Chapter 217

Yu Xiangnian’s profile was pressed against Cheng Jingmo’s back, and the vibrations from Cheng Jingmo’s chest when he spoke seemed to resonate deeply.

At this moment, Yu Xiangnian felt a mixture of emotions.

She could imagine the humiliation He Meiying had endured and understand Cheng Jingmo’s sense of powerlessness, while also feeling joy for Cheng Jingmo’s awareness and vision.

“Cheng Jingmo, it will pass soon.”

Yu Xiangnian spoke firmly, “All of this will soon be over. Talented professionals like them will return to their schools and research institutes. Knowledgeable and cultured people will enter universities, and our society will evolve into one that respects knowledge and culture.”

“Really?” Cheng Jingmo, excited, held Yu Xiangnian’s hands tightly. “That would be wonderful. Their knowledge shouldn’t be buried in the fields.”

Although Cheng Jingmo hadn’t experienced the kind of society Yu Xiangnian described, he subconsciously trusted her.

Yu Xiangnian had insight and foresight; what she said was bound to come true.

“Cheng Jingmo, let’s visit them together tomorrow and see if we can help in any way.”

Cheng Jingmo replied, “Okay.”

That night, as they lay in bed, Cheng Jingmo asked, “Nian Nian, when will such a society come about?”

Yu Xiangnian vaguely answered, “In a year or two, it will be soon.”

Cheng Jingmo said, “I always feel like my strength is too weak. There are so many things I want to do and people I want to help, but I feel powerless.”

Yu Xiangnian responded, “So, we need to start by changing ourselves. Only by becoming strong ourselves can we influence others. Through our influence, we can bring positive and advanced ideas to society, helping everyone escape poverty and ignorance, and pursue civilization and development.”

“Nian Nian…” Cheng Jingmo looked at her with deep affection. “The best thing I’ve done in my life is marrying you. It’s like you opened a door for me, and beyond it is a world I’ve never seen.”

Yu Xiangnian, with a playful tone, said, “Of course, not everyone has my vision! You must have burned a big incense stick in your past life to marry me!”

Cheng Jingmo: “… So you think I’m a noob?”

Yu Xiangnian, feeling a bit guilty, said, “When I said ‘noob,’ I mainly meant that you’re pure.”

“I don’t believe it!” Cheng Jingmo’s hand had already reached in. “That’s not what you meant last time!”

Last time?

Yu Xiangnian remembered, not long ago when they were whispering in bed.

Yu Xiangnian had told an adult joke about a man being a noob.

In the end, Cheng Jingmo had pinched Yu Xiangnian’s slim waist and asked, “Where am I a noob?”

Yu Xiangnian’s hair was damp with sweat, her cheeks flushed, and her body felt like a puddle, lying on Cheng Jingmo, murmuring, “You’re an old hand, okay?”

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

An old hand? He wouldn’t accept that!

Meanwhile, another noob, Yu Xiangyang, lay on his bed in the dormitory, with Cheng Jingmo’s words still echoing in his mind.

Yes! Yu Jiashun had always taught him to prioritize family and country!

The stories he heard as a child were all about real people and events told by Yu Jiashun.

Those heroes and revolutionary martyrs who gave up everything for the country.

Reflecting on his recent actions, immersed in romantic affairs, he had forgotten his own identity and mission!

The next day, Yu Xiangyang received orders from his superiors to go out on a mission with soldiers from another regiment.

Yu Xiangyang understood that this was likely Yu Jiashun’s intention.

He was being sent away to limit his contact with Xia Qingyun.

If this had been a few days ago, he would have definitely protested before accepting the order. But now, he took the mission without any complaints.

Perhaps Cheng Jingmo was right; he needed some time to calm down and reconsider his relationship.

Yu Xiangyang continued to visit Xia Qingyun in the hospital as usual.

This time, he had hired a temporary caregiver and brought her to the ward.

When Xia Qingyun saw Yu Xiangyang, she immediately smiled. However, her expression changed to surprise when she saw the middle-aged woman behind him.

Yu Xiangyang took the initiative to explain, “Xia Qingyun, I’ll be going on a mission tomorrow and might not return for over ten days. I’ve hired a caregiver who will come to take care of you during these days.”

Xia Qingyun’s face showed clear disappointment.

Yu Xiangyang told the caregiver, “Come by tomorrow morning.”

After the woman left, Yu Xiangyang unpacked the food he had just bought and set it on the table, inviting Xia Qingyun to eat.

Today’s meal included chicken soup, celery with sliced pork, diced carrots with corn, and cold black fungus salad.

Yu Xiangyang served Xia Qingyun a bowl of chicken soup and said, “Tell the caregiver if you want anything else. She can go buy it, and you don’t need to worry about the cost.”

Xia Qingyun took a few sips of soup and asked, “Yu Xiangyang, where will you be going on this mission?”

Yu Xiangyang replied, “I’ll come back to see you. Focus on your recovery.”

Xia Qingyun understood that Yu Xiangyang didn’t want to reveal any details about the mission and didn’t press further.

They chatted about various topics while eating.

Xia Qingyun felt that Yu Xiangyang seemed different today, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint how.

Later, she thought perhaps she was overthinking it. Yu Xiangyang was still as devoted as ever.

Maybe it was just the adjustment to him leaving for a mission that was making things feel off.

Meanwhile,

Yu Xiangnian and Cheng Jingmo brought some medicine to visit Zhang Guoping and He Meiying in the village.

As soon as they entered the yard where Zhang Guoping and his wife lived, they heard a man’s desperate shouting.

“He Meiying!”

Cheng Jingmo froze momentarily before sprinting into their residence, followed closely by Yu Xiangnian.

What they saw next left them both shocked!

A woman in her forties was hanging motionless from the central beam of the room, her eyes wide open and her tongue protruding.

Cheng Jingmo quickly grabbed a fallen chair, jumped on it, and lifted He Meiying off the rope.

Yu Xiangnian regained her composure and helped Cheng Jingmo lay He Meiying flat on the ground.

He Meiying’s face had turned purple, and her expression was terrifying.

Yu Xiangnian calmly checked He Meiying’s carotid artery but found no pulse.

Even though the chances were slim, Yu Xiangnian said determinedly, “Cheng Jingmo, let’s do this!”

Cheng Jingmo understood her intention and nodded solemnly.

Yu Xiangnian unbuttoned the top of He Meiying’s blouse, knelt beside her, and began performing CPR.

They had coordinated before, and this time they worked together even more seamlessly.

The doorway was crowded with villagers watching the scene, and Zhang Guoping sat on the ground, his spirit broken, repeatedly calling, “He Meiying, He Meiying…”

Twenty minutes passed, and there was still no sign of He Meiying regaining consciousness.

Thirty minutes passed with no change.

The murmurs of the onlookers grew louder and more insistent.