CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 304: HERE TO ACCEPT PUNISHMENT

Political Commissioner Xu was frowning at the veteran in front of him when he heard someone at the door shout, "Report."

"Come in," Political Commissioner Xu called out.

When he saw the door open and Luo Xudong walk in, he chuckled. He knew this kid wouldn’t let others clean up his mess, and here he was.

"Xudong, you’re here. Is there something you need?" Political Commissioner Xu asked with a smile.

Political Commissioner Xu was also in his forties, wearing glasses, with a friendly expression that made him seem approachable. But don’t be fooled; when he wanted to reprimand someone, his words were as sharp as a knife!

"I’m here to admit my mistakes and accept punishment!" Luo Xudong stood upright with a perfect military posture.

Sun Guicai snorted as soon as Luo Xudong entered, turning his head away, not even acknowledging him. Now he came to admit his mistake, too late!

"Oh? What mistake did Xudong make?" Political Commissioner Xu asked knowingly.

"Reserving a seat in the cafeteria!" Luo Xudong replied seriously and meticulously.

Political Commissioner Xu almost couldn’t help but laugh at this mistake. Sun Guicai had made it sound much more serious, but coming from Luo Xudong’s earnest tone, it seemed trivial.

It wasn’t a big deal, to begin with!

"Was it just reserving a seat? And what about disrespecting the elder comrades? Think about how hard we, the older generation, worked back then..." Sun Guicai turned to scold Luo Xudong, but his gaze fell on the shining medal on his chest!

A first-class merit medal!

Sun Guicai’s eyes widened in disbelief. This young man, barely in his twenties, had earned a first-class merit!

In this era of peace, even those who died in service rarely received a first-class merit. Living recipients were incredibly rare!

He had planned to recount his exploits from his youth, to let these young people hear about their significant achievements and understand the difficulties the older generation faced and the contributions they made to the country...

But now, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. All his achievements combined couldn’t match this one first-class merit!

A young man in his twenties with such an honor was far more significant than these nearly retired old men!

At that moment, he suddenly realized who this young man was.

Luo Xudong!

A young man widely rumored in the local and Capital City garrisons recently, the only one who had received a first-class merit!

"Are you Luo Xudong?!" Sun Guicai couldn’t help but ask.

Luo Xudong remained standing upright, looking straight ahead, ignoring Sun Guicai’s question and asked Political Commissioner Xu, "Commissioner, please punish me!"

Political Commissioner Xu gave a side glance at Sun Guicai, then said sternly, "Yes, you should be punished. As an active duty soldier and a battle hero with a first-class merit, how could you do such a thing? You can’t always rely on past achievements to gain special privileges, that’s entirely wrong!"

Facing Political Commissioner Xu’s words, Luo Xudong stood firm and acknowledged them, which thoroughly embarrassed Sun Guicai standing beside him.

Though these words were directed at Luo Xudong, he knew they were meant for him. He also admitted to using his privileges, but he felt that after contributing so much to the country, it was just a small privilege—something the country and people owed him!

If a young hero like Luo Xudong, decorated with a first-class merit, were punished for reserving a seat, then he, a retired old officer with only two third-class merits, forcing the medical team to expedite his check-up, was even more intolerable?

Sun Guicai was so embarrassed that he couldn’t stay any longer. Knowing Political Commissioner Xu’s dissatisfaction with him, he didn’t bother pretending and left.

Once Sun Guicai left, Political Commissioner Xu breathed a sigh of relief, shaking his head lightly, "These older comrades indeed contributed a lot, but they have not been mistreated. Always behaving this way can be quite exasperating; it shows a lack of understanding!"

Luo Xudong didn’t comment.

"Alright, alright, don’t keep that stern face. You didn’t suffer any losses either," Political Commissioner Xu said, noting Luo Xudong still standing there with an expressionless face.

Luo Xudong looked at Political Commissioner Xu, "Had I not been there, my wife would have suffered."

Political Commissioner Xu chuckled, "Don’t fool me; although I haven’t seen your little wife, I’ve heard she’s not easy to deal with. In the end, who suffers is yet to be seen!"

Luo Xudong’s face softened a bit. He was pleased to hear others praise Beisitian.

"Alright, stop acting all hard-done-by. There’s no problem with her becoming permanent; even Old Liu has presented a banner. What more can I say? But you have to handle those rumors yourself; I can’t help you with that," Political Commissioner Xu stated.

He had heard about the rumors, of course, but judging by Luo Xudong’s demeanor, it seemed these rumors were unfounded. Even if there was some truth to them, unless there was concrete evidence, leaders like him wouldn’t interfere. There are always secrets down below, and policing them all is impossible!

Luo Xudong just needed this assurance. Beisitian was excellent, and if rumors affected her permanence and made her unhappy, he’d certainly be displeased.

As for the rumors, Luo Xudong would find a way to resolve them.

Having achieved his goal, Luo Xudong left wearing his rarely worn first-class medal, deliberately for Sun Guicai to see.

If Sun Guicai had any sense of shame, he wouldn’t mention contributions again!

After fruitlessly searching for leadership, Sun Guicai returned dejectedly and naturally had no face to cause trouble for that first-class merit hero’s family. It was just a matter of reserving a seat, not a big deal!

There was only one day left for the medical examination, and those who came today were either prominent figures or those who had busy schedules and postponed it until now.

Beisitian had been glancing towards the door since morning; she knew the old man would come today.

A little after eight, the first to enter was a female soldier, but she was quite old, at least sixty or seventy. Despite her white hair, she looked spirited in her military uniform.

The elderly lady, with a kindly expression, took the application form and began the examination process, followed by two military officers in their fifties, who also followed the procedure without unnecessary words or requests for privileges.

Beisitian was eagerly anticipating, but by a little after ten, there was still no sign of Wu Yuekai.

She couldn’t help but worry. Could it be that the old man didn’t come this time?

No, he clearly said over the phone that he would come and might even stay to watch the evening show.

Beisitian was slightly concerned. Could his condition not be fully cured?

Just as she was thinking this, Wu Yuekai appeared at the door.