Read Novel Full Chapter 546: Father, I’m Sorry
Chapter 546: Father, I’m Sorry
Jiang Ning was slightly surprised. She didn’t expect that she would consider things so thoroughly.
Having seen through her, Shu Xueqing said awkwardly, “The army isn’t as complicated as the outside world, but your father’s position is special, and a single move could affect everything. I was anxious and unsure of what to do at that time, so I tried to get Doudou to help take your father to the hospital, and I just happened to run into your friend. He mentioned it, and that’s how it was secretly kept from everyone. We told others that your father just had a cold.”
Different perspectives lead to seeing different things.
The friend she mentioned was probably Rong Sanshao.
The military is a closed society. Even though there are strict rules, as long as there are people involved, there will always be interests and conflicts.
The southern military was established and led by Gu Tinglin. From the start, he was appointed as the top leader, and the team was selected and trained by him. With him in charge, even those with ambitious thoughts had to suppress them and serve the common goal and interests.
But what if he were to fall?
Who wouldn’t want to rise to a higher position?
Would the third-in-command submit to the second, or would the second tolerate the third’s arrogance?
If people are not ruthless, their position will be unstable.
If Jiang Ning hadn’t shown up and Gu Tinglin had died, Shu Xueqing, as the widow of the commanding officer, would have likely been treated well.
But now, Gu Tinglin had a daughter and a son-in-law, and they brought a large amount of supplies. Even if Jiang Ning didn’t have any ambitions, wouldn’t they still have some thoughts?
From how Shu Xueqing had waited for Gu Tinglin for twenty years, it was clear that she valued emotions above all else.
Her world was simple, revolving around her work and Gu Tinglin. She hadn’t deeply felt the complexities and ruthlessness of human nature in the face of disasters or the end of the world.
She wasn’t wrong, but once Gu Tinglin was admitted to the hospital, the truth would inevitably come to light.
Once they started having the wrong thoughts, they would be hard to suppress.
Even if Jiang Ning rushed back in time to pull Gu Tinglin back from the brink of death, the team would have already changed.
This wouldn’t be good for Jiang Ning’s god-making plan or for Gu Tinglin’s future leadership.
Jiang Ning sighed. The second-generation rich kid had been reliable at a critical moment.
“Alright, once all of this is over, I’ll treat him to a meal as a thank-you.”
After Shu Xueqing left, Jiang Ning went into the room to give Gu Tinglin an IV, perform acupressure, and acupuncture.
After finishing everything, half a day had passed.
Shu Xueqing returned at noon to check on Gu Tinglin. Seeing that his condition had stabilized, she quickly returned to the hospital to continue her work.
In the afternoon, someone really did come to visit.
It wasn’t the second-in-command of the base but Secretary He.
A few days ago, he had accompanied Gu Tinglin on an inspection. After getting caught in the rain, he had fallen ill as well.
He had a fever, was throwing up, and felt sore all over, but since he was younger and healthier, he managed to get through it.
Still weak and pale from his illness, Secretary He had struggled to get out of bed and come over. “Comrade Jiang, how is the chief’s condition?”
Jiang Ning invited him into the room. “His condition is stable now, but he still needs further treatment.”
As Gu Tinglin’s secretary, there was nothing to hide. Hesitating would only cause suspicion, so she straightforwardly let him in to take a look.
“When will the chief wake up?”
Pneumonia was unpredictable, and Jiang Ning wasn’t completely sure. But she couldn’t show uncertainty at a critical moment. Pretending to be calm, she said, “He could wake up at any time.”
She then asked with concern, “I heard Secretary He is also ill. How are you now?”
Secretary He covered his mouth and coughed, breathing quickly as he said, “I’m feeling much better.”
Jiang Ning smiled warmly. “If you don’t mind, I can treat you.”
Secretary He was more than happy. After all, the medicine Jiang Ning had prepared for the chief’s health over the past two years seemed to be working very well.
Jiang Ning carefully examined and treated him. “You’ve just recovered from a serious illness, and your body is weak, so it needs nourishment and adjustment.”
She went to the other room and grabbed three doses of herbs to help with recovery, along with two cans of fruit.
Secretary He was startled. These were luxury goods, and he didn’t dare accept them.
“Take them.” Jiang Ning insisted on handing them over. “Your health is the foundation of everything. You’ve worked hard these years, and once you’re well, you’ll be able to work even better. Take the medicine and come back after you finish it, and we’ll adjust the treatment.”
As the secretary to the leader, his position was incredibly important. There must be something special about him to have stayed by Gu Tinglin’s side for so long.
She can’t really just treat him as a secretary; she needs to balance kindness and authority.
Secretary He had no choice but to accept the gift and politely said, “The leaders are concerned about the chief’s health and wanted to visit. Since he needs to rest, I will inform them.”
Jiang Ning was very pleased. “Thank you, and sorry for the trouble.”
After Secretary He left, he looked down at the things in his hands, feeling both amused and relieved for the chief at the same time.
He’d been waiting for this day to come.
In the evening, Shu Xueqing didn’t return until it was dark, and Doudou had already prepared dinner.
She felt guilty for not being able to help with anything.
Jiang Ning calmly said, “Aunt Shu, we’re family. There’s no need to be so distant.”
Shu Xueqing was surprised for a moment. It seemed that Jiang Ning had changed a lot this time when she came back. She was no longer as cold and distant as before.
It probably had something to do with Old Gu’s illness.
Life was unpredictable. Hopefully, there would still be chances.
At dinner, Shu Xueqing mentioned the situation at the hospital. “There was something wrong with the rain a few days ago, and many people at the base got sick.”
Jiang Ning followed up with a question. “Is there a way to treat it?”
“Drink plenty of boiled water, acupuncture or massage, and only use medication if the condition is serious.”
The herbs were still exchanged with Jiang Ning.
The hospital’s harvested herbs weren’t doing very well, but they had still used what they could.
They weren’t very complete, but hopefully, they would be effective.
Jiang Ning didn’t know what else to say. “I hope everyone can get through it.”
That night, Huo Yishen stayed up to keep watch.
Jiang Ning patted his waist. “Thank you for all your hard work these past few days.”
Huo Yishen hugged her. “It’s only right to take care of my father-in-law. The situation is getting better, and everything will be fine. Don’t worry too much, or you might end up exhausting yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
Jiang Ning returned to her room, but she couldn’t sleep, no matter how much she tossed and turned.
Huo Yishen didn’t wake her up and stayed awake the entire night.
After breakfast, once Shu Xueqing left, Jiang Ning continued giving steroids to Gu Tinglin, then went into the space to do a CT scan to check his lung condition.
From the latest scan, the white areas in his lungs had significantly reduced.
The medicine was working.
Jiang Ning couldn’t hide her excitement and took several deep breaths.
She walked into the inner room, intending to take Gu Tinglin away, but found that he was slowly opening his eyes.
Their gazes met, and they stared at each other for a long time.
After a while, Gu Tinglin sat up from the machine, reached out to wipe Jiang Ning’s face, and in a hoarse voice, said, “Don’t worry. I’m still here.”
Jiang Ning only then realized that her face was wet with tears.
She lost control and tightly hugged him, her throat aching with emotion.
She was so afraid this was just a dream.
She had been dreaming these past two days—dreams where the monitor displayed four straight lines, the machine’s sharp sound like a knife.
When she woke up, her heart ached terribly.
“Father, I’m sorry.”