Chapter 491: The Worried Sister

The department store still bustles with shoppers; under Lu Ying's management, the tiny stall that started as a tea stall has become today's thriving big store.

Unfortunately, the policy still hasn't been implemented, and the unified profit‑and‑loss system remains.

When Zhao Bin saw Lu Cheng hurrying over, he was taken by surprise.

"Yo, Lu Cheng, you're back—weren't you off delivering supplies? You have time today to visit me! Still, you remembered your buddy, hey..."

"What stench is that on you? It reeks—did you just come out of a latrine...?"

Having no time for Zhao Bin's teasing, Lu Cheng briskly entered the store, looked around and said, "Binzi, where's my sister?"

"Your sister's in the office... Hey, what's the matter, so urgent? You could at least chat a bit, I've missed you, let's have lunch together at noon..."

"We'll talk later," Lu Cheng said briefly, then walked around to the back and pushed open the room bearing the Director's Office sign.

"Lu Cheng? You're back—how did you even know you'd come back..."

Seeing her younger brother suddenly standing before her, Lu Ying's emotions instantly broke loose.

During this period, reading the war reports in the Newspaper, she grew increasingly worried, almost checking the Platform daily for any news about her brother.

Fortunately, knowing her brother was safe allowed her to relax a bit.

When Lu Cheng saw his sister crying, he felt a pang of guilt, realizing his family was now also worried.

He quickly clasped his sister's shoulder and comforted, "Sis, don't cry. I'm not dead; I'm alive and well. We're at the rear, perfectly safe."

"Then I'm worried too—if the enemy gets reinforcements and attacks, wouldn't you be in danger at the rear?"

"Look at what you're saying—how could we let the enemy break through? That's no confidence in our troops. We're currently cutting a swath, striking straight at the enemy's stronghold, crushing their arrogant aura, and..."

Lu Cheng spoke with fiery enthusiasm, but Lu Ying showed little reaction; she only worried about her brother.

Lu Cheng finally paused, "Alright, alright. By the way, sis, does Mom know?"

They've been keeping it from their mother; if Mom found out, she'd definitely forbid him from going.

Lu Ying poured a cup of hot water and handed it to her brother, "She definitely knows. You've been away so long; how could I keep it from her?"

Although his sister didn't mention Mom's reaction, Lu Cheng could imagine it—she must be furious.

"Then you have to keep up the front, tell Mom I'm safe, and don't let her worry."

"You still want to go? Could you not go? It's too dangerous."

Lu Cheng took a deep breath; he knew his sister's concern stemmed from worry, and beneath the Great Nation Glory, such small-family joys and sorrows often shape things.

Yet compared with the soldiers fighting on the Frontline, Lu Cheng felt quite fortunate.

"Sis, Wu Zhekun is injured."

"Wu Zhekun? Injured? How serious?"

"Pretty serious—almost hit his heart; he's now unconscious."

Lu Ying fell silent all of a sudden.

"But he's been taken back to Capital City Hospital for treatment, so it should be fine. I need to make a call now to notify his family."

Lu Ying nodded, "We should inform the family; here's a phone, you make the call..."

Lu Cheng, using the handset, reached the performing troupe.

When Senior Sister Su heard the news of Wu Zhekun's injury, she was silent for a moment.

"Got it, Lu Cheng. I'll notify the sister‑in‑law right away; wait for me at the hospital, I'll be there shortly."

"Alright, Senior Sister Su, don't rush; drive slowly."

After hanging up, Lu Ying said, "Lu Cheng, you'll be going to the hospital later, right? Can I go with you?"

Wu Zhekun likes his sister, but Lu Cheng truly doesn't know what his sister feels about Wu Zhekun, and it hasn't been mentioned.

Mainly because his sister endured a tragic marriage in a previous life, this time he, unlike Mom, doesn't constantly urge her to find a husband.

His sister is very strong‑willed, so there's no need to hurry about marriage.

As for now, her concern for Wu Zhekun stems entirely from Ning Ning, the child who survived the earthquake, which inevitably linked the two.

Since Wu Zhekun is now seriously injured, even as friends, a proper visit is appropriate.

They took his sister to the hospital; Wu Zhekun remains in the ICU, not yet out.

They can only sit on the long bench in the hospital corridor and wait.

Senior Sister Su arrived quickly, and Lu Cheng stood up to greet her.

"Senior Sister Su, Lao Wu hasn't emerged yet, but we just asked the doctor; a full-body exam shows his vital signs are stable for now, yet he still needs further treatment to get out of danger."

Senior Sister Su's further worry is useless; Wu Zhekun's life now lies entirely in the doctors' hands.

Sitting on the bench, the two chatted, naturally talking about Frontline battles.

When Lu Cheng mentioned that escort mission that was ambushed by the enemy, Senior Sister Su shook her head.

"I didn't expect you and Xiao Kun could fight the enemy together; you two have quite a fate together."

"I tell you, Senior Sister Su, luckily you taught me a few killing moves back then; otherwise I couldn't have dealt with those two enemy soldiers."

Senior Sister Su glanced and said, "I never taught you to kick someone's crotch."

"Hehe, it's just that I haven't learned many killing techniques; Master feared I'd be reckless and cause a homicide, so he never taught me. I'll have to keep learning from you later."

Senior Sister Su smiled, "Actually, you'd make a good soldier. What do you think? Ever considered enlisting? Several of our senior brothers hold key positions in the troops..."

Lu Cheng understood Senior Sister's implication: if he wanted to enlist, even in peacetime, with these connections his future promotion prospects would certainly be excellent.

"Senior Sister Su, you know me; I'm rather laid‑back and can't adapt to the strict military discipline."

Senior Sister Su involuntarily nodded, "Seems you have good self‑awareness, like you couldn't tolerate those two prisoners."

Lu Cheng looked over and laughed, "Not you, Senior Sister Su—how did you already know? Why are you spreading rumors?"

"Spreading rumors?" Senior Sister Su snorted.

"Back then the incident sparked controversy within the troops; since war hadn't started yet, some thought the action would provoke war and you would be subject to interrogation."

Lu Cheng's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't realized the matter would have such a huge impact.

At that time, Captain Lei directly gave him the appointment certificate for promotion to deputy section, and he still thought the matter would just pass like that.

Upon hearing Senior Sister mention this, he only then realized the matter wasn't that simple.

"Then, why wasn't I interrogated?"

Su Feixue sighed: "The reason you weren't interrogated is because someone intervened to suppress it."

As it turned out, Lu Cheng really didn't know there was this behind-the-scenes aspect.

"Then who intervened? Our Master?"

Su Feixue shook her head slightly: "This minor matter isn't worth our Master's intervention; it was Wu Shixiong who personally negotiated to suppress it, mainly because this matter cannot be conclusively decided."

Upon hearing that there was no problem, Lu Cheng's heart instantly relaxed.

"That definitely can't be conclusively decided; it's not wrong that I untied the rope, but those two prisoners wanting to escape is a fact, so blame them for having the thought to escape."

Even though it was clear Lu Cheng was exploiting a human weakness, Su Feixue found herself unable to refute.

Just then, Wu Zhekun's mother arrived at the hospital.