Chapter 68

Yu Xiangnian and Xiao Jie had been receiving intravenous drips at the clinic for three consecutive days, and Xiao Jie was almost fully recovered.

In the last two days, she had the children take turns telling stories, rewarding them with White Rabbit milk candy and picture books. Every child was eager to tell a story.

Usually, children would cry and make a fuss at the mere mention of injections, but in the past two days, they didn’t even whimper during their shots.

Yu Xiangnian’s good looks, generosity, and skill with children had earned her a lot of admiration from the families at the clinic.

Thanks to the word-of-mouth from these families, Yu Xiangnian received a lot of praise.

By late June, the weather was so hot that even sitting still made one sweat. Yu Xiangnian fanned herself and longed for the comfort of an air-conditioned room.

“Nian Nian!”

The shout startled her, and she turned to see Qiu Yang approaching with a few items.

Yu Xiangnian stood up to take the items and poured him a glass of water. “In this hot weather, wearing a full suit—aren’t you afraid of getting heat rash?”

Qiu Yang grabbed the fan Yu Xiangnian had been using and began fanning himself. “What kind of place are you staying in? It’s so hot here, and there isn’t even a fan.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I’ve been wanting to buy one and was thinking about how to earn some money. Just in time, you’re here.”

Qiu Yang’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You want to earn money from me?”

Yu Xiangnian’s expression turned disdainful. “Who could earn money from you? Even a hen that passes by your door would have to lay two eggs before leaving! I want you to help me earn money.”

Although Qiu Yang was bullied in the family quarters, he was quite influential outside and knew many people.

Yu Xiangnian explained her idea to him.

She could work as a translator and wanted Qiu Yang to introduce her to some reliable publishing houses or newspapers.

After hearing her plan, Qiu Yang burst into laughter, his sarcasm apparent. “With your level of skill, you need to deliberate over buying something, and you want to be a translator?!”

“Don’t look down on me! I can translate a passage for you right now!”

Qiu Yang pulled out a small notebook from his suit pocket, which he used for jotting down notes. “Come on, translate this!”

Yu Xiangnian casually opened a page, read a few lines, and started laughing. “Oh, someone’s in love!”

“Being with you, the sky is particularly blue, the wind is especially refreshing, the leaves are exceptionally green, and all the passing scenery is particularly enchanting.”

“I think you’re as beautiful as the stars in the sky, but the difference is that the stars are in the sky, while you’re in my heart.”

“I’ve never loved anyone before. You are the first. I’m afraid I might not do it well and make you think love is nothing special.”

Qiu Yang was surprised that Yu Xiangnian translated it accurately and appropriately.

Embarrassed to have his inner secrets exposed, he quickly grabbed the notebook back and put it in his pocket. “These sentences are too simple. To test the translation, you need to tackle something more difficult.”

Yu Xiangnian asked, “Are you going to introduce me or not? Whatever my level is, they can test me on the spot.”

Qiu Yang’s face was slightly flushed. “Maybe later. I’m busy with something else at the moment.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m looking for a type of herb called ‘Fuxin Grass,’ which is said to treat heart pain. I’ve heard it only grows in the deep mountains around our Southern City.”

Yu Xiangnian, unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, asked, “Who’s sick?”

“A friend of mine. His mother has had heart pain for a long time. Last month, her condition worsened, and she’s in the hospital, almost at her end. I heard this herb can cure it, so he asked me to help find it.”

“Well, I have nothing to do anyway. I’ll help you find it.”

When Cheng Jingmo returned home, he saw Yu Xiangnian and Qiu Yang sitting together, engrossed in conversation. They didn’t even notice him entering.

A slight displeasure flickered in his eyes as he walked over and greeted them. “Comrade Qiu, you’re here.”

Qiu Yang stood up, lifting an eyebrow. “I should be calling you Deputy Regiment Leader Cheng now! It’s been two years, and you’ve risen quite quickly!”

Qiu Yang’s sarcastic tone made Cheng Jingmo recall past remarks, causing his expression to cool slightly.

There was no need to explain; the more he explained, the more Qiu Yang would think he was relying on Yu Xiangnian’s family background.

“You two continue chatting. I’m going to make dinner.” Cheng Jingmo said coldly before heading into the kitchen.

Yu Xiangnian gave Qiu Yang a light punch and whispered, “Why did you talk like that just now? So sarcastic! His promotion to Deputy Regiment Leader happened before we even got married.”

“You’re defending him?!” Qiu Yang was first surprised, then frowned and said with displeasure, “This person is too scheming. Nian Nian, you need to be cautious around him!”

“He’s upright and treats me well. You’re the one with a prejudice against him.”

“Hmm! Are you interested in him now?”

“This isn’t about liking or not liking! He doesn’t need to rely on anyone; with his abilities, he can succeed on his own. You should be more respectful to him. After all, he is my husband.”

“But you were so adamant about not marrying before. How come you got married as soon as you returned to the country?”

What else could she do?

Yu Jiashun and Zhao Ruozhu used all kinds of tactics, one soft and one hard. She had no choice but to marry.

With Yu Xiangnian’s warning, Qiu Yang was slightly more courteous to Cheng Jingmo from then on.

The dinner went off without a hitch.

They escorted Qiu Yang to the gate of the family quarters.

Qiu Yang had come by himself, driving a military green jeep surrounded by curious women and children.

Who had such a distinguished relative?

Seeing it was Yu Xiangnian’s relative, it seemed expected.

This ‘evil stepmother’ must have burned a lot of incense in her past life to be so lucky in this one!

Qiu Yang waved to Yu Xiangnian, “I’ll pick you up at 9 a.m. tomorrow. We’ll head to the village at the foot of the mountain.”

On the way home, Yu Xiangnian told Cheng Jingmo about her plans to search for medicinal herbs with Qiu Yang.

“I might not come home for dinner, so you don’t need to cook for me.”

“Are you coming home in the evening?”

“Hmm?” Yu Xiangnian asked in return, “Where else would I go if not home?”

“Oh.”

In fact, Cheng Jingmo had always been somewhat skeptical of Yu Jiashun’s words.

Yu Jiashun claimed that Yu Xiangnian and Qiu Yang saw each other as siblings.

But Yu Xiangnian was cold to her own brother, Yu Xiangyang, and yet was particularly special toward Qiu Yang.

Had anything happened between them while they were abroad?

Otherwise, why would Yu Xiangnian always refuse to marry him but agree to it as soon as she returned?

And now, even though she married him, she refused to cohabit—was she afraid he’d discover something?

Cheng Jingmo rubbed his temples in frustration.

He felt inexplicably uneasy whenever he saw Qiu Yang.

The next day, Yu Xiangnian and Qiu Yang arrived at the village at the foot of the mountain.

Qiu Yang had driven, brought a letter of introduction from the military district, and privately gave the village head two packs of cigarettes. The village head warmly received them.

Qiu Yang asked, “Village head, do you know where we can find Fuxin Grass?”

“Fuxin Grass? I’ve never heard of it.”

The village head paused and then said, “I’ll take you to the ‘sent-down youth’ site. The young people there are educated and often go into the mountains. They might have seen it.”

At the ‘sent-down youth’ site, Yu Xiangnian saw a man.

The man was wearing a white shirt and blue trousers, with a side parting and glasses, looking scholarly and refined.

“Comrade Fan Zhezhou,” the village head called out, “Gather your fellow youths. I need to ask you all something.”

Yu Xiangnian thought to herself, so Wu Xiaomin’s boyfriend is named Fan Zhezhou!