Commander Gu nodded, his expression somewhat grave. "Your aunt said it’s serious."
Lan Li glanced at He Teng, saying, "Commander Gu, I’ll go with you!" Then, walking towards He Teng, his face clearly distressed, he said, "He Teng, I promise I’ll settle things for He Zhilan. But right now, Commander Gu and I have to leave."
Lan Li meant that Gu En suddenly had a car accident which endangered his life. As a father, Commander Gu was already worried and in chaos. So, he asked He Teng not to add fuel to the fire by bringing up He Zhilan’s situation on top of the commander’s existing worries.
Once He Teng agreed by nodding his head, Lan Li breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly left with Commander Gu.
"Everybody, don’t mention this situation with Commander Gu to anyone else. When we go in later, just tell everyone that Commander Gu suddenly had something to attend to and will visit the army another day. The commendation ceremony will continue as scheduled." The old regiment commander gave his orders, then gestured for everyone to head to the dining hall for dinner. However, after everyone had left, he stopped He Teng and quietly asked, "What did Lan Li say he was going to settle for you earlier?"
He Teng thought for a moment, then told the truth. In order not to make the regiment commander think he was making a mountain out of a molehill, he divulged the incidents of Gu En bullying He Zhilan at school, including the one that caused her to get a burn.
After hearing this, the old regiment commander sighed deeply, "How come the Lan Family and the Gu Family could raise such rebellious girls? During the New Year of all times, they have no idea what they’re up to, not even hesitating to put themselves in the hospital and endangering their own lives. As for this matter, you wait and see what kind of explanation the Gu Family will give you first. The army will act as if they don’t know yet. You handle it privately. But if the Gu Family..."
The commander didn’t complete his sentence, he simply let out a sigh, then added, "If you can’t resolve it, report it to the army, and the army will step in." The old regiment commander, after all, knew that the Lan Family and the Gu Family cherished their only daughters dearly.
He Teng nodded, he felt miserable but it couldn’t be helped. At this time, with Gu En’s life hanging by a thread due to a car accident, if he complained about it, he would seem insensitive and disrespectful, even as if he was kicking a man when he’s down.
When He Teng returned to the dining hall, he spotted Kang Xing eagerly waving at him. Beside Kang Xing was He Zhilan who, at the moment, was chatting with Chen Ya’nan, completely unaware of his return.
"Aunt He, Uncle He is back!" Chen Ya’nan turned around when she noticed Kang Xing’s gesture, and when He Teng came over, she said, "I’m going to join my parents! Uncle He, you can take my seat!"
"Captain, I heard that Commander Gu is joining us for New Year’s Eve dinner, why isn’t he here?" Kang Xing quietly asked.
"Commander Gu was called away on urgent business, he will visit another time." He Teng repeated what the regiment commander had relayed and then looked at He Zhilan. Unsurprisingly, she looked stunned and then a little disappointed.
Since Commander Gu was not coming, there was no need to wait for him to start the New Year’s Eve dinner. Someone muttered under their breath that thanks to Commander Gu’s absence, the New Year’s Eve meal was going to be exceptional this year, with several more dishes on offer!
"I’ll go get you some dumplings." He Teng got up, asked He Zhilan to stay put and not wander around the hall, and then he joined Kang Xing and the others to get their food.
With so many people in the army, there were more dishes on New Year’s Eve than usual. A large pot of cooked dishes and dumplings was set to the side, with bowls and chopsticks placed nearby. Everyone could serve themselves whatever they wanted. It was quite convenient.