Chapter 107: The Last Look

Yu Xiangnian thought the envelope was from Cheng Jingmo. She pouted and asked, “Dad, where did Cheng Jingmo go?”

Yu Jiashun replied, “Knowing that you don’t want to see him, the military district arranged for him to go on a mission so he won’t be in your way!”

Yu Xiangnian gave a feigned smile, “You guys are really the best parents!”

Before going to bed, Yu Xiangnian finally opened the envelope.

Inside was a letter written by Cheng Jingmo himself, dated yesterday.

His handwriting was beautiful, with strong strokes and well-balanced characters. It was hard to believe he hadn’t practiced calligraphy for many years; Yu Xiangnian had heard Cheng Jingmo mention that he couldn’t read or write until he joined the army, and he had learned to write by copying from books.

The letter was brief.

True to Cheng Jingmo’s character, it didn’t offer any justification for his choice or mention that he nearly fell himself while trying to save her.

Yu Xiangnian:

I am on a mission with an unknown return date. I have asked your parents to take care of you and Xiao Jie.

I am sorry for what happened that day, but I had to make that choice.

To me, the country and the people are the most important. If I must choose between them and you, I can only give up you.

However, I am willing to live and die with you and will not let you face it alone in fear.

Just these four sentences made Yu Xiangnian’s eyes well up.

Damn Cheng Jingmo, what does that last sentence mean?

Is it an expression of responsibility and guilt, or is it a confession of affection?

Confessions shouldn’t be like this!

It’s not romantic at all; it sounds like a political slogan!

When Cheng Jingmo comes back, she will definitely make him explain the meaning of that last sentence!

At this moment, the emotional barrier that Yu Xiangnian had been struggling with finally lifted.

In the following days, she spent her time translating for money, healing, and waiting.

In her spare time, she would think of Cheng Jingmo.

Previously, she thought Cheng Jingmo had been in a relationship with Wu Xiaomin, but now she knew they hadn’t been involved at all.

That damned man might be pure, but his purity comes with the drawback of being clueless about love—like a piece of wood!

If she hints even a little, he doesn’t understand!

If she hints too much, she’s afraid she might scare him!

Finding that balance is truly difficult!

What’s more, she had no experience.

She regretted not studying those modern techniques she’d seen, like the 100 ways to flirt with men, making boyfriends weak in the knees, or sweet and devious flirting tactics… Why didn’t she learn those properly?

That afternoon, Yu Xiangnian was focused on her work in her room when the nanny called her to take a phone call.

It was Yu Jiashun calling, telling her to leave immediately; a car was coming to pick her up to see Cheng Jingmo one last time at the military hospital.

What? One last time?!

Yu Xiangnian doubted she had heard correctly. Before she could ask anything, the call was already disconnected.

Without hesitation, she left without changing her clothes or shoes.

She was taken to the military hospital in a military jeep and then brought to the ward.

The ward was crowded with people, including Yu Xiangyang and Zhao Ruozhu. Seeing her, their eyes were red.

“Nian Nian, you need to stay strong,” Zhao Ruozhu stepped forward and took Yu Xiangnian’s hand to comfort her.

Yu Xiangnian immediately saw Cheng Jingmo lying on the bed, covered in blood, already in a semi-conscious state.

Yu Xiangyang explained the situation to her, but Yu Xiangnian didn’t take in a single word.

Though anxious and worried, she calmly asked Zhao Ruozhu, “What is his current condition?”

Zhao Ruozhu said, “He has multiple stab wounds. The fatal one is the one to his heart, and there is no need for further treatment.”

Yu Xiangnian stood by the bedside, carefully examining the wounds for a moment, then said, “Yu Xiangyang, come with me outside for a moment!”

Yu Xiangyang was stunned for a moment. Seeing Yu Xiangnian’s stern expression, he said nothing and followed her outside.

Everyone in the ward was confused as they watched the siblings leave. The patient was on the brink of death, and instead of saying their last goodbyes, the siblings were off doing something mysterious.

Yu Xiangnian calmly said, “Yu Xiangyang, what I’m about to say might overturn your understanding. Don’t ask questions, just do as I say!”

“I want to perform surgery on Cheng Jingmo, but you must keep this confidential! Tell everyone that the experts from Beijing just happened to arrive in Nancheng and are now at the hospital. Have them prepare for the surgery immediately. Then, find a way to get me into the operating room.”

Yu Xiangyang’s eyes widened in shock. His sister, who couldn’t even sew, was going to perform surgery?!

“Nian Nian…”

Yu Xiangnian interrupted him, “Don’t ask. Just trust me!”

Yu Xiangyang immediately rushed into the ward to carry out the orders. Everyone quickly became busy preparing for the surgery.

Ten minutes later, Yu Xiangnian had her hair pinned up, wearing a hat, mask, and Yu Xiangyang’s military uniform. With the cover of several doctors, she entered the operating room.

Outside the operating room, Zhao Ruozhu looked at the retreating figure and furrowed her brows, “This ‘expert’ seems rather unconvincing.”

Yu Xiangyang replied cautiously, “Let’s try. It’s better to treat a dead horse as if it were alive.”

“From the back, this person looks a bit like Nian Nian,” Zhao Ruozhu suddenly realized Yu Xiangnian was not there and asked, “Where did Nian Nian go?”

Yu Xiangyang said, “She wanted some alone time, probably in the garden.”

Zhao Ruozhu scolded, “Alone time! What time is it?! Running around like this!”

After a pause, she softened her tone, “Fine, fine. Let her be. She’s distressed, so let her have some time alone.”

In the operating room, Yu Xiangnian was fully focused on the surgery.

Luckily, Yu Xiangyang and the team had administered first aid on the spot, and the location and depth of the wounds were not fatal immediately. Otherwise, even she couldn’t have saved him!

The surgery lasted for three hours. The heart repair was completed, and Cheng Jingmo was temporarily out of danger.

Yu Xiangnian breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded to stitch up the other injuries.

During the surgery, she noticed signs that Cheng Jingmo might be waking up.

It was likely that the anesthesiologist had miscalculated the dosage.

Yu Xiangnian was exasperated!

“Patient showing signs of waking up. Prepare for a second round of anesthesia,” she instructed.

She glanced at Cheng Jingmo, who had just begun to open his eyes. They made brief eye contact for a second before he lost consciousness again.

Yu Xiangnian wasn’t flustered and continued with the surgery.

At the early stage of awakening, patients are usually disoriented and unable to feel pain.

Cheng Jingmo was unconscious again within three seconds after opening his eyes due to the additional anesthesia.

The surgery lasted over five hours in total. Cheng Jingmo was finally stabilized and transferred to the intensive care unit.

While everyone was outside the ICU looking after Cheng Jingmo, Yu Xiangnian sneaked out of the operating room and quickly changed out of her scrubs.

It was already past nine in the evening.

Having not eaten and enduring such a long surgery, she was feeling faint.

She planned to rest in Cheng Jingmo’s ward but was caught by Zhao Ruozhu, who gave her a severe scolding!