Chapter 36: Nanhe Ge is Mine

Yang Qingyan carefully scrutinized the man in front of her, noticing how he resembled Mu Nanhe in several aspects. However, she refrained from commenting and immediately advanced, checking his pulse. After using her abilities to sense his injuries, she picked up the nearby X-rays and formulated a plan in her mind.

She spoke up, “What if I told you I can help you pick up a gun again? Would you be willing to cooperate with my treatment?”

The man, Xia Tianyou, suddenly lifted his head, hope igniting in his eyes. “Are you serious? You really think you can heal my hand?”

Commander Xia, standing nearby, was also anxious. “Comrade Yang, how confident are you?”

Yang Qingyan maintained a resolute expression, her gaze steady as she looked at them both. “I’m serious. I’m 90% confident. My husband’s injuries are more severe, yet I’m confident he can return to the army. Your injuries have a very high chance of recovery if you actively cooperate with the treatment.”

Xia Tianyou’s hands trembled involuntarily as he grasped this lifeline, his voice slightly choked. “Doctor Yang, as long as I can return to the unit, to the battlefield, I will do anything. I promise to cooperate fully.”

Commander Xia, visibly moved, thanked her repeatedly. “Comrade Yang, thank you so much. This child has been despondent for too long. You’ve given him hope—and brought hope to our entire family.”

Yang Qingyan nodded slightly and began to explain the treatment plan to Xia Tianyou in detail. “For the next few days, you’ll need to stay at the hospital to optimize your physical condition; that’s the foundation for subsequent treatment. I’ll check on you daily and adjust the plan according to your physical indicators. After three days, we’ll schedule a surgery. During the surgery, I’ll reconnect the nerves in your hand. Afterward, there may be some pain, and you’ll need to go through intensive rehabilitation training. It will be a grueling process and will involve pain, but every step must be taken seriously. Only by persevering can you fully return to the unit and once again take up a weapon.”

Xia Tianyou’s determination shone in his eyes as he replied without hesitation, “I’m not afraid. Please make sure you heal me! I dream of going back to fight alongside my comrades.”

Commander Xia watched his son’s resolute expression, his eyes slightly misty, once again assuring Yang Qingyan, “Comrade Yang, rest assured we will fully cooperate with your treatment. Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Looking at the father and son, Yang Qingyan felt a wave of emotion and replied softly, “Don’t worry, I will do my utmost.”

After providing her instructions for Xia Tianyou’s care over the next few days, she took her leave, leaving the ward filled with an atmosphere of hope and determination.

In another room, Mu Nanhe had been eagerly watching the door, and when Yang Qingyan finally walked in, a smile appeared on his face. A nurse came in to change the IV and joked, “Comrade Yang, you’re back! Major Mu has been waiting for his wife to return.”

Yang Qingyan replied with a smile, “Nurse, please don’t tease him.”

After the nurse finished her duties, Mu Nanhe impatiently asked, “How did it go? Is there hope for recovery?”

Yang Qingyan approached the bed, sitting down gently and taking Mu Nanhe’s hand in hers. Her eyes sparkled with confidence as she said, “I’m 90% confident that he can pick up a gun again. Also, if you rest for another seven days, I can schedule your second surgery.”

Mu Nanhe nodded slightly, his eyes filled with relief. “That’s great! Your medical skills have been a huge help—not only will you save me, but you’ll also help other comrades.”

He looked at Yang Qingyan with tenderness and said, “Wife, you’ve worked hard.” Yang Qingyan smiled softly, gently patting his hand in response, “You have to behave and listen to the doctors.”

Mu Nanhe immediately agreed, “Of course, whatever my wife says goes.” They exchanged warm smiles.

Mu Nanhe encouraged Yang Qingyan to lie down on his bed for a short nap, and she complied. He lovingly traced her face with his long fingers, looking at her with sheer happiness.

For the past couple of days, Yang Qingyan had been busy shuttling between the wards of Mu Nanhe and Xia Tianyou, taking great care of Mu Nanhe while carefully observing the best time to schedule surgery for Xia Tianyou.

On the seventh day, as she routinely went to wash the meal box in the kitchen, she turned on the faucet and suddenly spotted Bai Yiling emerging from the shadows. With a hint of malice in her expression, she said, “Yang Qingyan, I need to talk to you. Stay away from Nanhe Ge; he’s mine.”

Yang Qingyan scoffed at her words and retorted, “On what basis? Because you believe you’re special? You think you can just steal my husband, and that’s acceptable? Disrupting a military marriage is against the law; hasn’t your father told you that?”

Bai Yiling’s face turned red with anger as she gritted her teeth, “You’re just a country bumpkin. How do you deserve Nanhe Ge? He’s a hero from the military district, and only I’m the one suited for him.”

Yang Qingyan contemptuously glanced at her. “Whether I’m deserving or not isn’t for you to decide. Nanhe chose me, and we have a marriage certificate. That’s a fact; you’ll have to accept it, whether you like it or not.”

Bai Yiling, unyielding, suddenly reached for Yang Qingyan, her eyes darting to see Mu Nanhe, who was wheeling himself around the corner. She immediately feigned a victimized expression and shrieked in a fake, tearful voice, “Yang Qingyan, I was just trying to greet you! Why are you treating me this way?”

Then, she forcefully grabbed Yang Qingyan’s hand holding the meal box, tipping it over herself and deliberately collapsing to the ground, crying, “Wah! It hurts so much! Yang Qingyan, why did you push me and drench me?!”

She then turned to look at Mu Nanhe, who had rushed closer, crying even more dramatically. “Nanhe Ge, it really hurts!”

In fact, Bai Yiling had set this up beforehand, instructing Huang Yao to go to Mu Nanhe’s room and tell him that Yang Qingyan was being bullied. She was just waiting for him to come over and witness this drama unfold. As soon as he heard Huang Yao’s words, Mu Nanhe was filled with worry and, without a word, pushed his wheelchair toward the source of the supposed conflict, fearing something had happened to Yang Qingyan.

When he arrived at the scene, he didn’t initially pay attention to Bai Yiling’s theatrics but quickly wheeled himself toward Yang Qingyan’s side, his eyes scanning her for any injuries, tightly gripping her hand with concern. “Qingyan, are you okay? Did you get hurt?!”

Once he confirmed that Yang Qingyan was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief and turned his icy gaze toward Bai Yiling, coldly asking, “Bai Yiling, what exactly are you trying to achieve?”

Seeing the situation turning against her, Bai Yiling began to cry even harder, her voice hitching as she said, “Nanhe Ge, I was just trying to greet her! She pushed me! I think I sprained my ankle, waah…”

Mu Nanhe coldly snorted, “I know Qingyan well. Don’t twist the truth here.”

Yang Qingyan felt warmth in her heart, watching Mu Nanhe stand up for her.

### Chapter 37: When Siblings Meet (1/2)

At this moment, a crowd had gathered around them. Seeing that Mu Nanhe was ignoring her, Bai Yiling tried to incite the onlookers to blame Yang Qingyan. She shouted, “Yang Qingyan, I was just trying to say hello! Why did you push me and splash dirty water all over me?”

Some uninformed bystanders began to whisper their criticisms of Yang Qingyan. The crowd murmured various opinions:

“What’s wrong with this girl? Even if there are conflicts, she shouldn’t resort to violence.”

“Yes, she seems calm, but her actions are reckless.”

“Is it really necessary to make such a big deal over a simple greeting?”

Yang Qingyan didn’t fear their scrutiny; she retorted, “If I wanted to splash water on you, I would do it openly, like this.” As she spoke, she splashed some water onto Bai Yiling.

Then she continued, “How about that? Do you still want me to push you openly? And as for you telling me to leave my husband—what qualifications do you have for that?”

The atmosphere shifted abruptly, and onlookers began to turn against Bai Yiling.

“This girl is going too far! Stealing someone’s husband and then playing the victim?”

“Exactly! Just look at her fake fall—it’s so obviously a set-up.”

“Disrupting a military marriage is a crime; how dare she act so arrogantly?”

Bai Yiling turned pale at the tide of public opinion against her. At that moment, Huang Yao stepped forward and said, “What do you know? My sister Yiling and Nanhe are meant for each other! This country girl doesn’t deserve him!”

Bai Yiling’s face grew even paler as she pulled Huang Yao, trying to leave the scene.

Suddenly, Xia Tianyou stepped in to block their path, saying, “I saw everything. You grabbed Yang Qingyan’s hand and pushed yourself. You also splashed water on yourself. Bai Yiling, do I need to inform your father about your behavior?”

Bai Yiling jumped in fright; she feared her father the most and quickly replied, “Tianyou, please don’t say anything to my father. I’m leaving now!”

Xia Tianyou insisted, “Apologize to Yang Qingyan.”

Reluctantly, Bai Yiling stepped in front of Yang Qingyan, hanging her head, and muttered, “Yang Qingyan, I’m sorry.” After saying that, she hastily grabbed Huang Yao and left.

Once they had gone, the crowd also dispersed. Yang Qingyan turned to Xia Tianyou and said, “Thank you for standing up for me, Xia Tianyou.”

Xia Tianyou smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, and sincerely replied, “Yang Qingyan, there’s no need to be so polite. I just spoke the truth. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t be able to watch you be wronged.”

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward Mu Nanhe, slightly furrowing his brow as he pondered: *This man looks somewhat like my father—same robust demeanor, same imposing aura, and even the resolute spirit in his eyes is strikingly similar.*

Yang Qingyan keenly picked up on his look and smiled brightly, introducing, “This is my husband, Mu Nanhe. Nanhe, this is Xia Tianyou, the young soldier I’m treating for his hand injury.”

Mu Nanhe nodded, “Hello, I’m Mu Nanhe.” Xia Tianyou responded with a nod, “I’m Xia Tianyou. I heard from Yang Qingyan that you’re also a soldier.”

Mu Nanhe offered a friendly handshake. “Xia Tianyou, thank you for helping Qingyan just now. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

Xia Tianyou quickly shook his hand with his injured hand and then straightened up to salute, “Major Mu, I’ve long admired your reputation. It’s an honor to meet you in person; your heroic spirit is truly remarkable. I also want to thank Doctor Yang for agreeing to help me with my hand, giving me hope to return to the battlefield.”

Mu Nanhe patted Xia Tianyou’s shoulder. “You have the spirit of a good soldier. Cooperate well with the treatment, and once you recover, we’ll fight side by side.”

A spark of determination flickered in Xia Tianyou’s eyes. He nodded vigorously, “Certainly!”

Yang Qingyan watched the two men converse, feeling a sense of comfort. She noticed the shared determination between them, as though she could envision them charging into battle together in the future.

When Yang Qingyan returned to the ward, she said to Mu Nanhe, “Nanhe, didn’t you think Xia Tianyou looks a bit like you? The similarities are quite striking.”

Mu Nanhe paused, reflecting for a moment on his encounter with Xia Tianyou and his family. He then shook his head, saying, “Maybe it’s just a coincidence. I haven’t thought much about it; I just feel they’re quite friendly.”

Noticing his casual nature, Yang Qingyan’s curiosity deepened. She couldn’t help but ask, “With your mother treating you poorly, is it possible that you’re actually not their child, and Xia Tianyou and his family might be your real kin?”

Mu Nanhe chuckled lightly, gently caressing Yang Qingyan’s nose with a pampering smile. “You’re thinking too far ahead. I’ve never heard that I’m not biological; no one in the village has said anything like that.”

Yang Qingyan remained puzzled. Despite witnessing Mu Nanhe’s indifference, she decided against pressing the issue further, making a mental note to find a chance to investigate later. After all, the resemblance was too coincidental, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was an untold story hidden behind it.

Finally, the day of Xia Tianyou’s surgery arrived. Mu Nanhe gazed at Yang Qingyan with trust and support in his eyes, saying, “Wife, I’ll wait for you outside.”

Yang Qingyan felt a warmth in her heart and leaned down to kiss Mu Nanhe gently on the cheek before turning to quickly head to the operating room for preparations.

As Xia Tianyou was wheeled in, the atmosphere in the surgical room grew tense.

Taking a deep breath, Yang Qingyan steeled herself and approached the operating table, gently speaking to Xia Tianyou, “I’ll give you a local anesthetic. You can’t have general anesthesia because I need you to sense the recovery of your hand during the surgery. There may be some pain, so try to relax.”

Xia Tianyou took a deep breath, his gaze firmly fixed on Yang Qingyan. “I can endure it; just focus on what you need to do.”

With that, the surgery officially commenced. Yang Qingyan meticulously checked the surgical instruments one last time to ensure everything was correct. Holding the syringe confidently, she administered the appropriate dosage of local anesthetic.

As she injected, she offered soothing words, “Don’t be nervous; this is just the beginning. It’ll all be over soon.” Once the anesthesia took effect, she picked up the scalpel, her gaze focused and calm as she decisively cut open the area where the nerves needed reconnecting. Blood began to seep out, but she remained composed, quickly using gauze to wipe it away so she could see the incision clearly.

Next, she immersed herself in the delicate task of reconnecting the nerves, her nimble fingers moving like skilled spirits, carefully manipulating the complex network of neural tissues. One by one, she precisely aligned the severed nerves.

Every movement was executed with utmost caution, for she understood that even the smallest oversight could affect Xia Tianyou’s recovery. During the procedure, she occasionally used her abilities to aid in the rapid repair of the nerves. A subtle, unseen glow emanated from her fingertips, seemingly infusing this surgery with an additional light of hope.