You beat my brother up like this and you only offered thirty-five yuan in compensation." Zhao Juhua slammed her hand on the table.

Yesterday, Xia Qiuran went alone and already quoted a high price of 500 yuan. Today, she thinks she can get rid of them for 35 yuan? No way.

"Then what do you think is a suitable amount?" Zhou Guangming asked again.

Zhao Juhua immediately held up two fingers.

"Two hundred yuan?" Zhou Guangming asked tentatively after looking at it.

"Two thousand yuan. Anything less than that is not negotiable," Zhao Juhua said firmly, her head held high.

Zhou Guangming looked incredulous. No wonder Lu Zhenghan hit him; it was nothing short of banditry.

"Lady, do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I know. My brother is the best-looking young man in our commune. How could his face not be worth two thousand yuan?" Zhao Juhua said matter-of-factly.

Lu Zhenghan looked at Zhao Feng and the others with impatience and walked up to the police to speak directly.

"Officer, I was the one who hit him. I'll accept whatever punishment is due."

Seeing that things were not going well, Xia Qiuran stared at Zhao Feng and said sternly, "Zhao Feng, think carefully before you speak. You're not made of gold. You're dreaming if you want two thousand yuan."

Zhao Feng's eyes darted around for a moment: "Qiu Ran, I've thought it over. That punch was just too heavy. For my own safety, I have to accept this number. If you don't agree, I'll have no choice but to pursue this to the end."

Yesterday, when Xia Qiuran mentioned the figure of 500 yuan, he had actually decided not to pursue the matter further, but afterward, he thought about it carefully.

If Xia Qiuran, a mere reserve soldier, can afford this price, then Lu Zhenghan, as the regimental commander, has the support of the entire army. If you ask him for money, he will definitely give you more than Xia Qiuran.

The figure of two thousand yuan was the result of a discussion he and his sister had over the course of a night.

Xia Qiuran was so angry that her fingertips were trembling. These despicable people had truly reached new heights of shamelessness.

Even if she did have that much money, she would never let these scoundrels have it.

"Officer, have you investigated why Commander Lu hit this person?" Xia Qiuran asked as she stepped forward.

The police officer glanced at the statement and replied, "Wasn't it because we couldn't agree on the price of the plaster?"

"no."

"Commander Lu hit him because..."

Just as Xia Qiuran was about to say everything, Lu Zhenghan pulled her behind him.

"It's because Zhao Feng touched Comrade Xia Qiuran's hand when he was getting the plaster."

"Yes, but I didn't mean to."

Zhao Feng hurriedly explained, not expecting Xia Qiuran to be so unafraid of damaging his reputation. If she really revealed the truth, he would definitely be punished as well.

"Commander Lu, my girlfriend was there at the time and didn't think anything was wrong. What right did you have to hit me?"

"I can't control how much your partner spoils you, but I will never let my partner be bullied."

Lu Zhenghan's expression was cold and solemn, his tone extremely serious, and every word conveyed an unquestionable determination.