Chapter 7: Battalion Commander Lu, How About a Cooperation?

"Auntie Qiao, are you home?"

Zhang Xiao knocked on the door of the house, leaning close to the door and calling out in a low voice, fearing she might wake the neighbors.

"Who is it so early in the morning?" The morning air was cool, and Li Qiao threw on her clothes to come and open the door.

As soon as she opened the door and saw Zhang Xiao standing there, she was startled. "Auntie Zhang, do you have business?"

"Auntie Qiao, let's go inside to talk!" As Zhang Xiao spoke, she glanced sideways at the neighboring houses, which were still closed up; they likely hadn't woken up yet.

Seeing her acting like a thief, Li Qiao nonetheless welcomed her inside.

As soon as she sat down, Zhang Xiao took a few eggs out of her basket and placed them on the table. "Auntie Qiao, take these eggs to nourish your family."

"Oh, this... this won't do, it won't do!" Li Qiao looked at the eggs on the table, feeling both surprised and delighted. These were good things; usually, they couldn't bear to eat them.

"Oh, Auntie Qiao, we're neighbors, don't say such distant things." As Zhang Xiao spoke, she pushed them toward her. "Auntie Qiao, actually, I came to find you today because I have a favor to ask."

Looking at the eggs, Li Qiao felt happy in her heart. "Auntie Zhang, just speak plainly."

Zhang Xiao's expression turned serious, and she leaned close to her ear to whisper a few words.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiao's expression changed abruptly. "This... Auntie Zhang, wouldn't doing this be wrong?" This was too immoral. Xia Zhi hadn't done anything wrong, and furthermore, deceiving Battalion Commander Lu... if this were found out...

"No, no, no, Auntie Qiao, I won't do this. You know my eldest son is also in the army. If this matter blows up, it won't be good for him!"

With a solemn face, Li Qiao pushed the eggs back toward her.

Zhang Xiao's face instantly fell, and she looked at Li Qiao with a dark expression.

"Auntie Qiao, we all live in the same courtyard. There's no need to tear faces like this, is there?"

Li Qiao remained silent. As a result, when she glanced to the side, she saw Zhang Xiao's basket full of eggs, and her heart skipped a beat in shock.

Was she planning to bribe everyone in the entire courtyard to help her lie?

Li Qiao hesitated for a moment, but finally softened her tone.

"Look at what you're saying, Auntie Zhang. I really can't do it. My eldest son just joined the army not long ago, so please don't make things difficult for me."

Seeing her refusal, Zhang Xiao grew annoyed, put the eggs back into the basket, gave a cold snort, and left.

After coming out, she turned to knock on the doors of the other houses.

Li Qiao leaned against the door listening, patting her chest with lingering fear. The Gu family really had guts.

As the sky began to brighten, the sound of chickens crowing in the courtyard rang out, followed by successive movements in the quiet courtyard.

The people who came out to fetch water exchanged glances simultaneously, then looked at the eggs in the hands of various children, instantly understanding the situation.

There is strength in numbers; the few people who had felt guilty about accepting gifts suddenly lost their fear.

Just then, the tightly closed door opened, and Xia Zhi walked out, stretching comfortably.

She had finally had a good sleep.

The others thought Xia Zhi was going to make a scene like she did yesterday, but after waiting for a long time, she was still just sitting on a small stool by the door.

Having already made her preparations, Zhang Xiao looked over this way triumphantly. With so many people in her family, why should she fear a single orphaned girl?

Xia Zhi yawned boredly, wondering if Lu Beiting would show up. If he didn't come, the good show couldn't start.

She stood up and walked outside, intending to deal with them later.

A group of people followed her out in confusion. Logically speaking, shouldn't Xia Zhi be making a huge ruckus upon waking up?

As soon as Xia Zhi came out, she wandered around the entrance of the military compound, thinking to herself about what kind of excuse she should use to see Lu Beiting.

Then, she heard the sound of rolling wheels.

She looked up. At this moment, Lu Beiting was wearing a Zhongshan suit, his cold aura adding a touch of elegance.

Lu Beiting raised his eyes indifferently. Seeing her, he showed no sign of surprise, as if he had known all along she would be here.

Xia Zhi approached him with a grin, putting her hands behind her back and leaning forward to look directly into the man's sharp eyes.

"Battalion Commander Lu, shall we discuss a cooperation?"

Lu Beiting looked at her with interest, his words sparse: "Oh?"

"It's very simple. You marry me, and I'll treat your illness." Xia Zhi raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, every word exuding confidence.

Lu Beiting propped his head up, squinting his eyes at her. "Miss Xia, surely you know that a military marriage cannot be divorced?"

Xia Zhi's elegant brows furrowed slightly. She looked at him in confusion and asked back, "So, does Battalion Commander Lu feel that his physical health is more important than this marriage? If that's the case, then I shall excuse myself."

Lu Beiting's hard face froze, and a hint of seriousness appeared in his eyes. "It's not that. It's just, I wonder how much certainty Miss Xia has?"

As he finished speaking, his hands on both sides clenched. After all, his injury was not simple.

Furthermore, he was a man; no man could endure being unable to perform.

However, as far as he knew, this woman didn't know medicine.

Could she really cure him?

Xia Zhi crossed her arms, her eyes shining brightly as she spoke with full confidence, "Eighty percent!"

It would have only been fifty or sixty percent originally, but with the Medical System, wouldn't it be a sure thing?

As soon as these words were spoken, even Zhang Yi, who stood behind Lu Beiting, couldn't help but ask first, "Miss Xia, is that true?"

If it were true, that would be wonderful.

The Battalion Commander was a great hero. Ever since he was injured, he could always be seen sitting alone in sorrow.

His eyes were full of regret for the future. If he could truly recover, the Battalion Commander would surely go even further on this path!

Lu Beiting didn't speak, but it wasn't hard to see the faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"It's true! So, Battalion Commander Lu..."

"Fine, I agree. As long as you can cure me, as long as it isn't something illegal or against discipline, I will agree to anything."

Lu Beiting interrupted her, unable to restrain himself, then felt it was somewhat impolite, a trace of imperceptible embarrassment flashing across his face.

Xia Zhi breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. If she had actually been rejected, things would have been difficult for her.

"Good, it's a deal. Then next, I'll have to borrow Battalion Commander Lu's prestige for a moment."

Xia Zhi walked over to Zhang Yi. With a single look, Zhang Yi consciously let go of the handles, allowing Xia Zhi to push the wheelchair.

In the distance, the people watching were still gossiping.

"Hey, what is Zhi-zi doing with Battalion Commander Lu again? Could they be whispering something?"

Watching this scene from behind the crowd, Hao Liping clenched her fists with lingering resentment.

The illustrious Battalion Commander Lu had a say in the military and received a significant stipend.

The only pity was that he was broken; even if he could stand up later, he was still useless.

There was nothing to pity. She would never again endure the cold stares and contempt of the world.

Besides, Lu Beiting's family were not easy people to deal with; let Xia Zhi suffer that bitterness.

"Oh no, things are going bad. Xia Zhi is pushing Battalion Commander Lu toward us. Could she be coming to cause trouble?"

(End of Chapter)