The train, like a bloated worm, slowly shuffled along the tracks, swaying and clanging.
The air was somewhat stuffy, exuding a complex and indescribable atmosphere. The train was packed with people, and even the aisles were crowded with passengers who hadn't managed to get seats.
Fortunately, Song's father specially asked someone to buy two tickets for the cadre carriage. There were four people in the compartment: Song's mother, Wen Ruan, and a couple. The woman was holding a child, so they were a family of three.
The man was wearing a military uniform with four pockets. Wen Ruan couldn't tell how military ranks were divided at that time, but she knew that a man with four pockets must be an officer.
Seeing that they were carrying a lot of things in large and small bags, Song Yan guessed that they were men accompanying their wives and children to the army.
After meeting, the group nodded briefly and exchanged greetings.
The woman was very talkative. After putting the child to sleep, she asked Wen Ruan where they should get off the bus.
Song's mother was filled with worry for Song Heng. Coupled with not having rested well last night, she was very tired. She leaned against the pillow on the lower bunk and closed her eyes to rest.
Upon hearing the woman's question, Wen Ruan replied softly, "Hai Shi."
"You're getting off at Haishi too? We are!" The woman was pleasantly surprised and kept talking to Wen Ruan.
Coincidentally, the woman's husband was named He Jun, and he worked in the same unit as Song Heng, and happened to be one of his deputy battalion commanders.
The family compound was just completed this year, and since he met all the requirements for military dependents, he specially returned to his hometown to bring his wife and daughter over.
Upon learning that the two were Song Heng's mother and sister-in-law, they were very enthusiastic and treated them with great courtesy, running around taking care of them along the way.
He Jun particularly admired Song Heng, who was one of the most famous elite soldiers in the entire military region. He Jun happened to be on leave when Song Heng was on a mission and was unaware that Song Heng was currently seriously injured, unconscious, and hospitalized.
Upon hearing this, he was very worried and kept comforting Song's mother. He also talked about some of Song Heng's outstanding achievements and performance in the army, how he overcame numerous obstacles and difficulties, and completed many particularly important tasks.
Song's mother's eyes reddened as she listened, tears welling up in her eyes.
She knew that Song Heng's remarkable achievements, including becoming the youngest regimental commander in the entire military region in his twenties, were all earned through his blood and sweat.
She had never known what He Jun was talking about. The men in the Song family were all tight-lipped, only reporting good news and never bad. They would only tell their families the good news and never mention the hardships behind it.
......
Time flew by amidst Song's mother's anxiety, and at ten o'clock the next morning, the train arrived at the station...
As soon as they stepped off the platform, they saw a man who looked to be about thirty years old with a neat short haircut looking in their direction.
He first looked at Wen Ruan carefully, then glanced at Song's mother, as if to confirm something, before quickly stepping forward.
He Jun, who was standing nearby, was the first to see him. He put down what he was holding, stood at attention, saluted him, and called out, "Instructor!"
Sun Wenbin looked at He Jun and returned the greeting: "No need for formalities outside. This is to bring your younger brother and sister-in-law and children to join you in the military."
He Jun gave a positive reply, and his wife, Li Hong, also greeted Sun Wenbin.
Sun Wenbin then looked at Song's mother and sister-in-law, but before he could ask, He Jun introduced them, "Instructor, these are Song Tuan's mother and sister-in-law. They said they went to the hospital to take care of Song Tuan."
Sun Wenbin confirmed his earlier guess. Not only did Song Heng and Song's mother resemble each other somewhat, but Song Yan had also spoken to him on the phone before they arrived, carefully describing Wen Ruan's appearance to prevent him from missing them when he came to pick them up. Fearing he hadn't been specific enough, he forced himself to say, "The most beautiful young woman after exiting the station is Wen Ruan..."
As soon as he arrived at the exit, he spotted the strikingly beautiful Wen Ruan in the crowd. Seeing that she was supporting a dignified middle-aged woman, he already had some guesses in his mind.
Sun Wenbin quickly greeted Song's mother and Wen Ruan, told He Jun that he had to take the two to the military hospital and couldn't give them a ride back to the camp, then carried Wen Ruan and her two simple pieces of luggage to the car.
The military hospital is very close to the city, less than a fifteen-minute drive away. In the car, Song's mother carefully inquired about Song Heng's latest condition from Sun Wenbin, and Sun Wenbin answered her questions one by one. Fortunately, Song Heng's condition had stabilized and he was expected to wake up in the next day or two. Hearing this, Song's mother felt a little relieved.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Sun Wenbin led the two to Song Heng's ward. When Song's mother saw her eldest son lying motionless on the hospital bed, his upper body wrapped in thick bandages and his face covered in various abrasions, she was shocked.
Tears of heartache flowed uncontrollably, causing even Wen Ruan, who was standing nearby, to feel a pang of heartache.
After instructing Song's mother, Wen Ruan prepared to inquire with the doctor about Song Heng's injuries and the latest progress in his recovery.
When she heard the doctor say that Song Heng had been hit by three bullets, two of which were not fatal, but the most troublesome one was 0.05 millimeters away from his heart.
In other words, Song Heng was just a hair's breadth away from...
Wen Ruan covered her mouth in surprise, feeling both worried and relieved. Thank goodness...
In the original book, Song Heng remained in the army until the very end without any incidents. Now that he was so seriously injured, she couldn't help but wonder if it was her own "butterfly" flapping its wings that caused some negative changes.
But thankfully...
The doctor said the surgery was very successful. Song Heng is currently in a coma due to severe injuries, but this is just his body's self-protective mechanism. He is expected to wake up today, or at the latest tomorrow. After that, he just needs to rest and recuperate, and theoretically, there shouldn't be any major problems.
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