Chapter 33: The Struggle

Chen Feng hurried into the intensive care unit, carrying a bundle of takeout containers filled with food. The aroma of the dishes felt oddly out of place in the corridor that reeked of disinfectant.

He approached Yang Qingyan, who was waiting outside the critical care room, concern etched on his face. “Sister-in-law, you need to eat something. You’ve gone a whole day and night without sleep or food. If you collapse, Nanhe will worry.”

Yang Qingyan, reminded of the long battles yet to come, nodded slightly and accepted the takeout. The food was still warm, but she ate absentmindedly, swallowing a few bites before standing up again, rushing back to keep vigil over Mu Nanhe.

Inside the intensive care unit, various machines continued to emit rhythmic beeping, counting down time for Mu Nanhe’s life, almost like an anthem of resistance. Yang Qingyan sat at his bedside, her gaze fixated on the numbers flashing on the monitors and on Mu Nanhe’s pallid face. Her hands clenched into tight fists, as if that alone could pull him back from the clutches of death.

However, the illness did not relent in its assault on Mu Nanhe. In the hours following his surgery, he experienced two bouts of high fever, as if a fierce battle was raging within him. Yang Qingyan could not afford to slacken her efforts; she quickly adjusted medications and used damp towels repeatedly to help bring his temperature down, channeling her abilities into him to bolster his resistance.

After a grueling 16 hours, Mu Nanhe’s fingers twitched slightly. Then, slowly, he opened his eyes. What greeted him was a blinding white light, and the sight of Yang Qingyan, exhausted and asleep at his bedside. He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but only a raspy sound emerged, his cracked lips hurting painfully.

It seemed as if Yang Qingyan sensed his movement and jerked her head up, her eyes widening in surprise, but quickly returning to a calm expression. She hurriedly grabbed a cotton swab, dipped it in warm water, and gently brushed it against Mu Nanhe’s lips. “Don’t speak yet; let me moisten your throat.”

After a moment, Mu Nanhe gathered enough strength to whisper, his voice almost inaudible, “Am I still alive?” The disbelief in his tone was palpable.

Yang Qingyan looked at him—frustrated yet laughing—her eyes quickly turning moist. “If you weren’t alive, how could you see me? You scared me half to death.” With that, her tears fell freely onto the back of Mu Nanhe’s hand. In that moment, she felt a weight lifted off her chest.

Mu Nanhe wanted to lift his hand to dry her tears, but found his arm too weak to raise. He could only helplessly gaze at her, his eyes filled with pain and guilt. He moved his lips, trying to say something comforting, but found his dry throat made it difficult to produce sound.

Seeing this, Yang Qingyan quickly wiped away her tears and composed herself. “You just woke up; don’t move too much. Rest well. We can talk more when you’re feeling better.” With that, she resumed checking the monitor data to record Mu Nanhe’s vital signs, ensuring he remained stable.

Once it was confirmed that Mu Nanhe had safely passed the life-threatening stage, he was transferred back to a regular room. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warmth over the hospital bed. Although his face was still pale, he was in fair spirits and could talk normally.

One afternoon, in the quiet room where only monitors beeped occasionally, Mu Nanhe leaned back against the headboard while Chen Feng sat on a chair beside him, and Yang Qingyan organized medications nearby. The conversation steered towards the mission during which Mu Nanhe was injured.

Mu Nanhe’s brows furrowed, and his expression turned serious. “This mission was extremely perilous. It was all orchestrated by that drug lord from last year, who has been holding a grudge against us and plotting revenge. He set up a series of traps to lure us in—his methods were ruthlessly cunning.”

Chen Feng clenched his fists in anger, “So what happened next? How did you respond?”

Mu Nanhe’s voice lowered, “At first, we were cautious and managed to see through some of his traps, escaping major losses. But that drug lord was relentless. The traps kept getting more dangerous.”

Chen Feng’s eyes were fixed on him, listening intently, while Yang Qingyan paused her work to pay attention.

Mu Nanhe continued, “We dealt with him for a whole month. In the end, they captured a few of our comrades and deliberately sent out false information to lure me into a rescue mission. I knew it was likely a trap, but when my comrades were in trouble, I couldn’t turn my back. I went in alone.”

He took a deep breath and slowly recounted, “The moment I entered that place, I sensed something was wrong. The surroundings were rife with ambushes. Before I could react, the drug dealers surrounded me from all sides, brandishing clubs and knives, without a care for anything.”

Mu Nanhe paused, recalling the chaos. “I fought desperately, trying to break through, but there were too many of them. I knew I had to take them out. After an arduous struggle, I managed to defeat most of them. In the confusion, someone swung a steel bar and smashed it against my legs. I ended up with multiple fractures in my tibia and fibula; my ankle was completely crushed. Every movement sent a searing pain through my body.”

Chen Feng clenched his teeth, anger boiling within him. “Those bastards!”

Mu Nanhe inhaled deeply, continuing, “I fell to the ground, and only the drug lord was left. He stabbed me with a knife in my foot, and I nearly lost consciousness from the pain.”

“In that dire moment, I waited for the right time and retaliated, managing to kill him.”

Chen Feng looked at him with admiration, nodding vigorously. “Nanhe, you’re incredible! But you yourself also…”

Mu Nanhe forced a bitter smile. “Yeah, I took down a thousand of them but ended up injuring myself heavily. I was in such bad shape that I thought I might not make it. But then I thought of you all, especially Qingyan…”

His gaze softened, “I clung to that belief and used my last ounce of strength to crawl out of that hellish place. Luckily, I was found by my comrades who came to back me up and rushed me to the hospital. That’s how I clawed back my life.”

Chen Feng’s eyes were slightly red, filled with emotion. “Now you’re safe. Just take care from now on.”

Mu Nanhe nodded slightly. “Don’t worry; those guys have been completely wiped out. There shouldn’t be any more danger like this. After this ordeal, I cherish everything more, especially Qingyan. I’ve put her through so much.”

At this moment, Yang Qingyan, listening quietly to the conversation, felt both shocked and in awe. Unable to hold back, she exclaimed, “You soldiers have it so tough. Every mission involves so much danger. Nanhe, you’re amazing.”