Chapter 42

Qian Jianguo was extremely pleased by Xue Miaoyun’s confident response.

“Good! I’ll inform the hospital. I’m entrusting the best soldier in our brigade to you.”

“Mission accepted.” Xue Miaoyun saluted him, though her salute wasn’t exactly by the book.

Qian Jianguo was even more satisfied—Cang Ling really had luck on his side.

Later, Xue Miaoyun also met several officers from the military command and comrades who were close to Cang Ling. She handled all their visits with grace and composure. Compared to the demanding clients from her past life, these people were much easier to deal with.

Her poise and politeness left a very good impression, and before long, rumors started circulating in the unit: The young and beautiful wife of Commander Cang is not only graceful but also well-mannered.

Of course, that was a story for another day.

With Qian Jianguo’s support, Xue Miaoyun quickly obtained the medicinal herbs she needed. She carefully wrapped Cang Ling’s severely injured leg. Acupuncture, of course, was indispensable. The silver needles she had weren’t as effective as gold ones—gold needles were better suited to her acupuncture techniques. She made a mental note to look for a set of gold needles when the opportunity arose.

Not long after one acupuncture session, Cang Ling regained consciousness.

“Ah Ling, you’re awake!” Xue Miaoyun leaned over the bed, tears falling uncontrollably.

Cang Ling tried to wipe her tears but realized his hand had no strength at all.

“Don’t worry, I’ll heal you. Everything will be just like before—no, even better. So you have to be good and listen to me, understand?”

Cang Ling smiled and nodded weakly. “Don’t… be afraid. I… came back.”

Tears streamed down her face again. He understood her fear. “I’m not afraid.”

When she saw that he was growing sleepy again, Xue Miaoyun gently coaxed him, “Get some rest. I’ll go prepare your medicine. Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you.”

Warmth filled Cang Ling’s heart. He’d been in the army for over a decade and had been injured before, but usually, he recovered alone in the hospital, cared for only by nurses or attendants.

It wasn’t that his family didn’t care—his elders all had important jobs and couldn’t spend much time at his bedside. He had always been independent anyway and didn’t like having people fuss over him.

But this time, with Yun’er by his side, it felt… really good. Really warm.

He fell asleep again, content and peaceful.

Meanwhile, Xue Miaoyun took her time preparing the medicine. The process was tedious and nothing like the usual method of tossing herbs into a pot and boiling them all at once. Some herbs required special preparation, while others had to be added later in the process.

By the time she finished one bowl, she could have already brewed ten bowls using conventional methods.

“Ah Ling, time for your medicine.”

Wait a minute—that line sounded oddly familiar.

She quickly shook off the random thoughts in her head and called to him again in the gentlest voice possible.

“…Yun’er.”

“I’ll help you sit up. Careful now,” she said, easily lifting him and propping him against the headboard—her strength made it look effortless.

“Drink up.” She didn’t spoon-feed him but held the bowl directly to his lips. “It’s bitter, so drink it all in one go.”

Xue Miaoyun herself couldn’t stand the taste of traditional medicine. Whenever she caught a cold and needed it, she’d suppress her sense of taste just to get it down.

Cang Ling gave her a small amused look but obediently drank the entire bowl.

As the medicine settled in his stomach, he immediately felt a warm, soothing sensation spread throughout his body.

“Mhm!” He couldn’t help but sigh in relief from the comfort.

“Feeling better?” Xue Miaoyun asked with confidence in her medical skills. However, her practical experience was still limited, so she needed affirmation from her patient.

“Very comfortable. Wife, you’re amazing.” Cang Ling raised his hand and gently touched the dark circles under her eyes, feeling a pang of heartache.

“Of course. I am just that amazing,” Xue Miaoyun said proudly, her expression smug and playful.

Cang Ling looked at her with tender affection. “You must be tired. Go rest for a while.”

“I’m not tired. You should rest more. Sleeping is also a form of self-recovery, so don’t force yourself to stay awake. Sleep when you feel like it, and tell me immediately if you need anything or feel any discomfort. You must be an obedient patient. That’s the only way you’ll get better quickly, understand?”

“Alright, don’t worry. I’ll definitely listen to my wife.” Cang Ling promised to behave. With his wife coaxing him so sweetly, how could he dare disobey?

At the door, Cang Zhengnan and Zheng Xueyan looked at each other in disbelief. Was that weak, obedient man lying in the hospital bed really their son?

Zheng Xueyan glanced at her husband: Should we still go in? Cang Zhengnan’s mouth twitched.

“Ahem!” A loud cough startled the couple who had been whispering.

“Dad, Mom, why are you here?” Cang Ling was surprised. Since when were his parents this concerned about him?

“Your superior called and said you were seriously injured. How could we not come?” Zheng Xueyan looked at her son’s pale face and the left leg suspended high. Her heart ached. Though their parenting style had always been hands-off, he was still their biological child after all.

“Mom, I’m fine. Dad, Mom, let me introduce you—this is my wife, Xue Miaoyun.” Cang Ling formally introduced his wife to his parents.

Seeing the beautiful Miaoyun, Zheng Xueyan was overjoyed. She grabbed her hand and started showering her with praise.

“So you’re Lihua’s daughter! You really do look like her—but even prettier. Your Aunt Yu told me all about you. I never imagined you and Cang Ling would end up together. I used to joke with your mother about our kids getting married one day. Who would’ve thought it would really come true? This must be fate.”

Xue Miaoyun hadn’t expected such a connection.

“Mom, Dad.” Although the timing of meeting her in-laws was a bit odd, since she and Cang Ling were already married, she naturally had to change how she addressed them.

“Yes, good child,” Zheng Xueyan said warmly. “This is a gift from us to both of you.” Originally, Zheng Xueyan had worried that her son’s choice of wife might not be suitable, but now, she found everything about Xue Miaoyun wonderful—she was beautiful, graceful, and came from a family with a heroic father. Though her mother’s background was a bit sensitive, Zheng Xueyan had always loved Lihua like a sister.

As for the Yuan family’s situation, there was nothing to worry about.

Without hesitation, she handed over the gift.

Xue Miaoyun looked at the bankbook in her hand, then glanced at Cang Ling. She didn’t really want to accept it—she truly wasn’t lacking money.

Cang Ling smiled and gave her a nod.

With poise and grace, Xue Miaoyun accepted it. “A gift from elders shouldn’t be declined. Thank you, Dad and Mom.”

“Good, good.” Zheng Xueyan was even more pleased now. Her son clearly had excellent taste.

Cang Zhengnan nodded in approval as well. She was a dignified and generous young woman.

“I heard from Jianguo that you’re Master Ke’s closed-door disciple?” Cang Zhengnan recalled the information Qian Jianguo had told him.

“Yes,” Xue Miaoyun replied. Inside, she silently apologized to Master Ke. According to the original owner’s memories, she wasn’t truly Master Ke’s closed-door disciple; at best, she was just a nominal disciple. But to give herself a more plausible background for her not-so-scientific medical skills, she had no choice but to put on a bold face.