Chapter 4 Wound

Chapter 4: Injury

Zhu Shinian did not expect the topic to suddenly fall on him, and the tips of his ears went bright red in an instant.

He was good-looking, a natural favorite for the cameras, and so easily embarrassed—the reporters burst into louder laughter, their flashes popping off at him and Jiang Huaiyan like crazy.

After the interview ended, as the group advanced toward the disaster area, Zhu Shinian’s ears were still burning hot.

He’d never dated anyone except Gu Zhen. Marriage, to him, was a solemn matter. Having Jiang Huaiyan joke about it like that made him super shy, his heart racing and face flushing uncontrollably.

Thankfully, the disaster area was indeed busy, and soon there was work to be done, briefly pushing Jiang Huaiyan’s harmless joke out of his head.

The Jiang family had a big stake in the pharmaceutical industry, and Jiang Huaiyan had a medical license. Zhu Shinian had also learned basic first aid at the Capital First Military Academy. Once they showed their credentials, they quickly entered the medical tent to help.

“Any fever or inflammation? Okay, here you go — painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Painkiller once a day, anti-inflammatory twice a day.”

“This one’s topical, three times a day.”

Jiang Huaiyan worked on the wounds quick and efficient, barely any wasted motion. Zhu Shinian worked alongside him, disinfecting and handing out meds. Though it was their first meeting, they moved together like they’d known each other for years.

All of a sudden, military dogs started barking somewhere off in the distance. Zhu Shinian instantly sensed something wrong and froze.

The next second, the ground lurched hard, and a sharp alarm blared.

“It’s an aftershock! Evacuate immediately!”

The evacuees snapped into action at the aftershock, following Zhu Shinian’s orders and rushing out in an orderly manner. Before Zhu Shinian could spot Jiang Huaiyan in the crowd, Jiang Huaiyan grabbed his wrist tight.

The earth trembled, and structures could collapse at any moment.

Life and death on the line. Zhu Shinian’s heart practically jumped into his throat.

He regretted his decision the moment he’d arrived here. In the face of a natural disaster, how could he have been stupid enough to risk Jiang Huaiyan’s life?

If something happened to Jiang Huaiyan, how could he ever face his own conscience? How could he face the 26th District?

And how could he face Gu Zhen?

The temporary shelter came crashing down literally right after they ran out. Zhu Shinian barely had a second to be glad they’d made it out alive before he heard a hoarse scream nearby.

“There’s still a child in here!”

Out of pure soldier instinct, the moment those words reached him, he didn’t think twice — he just bolted toward the voice.

“Zhu Shinian!”

Zhu Shinian only then realized Jiang Huaiyan still had a death grip on his hand.

“Councilman, don’t be scared. Just wait for me here, okay? This spot’s open ground — I promise it’s safe. I’ll be right back.”

“You...” Jiang Huaiyan was so panicked he was barely making sense. “Zhu Shinian, are you stupid? Running into this kind of situation — you got a death wish or what?”

Zhu Shinian was a trained soldier, after all. Once he actually put his strength into breaking free, there was no way Jiang Huaiyan could hold onto him.

After confirming that Jiang Huaiyan was indeed safe here, he shot him an apologetic smile, pulled his hand free, and sprinted the opposite direction through the crowd toward the cries for help.

The aftershock hadn’t fully stopped yet. The child was pinned under a broken beam, hard to tell if he could even move.

Zhu Shinian squatted down, voice surprisingly steady: “Don’t be scared. Look right at me.”

The kid’s pupils went huge, lips dead white, but he did lock eyes with him.

Zhu Shinian quickly figured out where the beam was bearing the weight, ripped off his tactical jacket, and tucked it under the kid’s back. One hand shoved under the beam, shoulders and back all tensed up.

“I’m gonna count to three. Then I’ll pull you out.”

“One.”

“Two—”

Before the third number left his mouth, the aftershock intensified.

The ground dropped again.

Zhu Shinian reacted instantly, his body twisted on pure reflex, wrapping the kid up in his arms. The rough concrete scraped down his back, and pain exploded through him.

“—Three!”

He used that split second to yank the kid out of there, rolling twice before stopping in a relatively safe spot.

At last, everything went quiet.

Zhu Shinian pushed himself up, but everything went black. He tried to steady himself, but his left arm wouldn’t even come up.

Blood dripped off his fingers, one drop at a time, darkening the ground.

“Mister, you’re bleeding so much...”

“Little Bao, are you okay!”

Jiang Huaiyan, the kid’s mom, and the rescue team all rushed over. When they helped Zhu Shinian up, Jiang Huaiyan’s face was grim — really grim.

In Zhu Shinian’s memory, Jiang Huaiyan’s expressions had always been lively and vivid—every smile and frown just got to you, made him feel warm and easy to be around. He’d almost never seen Jiang Huaiyan this blank and cold.

This Jiang Huaiyan felt like a stranger, and kind of scary.

Had he done something wrong and made him angry?

Zhu Shinian wanted to apologize for messing up, but when he opened his mouth, all he could get out was a quiet groan.

He was, after all, only flesh and blood. How could he truly feel no pain?

Suddenly, his body felt lighter. After two or three seconds, he realized Jiang Huaiyan had lifted him into his arms.

“Councilman, Colonel Zhu is injured. Should we first...”

“No.” Jiang Huaiyan shook his head and carried Zhu Shinian directly onto the helicopter.

Zhu Shinian turned his head to look at him. Jiang Huaiyan’s handsome features, when expressionless, took on an imposing authority. Zhu Shinian only glanced at him once before instinctively looking away.

The cabin light was dim. The pilot received the command and took off directly. Jiang Huaiyan found the medical kit and unbuttoned Zhu Shinian’s military jacket, revealing his bloodied back.

Part of the blood had already dried, and the fabric stuck to the edges of the wound. Jiang Huaiyan’s movements were slow but extremely decisive, avoiding any unnecessary tugging.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble,” Zhu Shinian said. “It’s not a very serious wound. I can...”

As Jiang Huaiyan worked, Zhu Shinian trembled slightly. Jiang Huaiyan noticed but did not pause.

His hands were steady, tending to the wound calmly. After dressing it, he took off his own jacket and draped it over Zhu Shinian.

The well-tailored suit jacket still carried Jiang Huaiyan's body heat. Zhu Shinian murmured a quiet thank-you.

"Are you stupid?" Jiang Huaiyan didn't bother to match his politeness. "Who told you to rush in like that? If you usually act this way, doesn't your commanding officer ever scold you?"

Zhu Shinian was taken aback for a moment, then quickly shook his head. "I... after being promoted to colonel today, I usually lead my own team on missions now."

"So you're saying I'm not your commanding officer, and I don't have the right to scold you?"

"That's not what I meant..." Flustered, Zhu Shinian's eyes widened slightly. "I know you're concerned about me..."

Jiang Huaiyan frowned slightly but said nothing more. His gaze rested on the window, no longer looking at Zhu Shinian.

There was an inexplicable irritation in his heart. Perhaps it was because, though he was used to being sharp-tongued, he rarely felt such a strong urge to lose his temper or say harsh things to a colleague he'd just met for the first time.

He didn't like things slipping out of his control. Fortunately, he probably wouldn't have to see Zhu Shinian again.

Hopefully, Gu Zhen would keep his little lover on a tighter leash and stop letting Zhu Shinian be an eyesore in front of him.

The Galen Mountains gradually turned into undulating gray patches on the map, then were swallowed by rolling clouds until they vanished from sight.

The helicopter landed on the helipad of the military headquarters. Zhu Shinian was injured and didn't want to go back and face Gu Zhen, so he headed toward the dormitory, planning to spend the night alone in his room.

"Injured and you still want to go back to the dormitory? New recruits have drills so early in the morning—can you even rest well there?" Jiang Huaiyan asked.

"Get in the car," Jiang Huaiyan said flatly, looking at him. "I'll take you back."

The disaster in Saint Galen, thousands of miles away, seemed irrelevant to this bustling, beautiful imperial capital. At nine in the evening, people were on their way home from work, car lights merging into an ocean of warm car lights.

When the car stopped at the familiar building, Zhu Shinian thanked Jiang Huaiyan quietly and opened the door. Jiang Huaiyan glanced at him sideways, then got out as well.

"I'll walk you to the door."

As the elevator ascended,

the space was small and quiet. Zhu Shinian stared at the changing numbers, feeling uneasy.

He hadn't been home today. Although Gu Zhen had been there in the morning, he probably had no reason to stay any longer, right?

He was so busy; he must have plenty of his own things to take care of.

The elevator stopped on the seventh floor. As the doors opened, the orange light at the entrance lit up. Everything at the doorstep looked normal.

Gu Zhen probably wasn't there.

Zhu Shinian breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Jiang Huaiyan, and smiled. "Representative Jiang, would you like to come in for some tea?"

Jiang Huaiyan nodded without refusing. Zhu Shinian unlocked the door, and they both stepped inside.

The light in the hallway was off, but the living room light was on. Seeing the man on the sofa, Zhu Shinian's breath caught in his throat.

"You're back?"

Gu Zhen sat on the sofa, his military uniform jacket draped over the backrest, sleeves rolled up, his expression as calm as if he were at home.

Jiang Huaiyan stopped behind Zhu Shinian.

He didn't speak immediately, just observed the scene, his gaze flickering briefly between Gu Zhen and Zhu Shinian.

But Zhu Shinian's face visibly changed.

"M-Major Gu? Why are you here?... Did you come to pick up documents? Last time you left some in my office—I was planning to bring them to you next time..."

Gu Zhen looked up at him, his eyes scanning the wound on his shoulder before quickly looking away.

"Yeah, I came for the documents. Couldn't find where you put them, so I waited here for you."

Zhu Shinian seemed steadied by those words, his body relaxing a little. He nodded almost immediately: "Right, right... I didn't dare leave them lying around. They're locked in the safe. I'll get them for you now."

"Representative Jiang, sorry, I'll make you some tea first."

"It's fine."

"Go get the documents first."

Jiang Huaiyan and Gu Zhen's voices spoke almost simultaneously. Jiang Huaiyan smiled warmly, shedding the earlier displeasure from the ride. "It's fine. Go find Major General Gu's documents first. I'm in no hurry for tea."

Zhu Shinian practically fled, rushing toward the study in quick steps, unaware that in the living room behind him, the two alphas were becoming increasingly tense.

Jiang Huaiyan, acting as if he owned the place, sat down on the other end of the sofa and turned his gaze back to Gu Zhen.

Gu Zhen met his eyes, his expression still composed, even carrying a polite, distant smile.

"Representative Jiang," he said naturally, standing to find a disposable cup, tea leaves, and water, pouring tea for Jiang Huaiyan. "It's late. Thank you for going to the trouble of bringing him back."

"It's the least I could do," Jiang Huaiyan replied with a courteous smile, accepting the tea and taking a small sip. "He got injured on my watch."

"The tea is good," he complimented.

Zhu Shinian was practically indifferent to food and drink. The tea in his house, compared to what someone like Jiang Huaiyan usually drank, was barely fit to be called tea.

Gu Zhen glanced at Jiang Huaiyan and gave a faint smile.

"Representative Jiang is far too smooth-talking, able to compliment anything. This is tea bought from a street market—three silver coins per kilogram."

"Since the Major General has it in for me, naturally everything I say is wrong. We're just cooperating for mutual benefit. Can't the General even maintain surface-level harmony for these two months? That seems rather narrow-minded."

"Not like you," Gu Zhen said, his tone now more openly displeased and disdainful. "On the surface, you go on about your late wife, but beneath it all, you're more than willing to use your marriage as a stepping stone to climb higher."

Footsteps came from the study. Zhu Shinian emerged, holding a stack of documents, his expression much lighter than before. "Major General, I found them. Please check if these are the ones."

Gu Zhen took the documents, flipped through them casually, and set them aside.

"These are the ones."

"That's good," Zhu Shinian sighed in relief. "So, General, do you..."

"Representative Jiang, are you free now?" Gu Zhen interrupted Zhu Shinian mid-sentence, turning to ask Jiang Huaiyan with an air of authority, as if he were more the master of this house than Zhu Shinian. "It's getting late. Care to stay for dinner? You brought Shi Nian back; I still haven't thanked you properly."

Author's note: