Chapter 551: Don't Regret It

Lieutenant Qiu looked at the two troublemakers before him with some impatience and said to Zhang Haizhen, "Are you sure you want to request leave?"

Zhang Haizhen's tailbone hurt terribly now; on the way back, she had just met Physician Guo from the clinic, who examined her on the spot, found no problems, and told her to rest more: "Yes."

Lieutenant Qiu wore an expression of "you brought this on yourself": "Have you thought it through?"

Now Zhang Haizhen grew impatient: "Lieutenant, can you just make up your mind? I really can't hold on any longer."

Lieutenant Qiu glanced at Jiang Xiaoya, saw her with her head down, offering not a single hint, thought for a moment that some things must be experienced to be understood, cleared her throat lightly, and asked, "How many days?"

He said it on purpose, wanting her to learn a lesson, realize her own foolishness; after all, no one can wake someone pretending to sleep; only heart-wrenching pain can lead to self-awakening.

All Zhang Haizhen wanted now was to return to the dormitory and lie down: "Three days, I guess."

Lieutenant Qiu sighed heavily, exasperated as if scolding iron that wouldn't turn to steel: "Approved. Don't regret it."

This was his final warning.

Unfortunately, as soon as Zhang Haizhen heard the lieutenant approve her leave, she urged Jiang Xiaoya to help her back to the dormitory, never once remembering that in four days there would be a technical competition among the communication companies of the military region.

Jiang Xiaoya, who was supporting her, didn't know what motive drove her, yet she didn't remind her either; instead, she kept comforting her: "Haizhen, nothing is more important than your health. If you don't rest properly for a few days, you might end up with a chronic condition, and that would be bad."

"You like Squadron Leader Ma from the Third Company, and you even wanted to invite him to a movie. These next few days, you really need to pull yourself together and get your health back."

At the mention of Squadron Leader Ma, a blush spread across Zhang Haizhen's face: "Xiaoya, don't talk nonsense. I haven't been promoted yet. If this gets out, it could cause a major incident."

Jiang Xiaoya turned and glanced at the blushing Zhang Haizhen; disdain flashed briefly in her eyes: "Alright, this is just between you and me. It won't get out."

She had heard that Ma Wuliang and Fu Yan Cheng were on good terms; if Zhang Haizhen really got involved with that man, it would be a good thing for her.

Still, for Zhang Haizhen to take a liking to Ma Wuliang showed decent taste; she had heard the man was quite capable, otherwise Fu Yan Cheng wouldn't have taken notice of him. It's just that his seniority is still a bit lacking; there's still a long road ahead before he can grow into a towering tree.

After helping her back to the dormitory, Jiang Xiaoya went to great lengths, taking out a good amount of snacks her family had sent a few days ago: "Today's incident was caused by me. I'm truly sorry. Consider these my apology."

Zhang Haizhen, however, said boldly: "It was clearly the fault of that rough country woman. Why take the blame on yourself?"

Jiang Xiaoya added a few more green-tea-like remarks, then left the dormitory, let out a heavy sigh, turned back to roll her eyes at the room inside, put on her hat, and walked straight out of the dormitory building.

Fortunately, there was hardly anyone in the corridor at that moment; if her good sister Shen Yanru had seen that expression, she would probably have said, "I bow to you."

At the time, everyone thought Shen Yanru had used Jiang Xiaoya and ultimately reaped the bitter consequences of her own actions. But they probably never imagined that Jiang Xiaoya was the one with the deeper schemes and the superior skill.

As soon as Jiang Xiaoya returned to the machine room, someone asked, "Where's Haizhen? Didn't you two go out together?"

Jiang Xiaoya replied with a calm face: "Haizhen fell down and isn't feeling well. She requested leave and went back to the dormitory."

Mao Weifang, who happened to be nearby, heard this and said, "She couldn't have fallen at a worse time. The notice for the technical competition was issued late to begin with, leaving little preparation time, and yet she takes leave to rest at this moment. I really have to admire her."