LOVE PROMISES

"Doctor Fen, there is an emergency call from Nanjing! They really need medical assistance immediately!" said a nurse, freezing Fen in her tracks as her heart raced.

The journey from Yizheng to Nanjing was about an hour, but this hour would feel harrowing, as the situation outside was anything but stable. Japanese attacks were relentless, destroying everything in their path. It was crazy.

"We have to get there quickly," Fen said, starting to gather some items into her bag, only to be stopped by Chen.

"Wait, we can't rush into this. Look around, there are still so many patients here who need help and Nanjing is a dangerous place now. Are you serious about this?"

"I’ll talk to Doctor Yuan about this. He’ll surely allow a medical team to go with you. Because some of us are in Nanjing. I am so worried about them." Fen added, her face tense.

“But, listen to me, it’s not true. It will so dangerous for you and all people, Fen. Nanjing is under attack now, we can’t go there easily, we need some good strategy. If we are reckless, they will kill us.”

Fen's heart trembled as she rushed to see Doctor Yuan, explaining the urgent situation in Nanjing. With his tough heart, finally, Yuan give his permission to Fen to go to Nanjing with some soldiers to check the condition. Just hope everything is under control.

As the ambulance sped through war-torn streets, Fen's worry grew more intense, her body was shaking and her eyes almost tearing. Chen sat beside her, gripping the radio tightly, trying to reach their Army team in Nanjing. The very name of the city sent chills through them both. War's destruction was something they’d seen before, but this mission felt different—more personal.

They arrived in Nanjing at dusk. Smoke billowed in the distance, and the sharp smell of burning rubble filled the air, it makes their heart stabbed. The once-bustling city was now a battlefield, littered with devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, and explosions echoed across the horizon. Yet, the silence between each blast was more haunting than the blasts themselves.

As Fen and Chen made their way to the emergency hospital, their senses were overwhelmed, their once-strong legs weakened by the sheer chaos around them. Soldiers and civilians lay wounded throughout the facility, their cries of pain, scare and despair mingling with the shouts of frantic doctors and nurses. Amidst the turmoil, one patient seemed to unsettle the entire medical team—a man whose name Fen instantly recognized.

"Zhai Han," Fen whispered, his face pale as he looked at the man on a stretcher in the corner. It was the same soldier they’d spoken with only hours ago, alongside his mother.

Fen rushed to his side. Han's uniform was torn and stained with blood, his body riddled with shrapnel wounds, and his breathing shallow. But what shocked Fen the most wasn’t the severity of his physical injuries—it was the look in his eyes. The composed, resolute soldier she remembered was now a shattered man, his gaze distant and hollow.

"Han," Fen whispered softly, kneeling beside him. "It’s me, Fen. We talked earlier."

Han's lips trembled as if trying to speak, but only a faint rasp came out. His hand reached for hers, and she took it gently. His fingers, wrapped in bloody bandages, gripped her hand tightly.

"Save your strength," she urged. "We’ll get you out of here and patch you up."

But even as she spoke, Fen’s heart sank. There was something strange about Han's wounds. They were severe but not fresh. He’d been like this for days, perhaps even weeks. Yet, no one knew. Something’s strength happened at that time.

Chen, who had been observing silently, finally spoke. "This doesn’t make sense, Fen," he murmured. "Han was supposed to be on a mission. He was in the field when we last spoke with him and his mother. How could he have been lying here like this for so long?"

Fen's mind raced. The timeline didn’t add up. Had someone been impersonating Han during that call? Or had he been too injured to speak, with someone else taking his place? A chill ran down her spine as she recalled the strange tone in his voice during that call. Something was very wrong.

Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the emergency hospital. A nurse rushed in, breathless. "Doctor! Enemy forces are approaching this area. We have to evacuate immediately!"

Chen and Fen exchanged glances. The danger wasn’t only to Han's condition—they now had to get everyone out before it was too late. As Fen turned to help move Han, he weakly grabbed her arm, pulling her closer.

"There’s… something…" Han croaked, struggling to speak. His breaths were ragged, but his eyes were locked onto Fen. "In Nanjing… a big secret… they’re hiding something… the commander… has to… stop them… It’s very dangerous for us…. please help them."

“Wait, wait, hold on, Han. What are you talking about? Who’s commander? What will happen to us?” Fen asked so many questions to him.

“Please, help us ….. or they will kill…… us.” said Han, he’s struggling to speak clearly one more time. But, something happens, before Fen could ask what is he meant again, Han's body went limp, his hand slipping from her grip. His pulse slowed to a faint beat.

"Han, please hold on!" Fen cried, panic rising in her chest. She quickly signaled for the medical team to bring a defibrillator. But as they prepared to revive him, the hospital shook from a nearby explosion. Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling, forcing the medical staff to brace themselves.

"Doctor Fen, we have to move! It is so dangerous here." Chen shouted, pulling her away from Han's lifeless body as soldiers and nurses scrambled to evacuate. Yet Fen couldn’t shake the weight of his last words.

They carried Han to a safer location, clinging to the hope of saving him. Fen, a professional doctor, was determined to keep him alive. “I’ll help you, Han. Because you are the key of this battle. Please, hold on.” Fen said in deepest of her heart, her eyes still looked into Han.

‘A secret in Nanjing? Hidden by the commander? What is it?’ As they were guided toward the exit, Fen’s mind buzzed with questions. Who had kept Han hidden for so long? And what could be so dangerous that, even in his final moments, Han’s last thought was a warning about it?

She turned back to the hospital one last time, feeling the weight of an unknown burden on her shoulders. Whatever secrets lay buried in Nanjing, it wasn’t just about the war—it was something much darker, something that had driven Han to risk his life for it. but, what happened with Han and all civilians in Nanjing?

Now, it was up to her to uncover the truth before it was too late. Nanjing had to be secured from the enemy assault.

“We have to inform the commander about Nanjing’s case, it’s urgent! All people were died.” said Chen via radio to inform all soldiers in Yizheng, “We’re need more ammunition for this battle.” added him.