Chapter Two: The Incident with Bayi

“Something’s wrong, something terrible has happened!”

The sudden voice rang out sharply in the quiet dormitory building, shattering the silence.

Gu Jianfeng, who had been napping, was startled awake by the unexpected commotion.

“Hey, man, what’s got you all worked up? I was just in the middle of a date with the daughter of the Duke of Dreams, and we were just about to hold hands when you ruined it with your yelling. I’m telling you, you owe me for this!”

A short-haired young man stepped out from Dorm 102, yawning as he spoke.

“I don’t have time to joke with you right now!”

“Bayi is having a difficult labor and severe bleeding. Both she and the pups might not make it!”

The soldier’s words struck like a bolt of lightning. Everyone who had been playing cards, sleeping, or gaming rushed out of their rooms, surrounding the soldier and waiting anxiously for more details.

Even Wu Fugui, who usually didn’t care about anything, dropped his book at the news that Bayi’s life was in danger and hurried outside.

“I don’t know how to explain it to you—just come and see for yourselves!” the soldier said, catching his breath before leading the way at a run.

“Let’s go see!” ordered Su Weiguo, the squad leader, eyes sharp and voice grave.

Gu Jianfeng followed behind the crowd. He’d come here to care for Bayi in her old age, to see her through the end of her days, but he hadn’t expected to encounter such grim news on his arrival.

A few minutes later, the group arrived at the kennel’s whelping room.

The small room was packed with people.

As Gu Jianfeng glanced around, he saw the deep concern etched on every face.

“Girl, you must hold on! The company commander will be back soon, just hang in there!” cried a man in a white coat, in his fifties, his voice thick with grief.

“Who is that?” Gu Jianfeng asked Wu Fugui in a low voice.

“That’s Fu Zhihong, our veterinarian. He’s a major and gets the same benefits as a deputy battalion commander,” Wu Fugui explained.

“Oh?” A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Jianfeng’s eyes.

A veterinarian with a field officer rank was a rare treasure in the military.

Despite the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing strength of the armed forces, there were still things that technology could not replace—like military dogs.

Trained military dogs could track, identify, guard, patrol, apprehend, relay messages, carry explosives, investigate, and search for drugs and bombs. In both warfare and crime-solving, they were heroes, comrades, and brothers.

“The higher-ups have wanted to transfer Vet Fu for a while, but he’s never been willing to leave our company’s dogs. He’s cared for them day after day, year after year, so everyone in our unit holds him in deep respect,” Wu Fugui said. Though usually flippant, his face was solemn when he spoke of the vet.

No matter the era, those who dedicate their lives to the nation and the army are always worthy of respect.

“Where’s the company commander? Isn’t he back yet?” Fu Zhihong, having regained a bit of composure, shouted to the crowd.

“Don’t worry, Vet Fu, I’ll call him right away!” said the soldier nearest the door, dashing out.

He returned soon after, and under the weight of everyone’s expectant gaze, reported anxiously, “Vet Fu, the commander’s car broke down on the road. He won’t make it back any time soon!”

“What?”

“How unlucky!”

“What will we do without oxytocin? What about Bayi?”

Bayi was the hope of the entire company.

Back in the War of Resistance, then-company commander Suo Hongfei was the first to deploy military dogs in combat, achieving remarkable results. He was later praised as the father of Chinese military dogs.

The company had a long tradition of training military dogs, producing countless decorated canines over the years.

But all good things come to an end.

For the army to progress, many cherished things must be left behind.

With too many scattered dog-training units incurring excessive costs, the military commission decided to establish centralized dog-training battalions in each military district for unified management and training. Naturally, the original dog-training company was first in line for disbandment.

Many of the younger dogs were reassigned, but the retired old dogs became a thorny problem.

Giving them to civilians as pets became the preferred solution.

But the current company commander, Long Fei, was determined to preserve the company’s legacy and look after the retired dogs, even at the cost of his own career.

Long Fei had been the youngest company commander in the border regiment. If not for this issue, he’d be a key officer by now. His peers had all become at least majors, but Long Fei, once the brightest star, was still just a company commander on the verge of disbandment.

Now, the first company of the border regiment received almost no support from the regiment—nearly all their expenses had to be managed on their own. The intention was clear: to force Long Fei to give in.

After all, even heroes can be brought low by money troubles.

“Those old dogs are our comrades. They gave the best years of their lives to the country! If you want them to end up as someone’s pet, I, Long Fei, will be the first to refuse!”

When Long Fei heard the news at regimental headquarters, he slammed his fist on the table and became the only one in the border regiment to challenge the commander and political commissar so directly.

No one blamed him—no one wanted to see such an outcome—but the nation had its own difficulties.

Bayi was the only female dog in the company to become pregnant again after that incident. She was the hope of everyone.

But for an old dog, giving birth was extremely risky.

Long Fei had wanted to prepare oxytocin in advance to be safe, but Bayi had gone into labor early.

“Vet Fu, what do we do now?”

“Yes, Vet Fu, please think of something!”

“Bayi keeps bleeding—if this goes on, we’ll lose them all!”

Everyone spoke at once, panic rising.

“Get the instruments ready. I’m going to perform a caesarean section!” Fu Zhihong declared heavily, as if making a momentous decision.

“Vet Fu, I’ve heard of caesareans for people, but never for dogs. You can’t be so reckless!” Su Weiguo, the squad leader, quickly objected.

“Bayi is like a daughter to me. If anything happens, I’ll bear the responsibility alone. Whatever happens, I can’t just stand by and watch her fade away!” Fu Zhihong’s eyes were brimming with tears, but his voice rang out, firm and unyielding.