Chapter 144: Chapter 144: The Old Commander and Xu Huai’an’s Past

“I saw you two coming out of the Revolutionary Committee this morning—was something going on?” Tang Zhenye, a former reconnaissance soldier, had a keen eye for detail.

He hadn’t missed the dejected look on their faces as they left the building earlier. In times like these, anything involving the Revolutionary Committee was rarely good news, so he couldn’t help but ask.

Gu Qinghuan glanced at Xu Huai’an, uncertain whether she should say anything, since it wasn’t exactly a pleasant matter.

Xu Huai’an didn’t shy away. Lowering his voice, he briefly explained the situation with Zhong Luoning, making it clear he was on Zhong Luoning’s side.

Tang Zhenye fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. He was never one to follow the crowd or take things at face value—not even from Xu Huai’an. After all, without investigation, there’s no right to speak.

Just then, the food arrived, and Gu Qinghuan quickly urged everyone to eat. The topic was dropped and didn’t come up again.

During the meal, aside from some small talk, the old commander asked about Xu Huai’an’s recovery.

It was only today that he learned one of his old comrades’ sons had developed a similar mental illness after the war—within just six months, the young man had become a shadow of his former self, needing to be restrained at home to avoid hurting others or himself. Sometimes, he didn’t even recognize his own family.

From what he knew, Xu Huai’an’s illness had lasted even longer, yet he seemed no different from a healthy person.

So, the old commander specifically asked about Xu Huai’an’s treatment, hoping to help his old comrade and that poor child.

Cases like this had already begun to appear in the military, though they were still rare and couldn’t be generalized. Most soldiers who developed mental health issues were forced to retire, though the army would provide some financial support. What happened to them after that, no one really knew.

Xu Huai’an was the only one he knew of who had actively cooperated with treatment and shown significant improvement.

Xu Huai’an shared the entire course of his illness with the old commander. As someone who had suffered the same fate, he hoped his experience might help others.

His rapid recovery was thanks to both Gu Qinghuan’s spring water and medicine, as well as her attentive care and the warmth of family. But of course, they couldn’t tell the old commander the whole truth—people are selfish by nature, and Gu Qinghuan couldn’t risk everything on the goodness of others. What if she gave someone the medicine or the spring water, and the secret was discovered? What if she was taken away for research?

When the old commander heard that Xu Huai’an had once spent an entire year tied to his bed, unable to care for himself and nearly giving up on life, his eyes immediately reddened, tears welling up in his cloudy gaze.

“Huai’an, you’ve suffered. I’m sorry—I didn’t know what you were going through.”

Xu Huai’an spoke lightly of his ordeal, but the reality was far more painful than he let on. He’d never been one to complain, so he only gave a brief account of his experience, focusing instead on Gu Qinghuan’s role in his recovery.

“Commander, you have so many responsibilities. My troubles are nothing,” he said. Time had healed those agonizing days and nights—now, he only remembered the happiness.

For the first time, the old commander looked at Gu Qinghuan with real attention. He stood up and gave her a formal military salute.

“What are you doing? Please, you don’t have to!” Gu Qinghuan was so startled she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet. She thought about returning the salute, but was afraid she’d just make a fool of herself, so she stood there awkwardly.

Thankfully, it only lasted a moment.

“Comrade Gu,” the old commander said, “as Huai’an’s former superior, I want to sincerely thank you. Thank you for choosing him and caring for him when he needed it most. You’ve worked so hard. Even though Huai’an only mentioned a little, it’s not hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for you to choose him, to hold your little family together and take care of him under such circumstances. Chairman Mao said, ‘Women hold up half the sky.’ Young comrade, you’ve truly shown me the strength and greatness of women.”

Beside them, the driver, Xiao Liu, quietly wiped away a tear.

No wonder he was a leader—just a few words, and even Gu Qinghuan was moved by her own story.

It was all a twist of fate. If the original Gu Qinghuan hadn’t sold herself to the Xu family for a hundred yuan, she wouldn’t have ended up with such a mess on her hands. But thankfully, everything had turned out well in the end.

“Commander, you flatter me. We’re just one of countless families of retired soldiers—nothing special. I’ve admired soldiers since I was a child. When I learned about Huai’an’s situation, I was willing to marry him and take care of him without hesitation. From the day I married him, I told myself: he earned his medals at the cost of his health, and I will protect them for him. Doing something for him doesn’t feel like a hardship.” Out in the world, you define yourself—Gu Qinghuan said this without a hint of embarrassment.

Her words filled Tang Zhenye and Xiao Liu with even more respect. This young woman had real spirit! If every military wife were like her, the home front would be rock solid.

Xu Huai’an looked at Gu Qinghuan, radiant as ever, and felt a warm glow in his heart. She was his light. From the day she appeared, his world had become bright and full of hope.

The group ate and chatted, the atmosphere growing warmer by the minute. Gu Qinghuan, who had been reserved at first, relaxed and joined in, especially emphasizing her approach to psychological therapy, hoping to offer hope to others.

Her so-called therapy was really about companionship, attentive care, understanding, and respect for the patient. Without medication, the support and presence of family became all the more important.

The old commander listened and found it all very reasonable. Learning that Xu Huai’an was now receiving treatment at a Beijing hospital, he decided to recommend the same psychologist to his old comrade, hoping it would help.

After the meal, Xu Huai’an went to pay the bill, only to be told the old commander had already settled it.

“I said I’d treat today, so don’t argue. Huai’an, seeing you doing well now puts my mind at ease. If you really recover, I hope you’ll consider coming back. I’ve always believed you’re a born soldier. No matter how long it takes, as long as I, Tang Zhenye, am here, there will always be a place for you. That promise stands forever.”

Xu Huai’an’s eyes reddened with emotion. Real men don’t cry easily—unless their hearts are truly moved.

The old commander had recognized his talent and bent the rules for him more than once. Xu Huai’an would never forget that kindness as long as he lived.

The two men ended their farewell with a military salute.

Xu Huai’an and Gu Qinghuan didn’t take a car home—they walked. The night air was tinged with a faint sense of intoxication.

“The old commander is one of the few people who ever showed me warmth,” Xu Huai’an said softly. “I joined the army young, and I was stubborn and headstrong. Once, during a big military competition, I almost got into a fight with a superior and ruined my future. The old commander happened to show up and resolved the conflict with just a few words. Later, he saw potential in me and even found me a mentor. He helped me a lot…” His voice was gentle, and Gu Qinghuan was so drawn into his story that she didn’t even notice when they started holding hands.

When she finally realized and tried to let go, Xu Huai’an only held on tighter.

Maybe it was the softness of the night, or maybe it was knowing each other’s stories and not wanting to push him away. In any case, Gu Qinghuan didn’t pull her hand back, and the two of them walked home, hand in hand."