Chapter 20: Stepping In to Resolve

Qin Lang was the first to regain his composure, quickly walking over to Lin You and gently patting her shoulder.

Lin You immediately withdrew the scalpel. When she saw that it was Qin Lang beside her, her fierce gaze softened, and she looked at him with an expression full of grievance, her eyes brimming with tears.

Qin Lang pulled her behind him, his face twitching with anger. His eyes burned with a fury so intense that it seemed he might tear apart the disheveled man in front of him. But he kept his voice as calm as he could and asked Captain Song, “She graduated with a doctoral degree from the military medical academy, meeting all formal transfer criteria. Isn’t that sufficient for her to work in the medical unit?”

“More than enough. Even a master’s degree would qualify,” Captain Song replied.

As Lin You lowered the scalpel, Yang Zhishang collapsed onto the floor, drenched in cold sweat, visibly shaken. He had never been so close to death before and was trembling uncontrollably, barely registering the exchange between Qin Lang and Captain Song.

Qin Lang then commanded, “Give him all of Dr. Lin’s transfer documents.”

Yang Zhishang took the papers with shaky hands, his fingers trembling as he flipped through them, confirming that everything was legitimate and fully compliant. He realized that Lin You was more than qualified and that he was clearly in the wrong.

With a firm voice, Qin Lang ordered, “Now, apologize to Dr. Lin!”

Yang Zhishang, thoroughly humbled, walked over to Lin You, looking like a soaked rat, completely devoid of the arrogance he’d shown earlier.

“Dr. Lin, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, but Lin You didn’t even glance his way, her silence conveying her unwillingness to accept his apology.

With his last shred of dignity, Yang Zhishang turned to Qin Lang and declared, “Report I choose to withdraw.”

Nobody around felt a hint of sympathy, they felt only that he deserved his fate. For a soldier especially an officer to stoop to such disrespectful behavior was disgraceful.

Qin Lang stepped closer, sneering, “Withdraw? It’s not going to be that simple.” His voice was cold, almost ruthless.

Yang Zhishang paled, understanding that he was in for even worse, though he tried to keep his composure. “What more could you want?” he stammered.

Qin Lang chuckled coldly, looking to his subordinate, Shan Ye. “Take him to the military court. I want his entire record investigated.”

With that, Qin Lang took Lin You in his arms and walked out. As they left, Qin Lang comforted his wife, gently wiping her tears and softly apologizing, “I’m so sorry, darling. This is my fault. I should have protected you better.”

Lin You rested her head on his shoulder, clutching his waist tightly in silence.

Furious, Qin Lang continued, “I assumed that his recommendation meant he had a solid character. I never thought he’d be such a disgrace.”

Seeing Lin You’s silence, Qin Lang lifted her face gently, his eyes filled with tenderness as he kissed her forehead. “I promise you this won’t happen again.”

Lin You merely looked at him, saying nothing.

“Are you upset with me for transferring you here?” he asked softly.

Lin You shook her head, burying her face in his neck to collect herself.

Qin Lang then asked the question on everyone’s mind. “How did you learn that move? Your reaction was so fast, so precise.”

She looked up and replied, “Three years ago, my father taught me when he was home on leave.”

“Your father? Why would he teach you something like that?”

“He said it was to protect myself. He didn’t want you to face any risks because of me,” she explained.

“Was this your first time using it in practice?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Were you afraid?”

“I feel a little shaken now,” she admitted, now calm and collected.

Qin Lang adjusted her clothes and gently brushed her hair. “Try not to use that move again, it’s dangerous, and it might frighten people.”

Feeling slightly regretful, Lin You agreed. She had acted out of intense anger, and the thought that she might have hurt someone by accident worried her. “Will this have any negative impact?”

Qin Lang reassured her with a soft smile, tapping her nose playfully. “Don’t worry, no one will underestimate you now. And I can teach you a few more moves.”

Lin You gave him a playful glare, her response making him chuckle. It was hard to believe that the same fierce woman earlier was now so endearing.

“I need to meet with the captain now,” he told her. “Can you manage on your own here?”

Lin You nodded, understanding he had things to address, and went back to her duties.

---

In the captain’s office, Captain Zhou looked sternly at Yang Zhishang, deeply disappointed that a modern soldier could stoop to such vulgarity.

Turning his back on Yang, Captain Zhou commanded Shan Ye, “Carry out the commander’s orders. And investigate the officer who recommended him.”

When Qin Lang arrived, his footsteps were heavy, his mood dark.

Seeing him enter, Captain Zhou walked to the window to join Qin in watching Yang being taken away.

The captain sighed and, with a smile, remarked, “I heard your wife’s reflexes were impressive. She’d make a great addition to the female special forces.”

Qin Lang’s eyes turned cold, fixing the captain with an intense glare. “She has no interest in that. She doesn’t have the aptitude.”

Captain Zhou only chuckled. “Well, we’re selecting candidates soon. Why not let her give it a shot?”

Qin Lang replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, “You’d be disappointed. She’d fail the first round.”

Meanwhile, in another part of the barracks, Lu Li sat by his bed, replaying the image of Lin You’s swift, decisive actions in his mind, lost in deep thought.