Although General Su heard Wang Xiaolan's question, he did not answer immediately. There was silence all around, only the rumbling sound of the train could be heard.
The train was moving steadily along the tracks. General Su sat by the window, a trace of fatigue on his face. He sighed deeply, as if a heavy burden weighed heavily on his heart.
He was silent for a long time, then slowly opened his mouth and let out a low sound. Compared to his previous loud voice, this voice was completely different, as if it had been tempered by time, revealing an indescribable sense of vicissitudes.
There was a hint of helplessness in his words.
"Xiao Lan," he said softly, "I've already given her a chance, but she didn't cherish it. This was all her own choice. She took the initiative to give up this opportunity. This was her own choice."
After saying that, he sighed deeply and looked out the window...
Wang Xiaolan, standing by, silently watched the old man. His slightly aged face revealed an indescribable sadness and helplessness. She could deeply sense that General Su was also struggling internally at this moment.
Wang Xiaolan couldn't bear to see General Su offend his long-time comrades because of her. She finally couldn't help but speak up and said, "General Su, I can see that you are very upset. Perhaps we can think of other solutions. For example, not letting her return to school, but moving her to another place. This way, we can also give an explanation to her family. What do you think?"
General Su shook his head, his eyes becoming serious. "Xiao Lan, you may not understand. For soldiers, honor and responsibility are greater than heaven. We shoulder the mission of defending our country, and the atmosphere in the army cannot be disturbed. The negative impact caused by Liu Xiujuan's incident on these newly enlisted recruits is irreparable."
"This matter is no longer a solitary one. Even if I don't pursue it, it will be investigated if it's reported to the higher-ups. Rather than having them investigate, I'd rather resolve it myself. Returning me to my original school is the best outcome."
He paused, his tone more resolute: "If I turn a blind eye to her this time, how will I manage this army in the future? How will others view me?"
Wang Xiaolan nodded slightly, but she was still a little worried. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "But, Mr. Su, you and her father have been friends for a long time. He will sever your long-standing relationship because of this matter."
General Su was silent for a moment, a complex expression on his face. He sighed and said, "I'm not afraid of her father coming to see me. He's also a veteran soldier and a commander. He knows the rules of the army. He was the one who sent his daughter to the army. If the army accepted even the most unfit, what kind of army would it be?"
He shook his head, his tone somewhat indignant. "You just saw it too. How she treated you and me, her elder. She acted like I couldn't do anything to her. If I didn't teach her a lesson, she'd be on top of me. If her dad knew how she behaved, he'd probably be pissed."
Wang Xiaolan was silent. She knew General Su was right, but she still felt sorry for Liu Xiujuan. Thinking of Liu Xiujuan's previous attitude towards her, that domineering and willful attitude, she was also very angry.
"Mr. Su, do you think she will have a chance to come back in the future?"
Wang Xiaolan asked softly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.
General Su smiled slightly, his tone softening a bit. "That depends on her. If she really wants to come back, she has to prove herself with her actions. A soldier's path isn't paved with family background, but with one's own abilities and moral character. If she can understand this, I believe she still has a chance."
Wang Xiaolan nodded, feeling relieved. She knew General Su was a man of principle, but she didn't want him to block the road. She turned and looked out the window. The train was passing through a vast field, and the sun shone on the earth, making it seem particularly warm.
"Mr. Su, do you think she can understand it?" Wang Xiaolan asked softly, with a hint of worry in her eyes.
General Su sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone: "I don't know either. But I know that everyone needs to go through some setbacks to grow. Perhaps this experience will allow her to re-examine herself and understand the true meaning of being a soldier."
Wang Xiaolan nodded, silently praying that Liu Xiujuan would understand General Su's good intentions. She believed that Liu Xiujuan might grow through setbacks and find her own path again.
She looked up at the fields outside the window. The sunlight shone on the earth, making it seem particularly warm. She believed that Liu Xiujuan might grow through setbacks and find her own path again.
"I hope she can understand." Wang Xiaolan prayed silently in her heart.
…
Meanwhile, Liu Xiujuan, accompanied by two soldiers, boarded the train back to school, tears blurring her eyes. She watched the scenery pass by outside the window, her heart filled with loss and resentment. She couldn't understand why she had ended up like this.
"Why? Why should I be sent back to school?" She complained in her heart, tears streaming down her face. She remembered her father's expectations of her, General Su's stern gaze, and Wang Xiaolan's smug look.
"Did I...did I really do something wrong?" She began to waver. She knew her actions had indeed been excessive, but she had never imagined it would cost her the chance to join the army. The army, for her, was her father's wish and her own aspiration. But now, everything had vanished into thin air.
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