"Company Commander Huang, did I say something wrong?"
Doctor Qin stared intently at Company Commander Huang, who could only pull her aside to comfort her.
Old Li then asked the other soldiers, "Aren't you hungry?"
The soldiers immediately started eating. They were at an age where no amount of food seemed enough. Daily training was grueling, and the mess hall's rations weren't sufficient. Living on the island, they couldn't go out to sea every day to catch fresh food. Now, finally, with a chance for extra food, they were devouring it like wolves.
Tang Qiyue reminded them, "Crab shells are hard to digest. Eating too many might give you stomachaches. It's better to just eat the meat."
She genuinely worried about the soldiers' health.
Old Li kicked a soldier still gnawing on the shell. "There's a whole bucket! What's the rush? Don't eat the shells!"
The soldiers laughed, thanked Tang Qiyue, and continued grilling and eating properly.
Tang Qiyue only ate one crab before stopping and turned to chat with Old Li.
"Uncle, do you know why Zhan Zeye was injured?"
Although she had asked the one-eyed uncle before, she suspected there was more to the story about Zhan Zeye surviving alone on his mission. She couldn't ask directly, so she tried to probe indirectly.
Old Li shook his head. "How would an old man like me know? But I do know a little about why you and Xiao Ye got married."
Tang Qiyue was stunned. She knew quite a bit about the details of her marriage, but she was certain she didn't know the full story.
"I heard you donated your dowry?"
Old Li chuckled while smoking, but his words made Tang Qiyue's lips tighten.
She had been reluctant at the time, but to ensure Zhan Zeye would protect her, she had essentially given up such a large portion of wealth.
"Did Zhan Zeye tell you this?" she asked, instead of answering.
Old Li hummed. "That kid is cocky. You don't know—he went out begging for money as soon as he woke up, just because of the military expenses. But then he got married, and everything was settled!"
Tang Qiyue: …
Although she knew the money wasn't truly hers, she was still astonished to hear that Zhan Zeye had used it for military purposes. She had assumed the people behind Zhan Zeye would keep some for themselves.
"If that kid dares to treat you badly, tell your uncle. I'll go teach him a lesson!"
Old Li flicked the last bit of his cigarette into the fire, crushing the ash under his toe.
Tang Qiyue nodded. The more powerful allies she had, the more confident she could be in the future.
Just then, someone shouted, "Coming!"
Old Li, who had been relaxed and even lazy moments ago, instantly straightened. His entire demeanor changed as he put on his military bearing. The other soldiers followed suit.
The difference between this moment and their frantic crab-eating was striking.
The still-burning campfire and the leftover crab shells were the only evidence of the scene just moments before.
Tang Qiyue looked toward the horizon. It was completely dark now, but a bright moon had risen, reflecting a cold, azure light on the sea, making the approaching ships seem even more desolate.
Once the ships docked, everyone on the pier sprang into action—some pulling ropes, others helping carry the wounded aboard.
Tang Qiyue stood beside Doctor Qin.
"If you're nervous, just assist me!" she said.
Doctor Qin swallowed, clearly anxious, but maintained a calm exterior.
Tang Qiyue didn't argue. She was always composed and simply followed the doctor.
"Dr. Qin!!!" someone shouted.
Doctor Qin immediately ran over with her medical kit.
Tang Qiyue naturally followed.
At the dock, there were houses prepared for the wounded.
The wounded were moved inside. Electric lights lit the rooms, far brighter than the old kerosene lamps.
Tang Qiyue noticed that several wounded soldiers had little visible blood, but their faces were deathly pale—clearly indicating serious internal problems.
She didn't see Zhan Zeye among the wounded, but the state of the others confirmed her suspicion: he wasn't hurt—or at least, not seriously.
Doctor Qin had already begun examining the wounded. She asked about their conditions. Most had fallen into the water, and their situation had worsened after being rescued.
She examined the wounds, puzzled by their cause. All of the wounded were running a fever, a critical situation. She could only administer injections to bring down the fever.
Tang Qiyue quickly understood the situation after observing, but she didn't have the medicine. Even if she explained their conditions, there was no immediate solution. She decided to see if Doctor Qin had any ideas.
Just as Doctor Qin was at her wits' end, Zhan Zeye and Political Commissar Wu arrived.
Zhan Zeye hadn't expected Tang Qiyue to be there. He pulled her aside. "Why are you here?"
"I asked her to come. Doesn't she know medicine too?"
Doctor Qin noticed Zhan Zeye but couldn't get close because she was still attending to the wounded, so she interrupted him.
Tang Qiyue nodded.
Zhan Zeye's face turned cold. "Nonsense! You're the military doctor. Even if my wife knows medicine, she's not a military doctor!"
Political Commissar Wu sighed, clearly annoyed at Zhan Zeye's stubbornness.
Doctor Qin's expression darkened, but she couldn't contradict Zhan Zeye. She lowered her head and continued her work.
"What's going on? Their condition isn't right. If their fever isn't brought down in time, they might…"
Tang Qiyue didn't finish the sentence, but Zhan Zeye understood.
He signaled Political Commissar Wu to stay and keep watch, then pulled Tang Qiyue aside to a quiet spot.
"Do you know how badly they're injured?" he asked.
Tang Qiyue nodded. "Yes, but I have limited medicine. I can only keep them alive, not heal them immediately—not as fast as I did with you!"
Zhan Zeye: …
He had thought Tang Qiyue was worried about something else, but it turned out to be this.
"If you healed them at the same speed as you treated me, I wouldn't be able to save you!"
He lowered his voice. "It's good you've kept them alive. Send them off the island tomorrow. The doctors at the military hospital outside are already having a headache!"
Hearing this, Tang Qiyue felt much more at ease.
Zhan Zeye extended his hand and pulled her into an embrace.
"Now you want a man's hug?"
Tang Qiyue (⊙o⊙)…
She pushed him away. "I'm asking you for that pill!"
Zhan Zeye rubbed his chin, slightly embarrassed. He had assumed Tang Qiyue was worried about him, since she had told Political Commissar Wu and the others.
"Take it!"
Tang Qiyue glared, but Zhan Zeye wasn't intimidated. He leaned down and kissed her lips.
"Go save people quickly. I'll pamper you when we get home!"