Chapter 35

Su Ruo felt that, given Song Jingyu's character, if it weren't absolutely necessary, he definitely would not leave the Unit.

After all, someone like him could only shine there.

Su Ruo looked at the upright back before her, and for the first time she had the thought of wanting to actively save someone; she felt that someone like Song Jingyu should not end up like this.

System, help me scan Song Jingyu's leg.

"Okay!" 001's voice carried obvious pleasure; it seemed that every time it faced Song Jingyu and An'an, it became especially enthusiastic.

Soon a panoramic 4D image appeared in Su Ruo's mind, and Song Jingyu's injured leg was displayed before her from all angles without blind spots.

After seeing clearly the injury on Song Jingyu's leg, Su Ruo's face showed shock that could not be concealed.

Multiple bone fractures, and because treatment was delayed, the bones became misaligned and deformed, the meniscus was torn, and some bone fragments were not removed, having grown into the flesh.

Such severe condition would make Song Jingyu feel a sharp stabbing pain with every step he took.

Su Ruo could not imagine how he could persist in rescue without changing his expression, and bring himself back, despite such excruciating pain.

Or perhaps he had grown accustomed to the pain, so he no longer cared.

Song Jingyu noticed that Su Ruo had not caught up, turned around and looked at her, asking, "What's wrong?"

In the darkness, the man's visage was even more brilliant and dazzling than the moon on the horizon.

"You..." Su Ruo wanted to ask about Song Jingyu's leg injury, but the words died on her lips.

She wanted to treat Song Jingyu, but the surgery was too difficult; a slight mistake would cripple him, and this leg would never walk again.

Moreover, to successfully heal Song Jingyu's leg, one crucial thing was missing: the meniscus at the knee.

If Su Ruo could accumulate ten thousand points, open the space mall, and achieve Plane Transaction, buying a meniscus would not be difficult.

But Su Ruo glanced at her points; she was still far from ten thousand.

Since she couldn't buy it, she could only make it herself, but gathering the materials alone was a major problem.

Su Ruo furrowed her brows, trying to find a solution.

Song Jingyu's voice interrupted her thoughts: "Go in!"

Only then did Su Ruo realize she had arrived at the Battalion Department Entrance. Battalion Department Entrance

"Thank you today." Su Ruo suppressed her thoughts, thanked Song Jingyu, and said that without him she could not have smoothly obtained An'an's Golden Lock.

The matter of Song Jingyu's surgery is not urgent; now is the critical moment of rescue, and given Song Jingyu's character, even if Su Ruo found a way to treat him now, he would not abandon the disaster victims to undergo surgery.

Thinking this, Su Ruo relaxed her mind.

Song Jingyu looked at Su Ruo and said: "If anything comes up, just have someone tell me; you don't need to do it yourself. You still have to treat the wounded during the day, and you should rest well at night."

Clearly these were words of concern, but when Song Jingyu spoke they sounded icy; those who didn't know him might mistake them for blame, but Su Ruo knew he meant well.

So she nodded and said, "Okay, I understand."

But actually, now that she had found An'an's Golden Lock, she had nothing else to do here besides treatment.

Su Ruo bade farewell to Song Jingyu, returned to Brigade Headquarters, first washed the dirt from her hands with clean water, then applied medicine to her injured hand, and only then tiptoed back to her room.

After Su Ruo returned to her room, seeing An'an still asleep, she breathed a sigh of relief; she was truly afraid that if An'an woke up and didn't see her, she would cry.

If she woke Li Zhaodi, she would have to make up excuses about bringing the child and such; it would be truly exhausting, utterly unsuitable for Su Ruo.

Su Ruo took off her clothes and lay back on the bed, feeling a warmth; An'an instinctively nuzzled into her embrace, murmuring in a soft, milky voice, "Mom..."

Such a round, plump little rice ball could instantly melt any woman's heart, and Su Ruo was no exception.

Su Ruo held An'an in her arms, knowing she could not stay with her long; she only hoped that An'an would find a good home, adopted by a kind family.

The second person, Su Ruo was woken by Li Zhaodi; she had been busy until late last night, and when she woke in the morning she felt sore all over, yet she forced herself up from bed.

After all, many wounded were still waiting for her treatment!

As Su Ruo had predicted, with the passage of time the number of rescued wounded dwindled, while the death toll rose accordingly.

Su Ruo sighed in her heart, but she also knew this was unavoidable; she had to learn to face death, grief, and collapse, which could not change reality.

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye half a month later, all rescue missions had ended, and the conditions of the wounded had stabilized.

From now on, they just need to change their medicine on schedule and go home to recuperate.

The people sent from Li Family Village for rescue had all returned, leaving only Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi, who was helping out.

As the last wounded was escorted away, the Battalion Commander and the Women's Director rushed over to see Su Ruo off.

The elderly Battalion Commander of Qingshui Village eagerly grasped Su Ruo's hand and said, "Doctor Su, this time we owe you a great deal; otherwise we wouldn't know how many people in Qingshui Village would have died."

Although the disaster relief mission had ended, the Battalion Commander was in charge of the village's post-disaster reconstruction, so he had been busy this whole time, not even having a chance to properly thank Su Ruo.

Su Ruo saw the deep gratitude in the Battalion Commander's simple eyes, smiled, and returned his handshake, saying, "Battalion Commander, you need not be polite; I am a doctor, and saving lives and healing the wounded is my mission."

Seeing that Su Ruo, despite her young age, possessed such awareness, the Battalion Commander's fondness for her grew.

He raised his hand, and several young people carried in several baskets of herbs.

The Battalion Commander smiled and said, "Our village is poor; these are herbs everyone picked from the mountains, not worth much money, but they are everyone's token of goodwill—please don't disdain them."

Only then did Su Ruo see that outside Brigade Headquarters a crowd of old and young had gathered, their gazes toward her filled with deep gratitude.

Su Ruo's reason for coming to Qingshui Village for rescue was not pure altruism; she came to earn points.

But at this sight, a hard-to-describe feeling welled up in her heart.

Although during this rescue she also encountered difficult people and unpleasant incidents, it cannot be denied that in this era most people are still simple and kind.

If it were something else, Su Ruo could refuse, but medicinal herbs are what she lacks most now, and she simply cannot turn them down.

So Su Ruo did not stand on ceremony with the Battalion Commander, saying, "All right, then I thank everyone; if I ever feel unwell in the future, I can go to Li Family Village to find you."

The Battalion Commander smiled so broadly his eyes disappeared; Su Ruo's medical skill was excellent, and if she could treat the villagers, it would be a great boon for them.

So he waved his hand grandly and said, "Doctor Su, if you ever need any medicinal herbs, just come to the village and find me."

At this moment the Women's Director also said, "Doctor Su, we have already reported your glorious deeds to the county."

The county values doctors like you who are righteous and selfless; believe it or not, rewards will be issued soon.

Su Ruo had not expected such an unexpected joy; she felt very happy, and no matter what the reward is—even if it's just a banner—later, if anyone from Li Family Village wanted to bully her, they'd have to think twice.

After all, she is now a disaster relief hero with a nominal post in the county, no longer the previous life's helpless, friendless nobody who could only be bullied.

In this day and age, people still admire and respect heroes.

Su Ruo suddenly felt that all her hard work and effort these past days were worth it.

「Women's Director, thank you! 」 Su Ruo sincerely thanked the Women's Director; although it was her duty, she could proactively report her merits to her superiors, and Su Ruo still remembered this favor.

The Women's Director knew Su Ruo was a smart person, her smile grew wider, and she politely said: 「You've done so much for our village; these are all what you deserve. 」

Afterward, she looked again at An'an behind Su Ruo, momentarily at a loss; now that Su Ruo was leaving, this girl's placement had not yet been arranged.