Chapter 48

After eating and tidying up, Cheng Jingmo went back to the army.

At this time, Liu Zhen and Wang Hongxiang came to visit her. They reluctantly took out fifty yuan from their pockets and handed it to her. “Comrade Yu, here’s the money we owe you.”

Yu Xiangnian was astonished. “What’s this for?”

Wang Hongxiang said, “So many rain boots were taken away last night, and we know you lost a lot of money. We can’t really help you with anything, so we don’t want this money.”

Yu Xiangnian pushed the money back. “This money was agreed upon beforehand. Keep it. I’ll figure out how to get the goods back. I might need your help in the future.”

Wang Hongxiang handed the money back again. “We really don’t want it. If you need anything, we’ll help you.”

“Stop bothering me; my foot hurts,” Yu Xiangnian said impatiently. “Instead of arguing here, why not go make some money? I need help right now. Who knows how to ride a bicycle?”

Both women shook their heads.

In the end, Liu Zhen and Wang Hongxiang pushed a bicycle with Yu Xiangnian sitting on the back seat and took her to the clinic in the family compound.

It was Yu Xiangnian’s first visit to the clinic. The clinic was quite rudimentary, with only two staff members working—one military doctor and one Wu Xiaomin.

The two assumed Yu Xiangnian was there for her foot, but she sat down in front of Wu Xiaomin with a smile and said, “Doctor Wu, I’m going to the black market now. I’m inviting you to come along, so you’re not alone there at night—it’s not safe.”

Wu Xiaomin’s expression remained calm. “What are you saying? I don’t understand!”

Yu Xiangnian, originally only seven parts suspicious, became ninety percent certain after Wu Xiaomin’s reaction. If it weren’t her, the reaction should have been either a confused question like “What do you mean?” or an angry rebuke like “Are you crazy?”

But Wu Xiaomin’s reaction was too calm.

Yu Xiangnian continued to smile. “Seems like we have a grudge now!”

Wu Xiaomin not only wanted to ruin her marriage but also sought to make her lose everything and be sent to work as a rain umbrella!

Wu Xiaomin said sternly, “This is a clinic, Comrade Yu. If you’re not here to see a doctor, don’t interfere with my work.”

“With your level of expertise, you’re not qualified to treat my injuries.”

Liu Zhen and Wang Hongxiang helped Yu Xiangnian leave the clinic.

They asked her how she knew Wu Xiaomin was the informant.

Yu Xiangnian made up a story, claiming she had contacts at the police station.

The two women then continuously cursed Wu Xiaomin as a bad person.

These days, many people do private business; it’s inherently beneficial to both parties. Only those with ill intentions would report others.

Yu Xiangnian didn’t respond, thinking to herself that Cheng Jingmo really had poor judgment, getting involved with such a woman!

The three of them arrived at the black market in the same way.

During the day, the black market was completely deserted.

She wanted to find that room, but since she had been dragged away by Cheng Jingmo last night, she had no idea where it was.

The three waited there for thirty to forty minutes until a man they had seen last night arrived.

“Brother Ping said you would come looking for him, and here you are!” the man said.

As expected from someone in charge, he could see through her intentions at a glance.

Yu Xiangnian asked Liu Zhen and Wang Hongxiang to wait where they were. The man pushed the bicycle and took her to the same room from yesterday.

The halo above Brother Ping’s head was gone today.

They sat facing each other. Since Brother Ping already knew her intentions, Yu Xiangnian spoke directly. “Brother Ping, whether your child can be treated depends on the examination report.”

Brother Ping handed her the prepared report.

Yu Xiangnian examined the report carefully and said, “The child has congenital heart disease and needs surgery. I can perform this surgery.”

Brother Ping’s eyes lit up slightly but he still expressed some skepticism. “I’ve been to many hospitals, and they all said it couldn’t be treated. How can you say you can cure it?”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I wouldn’t joke with someone’s life. You need to trust me, and we’ll cooperate.”

This kind of heart disease surgery was only introduced from abroad in the 21st century, so of course, no one could treat it yet.

Brother Ping scrutinized her for a while before saying, “Let’s discuss your terms.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I have two conditions. First, you help me get the goods back. Second, I have over 8,000 pairs of rain boots that you help me sell. I’ll give you 1.8 yuan per pair, and how much you sell them for is up to you.”

Brother Ping asked, “What about the surgery?”

Yu Xiangnian said, “Tentatively, the surgery will be done in ten days. During this period, you need to find a hospital and have the child undergo pre-surgery examinations. I’ll review the reports, and if everything is fine, we can proceed.”

In ten days, her foot would be healed enough for her to stand and perform the surgery.

“Alright!” Brother Ping said, “If the surgery is successful, I’ll help you with the goods. If not, you won’t need any goods anymore.”

The implication was clear: if the surgery failed, Yu Xiangnian wouldn’t survive either.

Yu Xiangnian wasn’t afraid; the surgery was a routine procedure in modern times, and she was confident in her abilities.

“Then it’s settled!” Yu Xiangnian said. “You must keep the surgery confidential.”

He Ping had the man escort her out.

The man said, “Why didn’t you just have your man tell Ping directly that you can do the surgery? Why go through such a big roundabout way?”

Yu Xiangnian was surprised. “My man? What does that have to do with him?”

The man was also surprised. “Your man came early this morning to find Ping, asking him to help get the goods out. He knows a doctor at the military hospital and wanted to see if they could do the surgery for the child.”

“And then?”

The man said, “Who is Ping? Not only did he refuse to help, but he also took your man to the Beijing hospital, where they also said the surgery couldn’t be done! So, Ping had to kick him out!”

Yu Xiangnian imagined Cheng Jingmo being thrown out and felt both sweet and bitter inside.

He was a soldier, negotiating with these people on her behalf.

Although Cheng Jingmo didn’t say anything, he was silently helping her behind the scenes!

She asked Liu Zhen and Wang Hongxiang not to tell anyone about her visit to the black market today.

Soon after she returned home, Cheng Jingmo came back as well.

Eating the pig’s feet soup he made, Yu Xiangnian found it even more delicious.

Since her foot was injured, Cheng Jingmo had been washing her underwear for the past two nights.

Yu Xiangnian seemed to have lost her initial embarrassment.

In the night, Yu Xiangnian woke up thirsty.

She supported herself against the wall, her eyes half-closed, and hopped out with one foot.

Her mind was in a half-dream, half-wake state, and somehow, she tripped, falling forward.

Suddenly, someone pulled her back, and she fell into a warm embrace.

Cheng Jingmo was bending slightly, one hand holding her back and the other around her waist.

When Yu Xiangnian looked up, she met his gaze. Cheng Jingmo’s beautiful eyes were like a deep, mysterious pool, enchanting and captivating.

Their eyes met, and the urge to kiss him came over her again!