Chapter 12 — The Poor and Honored Soldier

“Chief, how to handle it?”
I think.
"Transfer the investigation results to the disciplinary inspection agency and the network information agency. Whatever process needs to be followed, just follow that process. There is no need for me to appear."
“Clear.”
“Also——”
I stopped for a moment.
"Tell the people from the disciplinary inspection agency, I won't prosecute. But if there's a next time——next time I won't talk like this again."
Chu Dinh was startled and stood at attention: "Understood!" I waved my hand for him to go out. After the door closed, I looked at the ceiling and remembered a sentence. Trieu Chan Quoc once said: "Xuyen Tu, the biggest advantage in your life is - decisively killing and punishing but not killing indiscriminately. Knowing when to strike, knowing even more when not to." This time——it shouldn't. It's not because I'm generous. But because it's not worth it. An ant bites you, will you squat down to fight with it? Won't. You just need to continue on your path. The ant will automatically be crushed. The truth is the same. One week later. The network information agency intervened in the investigation, and the person who posted the article was invited to work. The forum post was deleted. Vuong Giai's ex-boyfriend was disciplined by the unit for taking advantage of his position to post false information. As for Vuong Giai himself—— I don't care. But her situation is worse than being "managed" by me. Because the whole district knows about this.
"That Vuong Giai is the blind man who missed out on a first-rate meritorious deity, right?"
"I heard you even slandered people? Are you crazy?"
“Tch, now that person is a big figure in the military region, she still dares to provoke…”
“It's worth it, do it yourself.”
Rumors rushed towards her like a tidal wave. Her mother cannot continue working at the neighborhood office. Her own work in Shanghai was also affected by the "online fabrication" stain—the financial industry's background checks are very strict, and with records like that, her career prospects were basically cut off. These things——are not my doing. I did not do anything. I only deliver the results of the investigation to the agencies that need to receive them. The rest is her own cause and effect. About two months later, I heard that Vuong Giai left Shanghai and returned to his hometown. After that, there was no more news. An ant's story is not worth continuing to follow. 【Chapter 8】 September. It's autumn. I received a parcel from Trieu Cam Thu at the unit. Open it and see. A black cashmere coat. Attached was a piece of paper: "Promised to buy you new clothes. This one is not ugly.——Trieu Cam Thu." I picked it up to see. Very good material, neat cut. It's her style. I took a photo and sent it to her: "I tried it, it fits." She immediately replied: “Front view.” I took a frontal photo of myself. Three seconds later, she replied with one word: “Yes.” Five seconds later:
“Beautiful.”
The corner of my mouth curled up. She then sent a long message:
"Ly Xuyen, next month I defend my thesis. After defending it, I will have a month off. Are you free then? I want to come to the unit to visit you."
I replied: "I'm free. Wait for you." October. Trieu Cam Thu arrived. Trieu Chan Quoc personally approved the paperwork for her to come in the name of "visiting military relatives". Although we are not married yet, the original words of Trieu Chan Quoc are: "Sooner or later it is something that must be done, just go once." Just formalities.” The day she arrived, I was leading the team at the training ground. From afar I saw a person standing at the gate, white shirt, jeans, hair tied in a ponytail. Carry a thermal bag in hand. Chu Dinh ran to report: "Chief, Researcher Trieu has arrived." I threw the stopwatch in my hand to the deputy: "You continue to lead the team." When arriving at the gate, Trieu Cam Thu was talking to the guard. The guard looked awkward——because her documents only said “visitor”, according to regulations, someone had to come out to welcome her.
“I'll come pick you up.” I stepped forward.
As soon as the guards saw me, they immediately stood at attention and made way. Trieu Cam Thu turned her head to look at me, her eyes scanning from top to bottom. Today I wore a military training uniform, sleeves rolled up to my elbows, and had just finished running five kilometers, still sweating. She looked for three seconds. Then brought the thermos bag: “Rib soup. The ingredients were bought on the street and just stewed in the kitchen of your guest house. Drink while it's still hot.” I took it and weighed it. Heavy.
“You ran so far just to give me a bowl of soup?”
"Not."
She tilted her head: "After serving the soup, there's something else."
“What?”
She didn't answer, just smiled. That evening. We sat on a small hillside behind the military headquarters. The wind is a bit cold. The autumn starry sky is very clear, you can see the Milky Way. Trieu Cam Thu wrapped my jacket——every time she "forgot" to bring enough thick clothes, then wore my clothes. I highly doubt she did it on purpose.
“How to defend the thesis?” I asked.
“It's over. Excellent rating.”
"Congratulations."
"YES." She nodded and paused, "So I came to tell you something."
“Say it.”
She turned her head to look at me. In the night, her eyes were very bright, reflecting the starlight above her head.
“I want to change jobs.”
“Move to where?”