Parents never seem to win against their children, and Jiang Conghe was no exception. Exhausted in body and mind for his daughter, he looked at her gaunt face and compromised.
Chiang Qing’s lips curved slightly as she listened to him give commands over the phone. Then she turned and went back to her room. She had to dress up nicely.
Commissar Tan was stunned when he received Commander Chiang’s orders. After hanging up, he sighed to Regimental Commander Mai, "At this point, Commander Chiang still hasn’t given up, wanting to see Qi Taiguo. Actually, it’s Military Doctor Chiang who isn’t letting go." Honestly, after all this trouble, did Military Doctor Chiang not have a brain? Didn’t she feel ashamed?
Regimental Commander Mai frowned and said, "You know what Taiguo is like, especially at a time like this. How could he possibly obey?"
Having just witnessed Taiguo’s stubbornness, Commissar Tan asked, "What should we do, then?"
Regimental Commander Mai also worried. After a long pause, he said, "How about we say there’s a temporary emergency mission and assign it to him? He might not be able to return in time?"
Commissar Tan glared at him, disapproving the half-baked idea, but with no better option, he said, "Let us first talk to Taiguo and see if he’ll go. After all, he holds the rank of commander. We should afford him some respect. If he agrees, that’s best. If he doesn’t, then we delay. Commander Chiang is in a rush to return, he surely won’t wait."
Regimental Commander Mai wasn’t very hopeful, but, bound by his superior’s command, he had no choice but to make the call, cursing Chiang Qing in his heart.
When she first arrived, everything had been normal. Who would have thought she’d turn out to be such trouble? This incident in the forces under his watch was ruining him. Fortunately, such a menace was about to leave.
As Regimental Commander Mai had predicted, Taiguo, upon receiving the call, rejected the idea outright without a second thought. What good would it do to meet now that their relationship had soured?
"Actually, it might be good to meet. After all, Commander Chiang does have that military rank, and now that things have escalated this far, he will inevitably have to admit fault. Give him a way out so that both sides can disengage with dignity, right?" Regimental Commander Mai couldn’t help but mediate, saying, "I’m not pointing fingers or anything, but with his rank, and you’re still a company leader and a soldier. Even if he doesn’t cause trouble openly, what if he schemes against you in secret? Can you handle being assigned to separate locations from your wife? What will you do, Taiguo? You might not fear being discharged, but it’s better to avoid making enemies if possible. Once you’re out of the military, given your current status, how can you protect your family? A rank higher can crush a person. Besides, don’t put Chief Ning in a difficult position."
When he heard the name ’Chief Ning’, Taiguo hesitated.
Seizing the moment, Regimental Commander Mai said, "This is really your last chance. Military Doctor Chiang... she’s leaving too. It’s the final opportunity, and you’re not going to see her. Consider it a send-off for a senior officer, right? Besides, you’re just making an appearance. I get the impression from Chief Ning that they’re having a rough time in Beijing, Commander Chiang’s got plenty of trouble. This matter has come to the attention of higher-ups. I bet the Chiang Family will have to apologize to you in the end."
Taiguo thought for a moment, then said, "Let’s make it at the entry gate of the base. I’ll join the troop in sending off Commander Chiang." He practically spat out the words through clenched teeth, his hands balled into fists.
Regimental Commander Mai exhaled in relief, saying, "Alright, Commissar Tan and I will be there. You can just join us." With that, he considered the matter settled. Whatever happened in the Capital was none of his business.
Taiguo hung up the phone and exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes deep and inscrutable, revealing neither joy nor anger.