Chapter 49: A Humiliating Rebuke

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then their faces lit up with joy. Zuo Lan was anxious to ask something, but Jiang Delin quickly spoke first:

“Dean Zuo, rest assured. Not a single one of the three hundred and sixty-two soldiers heading to the front line suffered any casualties. Commander Song, upon realizing they had fallen into a trap, immediately ordered a retreat. He suspected there might be local ambushes along the way, so he instructed all soldiers to take refuge urgently on Yuehu Island.”

“Indeed, they encountered an ambush during the retreat, but the commander and Captain Song had prepared in advance, organizing the soldiers to withdraw in groups and by different routes. Some were injured, but none are in life-threatening condition.”

“The air squadron has already begun rescue operations and is returning. They should arrive at Taizhou Island before sunset.”

After Jiang Delin finished his report, Zuo Lan nearly lost control of her emotions. Days of worry and sleepless nights finally came to an end in this moment. She turned away from the crowd and quietly wiped away her tears.

When she turned back, her gaze landed on Zhong Xiao amidst the crowd.

Zuo Lan walked forward and took Zhong Xiao’s hand.

“Xiao Xiao, you truly are our lucky star. If not for you… even if we set out to rescue them, we wouldn’t have thought of such a remote place as Yuehu Island right away. Xiao Xiao, thank you, truly, thank you…”

Zhong Xiao also felt relieved. As long as they were found, that was enough.

The crowd gradually grew more excited; for everyone on Taizhou Island, this was undoubtedly a miracle worth celebrating—a blessing after a narrow escape.

The only one who looked somewhat conflicted was Hou Manling.

She stood awkwardly, her fingers twisting the corners of her clothes, watching the others rejoice, and recalling her own aggressive questioning moments ago.

She wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide.

On one hand, she was happy that Song Ting Shen and the others were safe.

On the other hand, the fact that the rescue succeeded so swiftly was partly thanks to Zhong Xiao.

That left an uncomfortable feeling in her heart.

It was as if, from last night until now, she had been unreasonable all along.

Liu Guangmin noticed Hou Manling’s uneasy expression and stepped forward, speaking gently:

“Comrade, thank you for your well-intentioned suggestions. Please rest assured, personally, I greatly admire your courage to speak up. A thousand people have a thousand views; sometimes, leaders can be blinded, and at such times, it’s essential to hear differing opinions.”

Hou Manling looked around.

The crowd’s gaze toward her… how to describe it… it wasn’t exactly critical, but somehow…

It made Hou Manling feel mocked.

As if they were ridiculing her for overestimating herself.

For meddling without reason.

Now, there—she’d been proven wrong right on the spot.

Hou Manling turned to look at Zhong Xiao, just as Zhong Xiao looked back at her.

She pursed her lips and glared at Zhong Xiao.

Then, without saying a word, she ran off.

Zhong Xiao: ?

After Hou Manling left, Zuo Lan felt a bit embarrassed as she looked at Zhong Xiao and said:

“Xiao Xiao, please don’t mind her. Manling just acted out of concern; she wasn’t intentionally targeting you. Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhong Xiao shook her head. “The most important thing now is that Commander Song and the others are safe; I can rest easy.”

Zuo Lan said, “All thanks to you.”

Zhong Xiao smiled. “I just stumbled upon the answer by luck. Honestly, even without me, with the political commissar’s judgment and decision-making skills, they would have found Commander Song soon enough.”

Her words were flattering to Liu Guangmin, who listened with pleasure but felt a bit guilty.

In truth, when Commander Song and his group first went missing, Liu Guangmin had delayed taking action. First, because of earlier strategic arrangements—Commander Song had reminded him before leaving that if anything happened, they should avoid action for three days to prevent alarming the enemy.

Second, Liu Guangmin simply had no clue.

The vast Western Sea.

If he were to order a search, he honestly didn’t know where to begin.

Fortunately, Qin Dezheng and Zhong Xiao arrived at just the right moment.

In a sense, it was they who provided both a direction and a justification for sending out rescue teams.

Now the missing have been found—what a relief.

Liu Guangmin said, “Comrade Zhong Xiao, you’ve worked hard. Zuo Lan, let’s convene a military and government meeting now, to prepare ahead. When Commander Song and the others return tonight, there will certainly be much to do.”

Zuo Lan quickly nodded. “I’ll go tidy up the hospital, free up some wards and operating rooms. Since there are wounded, I need to be ready in advance.”

As she spoke, her expression suddenly showed some difficulty.

Zhong Xiao noticed this keenly and asked, “Aunt Zuo, what’s wrong?”

Zuo Lan hesitated.

In fact, even before Zuo Lan spoke, Zhong Xiao had already guessed most of it.

Most likely, it was about medicine.

Sure enough.

Zuo Lan sighed, saying, “There’s not much medicine left in the hospital, especially painkillers, antibiotics, and surgical anesthetics. I’m really worried…”

If there were too many wounded and the hospital’s resources couldn’t keep up, there could be trouble.

Liu Guangmin immediately responded, “All right, I’ll go check the city’s department stores and pharmacies right now to see how much I can buy. Then I’ll apply for the city hospital to lend us any surplus medicine they might have.”

Zuo Lan was not optimistic.

“The city hospital lacks everything itself. When we applied for a few medical staff, they were reluctant to send anyone, let alone medicine, which is even scarcer than personnel.”

Seeing their predicament, Zhong Xiao thought for a moment and spoke up:

“If you’re in urgent need… I have some supplies—though not much, it might help with the immediate crisis.”

Both Zuo Lan and Liu Guangmin were surprised.

“Xiao Xiao, how do you have medicine on you?”

Zhong Xiao explained, “Du Huacheng and his wife used to stockpile some at home. When I left, I brought it along just in case. Originally, I was thinking about Second Grandpa’s age and health, so I prepared extra medicine for emergencies, but since things are urgent now, I’ll lend it to you first.”

She didn’t elaborate further. Too many words could lead to trouble. If someone discovered that her “father” and stepmother liked to hoard medicine, and that she had a large supply herself…

Maybe nothing would happen now, but who could predict the future?

Zhong Xiao had been manipulated and schemed against in her previous life; in this one, she would be more cautious.

By saying the medicine was for Qin Dezheng, she avoided any suspicion.

As expected, after she spoke, Zuo Lan’s eyes lit up but then grew troubled.

“The teacher is indeed getting old. Your medicine…”

“My health is excellent! Xiao Xiao, if you have any, just give it to the soldiers. Their lives are worth more than these old bones of mine!”

Suddenly, Qin Dezheng’s voice sounded from behind Zuo Lan.

Striding over, he looked at Zhong Xiao.

“Xiao Xiao, we’re in the military district now. Everything must be prioritized for the soldiers. They defend our home and country for us; we cannot harbor even a shred of selfishness.”