Chapter 105 Public disciplinary action as a warning to others
Gu Baobao finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
That smile seemed to break through some kind of stagnant barrier, instantly easing the awkward and tense atmosphere in the room.
Her smile, in Lu Zhanming's eyes, was more dazzling than the brightest sunshine on the island. He felt a sense of relief, knowing there was hope, and his gaze softened even more.
Gu Baobao chuckled twice, then quickly straightened her face, cleared her throat, and tried to regain some of the aura of "I'm angry and about to run away from home," but to little avail.
She pushed Lu Zhanming away, turned around and walked to the bedside. Looking at the bundle she had stuffed into the bed, she sighed.
"Comrade Lu Zhanming,"
She turned around, put her hands behind her back, and tried to look serious.
First of all, thank you for...liking it.
Lu Zhanming's eyes lit up.
"but,"
Gu Baobao held up one finger.
"First, I'm currently focused on my personal matters. The hemostatic powder incident and today's farce must have a clear resolution."
Secondly, my decision to stay or leave is not a trivial matter, nor is it made out of spite. I need to see the organization's attitude and actions.
She paused, looking at Lu Zhanming:
"Can you guarantee that those who slander me today, and those who instigate them behind the scenes, will receive the punishment they deserve?"
Can you guarantee that something similar won't happen again? Can you guarantee that my work and research, and my family, won't be disturbed by this kind of pointless infighting and jealousy again?
Her questions came one after another, her eyes clear and sharp. She was no longer the pitiful, heartbroken girl from before, but had transformed back into the calm, rational, and principled expert, Gu.
Lu Zhanming met her gaze without flinching, straightened his chest, and spoke in a firm voice:
"I promise. I promise it with the honor of a soldier. If I fail to do so, I, Lu Zhanming, will take off this uniform from this day forward!"
That's too harsh a statement.
Gu Baobao was startled and quickly waved her hands:
"No, no, no! It's not that serious! You should just focus on being your commander!"
Lu Zhanming smiled, a smile tinged with a hint of triumph:
"So you've agreed to stay?"
Gu Baobao glared at him:
"I didn't say that. It depends on how the organization handles it."
"rest assured."
Lu Zhanming was full of confidence.
"Chief of Staff Zhang is outside, and Commander Feng and Comrade Huo Zheng will surely arrive soon. They will give you and everyone else an explanation."
As if to confirm his words, the sound of a car engine and more footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
Zhang Yunxiang coughed outside, raising his voice:
"Comrade Bao Bao, Lu Zhanming! Commander Feng and Comrade Huo Zheng from the Capital Working Group have arrived! Also, Elder Qian, Dean Zhou, and the others have come to visit you!"
Gu Baobao and Lu Zhanming exchanged a glance.
Gu Baobao quickly straightened her clothes, which had been wrinkled from Lu Zhanming's hug, and then casually pushed the ridiculous bundle on the bed into a corner and covered it with the blanket.
Then, she took a deep breath, and her face once again adopted that polite yet slightly aloof expression, a forced composure after being hurt:
The play must go on, but the script can be adjusted a little.
Lu Zhanming watched her expression change instantly, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
His baby never seems to suffer a loss.
He stepped forward and opened the door for her.
Outside the gate, a large group of people, led by Commander Feng and Huo Zheng, stood in the courtyard, each with a different expression.
Commander Feng's face still showed lingering anger, Huo Zheng's expression remained calm and unreadable, Old Qian looked anxious and distressed, and Dean Zhou was also deeply worried.
Zhang Yunxiang stood at the front, winked at Lu Zhanming, and then quickly regained his serious expression.
All eyes were fixed on the slender figure at the doorway.
Gu Baobao came out, stood under the eaves, and bowed slightly to everyone:
"Commander Feng, Comrade Huo Zheng, Elder Qian, Dean Zhou, Chief of Staff Zhang, and other leaders."
Her voice was calm, but upon closer listening, one could detect a subtle hint of fatigue and hoarseness.
"Baby Comrade!"
Mr. Qian was the first to step forward, his eyes even a little red.
"You've been wronged! It's our fault for not doing our job properly, allowing you to be slandered like this by those petty scoundrels! Don't worry, this matter must be dealt with seriously today, and there will be absolutely no leniency!"
Commander Feng also said in a deep voice:
"Comrade Baobao, on behalf of the Party Committee of the Island Military Region, I would like to express my sincerest apologies to you! It was our negligence that allowed some people with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation and cause you such great trouble and harm!"
Please trust the organization; they will thoroughly investigate and severely punish those responsible! We will clear your name and give all of us an explanation!
Huo Zheng pushed up his glasses, stepped forward, and spoke in a gentle yet weighty tone:
"Comrade Gu Baobao, I am Huo Zheng from the capital. We have a detailed understanding of what happened in the auditorium today, as well as the previous whistleblower letter."
Your knowledge, your contributions, and your character have been proven in the most powerful way today.
On behalf of my superiors, I solemnly declare to you: First, all the false accusations against you are hereby immediately revoked;
Second, any malicious reporting, framing, or false accusations will be thoroughly investigated, and no one will be spared, regardless of who is involved.
Third, regarding your proposed hemostatic powder project and potential international collaborations, the higher authorities attach great importance to it and have clearly instructed that the best working and research environment be created for you, eliminating all interference.
He paused, looked into Gu Baobao's eyes, and his tone became even more sincere:
"Therefore, Comrade Gu Baobao, please take back your words about leaving. The country and the army need talents like you. This place will always be your home and support."
These words carried immense weight, almost representing the attitude of the highest levels of government.
The courtyard fell silent, and everyone looked at Gu Baobao.
Gu Baobao remained silent, her eyelashes lowered, as if she were weighing her options and struggling with the decision.
After a long while, she finally raised her head, her eyes seeming even redder, her voice trembling with emotion:
"Thank you, sir, thank you all for your trust and support. I... I'm just a nobody from the countryside, I never expected any special treatment."
I just wanted to use my limited skills to do something meaningful. What happened today has frightened me, and also...disheartened me.
She sniffed, trying to calm herself down.
“But since the organization says so, and since Commander Feng, Elder Qian, and Comrade Huo Zheng all trust me so much, then I… I am willing to trust them one more time.”
She looked at Commander Feng and Huo Zheng, her eyes regaining their resolve:
“I am willing to stay and continue the experiments and follow-up work on the hemostatic powder. However, I have a request.”
"you say!"
Commander Feng immediately replied.
"Those who jointly reported me today, all the individuals who participated in signing the petition and spreading rumors,"
Gu Baobao's voice turned cold.
"I don't need their apologies; apologies are the most useless thing. I demand that, in accordance with relevant regulations and discipline,..."
They must be dealt with seriously, and the results must be publicly announced. I want everyone to know that false accusations, jealousy, and undermining of unity will have consequences!
"good!"
Commander Feng made the decision.
"Do as Comrade Bao said! Handle it publicly as a warning to others!"
Huo Zheng also nodded:
"That's a reasonable request. We will monitor its implementation."
The matter seemed to have been settled.
Gu Baobao "reluctantly" agreed to stay, and the leaders breathed a sigh of relief, saying they would immediately begin handling the follow-up.
Mr. Qian and the others comforted Gu Baobao for a few more minutes, agreed to discuss the hemostatic powder project in detail the next day, and then left one after another.
They need to go back immediately to deal with Liu Jianguo and his group.
Finally, only Commander Feng, Huo Zheng, Zhang Yunxiang, Lu Zhanming, and Gu Baobao remained in the courtyard.
Huo Zheng looked at Lu Zhanming:
"Comrade Lu Zhanming, the superior's order regarding your responsibility for Comrade Gu Baobao's security remains unchanged. Especially during this special period of preparing for the exhibition, you must ensure that nothing goes wrong."
"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"
Lu Zhanming stood at attention and saluted, his eyes sharp.
Huo Zheng then looked at Gu Baobao, a gentle smile appearing on his face:
"Comrade Gu Baobao, please get some rest. Tomorrow, our working group will officially connect with you to discuss the next steps in detail."
Your talent and courage have left a very deep impression on me. I look forward to working with you.
"Thank you, Comrade Huo."
Gu Baobao responded politely.
Huo Zheng and Commander Feng also left.
Zhang Yunxiang patted Lu Zhanming on the shoulder, nodded encouragingly to Gu Baobao, and then left.
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