Chapter 22 – Now, He Could Finally Get to Know Her

“What are you spacing out for, comrade? Come help out!” someone called, breaking Bai Yalan out of her thoughts. She quickly snapped back to attention, responding, “Ah, sorry! Coming!”

The one calling her was the soldier who had entered alongside Fu Yunzheng. He stood anxiously beside the injured young soldier carried in by Qin Kaishen, loudly calling for Bai Yalan’s help.

Bai Yalan swiftly knelt down, expertly tearing open the injured man’s trouser leg and carefully examining his injury.

The soldier had twisted his ankle and suffered abrasions on his leg from scraping against the ground—bloody and messy, quite alarming at first glance.

She quickly made a diagnosis and began treating the wound while clearly and efficiently explaining care instructions related to the injury.

“It’s just a regular sprain, no fracture. Not serious. Two to three weeks of bed rest should do. Hold on, I’m going to realign the joint—” Even before she finished speaking, her hands had already moved with lightning speed.

The young soldier cried out once, then looked at her in surprise, then at his leg—oddly, it didn’t hurt as much anymore.

Bai Yalan didn’t stop. She disinfected the wound with iodine, cleaned the area with cotton swabs, swiftly cut some gauze, and wrapped it up—her every move smooth and practiced, leaving no room for doubt about her skill.

Fu Yunzheng was stunned when he saw her. He stood frozen for over ten seconds.

It’s her?

He hadn’t expected that after all this time, he would run into her here. Silently, he watched her work with quiet precision and seriousness. His interest was piqued.

Was she a new junior military doctor here? Judging by her technique and diagnosis, she was quite impressive.

His eyes lit with admiration, and his gaze drifted down to the name tag on her chest.

It clearly read: Intern Military Doctor.

He blinked in surprise, thinking he might have seen it wrong.

Just an intern? That didn’t seem right. Fu Yunzheng frowned slightly in doubt.

With the professional level she’d just displayed, even being a junior military doctor would have been more than fitting.

Old Bai, who had been watching his granddaughter attentively from the side, was clearly very satisfied with her performance.

Once the wave of patients was dealt with, he patted her on the shoulder and said seriously, “Comrade Xiao Bai, good work. Take a break.”

Bai Yalan couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Her grandfather really could act impartial when in front of others.

She responded with a similarly straight face, “Yes, Comrade Lao Bai!”

Old Bai Miao: “…”

This cheeky girl! Just now she’d looked so professional and meticulous, and here she was showing her playful side again.

Only then did he notice Fu Yunzheng still standing nearby. The man was openly and appreciatively watching his granddaughter.

The old man laughed and patted Fu Yunzheng’s shoulder. “Yunzheng, perfect timing. Let me introduce you. This is my granddaughter, Comrade Bai Yalan.”

At that moment, Bai Yalan was removing her gloves. Curious, she lifted her head to look at him.

Her eyes were bright and clear like still water, and when she looked at him, they rippled like autumn waves.

Fu Yunzheng’s heart stirred, just like when he had first seen her.

Back then, she likely hadn’t even known who he was. But now, he could finally get to know her.

Old Bai continued introducing, “Xiao Lan, this is Battalion Commander Fu Yunzheng. Twenty-six, isn’t it? Already a full battalion officer—an outstanding young man. Didn’t embarrass us old-timers. You should learn a thing or two from him.”

Bai Yalan chuckled. Her grandfather wasn’t being impartial anymore—he’d dropped the “Comrade Xiao Bai” act.

So she stood upright and saluted smartly. “Hello, Comrade Battalion Commander. I’m Bai Yalan. Just arrived—please guide me.”

Fu Yunzheng gave a modest smile and returned the salute, “Hello, Comrade Bai Yalan. There’s no need for guidance—let’s improve together.”

His response was friendly and sincere, immediately leaving a good impression. Bai Yalan thought to herself, he seems easygoing. Despite holding such a high position, he didn’t act superior at all—very down-to-earth.

Seeing how well her grandfather and this man got along, she curiously asked, “Grandpa, you seem to know each other pretty well?”

Old Bai replied, “Of course! I was comrades-in-arms with Yunzheng’s grandfather. When we were young, we fought side by side, through life and death. Time flies—now it’s your generation’s turn to grow up.”

He lifted his water cup, took a sip, and his eyes were filled with nostalgia for those youthful days.

Time never waits. All those storms of the past were now just fond memories.

At that moment, more injured soldiers came in. Bai Yalan said, “Grandpa, you rest. I’ll handle this.”

She quickly put on her gloves again and returned to treating the wounded.

Fu Yunzheng’s gaze occasionally lingered on her as he chatted casually with Old Bai.

“By the way, Yunzheng, how’s your grandfather’s health?” Old Bai asked.

Fu Yunzheng replied with a smile, “He’s doing great. Rarely even catches a cold. Though he refuses to admit he’s old and keeps talking about drinking with you guys—his old brothers-in-arms. Says if you ever meet up again, it has to be a good drunk, no holding back.”

Old Bai laughed, mock scolding, “That old rascal! Still so greedy for booze.”

But then he swallowed and smiled secretly to himself, pretending to be reluctant. “Alright then, Comrade Fu Yunzheng, help me tell your grandfather that I’m off this weekend. Let’s drink then.”

Before Fu Yunzheng could respond, Bai Yalan interjected with a frown, “No way! Grandpa, your health doesn’t allow for drinking!”

Old Bai looked a little deflated and muttered, “Just one cup…”

“Not even one cup!” Bai Yalan firmly rejected him without a hint of leniency. Fu Yunzheng laughed quietly, watching the old man being scolded by his granddaughter.

Old Bai sulked, trying to negotiate, “Xiao Lan, come on. Grandpa’s feeling much better lately. Can’t you let this slide…”

Bai Yalan was speechless. “Grandpa, you’re not a kid. Back when Grandma was around, you always snuck drinks. Now that she’s gone, I’m the one who has to uphold her legacy. I’ll let everything else slide—but drinking is non-negotiable!”

Her tone was resolute. The old man sighed, defeated, and everyone around burst into laughter.

No one noticed that Fu Yunzheng was watching her with growing affection. Her lively, determined nature matched exactly what he imagined her to be. His heart felt like it was soaking in spring water—soft, full, indescribable.

Just then, someone else walked in.

A young officer—with one bar and two stars on his shoulder. A company commander.

The moment he saw Bai Yalan, his eyes widened in shock, frozen for a moment.

Then, recognizing her uniform and the “intern military doctor” badge, he understood everything.

No wonder she hadn’t come to see him these days—she was training to be a military doctor.

Noticing Fu Yunzheng as well, he quickly saluted, “Battalion Commander!”

Fu Yunzheng returned the salute. “You’re here at the medical department too? Got injured?”

Qin Kaishen felt guilty but kept his face calm. “Just a minor injury, sir. Just came to get it patched up. It’s nothing.”

Fu Yunzheng nodded but reminded him, “You’re leading important training missions. Be careful.”

“Yes, sir.”

By then, Bai Yalan had turned her back and continued tending to other patients, completely ignoring Qin Kaishen’s arrival.

She wasn’t a saint. She couldn’t treat this man—the one who abandoned her while she lay dying in her past life—as if nothing had happened.

Another military doctor came over to treat Qin Kaishen’s wounds, while he distractedly answered questions and kept watching Bai Yalan.

She moved with confidence and skill, clearly trained, far more professional than he had ever seen her.

While watching her, he also observed Fu Yunzheng. One was busy working, and the other was casually chatting—clearly not that close yet.

That made him feel relieved.

His gaze grew complicated as it fell on Bai Yalan. She probably didn’t know the full truth about the past.

But now, it felt like she didn’t even notice his existence. Was she still mad at him?

Women… so emotional. Qin Kaishen felt both frustrated and oddly pleased.

She must still care. Otherwise, why go to such lengths? This must be a game of hard-to-get.

He convinced himself of that.

The medical ward bustled with activity. Bai Yalan moved quickly from treating wounds to filling out records and prescriptions—every step focused and meticulous.

In uniform, she looked serene and elegant, a picture of calm beauty that made it hard to look away.

Finally, one brave young soldier stepped up, blushing. “Dr. Bai.”

Bai Yalan looked up curiously. “Yes? What is it?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” the soldier asked bluntly.

Silence fell. Two men in the room clenched their fists.

Then came a wave of commotion as everyone turned to see.

Even Bai Yalan was stunned for a moment, then let out a helpless laugh.

This one question instantly woke Qin Kaishen up. He stood proudly, ready to say “I’m her boyfriend.”

He had just opened his mouth, “I—”

But Bai Yalan beat him to it with a firm answer: “No!”

She smiled and said without hesitation, “I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’m not planning to date anytime soon. My career comes first. Sorry!”

“Oh… okay. Sorry, Dr. Bai. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Bai Yalan smiled politely. “No problem.”

She went back to writing her reports. Though the answer wasn’t what the soldier had hoped for, knowing she was still single gave him a sliver of hope. He stood there, red-faced, grinning.

A female doctor nearby teased, “What ambition! All you men, back off. Don’t swarm around just because she’s pretty—let her focus on her work!”

Everyone laughed. Fu Yunzheng glanced over, smiling.

Only Qin Kaishen looked gloomy, nearly fuming.

Bai Yalan actually said she had no boyfriend?

What about him?

Had she forgotten all the times she chased after him?

This was outrageous.