Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback
CHAPTER 5: The 1970s Naive Supporting Girl (5)
Then a man’s serious voice rang out.
“Family member, follow me. Everyone else, clear the way and cooperate!”
His voice was firm and commanding. People quickly stepped aside, and Song Susu climbed into the jeep.
At the hospital, seeing that Song Susu was just a young girl, Lu Tingxiao took the initiative to carry the child and rushed straight to the emergency room.
The doctor checked the boy and came out, scolding them without holding back.
“How could you let this happen? The child is beaten so badly. If you’d come any later, he might not have survived!”
Song Susu frowned slightly and asked, “Can you tell me what’s wrong with my brother? Is he in danger?”
Given what had just happened, things didn’t look good. On the way to the hospital, she had quietly used points in the system to redeem a Healing Pill and already given him one. The pill could save a life as long as there was still a breath in him, so technically, he should be fine.
Maybe the injuries were worse than she thought. She considered giving him another pill just in case.
A nurse nearby noticed Song Susu’s simple, rural appearance and snapped, “The emergency room isn’t a place anyone can just walk into. Where were you earlier? The child is beaten like this. So many uneducated rural folks, never responsible for anything…”
Song Susu’s ears rang from the words, and her eyes sharpened like knives as she shot back, “Do you even know what happened? Stop yelling randomly! This is the entrance to the emergency room. Can’t you tell what’s urgent and what’s not?”
The nurse jumped back, startled, and even the doctor fell silent immediately.
Lu Tingxiao glanced at Song Susu and asked the doctor, “Is his condition serious? Can he be treated here, or should we transfer him to the Military District Hospital?”
Since the child’s condition was urgent, he had brought him to the nearest city hospital, which was already one of the top hospitals in S City.
The Military District Hospital in S City had only been built last year. Its staff were all top-tier medical professionals sent from the Capital, including some nationally renowned doctors. The hospital also had the latest imported medical equipment from overseas. In short, it was extremely professional and well-equipped.
The doctor hesitated for a moment, about to say that the Military District Hospital wasn’t so easy to access. But when he looked at the man in uniform, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
This man clearly was not ordinary.
Clearing his throat, the doctor explained, “The patient’s condition is not suitable for movement right now. You arrived just in time, and at the moment he is not in life-threatening danger. We will do our best to treat him, and once he stabilizes, you can consider transferring him to the Military District Hospital.”
“Understood. Thank you,” Lu Tingxiao said, nodding.
The doctor left, still wearing his mask. The nurse shot Song Susu a glare and stomped off in a huff.
Song Susu sank into a nearby chair, rubbing her throbbing temples.
At least he wasn’t in immediate danger.
With the Healing Pill, it really shouldn’t be a problem.
As for that nurse, her tone had been way too sharp. A little urgency was understandable, but blindly pointing fingers and dragging in some rural prejudice was completely unnecessary.
Lu Tingxiao checked his watch and then glanced at Song Susu.
She was still in the same old clothes she had worn on the way back to the City. After the fight at the Song household, her hair was messy, and her bangs covered most of her eyes. She looked exactly like a small-town girl from a modest family.
Her temper was sharp, but the situation called for it. The doctor and nurse had indeed been too blunt with their words.
Her little brother’s life was in danger. Any girl in her position would feel anxious and fearful.
Lu Tingxiao stepped forward and spoke gently, “Young comrade, your brother isn’t in life-threatening danger. Don’t be afraid. I’ll stay here and watch over him. Go contact your family and let them know.”
Song Susu, sitting in the chair, instinctively looked up.
Her small, palm-sized face was porcelain pale, carrying a subtle chill in its tone. Her features were delicate, and her eyes, sharp and clear, seemed to pierce straight through anyone who met her gaze.
Lu Tingxiao paused for a brief moment, but quickly regained his composure.
He had to admit, she was beautiful.
Song Susu, flustered and in a rush, hadn’t even noticed his appearance until now. She looked up abruptly and their eyes met.
The man looked around twenty-four or twenty-five. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, standing nearly 1.9 meters tall. His military uniform was crisp and authoritative, fitting his upright, disciplined frame.
His features were strong and defined, carrying the allure of a mature man. The presence he radiated, calm yet magnetic, made one’s heart race and cheeks flush.
Song Susu quickly looked away, and politely thanked him. “Thank you, comrade. I’ve got this under control. You should take care of your own matters first.”
She guessed this man was no ordinary person, probably a significant supporting character. She hurriedly summoned the system to retrieve his information.
System: “Please wait, data transmission in progress—”
Lu Tingxiao, 24 years old, originally from the Capital, unmarried.
Deputy regiment commander of a Military District unit, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His family background was prominent—grandfather was a national hero, father a leading scientist, mother a high-ranking executive.
In later events, he would become a major figure. In his youth, he was injured on the battlefield, his thigh damaged by an explosion, requiring a cane ever since. Even after rising to high rank, he remained unmarried.
The female lead would eventually marry a collateral member of the Lu family. Their influence in elite circles relied heavily on Lu Tingxiao’s family background.
A thigh injury and still unmarried—these combined inevitably led to speculation.
Song Susu’s gaze naturally fell on him from where she sat.
Hmm, not bad.
Lu Tingxiao noticed her eyes and followed her line of sight.
Since the girl was seated and he was standing, what she was looking at was… right in front of him.
He instinctively thought it was his fault. Why else would a young lady be staring so intently?
Lu Tingxiao straightened his uniform, took a step back to avoid an awkward stance, then shifted slightly to the side.
“Young comrade, I’ll leave you the Military District Hospital’s contact. You can consult them if needed.”
Song Susu watched his careful movements, cleared her throat, and said, “Thank you. I’m Song Susu. May I ask how I should address you?”
“My surname is Lu,” he replied.
Due to the nature of his work, he rarely revealed his full name.
Song Susu didn’t press further. She nodded politely. “Thank you, Comrade Lu. I appreciate it.”
She wasn’t asking for his name to actually go to the military hospital. She trusted the Healing Pill’s effects, so it didn’t matter.
This future big shot was not only handsome but kind and helpful. Someone like him would rise high later on, so a light acquaintance wouldn’t hurt.
The Healing Pill she had just redeemed contained ten doses. If he ever needed it in the future, leaving one for him wouldn’t be a problem.
Just then, Lu Tingxiao asked, “Young comrade, did you bring money?”
Song Susu froze. She had completely forgotten.
Most of the money she had brought to the countryside had already been spent by the female lead. After buying the train ticket, only a few coins remained in her pocket.
It wasn’t nearly enough to cover the medical expenses.
No one from the Song family had shown up yet. They were probably hiding, and she couldn’t count on them anyway.
Lu Tingxiao noticed her awkwardness. He took out all the cash from his pocket, kept a couple of coins for himself, and handed the rest over.
“This should be enough for now. Keep it for emergencies, comrade.”
Since they weren’t familiar, Song Susu felt awkward just taking his money. She reached into her pocket, pulled out the bottle of Healing Pills, and took one out—a small pill wrapped in gold foil.
She handed it over casually. “Thank you for your generosity, Comrade Lu. Consider this a little return gift. It’s a rare medicine passed down in my family. In a life-or-death situation, it can keep you alive.”
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Glossary: In China during the 1960s–80s (the “period” this novel is set in), people commonly used “comrade” (同志, tóngzhì) as a formal way to address someone. It was a standard respectful term, similar to saying “Mr./Miss” or “sir” in a slightly more egalitarian, collectivist tone.
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