Volume 1: The Fierce Tiger Leaves Its Leash Chapter 24: Brothers of Life and Death (Part 2)

  Outside the ward, Gu Weimin negotiated with Wei Daming's attending doctor for a while before beckoning to bring Ling Tianxiang over. "There is only five minutes of visiting time, if you have anything to say, speak quickly."

  Ling Tianxiang didn't say much and immediately entered the ward. The special care unit of the Military Region General Hospital was different from that of ordinary hospitals, with life monitoring and other medical equipment in a small room outside. Usually, there would be a doctor or nurse here at all times. Wei Daming lay on the hospital bed in the inner room, with an oxygen tube on his nose and many tubes connected to his left arm. At first glance, Ling Tianxiang saw that empty sleeve, where there was originally a strong arm, but now there was nothing.

  He stroked the empty sleeve, and Ling Tianxiang almost couldn't help but cry out. The deep regret pierced his every nerve, making him feel even more that he had wronged Wei Daming.

  "Tiān xiáng, is it you?" Wei Daming slowly came to.

  Ling Tianxiang immediately wiped away the tears that were about to gush out. "Old Wei, it's me, I'm Tianxiang."

  "Are you back? Good that you're back, are you okay?"

  "It's okay, I'm fine, Old Wei, you..."

  "It's nothing, it's just missing an arm." Wei Daming squeezed out a smile and tried to sit up. Ling Tianxiang immediately supported him and placed a pillow behind his back. "I'm already used to it, even if I'm missing an arm, I'm not a coward."

  "Lao Wei, Captain Gu said that once you're recovered from your injuries, we'll come to pick you up and take you back." Ling Tianxiang sat down in the chair beside him. "Everyone is waiting for your return, and..."

  "Never mind, I already know. Deputy Qi has already spoken with me." Wei Daming's expression looked very tired.

  "You..." Ling Tianxiang immediately noticed Wei Daming's expression. "Old Wei, don't you want to go back to the team?"

  Wei Daming did not speak up, his expression looked a bit uneasy.

  "Alright, you rest first." Ling Tianxiang knew what Wei Daming was thinking. "I've already asked for a half-month leave from Captain Gu, and I'll come to visit you often when I have time, to keep you company and chat with you. The doctor said you can be discharged soon."

  "Tian Xiang..." Wei Daming called out to stop Ling Tian Xiang. "Have you told Captain Gu about the traitor?"

  Ling Tianxiang nodded and didn't mention the clues he had found, simply not wanting Wei Daming to worry about these things while he was recovering from his illness.

  "Alright, you should take a rest too. When you have time, come over and play chess with me."

  After saying goodbye to Wei Daming, Ling Tianxiang left the ward and came to the outside room. He squatted down along the wall. Wei Daming's injury was not only physical but also mental. Wei Daming had always been a well-known good person in the team, never making mistakes or violating discipline in five years, and being polite to everyone. In the words of Gan Deputy Captain, Wei Daming was someone who didn't seek merit, but sought no fault. It was precisely this that made Gu Weimin let him partner with Ling Tianxiang to make up for Ling's impulsive shortcomings. From their conversation earlier, Ling had already understood that Wei Daming didn't want to continue serving in the army and would consider retiring after he recovered. As a disabled military officer who had transferred to civilian work, Wei Daming could return to his hometown and become a government official, living an ordinary life, which was not a bad way out. Thinking about it, Ling also came to understand that perhaps Wei Daming had never considered staying in the army for a lifetime, just like Gu Weimin who wanted to stay in the army for a lifetime, Wei Daming had his own ideals, which others couldn't force him to do. Transferring to civilian work was also a good choice for Wei Daming, at least it would allow him to stay away from the battlefield, killing, and danger, and spend the rest of his life in peace.

  A sound of footsteps came from the corridor outside, and Ling Tianxiang immediately stood up, wiped away the tears on his face, took a deep breath, and then walked out of the room. Outside, waiting for him were not only Gu Weimin but also Zhou Guohui, who was wearing a lieutenant general's uniform.

  "Ah..." Ling Tianxiang glanced at Zhou Guohui, immediately shut his mouth, then turned to Gu Weimin and said: "Captain Gu, if there's nothing else, I'll start my vacation from today on. Is that okay?"

  "No problem, Director Zhou is here to pick you up." Gu Weimin looked at Zhou Guohui and said, "Director Zhou, I'll leave Tian Xiang to you. After a two-week vacation, have him come back and report for duty."

  "No problem, half a month later, I will hand Tianshang over to you again." Zhou Guohui nodded at Gu Weimin and then glared at Ling Tianshang. "Let's go, we should head back too."

  Ling Tianxiang bid farewell to Gu Weimin and followed Zhou Guohui out of the hospital. After getting in the car, he suddenly felt regretful. His uncle had always been strict, now that he was going with his uncle, wouldn't this half-month vacation be ruined?

  "Tian Xiang..." Zhou Guohui's face turned iron-green, "After seeing Wei Daming, you don't have any worries left, do you?"

  Ling Tianxiang had been a little afraid of this strict uncle since he was young, and he honestly nodded.

  "I really can't understand what's going on in that head of yours?" Zhou Guohui's expression was unusually stern. "If it were up to me, I'd...I'd..." He paused for a moment, then shook his head and sighed. "Alright, now that you've made such a mess of things, take a half-month break, just to avoid causing more trouble. Your dad will come pick you up tomorrow, but today you're coming with me - don't even think about leaving my sight, I'm really worried you'll short-circuit again and cause even more problems."

  Ling Tianxiang almost burst out laughing, he had never seen his uncle look so pained before.

  "I've already had someone take care of the tape you gave to Gu Weimin." Zhou Guohui lit a cigarette, "The investigation will be conducted in secret immediately, as long as we find out..."

  "This has nothing much to do with me anymore." Ling Tianxiang didn't want to know that much, he did what he was supposed to do.

  "I just let you be at ease, and didn't let you interfere." Zhou Guohui glanced at his nephew, "You just give me a peaceful and quiet half-month vacation, don't do anything else, or I'll burn incense for your well-being."

  Ling Tianxiang smiled and shook his head. His great uncle was from Sichuan, and he had been used to listening to the Sichuan dialect since childhood. However, after so many years without hearing it, it still sounded a bit awkward now.

  "By the way, what's with that little girl?"

  "This... " Zhou Guohui mentioned Yijixi, which made Ling Tianxiang feel a bit of a headache.

  "This is your young people's business, you handle it yourself, anyway old Han has the ability." Zhou Guohui shook his head and didn't say anything else. Grinding Blade Volume 1 Fierce Tiger Goes to the Reins Chapter 24: Brothers of Life and Death (Part 2)