Political Commissar Liao's jeep jolted along the dirt road.
Shen Nanchu sat in the back seat, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the fabric of her clothes.
"Nanchu, don't you worry. That boy Zhengnian has nine lives."
Pei's Mother sat beside her, clutching a blue cloth handkerchief so tightly her knuckles were white.
Her voice trembled, her eyes rimmed red.
She hadn't slept a wink since hearing Pei Zhengnian was in the hospital.
"My eldest is already gone... Heaven can't take my second son too..."
Shen Nanchu reached out and gently covered her mother-in-law's rough hand with her own.
"Mom, Zhengnian is a soldier. He's been through situations a hundred times more dangerous than this. He'll be fine."
Even as she said the words, Shen Nanchu's own heart felt clenched tight.
Political Commissar Liao sat in the passenger seat, glancing at them in the rearview mirror from time to time, sighing inwardly.
Pei Zhengnian was a key officer in the military district. He'd performed brilliantly in the recent military exercise. Who could have guessed he'd be attacked right after arriving at the hospital? He was still in surgery.
"Little Deng, step on it."
Political Commissar Liao urged the guard to speed up, then turned to comfort Pei's Mother and Shen Nanchu.
"Don't worry. I've already made arrangements with the train station. The tickets are ready. We can board as soon as we arrive."
"As for Zhengnian, the hospital doctors are on it. He'll be alright."
By the time they reached the train station, dusk had stained the platform red.
Political Commissar Liao's guard sprinted ahead with the luggage, while Shen Nanchu supported Pei's Mother close behind. The staff at the ticket checkpoint, already notified, waved them straight through.
A green-skinned train sat on the platform, puffing white steam. The conductor at the carriage door was busy checking tickets. Seeing them approach, he warmly reached out to help.
"You must be Family of Regimental Commander Pei? Please, board quickly."
As Shen Nanchu and Pei's Mother got on the train and were looking for their seats, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"Well, if it isn't Sister Shen!"
Shen Nanchu looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see it was Aunt Ma, whom she had met on a train journey before.
Dressed in a blue train attendant's uniform, Aunt Ma smiled warmly at them.
"What a coincidence! Where are you headed?"
"Aunt Ma!"
Surprise flashed in Shen Nanchu's eyes.
"We're going to the capital. My husband is in the military district hospital. We're rushing to care for him."
Hearing this, Aunt Ma immediately pulled them into the corner by the carriage connection, lowering her voice with concern.
"Your belly's showing now, isn't it? Must be a few months along? How can you risk a long train journey like this? The hard sleeper conditions are rough. Will you be okay?"
She looked Shen Nanchu up and down, her eyes full of worry.
"There's no other choice. It's an emergency."
Shen Nanchu gave a bitter smile.
"Getting hard sleeper tickets was hard enough. It's just... my ticket and my mother-in-law's aren't together. It'll be inconvenient to look after her."
She had thought about asking Aunt Ma to help switch seats so she could be closer to Pei's Mother, not daring to hope for much more.
But Aunt Ma patted her chest.
"Sister, your luck's in! A work unit booked two soft sleeper tickets, but their people missed the train. The berths are still empty. I can switch you to soft sleeper. You just need to pay the price difference. It's much more comfortable lying down, and easier to care for your mother-in-law."
Shen Nanchu was both shocked and delighted, her eyes instantly brightening.
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Aunt Ma! We'll pay the difference, whatever it is!"
A soft sleeper would indeed be much more comfortable and might help Pei's Mother relax a little.
"Don't mention it! Your man is a hero defending our country. It's only right we look after his family."
Aunt Ma, efficient as ever, immediately took them to the train chief's office to sort out the paperwork.
The soft sleeper carriage was indeed much quieter, with clean white sheets on the beds and a small curtain for each berth.
After helping Pei's Mother settle her luggage and lie down, Shen Nanchu immediately started messaging the system.
"System, how is Pei Zhengnian now?"
"Host, Pei Zhengnian's vital signs are temporarily stable. The toxin in his body has not been identified. Doctors are currently analyzing it."
The system's words made Shen Nanchu's heart sink.
She continued asking the system: "Can he hold on until I get there?"
"He can," the system replied swiftly.
That was enough.
Shen Nanchu felt a wave of relief.
"Search for an antidote."
"Host, considering the male lead's current weakened state, you'll need to exchange for a restorative agent as well."
The system's voice sounded a little hesitant.
"Exchange for both!" Shen Nanchu didn't hesitate.
"Exchangeable items: Polyvalent Antivenom Serum and Physical Restorative Agent. Requires consumption of 3000 points of Dislike Value."
The system quickly reported the query result.
"Exchange!"
Shen Nanchu didn't hesitate for a second.
The Dislike Value was something she'd accumulated from putting people in their place. If not now, then when?
If it could ensure Pei Zhengnian's safety, she'd willingly spend 30,000 points, let alone 3,000.
After all, if the workhorse died, there'd be no more grain to eat.
"Host, exchange successful. Items have been stored in the system space and can be retrieved at any time."
Shen Nanchu nodded.
After resting for barely a few seconds, Shen Nanchu opened her eyes again.
"System, can you investigate who's behind this?"
The system was silent for a moment.
"Host, it is possible to query information on the mastermind behind the scenes. However, it requires consumption of 5000 points of Dislike Value."
5000 points?
Shen Nanchu was stunned.
The serum and restorative agent only cost 3000 points. Investigating a mastermind cost that much more?
She instinctively touched her belly.
Pei Zhengnian getting injured during the exercise, then attacked at the hospital... this was no accident. Someone was definitely pulling strings behind the scenes.
"Investigate!"
Shen Nanchu gritted her teeth, suppressing the pang in her heart.
"I want to know who's behind this."
She hated this feeling of passive waiting. She absolutely would not allow someone who had hurt those close to her to remain free and unharmed.
Whoever was scheming in the shadows, once she reached the capital, she would make them pay.
The system seemed surprised by its usually frugal host's decisiveness. After a moment of silence, it responded.
"Query initiated. Estimated completion time: 2 hours. Please wait patiently, Host."
...
In a private room at the Capital Military District Hospital.
Pei Zhengnian lay on the hospital bed, his face as pale as paper, his lips an unnatural bluish-purple.
Several doctors in white coats stood around the bed, holding lab reports and arguing intensely, their brows deeply furrowed.
"Analysis of the wound sample suggests a snake venom, but the specific type of snake toxin cannot yet be determined."
An older professor adjusted his glasses, his tone grave.
"Different snake venoms require different antivenom serums. Blindly using a polyvalent serum may be ineffective and could have side effects."
"But if we delay any longer, the toxin will damage his nerves and internal organs!"
A younger doctor stamped his foot in frustration.
Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin, standing guard by the bed, hung their heads, faces full of guilt.
Xiong Lei's eyes were bloodshot.
"It's all my fault. If I'd been more vigilant, that fake nurse would never have gotten near the Regimental Commander..."
"Any news on who sent her? Anything from the security department?"
Sun Xuelin clenched his fists, his knuckles white.
"They're still interrogating her, but that woman's tough. She won't say a word."
Xiong Lei's voice was hoarse.
"If anything happens to the Regimental Commander... I'll never forgive myself!"
