Chapter 51 Discharge from the Hospital

When Lu Zhanming heard Gu Baobao say that she was going to take Gu Dongguo back to the military compound for recuperation, his heart felt like it had been squeezed by something, and then it started pounding uncontrollably.

Returning to the family hospital?

Doesn't that mean his little girl will have to live in a courtyard just a wall away from him?

The opportunity to be together day and night is at least better than being separated by a curtain in a hospital ward!

The problem is... she was only there to take care of her brother, Gu Dongguo!

What should he do then?

Am I supposed to be left all alone in the hospital room, looking at the empty cot next door and imagining her busy figure in another place?

no!

Absolutely not!

Almost the instant Gu Baobao finished speaking, Lu Zhanming's brain started working at lightning speed, and a "perfect" excuse quickly took shape.

The perpetually icy, stern expression on his face began to crumble at a visible speed, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

His thin lips were slightly pursed, and a perfectly balanced light, a mixture of helplessness, vulnerability, and a barely perceptible plea, instantly appeared in his deep eyes.

He turned his head slightly to look at Gu Baobao, his voice lower than usual, carrying just the right amount of "weakness" and... pitiful?

"Baby……"

He began to address her, and the way he used that title became increasingly natural.

"Dongguo and I are neighbors, very close. We live in the next yard."

He paused, as if he found it difficult to say, but felt he had to for the sake of the bigger picture:

“My family lives far away, and it’s not very convenient for them to come and take care of me.”

This was half true and half false. His home was in Beijing, which was indeed far away, but if he really needed someone to take care of him, he could summon a platoon of orderly soldiers with just one phone call.

But at this moment, these words, coupled with his pale face due to blood loss and his sling arm, sounded particularly "tragic".

He looked up, his gaze focused yet slightly cautious, as he looked at Gu Baobao:

“In this state, it might not be very convenient for me to go back to my own place. Baby, look…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was almost overflowing:

I'm all alone, and my injuries haven't healed yet. Your neighbor is like an older brother to me. You're a skilled doctor with a kind heart. You can't just stand by and watch me fend for myself, can you?

Gu Baobao: "...???"

She was taken aback by Lu Zhanming's sudden change in demeanor and pitiful appearance.

In my memory, wasn't Commander Lu always a tough guy with a cold face, a powerful aura, and eyes sharp enough to kill?

How come it suddenly looks like a large, homeless dog that's been soaked by the rain?

Especially that low, pleading "Baby," paired with his excessively handsome face that deliberately exuded vulnerability...

Gu Baobao's sense of responsibility as a doctor and a certain inexplicable maternal glow were instantly amplified.

oops!

Commander Lu's words were so heart-melting!

They were injured while protecting their country, and their families live far away. Their injuries haven't fully healed yet, so it's really inconvenient for them to go back to their cold and quiet homes!

Since it's all about taking care of people, one more person just means one more pair of chopsticks!

Her spiritual spring medicinal cuisine can help them both recover their health, and maybe they can even have a competition to see who recovers faster!

"Oh dear, Commander Lu, what are you saying!"

Gu Baobao blurted it out almost without thinking, her voice soft and sweet, filled with undeniable concern.

"This is no trouble at all! Ask Dean Zhou if you can be discharged. Why don't you come back with my brother? I'll take care of him too!"

It's more lively eating with more people! My medicinal cuisine can help you both recover properly!

She agreed readily and sincerely, without feeling that there was anything wrong with it.

Doctors are supposed to be compassionate; taking care of patients is their natural duty!

Besides, he was my brother's comrade-in-arms, a national hero!

Gu Dongguo: "!!!"

Sitting in his wheelchair, Gu Dongguo watched helplessly as his younger sister was verbally abused by Lu Zhanming.

She was completely fooled by his feigned weakness and inability to take care of herself, and even invited him to her home. He almost spat out a mouthful of blood!

【Pah!!! Lu Zhanming, you damn green tea! Stop pretending! Keep pretending! Saying your family is far away and it's inconvenient?】

If your Lu family knew you were playing the victim here to gain sympathy, they'd probably send tanks to the island to clean house!

How shameless! He actually used his good looks and a self-inflicted injury on my sister! Despicable! Shameless! Vulgar!!

Gu Dongguo's mind was racing with comments, his face looking as ugly as if he had swallowed ten flies, his eyes shooting at Lu Zhanming like knives, wishing he could poke holes in him with his gaze.

However, Lu Zhanming completely ignored Gu Dongguo's murderous gaze.

His attention was entirely on Gu Baobao. Hearing her unwavering agreement and seeing the genuine concern in her clear eyes,

The secret joy in my heart rippled outwards, almost making it hard to suppress the upward curve of my lips.

He immediately turned his gaze to Dean Zhou Mingren, his eyes instantly shifting from pitiful to unwavering certainty and a hint of subtle pressure, his demeanor clearly conveying:

Dean Zhou, look, the baby experts have all agreed, you can decide what to do!

I have to go out today, whether I want to or not!

Zhou Mingren felt a chill run down his spine from Lu Zhanming's rapid change of expression and his intense gaze, and he smiled bitterly to himself.

How could he possibly afford to offend this guy?

Besides, Dr. Gu Baobao has already spoken up, saying that he'll take care of and treat her together, so how could he possibly stop him?

Judging from Lu Zhanming's spirits and recovery, it's indeed appropriate for him to be discharged and go home to recuperate. He just needs to come back regularly for check-ups and dressing changes.

"Cough cough,"

Zhou Mingren cleared his throat and, under Lu Zhanming's gentle gaze, nodded decisively.

"Commander Lu is recovering well and can be discharged to recuperate at home. However, he must remember to come back on time for dressing changes and follow-up examinations, and avoid strenuous activity. With Expert Gu taking care of him at home, we feel more at ease!"

Thus, under Gu Dongguo's gaze, which was almost tangible with resentment, and under Lu Zhanming's calm demeanor as his scheme succeeded!

Driven by a sense of responsibility that Gu Baobao now has another patient to carefully care for...

That afternoon, Gu Baobao carried in her arms a freshly printed "Physician Qualification Certificate" still smelling of ink and a gold-embossed "Letter of Appointment as a Special Expert of the Island Military Region Hospital"!

Behind them followed a "disabled duo"—one in a wheelchair, the other with an arm in a sling, yet standing tall and straight.

Along with Zhang Xiaobing, a clerk responsible for running errands, relaying messages, and delivering Tang Lao's medicinal meals, they were discharged from the hospital in a grand procession.