Gu Xiaoxi lightly pressed her lips together and remained silent for a moment before saying, “Can I speak the truth?”

As soon as she spoke, Fu Yao immediately interjected, “Director, you see? She’s about to lie!”

Director Chen frowned and shot Fu Yao a warning look before turning to Gu Xiaoxi. “Of course, you must tell the truth.”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded and calmly explained, “There are two reasons behind this incident. The first one is that when I first met Military Doctor Fu last night, she was looking for Lu Jiansen. At that time, she probably didn’t know that he was already married. So when she overheard Director Chen and Lu Jiansen talking and learned that he had taken a wife, she became furious and confronted him on the spot…”

Lu Jiansen’s brows knitted slightly, and his heart sank.

Director Chen also felt a sudden jolt of unease—he hadn’t expected to be involved in this situation.

Gu Xiaoxi continued, “At the time, Military Doctor Fu accused Lu Jiansen of being heartless because she had saved his life many times and was his benefactor. But Lu Jiansen responded that most of the injuries sustained by the soldiers in the First Battalion were actually treated by you, Director Chen.”

“When Lu Jiansen said that, Fu Yao felt that he was being ruthless and disrespecting her. She glared at me with a look that could kill before storming off.”

Hearing this, Director Chen was already furious, his eyes filled with deep disappointment as he looked at Fu Yao.

A doctor’s duty is to treat and save lives—it is a fundamental responsibility. Especially when it comes to saving soldiers, how could anyone use such kindness as leverage to demand repayment?

Gu Xiaoxi sniffled slightly, appearing somewhat aggrieved, and continued, “The second reason is that you, Director Chen, assigned me to the First Battalion as an accompanying medical staff. She was displeased by this, so she and that male military doctor deliberately went to the First Battalion’s camp to find me. When they did, they falsely accused me of salvaging supplies for personal gain and threatened to report me to the leadership.”

“Not only that, but Military Doctor Fu even schemed with that male military doctor right in front of me, plotting how to frame me. She said, ‘Let’s see who the leadership will believe. There are two of us, and she’s alone.’ They did this openly, acting like a pair of lovers, while I was left completely isolated. Director Chen, you have no idea how angry I was at that moment…”

At this point, she was genuinely fuming.

“I scolded them right then and there, calling them scum. As military doctors, they weren’t thinking about saving lives but rather scheming against people. Their medical skills are lacking, and so is their character. Military Doctor Fu became furious and tried to push me into the water, but I dodged, and she ended up throwing herself at that male military doctor instead.”

“Even after falling into the water, they didn’t bother to stand up but just kept shouting that someone was trying to kill them. I was so frustrated that I shouted back that they were committing a lovers’ suicide! That’s the whole truth. I’ve explained everything in detail, and I haven’t fabricated a single word. Leaders, you can judge for yourselves!”

After finishing, Gu Xiaoxi refused to say another word.

Lu Jiansen, on the other hand, suddenly exuded a chilling aura, his gaze toward Fu Yao and Li Ming filled with an intent so cold it seemed as if he wanted to slice them to pieces.

Panic surged in Fu Yao’s heart, and she covered her face as she began to cry.

She hadn’t expected Gu Xiaoxi to actually say everything out loud without holding back.

She wanted to refute it, but when her eyes caught a glimpse of Lu Jiansen’s expression—his face as cold as a grim reaper—she found herself unable to utter a single word.

Li Ming was just about to speak when Lu Jiansen stood up first and said, “Director Chen, I’ll leave this matter to you. I’m taking my wife and leaving. I trust that you will handle this impartially. A military hospital should not become a garbage dump.”

With that, he grabbed his little wife’s hand and strode away.

Gu Xiaoxi was a bit stunned—just like that, they were leaving?

Political Commissar Luo and the First Battalion Commander exchanged glances before tacitly turning to Director Chen.

“Six soldiers from the First Battalion personally witnessed what happened today. It was indeed Military Doctor Fu who tried to push Gu Xiaoxi, but she ended up grabbing Li Ming and falling into the water herself. A military doctor must have a righteous heart!”

As soldiers, getting injured was an everyday occurrence. If every trip to the military hospital meant they owed their doctors a great debt, as if their lives were purchased, that would be far too terrifying.

Director Chen nodded heavily. “I will handle this matter with the utmost seriousness!”

Political Commissar Luo nodded as well. “Then let’s leave it at that. Everyone has a lot of work to do—let’s not waste any more time.”

With that, he and the First Battalion Commander turned and left.

Director Chen remained silent for a moment before speaking to Fu Yao and Li Ming. “Pack up and go back. I don’t think you’re suited to be military doctors.”

Li Ming panicked, nearly bursting into tears.

He hurriedly grabbed Director Chen’s arm and pointed at Fu Yao. “Director, it was her! She was the one who insisted on falsely accusing Battalion Commander Lu’s wife. I didn’t go along with her—she was the one clinging to me in the water, refusing to let go…”

Seeing Li Ming betray her, Fu Yao was furious. She lashed out, clawing at his face.

Dean Chen shook his head, ignoring them entirely, and turned away without another word.

…

Meanwhile, Regiment Commander Yi glanced at the supplies that Gu Xiaoxi had salvaged and cleaned, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

“Lu Jiansen really has good taste. This young girl is both smart and kind.”

Political Commissar Luo chuckled. “And that’s not all. That girl has decent medical skills too. Just today, Director Chen told me he wants her to work at the military hospital.”

Regiment Commander Yi was delighted. “That would be a great opportunity!”

Political Commissar Luo smiled but then mused, “Though, I’m guessing she may not necessarily want to go to the military hospital. Actually, she could work in our military district’s medical office as well.”

“Then let’s go and talk to Lu Jiansen first.”

As the two discussed, on the other side, Lu Jiansen was standing under a tree, apologizing to his young wife.

“It’s my fault—I let you suffer.”

He had always wanted to take good care of her, to make sure she never felt wronged.

Gu Xiaoxi blinked at him playfully, then smiled and said, “I’m not suffering. I got my revenge right on the spot!”

Lu Jiansen gently ruffled her hair. “When we get back, I’ll teach you some self-defense. If you ever encounter something like this again, just fight back!”

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Xiaoxi’s eyes—she hadn’t expected Lu Jiansen to teach her something like that.

Just as she was about to respond, she suddenly saw a golden light flash before her eyes. Then, a row of golden text appeared in front of her:

New Skill Available in Beginner Skill Store: Lu’s Self-Defense Techniques (Requires 1 Merit Point).

Gu Xiaoxi froze for a moment. Lu’s Self-Defense Techniques?

She looked at Lu Jiansen thoughtfully. “The self-defense techniques you’re going to teach me—are they Lu’s Self-Defense Techniques?”

Seeing her interest, Lu Jiansen explained, “It’s actually military boxing, but my grandfather had a martial arts expert modify it. So, calling it ‘Lu’s Self-Defense Techniques’ isn’t wrong.”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Then I want to learn it.”

Without hesitation, she spent 1 merit point to acquire Lu’s Self-Defense Techniques.

However, as soon as the techniques poured into her mind, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her, making her body sway.

Noticing her unusual reaction, Lu Jiansen quickly held her. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Gu Xiaoxi steadied herself, only to see another golden message flashing before her eyes:

New Skill Available in Beginner Skills Store: Physical Enhancement (Requires 5 Merit Points).

Glancing at her remaining merit points, she realized she had exactly 5 left.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment and silently used all her remaining merit points to enhance her physical condition.

“Xiaoxi…” Lu Jiansen gently called out to the girl in his arms as she closed her eyes.

Feeling some of her strength return, Gu Xiaoxi quickly opened her eyes. “I’m fine. I just suddenly felt a little dizzy, but I’m good now.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need to get checked out?” Lu Jiansen’s eyes were filled with concern.

Gu Xiaoxi quickly shook her head. “No need. I think I’m just hungry.”

“Then let’s go eat.” Lu Jiansen changed directions and led her straight to the field kitchen.

On the way, Gu Xiaoxi kept thinking about one thing—why did the skills appearing in the system’s mall seem to be related to Lu Jiansen?