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Chapter 41
In the following days, Xue Miaoyun’s life proceeded in an orderly fashion. On the surface, everything appeared calm and without disruption. But only she knew how uneasy and fearful she truly felt inside.
Sister Qiu took good care of her, guiding her through introductions to several military wives and helping her get familiar with the surroundings. She explained where in town one could buy eggs, which households could custom-make tools, and other useful information.
Although trading was technically not allowed at the moment, there were always ways around the policies. Those who followed their husbands to the army were mostly wives of company commanders or higher-ranking officers. As long as they didn’t have a large family to support, their living standards were usually quite decent.
Eggs were considered the most accessible source of protein, making them a highly sought-after commodity.
Over time, a silent understanding had formed between the military wives and the villagers nearby. The timing and method of their transactions had long become routine.
After all, who didn’t have a pregnant woman or a child at home in need of better nutrition?
“I heard there’s ‘big oil’ at the meat processing plant today. Should we go check it out?” one of the military wives chatted on the mess hall truck.
“Yes, yes, we should go. We’ve been running low on oil at home. Without fat, we can’t even get proper work done.”
“But do you think there’ll still be any left for us when we get there?”
“There will be. I’ve already talked to someone…”
Xue Miaoyun looked confused—what on earth was ‘big oil’?
With a question in her mind, she quietly asked Sister Qiu.
After spending a few days together, Qiu Yanni had more or less figured out the basics about this young woman. But precisely because of that, she found it all rather strange. Wasn’t Cang Ling’s wife supposed to be a country girl? Then why did she look so refined and elegant—more graceful, even, than girls from the city?
What puzzled her more was how Xue Miaoyun seemed completely unaware of some very basic life knowledge.
Qiu Yanni had even briefly suspected her identity. But she soon dismissed the thought—what kind of enemy spy would be this eye-catching?
After hearing Qiu Yanni’s explanation about “big oil,” Xue Miaoyun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. People in this era really were starved for fat.
So big oil was actually the layer of grease skimmed off during the processing of cooked meat at the meat plant. Was that even edible?
“Do you want some?” Qiu Yanni asked.
Xue Miaoyun quickly shook her head. She had no shortage of oil or meat.
“Sister?” She couldn’t help asking—why would Sister Qiu want something like that? Was Commander Qian’s family really in that much difficulty?
“Ah,” Qiu Yanni sighed and shook her head. Both she and Old Qian had large families to support. Their oil and meat coupons were limited, and most of what they got was sent back home to help out.
Xue Miaoyun blinked. Could it be that things really were that tough? She genuinely wanted to help this kind-hearted sister, but taking things out of her personal space without caution would be risky. This was the military, after all. If they ever investigated, she wasn’t confident she could hide everything.
So, she decided to wait until Cang Ling returned before doing anything.
With that thought, she swallowed back the words she had been about to say.
That day, Xue Miaoyun was tidying up the yard at home. She had already planted some vegetable seeds. Whether or not they would sprout remained to be seen—after all, she only had a superficial understanding of planting.
“Miaoyun! Miaoyun!”
“Sister?”
“Quickly—huff—quickly! Cang Ling is back. He’s at the hospital!”
Xue Miaoyun trembled all over. “The hospital? Sister, is Cang Ling… is he…”
Seeing how pale Miaoyun suddenly became, Qiu Yanni immediately tried to reassure her. “Don’t be scared. Cang Ling’s just injured. His life’s not in danger.”
The words not in danger exploded in Miaoyun’s mind, instantly snapping her out of her daze.
“Sister, he’s really not in danger?” she grabbed Qiu Yanni’s hand tightly.
“No, no! He’s not! Just pack a few clothes for him and come with me to the hospital.”
“Alright.”
They hadn’t gone far when a military jeep pulled up.
“Hurry, get in,” Qian Jianguo called out from the front passenger seat.
They sped through the streets, arriving at the military hospital in no time. Someone was already at the entrance waiting for them.
“How’s the situation?” Qian Jianguo skipped any formalities and asked directly.
“It’s not good. He took three bullets. They’re trying to save him now.”
Xue Miaoyun, who had been straining to hear every word, felt her knees buckle. Hadn’t they said his life wasn’t in danger?
“Miaoyun, you have to be strong,” Qiu Yanni said softly, holding her up.
Miaoyun understood what she meant. “I know, Sister.”
She had to be strong—she could be strong. Besides, she had just checked: of the four Life’s Blue pills, only one remained, which meant Cang Ling had taken three. What kind of injuries would need three and still leave him at death’s door?
“What about the others?” Qian Jianguo asked.
“Two more are also being operated on.”
Qian Jianguo’s expression turned grim. This mission had suffered heavy losses. He knew Cang Ling’s capabilities—something was definitely off here.
With a few troubling possibilities coming to mind, his face turned cold, and his expression hardened with a chilling edge.
Outside the operating room, several people waited anxiously. Xue Miaoyun was given a seat, but her eyes never left the glowing sign above the door. Her mind was either racing with thoughts or completely blank—she couldn’t tell which.
“Miaoyun, don’t be afraid. He’s going to be okay,” Qiu Yanni said, trying to comfort her. She’d come to treat Miaoyun like her own daughter. If something happened to Cang Ling, how would a young girl like her cope?
Miaoyun gave her a faint smile. “I’m okay, Sister.”
She really was. At this moment, she was remarkably calm. Her mind was focused on figuring out how to ensure Cang Ling’s survival. Should she risk sneaking into the operating room and give him another Life’s Blue?
Click.
The light above the operating room turned off.
Everyone’s gaze immediately locked onto the door.
It opened slowly.
“Doctor!”
“The patient is temporarily out of life-threatening danger. His full recovery will depend on the treatments that follow,” the doctor said, visibly exhausted but smiling.
“The patient has a very strong will to live,” he added.
“Thank God…” Miaoyun nearly collapsed in relief. He’s alive. That’s enough. As long as he’s alive.
Inside the hospital room, she sat at his bedside, staring at Cang Ling’s unconscious face. He was pale, lips dry and cracked—it pained her deeply. She quickly took a cotton swab, moistened it, and gently dabbed it across his lips.
Then she took his pulse. He had lost a lot of blood. His internal organs were all affected, and the injury to his leg was especially serious.
“How is he?”
“Ah—Commander…” Miaoyun jumped, startled by the sudden voice behind her.
Qian Jianguo raised a calming hand.
“You know medicine. You studied under Master Ke.”
Miaoyun wasn’t surprised he knew this. It wasn’t exactly a secret.
“Yes.”
“You also saved that boy who fell from the fourth floor, nearly dead.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll entrust Cang Ling to you. How much can you help him recover?” Qian Jianguo frowned, clearly recalling what the doctor had just told him.
Cang Ling was a key officer being groomed for command. He couldn’t be ruined like this.
“A full recovery,” Miaoyun replied without hesitation.
She knew the truth. With current medical knowledge, Cang Ling’s life could be saved, but his future… his body might never be the same. Even the wound on his leg alone wasn’t something that could be healed easily.
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SakuRa[Translator]
Hi! I’m SakuRa (❀❛ ֊ ❛„)♡! Nice to meet you! If you notice any mistakes or if something is unclear, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I appreciate your patience, and I look forward to getting along with everyone! Thank you! ❀˖°