Chapter 132: The Choice Between Man and Dog

Gu Jianing was being fed porridge by Zhang Shuwan. Her once-cold hands were now gradually warming up inside a hot water bag.

“By the way, Shuwan-jie, how come you’re here? Don’t forget, you’re pregnant too.” In fact, Zhang Shuwan was half a month further along than her, already three months pregnant with twins, so her belly was already showing.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits. I just couldn’t stop worrying about you, and since I had the chance, I came over…”

It was only after Zhang Shuwan explained that Gu Jianing realized everyone had been busy with rescue efforts these past two days, so busy that many hadn’t even had time to eat.

Just this morning, the military district’s family compound had organized the military wives to donate some food, cook porridge together, and prepare some side dishes to bring to the rescue workers. In this freezing weather, a bowl of steaming hot porridge was the best comfort.

“I donated some too, and then just came along with everyone.”

Natural disasters are merciless, but there’s love among people.

Although Zhang Shuwan’s family wasn’t well-off, she still wanted to do her part, so she managed to squeeze out 2 jin of rice to donate.

Of course, she also wanted to check on Gu Jianing. After all, since Gu Jianing had gone to work at the hospital yesterday, she hadn’t come home. When Zhang Shuwan asked around, she found out they had come to the disaster area.

Partly because Sheng Zexi had asked her to, and partly out of concern for the pregnant Gu Jianing, Zhang Shuwan had come as well.

Knowing Zhang Shuwan had come because of her, Gu Jianing felt a warm glow in her heart.

“Shuwan-jie, you have to be careful too. Don’t forget, you’re pregnant,” Gu Jianing reminded her.

“Don’t worry, I know.”

Gu Jianing was truly hungry. She finished a bowl of porridge quickly and felt her body warming up.

“Do you want more?”

“No, that’s enough.”

“Alright.”

She followed Zhang Shuwan out of the tent, gazing out at the scene before her.

Zhang Shuwan sighed, “At least it’s finally stopped raining. I hope things get better soon.”

Gu Jianing stayed silent, silently praying in her heart.

After a few more words of advice, Zhang Shuwan left to help out with the other military wives.

Not long after Zhang Shuwan left, Gu Jianing noticed a sudden commotion up ahead. She frowned—was someone still trapped?

She walked over almost unconsciously.

Sure enough, at the site of a collapsed building, several soldiers were gathered.

From their conversation, Gu Jianing learned that there had been another landslide here not long ago. A military dog named Amber had managed to pull a baby out just in time, but had gotten trapped under the rubble itself.

A huge boulder was pinning it down.

Unfortunately, on the other side of the boulder was a young man.

The current situation was: unless they were strong enough to lift the boulder, both the man and the dog could be saved. Otherwise, they’d have to break the boulder with tools, but because of the angle, once one side was broken, the remaining weight would crush the other side—meaning either the dog or the person would die!

“What are you all hesitating for? Save me! Save me, I’m in so much pain! That’s just a dog! Dad, Dad, you’re the village secretary of Xinghua Village, tell them to save me! I’m your only son!”

“You soldiers are supposed to serve the people! Hurry up and save me, I’m in so much pain!”

The boulder and mud hadn’t completely buried the man and the dog; both their heads were still visible.

The young man kept screaming in pain and shouting.

Gu Jianing’s gaze shifted to the other side, to the military dog called Amber.

It was pinned down too, only its head exposed. Blood was still trickling from its forehead, but it was quiet, head drooping, making no sound. It seemed to have struggled, but couldn’t move. At this moment, it just gazed silently in the direction of its handler, waiting quietly for its fate.

Gu Jianing felt a pang in her heart.

At that moment, an elderly couple holding a baby and a young woman started shouting as well.

“What’s wrong with you people? Aren’t you here to save us? Now my son is trapped and you’re not saving him?”

“Is my son’s life not worth more than a dog’s?”

“If you dare save a dog instead of my son, I’ll report you!”

Amber’s handler, a young soldier, was so angry his eyes were red. He shouted, “Amber has saved so many people since yesterday! Just now, she saved your grandson, and you don’t feel the slightest gratitude?”

“She’s a military dog, that’s her job.”

“Is a dog’s life more important than a human’s?”

“If she dies saving my son, then that’s a glorious death for a dog.”

“You…” The soldier was so angry he couldn’t speak, clenching his fists, almost wanting to rush forward.

“What, you want to hit someone? If you dare, I’ll scream and say you soldiers are beating people!”

“Xiao Duo, don’t be impulsive, calm down.”

Xiao Duo’s eyes were red as he choked out, “Do you even know, Amber is pregnant…”

Amber was pregnant. She shouldn’t have been out on rescue duty, but with so many disaster victims and too few military dogs, Amber had come out to help.

“Since yesterday, Amber has saved so many people, so many…”

Tears streamed down Xiao Duo’s face.

Amber had saved so many people, even while pregnant, risking her life in the rescue. But now, when her own life was in danger, she was the first to be abandoned.

How heartbroken must Amber be?

She didn’t deserve to be treated like this.

Xiao Duo had only worked with Amber for half a year, but already saw her as his comrade. Amber trusted him so much, but now he had to watch helplessly as…

“Xiao Duo, there’s nothing we can do. We have no choice…”

Gu Jianing watched quietly. She already knew what choice they would make.

To most people, if it’s a choice between saving a person or a dog, it seems there’s no need to hesitate.

But, they’re both lives.

Does a dog deserve to be abandoned?

Even if this dog is pregnant and has saved so many people, while the man is clearly not a good person.

Soon, Gu Jianing saw them make their decision.

Xiao Duo stepped forward, stroked Amber’s head, tears streaming down as he seemed to whisper something to her. Gu Jianing saw the last glimmer in Amber’s eyes fade, her head drooping completely.

As Xiao Duo and the others moved to save the young man, the elderly couple and young woman broke into smiles, looking smug, as if they’d expected this outcome all along.

Gu Jianing quickly searched the exchange store for something, and soon found what she needed.

As the boulder was split in two, one half completely crushed Amber, burying even her head from sight.

“Hurry, save me!”

Gu Jianing silently put on a pair of gloves she’d just exchanged for in the store, and swallowed a strength pill."