Chapter 31: Planning a Second Marriage?

A trace of sorrow flickered in He Yunshen’s eyes as he gently comforted her. He let Ning Wanwan vent her feelings fully before bringing her back inside.

“It’s my fault. Let’s go back in.”

“No, I want to go to the bathroom…”

He Yunshen’s handsome face flushed slightly. “Okay, I’ll take you.”

The next morning, Ning Wanwan unusually got up early and saw He Yunshen already neatly dressed and about to head to the kitchen.

“Wait a moment, I have something to tell you.”

He Yunshen nodded and sat by the dining table, pouring a cup of hot water from the thermos and placing it in front of her.

Before Ning Wanwan could speak, He Yunshen beat her to it.

“I’ve already submitted the divorce application. It should be approved in about half a month.”

“Political Commissar Fu originally wanted to talk to you, but I turned him down.”

Ning Wanwan glanced at him with her clear eyes, hesitating to speak.

“Would you mind staying at the house during this period? I get a little scared living alone.”

“It’s Mid-Autumn Festival in half a month. I want to invite a few military wives I’m close to over for a meal. If it’s convenient, you could invite your subordinates too.”

He Yunshen nodded, agreeing silently, then turned to head to the kitchen. But Ning Wanwan grabbed his sleeve.

“You go wash up, I’ll make breakfast.”

Then she hobbled to the kitchen with her crutch. He Yunshen stared blankly at her retreating figure, lost in thought.

His face darkened. She even planned a farewell dinner. Heartless little thing…

Since He Yunshen promised Ning Wanwan he would return home to sleep, he really did come back every night after work—though he always ate at the mess hall and had little communication with her. They kept a peaceful distance.

While Ning Wanwan busied herself with volunteer medical visits, she also started rehab with Xu Cuihua’s help. She had now fully left her wheelchair behind and could walk independently with just a crutch.

Watching Ning Wanwan pacing the courtyard, Xu Cuihua’s face was filled with relief.

“Wanwan, your leg’s recovering so fast! I reckon in ten days or so you won’t even need that crutch.”

Ning Wanwan smiled and walked over, pulled out 30 yuan from her pocket, and placed it in Xu Cuihua’s hand.

“Sis, this is this month’s salary. I’m giving it to you early. After Mid-Autumn, I’ll probably be leaving, so you’ll need to find another job.”

Xu Cuihua refused to accept it and tried stuffing the money back into her hand.

“Wanwan, are you really separating from the Captain?”

Ning Wanwan nodded. “Mm.”

“I can’t take this money. You’re a woman on your own—life will be tough after you leave the Captain. Take it back and spend wisely.”

Ning Wanwan shook her head and forced the money back into Xu Cuihua’s hand, giving her a playful scolding look.

“Sis, you and Xiaoling need to live too. I’ve got my medical skills—I can earn money easily. I’ve already decided. I’m opening a clinic once I return to Beijing.”

“When you and Xiaoling are free, you can visit me there.”

“I want to host a farewell dinner with some military wives on Mid-Autumn Festival. You and Xiaoling should come too—it’ll be like a send-off.”

Xu Cuihua nodded, then hugged Ning Wanwan tightly, her eyes growing red.

“Wanwan, I really don’t want to say goodbye… Who knows when we’ll meet again.”

Ning Wanwan smiled and playfully stuck out her tongue.

“Well then, come to my wedding when I get married again.”

Just as Xu Cuihua was about to laugh and tease her, He Yunshen’s tall figure appeared at the courtyard entrance.

He had just walked in and happened to hear that last line. His handsome face instantly darkened like a pot’s bottom, and his eyes shot a chilly glare at Ning Wanwan.

Ning Wanwan (thinking): Brother, would you believe me if I said I was joking?

He Yunshen: Nope.

Ning Wanwan gave an awkward smile. He hadn’t come home during the day lately, so she got a little too casual today—only to be caught red-handed.

She walked over guiltily with her crutch and tried to curry favor.

“Have you had lunch yet? I can cook something for you.”

He Yunshen glanced at her coldly and didn’t speak for a while. Then he strode into the house, grabbed a file, and drove off without a word.

Even his back radiated the vibe of someone gritting their teeth in frustration.

He Yunshen was truly both amused and exasperated by Ning Wanwan’s antics.

They hadn’t even divorced yet, and she was already planning her second marriage? He had half a mind to knock on her head to see what she’d been thinking all day.

He had come home intending to take her out for lunch. Because of her recent work with free clinics at the market, many civilians had written thank-you letters to the military. Today, Political Commissar Fu even publicly praised her at the army-wide meeting, which made He Yunshen feel proud by association.

But his good mood was completely ruined the moment he entered the courtyard.

Feeling like he was on the verge of a heart attack from anger, he had stormed inside, grabbed a couple of useless documents, and driven off.

Ning Wanwan could obviously sense his anger too—but she was used to being carefree and focused solely on her rehab.

That afternoon, she and Xu Cuihua went to Li Ping’s house. Recently, she had gotten into knitting and had bought some black yarn from the market to make herself a sweater dress.

Zhang Yun and Tao Meier sat nearby helping her wind the yarn. As they worked, they chatted.

“Sis, are you knitting that for the Captain? Why’d you pick such a dull color? You should’ve chosen something brighter.”

Ning Wanwan shook her head. Since she’d be leaving soon, she figured she should also tell Zhang Yun and the others about the divorce.

“No, sis. We’re getting divorced. That sweater’s for me.”

Zhang Yun was shocked. “What?!”

Li Ping looked puzzled. “Wanwan, what did you say? Did I hear that right? You’re getting divorced? With who?”

Ning Wanwan played with the knitting needles and casually replied.

“With Captain He. The paperwork should be approved soon.”

Zhang Yun and Li Ping exchanged stunned glances, disbelief all over their faces.

“Just a while ago, my husband was bragging about how Captain He carries around the pouch you made him—now you’re suddenly divorcing?”

Li Ping chimed in, “Yeah! My husband was talking about it too. We were even envious of your good relationship. How did things fall apart so fast…”

Seeing Ning Wanwan’s puzzled expression, Zhang Yun recounted the story with vivid detail.

Ning Wanwan had started out smiling, but as she listened, her expression grew tinged with sadness.

“Wanwan,” Zhang Yun said, “I don’t know what happened between you two, but I really think you should reconsider. Good men like Captain He are hard to find.”

“Yeah, Wanwan,” Li Ping added. “You clearly have feelings for him. If there’s a misunderstanding, talk it out.”