Crimson Instinct

Chapter 252: All up to Bai Li

Chapter 252: All up to Bai Li

---

***

Back to Bai Li's side, Major Shi Jianguo knocked on the door as he stood at the entrance of his ward.

Xin Lei and Bai Li looked towards him.

Bai Li smiled. "Major General Shi. You don't have to knock."

Major General Shi chuckled. "Of course I have to. Who knows when you young lads get cuddly and cozy and all lovey-dovey? I don't want to barge in at any moment."

Xin Lei coughed, feeling embarrassed. "Of course not."

Bai Li shook his head. "You only know how to tease. Anyway, how are things going at your end?"

"It's under control now. We have sorted out all evidence from the school we could get."

They nodded.

"But I came here for another important thing."

"What is it?"

There was a pause.

"It's about your dishonorable discharge from the Army."

Silence.

Xin Lei glanced at Bai Li and then slowly held his hand in hers. She smiled and nodded.

Bai Li sighed. "And?"

Major General Shi said, "Considering what happened in the container terminal had General Song involved in it who killed the civilian, Tan Ye, the army has realized that it made a mistake in deciding your verdict. You were innocent, yet you were relieved from your responsibilities of a soldier and discharged dishonorably."

"I see."

"So, the head judges of our court would like to apologize to you for their decision they took without really investigating much, only based on General Song's evidence. They also feel guilty for blaming your PTSD even though you never let it affect your mission even once in the last five years."

Bai Li was silent.

"Honestly, I don't know how to feel about that."

Xin Lei patted his hand. She looked at Major General and said, "Does Bai Li have to go to the base?"

"If possible, then yes. They would personally like to apologize for their mistake and also"

Bai Li furrowed his brows. "And?"

"The head judges also said that the army would apologize and welcome you back as the soldier. That is if you want. They have the utmost respect for you about how you dealt with Zhang Ning's gang. You will be back in the army, of course, with a medal and promotion for your fight against them."

Bai Li chuckled. "Wo, wo. So many things all at once. The oldies really feel bad, don't they?"

Major General sighed. "Yes, they do. We already knew that you are a capable soldier, and even without your sight, you were always the strength of the army."

"General Song called me a liability, and the judges seemed to agree with him on that front."

Xin Lei frowned. "I don't know what Bai Li feels about going back to the army. I won't stop him if he really wants that, but for me, it wouldn't be easy to go back to the place where they kicked me out without caring to investigate properly. They are apologizing now that they know the truth, but do they have any idea how much it hurt Bai Li?"

Silence.

"Serving fourteen years in the army is not a joke, and in exchange for his exemplary performance, he gets a dishonorable discharge? So what if the General had forged evidence against him? Couldn't they have investigated more, considering Bai Li's dedication and hard work? How can they easily believe that he killed a civilian? Did they have so little faith in him?"

Bai Li smiled and patted her head. "It's alright. It's all in the past now."

She mumbled. "You could forgive them, but I won't, for treating you like this."

He pulled her in his arms and kissed her cheek. "Thank you."

Major General said, "You are absolutely right, Xin Lei. I understand these points too. That's why Lin Zihao, Su Weiyuan, and I had always been against the court's decision and were constantly working to prove his innocence. I am not saying that Bai Li should forgive the Army and go back.

I am simply a messenger who came here to deliver their message. It's up to Bai Li if he wants to go back or not. The Army really wants to make up for its mistake, so they would be glad to have you back. But it's all up to you."

Bai Li nodded. "Alright. I get it."

Major General said, "Hm. So I will take my leave now. Oh yes. One more thing. If possible, they ask you to come to the base once to take back your discharge."

"Oh"

"Yes. You were officially dishonorably discharged. But now that the truth is out, they want to pull back that order and give you your rightful honorable discharge with all the respect you deserve."

Xin Lei harrumphed. "Of course they should. A dishonorable discharge is a stain in any soldier's life, and they dare give it to Bai Li without any proper investigation! They should give him his honor back along with a proper and clear apology and not through you."

Major General laughed. "Of course those oldies would. They are ashamed of themselves and really seem to want a corner to hide themselves."

Bai Li chuckled. "If Xin Lei faces the judges, I am sure they would die of embarrassment."

Xin Lei nodded hard. "I will make them! Throwing somebody out whenever they wanted and now asking him to come back whenever they want...who do they think they are?"

Major General and Bai Li burst into laughter. "You will surely set the court in fire."

"I will!"

Major General said, "Anyway. When your condition becomes better, please do visit the base once."

"I will."

"Also, you can tell them your decision at that time."

"En."

He left the ward, closing the door behind him.

Xin Lei leaned and kissed his lips. "I got a little emotional over there, but I will respect whatever decision you take. I will always stand by your side whether you want to go back to the army or not."

Bai Li smiled. "En. Thank you, Xin Lei. I know what to do."