Chapter 94

When Liu Wang arrived at the military camp with the village head, his face was still a bit pale.

Although his injury from that day wasn’t severe, he had lost quite a bit of blood. Additionally, he had been worried about being held accountable for taking someone to the neighboring city, so he hadn’t rested well in the few hours he was home.

Seeing Captain Zhao and Lu Weiguo, Liu Wang burst into tears. “Comrades, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know he was a bad person.”

“He even showed me his work ID, claiming to be from your research institute. I really didn’t know I couldn’t take him.”

Captain Zhao reassured him, “I’ve been informed of your situation. The team leader and Comrade Zhu You deserve much credit for catching the enemy. You also made the right choice in the end, so we don’t plan to hold you accountable.”

Hearing this, Liu Wang quickly wiped his tears, his face a mix of crying and laughing, “Really? That’s great.”

The team leader couldn’t bear to look at him and said, “Next time, even if you’re tempted to make money, be more discerning. This time you admitted your mistake and corrected it, and the leaders are being lenient. You won’t be so lucky next time.”

Liu Wang hastily agreed repeatedly.

The team leader had already told him to be honest and straightforward here.

Captain Zhao raised his hand to signal for quiet.

The team leader, accustomed to big occasions, was unfazed. He patted Liu Wang’s arm to quiet him down.

Liu Wang immediately fell silent.

Captain Zhao said, “We must thank the team leader and Comrade Zhu You for their assistance. I’ll have a letter of commendation issued to your commune and village, expressing our gratitude for your cooperation.”

The team leader modestly declined a few times.

They had genuinely wanted to help; otherwise, who would risk confronting a spy? But they were genuinely happy to receive a letter of commendation.

In an era where honor was highly valued, a letter of commendation would bring them great pride.

It might even earn their team recognition as an advanced team by the commune leaders.

Captain Zhao also arranged for Liu Wang to receive some ideological education, not to criticize but to ensure he would be more cautious in the future.

When the three were about to leave, the logistics department gave both the team leader and Zhu You a military water bottle.

Both of them were overjoyed.

Liu Wang was extremely envious. These were military water bottles issued by the camp.

Walking around the village with one of these would be quite the show.

With rewards given to the villagers, Lijian also received its due recognition.

Captain Zhao granted Lijian permission to train with the other military dogs at the military dog training base anytime.

Although Lijian couldn’t become a military dog, primarily because it didn’t want to, its training was beneficial. If a similar situation arose in the future, Lijian could be of help.

The camp also provided Lijian with some military supplies.

It received items like a food bowl and a leash, just like the military dogs.

While these might not mean much to Shi Tingyu, who wasn’t short on money, to many people, this was an honor.

Lijian seemed to understand it had been rewarded and was particularly spirited these days, working hard during training at the military dog training base.

Though it wasn’t naturally as fit as the other military dogs, Lijian had a unique advantage: spiritual spring water. This made it more intelligent and physically fit than the average military dog, resulting in surprisingly good training outcomes.

The young soldiers at the military dog training base couldn’t help but murmur to Captain Li, “Captain, wasn’t it a bit rash to let Lijian go back then?”

Captain Li glared at him, “What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think Lijian could have done well here? You’ve seen what it was like as a pup, haven’t you? If it weren’t for Comrade Shi, Lijian wouldn’t have its current abilities.”

He firmly believed Lijian’s excellence was closely tied to the care from the commander’s wife.

Nowadays, people often barely ensured their dogs didn’t starve. Look at how the commander’s wife did it.

She ensured its diet was nutritious, walked it daily, bathed it often, trained and exercised it regularly, and frequently talked to it.

She cared for it better than many people cared for their children.

Just look at Lijian’s reaction when told to return to the military dog base—it hid behind its owner. Wasn’t that clear enough?

Lijian had indeed become famous in the family compound.

But Captain Li and the others didn’t know Lijian’s fame was just beginning.

During this period, whenever Shi Tingyu had free time, she trained with Lu Weiguo, besides sending Lijian to the military dog base.

Enhanced by the spiritual spring water, her physical fitness improved significantly. With training, her strength increased daily, and now she could exchange a few moves with Lu Weiguo.

Of course, only a few moves.

Lu Weiguo also specifically trained her in escape techniques.

He wanted her to avoid taking risks and ensure her safety if she ever encountered danger.

Shi Tingyu didn’t argue. She followed all the training instructions Lu Weiguo gave her.

She also noticed her body had become much more toned during this period.

Her once-flat abdomen now had healthy abs, and she radiated energy and vitality.

Lu Weiguo was extremely pleased with his wife’s current state. Although she had always been healthy, she previously seemed to lack vitality.

Now, seeing her like this made him very happy.

One day after school, when Shi Tingyu returned home, she saw three little boys gathered at her front gate.

To be precise, two were peering through the gate crack, and one was standing to the side.

The one standing to the side was Damao, from the neighboring house of Mrs. Zhang. Shi Tingyu knew the names of the other two boys, but she didn’t know whose children they were.

This was because the other two were her students.

When the three boys saw Shi Tingyu approaching, they instinctively stood up straight.

Even though Shi Tingyu was a very gentle teacher, children at that time still had a natural respect for their teachers.

“Is there something you need?” Shi Tingyu asked, looking at the three boys.

Damao, who was closer to Shi Tingyu, spoke first, “Auntie, they came to see Lijian.”

Knowing that Captain Lu’s dog had recently made a great contribution by helping to catch a spy, many people in the family compound were curious.

But after all, it was just a dog, and their curiosity would soon pass. At most, the soldiers at home were more interested in this matter.

However, to the children, this was not just any ordinary thing.

Children liked animals, and those growing up in the family compound often saw military dogs and liked them a lot.

Especially since Lijian, a disabled dog, had accomplished what normal military dogs couldn’t. This alone made it very important in the children’s eyes.

Many children in the family compound were curious, but not many took action to come see Lijian.

The two children looked at Shi Tingyu with hopeful eyes.

“Ms. Shi, can we go in and see Lijian?” one of the children asked.

The other added, “We won’t cause any trouble; we just want to see Lijian.”

Shi Tingyu didn’t stop them and opened the gate to let the three boys into the yard.

Inside, Lijian had already heard the commotion and wagged its tail at Shi Tingyu as the visitors approached.

Lijian recognized Damao, so it didn’t pay much attention to him. As for the other two boys…

Well, they didn’t pose any threat.