Visiting Lu Yu in the Hospital

"Alright."
A silence fell over the phone.
The two remained quiet for a moment, then Lu Yu said, "Wait for me, I'll be back very soon."
Jiang Nian wanted to ask him for specific dates and locations, but thinking of his mission and military secrets, she gave up the idea. "Alright."
After hanging up, Jiang Nian's heavy heart felt considerably lighter.
She went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some white sugar, planning to make candied sweet potatoes when she returned. The snow was falling heavily now. Jiang Nian patted the snow from her head and, just as she reached the intersection between the regiment compound and the family quarters, she met Tang Ze and Song Bai. The two were together, and it was currently breakfast time, so they were likely heading to the mess hall.
Tang Ze greeted her, "Sister-in-law."
Jiang Nian nodded and smiled, "Mm."
Song Bai looked at the bag of white sugar in her hand, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is there anything else you need at home?"
Jiang Nian quickly shook her head. "No, nothing at all."
Ever since Lu Yu left, Song Bai had frequently come to help her, bringing her snacks each time. Even if she refused, Song Bai would still give them, only saying that she should eat more and not get thin, lest Lu Yu return and "punish" him. This made her embarrassed every time. Whenever Song Bai came near, she would cook more delicious food for him to take back to the dormitory.
She could only repay him this way.
Song Bai looked at the snow on Jiang Nian's eyelashes. She wore a red scarf, highlighting her even fairer and more beautiful face, with her black hair falling loosely, a few snowflakes clinging to it. Song Bai tried hard to keep his gaze from crossing any boundaries.
Jiang Nian was cold, she stomped her feet, and white mist escaped her mouth as she exhaled. "I'm heading back first."
Tang Ze waved his hand. "Alright."
Song Bai watched Jiang Nian's retreating figure as she jogged away, unable to resist saying, "Run slower, be careful not to fall."
Jiang Nian didn't turn her head. "Got it."
Tang Ze nudged Song Bai's arm with his elbow, raising an eyebrow. "Do you like Sister-in-law? Look at how attentive you've been these past few months."
Song Bai's gaze darted away. He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his collar and said, "Let's go eat."
"Did I guess right?"
Tang Ze slung an arm over Song Bai's shoulder. "Tell me, if you really like Sister-in-law, wait for Lu Yu to come back, and ask him to be your matchmaker."
Song Bai: ...
He glared at Tang Ze. "How about we spar a bit tonight?"
Tang Ze let go of him. "Forget it, let's wait for Lu Yu to come back, you two can spar then."
Song Bai raised an eyebrow, sizing Tang Ze up and down, making Tang Ze tense up. "This old man wants to go back and accompany my wife sooner! Who's like you, a lone bachelor!"
Song Bai: ...
This year, the snow fell sporadically, not as heavily as the previous year.
Jiang Nian ran home, turned around to close the courtyard gate, and was about to go into the kitchen when the corner of her eye caught a red streak on the wall. It was a piece of red fabric cut into strips, draped over the wall, with some strips hanging down into Jiang Nian's courtyard, embroidered with mandarin ducks.
She had rushed out that morning and hadn't noticed.
But it certainly hadn't been there yesterday. Looking at the layer of snow on the red fabric, she guessed that if it had been hung overnight, it was deliberately placed in an obvious spot for her to see.
Jiang Nian: ...
That Sun Ying truly had a screw loose.
Thinking of how the author in the book described Sun Ying as beautiful, kind-hearted, and a delicate young girl, Jiang Nian felt disgusted.
However, this mandarin duck embroidered curtain was exchanged for meat by Sister-in-law Chen, so it was theirs to do with as they pleased.
Jiang Nian cooked porridge in the morning, stir-fried a vegetable dish, and made a portion of candied sweet potatoes. She sat by the window, occasionally looking up at the thick layer of snow in the courtyard. She planned to sweep the snow in the courtyard after eating, lest Song Bai come over and be troubled by it.
After eating, Jiang Nian warmed her hands and began to clear the courtyard. The more she swept, the more snow there seemed to be, thick and dense, making it quite strenuous. She finished sweeping the west wall, and as she walked towards the house, she was startled by the red fabric strips hanging on the wall.
Jiang Nian: ...
Although she told herself it wasn't her business, the red fabric fluttering on the wall was truly eerie.
She swept half the snow, then, feeling cold, ran back inside to warm her hands for a while, planning to continue sweeping in the afternoon. First, she sat down at her embroidery frame. Last time, Zhang Xiao came and said that Director Peng had recently been complaining about her again, saying that when her belly grew big, would she go to work or have a baby, and that the embroidery workshop was a quiet place for embroidery, not a place to hear babies crying.
Zhang Xiao said that Zhou Jun would be promoted to squad leader after the New Year, and then he would apply for a courtyard in the family quarters, so he could come to see her every day. Jiang Nian didn't say anything aloud, but she knew clearly in her heart that after Lu Yu returned, they would probably leave soon.
Regiment Leader Song had already been transferred, and Lu Yu was about to be too.
As dusk fell, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. Jiang Nian got up to open the door, and the corner of her eye caught sight of the red fabric strips fluttering on the wall, startling her heart into a frantic beat. She couldn't help but let out a cry. Although she knew the red fabric was hanging there and had mentally prepared herself, the sudden sight still made her jump.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong?!"
Song Bai's anxious voice came from outside the courtyard gate.
Before Jiang Nian could speak, Song Bai vaulted over the wall from outside. He saw Jiang Nian standing blankly under the tree, as if startled, her face a little pale. He first pushed open the courtyard gate, then walked over, frowning as he asked, "Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Seeing Song Bai, Jiang Nian's fear faded considerably. "No, I'm fine."
That was enough!
She had put up with Sun Ying long enough!
If she didn't teach Sun Ying a lesson this time, Jiang Nian felt she would die of indignation!
"Jiang Nian."
Xu Yan stepped in from outside the door. Seeing Jiang Nian's pale face, she thought she was sick. "Did you catch a cold?"
Song Bai keenly noticed Jiang Nian's gaze frequently fixed on the east wall. He turned his head and saw the red fabric strips fluttering on the wall, looking very eerie. He was tall, level with the wall, and reached out to pull down the red fabric, pulling even the strips from the other side of the wall. The red fabric was covered in snow, damp and cold, cut into tattered strips.
Song Bai's cold gaze swept over the wall towards Tang Ze, who had just walked out of his room. "Tang Ze!"
Hearing this, an idea sparked in Jiang Nian's mind. She whispered to Xu Yan, "Go call Regiment Leader Tang and Sister-in-law Chen, I'm afraid Song Bai and Tang Ze will fight."
She deliberately made it sound so serious, wanting to draw Regiment Leader Tang and Chen Fang here.
Xu Yan looked at Song Bai's cold expression and also felt that something big was about to happen. She immediately ran off.
Tang Ze was startled by Song Bai's shout. Then he heard Sun Ying in the room say her stomach was uncomfortable, so he told Song Bai, "Don't shout so loudly, you'll scare my wife."
After saying that, he went back into the room.
Song Bai clenched the red fabric, lowered his head, and saw the tattered mandarin duck embroidery on it. He looked at Jiang Nian's pale, hurt expression, then turned and ran out into the courtyard. Not a few seconds later, a "Bang!" echoed from the next-door courtyard gate!
Jiang Nian jumped. She ran out and saw Song Bai had directly kicked open Tang Ze's courtyard gate.
Jiang Nian: ...
If it were Lu Yu, he would use a different method to help her resolve it.
If it were her, she would use tactics that benefited her, but she never expected Song Bai to be so direct and aggressive, going straight to Tang Ze's door to settle scores.
The courtyard gate burst open with a loud bang, and the commotion drew neighbors out to watch the excitement.
Even Liu Qiang, Liu Jian Ye, and Liu Jian Wu came out.
Inside the room, Tang Ze helped Sun Ying sit up. Hearing the commotion outside, he frowned and stood up to go out. Sun Ying tightly gripped his hand. "My stomach is uncomfortable."
Tang Ze patted her hand, coaxing, "I'll be right back."
"Tang Ze!"
Song Bai's voice pierced through the window, startling Sun Ying. Tang Ze's face darkened in anger. He stood up and ran out. Sun Ying tried to hold him back but couldn't. She was actually a little guilty, afraid that if this matter escalated, it wouldn't be good for her.
Sun Ying anxiously went to the window to look out.
In the courtyard, Song Bai threw half of the red fabric, cut into strips, to Tang Ze. Tang Ze's face turned dark. "What the hell are you going crazy for?!"
"See for yourself what this is!"
Song Bai looked coldly at Tang Ze as he pulled the red fabric over his head. "Isn't it just a piece of torn fabric—"
His words suddenly stopped.
Tang Ze flipped the red fabric over, saw the messily cut mandarin duck embroidery, and his face changed. He looked up and saw Jiang Nian standing at the courtyard gate, her face a little pale. He didn't know if she was provoked or not. Tang Ze instinctively clenched the red fabric, then turned and saw Sun Ying peeking out the window. Sun Ying unexpectedly met Tang Ze's gaze and quickly recoiled in fear.
"What's wrong? Why are they fighting?!"
Chen Fang's voice reached them before she did.
Tang Ze's face changed. He gripped the red fabric even tighter, a hint of helplessness on his face. Song Bai also didn't expect Sister-in-law Chen to come. Even Sun Ying in the room, hearing Chen Fang's voice, felt her heart drop.
"What's going on?"
Regiment Leader Tang also arrived, running with Chen Fang. He saw Jiang Nian at the door, her face pale, then looked at Song Bai and Tang Ze facing each other in the courtyard. Regiment Leader Tang inwardly guessed that this matter was probably related to Deputy Regiment Leader Lu's sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, it's nothing."
Tang Ze hid the red fabric behind his back, but Chen Fang's sharp eyes still spotted it. Chen Fang glared. "Let me see it."
"It's just a piece of fabric, nothing to see."
Tang Ze didn't give it to Chen Fang. Regiment Leader Tang saw the fabric fluttering behind Tang Ze, with black silk threads embroidered on it. He immediately thought of the mandarin duck curtain Chen Fang had asked Jiang Nian to embroider for Tang Ze's wedding. Regiment Leader Tang frowned, looking at the house, and inwardly tried to pull Chen Fang away.
If it really was about the curtain, household shame shouldn't be exposed. It was better to close the door and talk.
Chen Fang stubbornly pushed Regiment Leader Tang's hand away, snatched the red fabric from Tang Ze's hand, and looked at the curtain cut into strips, the mandarin duck embroidery a tragic sight. Chen Fang's face turned green with anger, her hands trembling. She had paid out of her own pocket, bought two catties of meat and three catties of eggs, to ask Jiang Nian to embroider two pairs of mandarin ducks, just so that when her brother-in-law Tang Ze got married, the curtain would be the most beautiful! Had she ever asked him for this money? No!
"Yes, my family is poor. These past few years, your Tang family has always helped my family, so I have no complaints or regrets about working like an ox or a horse for your Tang family, treating your brother as my own. My family doesn't have money like Sun Ying's family. Sun Ying's parents are factory directors, my family can't compare, but even if her Sun Ying's family is good, she shouldn't torment people's hearts like this!"
Chen Fang cried as she spoke. Regiment Leader Tang also felt bad for his wife and pulled her. Chen Fang pushed him away. "Don't pull me!"
She forcefully tore the curtain to shreds and threw it on the ground, then looked up and glared at Tang Ze. "If your wife didn't like the curtain, she should have told me, why cut it? And why hang it on the wall for Jiang Nian to see? Is tormenting me alone not enough, do you want to torment Jiang Nian too?"
Tang Ze lowered his head apologetically. "Sister-in-law, don't be angry."
"Don't talk to me!"
Chen Fang pushed Tang Ze away and yelled towards the room, "Sun Ying, let me tell you, this old woman isn't easy to mess with. Everything I eat and use belongs to the Tang family, to my husband, not to your Sun family. You're pregnant, Mother told me to take good care of you. Whatever you want to eat, Mother told me to make for you. Don't forget I'm also a daughter-in-law, everyone's the same, why should I spoil you? From now on, I, Chen Fang, and your entire family will never interact again! And don't come to my house to freeload anymore!"
After saying that, she forcefully wiped away her tears. As she left, she saw Regiment Leader Tang still standing there and sneered, "What? You don't want to come back either?"
Regiment Leader Tang: ...
He told Tang Ze, "What your wife did was too immoral."
After saying that, he followed his wife away.
Chen Fang had followed him for so many years, enduring so much hardship, and he, as her husband, wasn't blind.
Chen Fang walked to the gate and told Jiang Nian, "You go back, that Sun Ying is not a good person."
Jiang Nian watched Regiment Leader Tang and his wife disappear into the snowy night. She turned to look at Tang Ze. Tang Ze irritably rubbed his face, then glared at Song Bai. "Why are you still here? Is the commotion not big enough for you?!"
Song Bai: ...
He looked at the window, his voice also displeased. "In the future, manage your wife well. If Lu Yu were here today, this matter wouldn't end so simply."
Tang Ze knew clearly in his heart. Although he and Lu Yu weren't in the same regiment, they were all good friends and understood each other. If today's incident had involved Lu Yu, he feared it wouldn't be easy to explain. Everyone in the family quarters knew that Lu Yu cared most about his sister-in-law.
Not only was his sister-in-law's embroidery cut, but it was also hung on the wall to provoke and scare her. Who would be comfortable with that?
Song Bai and Jiang Nian both left, and the other military wives outside also dispersed.
Tang Ze's house was chaotic tonight, and the next day, news would spread throughout the family quarters that Tang Ze's wife not only couldn't tolerate his sister-in-law but also provoked Lu Yu's sister-in-law.
Tang Ze stepped over the tattered red curtain, closed the courtyard gate, and turned back into the room. Sun Ying heard the door open and was so scared she sat on the edge of the bed, not daring to speak. She only wanted to provoke Jiang Nian; the more uncomfortable Jiang Nian was, the happier she would be. But who knew Song Bai would appear to defend Jiang Nian, and even bring her sister-in-law and elder brother, stripping her of all dignity.
She now hated Jiang Nian to death, wishing she could take scissors and disfigure her face!
Why did she, a widow, have so many men defending her?
Lu Yu was gone, yet another Song Bai appeared, all surrounding her!
"Ying Ying..."
Tang Ze closed the room door, his gaze at Sun Ying a little complex. "Even if you don't like the curtain, you could have folded it and put it at the bottom of a chest. Why cut it and hang it on the wall to stir up trouble?"
Sun Ying hid the impatience in her eyes. She looked up at Tang Ze, her eyes brimming with tears. Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, past her red mole, making her appear even more fragile and pitiful. Although Sun Ying was a little plumper than before, her face was still beautiful. Tang Ze never thought she looked bad when she gained weight; on the contrary, he thought a little extra weight meant she was healthy, which was good.
"I'm sorry."
Sun Ying stood up, walked to Tang Ze, and hugged him, burying her face in his chest. "I was just afraid of mandarin ducks, that's why I cut them with scissors."
Tang Ze's brows furrowed tightly. He didn't react much to Sun Ying's主动. He didn't understand. Even if Sun Ying didn't like mandarin ducks, even if she cut them, why did she have to hang them on the wall to provoke Jiang Nian? To scare Jiang Nian?
He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you have some grudge against Jiang Nian?"
Sun Ying didn't speak. After a moment, she said no, but Tang Ze keenly noticed her body stiffen for a moment. Thinking of the first time he saw Sun Ying, when she asked him to sign for her, wanting to go in and find Lu Yu, only to be ruthlessly forced away by Lu Yu, an idea he had never considered suddenly arose in Tang Ze's mind.
Sun Ying still harbored feelings for Lu Yu.
Her targeting of Jiang Nian was also related to Lu Yu. Every time she was intimate with him, she covered his face. Who did she take him for? Tang Ze didn't want to think further.
He looked at the messy bedding on the bed, and as if thinking of something, a hint of self-mockery appeared between his brows. He still reminded her, "Ying Ying, I won't ask about what happened before you married me, but after you married me, I hope you recognize your identity. From now on, I will go to the mess hall to get food for you. Don't go to my elder sister-in-law's house anymore. It's getting late, hurry and sleep."
After saying that, he took Sun Ying's hand and pulled away.
Sun Ying's heart sank when she heard Tang Ze. She almost immediately wondered if Tang Ze had found out about her affair with Wu You Shan.
She turned to see Tang Ze taking off his shoes and lying on the outer side of the bed, closing his eyes without speaking further, a hint of hesitation in her heart.
In the next-door courtyard, the lights were on. Liu Qiang and Xu Yan were both sitting in the courtyard. Song Bai didn't have a broom to sweep the snow, so Jiang Nian told him to go home. Song Bai said, "I'll leave after I finish sweeping."
Xu Yan held Jiang Nian's cold hand. "We won't stoop to that kind of woman's level."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Mm."
Liu Qiang looked at Jiang Nian and said, "If you have any problems in the future, find Xu Yan. You two are friends."
Jiang Nian said, "Alright."
Song Bai left after sweeping the snow, not staying a moment longer. After Song Bai left, Liu Qiang and his wife also departed, precisely to avoid gossip.
Jiang Nian tossed and turned in bed that night, unable to sleep until midnight.
The next day, after lunch, Xu Yan came over. After Feng Mai left, Xu Yan became the second person to relay news from the family quarters to Jiang Nian. She said that everyone in the family quarters was now spreading rumors that Company Commander Tang's wife was not only a bad person but also a wolf in sheep's clothing, wasting the kindness Regiment Leader Tang's wife had shown her.
Xu Yan sat by the brazier, warming herself, and laughed. "You wouldn't believe it, the rumors outside are rampant. Company Commander Tang didn't even dare to lift his head when he went to the mess hall to get food this morning."
Actually, Tang Ze was also implicated.
But Jiang Nian didn't regret doing it. Sun Ying had bullied her right to her doorstep. If she didn't fight back, she would truly become a soft persimmon.
As dusk fell that evening, the courtyard gate was knocked on again.
Jiang Nian thought it was Song Bai again. As she walked to the door, she heard Tang Ze's voice. "Sister-in-law, it's me, Tang Ze."
Jiang Nian opened the courtyard gate. "What's wrong?"
Tang Ze said, "I came to apologize to Sister-in-law."
Jiang Nian was a little surprised, startled for a moment. "It's nothing."
Tang Ze smiled, then turned and left.
In a flash, it was almost the end of the year. With ten days left until New Year's Eve, Lu Yu finally stopped calling.
He had been gone for almost half a year this time.
The embroidery on the old man's portrait was almost finished, with only a little left. Jiang Nian worked all day, and after completing it, she framed the embroidery, planning to take it to the embroidery workshop tomorrow. Liu Qiang had been home for a month and then left. On the day he departed, he came to tell her to take good care of Xu Yan.
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Nian slung her small cloth bag over her shoulder and left the house. As she turned, she bumped into Sun Ying, who had just come out.
Sun Ying's face immediately turned extremely unpleasant. Her gaze at Jiang Nian was filled with such hatred, as if she wanted to cut her with a knife.
Jiang Nian: ...
She merely gave Sun Ying a cold glance, then walked past her door and said, "Evil begets evil."
"You!"
Sun Ying angrily clutched her protruding belly. She watched Jiang Nian's retreating figure, then furiously threw her lunchbox to the ground with a 'thud' and slammed the door shut, returning inside.
Xu Yan, standing outside her own door, saw this and 'tsk'ed. "Serves her right."
Jiang Nian left the military compound and went to the bus station to wait for the bus, where she met Zhou Jun and Song Bai.
All three were startled for a moment.
Zhou Jun recovered first. He glanced at Song Bai, saw Song Bai's slight frown, and didn't dare to say much. Song Bai asked, "Sister-in-law, where are you going?"
Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I'm going to Zhen Xiu Embroidery Workshop to deliver some embroidery."
Zhou Jun said, "Then I'll take Sister-in-law there."
"No need, no need." Jiang Nian wanted to refuse, but Song Bai interrupted her. "It's fine, we're also going to the city, so it's on our way to drop you off."
Jiang Nian was actually a little curious about why Song Bai and Zhou Jun were going to the city. Logically, they weren't in the same regiment, so they shouldn't be going together for work. Her thoughts shifted, and she asked, "What are you two going to the city for?"
Song Bai said, "To talk to Comrade Public Security for a bit, then we'll head back."
Jiang Nian understood. "Ah."
If Song Bai was going to talk to the public security, then Zhou Jun must be going to visit Zhang Xiao.
It was almost New Year's, and the bus was crowded. There was only one empty seat left. Song Bai helped Jiang Nian secure the seat for her. Next to her sat a slightly older woman, holding dry rations and eating them, likely having left home without breakfast.
It was cold on the bus, especially when it started, with drafts blowing in through the window cracks.
Jiang Nian felt exhausted as soon as she sat down, and she dozed off, almost falling asleep. Midway through the journey, she unconsciously hugged her cloth bag tightly due to the cold. Song Bai held onto the handrail above, looked down at Jiang Nian, and took off his cotton jacket to drape over her.
The middle-aged woman sitting by the window watched Jiang Nian sleep comfortably, then looked up at Song Bai, who was only wearing a thin sweater, and asked in surprise, "Young man, aren't you cold?"
Song Bai smiled and said, "Not cold."
The middle-aged woman: ...
She thought, "This is crazy, I feel cold just looking at him."
The bus arrived at the station. The screeching brakes and noisy commotion woke Jiang Nian. She opened her eyes and saw a flash of military green. Her first reaction was that Lu Yu had returned. She happily looked up, only to see it was Song Bai. Song Bai smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, we've arrived."
Jiang Nian quickly lowered her gaze, hiding the disappointment deep within her eyes. She stood up and handed Song Bai his clothes, feeling a little apologetic as she looked at him in his thin sweater. "You didn't have to cover me. It wouldn't be good if you caught a cold."
Song Bai took the clothes and quickly put them on. "I'm robust, I can handle the cold well."
The two took Jiang Nian to the embroidery workshop. Zhou Jun went in to visit Zhang Xiao, talked for a while, then left. Song Bai said as he was leaving, "Sister-in-law, we'll come pick you up later."
Jiang Nian wanted to say no need, but the two had already left.
She frowned, her gaze shifting from Zhou Jun to Zhang Xiao. "Didn't Zhou Jun come to visit you?"
Zhang Xiao's belly was now clearly visible. Even with clothes on, her small protruding belly could be seen. Although not large, it was noticeable. She smiled and said, "What's so good about me? After the New Year, I'll follow him to the army. We don't need to see each other every day."
Jiang Nian didn't speak, taking out her embroidery. Lu Xiao Jing and Di Pei Pei also arrived and happily chatted with Jiang Nian. A moment later, Director Peng arrived. Di Pei Pei told Jiang Nian, "Let's go in first."
Zhang Xiao also dutifully sat behind the counter.
Since the last incident, Director Peng no longer found fault with the three of them, but her personality was still difficult to get along with.
Today was the day for handing over embroidery, so not only Director Peng but also Director Wang came along.
Director Wang looked at the embroidery on the table, which resembled a photograph. Whether it was the old man's expression or the wrinkles around his eyes, everything was embroidered, looking very lifelike. Director Wang held the embroidery, unwilling to put it down, and praised, "Jiang Nian, your embroidery skills are truly admirable."
Director Peng stood beside her, not daring to say a word.
Director Wang said, "Comrade Deng will be here tomorrow. She will definitely be very satisfied when she sees this embroidery."
Jiang Nian humbly smiled a few times, then glanced at Director Peng. After the last incident, Director Peng was genuinely afraid of Jiang Nian. Meeting Jiang Nian's gaze, she awkwardly looked away.
The embroidery was perfectly handed over. When Director Wang wanted to give Jiang Nian new embroidery, Jiang Nian refused.
Director Peng was startled, then looked at Jiang Nian in a panic, her eyes pleading, begging her not to cause trouble.
Jiang Nian: ...
Director Wang frowned. "What's wrong? Tell me."
Jiang Nian said, "I plan to go to the eastern market soon, so I don't have time for embroidery for now. I'll talk about it after I'm done with my business."
Hearing this, Director Wang and Director Peng both let out a sigh of relief.
Jiang Nian did indeed intend to go to the eastern market. If Lu Yu couldn't make it back in time, she would have to go herself to help Regiment Leader Song avoid the disaster of his previous life.
Jiang Nian didn't plan to wait for Song Bai and the others. She went to the bus station herself to catch the afternoon bus home. Passing by the state-run restaurant, she saw Zhou Jun coming out with three lunchboxes. Jiang Nian frowned slightly. For some reason, she felt a vague sense of unease. Ever since seeing Zhou Jun and Song Bai at the bus station that morning, she had felt something was off.
She didn't call out to Zhou Jun but quietly followed behind him.
Zhou Jun was a soldier, more perceptive than ordinary people. Jiang Nian didn't dare to get too close, only watching from a distance to see which way he went. It wasn't until she saw the city hospital that Jiang Nian understood. Her chest pounded violently. Her first reaction was, "Is Lu Yu inside?"
Only after Zhou Jun's figure completely disappeared into the hospital did Jiang Nian run over.
The city hospital was crowded. Jiang Nian searched floor by floor. She couldn't describe her feelings; her hands and feet were trembling. She ran to the third floor, checking each patient room, until her hand rested on the wooden door of the fourth room, and she heard Song Bai's voice.
"Sister-in-law is fine, she just misses you."
"Deputy Regiment Leader Lu, just rest assured and recover. Deputy Regiment Leader Song and I personally took Sister-in-law to the embroidery workshop."
"As long as she's alright."
It was Lu Yu's voice.
After half a year, his voice no longer came from a phone receiver, but from behind a door.
Jiang Nian's breath hitched. She pushed open the hospital room door and immediately saw Lu Yu lying on the outermost bed. The man had taken off his military uniform and was wearing a pine-green sweater she had knitted for him. From her angle, she could only see Lu Yu's profile. A single glance was enough to tell her he had lost a lot of weight, his angular profile even sharper.
He was covered by a blanket. Jiang Nian didn't know where he was injured.
Several people heard the door open and thought it was a nurse. Zhou Jun looked up, then froze. "Sister-in-law!"
Why was she here?!
The sound of "Sister-in-law" made everyone look towards the hospital room.
Lu Yu frowned. He turned his head and saw Jiang Nian entering, his expression subtly changing. His throat felt as if burning coals had been poured into it, making him unable to speak. Jiang Nian walked to the bedside, looked down at him, her bright eyes welling up with mist. "Why didn't you tell me you were back?"
Lu Yu propped himself up on his elbow, a movement that seemed to take all his strength. His forehead was dotted with a thin layer of sweat, and his complexion was worse than before. Jiang Nian was so scared she pressed down on his arm, but Lu Yu grabbed her wrist with his backhand. The man's finger bones tightened for a moment, then released. His deep voice was a little hoarse. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Zhou Jun was a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, how did you know we were here?"
Jiang Nian looked at Lu Yu, her voice a little choked. "I saw you coming out of the state-run restaurant and secretly followed you."
Zhou Jun: ...
Lu Yu glanced at Zhou Jun. Zhou Jun sighed helplessly. Who would have thought they'd run into Sister-in-law?
Song Bai looked at the arm Lu Yu was holding and said, "I'll go ask the doctor about the situation."
Zhou Jun said, "I'll go too."
"Lu Yu, is this your sister-in-law?"
"Hello, Sister-in-law!"
The two men on the two inner beds greeted Jiang Nian. This time, they had all gone out with Lu Yu. The innermost man looked at Jiang Nian and smiled. "Hello, Sister-in-law, my name is Chen Yao. I know you. Lu Yu called you that time, and I was right there."
Jiang Nian remembered the first time Lu Yu called her, and indeed, a man's voice came from the other end, very much like Chen Yao's.
She nodded and smiled slightly. "Hello, my name is Jiang Nian."
Another man smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, my name is Zhou Ji."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Hello."
"Sister-in-law."
Lu Yu held Jiang Nian's wrist, hiding it under the blanket. His fingers slowly traced her palm, then intertwined with hers, his eyes filled with a thick emotion. "You've gotten thin."
Her wrist was even more slender.
He could gently grasp it with half his hand.
"Sit here."
Jiang Nian pursed her lips and sat on the edge of the window. No one saw Lu Yu's hand under the blanket, tightly gripping hers.
He said, "I miss your... zhajiangmian."
Jiang Nian's eyes immediately reddened. She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her tears. Her flushed lips caught Lu Yu's gaze, and the man's eyes darkened a few shades. "I'm fine. I'll be good after a few days of rest."
Jiang Nian sniffled, her voice thick with sobs. "Where are you hurt? Let me see."
Lu Yu coughed lightly. "No need to see."
Chen Yao laughed. "Sister-in-law, you can't see this. Lu Yu was injured in his hip bone."
Jiang Nian was startled, then saw a hint of a smile in Lu Yu's eyes.
She pursed her lips tightly and lowered her head. After a moment of calm, she asked, "How did you get injured?"
Lu Yu said softly, "A bullet grazed me, it's not serious."
Lu Yu felt Jiang Nian's hand stiffen. He rubbed the back of her hand. If there weren't two other people in the room, he would have hugged her, hugged the vibrant girl he had missed for half a year.
Jiang Nian knew that Lu Yu had probably been in dangerous places for the past six months. The fact that he could call her twice probably took a lot of effort. Jiang Nian's chest ached uncomfortably. She was more afraid than ever that something would happen to Lu Yu.
Jiang Nian wanted to hold back, but she couldn't, and she began to sob.
After half a year of not seeing him, she finally saw him, only for him to be in a hospital bed.
Chen Yao and Zhou Ji exchanged glances. Seeing Jiang Nian bite her lower lip, trying to suppress her sobs and tears, they both felt that Lu Yu's sister-in-law looked beautiful even when crying.
Chen Yao and the other two: ...
Chen Yao said, "Sister-in-law, Lu Yu is really fine."
Zhou Ji said, "Sister-in-law, Lu Yu is in very good health."
Jiang Nian sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, their hands intertwined under the blanket. She gradually stopped crying. Seeing the aluminum lunchbox on the table, and then Chen Yao and the others, who were eating from their own aluminum lunchboxes, she told Lu Yu, "Eat first."
She tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't.
Lu Yu reluctantly tightened his grip before letting go. Jiang Nian quickly pulled her hand back and opened the aluminum lunchbox, wanting to help Lu Yu sit up, but he propped himself up on his arms and leaned against the headboard. Jiang Nian was alarmed. "Don't use force, you'll tear the wound open."
"It's nothing."
Lu Yu took the lunchbox Jiang Nian offered and asked her, "Have you eaten?"
Jiang Nian nodded. "I have."
After saying that, she saw the man smile. She frowned slightly. "What are you smiling at?"
Lu Yu called out, "Zhou Jun."
Zhou Jun, who had just reached the door, heard his name and came in. "Deputy Regiment Leader Lu, what's wrong?"
Lu Yu said, "Take my sister-in-law to the state-run restaurant for lunch."
Jiang Nian: ...
Truly, nothing could be hidden from Lu Yu.
Jiang Nian followed Zhou Jun and Song Bai to the state-run restaurant. The three chose a table by the window. Song Bai ordered four dishes and asked Jiang Nian, "Sister-in-law, do you want rice or steamed buns?"
Jiang Nian said, "Rice."
During the meal, Song Bai asked Jiang Nian, "Sister-in-law, will you go back with us later, or wait here?"
Jiang Nian said, "I'm going back to get Lu Yu two sets of clothes for bathing."
She had just seen Lu Yu's sweater stained with blood, which looked very eerie.
Song Bai looked at Jiang Nian's bright, beautiful eyes and smiled. "Alright then."
After eating, they went to the hospital. Lu Yu had already finished eating, and his aluminum lunchbox was on the table. Zhou Jun proactively took it to wash. Jiang Nian saw Lu Yu already lying on the bed. She stood at the bedside and said, "I'll go back with Zhou Jun later. Tonight, I'll get you two sets of clothes for bathing and bring them to you tomorrow."
"No need."
Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian's thin face. "You just stay home. I'll come find you in a few days."
Jiang Nian shook her head. "I'll come find you tomorrow. It's decided."
It was the first time she had stubbornly refused him.
When Zhou Jun came in, Lu Yu told him to go ask the military district if there would be a special vehicle going to the city tomorrow. If so, tell Jiang Nian to come; if not, then forget it.
Jiang Nian: ...
She looked at Lu Yu's pale face, then turned and followed Song Bai and Zhou Jun.
Chen Yao said, "Lu Yu, your sister-in-law is really good to you."
Lu Yu smiled. "Mm."
"By the way, is your sister-in-law's zhajiangmian really that delicious? I see you always say you want to eat her zhajiangmian."
Lu Yu looked at the window and smiled meaningfully. "It's very delicious."
Chen Yao and the other two said in unison, "We'll have to try Sister-in-law's cooking sometime."
Lu Yu: ...
Jiang Nian and Zhou Jun sat on the bus. By the time they returned, it was already dark.
The Third Regiment had something going on, so Song Bai was called away by Tang Ze as soon as he got off the bus.
Zhou Jun said, "Sister-in-law, I'll go ask first. Whether there is or not, I'll come tell you."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Thank you for your trouble. Oh, by the way, see if there are any of Lu Yu's clothes in the dormitory. Can you bring them back for me?"
Zhou Jun said, "Alright."
Jiang Nian went home first to light the charcoal in the room, warming up the house. Then she went to Lu Yu's house, took out a clean set of clothes from his wardrobe, and put them in a cloth bag. After finishing, she went into the kitchen to knead dough, planning to make some pastries and cakes for Lu Yu. As soon as she put the pastries in the pot, she heard footsteps outside the door.
"Sister-in-law."
Zhou Jun handed Lu Yu's clothes to her. "There's a special vehicle going to the city tomorrow, departing at four in the morning. Sister-in-law just needs to wait at the military gate, and they'll take you."
Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Alright."
Seeing Zhou Jun about to leave, she called him back. "Wait a moment, my pastries and cakes are almost done. Take some back to eat with Song Bai."
Hearing about food, Zhou Jun nodded without ceremony. "Then we'll have a feast tonight."
When the pastries were out of the oven, Jiang Nian put them in a basket, covered them with a cloth, and gave them to Zhou Jun. She returned to her room to wash up a bit. She hadn't dared to sleep deeply. Around four o'clock, she changed her clothes, put on her scarf, and, hugging her small cloth bag, went out to the military compound. She just made it in time for the special vehicle. Jiang Nian rode for four hours to the county, then rushed to the state-run restaurant to buy three portions of food for Lu Yu and the others, and then hurried to the hospital.
When Jiang Nian arrived, Lu Yu had just finished changing his dressing.
He was lying on the bed, his pine-green sweater stained with blood. Seeing her enter, Lu Yu pulled the blanket over himself. "Why did you come?"
Jiang Nian knew Lu Yu didn't want her to see. She placed her small cloth bag on the chair. "I came by special vehicle."
After saying that, she placed breakfast on the table and gave two portions of breakfast to Chen Yao and the others.
The two smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
She bought meat buns and soy milk. Lu Yu remembered. Jiang Nian pressed down on his shoulder and said, "Just lie down and eat."
Lu Yu: ...
He wasn't that weak yet...
However, seeing Jiang Nian's concern for him, Lu Yu still complied.
After breakfast, Jiang Nian handed him the clean clothes. "You change your clothes, I'll wash the bloodstains off for you."
Lu Yu said, "No need, I'll do it when I get back."
Jiang Nian stubbornly shook her head again. She hated blood, and she especially hated blood on Lu Yu. If she hadn't followed Zhou Jun this time, she wouldn't have known Lu Yu was in the hospital. Although she couldn't see Lu Yu's injury, she knew it was definitely not light.
Lu Yu smiled lightly. "Alright, I'll change."
Jiang Nian turned and went out. Chen Yao, whose arm was injured, got out of bed to help Lu Yu change his clothes. He touched the pine-green sweater and asked, "Did your sister-in-law knit this?"
Lu Yu: "Mm."
Chen Yao smiled. "No wonder you never wear it on missions. If such a good sweater got torn, I'd feel bad too."