Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Why was she crying?

Xu Yuqing froze, unsure for a moment whether she should approach.

Dr. Wu quickly realized her behavior was inappropriate, opening her mouth as if to say something, but tears came faster than words. Xu Yuqing, in panic, tried to pull out a handkerchief from her bosom, but she had rushed out so hurriedly that she didn't have one on her.

"Dr. Wu? What's wrong?"

Dr. Wu said nothing, waving her hand and saying hoarsely, "It's nothing," before hurrying away.

Watching her flee, Xu Yuqing looked at the man on the bed in puzzlement. Was it because he looked too pitiful?

But this episode had almost completely dispelled Xu Yuqing's tension and fear. She was now much calmer. It was just blood loss, after all; a drop of blood for a chicken, Xie Junli's salary could certainly afford that.

Still, looking at the man's gaunt face after only two days, Xu Yuqing couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

She thought back to the first time she met him in Xie Village.

Back then, Xu Yuqing had merely considered him a friend, but now, he liked her, and she liked him.

Seeing him like this, her heart ached unbearably.

Xie Junli remained unconscious, and Xu Yuqing didn't plan to wait any longer. She went outside, where the young soldiers refused to leave, saying they were worried about Commander Xie. Given this, Xu Yuqing didn't force them to go.

"Could you watch over Commander Xie for me? I'll go home and make some porridge for him."

The group stood up promptly. "No problem, Sister-in-law! Mission guaranteed!"

They looked tense, as if Xu Yuqing were some kind of terrifying beast. She nodded, not saying more.

The Military District Hospital was within the Military District, which was far more serious compared to the relaxed atmosphere of the family quarters.

Stepping out of the Military District gate, she greeted the guard and hurried back home.

It was still a distance from here to her home. If it weren't for the darkness, she could have conveniently stopped by the supply store to buy some meat for Xie Junli.

It would have been just a slight detour.

Xu Yuqing strode toward home. Now, she dared not run, for when she did, her entire heart felt like it would leap out. Xie Junli was already lying prostrate on his sickbed; she needed to hold herself together.

In the cold weather, Xu Yuqing tightened her cotton coat and quickened her pace toward home.

Upon returning, fearing that Xie Junli might wake up and not see her, Xu Yuqing turned on the light and started cooking porridge. Judging by his appearance, he probably hadn't eaten properly for these past two days, so she decided to cook something gentle on the stomach.

She first went to the place in the yard where she kept the meat, retrieving the last piece of lean meat. This was originally meant to be cooked into Guobaorou for Xie Junli upon his return.

Now, it could only be used for porridge.

The pork thawed while the rice was put in the pot. Xu Yuqing then found a cabbage, using only the leaves and discarding the stalks.

Chopping the leaves finely and setting them aside, Xu Yuqing began mincing the meat.

She sliced the lean meat into pieces, then into strips, then into small cubes, finally chopping them finely.

This method ensured the minced meat wouldn't clump together, ensuring each grain was distinct and easier to digest.

As the porridge in the pot began to bubble, Xu Yuqing quickly marinated the minced meat with starch, oil, soy sauce, and pepper. No matter how it was cooked, the meat wouldn't turn tough.

Meanwhile, she thought about the few young soldiers who probably hadn't eaten. They were thin and dark-skinned, and although she was anxious to see Xie Junli,

in the hospital, he would be fine.

Convincing herself, Xu Yuqing rummaged through boxes and cabinets for food containers.

However, there were only two containers at home, both previously used by Xie Junli and Xu Yuqing. There was a small clay pot, though.

These kids would likely never feel full no matter how much porridge was cooked, so Xu Yuqing took out two large scoops of flour and quickly kneaded them into dough.

Another pot was lit, and she started stir-frying a tomato and egg sauce.

Once done, she didn't have time to wash the pot. Xu Yuqing was in a hurry, pouring water directly into it and starting to roll out noodles.

The rice in the porridge pot had already bloomed, and Xu Yuqing added the minced meat, gently pressing it apart with a spoon to prevent clumping. After it boiled again, she added oil and salt, then placed the chopped cabbage leaves inside, finishing it off.

When the noodles were cooked, Xu Yuqing simply transferred them into the small clay pot and poured the plate of tomato and egg sauce over them.

A steaming pot, she wondered if it would be enough for them, but it would at least tide them over.

Carefully ladling the porridge into the food containers, the iron containers holding boiling porridge were too hot to handle without insulation.

With no choice, she went to the room, found a scrap of cloth, wrapped it around the food containers, tied a knot, and placed it on top of the clay pot.

Putting on her coat, Xu Yuqing rushed back toward the hospital once more.

Without any rest between trips, Xu Yuqing's weary yet beautiful face only served to tug at one's heartstrings.

Xie Junli, upon opening his eyes, saw his wife wiping his face, and his first reaction was concern.

"Yuqing."

Xie Junli called softly, his voice tender and affectionate, a stark contrast to his outwardly cold demeanor.

Xu Yuqing, looking at the man whose eyes had opened, admired their beauty. She had always envied how such expressive eyes belonged to a man. Fortunately, this man usually wore a cold expression, hiding his eyes from others.

Only she, in the depths of night, could catch glimpses of their true nature.

"Wake up, want to get up and have some porridge?" Xu Yuqing touched his parched lips, her heart aching.

Xie Junli was immobilized, able only to uncurl his fingers and grasp the hem of her dress. "I want to see you."

His hoarse voice and pitiful appearance caused Xu Yuqing to sigh, as she tucked his hand back under the covers.

"It's just that I'm going to get you a glass of water; I'm not going anywhere else."

Someone had just filled a thermos with warm water, which Xu Yuqing poured into a cup, cooling it carefully.

But how could he drink?

Looking at the immovable bed and the man who couldn't rise, Xu Yuqing was conflicted.

Yet Xie Junli's lips were already bleeding. After some thought, Xu Yuqing, under Xie Junli's gaze, bravely took a sip.

Holding the water in her mouth, she leaned over.

Prying open his teeth, it was like a long drought meeting sweet rain.

Even though Xie Junli couldn't move, he didn't want her to leave.

When they finished, Xu Yuqing's cheeks were flushed red, and she looked fearfully toward the door.

Fortunately, it had remained closed. If someone had walked in, thinking about this made her angry as she poked Xie Junli's face.

"Yuqing..." Xie Junli called out, his voice weak and slightly whiny.

Xu Yuqing, that damned sucker for good looks, softened her heart again. Sighing, she continued wiping his face.

His head, hands, and face were filthy, and his body must have been cut out of his military uniform, leaving the sheets relatively clean.

The most unbearable sight was the pillow, covered in mud.

Xu Yuqing couldn't wash his hair, so she let him endure it for now. She picked up the food box and carefully fed him porridge.

The porridge was still warm, thickened by the absorbed water, making it perfect for feeding.

"What time is it?"

Xu Yuqing glanced outside, estimating, "It should be around one in the morning."

As soon as she said this, she saw the look of concern in Xie Junli's eyes. Xu Yuqing poked his face irritably.

"If you're worried about me not getting sleep, then eat faster!"

With these words, Xie Junli's pace of eating porridge indeed quickened.

Xu Yuqing would feed him a spoonful, and he would open his mouth wide, swallowing it whole.

At first, Xie Junli didn't taste anything, only finding it unappetizing, but slowly, the fragrance and smoothness of the porridge spread in his mouth. By the time he finished the entire box of porridge, Xie Junli was still left wanting more.

Staring at Xu Yuqing with pleading eyes, she pressed both of her hands against them.

"Don't eat too much; you've just woken up!"

A wife's words must be listened to, and Xie Junli obediently closed his eyes, leaving a small gap to watch his wife's busy figure with concern.

"Tomorrow, I'll have someone come to clean up. You should get some rest now."

Seeing that she wanted to tidy up the ward, Xie Junli quickly spoke up.

Xu Yuqing wasn't insistent on working, she just wanted to spend more time with Xie Junli and was afraid of falling asleep. But her body was sending her warnings, and after putting everything away, she prepared to go back to sleep.

However, Xie Junli didn't want her to leave at all. With the strength from his uninjured but weakened arm, he pressed the bedside bell.

Soon, the door opened, and Xu Yuqing, nearly unable to hold on any longer, didn't particularly want to sleep here, but seeing the pitiful look on Xie Junli's face,

she reluctantly agreed.

"Comrade, sorry for the disturbance, but may I ask if the bed next to us can be temporarily used by my wife for the night?"

Xie Junli lifted his gaze, looking at the nurse. Though lying there, his presence was still commanding.

The young nurse at the door hesitated, considering the bed. "It's fine, but if a patient needs it, you'll have to give it up."

"No problem."

Xu Yuqing, nearly overcome with exhaustion, stood up excitedly. "No problem, no problem! Mission guaranteed!"

After the nurse left, Xu Yuqing practically threw herself onto the bed, and before Xie Junli could say anything, she was already breathing deeply.

She had worked hard.

The next morning, Xu Yuqing woke up to a noise. Confused, she sat up, realizing that her bed was surrounded by curtains.

Outside the curtains, there were muffled voices, kept low, and Xu Yuqing couldn't hear clearly.

She gently untied her messy braids, loosening her scalp. Without a comb, she tied her hair into a low ponytail.

Lowering her head to straighten her clothes and put on her cotton coat, Xu Yuqing quietly pulled back the curtain.

"Junli?"

"You're awake?" Hearing the sound, Xie Junli immediately turned his head, surprising the other two people.

Was this really the same Commander Xie who once viewed love as worthless?

"Hello, dear sister-in-law!"

"Hello to you both."

The first concern of his wife upon waking was not for him, which left the injured and thus vulnerable Colonel Xie feeling unbalanced. With a glance, he silently asked his two comrades to leave.

As the ward emptied, Xu Yuqing felt a bit more at ease.

"Have you eaten?"

"Eaten already. Someone brought it over earlier. You should have some too."

Xie Junli couldn't sit up yet. A wolf had latched onto his shoulder, nearly tearing out a chunk of flesh, leaving his left arm completely immobile.

Fortunately, once he recovered, he would still be able to hold a gun.

Xu Yuqing hadn't looked at his wound, neatly bandaged as it was. Xie Junli didn't want her to see it either.

At least not until it was better.

Suddenly, the only sound in the room was Xu Yuqing quietly sipping her porridge. Xie Junli watched her, sunlight playing on her face, highlighting her almond-shaped eyes, her fair and radiant complexion, and her slightly pouted lips.

His throat involuntarily bobbed. Just as Xie Junli was about to speak, the door suddenly swung open.

Both turned to look. It was an elderly man in a wheelchair, followed by... Doctor Wu?