Chapter 9 — Return to Xiangnan Military Region

Tong Dinh Nien choked on his words, then laughed coldly: "Do you think Chu Tri Luat really likes you? People only respect you because you saved their father! You're just a country girl, what can you compare to the young ladies of high-ranking mandarins?" "Be obedient and go back to your hometown, I can still introduce you to a decent person. But if you're played and then dumped, it's not worth it." Mai Tu Khanh looked at him, looking so angry that he had lost his reason, and couldn't help but sarcasm: "What, are you afraid? Afraid that Chu Tri Luat really pays attention to me?" In Tong Dinh Nien's eyes, guilt flashed. He snorted coldly: "Fantasy dreams!" When she returned, Mai Tu Khanh became quiet again. No matter what Chu Tri Luat said, she just smiled and replied blandly. Even though she didn't want to admit it, Tong Dinh Nien's words were like a bucket of cold water pouring straight onto her head. The meal ended, everyone returned to the barracks with a heavy heart. Chu Tri Luat drove the jeep to take her downstairs to the dormitory. She politely said goodbye, sighing sadly in her heart - perhaps after this, they would never see each other again. Just as she turned around to walk up the stairs, Chu Tri Luat suddenly leaned against the car door and asked, "Did my father say he wanted to introduce me to you?" Mai Tu Khanh's heart suddenly jumped. She didn't understand why he was asking this now. She lowered her eyes and replied softly: "The leader didn't say anything, perhaps Captain Chu misunderstood." At that time, she said that to Tong Dinh Nien just to save face, not wanting to lose. She never intended to climb high. Even though she said she would start a new life, her traumatic past still left her with a feeling of inferiority. Chu Tri Luat pondered for a moment: "Is it a misunderstanding?" Mai Tu Khanh was about to open her mouth to say something, when she saw the stern, handsome face opposite her with a slight smile. "It's okay - then let me introduce myself." Mai Tu Khanh raised his head to look. While bewildered, she saw Chu Tri Luat raise his hand in front of her and frankly say: "Comrade Mai Tu Khanh, I have feelings for you. I want to pursue you with the goal of getting married!" Mai Tu Khanh's face turned red, spreading down to her neck. "Are you crazy? We just met for the first time!" Chu Tri Luat laughed because she teased him: "Meet the right person, just once is enough. If you meet the wrong person, being together for a lifetime is useless." Those words made Mai Tu Khanh suddenly remember her past life. She wasted her whole life, blindly waiting for one after another of lies from an unworthy person. Maybe... she should be more brave, look forward... But at that moment, she immediately put that thought aside. How can she be sure that this man is different from Tong Dinh Nien? Being resurrected once is already a miracle. She didn't dare to bet. Chu Tri Luat saw that she was silent, afraid that he had scared her, so he softened his voice: "If you think it's too fast, I can slowly pursue..." "No need." Mai Tu Khanh interrupted, deliberately saying, "If you really want to marry me, then submit your marriage application to your superiors tomorrow." Chu Tri Luat looked at her intently for a moment, then smiled. Without any hesitation, he nodded: "Okay." This time, it was Mai Tu Khanh's turn to stand frozen in place... The next morning. As the fading morning light spread across the sky. Chu Tri Luat walked out of the Party Committee office, and as soon as he looked, he saw Mai Tu Khanh standing under the bamboo tree in the front yard. He immediately walked over quickly, his eyes bright, with a smile: "The marriage application has been submitted." Mai Tu Khanh calmly nodded: "The application still needs time. If you change your mind, you can tell me at any time." Chu Tri Luat was serious: "Whoever regrets it is a bastard, lonely all his life!" Mai Tu Khanh wanted to laugh, but she held back. Her mind was still vague, she could only act on instinct: "So... I'll go to work first." Chu Tri Luat gently corrected

her collar was slightly askew: "After work, follow me home for dinner. My father is waiting." Mai Tu Khanh replied softly: "Yes." After speaking, she turned around and walked towards the medical station of the military region. Chu Tri Luat is not like Tong Dinh Nien. She needs to tear out the rotten wound in her heart herself, so that a new person can step in. She looked toward the distant sunlight, squinted her eyes, and took a deep breath. Behind her, Chu Tri Luat looked at her frantic limbs, laughed, shook his head: "I thought you weren't really nervous." Then he sighed, his hand on his chest: "Don't jump anymore... I'm about to not be able to breathe..." Half an hour later. Mai Tu Khanh hurriedly returned to the medical station. As soon as I entered the door, tension immediately filled the air. In the examination room, two nurses were bowing their heads and arranging the medicine cabinet. Hearing footsteps, they glanced at each other, a disdainful smile forming on the corners of their lips. The short-haired nurse named Vuong Le deliberately prolonged her voice: "Oh my, Dr. Mai came so early. As expected of the person who saved the leader, he is truly more diligent!"Mai Tu Khanh paused for a moment, a strange feeling rising in her heart. But she still quietly walked to the examination table, sat down, adjusted her things to prepare for the examination. The morning at work did not go very well. One soldier was injured in the knee. Just as Mai Tu Khanh was about to disinfect, Vuong Le immediately grabbed the bottle of iodine alcohol: "Doctor Mai, let me do these heavy tasks. Your hands are precious, don't get dirty." Nurse Truong Thuy also intervened and said to the patient: "This doctor is only a temporary military doctor. If you are seriously ill, it's best to go to the military hospital." Mai Tu Khanh clenched the cotton stick in her hand, her nails almost digging into her palm.