Chapter 14 Famous Across the Whole Military District

Zhao Yu and Ning Songyun exchanged a glance of relief.

At least they wouldn’t have to stay up all night writing self-criticisms today.

“I never thought Lin Shu’s mother-in-law would be that terrifying.”

On the way back, Ning Songyun recalled the old lady and still felt a lingering chill.

“If someone’s son had died in battle, and their only grandson would now have to call someone else ‘father,’ no one would sit quietly without making a fuss.”

“That’s true. But Lin Shu and that Lu fellow are definitely famous across the entire military district now.”

“Even if they weren’t, that old lady would make sure they became notorious.”

Zhao Yu knew this routine far too well.

“She’s still going to cause trouble? Yu, how do you know so clearly?” Ning Songyun was curious.

Zhao Yu didn’t answer, only gave a faint smile.

In her past life, she had been dragged through endless trouble by that very same old lady and suffered greatly.

The villagers all pointed fingers at her. In the end, she paid a hefty sum of money and even promised to bring the child over every day for them to see, just to settle the matter.

When Lu Jing found out, he remembered her as indecisive—saying if she had agreed to pay and bring the child earlier, the matter would’ve been over quickly.

But the two villages were nearly fifty kilometers apart.

Zhao Yu cooked breakfast every morning for his parents, worked the fields to earn work points, then after dinner carried the child on foot for dozens of kilometers.

“Anyway, you’ll see. This matter is far from over.”

After saying this, Zhao Yu tugged Ning Songyun along. “Let’s hurry back. If they do a dorm check and we’re missing, we’ll lose points.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go back quickly!”

Unfortunately, the two of them still didn’t make it back to the dormitory.

Just as they reached the building, they spotted a figure pacing anxiously.

“Comrade Ning!” The man rushed forward the moment he saw them. “You’re finally back!”

“Brother Li? Why are you here? Did my dad send you?”

Recognizing him as one of her father’s orderlies, Ning Songyun’s grip on Zhao Yu’s arm tightened in fear that something had happened.

“The old chief is fine—it’s your sister.” The orderly checked the time. “Let’s talk on the way. We need to get to the hospital!”

“You go ahead.” Zhao Yu patted Ning Songyun’s shoulder. “I’ll get leave for you.”

Ning Songyun nodded uneasily and followed the orderly, steps shaky.

Not long after Zhao Yu returned to the dorm, the squad leader came for inspection.

After explaining Ning Songyun’s situation, Zhao Yu lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Her mind flashed between the image of Wang Jianguo’s mother and Ning Songyu’s panicked face.

Unable to rest, Zhao Yu got up, pushed open the window, and gazed at the stars.

After a long while, she murmured, “Right now, he should be at the hospital too… Ai, why am I even thinking about him. Sleep, just sleep.”

But even after a whole night, Ning Songyun didn’t return.

After breakfast the next morning, Zhao Yu tried to focus on practice, but her mind kept wandering.

In her past life at the art troupe, she had no close friends. After marrying Lu Jing, she was always busy with household matters.

Now, having suddenly gained a sister-like friend in Ning Songyun, she had grown used to her company in just a few days.

Without her around, Zhao Yu actually felt a twinge of loneliness and worry.

When training ended that afternoon, Zhao Yu bought two cans of preserved peaches and several pounds of apples at the supply store, then headed to the hospital.

After searching ward by ward for nearly ten minutes, she finally heard Ning Songyun’s loud voice.

Hurrying toward the sound, Zhao Yu pushed open the door to find Ning Songyun and a heavily pregnant, frail-looking woman hugging each other and crying bitterly.

Ning Songyi stood by the hospital bed, face dark, eyes locked sharply on a group of men and women standing nearby.

“Yu? What are you doing here?” Ning Songyun was startled to see her.

“I came to see you—and to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

Zhao Yu set her packages on the small table. “Why are you crying so hard?”

“She’s just a silly little girl who doesn’t understand anything!”

Before Ning Songyun could answer, one of the well-dressed women among the group sneered.

At those words, Ning Songyi’s expression darkened. He grabbed the man hiding behind the woman, yanked him forward, and threw him out the door.

“Hey! What are you doing? Let go!” The woman panicked as her son was tossed out and rushed after him.

Ning Songyi shot a glance at Zhao Yu, then shut the ward door with a bang.

Outside came the cries of begging and a nurse shouting, “Don’t fight in the hospital!”

“Sorry to make you witness such a scene.” The woman on the bed gave a weak smile.

“Normally it’s Songyun who takes care of me, so I already owe her a lot. I’m Ning Songxu, Songyun’s older sister.”

“Please don’t be so polite, Sister Ning.”

Zhao Yu sat down with a calm smile, as if the racket outside didn’t exist.

“Honestly, it’s usually the captain and Songyun who take care of me. I should be the one thanking them.”

Ning Songxu nodded, her smile warm but tinged with sorrow.

“With a good friend like you by her side, even if I’m not here in the future, I can be at peace.”

“Jie! Don’t say such nonsense!” Ning Songyun plopped onto the bed. “You’ll definitely get better!”

Ning Songxu only nodded, tears spilling despite herself. “You’re right.”

Seeing her sister cry so hard, Ning Songyun also began wiping at her own tears.

Zhao Yu gently patted her back. “Don’t cry—look, the more you cry, the harder Sister Ning cries too.”

“I…I can’t help it.” Ning Songyun sniffled, then suddenly hiccuped from crying.

That little interruption finally made both sisters laugh through their tears.

At that moment, Ning Songyi walked back in. Seeing the three of them smiling, his tense face eased.

“Songyun, you should go back with Comrade Zhao.”

“No way! I have to stay with my sister.”

“Be obedient.” Ning Songyi frowned. “Father will be here soon. We’ll protect her—no one will bully her again.”

“That’s right, Songyun. Go back. If you keep running out like this, the troupe won’t be able to explain it either.” Ning Songxu patted her hand. “Go on.”

Though reluctant, faced with her brother and sister’s insistence, Ning Songyun could only stomp her foot angrily and leave with Zhao Yu.

Back at the dormitory, Ning Songyun collapsed on her bed, crying so hard she could barely breathe.

Zhao Yu had thought this was family business and that, even as a friend, she shouldn’t pry.

But seeing her like this, Zhao Yu couldn’t rest easy.

She sat by the bed. “Songyun, what’s going on?”

“They’re bullying her too much.”

Ning Songyun threw herself into Zhao Yu’s arms, sobbing for a long time before finally choking out words.

“Who? Those people in the ward today?”

“It’s them!” Ning Songyun’s voice rose in anger.

“What exactly happened?”