Just then, a man’s booming voice rang out from the doorway:  

“What the hell are you all shouting about?!”

Hearing this, everyone turned their heads toward the entrance.  

Standing at the door were two figures—one old, one young.  

The older man was in his fifties, with graying temples and piercing eyes. He wore a military uniform, though his right sleeve hung empty. Clearly, he was missing an arm.  

Beside him stood a younger man, around thirty years old, with dark skin and sharp, bright eyes.  

Ruan Qingzhi blinked.  

She recognized this young man—he was the soldier who had given her directions at the train station.  

Seeing the newcomers, Zhanwu’s expression softened slightly. He straightened his uniform and stood up slowly, saluting the older man. “Chief.”

Lin Ruzhen immediately fell silent. “Chief.”

Guan Zhenbang strode in with a stern face and began reprimanding them in a low voice: “What kind of disgraceful behavior is this?! I could hear your crying and screaming from halfway down the hall! Is this how soldiers conduct themselves?!” 

“If civilians saw you like this, losing face for the army would be the least of your worries—they’d start questioning whether you’re even fit to defend this country! You might not care about shame, but I still have my pride! If my soldiers acted like this, the people’s tears would wash my entire unit away like a flood! What kind of soldiers are you?! You might as well get the hell back to your hometowns!”

After his tirade, Guan Zhenbang walked over and sat down in a chair. He first glanced at the two police officers.  

They immediately bowed their heads respectfully. “Chief.”

Guan Zhenbang gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.  

Then, his scrutinizing gaze landed on Ruan Qingzhi—  

The young woman met his eyes calmly.  

Guan Zhenbang narrowed his eyes slightly, his sharp gaze intensifying like a blade, piercing straight at her.  

Ruan Qingzhi remained unfazed, her dark, round eyes staring right back at him.  

The chief’s brow twitched in surprise.  

This girl… wasn’t afraid of him at all?  

In all three armies, aside from Shen Zhanwu—that unruly thorn in his side—no one could hold his gaze for more than a few seconds.  

Yet she was the first.  

The very first in history!  

After attending the noon recruit induction ceremony, Guan Zhenbang had heard Zuo the Loudmouth babbling all over camp about how Shen Zhanwu’s fiancée had shown up.  

Big eyes, black braids. Skin as pale as snow!

Before Guan Zhenbang could verify the rumor, Li Kanshan called him, reporting that Deputy Battalion Commander Shen had woken up—thanks to his “little wife.”  

So there really was a young bride!  

Not only that, but she had also solved a medical condition that had stumped every doctor!  

Guan Zhenbang reached into his pocket with his left hand, pulling out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes. In a deep voice, he asked, “And who’s this young lady? Don’t recognize her.”

Shen Zhanwu: “Reporting, Chief. Her name is Ruan Qingzhi. She’s my wife.”

Guan Zhenbang pinched the cigarette box and snorted coldly. “Shen Zhanwu, don’t tell me you violated military discipline and tricked this girl into being with you?”

Ruan Qingzhi spoke up first. “Chief, what you need to address today is the issue with Dr. Lin.”

Guan Zhenbang’s expression darkened. He slammed his cap onto the table and cursed. “The hell? You’re giving me orders now?”

Then, unexpectedly, he laughed. “Fine. Tell me—what do you want me to handle?”