Chapter 21: Battalion Commander, Fu Yunzheng

Bai Yalan nodded earnestly and solemnly promised, “I understand. I will work on strengthening my physical condition and improve my fitness as quickly as possible. I won’t let you down.”

The medical officer conducting the assessment looked at her approvingly and simply said two words: “Very good!”

And just like that, Bai Yalan passed the assessment and officially became a trainee military doctor.

Old Master Bai had already spoken to the members of the medical department. He had decided to personally mentor his granddaughter through her internship, determined to pass down all his knowledge and skills to her by example.

This instantly drew envy from the other newly admitted trainee doctors. After all, Old Master Bai was known as “Bai the Miraculous Hands,” a top-tier military doctor. To be personally guided by him was an incredibly rare opportunity. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t have such luck and could only follow protocol—starting basic training under junior military doctors.

After passing the assessment, Bai Yalan filled out her profile, which was then submitted to the military records department. From this moment on, she was not only a trainee doctor but officially a soldier.

The trainees were issued three sets of military uniforms. Holding the crisp, brand-new attire, a surge of pride and honor welled up in her heart.

To shine in a field one loves and apply what one has learned—it truly is something to be proud of. She looked up and saw her grandfather waiting for her outside. Their eyes met—one old, one young—and in his gaze, she saw expectation and comfort.

On the way back, her grandfather continued to patiently chat about matters related to being a military doctor. “Xiao Lan, I won’t nag you too much. But there’s one thing you must remember and prepare for—trainee military doctors have to train with the soldiers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You need to be ready to endure hardship. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you’ll follow your assigned military doctor for hands-on learning. I’ve decided to take you under my wing personally.”

Bai Yalan listened intently and nodded firmly. “Yes, Grandpa. I’ll be ready.”

Old Master Bai grunted in affirmation, unusually serious, without joking with her. He went on, “Of course, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays, if your supervising military doctor has an external assignment or urgent duty, you trainee doctors will go along to help as assistants.” After a pause, he emphasized, “But that’s only if you pass the physical test. You must meet the standard.”

Bai Yalan showed no signs of shrinking back. She responded with determination, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll work hard and aim to pass the physical test as soon as possible.”

Her grandfather nodded, “Very good. I believe in you. Keep it up!”

On her first official day, Bai Yalan shadowed her grandfather. While he worked, she observed and learned, also helping as an assistant.

During the annual recruit training, many soldiers came in with injuries sustained during drills.

Because there were quite a few wounded, she quickly jumped in to help treat those with minor injuries.

She had a delicate appearance and was a new face in the camp.

With rosy lips and white teeth, soft-spoken and gentle, she stood out and drew attention.

A bunch of rough-and-tumble male soldiers couldn’t help but blush, stealing glances at her from time to time.

But Bai Yalan didn’t pay them any mind. She was focused on learning and working, so busy that her feet barely touched the ground—she had no time to think about anything else.

Before she knew it, it was already late afternoon.

After dinner and a brief rest, more people came in.

A dozen or so soldiers arrived, some clutching their arms, others with bruised faces, supporting their injured comrades as they walked into the medical bay one after another.

Leading them was a young officer—tall, with a lean build and tanned skin. He carried an aura of seasoned battlefield experience. On his shoulder was an injured young soldier, and without even panting, he strode in and placed the soldier into an empty seat before standing upright.

The insignia on his shoulder bore two bars and one star, gleaming coldly. His brows were sharp, his features stern, and his thin lips tightly pressed together. After putting the soldier down, he stepped aside, took off his hat, undid the top button of his uniform, and spoke in a low, steady voice:

“Hurry up and get in here. Let the doctors check on the injured. If you’re not hurt, get out and return to training. Don’t fall behind schedule. Understood?”

“Yes, Battalion Commander Fu!” the soldiers responded in unison.

Battalion Commander Fu?

Bai Yalan, having heard the commotion, instinctively looked over. She immediately spotted the tall, upright man in uniform, and memories from her previous life surged unexpectedly into her mind.

Was that Fu Yunzheng?

In her past life, Lu Qing’er’s husband, Gu Fujun, had served as a deputy battalion commander in the camp. And his direct superior—the full battalion commander—was this very Fu Yunzheng.

It wasn’t surprising that she found it intriguing. Her marriage with Qin Kaishen in her past life had been unhappy.

Lu Qing’er hadn’t fared much better—her husband died just a few years after they married.

Qin Kaishen had felt sorry for Lu Qing’er and had often mentioned her husband, Gu Fujun. On several occasions, he had also brought up Battalion Commander Fu.

He’d said that Fu Yunzheng and Gu Fujun were like brothers, going through life-and-death battles together and helping each other rise in rank.

Without Fu Yunzheng’s help, rough-around-the-edges Gu Fujun would never have become a deputy battalion commander so easily.

Qin Kaishen would often complain that he wasn’t as lucky as Gu Fujun, who had made a capable friend like Fu Yunzheng.

Otherwise, given his own abilities, he wouldn’t have remained just a battalion commander himself.

Between the lines, there was always a tone of jealousy, frustration, and suppressed resentment. The more he spoke, the more it seeped into Bai Yalan’s heart.

Back then, she had been foolish enough to feel sorry for him. But now, in this new life, she realized—

Perhaps in their past life, Qin Kaishen’s feelings of being stuck and unsuccessful were fueled precisely by these comparisons.

He may have even blamed her deep down—for causing Lu Qing’er to marry Gu Fujun instead of him.

He likely never said it outright, but it gnawed at him internally: Gu Fujun was inferior to him in every way, yet he had “stolen” the woman he loved and held a higher rank. That was a bitter pill for Qin Kaishen to swallow.

These kinds of hidden, twisted thoughts couldn’t be spoken openly.

With nowhere to vent his frustration, he had projected it onto her—an innocent bystander.

Bai Yalan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—pitying her past self, and finding Qin Kaishen’s petty, shameful thoughts utterly laughable.

Her thoughts flickered like lightning—brief but intense.

Now, seeing this man whom Qin Kaishen often mentioned, her curiosity was piqued.

This Battalion Commander Fu had the aura of a true soldier—firm, upright, with a hardened gaze.

His appearance lacked the roguish charm of Qin Kaishen’s youthful bravado.

Clearly older than Qin Kaishen, he looked more mature, composed, and steady.

With sharply defined, serious features, he was the rugged, masculine type—an embodiment of strength and integrity.

Everything about him radiated righteousness and resilience.

As Bai Yalan observed him, her mind wandered to what she knew of the past life, and a hint of pity flickered in her eyes—subtle enough that others wouldn’t detect.

If she remembered correctly—

In her previous life, Lu Qing’er’s husband, Deputy Battalion Commander Gu Fujun, didn’t live past thirty.

As for his brother-in-arms, Fu Yunzheng, he also didn’t meet a peaceful end. He died during an external mission in a sudden explosion.

By her calculations, that tragic event would happen in about six months.

Such brave men didn’t even live to see justice, while scum like Qin Kaishen continued to live comfortably. The mere thought of it made her blood boil.