Chapter 57: Overbearing

“She's injured. She barely managed to make it back here, but now…the military doctor refuses to authorize her medication. Without the medicine, the surgery can’t be done. If we delay any longer, she’ll die!”

Bai Ying had lost her usual carefree demeanor from earlier in the day. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, her expression filled with helplessness.

“Why won’t they approve the medication?” Shen Xing asked instinctively.

But he quickly realized the likely reason: the medicine must be in extremely limited supply.

Naturally, it would be reserved for those deemed more important.

“If that’s the military regulation, then there’s nothing I can do,” he said.

Bai Ying immediately shook her head.

“No! Military regulations aren’t that heartless! The reason it’s come to this is because the officer in charge of military supplies now used to be her fiancé!”

“Used to be?” Shen Xing’s senses sharpened at the crucial detail.

“That’s right. On their wedding day, her fiancé was caught in an affair with the bridesmaid. She found out and, in anger, exposed the scandal, disgracing the man. So now, that bastard is deliberately seeking revenge! He’s using this opportunity to try and kill her!”

Bai Ying spoke through gritted teeth, her hatred palpable—as if she wished she could strike the man down herself.

“So that’s how it is,” Shen Xing nodded, surprised at the melodrama.

“Well? Can you help? I must warn you, that man comes from a well-off family, or he wouldn’t hold such a cushy position as the military supply officer. If you’re not confident, don’t force it—I don’t want you to get dragged into this mess. If Officer Ouyang questions me later, I won’t be able to explain.”

Seeing Shen Xing’s thoughtful expression, Bai Ying assumed he regretted something and immediately offered him a way out.

Though disturbing a commanding officer during training was a serious offense, for a friend, she was willing to take that risk.

“Oh, it’s not about confidence. I just remembered an old TV drama I once watched. Your friend’s story could fill many episodes back then. Enough talk—since this is urgent, let’s go straight there. First things first, we’ll arrange surgery for your friend.”

Bai Ying’s face brightened with hope, her voice trembling with gratitude. “Thank you! Thank you so much, Shen Xing!”

“It’s nothing compared to you coming halfway across the city to save me. Wait here—I’ll grab some essentials just in case.”

Shen Xing winked and hurried back to Ouyang Lin’s room.

Ouyang Lin was still deep in her training, oblivious to the outside world.

Shen Xing picked up her military token from the table.

Nowadays, the military token held less practical authority in troop deployment compared to ancient times.

More than anything, it was symbolic.

Yet, no one dared forge such an item, for the crime of treason was unforgivable.

Ouyang Lin’s token was shaped like an eagle, considered mid to low rank among military tokens.

It signified the command of a regional military officer.

Put simply, it represented the upper limit of troops she could command.

Shen Xing pocketed the token and quickly exited again.

Together, they crossed nearly half the camp and arrived at the hospital entrance.

Guided by Bai Ying, Shen Xing soon found her friend.

She was crammed into a crowded ward with seven or eight other wounded soldiers, the room noisy with chatter.

The others’ injuries were minor, and they were chatting openly with their bedside companions.

But she lay alone by the door, eyes half-open, her face gaunt and exhausted.

The hospital bed was stained with blood.

Her entire face was pale, her eyes vacant, looking upward as if an empty shell.

“Bai Wei, I’m back. How do you feel now?” Bai Ying’s tears flowed uncontrollably at the sight of her friend’s pitiful state.

She rushed over, gently touching Bai Wei’s forehead with concern.

“You seem hotter. Those bastards—why won’t they even give you a blanket?”

Bai Wei’s eyes flickered, glancing at Bai Ying and then at Shen Xing.

“Bai Ying… please… help me. Just give me peace. I don’t want… him to make a joke out of me, or to torture me for his amusement.”

“No! Bai Wei, I can’t! You’re not allowed to die. The surgery will happen soon—I found someone to help you!”

“…Don’t be foolish. It’s useless. Except for Officer Ouyang… he fears no one. He’s determined to kill me. I’ve accepted it. Let him have his satisfaction. I don’t… regret it. I saved more than a dozen children. That’s enough for me. Go ahead, Bai Ying… I’m in so much pain.”

Shen Xing couldn’t bear to listen any longer. He left the ward abruptly, grabbing a nurse and demanding to be taken to the director’s office.

Soft music played inside as the sixty-something-year-old director leisurely ate his Western meal.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang. The director jumped in fright, dropping his forkful of steak onto the floor.

“Director, I didn’t mean to—he forced me…” The nurse cried, but Shen Xing had already released her and she hurried away.

“Who are you?” The director composed himself, calmly wiping his mouth with a napkin, then asked with quiet authority.

“No time to waste. Immediately arrange surgery for Bai Wei in Room 13 on the first floor. Assign your best doctor to perform it and use the best medicine available.”

Shen Xing spoke coldly, not even closing the door behind him.

The director frowned.

“Young man, I’ve heard about that brave girl. But the medicine she needs is simply not here. As you know, supplies are incomplete—this is normal…”

Before he could finish, Shen Xing pulled out a large gun and pressed it against the director’s head.

“Don’t be rash. I could understand your earlier behavior, but what you’re doing now is just killing yourself! This is a military camp! You…”

Bang!

A shot rang out, grazing the director’s ear, shattering half his earlobe and the record player behind him.

The music stopped abruptly. The director was so terrified he wet himself.

“No, no, no! Don’t kill me! I’ll arrange the surgery immediately! Right away!”

Shen Xing grabbed him by the collar, expressionless, and began to lead him out.

Nearby soldiers heard the gunshot and rushed in swiftly.

But seeing Shen Xing holding the director hostage, they dared not act rashly.

The standoff continued all the way to the first floor.

The director, bleeding profusely, hurriedly arranged the surgery for Bai Wei.

Bai Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the news, but when she saw Shen Xing surrounded by soldiers, her fear returned.

She had admired Shen Xing’s speed, but never expected him to go to such extremes.

“How will this end?” Bai Ying cast a worried look at Shen Xing.

He shook his head slightly, signaling her to stay calm.