Xiao Manxue took a long time to come to her senses. "Sister, our family background is not good. How can we go to school? Even if there are spots in the village, they won't be given to us."
"You don't have to worry about this. Just tell me if you'll go if there's a chance."
Xiao Manxue shook her head. "Sister, if you can get this spot, you should go. Your medical skills are so good. If you go out to study further, you'll definitely get a better job in the future."
How could she let her sister keep sacrificing for her? The spot in a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University was what so many people dreamed of.
Xiao Mandong sighed. "I'll be honest with you. I heard that the college entrance examination will be restored sooner or later. If I want to go to school, I can just wait for the college entrance examination to be restored. If you also want to get into college by your own ability, you can do the same. If you want to go to a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University, I can also try to see if I can get this spot. Of course, I'm not 100% sure. I just want to ask for your opinion first."
Xiao Manxue thought her sister was just trying to comfort her by saying that the college entrance examination would be restored. But she also knew that if she didn't go, her sister definitely wouldn't leave her alone to go to school. If she went to school, would her sister be a bit more relaxed?
"Sister, I'll go."
After getting Xiao Manxue's answer, Xiao Mandong went back to the ward and stood in front of Zhou Qichuan. "Zhou Qichuan, I want to meet your troop's leader. Let's talk here."
She didn't know if there was anyone following her outside. If they saw her going to the troop, it might tip off the enemy. It would be safe for the leader to come here under the pretext of visiting Shen Linzhou.
Zhou Qichuan was stunned for a moment and then quickly realized. This matter was really dangerous, and it was reasonable for her to put forward conditions.
"I'll go make a call."
Without hesitation, Zhou Qichuan walked out of the ward, leaving Xiao Mandong and Shen Linzhou alone. They didn't say a word. Xiao Mandong was thinking that if she helped the troops catch Old Kai, would she have to hand over the treasures she had hidden? It seemed that the troops wanted to capture Old Kai alive to get his superiors. If so, when interrogating Old Kai and Sun Wenbin, they would surely mention the treasures, and then she would be in a very passive situation.
If the troops could get a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University spot for Xiao Manxue and promise to specially recruit her into the troop after graduation, she would agree and hand over the treasures. Anyway, she wasn't short of money. If the troops couldn't help arrange a future for Xiao Manxue, she would plead with Director Lin and figure out a way to get rid of Sun Wenbin by herself. Anyway, she had a space and wasn't afraid of Sun Wenbin.
And Shen Linzhou was staring at her intently. Just as he was about to look away, Xiao Mandong looked up and their eyes met. Shen Linzhou's ears instantly turned red. Caught peeping, Shen Linzhou gave a soft cough to ease the embarrassment.
About twenty minutes later, a man in his forties in military uniform and Zhou Qichuan walked into the ward together. "Educated Youth Xiao, this is the division political commissar of our troop, Comrade Zhao Weidong."
"Commissar, this is Comrade Xiao Mandong."
After saying that, Zhou Qichuan walked out sensibly and gently closed the ward door. He was just a company commander, while Shen Linzhou was a deputy regimental commander and the person in charge of this mission.
Xiao Mandong didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"Commissar, I know that cooperating with the troops to capture spies is serving the country and is the responsibility of every citizen. It can even be said to be an honor. But first of all, I'm a sister. If I participate in this mission, it means facing danger and may even implicate my family."
She paused and sorted out what she wanted to say in her mind. "So, before I agree to cooperate, I must first settle my younger sister, Xiao Manxue."
Zhao Weidong looked at this young but extremely calm girl in front of him, and a flash of approval flashed in his eyes. She was brave and responsible.
He nodded slightly, signaling Xiao Mandong to continue.
"I request the troops to give my sister a spot in the medical major of a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University and specially recruit her into the troop hospital after graduation."
As soon as Xiao Mandong said this, the ward fell silent instantly. Even Shen Linzhou didn't expect Xiao Mandong to put forward such a request. She didn't think about herself at all.
After a long time, Zhao Weidong slowly spoke. "Comrade Xiao Mandong, I understand your request."
"Exemption from family background requirements and a spot in the medical major of a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University. I can give you an answer on these two things right now. In principle, I agree." He raised his hand to interrupt Xiao Mandong who was about to speak. "I'll ask the Political Department to contact the local education bureau and the commune tomorrow. Within three days, I'll send you Xiao Manxue's recommendation form and the political review opinion letter. As long as I sign, this matter will definitely be settled."
Xiao Mandong was a little excited, and her fingers couldn't help scratching the corner of her clothes. She had really changed her sister's fate.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Weidong changed the subject. "As for the second thing you mentioned, specially recruiting her into the troop hospital after graduation to solve the establishment and household registration problems, I can't make a decision on the spot."
Seeing the disappointment on Xiao Mandong's face, he added. "It's not that I won't promise. This matter involves too many things. The establishment of the troop hospital can't be approved casually by me, a political commissar. Moving the household registration into the troop compound also has to go through the process of the Military Region Political Department. Moreover, Xiao Manxue must perform well at school, have good academic results in her major, and have a correct political stance before it's possible."
If Xiao Manxue couldn't be specially recruited into the troop, Xiao Mandong would rather let her wait for the restoration of the college entrance examination because she knew that the diploma from a Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University would lose its value in the future.
"But," he paused, "I can give you a written guarantee. I'll sign it in my capacity as the division political commissar, promising that as long as Xiao Manxue meets the conditions I just mentioned, the troop hospital will give her priority in special recruitment. I'll personally coordinate the process of the military region to solve all her problems."
He stood up, looked at Xiao Mandong, and said sincerely. "This guarantee will be sent to you together with the recommendation form."
Xiao Mandong really admired this division political commissar. He was really good at understanding people's minds.
"Division Political Commissar, I'll also give the troops a big gift. Sun Wenbin has hidden some national treasures. I know where they are. I'll return them all to the country after this matter is settled."
Zhao Weidong looked at Xiao Mandong and couldn't help laughing. "You're really a smart one, knowing how to bargain."
"Sun Wenbin hiding national treasures privately. Your initiative in providing this clue adds an extra layer of guarantee for your sister."
"Thank you, Division Political Commissar. Don't worry. I'll definitely cooperate actively with the troops to complete the mission as soon as possible."
"Well, I have other things to do, so I'll leave first. Deputy Commander Shen, you can discuss the following plan with Comrade Xiao Mandong. After all, you still need to cooperate closely to complete the mission better."
Hearing what the division political commissar said, Shen Linzhou's face turned red instantly. He really felt embarrassed to speak. He didn't know who came up with this plan. It was really embarrassing for him.
