Chapter 204

Chapter 204

The next day, it wasn't the sunlight or noise that woke Xu Yuqing, but a gentle touch on her face and occasional soft, moist kisses.

Opening her eyes groggily, she saw a familiar pair of eyes before her. Instinctively, she hugged his arm, trying to act coquettishly, but in the next second, the man's words brought her back to reality.

"Yuqing, someone will be here soon."

"Someone is coming?" She repeated dazedly, gradually waking up. Finally, Xu Yuqing fully regained consciousness and sat up, looking around.

This was a hospital room. Her eyes found the window, noticing it was already daylight. Wait a minute!

She quickly looked down at Xie Junli's abdomen—no bleeding, and he looked fine.

Relieved, Xu Yuqing turned to Xie Junli. "Why didn't you wake me up last night?"

"I didn't want to." Xie Junli replied coolly, brushing aside the hair that was blocking her view. "Get up; someone will be here soon."

If not for fear of embarrassing his wife, Xie Junli wouldn't have woken her up. The warmth and softness were finally no longer just a memory.

He cherished it deeply.

Xu Yuqing quickly got up. Although the bed was narrow, her body felt fine, with no soreness. She put on her clothes and grabbed some clothes for Xie Junli. "Do you want to wear these?"

It was a loose, comfortable undershirt that Xu Yuqing had specifically chosen for him. This way, it would be easier for him. Xie Junli smiled helplessly. "Sure."

Fortunately, lifting his arms wasn't a problem. Watching his wife button up his shirt, Xie Junli couldn't help but smile, his eyes filled with contentment, unable to look away from her.

"Okay, I'll go get some water and then make breakfast at home," Xu Yuqing murmured, looking at Xie Junli's thin face, feeling heartache.

During this time, she was determined to fatten him up.

With renewed determination, Xu Yuqing left, carrying a hot water bottle to fetch water. She placed it on the table and took out some newspapers from a box. These were specially brought over.

It must be boring, and no one had read his subscribed newspapers. "Here are your newspapers. Be careful moving. I'll be back soon."

Xie Junli looked at the newspapers, his heart aching, forcing a smile. "Okay, be careful."

Xu Yuqing didn't notice his expression as she gave him final instructions before leaving, running all the way home due to worry.

At the small tin shed of the Military District Hospital, Xu Yuqing's bicycle was locked. She took out the key from her pocket, unlocked the lock, and pedaled hurriedly towards home.

However, nearing home, she remembered something and slapped her head in regret. She quickly turned around and headed to the supply store.

There was nothing at home, hoping there would still be good meat today. It was still early, so the supplies shouldn't be sold out yet.

Anxious, Xu Yuqing sped up. At the supply store, she called out, "Comrade! Do you have any large bones?"

"Yes!" The person inside rushed out. Without small talk, Xu Yuqing lifted the cloth covering the meat and pointed. "I'll take this piece of meat and these two bones."

Indeed, bones were more nourishing for the injured. Back home, Xu Yuqing looked at the large bone on the cutting board and chopped it cleanly in half.

Snap!

The bone split into two, bouncing off the board. Xu Yuqing quickly picked it up, washed it, and threw it into a prepared pot.

Boiling, rinsing, cleaning, and putting it back in the pot, this soup wasn't for now but for lunch. Xu Yuqing turned to prepare other ingredients.

He couldn't handle tough foods yet. She sliced the lean meat into thin pieces, minced it, and set it aside. The porridge in the clay pot was ready. Carefully opening the lid to avoid burns, she added a spoonful of salt and a half spoon of oil for fragrance, then scattered the minced meat and some scallions.

The meat porridge was done, simple but fragrant.

Limited by the ingredients, there was no other choice. There wasn't even a single vegetable left at home; she needed to buy some.

Carefully transferring the porridge into a lunchbox, Xu Yuqing went to wash up while it cooled.

After washing up, the porridge had cooled. She covered it, wrapped it securely, and carried it with one hand, mounting her bicycle again.

Before leaving, she realized she had forgotten something important.

She couldn't risk burning the house down. Returning to the kitchen, Xu Yuqing pulled out the large log under the bone soup, extinguished the fire, and replaced it with short logs that would burn out without falling. Now, she could leave with peace of mind.

Rushing to the hospital, Xu Yuqing's hand was almost numb from carrying the lunchbox. She quickly set it down, locked her bike, and shook her hand to regain feeling.

"I'm back," Xu Yuqing opened the door anxiously, only to find the ward empty. Xie Junli was engrossed in reading the newspaper.

Pulling the newspaper from his hands, ignoring his reluctance, she opened the lunchbox. "Come, eat."

But despite her words, he hesitated, reaching for the spoon but unable to move his waist. After struggling, he gave up.

Xu Yuqing, who had been watching silently, finally moved. "Alright, alright, I'll feed you. Can't you change your shy nature?"

Every time, he insisted on trying to reach the food himself until he realized he couldn't.

Picking up the spoon, the porridge was warm, perfect for eating. She brought the spoon to his lips. "Come, eat."

Xie Junli looked at the spoon complexly, his cheeks slightly flushed. He opened his mouth and swallowed, secretly praying no one would come.

But fate had other plans. A sound came from the doorway. Xie Junli froze, and Xu Yuqing quickly withdrew the spoon, but it was too late.

"Hahahaha!" A familiar laugh rang out. Yu Wenyao, seeing Xie Junli's awkwardness, laughed heartily. "What are you so nervous about? A few days ago, I fed you without any issues! What's different with your wife—"

A sharp sound interrupted him as Yan Lan retracted her hand, walking in calmly. "Yuqing, did you rest here last night? Go back and rest later; Old Yu can take care of things."

"Hey! Wife—"

"Shut up! Breakfast!"

Yu Wenyao was forced to close his mouth and stretch out his hand, revealing two lunch boxes. Xu Yuqing looked at the lunch box in Yan Lan's hand and couldn't help but laugh. "Is this the scallion pancake made by Aunt Yan?"

"Yes, I knew you'd be too busy taking care of Old Xie and forget to have breakfast. Mom got up early to knead the dough and fry it for you. Let Old Yu take care of things here while you eat."

Yan Lan opened the lid as she spoke.

However, Xu Yuqing looked at the spoon in her hand and decided to let him finish first. If Big Brother Yu fed him, he would definitely stop after just a few bites.

But Xie Junli seemed to read her thoughts. "Go eat. Don't worry me."

His low, magnetic voice came through. Xu Yuqing nodded, handed the spoon to Yu Wenyao, stepped back, and took the chopsticks from Yan Lan.

Before eating, she looked worriedly at Xie Junli but saw Yu Wenyao holding the lunch box to Xie Junli's mouth, who ate quickly with his left hand.

Ah, he can still eat like this. Xu Yuqing finally relaxed and took a piece of scallion pancake into her mouth.

Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, Xu Yuqing smiled contentedly. She had eaten this freshly made pancake before leaving. The aroma was rich, and Yan Lan, seeing her satisfaction, couldn't help but smile too. She opened another lid, revealing pickled radish and sliced apples.

"These apples were given to us by someone from the Logistics Department last night. They said they were for Old Xie. Wild fruits. He forgot them when we left, but thankfully, I had already cut some pieces."

Yan Lan said, exasperated.

Xu Yuqing raised an eyebrow. Since coming to North City, she rarely ate fruit, mostly wild berries. Apples were scarce since the supply store rarely had them. Even if they did, they were gone by morning.

She reached out and popped a small piece into her mouth. The sweet and sour taste and the fresh apple aroma filled her mouth. Xu Yuqing closed her eyes in pleasure. "Delicious. Did you eat, Sister Yan Lan?"

"I did. After all, I cut them. No cook can resist tasting their own work," Yan Lan waved her hand and laughed.

Xu Yuqing couldn't help but laugh too. With that, she fed a piece directly to Xie Junli, who accepted it well. Yu Wenyao, watching this, wasn't pleased.

"Wife, I haven't had any yet," he complained, sounding aggrieved.

Yan Lan clapped her hands, ignoring him. "Eat at home."

Hurt by his wife's coldness, Yu Wenyao withdrew his gaze, looking at Xie Junli with envy and jealousy. Xie Junli continued drinking his porridge, ignoring him.

"Alright, Yuqing, go back now. Get some rest. Don't worry about lunch; I'll prepare it. Come back when you're rested to take care of Old Xie," Yan Lan said, her eyes full of concern.

However, Xu Yuqing couldn't help but laugh. "Sister Yan Lan, I'm fine. I slept well last night and feel great now. You and Big Brother Yu should go home and spend time with your child. Don't worry; I'll manage."

She closed the lunch box, handed it to Yu Wenyao, and pushed both of them out. Before closing the door, she reassured them that she would be fine and would visit the Yu family if needed.

Watching them leave, Xu Yuqing sighed deeply, turned around, and met Xie Junli's gaze. They shared a smile.

Though not tired, she instinctively kicked off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and held Xie Junli's arm. "Can you tell me? Where did you go? Why are you injured?"

Xie Junli shook his head, apologetic. "I can't. It's still confidential. But, I can take a break for a while. How about we go out and play together?"

This was something Xu Yuqing had always wanted. Though she longed to travel with her lover, being a military spouse meant he couldn't leave the Military District without orders.

Hearing this, Xu Yuqing's eyes lit up. "Really!"

But in the next second, her expression darkened.

"It seems... impossible?"