Chapter 11

The Hongqi Brigade was about forty miles away from the county town, a distance that, in later years, wouldn’t be considered far, taking only around thirty minutes by car.

But now, in the 1960s, the roads are still muddy, and Uncle Su is getting old, making it impossible for him to ride a bicycle back and forth. Considering he was alone, it might have been manageable, but with Su Xi, a young girl, bringing her along on a bicycle was clearly impractical.

So, the two of them rode bicycles to the town and then took the bus to the county seat.

After a bumpy journey, they arrived in the county town, and it was nearly 11 o’clock.

It was a scorching day in July, enough to make anyone feel the heat.

Su Chengzhong looked at his niece’s red face and didn’t care anymore about his own errands. He directly led Su Xi to buy a popsicle.

Su Xi took the popsicle and looked at her Uncle Su, who was sweating profusely in the heat. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling in her heart.

The cream popsicle cost only 20 cents, and Uncle Su only bought one for her, not even considering himself. He could have easily bought the 5-cent ice sticks, but he still bought the most expensive one.

“Why aren’t you eating? Hurry up, it’s melting soon,” Uncle Su said with a loving smile on his weathered face.

Su Xi pursed her lips, turned around, and took out 20 cents from her pocket, then had the vendor take another one.

“Eating one is enough; too much ice can cause diarrhea,” Su Chengzhong said. He thought that his niece was just afraid that one popsicle was not enough. Nevertheless, he allowed her to have another one without further discussion.

Su Xi didn’t say a word; she simply unwrapped the packaging and handed a popsicle to Su Chengzhong. “Uncle Su, you should eat too. It’s too hot today.”

Su Chengzhong was stunned for a moment, then his smile grew even brighter, and the traces of years on his dark face unfolded. “Our Xixi is sensible now. Uncle Su won’t eat, you can go ahead and eat two.”

However, Su Xi ignored Uncle Su’s refusal and insisted on putting it in his hand.

And so, an elderly man and a young girl, both with satisfied expressions, nibbled on their popsicles as they headed towards the county hospital.

……………

County’s Public Hospital.

In this era, it was one of the rare three-story buildings.

Before Uncle Su Xi bid farewell, he was still feeling uneasy. He kept insisting on escorting her to the hospital. However, in the end, he gave in and let Su Xi go inside the hospital alone.

…………

“Excuse me, where is Doctor Su Dong?” Su Xi had just entered the hospital, glanced around, and noticed the only place without people was the payment counter. She walked straight to it and asked a young female comrade inside.

Li Li, upon hearing that she was looking for Su Dong, and looking at Su Xi’s youthful yet beautiful face, thought she was another girl who came for Doctor Su’s appearance.

Although this girl was more attractive than all the others who had pursued Doctor Su before, it didn’t change anything; it was still a nuisance.

Thinking of this, her brows unintentionally furrowed, and she reprimanded, “If you’re here for treatment, go to the register. Whether Su Dong sees you or not is not up to you to decide.”

Being scolded without any reason made Su Xi unhappy, she didn’t argue with the female comrade and directly said. “I’m not here for a checkup. I’m looking for Su Dong. I’m his sister.”

Li Li rolled her eyes. She thought of the time when someone had claimed to be Su Dong’s mother a few days ago, and it turned out that she was lying.

She glanced at Su Xi and, to her surprise, found the pretty young girl’s features somewhat resembling Doctor Su’s. Moreover, she had heard gossip among the girls that Doctor Su had a brother and a sister.

Could it be true?

After some thinking, Li Li’s face, which had been stern just now, immediately lit up with a smile. She warmly stood up, walked out from behind the counter, and said. “I’m really sorry, dear sister comrade. You have no idea; there have been too many people inquiring about Doctor Su lately. I thought you were one of them. I apologize sincerely. Doctor Su is currently on the third floor; let me take you there.”

What on earth is a dear comrade sister? “

Su Xi was not surprised by her brother’s popularity. She politely declined Li Li’s enthusiasm, found the stairs, and made her way up.

I just arrived at the operating room on the third floor and hadn’t seen my brother yet, but I met an unexpected person in the waiting area.

However, just as she arrived at the third-floor operating room and hadn’t seen her brother yet, she unexpectedly encountered someone in the waiting area.

“Why are you here?” Su Sanya stared at Su Xi as if she had seen a ghost, her eyes full of caution.

Su Xi couldn’t be bothered with Su Sanya. Wherever I go, it’s none of her business.

Su Xi noticed that next to Su Sanya was an unfamiliar military man, but she didn’t pay much attention.

Not seeing Su Dong, Su Xi walked towards a nurse not far away.

“Where are you going? I’m asking you a question.” Su Sanya’s voice sharpened, her eyes staring at Su Xi as if trying to discern something from her expression.

Only after this intense scrutiny did she realize that, in half a month, Su Xi had changed completely.

She’s beautiful to the point of disbelief; her skin is porcelain-like and seemingly glowing, with black hair and red lips. Yes, this Su Xi was getting closer to the image Su Sanya had of her. She remembered the year she died. When Su Xi came back to the village with her man for the memorial, although she was thirty, she still looked like a twenty-year-old girl, charming and tender, like a fairy.

“No loud noises allowed.” A nurse nearby heard Su Sanya’s raised voice and sternly reprimanded her.

Su Xi had already reached the nurse. “Nurse, comrade, may I know which office Su Dong is in? I am her sister.”

Upon hearing that she was Su Dong’s sister, the nurse softened her tone a bit. She even pointed to a nearby chair, urging, “Doctor Su is in the operating room. Would little sister like to sit down and wait?”

Su Xi smiled and replied, “I won’t sit. I just want to ask, when will my brother come out of the operating room?”

As soon as Su Xi finished speaking, the door of the operating room swung open.

Su Xi turned her head and saw her older brother in a white coat. He followed the nurse who was pushing the hospital bed. On the bed lay a person, with only a dark head visible from Su Xi’s perspective.

Su Dong obviously noticed his sister. The curved eyes revealed outside his mask formed an attractive arc. “Xixi, when did you arrive? Go to my office first and wait for me. I’ll come find you once I finish here.”

“Captain! Doctor, how’s our captain?” The military personnel, who had been silently waiting, immediately rushed up when they saw Su Dong.

This voice also dispersed the gloom in Su Sanya’s eyes. At this moment, she didn’t care about Su Xi anymore and followed along with a gentle expression.

“The patient is fine. The bullet has been removed. He had local anesthesia, so he should wake up soon. Pay attention during this time, and call me if there are any problems.” Su Dong settled the person in the ward, explaining to the accompanying military personnel.

After giving detailed instructions on the things they needed to pay attention to, he left with a series of thanks from the soldiers.

Before leaving, Su Dong glanced at Su Sanya, who had an infatuated look on her face. Thinking about what Yannan had told him a few days ago, his eyes darkened slightly.

No rush; some things will eventually become clear.

Su Sanya didn’t notice Su Dong’s gaze. Her entire focus was on the man in the hospital bed. She initially wanted to display her tenderness and care in front of the man, not expecting him to still be unconscious.

Looking at the man’s unbelievably handsome face, even with closed eyes, a greedy glint passed through Su Sanya’s eyes.

She didn’t waste her time squatting for more than ten days in vain; finally, she rescued him when he was in danger.

As for Su Xi’s man, in this life, she managed to save him before Xi Yannan did. She was curious to see what Su Xi could use to get close to such an outstanding man now that she wasn’t just the sister indebted for saving a life.

This man would be Su Sanya’s.

(T/N: Ew, Delulu girl detected!) 

Riches and prosperity would be hers.

“You go out first; I’ll stay with our company commander,” said the soldier, Cao Liang. He glanced at Su Sanya, whose nasty eyes were fixed on their company commander, and she promptly shooed her away.

Su Sanya, who was being chased away, remained composed. She continued to smile shyly. “I’ll stay with him. After all, he hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Maybe staying with him will make him wake up soon. I’ve always been lucky since I was a child.”

Cao Liang looked at the slender, unkept woman in front of him, momentarily speechless. Her audacity was too much. Did their company commander, known for his bravery, really need this person who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere to stay by his side?

“Well, then, you stay outside. Who knows where you came from?” Cao Liang impatiently urged her to leave.

Su Sanyā remained stubborn: “I’m the savior of your company commander’s life. Why are you kicking me out?”

Cao Liang rolled his eyes and smirked, “Just because of you? You think you’re a lifesaver? Are you qualified? You, with an unkept appearance? You, with an ugly face? You, who look like a mangy dog with missing teeth? Hurry up and leave; otherwise, I’ll call security to escort you out.”

(T/N: If Cao Liang said those words, I would cry on the spot, tbh.)

Su Sanya covered her mouth with missing front teeth and was so angry that she almost fainted. Was she really ugly? Can’t this guy speak more politely?

She glared at the tall and burly Cao Liang with resentment but didn’t dare confront him head-on. She could only sit outside the door, full of resentment.

She refused to believe it. Once the man woke up and married her, she would definitely make this ignorant soldier regret his words.

With a loud bang, Cao Liang closed the door. As he turned around, he saw his company commander opening his eyes. His gaze was sharp as a knife, showing no signs of weakness or confusion.

Excited, Cao Liang approached him and whispered, “Company commander, you’re awake? I knew you were pretending to sleep. Local anesthesia can’t knock you down. Do you think there is something wrong with that woman outside?”

Xie Zhen didn’t deny it. There was no expression on his handsome face as he asked, “Did you figure something out?”

Cao Liang sneered, “I can’t figure out anything else, but that ugly woman’s eyeballs seemed like they wanted to fall onto you. Her face is full of greed that was impossible to hide, yet she acts as if no one can see through her.”

Xie Zhen’s eyes flickered with disgust. From childhood to adulthood, because of this face, or perhaps due to his family’s status, he didn’t know how many women had openly confessed their love to him. All these advances were nothing but trouble for him.

Thinking about today, during the pursuit of the kidnapper, when that woman saw his face, it looked like she clearly recognized him, and she was deliberately waiting there. He couldn’t help but suspect, “Have someone investigate the identity of the woman outside the door. I suspect she’s involved in the case.”

Cao Liang was surprised. “Is she a spy?”

Xie Zhen, recalling the woman’s blatantly disgusting gaze, furrowed his brows. “I’m not sure, but what’s sure is that she’s involved. She knows me and is aware that I’ll be on that street today.”

Hearing this, Cao Liang wiped off the smirk on his face, his expression turning serious. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, he stopped making jokes and immediately planned to arrange personnel.

“Also, I don’t want to see her again!” The man’s deep voice was coated with frost.

Cao Liang chuckled and burst into laughter, then dashed out before the company commander could get angry.

…………………………

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Lucia: Finally! The ML appeared!

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