He Teng stood behind the military doctor, listening to the conversation between He Zhilan and the doctor. He took in the sight of Zhilan’s swollen, red hands, and watched as she lowered her head, gently biting her lip as she endured the pain of having her wounds treated. At that moment, He Teng felt a sudden, sharp pain in his heart, an indescribable discomfort.
He wished he could take on the pain for Zhilan. The more he thought about how beautiful Zhilan’s hands once were before she was injured, the angrier he became.
Outside the door, Lan Li stood for a moment, watching as the military doctor treated Zhilan before striding off. His face wore an expression of anger as he left, ignoring greetings from individuals he passed on his way to the office building.
With a single phone call, Lan Li reached out to Gu En directly. Gu En, delighted to receive a call from Lan Li, picked it up with a smile on his face.
"Brother Lan Li! Are you back home?" Gu En assumed that Lan Li was returning home for the year so he asked.
"Gu En, before I returned to the military base, how did you promise me to behave? Not to bully Zhilan anymore, but what did you end up doing? Tonight, whether you like it or not, bring your repentance and sincerity, along with Uncle Gu to the military base, and apologize for yourself to Zhilan!" Lan Li’s tone allowed no room for negotiation, "If you don’t come, it’s alright, I’ll personally call Grandpa Gu to have you sent to the military base!"
On the other end of the line, due to Lan Li’s stern accusation, Gu En’s initial excitement vanished, replaced by a scoff. "What’s the matter? It was just a joke that went a bit wrong. Did she squeal on me to her brother and to you?"
"A joke? Gu En, have you lost your mind? Who makes such jokes? Have you never thought about the consequences of your actions, or have you just become accustomed to harassing others under the pretense of joking? During the New Year’s celebration, do you want Zhilan to suffer injuries while the whole military base mocks the Gu family? Do you want your father to lose face in front of the entire military base tonight?"
"Did you just say that my father is coming to your military base tonight?" Gu En felt a jolt of shock. He knew that his father was unable to stay at home this New Year’s, but he did not know why. Upon hearing what Lan Li said, Gu En was taken aback, "Does Zhilan want to complain about me to my dad? Does she want my apology? Alright then, tell Zhilan to patiently wait at the base tonight!"
With a click, Lan Li found himself unable to get another word from Gu En. Gu En had hung up the phone. all that remained was the sound of the dial tone.
Before the call ended, Lan Li heard the click and knew that Gu En was throwing a tantrum again. But after hearing Gu En’s words, Lan Li thought that considering the grand scheme of things, Gu En would likely come to the military base with their commanding officer tonight.
Regardless of Gu En’s mind games, Lan Li believed that once Gu En arrived at the military base, he would not dare to misbehave under his and the commanding officer’s scrutiny.
When Zhilan came out from the army doctor’s room, she began to shiver, the military base was even colder than the capital. The great temperature difference from indoor to outdoor gave her the chills.
"Brother, you weren’t cold when you brought me lunch earlier wearing just that? You’re truly amazing~" Zhilan muttered under her breath.
"No," replied He Teng, before draping his military coat over Zhilan.