Chapter 16: The Grandfather Who’s a Special-Class Military Doctor, Bai Miaoshou

Gu Fujun couldn’t help but look a little disappointed. “Alright then, what a pity. Still, thank you for your blessings, brother.”

As he spoke, he quickly cheered up again.

“Bro, you’re not much younger than me, right? You should hurry up and find someone too. Hopefully, by next year, you can bring a lady home.”

Qin Kaishen had bitter feelings he couldn’t express. Still, he forced a smile and nodded in agreement. “Absolutely, absolutely.”

“Exactly! We’re all at the age to settle down. As men, we can’t just focus on our careers—starting a family early is a good thing too.”

Qin Kaishen could only nod. When Gu Fujun finally left, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a dark expression.

He stood there, watching Gu walk away. A short while later, with a cold face, he also turned and left.

Feeling frustrated, he decided to find a quiet place to train and vent his anger. As several soldiers passed by, they greeted him. “Good day, Company Commander.”

Qin Kaishen gave a brief grunt in response and returned their salute with a curt nod before striding away with a stern expression. The soldiers looked at each other in confusion.

“What’s up with Commander Qin? He doesn’t seem happy.”

“No idea. Maybe it’s about tomorrow’s training? Forget it, let’s go get some hot water from the mess hall. Xiao Chen, are you coming?”

“You guys go ahead,” Xiao Chen replied, raising the envelope in his hand. “I have to deliver a letter to Doctor Bai.”

“Alright, we’ll see you on the exercise field tonight for a game.”

“Got it, definitely,” Xiao Chen called out cheerfully, jogging toward the residential area behind the barracks.

In less than fifteen minutes, Bai Yalan’s letter had reached the old doctor.

The elderly Dr. Bai was 67 years old and a special-class military doctor—one of only three in the entire army.

Because of his exceptional medical skills, people gave him the nickname “Bai Miaoshou” (meaning “Bai the Miracle Hand”).

He should’ve retired by now, but thanks to his remarkable skills and excellent health from years of physical training, he had been rehired by the military.

The old man had white hair and eyebrows, and although he wore a faded but clean and well-kept military short-sleeve shirt, he stood tall like a pine and sat steady like a bell, brimming with vitality.

When he received the letter, he was quite surprised. It had been a while since he got any mail from home, and it was even more special because it was handwritten by his beloved granddaughter.

Under the dim light of an oil lamp, he opened the letter and read it. Upon reading the contents, Bai Miaoshou clapped his hands and burst out laughing, full of joy.

“Good, good, good! At last, someone will carry on my legacy!”

At that moment, Xiao Li, the orderly in charge of his daily care, was tidying up nearby. Seeing the old doctor so delighted, he smiled and asked curiously, “Dr. Bai, what’s making you so happy?”

Bai Miaoshou grinned broadly. “Nothing much—just that my useless son and his family will be coming to visit me soon.”

“Oh wow, that’s great!” Xiao Li chimed in. “It’s been a long time since you saw your family. Let them stay a while this time, so you can really enjoy their company.”

Bai Miaoshou nodded with a chuckle. “Exactly, exactly. They’ll be staying for a while. My granddaughter wants to become a military doctor and study under me. We’ve got to plan this out carefully.”

Xiao Li’s eyes lit up. “Wow, so you finally have someone to carry on your legacy!”

No wonder the old man was so cheerful. Normally, he was not someone who easily showed his emotions.

Bai Miaoshou kept staring at the handwriting in the letter, clearly unable to get enough of it. While reading, he chatted with Xiao Li.

“She finally came around, I don’t know what made her change her mind. Back when I tried to bring her to the army, she wasn’t happy about it. But now she’s taking the initiative to follow in my footsteps. I’m telling you, Xiao Li, my granddaughter’s skills may only be average, but she’s promising. With proper training, she can take over and continue serving the organization.”

Xiao Li grinned, not arguing. Dr. Bai had always praised his granddaughter, though he downplayed it verbally. But for someone as respected as Bai Miaoshou to call someone “promising” meant that person was truly special.

“No doubt about it. Your granddaughter must be outstanding. By the way, Dr. Bai, have you thought about how to arrange their stay when they arrive?” Xiao Li glanced around the small two-bedroom apartment.

Since the old doctor’s wife passed away, he had been living alone and had never relocated. One bedroom was his own, while the other had been converted into a study filled with medical files, documents, and supplies.

Frugal all his life, the old man didn’t pay much attention to living conditions or material comforts.

Xiao Li added, “Your place probably won’t be enough for all of them. When are they arriving, and how long will they stay? Should we arrange a guesthouse for them?”

Thoughtful as ever, Xiao Li’s words reminded Dr. Bai of the logistics. After only a moment of thought, the old man decisively waved his hand.

“No need for that. I’ll just submit a report and request a bigger house.”

Xiao Li brightened. “It’s about time! You’ve been in this tiny place for so many years—leaders have long wanted to give you something better.”

After the death of his wife, the organization had repeatedly tried to reassign him to a more spacious home, partly to ensure someone could live with him for close care. But he had always refused, saying he was still healthy and didn’t want to trouble anyone.

The leadership couldn’t do anything but send Xiao Li over every now and then to check on him.

Now that he’d finally changed his mind and requested a bigger house, Xiao Li was genuinely happy for him.

“That’s right,” Bai Miaoshou said with emotion, putting down the letter and continuing, “When my granddaughter comes, she’ll be staying with me. We’ll look after each other. Xiao Li, thank you for taking care of me all these years.”

Xiao Li immediately frowned. “Don’t say that, sir. It’s the least I can do. You’ve helped all of us so much over the years. So, are you planning to write the report now? I’ll get you the paper and pen.”

With a cheerful nod, Bai Miaoshou didn’t decline. Xiao Li quickly brought the writing materials, and the old doctor, using a worn-out fountain pen with peeling lacquer, carefully drafted a housing application report.

At the same time, he also prepared a letter of recommendation for his granddaughter to take the military doctor entrance exam, both of which he handed to Xiao Li to submit to the army.

After subletting the store, the family tidied up their home and bought tickets on the fastest train. In just over three hours, chatting and laughing along the way, they arrived at their destination.

The family of three reached the military base in the capital where Grandpa Bai was stationed. They registered at the gate and informed him of their arrival.

Standing outside the gate, Bai’s father grew emotional. “It’s been a while since I saw your grandpa. I wonder how he’s doing.”

Bai’s mother patted his hand. “We’ll see him soon. Don’t worry, your father’s a doctor himself—he’s always been strong.”

“That’s true,” he said with a smile.

Bai Yalan chimed in playfully, “It’s been so long since I saw Grandpa. I wonder if he even remembers what I look like.”

She felt a little guilty saying that.

In her previous life, not long before this time, she had come here—only to secretly deliver something to Qin Kaishen. She hadn’t visited her grandfather, fearing he’d urge her again to become a military doctor.

Whether in her past life or now, her grandfather had always wanted her to follow his path. But she had refused.

Then came the incident with Lu Qing’er falling into the water…

But thankfully, in this life, from that very moment, fate had already begun to change. She was no longer the foolish Bai Yalan. She would never marry Qin Kaishen again, nor allow herself to have anything to do with him.

The family of three waited in the reception room near the gate. Bai Yalan, facing her mother with her back to the door, didn’t notice the door being pushed open.

An energetic old man with white hair and beard entered and laughed heartily at what he heard.

“Oh, you little rascal! Grandpa has always been thinking about you. I could never forget my precious granddaughter!”

All three stood up in surprise and joy. The soldier on duty immediately saluted the old man with respect. “Good day, Dr. Bai!”

Bai Miaoshou nodded and returned the salute.

A surge of pride welled up in Bai Yalan’s chest—this was her grandfather, a healer revered by all.

She smiled and ran forward with a joyful heart, throwing herself into his arms.

“Grandpa, Grandpa, I missed you so much!”