Chapter 93: Four Principles

Seeing this first-time-meet Aunt Ding ask about his daughter, Li Xuewu was utterly stunned.

How did she know his daughter was adopted? And that she was adopted during this mission?

Li Xuewu hesitated a moment—he told Secretary Yang and Dong Wenhua about the child because it was organizational procedure, told his family because it was a familial duty, and told Lao Biao and the others because he needed brotherly help.

Here, speaking to a stranger, Li Xuewu was reluctant to revisit this complicated chapter.

Seeing Li Xuewu fall silent, the Gu family all turned to him, especially Gu Ning, frowning with a thoughtful gaze.

“Tell us,” Dong Wenhua said, seeing his student unwilling to elaborate. “Aunt Ding isn’t a stranger.”

Li Xuewu nodded and said: “Actually, there’s nothing to hide—it’s just a story of helplessness and luck...”

Li Xuewu recounted the entire affair once more, leaving the Gu family in silence.

Editor Ding broke the silence first, glancing at her daughter Gu Ning, then asked Li Xuewu: “Don’t you regret it? After all, you’re only nineteen—don’t you think about your future marriage?”

Li Xuewu met Editor Ding’s and the Gu family’s gazes with resolute expression: “Before my demobilization, I was a soldier; the nation needed me, and for my country’s future, I was willing to sacrifice. After demobilization, I’m still a soldier—the people need me, and I’m still willing to sacrifice for my nation’s ‘future.’”

“When the nation and the people need it, others may hesitate or regret—but soldiers cannot.”

General Gu tapped the wooden armrest of the sofa with his hand, producing a steady “tap-tap,” and said with unshakable authority: “No more questions about Li Xuewu’s child. It involves matters at the highest levels. Also, a soldier’s character is beyond question.”

He then turned to Li Xuewu, who looked confused, and added: “Take good care of the child. Don’t carry any burden—it’s your daughter. Kindness always brings good returns. No one will dare speak ill of your child.” With that, he fell silent.

Seeing her husband’s words settled the matter, Editor Ding glanced at her daughter’s expression and dropped the subject of the child, shifting to family matters.

“What do your parents and brothers do for work?”

Li Xuewu glanced at Dong Wenhua—he already suspected the teacher had informed this senior officer of his background, and that this officer had investigated him and the child, clearly uncovering something beyond his own clearance level.

But General Gu refused to elaborate, so Li Xuewu dared not press further. Besides, he knew one truth: the more you know, the faster you die.

He clenched his hands on his knees and replied: “My father is a physician at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. My mother manages the household, caring for my grandmother and maternal grandfather. My eldest brother and sister-in-law are university instructors. My younger siblings are still in school.”

Upon hearing this, General Gu merely nodded noncommittally and lifted his teacup to sip.

Editor Ding, however, looked delighted and asked: “So you’re from an intellectual family—what’s your educational level?”

Li Xuewu replied frankly: “I finished high school, then enlisted under my father’s arrangement. He said among three sons, two should be nurtured by the state to become talents—one inheriting his medical skills—so one must dedicate himself to the nation.”

“My eldest brother received state subsidies for university. My youngest brother received state subsidies for medical school and inherited Father’s medical skills. Only I was neither high enough nor low enough—so I followed Father’s advice and enlisted.”

This was a slight embellishment of Li Xuewu’s history. While true, Li Shun had originally chosen this path out of necessity.

But to those listening, it carried a different meaning.

At this point, Dong Wenhua interjected: “Li Xuewu’s records show excellent grades—he could have easily entered university. Even after enlisting, he never stopped studying. He’s even published articles in Aunt Ding’s military newspaper. Our Han Shu also highly regards Li Xuewu’s cultural level.”

Editor Ding sighed regretfully: “What a pity. Someone who can write for the military newspaper clearly has solid cultural grounding. If he’d continued studying, he could’ve had an even brighter future.”

General Gu cleared his throat softly and said: “I think it’s fine. Your father is a doctor with deep patriotism—worthy of respect. The military needs soldiers with culture and ability. A cultured person can achieve greatness anywhere.”

Editor Ding replied discontentedly: "You just want all the best talent to go into the military."

She then turned to Li Xuewu: “What about the scar on your face?”

Li Xuewu touched the scar on his face, hesitated, then answered: “During a mission, I was thrown by a shell blast. When rushing to save a comrade, my face struck shrapnel and was torn open—from zygoma to jaw...”

He looked at Gu Ning, who turned her head slightly away, and added slowly: “Because the frontline hospital’s conditions were chaotic, the doctor rinsed the wound with saline, disinfected it with cotton swabs, and stitched it up. Even though I was anesthetized, I probably struggled violently—the sutures were uneven, so the scar looks terrible. And the doctor who stitched me up? It was Doctor Gu.”

General Gu, Editor Ding, and the others were all startled, turning to look at their daughter. Editor Ding then said: “So you two have this connection? No wonder.”

Dong Wenhua also exclaimed: “I heard you mention this before, and I knew Xiao Ning went south—but I never imagined you two had this bond.”

Li Xuewu recalled his arrival in this world and muttered inwardly: If this counts as fate, it’s more like a curse.

After leaving the frontline, he felt like he was spinning in a centrifuge, as if flying.

Sent to the field hospital, his head throbbed like a spoiled egg—excruciating pain. During the doctor’s examination, his body reacted uncontrollably with shock.

Li Xuewu couldn’t recall what he’d done to Gu Ning. He only remembered the intense pain on his face, and his comrades who came to visit stammered awkwardly.

He remained unconscious for over half a month at the rear hospital. When he finally woke, staring at the massive scar on his face, even he felt nauseated.

By chance, they met again at the rear hospital. Li Xuewu, self-conscious about his scar, said little. Gu Ning, cold by nature, grew increasingly distant.

Later, due to certain reasons, Gu Ning and the military doctor who administered the anesthetic were both disciplined—this was why their relationship remained strained.

General Gu nodded and said to Li Xuewu: “The soldier’s song should sing of the great saber’s ring, vowing to crush the barbarians and leave the Jade Pass. One knows only to die for the nation on the battlefield—why should one’s body be wrapped in horsehide to return?”

“I crawled out of piles of corpses myself. Don’t carry burdens. I truly admire you. Giving up the pen for the sword takes great courage. Your record proves you’re a passionate young man.”

General Gu glanced between Li Xuewu and Gu Ning and added: “You’re both fine people. Compared to the fleeting heartbeats of peacetime, I believe revolutionary love is far more romantic.”

This statement left Li Xuewu stunned. The first few sentences were normal—but what did the last one mean?

Seeing Li Xuewu bewildered, General Gu said: “We’re all soldiers. I prefer directness. Xiao Dong already reported your file to me. My daughter saw your photo and chose to meet you. You have this connection—I think you two should try getting to know each other.”

Though he’d guessed something, it still came as a shock.

Li Xuewu opened his mouth to speak—but before he could, General Gu tapped the sofa armrest again.

He looked at Li Xuewu and said: “I have four principles for choosing a son-in-law. First: he must be a soldier. I trust a soldier’s character won’t fail.”

“Second: follow the order of ‘virtue, talent, physique, appearance.’ Your virtue has been tested by the military. Your talent is what Aunt Ding demands. If Han Shu approves you, you’re certainly qualified.”

“Your physique? No need to mention—it’s broad-shouldered and muscular. Even a shell couldn’t kill you. As for appearance—I don’t just say you’re qualified; I say you’re excellent. Very excellent. Others’ opinions don’t count—mine does!”