Lin Shu waited for them to finish eating before going to prepare dinner for the family.

Yesterday she had made pancakes, so today she only needed to boil water and stew some vegetables.

After the water came to a boil, she would put it in a thermos and use the leftover water to make a soup.

In the evening, the family members came back from work one after another.

The two children were responsible for explaining to everyone that Uncle Chen was a comrade of their father, and he was injured and needed to stay at their home to recover.

Everyone expressed concern and welcomed Chen Yanming, telling him to make himself comfortable at their home.

While Lin Shu was serving the food, she heard Lu Shaotang telling Fang Dihua to let Chen Yanming stay in the same room as their father and mother.

Fang Dihua thought for a moment and said to Old Man Lu, “Tonight, you take Yanming to sleep in the eldest brother’s room, and let sister-in-law Lu Da stay in my room.”

Old Man Lu was reluctant to leave his wife, but he had no choice but to make do since it was his son’s comrade.

During the meal, Old Man Lu looked at Brother Lu Dage with some displeasure.

Brother Dage was puzzled and told Lin Shu and the others about the progress of collecting materials for the team.

“Dad, when will the chrysanthemum for pest control arrive? Please hurry it up.”

Old Man Lu replied, “The county pharmacy doesn’t have much; it’s not enough.”

Lin Shu asked, “Dad, can we ask someone to get some seeds?”

Old Man Lu said that Doctor Yan also didn’t know where to get the seeds, and suggested asking in the province; they might have some.

Brother Lu Dage asked Lu Shaotang to help.

Lu Shaotang said, “Alright, I’ll check later.”

Chen Yanming asked, “What is chrysanthemum for pest control?”

Lin Shu briefly explained its effects.

Chen Yanming replied, “I understand. There are red, white, and stinky chrysanthemums. I know where to get some. I’ll send a telegram tomorrow and have someone bring a bag of seeds by rail.”

Lin Shu and the others were surprised, not expecting Chen Yanming to know about this.

Chen Yanming smiled and said, “We have outdoor survival training and assessments every year. It’s common to survive in the wild for ten to fifteen days without bringing any food. We know the effects of some herbs but don’t know their names.” He turned to point at Lu Shaotang with his chin, “Shaotang is the most skilled among us.”

Lu Shaotang said, “I’m not the most skilled; I’m just the most cautious and patient, unlike you who are so reckless.”

Brother Lu Dage was stunned.

How could the usually restless Third Brother be so cautious and patient? He didn’t believe it.

Chen Yanming sensed his doubt and assured him, “It’s true. Shaotang can stay hidden in a position for a day and a night.”

Lu Ping was impressed, but Lu An and Lu Cuicui doubted if it was possible to go a whole day and night without eating, drinking, or using the toilet.

They thought it was impossible.

Lu Shaotang looked at them…

Chen Yanming gave a glance, “Stop flattering. Later, let me check your arm and leg.”

As a professional, he knew better than to discuss his expertise with those who didn’t understand.

They wouldn’t grasp or believe it, no matter how much he explained.

Was there any point in trying to prove it to them?

There was no meaning in that.

He never talked about these things.

Chen Yanming snapped back to reality.

He had become a bit too immersed, warmed by the children’s affection, and had begun to think that Lu Shaotang’s family was as warm as the kids.

But in reality, they were just ordinary people.

Realizing this, Chen Yanming admired Lu Shaotang even more.

He didn’t show off or fear misunderstandings or insults.

It seemed like nothing special, but ordinary people couldn’t manage it.

After dinner, the village secretary and the team leader, knowing that Lu Shaotang had brought back an injured comrade, came over with eggs and noodles to check on him.

Unable to refuse, Fang Dihua had to accept the gifts.

They discussed the fragrance production business with Lin Shu.

Feeling confident about it, they left reassured.

Chen Yanming had been quietly observing the Lu family.

He found Lin Shu truly impressive. Despite her husband’s long absence, she had managed to make her in-laws treat her even better than her own parents.

Even the elder and second brothers listened to her.

Brother Lu was indeed fortunate.

Lu Shaotang added an extra oil lamp to the wall and asked Chen Yanming to check his arm and leg.

Chen Yanming’s injury was from a mission in the neighboring city.

Lu Shaotang had initially treated and bandaged it, and the splint was also done by Lu Shaotang.

Later, he received further treatment at the city hospital.

Old Man Lu praised, “The treatment was done well. Luckily, the bone isn’t broken, just cracked.”

“If the bone had been broken, it would have been much more troublesome, requiring bed rest.”

Just look at Mrs. Qian to know how serious it can be.

Tiantian and Panpan didn’t shy away.

Instead, they attentively examined Uncle Chen’s injury, clearly distressed.

Even though this was Chen Yanming’s first visit, he was their father’s best comrade.

He had also sent them gifts and prepared presents for the New Year. What a great uncle he was!

They really liked him.

They didn’t want him to be hurt.

So, they fussed over Chen Yanming, constantly urging him to get better and not to be in pain or itch.

Chen Yanming had initially tried to tease them, saying he wasn’t in pain and it was no big deal.

But seeing how concerned the kids were, he suddenly couldn’t control his tears.

He was startled and quickly wiped them away.

The kids thought he was crying from pain, pretending to be strong.

After all, when they scraped their knees, they also wanted to cry but would bravely say “It’s okay” when they saw their mother and grandparents’ worried faces.

“Actually, it hurts a lot!”

Seeing Chen Yanming suddenly tear up, Old Man Lu said nothing but quietly signaled Fang Dihua to step outside as well.

Old Man Lu didn’t think that such a tough man as Chen Yanming would cry from pain due to an injury.

He suspected that it might be due to emotional distress triggered by the situation.

He quickly applied the medication and re-secured the splint, then left the room, reminding everyone not to disturb Chen Yanming in the east room.

Only the two kids stayed to comfort Uncle Chen.

“It really hurts. How could it not hurt if the arm and leg are broken?”

“If it were me, I’d be crying loudly and rolling around on the ground.”

Outside, Lin Shu sensed something was wrong and pulled Lu Shaotang into the west room, asking quietly what was going on.

She was concerned they might not have taken proper care of Chen Yanming, leading him to feel wronged.

Lu Shaotang embraced her, “It’s nothing. He’s just feeling emotional.”

Since his teenage years, Lu Shaotang had known Chen Yanming, and they had gone from being rivals to understanding and finally becoming the most trusted comrades.

Over the years, although Lu Shaotang didn’t like to come home, he noticed that Chen Yanming was even more reluctant to return.

Sometimes, even when there were no missions at the military academy, Chen Yanming would find reasons to stay away from home.

Lu Shaotang knew that Chen Yanming was avoiding going home.

He also knew that Chen Yanming’s letters home were often just written but not sent, as if no one cared about his letters or news.

Lu Shaotang had observed that Chen Yanming rarely received letters from home, even during their time at the military academy.

At that time, Lu Shaotang, being rebellious, thought that a real man should focus on the world rather than being attached to family matters.

Even so, he received letters from home every month.

Chen Yanming received only one letter a year, which was quite different.

At first, Chen Yanming looked forward to receiving letters and would suppress his envy when he saw others with letters from home.

When he finally got one, he was so excited that he wanted to show it off to everyone.

But after reading it, he wasn’t happy, and later, he even stopped looking forward to receiving letters and would not open them when they arrived.

Chen Yanming thought he was hiding his feelings well, but nothing escaped Lu Shaotang’s keen observation.

After all, Lu Shaotang had always been good at noticing details and had strong insight.

Though it was Chen Yanming’s personal matter and likely something he didn’t want to share, Lu Shaotang never asked about it.

He didn’t ask but could still piece together some of the story.