Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Outside the ward, the atmosphere was tranquil.

Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli's drowsiness dissipated somewhat due to Wu Qin's arrival.

Seated side by side, they gazed at the ward door as Xu Yuqing gently touched her slightly sunken stomach. "Are you hungry?"

Xie Junli shook his head, tenderly holding Xu Yuqing's arm. "Let's go straight to the canteen later."

That was their only option. Xu Yuqing nodded, estimating that they still had some time to wait. However, it was too late for the canteen to have anything left; they would have to eat at home.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a group of doctors emerged. Leading them was the hospital director whom Xu Yuqing had just met. They turned around and nodded at Wu Qin, who was at the back of the group, as if in gratitude. The entire group seemed more relaxed than before, and even the director's face finally showed a hint of a smile.

"How is he!" Wang Hai was the first to react, rushing forward anxiously. His beard quivered as he shouted in worry.

The director calmed down, not at all afraid of Wang Hai's debt-collector-like demeanor. Smiling, he said, "Thankfully we had Doctor Wu here. Commander Han is now asleep, but he must take good care of himself from now on. He can't afford any more emotional upheavals."

If not for Doctor Wu's assurance, Commander Han would have been in dire straits given the conditions here.

Wang Hai's eyes lit up, completely ignoring Wu Qin's contribution as he charged into the ward.

Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli exchanged a glance before greeting the director.

The director was momentarily taken aback, removing his glasses to wipe them with his white coat before hastily putting them back on. "Oh, it's Commander Xie! It's actually you! Commander Xie, please go in and see him."

He spoke with an indiscernible tone.

He never expected that the descendant Commander Han had found was actually Commander Xie, someone seemingly unrelated. It was truly remarkable that they were grandfather and grandson.

How curious, indeed. Yet, thinking about Commander Han's future situation, the director looked at Xie Junli with a tinge of pity before leaving.

Once again, the area outside the ward became empty, leaving only Wu Qin facing Xie Junli and Xu Yuqing.

Xie Junli noticed the director's gaze and was pondering when Wu Qin couldn't help but speak out.

"Commander Xie, I suppose you're aware of your so-called heritage."

Wu Qin snorted, sizing them up.

She had expected to witness a reunion of familial affection, but this grandson was just like his father—cold-hearted and detached. They were both ungrateful.

Wu Qin's attitude was terrible, causing Xu Yuqing to frown. Just as she was about to speak, Xie Junli gently tugged her, silencing her.

"I know."

"Don't look at me with that cold face. Even if I'm not your real grandmother, I took care of him for so many years. Why should I get nothing? And your wife, she can't bear children, right? Do you know what that old man wants?"

As she spoke, she let out a light laugh, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepening.

"Do you know why your father died? He definitely blamed that girl, blamed me, but not himself. Your father was driven to run onto the road by the people he sent, resulting in his death by a car!"

"Your mother was also pitiful. We agreed to take her in, but he insisted on saying 'keep the son, abandon the mother' right outside the ward. Now, he wants to acknowledge you and find a village girl to bear you children, raising them himself. Do you think he'd willingly part with what he has!?"

Wu Qin spoke viciously, her voice unmasked, her resentful gaze causing Xu Yuqing to step back in fear.

What kind of person was this? How revolting!

Xie Junli was equally disgusted, especially since it was entirely different from what he had heard earlier. But he knew that this was something Commander Han could do—selfish and self-serving. Taking a deep breath, he said, "These are your thoughts. I don't need an elder, nor do I wish to acknowledge him."

Wu Qin was taken aback. She hadn't anticipated that, despite some of her words being fabricated, this young man would reject such an opportunity so easily.

But that was fine—it worked to her advantage.

In the past two days, she had returned to Jing City, visiting her family. But her family, relying on Han Chuan's name to thrive in Jing City, gave her a cold shoulder upon hearing about her divorce plans. Even her beloved nieces and nephews didn't bother to greet her.

In the quiet of night, she realized that after serving that old man for so long, she deserved something for her efforts. Why should he give everything to his newly found grandson while she received nothing?

She came back this time to cripple him and seize the Han family's assets.

To show Han Chuan how well she could live without him.

When Han Chuan fell ill, she intentionally hid herself, waiting for the perfect moment to save him. Everything unfolded exactly as she planned—he was even more incapacitated now!

Previously able to stand, there was no way he could do so now.

Initially, she had worried about dealing with the younger one, but this one had some backbone. Wu Qin felt pleased, believing that she had finally seen the light after enduring hardship.

"You say you don't want to acknowledge him. Let me be frank: there's no place for you in the Han family. That old man will never seek you out again. I'll spread the word that we made a mistake. We'll be safe. Otherwise, although I may not be powerful, I can still strip you of your position."

Wu Qin narrowed her eyes, issuing a threat.

Xie Junli stood frozen, his gaze icy as he stared at the elderly woman before him. He curled his lips slightly, letting out a mocking chuckle before turning and walking away with Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing hadn't fully comprehended the situation when she was pulled away, stumbling to keep up with the man's pace. This plot twist was too dramatic! Xu Yuqing couldn't believe she was looking at Xie Junli. "Is it resolved just like that?"

She had thought this matter would drag on for a long time, but unexpectedly, it was suddenly irrelevant to them.

Xie Junli was also surprised, but for them, it was a fortunate turn of events.

Let the dogs fight among themselves.

Indeed, in the following weeks, Xu Yuqing frequently heard news about this commander.

And she would receive looks of pity mixed with relief from the military wives.

It's a pity they weren't recognized, yet also a relief they weren't.

It was said that Director Han's condition wasn't good, which led to his subordinate, Wang Hai, not daring to leave and spending every day at odds with Doctor Wu Qin.

Yet he didn't dare make a move, causing the Military District Hospital to be in a state of unbearable distress.

When he finally left for Jing City, halfway there, Doctor Wu Qin claimed she was assaulted and hastily fled back to the Military District Hospital.

No one knew who had beaten her, but regardless, the Military District Hospital had been quite lively during this period.

Later on, when Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli arrived in Jing City, they incidentally heard news of their whereabouts.

Director Han had suffered a stroke and was unable to move. His confidants, without a leader, began infighting, vying for connections and territory. The loyal Wang Hai hadn't appeared either. Wu Qin, being a doctor, knew nothing about these matters. Subordinates saw that the two elderly individuals were unprotected, the Han family's collateral branches received no benefits, and thus were unwilling to intervene. They simply sent them both to a sanatorium, providing only periodic payments.

Leaving Wu Qin to care for Director Han.

Xu Yuqing even accompanied Xie Junli to visit once. Wu Qin seemed to be faring alright at the sanatorium. Though she lacked her previous elegance and nobility, she appeared happy as she held a child alongside an unfamiliar elder, despite looking much older.

Only Han Chuan, truly immobilized, lay in bed, filthy and stinking, neglected by all. After his stroke, his temper worsened significantly. Subordinates would initially visit, but who could endure his abuse?

Gradually, no one came anymore.

They merely sent money to ensure the sanatorium took good care of him.

However, Wu Qin was the one receiving this money. Without payment, the sanatorium naturally didn't provide meticulous care for Han Chuan. Only Wu Qin, calculating the days, would have someone bathe him.

They also encountered Wu Qin, though they didn't speak, treating each other like strangers.

Both of Han Chuan's houses remained in his possession. With Han Chuan incapacitated, no one could claim them, nor could Wu Qin force the issue. She had no children, and with money coming in, she was content living happily each day.

But seeing those young figures stirred jealousy within her.

How could they, sharing the Han family's blood, differ so greatly?

---

Exiting the Military District Hospital, the sun had completely set, leaving the streets empty and the cold wind howling.

"Brrr~" Xu Yuqing shivered upon stepping out into the biting wind, trembling several times.

Xie Junli stood behind her, quickly stepping forward at the sight. He tightened Xu Yuqing's cotton coat around her and removed his own military overcoat, gently draping it over her shoulders.

Feeling the weight on her shoulders, Xu Yuqing was startled and hurriedly pushed it away.

"What are you doing!! It's freezing, put it back on!" She tried to return the overcoat to him, but Xie Junli, with his long limbs, easily thwarted her efforts.

"The cafeteria is already closed. Let's go back and eat."

With that, he strode ahead, leaving Xu Yuqing to chase after him.

Arriving home, they turned on the lights. The dim illumination was characteristic of the era, but for the two of them at that moment, it was more than enough to create a warm atmosphere.

"Let's have canned ham for dinner tonight. I'll fry it up. Do you want noodles or rice?"

Actually, canned ham paired best with instant noodles. Thinking of the taste, Xu Yuqing couldn't help but smack her lips.

"Noodles. I'll knead the dough," replied Xie Junli, who always preferred noodles, especially since Xu Yuqing's variety of toppings were fragrant and delicious. He never tired of them.

One kneaded the dough while the other washed vegetables. In the small kitchen, they worked together seamlessly.

Reheating the meat sauce from noon, they fried the canned ham until cooked through and each prepared a slightly runny fried egg.

Meat sauce noodles were best served with thin noodles. Xu Yuqing cut them meticulously, while Xie Junli tidied up the kitchen.

At the dining table, each had a bowl of noodles. Looking at the large bowls, Xu Yuqing couldn't help but laugh, drawing a curious glance from Xie Junli.

"What's wrong?"

Xu Yuqing glanced at the man with amusement. "I didn't have this appetite when I first arrived."

The longer she stayed, the more she ate. Thinking about this, Xu Yuqing worriedly pinched her waist. Winter was the perfect time to hide extra pounds. Would she discover a potbelly when summer came and she shed her clothes?

Pushing the worry aside, she stuffed a mouthful of noodles. It probably wouldn't happen. Oh well, if it did, it did. Besides, she didn't have any nice clothes anyway.

Looking at her cotton coat, Xu Yuqing sighed. If she wanted to stay warm, she couldn't worry about looking unattractive.

The next day, Xu Yuqing woke up, opened the door, and was about to head to the supply store. Stepping outside, she realized there were many military wives gossiping under the tree in front of the courtyard.

Upon seeing Xu Yuqing emerge, their eyes gleamed like wild wolves spotting prey, terrifying indeed.

She slowly retracted her foot, intending to close the door, when a hand blocked her way. Looking up, she saw Yan Lan.

"Sister Yan Lan, even you?" Xu Yuqing asked with a chuckle.

Yan Lan smiled. "Who doesn't get excited about gossip? If you don't want to share with everyone, just tell me alone!"