Guan Zhenbang’s expression was dark. He pointed at her, his fingers trembling with rage, his teeth gritted in fury: “Lin Ruzhen! I’ve never met anyone as stupid as you in my life!”

“You still don’t realize your mistake! Do you think we’re all idiots?”

“You lost the child at the city hospital, yet instead of going to the nearest Daoxi police station, you ran twenty kilometers away to file a report—what a brilliant detour, Lin Ruzhen! Don’t think I don’t know your uncle is the deputy chief there!”

“I don’t care if you have connections, but using them for shady schemes? That’s what I despise the most! Guan Zhenbang has never had any respect for people like that!”

“If you’d reported it at Daoxi back then, the whole thing would’ve been resolved naturally. Instead, you just made a fool of yourself, jumping around like a monkey in front of those officers! They’ll go back and say, ‘Look! This is the kind of soldier Guan Zhenbang trained!’”

“Lin Ruzhen, you should be glad you’re not under my command—but your superior is! And I’ve got plenty of ways to deal with this!”

“Zuo Xincheng!”

Guan Zhenbang barked coldly.

Zuo Xincheng snapped to attention and saluted. “Here!”

Guan Zhenbang glared at him, his sharp gaze still burning with anger. “Get her out of my sight.”

Zuo Xincheng: “…”

He had no choice but to step forward and say flatly, “Let’s go, Dr. Lin.”

Lin Ruzhen was silent for a few seconds before slowly standing up. She swept a cold glance over the faces in the room and sneered. “Ruan Qingzhi, how long do you think you can keep up this act? Sooner or later, they’ll see right through you!”

Ruan Qingzhi put on a fragile act, shrinking behind Shen Zhanwu like a timid little thing.

Only her youthful face peeked out.

Then, when no one was looking—she stuck out her tongue and made a face at Lin Ruzhen!

That’s right!

Just to piss you off!

Lin Ruzhen’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her teeth grinding. “Ruan Qingzhi! Don’t get cocky!”

Guan Zhenbang roared in fury. “Confine her! Lock her up! She stays there until she admits her mistakes!”

In the end, Zuo Xincheng dragged Lin Ruzhen away.

The ward fell silent.

Ruan Qingzhi suddenly spoke up. “Shen Zhanwu, I’ll go get the doctor for you. Don’t move…”

With that, the little girl hurried out.

By the time Shen Zhanwu’s wound was treated, Zuo Xincheng had just returned.

Ruan Qingzhi picked up the thermos to fetch hot water.

Zuo Xincheng sighed. “When we got the news that you’d woken up, the chief and I wanted to rush over immediately. But today was packed—new recruits arriving, the enlistment ceremony, chaos from start to finish.”

“We could’ve come earlier, but then some newbie stole a tank and took off. Now the entire battalion’s officers—including the chief—are all getting demerits, writing self-criticisms, and getting chewed out!”

“This recruit made a splash right out the gate! Even gives you a run for your money back in the day, Old Zhan! But hey, better late than never. Who knew things here would be even livelier?”

He nudged his comrade with his shoulder. “Hey, seriously though—are you really gonna marry a little bean sprout like that?”

Shen Zhanwu finally reacted, his expression turning icy. “They call you ‘Zou the Loudmouth,’ and you really live up to the name. Even a demerit can’t shut your trap!”

“Alright, alright! Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! Happy now?”

Zuo Xincheng quickly surrendered.

If the chief was the number-one military rogue, then Shen Zhanwu was the rogue trained by the rogue.

Zuo Xincheng narrowed his eyes, looking between the two of them, and clicked his tongue. “No wonder people say you and the chief are cut from the same cloth. The way you protect your own—it’s uncanny!”

Silence.

One remained expressionless.

The other sat sprawled in his chair, smoking like he owned the place.

Zuo Xincheng was used to their selective deafness.

He turned to Shen Zhanwu. “Funny thing—this morning, I was at the train station picking up the new recruits when I ran into your little missus asking about you. I told her to come back with us, but she refused! Good thing she did, though—otherwise, that kid really would’ve been lost.”

“Gotta say, your girl’s got luck on her side. The moment she shows up, you wake up, and the kid’s safe…”

…

When Ruan Qingzhi returned with the hot water, she saw Zhanwu and Zuo Xincheng sitting ramrod straight, their postures impeccable.

Chief Guan, however, was lounging with one leg propped up on a nearby chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he flipped through the new Shengyang Magazine she’d bought.

Seeing the little girl walk in, Guan Zhenbang stubbed out his cigarette and exhaled the last of the smoke.

Amid the dissipating haze, the man lowered his leg and asked, “Kid, you bought this magazine?”