After Awakening, She Tore Apart Her Enemies and Joined the Army on an Island - Chapter 60

Chief?

Su Meng glanced curiously at the newcomer before bending down to pick up her grandmother.

The visitor waved dismissively at Xie Mian and said sternly, “Just settle down! I’m merely here for a casual visit. Comrade Xie Mian, how is your injury?”

Xie Mian replied, “Reporting, Chief! It’s much better now. I’m ready to receive orders at any time.”

Su Meng twitched her lips, her gaze sweeping over Xie Mian’s fractured ribs before shifting to scrutinize the newcomer.

Just then, Huo Zhenhua walked in.

He said, “Chief, perhaps we should step outside to talk.”

The newcomer was also observing Su Meng. Upon hearing Huo Zhenhua’s words, he was the first to walk out.

Huo Zhenhua pushed Xie Mian’s wheelchair and looked at Su Meng. “You come out too. This is our Division Commander Tang.”

Su Meng was stunned. “…Alright!”

So, this was Division Commander Tang!

With thick eyebrows and large eyes, an imposing presence, and a commanding stride, he exuded an even greater sense of pressure than Huo Zhenhua.

Su Meng felt uneasy. She didn’t know why Division Commander Tang wanted to see her, whether it was still because of her capitalist background, or her study abroad experience, leading to suspicions that she might be a spy or something similar.

At this thought, her gaze toward Huo Zhenhua softened.

In these troubled times, it was only natural for them to suspect anyone.

Moreover, her identity and experiences were facts.

If she had known this would happen, she shouldn’t have recklessly reunited with her grandmother and uncle.

Fortunately, the reunion had just taken place. She hoped they wouldn’t be implicated.

Noticing Wang Qinglin lagging behind the group, she moved closer and whispered pleadingly, “If I’m charged, please don’t mention what just happened to Commander Huo or anyone else.”

Wang Qinglin immediately understood. “The reunion?”

Su Meng blinked and, seeing Huo Zhenhua glance over, could only nod in acknowledgment.

She then quickened her pace and greeted politely, “Hello, Chief!”

Division Commander Tang wore a stern expression as he scrutinized Su Meng before slowly sitting down and saying, “So you’re Su Meng?”

She looked delicate and pretty, soft and fragile, nothing like someone who studied mechanics and disassembled parts, nor like a master who could defeat Xie Mian.

Without waiting for Su Meng to respond, he continued, “Don’t panic! I’m here today to see Xie Mian.”

Su Meng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. So he was just here to offer condolences!

But he was alone, and there were no condolence gifts in sight. Was this how things were done in the military?

Regardless, it was a relief that he wasn’t here to interrogate her.

Su Meng clasped her hands demurely in front of her and said with a smile, “Chief, you’re such a great leader, caring for your officers and soldiers, protecting your subordinates. No wonder you’re a general guarding our land. Impressive!”

Huo Zhenhua: “…”

Was she buttering him up?!

Wang Qinglin stifled a laugh and remained silent.

Xie Mian looked at her in surprise, never expecting his little niece to be so composed, completely unshaken by the chief’s presence and even speaking so eloquently.

Just as steady and resilient as he was.

But Division Commander Tang was unmoved by her sweet talk.

His eyes shifted, his gaze suddenly turning sharp, his expression growing even more severe. “I heard you gave up a restaurant in exchange for a reassignment quota. Then you stole the spotlight in business negotiations, earning the admiration of Chief Jiang and the support of Nie Rongchang. Since you’ve already improved your situation, why did you sneak off to Yangcheng?”

Su Meng’s relaxed smile froze on her face, her hands twisting anxiously together.

What she had feared had finally come!

But she wasn’t completely unprepared either.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “I followed Shen Wuyang because I wanted to see what he was up to and also ask about my father.”

Of course, it was only after Commander Jiang told her to live peacefully from now on that she felt reassured enough to leave.

Additionally, she wanted to lure away those who had been tailing her in search of the Su family treasure.

This way, A-Da could recover from his injuries without worry.

She also had the chance to deal with the hidden pursuers while outside.

But along the way, she hadn’t spotted any followers, which left her somewhat disappointed.

Naturally, she couldn’t reveal all of this.

Division Commander Tang looked at her inquisitively. “That’s all?”

Su Meng nodded. “That’s all.”

Whether Division Commander Tang believed her or not, he raised his hand and stroked his chin, speaking casually, “You’re just a young girl studying mechanics. How is it that you know how to shoot, practice martial arts, and even improve the firing range of firearms?”

Xie Mian had initially thought Division Commander Tang was there to investigate the matter of the miniature camera, but he ended up hearing about Su Meng’s other skills.

He looked at Su Meng in surprise, racking his brains to come up with a defense for her.

But under Division Commander Tang’s stern gaze, the words on the tip of his tongue had to be swallowed.

For now, it was just Division Commander Tang questioning her alone. If she were taken to the military for interrogation, the situation would be entirely different.

Clearly, Division Commander Tang was more curious than anything else.

He silently closed his mouth and looked at Su Meng with concern.

Su Meng sighed inwardly, ordinary folks really had no privacy at all.

Why did her little tricks make them feel so out of place?

“I learned a bit of martial arts from my family when I was young.

As for firearms, I played with replica guns while studying abroad. I was once very interested in guns and researched them for a while.”

Given the limited flow of information between domestic and international sources at the time, she believed they wouldn’t go to the trouble of investigating such a trivial matter about her.

Division Commander Tang pondered for a moment, then picked up the two sniper rifles that Huo Zhenhua had brought out and examined them, his tone drawn out. “Is that all?”

Su Meng replied, “That’s all.”

Division Commander Tang clearly didn’t believe her.

After all, if simply swapping out a gun barrel could improve its firing range, something so straightforward, and their own researchers couldn’t figure it out, they might as well go home and farm.

Recalling the electric motor Su Meng had modified, which not only enhanced its safety but also improved its maneuverability performance, he thought it was possible she had made other modifications to this sniper rifle as well.

“Comrade Su Meng, would you be willing to join our military firearms research institute?”

Su Meng instinctively wanted to refuse, but after seeing Xie Mian’s expression, her words changed to, “I am willing to serve the people!

But, Commander, I only graduated in mechanics. I don’t understand firearms.”

Division Commander Tang, thinking she was being coy, immediately dangled a carrot. “If you join our military firearms research institute, you won’t have to worry about being separated from Comrade Xie Mian and your family.

If you keep refusing, are you trying to defy orders?”

His tone turned severe at the end.

Xie Mian and the others looked at Su Meng with concern, afraid that her refusal might anger the commander.

Su Meng, however, was at a loss for words. Firearms research was worlds apart from her field of mechanical engineering, how could she dare accept such a responsibility?

She didn’t know why Division Commander Tang had the mistaken impression that her background in mechanics qualified her for the firearms research institute, but she didn’t want to make a mistake.

After thinking it over carefully, she took out the original firearms and equipment books she had acquired and handed them over. “Commander, I really only have a hobbyist’s level of knowledge and have done some research. I truly dare not take up resources in the research department.”

“This is a book I secretly brought back, hoping it might be of some help to you.”

A true expert reveals their skill with the first move.

She didn’t want to disappoint anyone, nor did she want to be accused of overestimating her abilities.

By clarifying things early, she could at least preserve some dignity.

When Division Commander Tang saw her even pulling out foreign-language books, he realized that this young woman might genuinely lack expertise in firearms. Without hesitation, he accepted the book and said, “Thank you for your generosity!

However, our research institute doesn’t focus solely on firearms, we also study various types of machinery, such as electric motors.

If you’re unwilling to stay in the military, would you consider returning to the Shanghai Mechanical Research Institute?”

“Shanghai Mechanical Research Institute?” Su Meng had no idea when she had become associated with this institute and looked at Division Commander Tang in confusion.

Tang quickly deduced that Huo Zhenhua hadn’t informed her about the institute’s intention to recruit her, so he explained the situation.

Su Meng suddenly understood and immediately declared, “I want to stay with my family. I wish to remain at our firearms research institute. But…”