While providing emergency treatment to the wounded and stabilizing their vital signs, he calmly communicated with the surgical ward in the camp through his earpiece: "Wounded soldier A, hemopneumothorax, blood pressure 85/50, prepare for thoracotomy..."
...
He spoke rapidly, buying precious time for those behind him.
Xia Zhining and Ji Shuyun reunited.
The brother and sister exchanged a glance, their faces filled with the exhilaration of surviving a disaster and the relief of a successful mission. They raised their hands simultaneously and gave each other a crisp high five in the air.
"Well done, Ningning."
"Me too, brother!"
Xia Zhining patted each of the little animals on the head, saying, "Babies, you were amazing today!"
At that moment, Gu Huaiye ended the call and took off his headset.
His outer combat uniform was almost completely soaked with blood and mud, and his face was splattered with dark red spots, making him look somewhat disheveled.
Looking at her bright smile and her slightly red palms after the high-five, Gu Huaiye smiled gently. Though he didn't speak, his eyes said, "I saw it. You did very well."
Escorted by animal scouts, the team made its way back to the forward medical camp without any obstacles.
As soon as the stretcher hit the ground, Gu Huaiye moved on to the next procedure.
He deftly removed his blood-stained coat.
He turned his back and reached out; the surgical gown was already neatly fitted onto his body.
Turning around, fastening the straps, putting on gloves, adjusting the mask—a series of smooth movements—she was the first to step into the temporary operating room.
Xia Zhining watched Gu Huaiye's back as he swiftly received her and rushed into the operating room.
She couldn't help but exclaim, "This physical fitness and concentration are terrifying!"
Next to the open-air rest area, an older member of the medical team rubbed his lower back and shook his head with a sigh: "Sigh, five years have passed, and Captain Gu is still as terrifying as ever..."
"This intensity is something my old bones really can't keep up with."
These words startled Xia Zhining.
She suddenly realized that this seamless transition after intense stress, and working non-stop even in a state of extreme fatigue, is the norm for a field doctor.
A feeling of profound respect spread through her heart.
Xia Zhining stared intently at the tightly closed operating room door, her gaze unwavering.
Once the tension in your nerves is relaxed, fatigue washes over you like a tidal wave.
Xia Zhining was so exhausted that she could barely lift her arms, which ached from holding the gun for so long.
The chief elephant, who was waiting in the camp, seemed to have noticed her presence. It obediently bent down, gently lifted her up with its trunk, and placed her steadily on its broad, soft back.
The other elephants gathered around and gently stroked her head and back with the tips of their trunks.
It was like giving Xia Zhining a clumsy yet caring elephant massage.
After reporting the battle situation to his superiors, Ji Shuyun came over with food and a blanket. What he saw was his younger sister being surrounded by several elephants, yet still staring intently at the operating room.
He handed her the things, speaking very softly: "Go to sleep for a while, Ningning."
"When you wake up, everything inside... should be fine."
Xia Zhining hummed in agreement, took the blanket and wrapped it around herself, but her gaze remained fixed on it.
With such high intensity, won't Gu Huaiye collapse from exhaustion?
My eyelids gradually felt heavy...
When Xia Zhining woke up, it was already completely dark.
Sporadic gunfire could be heard in the distance, but the nearby medical camp was brightly lit.
The operating room lights were still on, indicating that the battle inside was far from over.
Just as she was rubbing her eyes and looking towards the makeshift hospital, the tightly closed door was finally pushed open.
Gu Huaiye came out.
He changed out of his blood-stained surgical gown and was wearing only a simple dark short-sleeved shirt and trousers. His face showed undisguised exhaustion, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes.
As he wiped his hands with disinfectant wipes, he whispered to the team members who came to greet him, "The surgery was successful. The next 72 hours are critical; I'm leaving it to you."
Gu Huaiye's voice was hoarse from prolonged intense concentration.
Upon seeing this, Xia Zhining immediately tried to get off the chief's elephant.
"Chieftain, I want to get off the carriage!"
The chieftain seemed to sense Xia Zhining's eagerness for Gu Huaiye, the male two-legged beast. Before she could make a move, his nimble trunk reached out and gently wrapped around her waist.
The elephant trunk smoothly and quickly placed Xia Zhining directly in front of Gu Huaiye, who had just finished handing over his work and was about to turn around and go to the rest area.
They were so close they were almost touching toes.
Xia Zhining: "...?!"
Gu Huaiye: "...?!"
Both of them were caught off guard.
The camp lights outlined Gu Huaiye's tired yet still handsome profile.
Xia Zhining looked up, and she could clearly see the bloodshot veins in his eyes.
The next second, before Xia Zhining's mind could fully process what was happening, her body had already moved.
She threw herself into Gu Huaiye's arms, hugging him tightly around the waist.
Gu Huaiye was suddenly jolted.
All my exhaustion seemed to vanish instantly.
I felt no longer tired in an instant.
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