Gu Xingdong quickly pushed open the car door and carefully picked up the person in the passenger seat, rushing into the hospital.
"She's experiencing signs of premature labor due to shock. However, the fetus is not yet thirty-five weeks. You have twins, and your body will naturally be weaker than with a single pregnancy. The fetal lungs may not be fully developed. Therefore, we recommend an injection to stop contractions, allowing the fetuses to remain in the womb for a longer period, which is beneficial for their development."
The doctor informed them after the examination.
Since it was for the good of the children, Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu naturally agreed to prioritize stabilizing the pregnancy.
"You'll need to stay overnight for observation. If everything is fine, you can go home tomorrow to rest."
"Thank you," Gu Xingdong thanked the doctor and then returned after escorting her out.
"How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?" He gently asked, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her forehead.
Chen Lishu shook her head and touched her swollen belly, saying weakly, "I was probably too nervous earlier. I feel much better now."
"You should rest well. I'll call Mom; otherwise, she'll worry. I'll be back soon."
Chen Lishu nodded, and Gu Xingdong turned to leave.
After Jiang Chengyi's disturbance, they didn't even eat dinner, and the whole family lost their appetite. Li Xiulan, in particular, had been restless ever since Gu Xingdong carried Chen Lishu away.
However, Ruirui was still young and couldn't be treated like an adult. Li Xiulan asked Zhao Qiuyue to prepare something for him to eat.
As she sat there sighing with her head down, she suddenly heard someone being called to take a phone call from outside. Guessing it was likely Gu Xingdong, Li Xiulan quickly got up to answer.
Only when she learned that Chen Lishu was fine did her heart finally settle.
"Which hospital? Shall I come over, Mom? It would be more convenient with an extra person."
"It's okay, Mom, don't trouble yourself. If there are no problems, I'll bring her back first thing tomorrow morning."
Hearing him say this, Li Xiulan had no choice but to give up.
Early the next morning, a crowd had gathered at the entrance of the General Military Region compound. One person was lying on the ground, carried on a stretcher.
"This is outrageous! Can soldiers arbitrarily beat people? Everyone, come and see what they've done to this person! The hospital has already examined him; he has internal injuries. How serious is this? Several teeth are missing. If our Chengyi wasn't blessed with good fortune, he would have been beaten to death!"
Old Mrs. Jiang, leaning beside Jiang Chengyi, cried and complained.
Although it was a performance for the public, her tears were real. Jiang Chengyi was so badly injured, and she was determined to get justice for her grandson.
"Exactly! Such arrogant people! I don't believe there isn't anyone in the military district who can stand up for us ordinary citizens? We demand an explanation today, or we're not leaving!" Jiang Yuchi said with a stern face. Her husband was a deputy director of the municipal bureau, and she felt she had some authority, speaking more assertively.
"Yes, where is the justice? We're not leaving." The other two people who came with them echoed in agreement.
Yang Zhiguo and Lu Zhengchun came out and happened to witness the scene. Both their expressions were grim, especially Yang Zhiguo, whose face turned ashen.
He had been nearby when the incident occurred. It was clear the Jiang family had come to cause trouble. Even if Gu Xingdong's reaction was a bit excessive, in that situation, anyone with a bit of backbone couldn't have held back.
"What's all the shouting about? Don't you know where you are? Keep making noise, and I'll shoot you," he said, reaching for his gun.
The Jiang family members were startled.
This was the General Military Region compound, where leaders resided. They had only stood far away on the opposite side. Seeing Yang Zhiguo's action now, they didn't even dare to breathe, even stepping back in fear.
Their goal was to have Gu Xingdong disciplined by the leaders. Other than that, they wouldn't dare to act rashly even with ten times the courage.
"What a temper. Must you make such a scene and resort to violence?"
Lu Zhengchun frowned and grabbed Yang Zhiguo's arm, then beckoned to the two guards in the sentry box. Soon, two on-duty guards ran over.
"Either leave immediately, or I'll have them escort you out. I don't have time to waste with you."
Lu Zhengchun's voice wasn't loud, and his expression wasn't angry, but the Jiang family members felt a sudden panic.
Since they had achieved their objective, they glanced at the onlookers from a distance and quietly carried the person away.
Yang Zhiguo and Lu Zhengchun thought the matter had been resolved. However, after the Jiang family's commotion, the news spread, and the focus of everyone's attention was on the incident of a soldier beating someone.
The military district leadership took the matter very seriously and quickly convened a meeting with them.
Zhu Shasha looked at Jiang Chengyi on the hospital bed and smiled, "I'm truly impressed that you could even come up with this trick."
"He beat me so badly, and he still expects to have a good life? No way," Jiang Chengyi said, a mocking smile on his lips as he received his IV drip.
"Just you wait. If I don't make him pay a price, this matter is absolutely not over."
Gu Xingdong was completely unaware of what had happened. After bringing Chen Lishu home, he didn't rush back to his post but stayed by her side.
In the afternoon, someone called him from outside to take a phone call, saying it was from the military district. Gu Xingdong informed his family and went out.
"Hello, Xingdong, it's me, Old Yang." Yang Zhiguo rubbed his temples before starting to recount the events at the entrance of the General Military Region compound.
"The leader's intention is that you can take this opportunity to rest at home and spend time with your wife and children."
The more Yang Zhiguo spoke, the more憋屈 he felt, wishing he could smash the phone in his hand.
He couldn't even protect his own subordinate. Although he had explained everything, even slamming the table in front of the leader, it didn't change the fact that Gu Xingdong was temporarily suspended.
"Don't worry, I and Old Lu will definitely..."
"No need, Old Yang," Gu Xingdong interrupted him suddenly. "Don't be put in a difficult position, and there's no need for a suspension or review. I still insist on my original intention to resign. The resignation application is in the drawer of my desk."
Yang Zhiguo was stunned for a moment, then said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? Resigning over such a minor matter? Who are you trying to spite? I'm telling you, I disagree!"
However, no matter how much he roared, Gu Xingdong had already hung up the phone.
"You damn fool!" Yang Zhiguo was so angry that he kicked over the stool beside him.
...
"Is the team looking for you for something? I'm basically fine now. Besides, Mom and Sister Yue are here. Why don't you go back tomorrow?"
Gu Xingdong looked up and met her eyes, saying seriously, "I've already spoken to the leadership about my retirement."
"Retirement?" Chen Lishu was astonished. "Why retire when you're doing so well?"
"If I can't even protect my own family, what's the point of being a commander?"