Chapter 51.2

As twilight descended, it became too dark to see outside the window.

Though the hospital room’s light bulb was an old-fashioned one, it still glared uncomfortably. Jiang Nian watched Lu Yu, half of his face pressed against his arm, revealing sharp angles. The harsh light seemed to bother him, as his cold and handsome brows furrowed slightly.

After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Nian slowly reached out to shield his face from the light. With the glaring light gone, Lu Yu’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed. The murmurs of the two women nearby reached Jiang Nian’s ears. She coldly ignored them, continuing to shield Lu Yu from the light.

She wasn’t going to live with these people. After leaving the hospital in a few days, she would never see them again. There was no need to care about them.

“How shameless.”

“A brother-in-law and sister-in-law who are so close would be drowned in the ancient times.”

Another young woman said, “Forget ancient times, even now, if there were a younger brother-in-law and sister-in-law like them in the countryside, they’d be dragged to the commune for criticism. It’s a disgrace to their ancestors.”

The two women chattered incessantly, their voices growing louder.

Jiang Nian looked at them coldly. The middle-aged woman was still defiant, glaring back, “I’m talking about you!”

The younger woman, more timid, dared not speak after Jiang Nian’s glare.

The middle-aged woman snorted, “Look at him. He’s still a soldier, yet he…”

“Shut up!”

Jiang Nian pointed at the middle-aged woman and glanced at the deeply sleeping Lu Yu. She lowered her voice, warning, “If you don’t stop, I won’t be polite!”

A smile tugged at the corner of the sleeping man’s lips.

Jiang Nian withdrew her hand. They could talk about her all they wanted, she didn’t care. But she couldn’t let it affect Lu Yu’s reputation.

Lu Yu couldn’t afford even the slightest flaw or stain, given his identity and position. Though she wasn’t his blood relative, their familial relationship was clear. If any gossip were to spread, it would ultimately harm Lu Yu’s future.

Seeing Jiang Nian was serious, the middle-aged woman hesitated and muttered a few words before turning to talk to the younger woman about something else.

Jiang Nian swallowed her frustration and turned to look at Lu Yu again. Seeing that he hadn’t been disturbed, she leaned against the head of the bed, staring out into the pitch-black window, thinking about other things.

“Lu Yu is interested in you.”

Ge Mei’s words echoed in her mind like a broken record. Her thoughts kept flashing back to every moment since she met Lu Yu. The sense of restraint Lu Yu initially maintained towards her diminished with each interaction.

She had never considered these things before, nor had she ever thought that Lu Yu might like her. Even if Lu Yu’s care for her exceeded the boundaries of their familial relationship, she had always dismissed any thoughts and only affirmed that his concern stemmed from his gratitude towards the Xu family.

Jiang Nian lowered her eyes in melancholy. Suddenly, she felt uncertain about the future.

Previously, she planned to excel in her embroidery work, and when she eventually parted ways with Lu Yu, she would follow Sister Ge’s lead and develop her own life and circle. By then, Lu Yu would have his own wife and children. Perhaps when they met again, they would only be relatives, with no crossing of any meaningful lines.

But now, Jiang Nian was confused. She couldn’t determine if Lu Yu liked her a bit more, or if he simply favored her because she was Xu Cheng’s wife.

Jiang Nian had never felt so mentally tangled before.

Lu Yu slept until three in the morning and woke up. Jiang Nian leaned against the head of the bed and fell asleep. Her hand rested near Lu Yu’s arm, fingertips grazing his clothes. Lu Yu kept his hand under his head, but he freed one hand to cover Jiang Nian’s slightly cold hand, clasping her delicate and small hand in his.

Jiang Nian stayed in the hospital for two days. The bandage around her neck had been removed, the area pierced by the steel bar had scabbed over, and the injury on her arm was just a minor abrasion that had already healed. The scratch on her left cheek had also scabbed, appearing stark against her snowy white complexion.

When she was discharged, she went to the adjacent ward to see Zhang Xiao again. Zhang Xiao was now sitting up, able to eat and drink, though she still looked pale and weak. There was a wound on her head that had bled and would take some time to heal.

Zhang Xiao smiled and asked, “Sister Jiang, did it hurt when you hit the wall earlier?”

Jiang Nian: …

She chuckled, “Of course, it hurt. It nearly killed me.”

If she hadn’t been driven by the thought of certain death, she wouldn’t have dared to hit the wall even with ten times the courage. If she were asked to hit the wall again now, she would rather die than yield.

Zhang Xiao said, “I’m hurting too.”

After speaking, she smiled again and held Jiang Nian’s hand. “Sister Jiang, luckily you’re fine. If it weren’t for Sister Lu and Sister Zhai insisting I stay in bed, I would have come to see you.”

Jiang Nian glanced at the bandage on Zhang Xiao’s head. “I would have done the same to see you. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered this unjust disaster.”

“This is not an unjust disaster. Hu Zhongming’s father has long harbored ill intentions. Even if Sister Jiang hadn’t come, he would have come to the embroidery shop to cause trouble.”

Seeing Zhang Xiao not blaming her, Jiang Nian still felt sorry for Zhang Xiao.

Outside, Zhu Jun’s voice rang out, “Deputy Commander!”

Lu Yu glanced at Song Bai and Zhu Jun, nodded and said, “Zhang Xiao is inside.”

Zhu Jun couldn’t conceal his worry on his face. “Then I’ll go in first.”

Song Bai and Lu Yu leaned against the corridor. He glanced at the long corridor and said, “How is your sister-in-law?”

Lu Yu said, “Much better, thank you for this time.””

If it weren’t for Song Bai cooperating with him, Jiang Nian would probably have been in grave danger.

Song Bai chuckled, “Why be polite to me? Besides, she’s also my sister-in-law.”

Lu Yu glanced at Song Bai and said nothing.

Zhu Jun walked into the ward and saw Jiang Nian sitting by the bed. He called out, “Sister-in-law,” then noticed Zhang Xiao sitting on the bed, nibbling on an apple. Her head was wrapped in white gauze, and she looked pale and weak. He asked with concern, “Feeling better?”

He put down the milk and cookies in his hand and stood by her bed.

Zhang Xiao exclaimed, covering her face and turning away. “Why did you come?”

Zhu Jun didn’t know what was wrong with her, looking at her turned back, he worriedly approached and asked, “Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”

“I’m fine.”

Zhang Xiao’s voice was somewhat embarrassed. She felt she looked too ugly in this state and didn’t want Zhu Jun to see. Jiang Nian was initially stunned but then reacted. She leaned closer to Zhu Jun and whispered, “She’s just shy.”

Zhu Jun suddenly understood and joked with Zhang Xiao.

The ward door was open, and Lu Yu lifted his eyes to look inside. From his perspective, he saw Jiang Nian leaning close to Zhu Jun, talking in his ear with a smile.

The man’s black eyes were sharp and cold, his brow furrowed.

Song Bai nudged Lu Yu’s arm with his elbow. “Going back today? This time the regiment will commend us for assisting the police officer in catching Hu Zhongming’s father, which will earn us military merits.”

Lu Yu’s gaze remained locked on the woman in the ward. “I’ll be back today.”

After Zhu Jun finished looking at Zhang Xiao, Sister Zhai happened to bring lunch over. After Jiang Nian said goodbye to Sister Zhai and Zhang Xiao, she walked out of the ward. When she saw Song Bai in the corridor, she was startled for a moment. “You’re here too?”

Song Bai glanced at Jiang Nian’s neck injury and smiled, “Sister-in-law, feeling better?”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Much better.”

Song Bai wanted to continue, but Lu Yu stepped forward, standing between Song Bai and Jiang Nian, and asked softly, “Going back?”

Jiang Nian nodded gently. “Let’s go.”

Song Bai and Zhu Jun walked behind. Zhu Jun was thinking about Zhang Xiao’s injury and planned to apply for leave again in a few days to see her. He should have received a reply from his parents soon after sending the letter back home.

Leaving the hospital, Jiang Nian took a deep breath of fresh air and felt comfortable in her lungs.

This time Zhu Jun was the one driving, Song Bai was sitting in the front passenger seat, and Jiang Nian and Lu Yu were sitting in the back seat. When the military vehicle passed the machinery factory, Jiang Nian turned her head to look at the high gate in the daylight. At this moment, the building looked particularly tall. She thought of the night when Hu Zhongming’s father held her neck in midair, and she felt dizzy when she looked down.

Jiang Nian withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Lu Yu beside her. Lu Yu and Song Bai were talking about regimental matters. Sensing her gaze, he turned to her. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Nian smiled and said, “Thank you.”

She looked at Song Bai again. “Song Bai, thank you too.”

If it weren’t for the two of them, she might have died by now.

Song Bai glanced at Jiang Nian through the rearview mirror and lost himself in those bright eyes for a moment. He coughed lightly and smiled, “When my sister-in-law is in danger, it’s our duty to save her. Besides, even if it were someone else, we would still lend a hand. We must live up to our military uniforms.”

Jiang Nian thought what Song Bai said made perfect sense.

In the new century, whether they were soldiers or firefighters, as long as anyone’s life was in danger, they would step forward immediately to protect the people.

Song Bai and Jiang Nian chatted intermittently, with Zhu Jun occasionally chiming in. Lu Yu told Jiang Nian, “The doctor said you should speak less. Your throat hasn’t fully recovered.”

Jiang Nian cleared her throat, feeling a bit sore. She nodded obediently, “Mm.”

The car arrived at the state-run embroidery shop. Jiang Nian picked up the fabric she bought last time at the department store. After saying goodbye to Ge Mei, the few of them went to the state-run restaurants to have lunch and then got in the car to return to the army.

She watched the scenery retreat quickly and felt that this place was really not suitable for her.

Every time she came here, something unfortunate happened.

By the time they returned to the army, it was already six in the afternoon. Song Bai went to return the car, Lu Yu carried all the things and led Jiang Nian into the family quarters. Zhu Jun followed behind. When they reached the fork in the road, Lu Yu said to Zhu Jun, “Go back and add five kilometers of weight training.”

Zhu Jun: ???

Jiang Nian was also stunned for a moment, thinking it was because Zhu Jun asked for leave. After bidding farewell to Zhu Jun, the two returned to the family quarters. On the way, they met the military wives and a few aunts and greeted each other. Everyone in the family knew about the incident in the city.

Commander Song told Feng Mei and Feng Mei went public the next day, saying that Deputy Commander Lu and Deputy Commander Song had made great contributions.

Jiang Nian had just passed Feng Mei’s house when Feng Mei ran out and circled Jiang Nian, seeing scratches on her face and neck. She asked anxiously, “Are these wounds healed?”

“Tell me what happened, that person is so mean!”

“You don’t know. When Old Song came back and told me and told me about it, I was scared. I wanted to go to the city to see you, but Old Song didn’t let me. How are you feeling now?”

Lu Yu glanced at Jiang Nian and said, “Sister-in-law, I’m heading back now.”

Jiang Nian nodded lightly, “Mm.”

She looked at Feng Mei and said, “It’s alright, these injuries are minor.”

Feng Mei asked cautiously, “Is it because of a clash with the authorities in the city?”

As soon as she said this, Feng Mei panicked and covered her mouth, looking around to ensure no one had heard her. With the current campaign against the ‘Four Olds’ and the prohibition against feudal practices, especially in the military, such remarks were risky. She quickly changed her tune, “Look at you. Last time in the city, you were bullied, and Deputy Commander Lu took several days off to be with you. This time, you’re bullied again. In my opinion, next time you go to the city, either take Deputy Commander Lu with you, or I’ll accompany you.”

Jiang Nian hadn’t expected Feng Mei to offer to accompany her. Though she wasn’t sure what dangers awaited her in the city next time, Feng Mei seemed unconcerned. Jiang Nian felt touched and smiled at Feng Mei, “Alright, if I go to the city next time, I’ll have Sister Feng accompany me.”

After parting ways with Feng Mei, Jiang Nian returned home. As soon as she entered the house, she heard Xu Yan’s voice from outside, “Jiang Nian, are you there?”

“Sister Xu.”

Lu Yu came out from the house and said to Xu Yan, “My sister-in-law is inside.”

Xu Yan smiled at Lu Yu, “Mm.”

Just as Jiang Nian was about to go outside, she saw Xu Yan carrying a small basket with six eggs inside. Xu Yan placed the eggs on the table and glanced at the injuries on Jiang Nian’s face and neck, “Are you okay?”

Jiang Nian shook her head, “I’m fine.”

Xu Yan smiled and sat down on a stool beside Jiang Nian, making small talk. After a while, Liu Jianwu ran over to find Xu Yan. Xu Yan lifted him up and sat him on her lap. Liu Jianwu looked at Jiang Nian and said in his childish voice, “Auntie Jiang, my mom cried today.”

Xu Yan hadn’t expected her son to suddenly say this. Jiang Nian was also taken aback. Seeing Xu Yan’s embarrassed smile, she asked Liu Jianwu, “Why did your mom cry?”

Liu Jianwu said, “Mom worried about Auntie Jiang.”

Xu Yan smiled, “I heard from Sister Feng about what happened to you, so I was worried, but with two kids at home, I couldn’t go to the city myself, so all I could do was fret.”

Jiang Nian felt warm inside and thanked Xu Yan.

Xu Yan chuckled, “Don’t thank me. I don’t know how to respond.”

After Xu Yan left, Jiang Nian folded the embroidery cloth and put it away in the cabinet. As she closed the cabinet door, she heard footsteps outside. Her hand rested on the cabinet, and she turned to see Lu Yu walking in. Her heart skipped a beat.

Ge Mei’s words echoed in her mind, and Lu Yu’s recent strange behavior flashed through her thoughts. Jiang Nian couldn’t pretend that none of this had happened, “What’s wrong?”

Night had fallen, and there were no lights on in the house, so Jiang Nian couldn’t see the emotions in Lu Yu’s eyes clearly.

“Jiang Nian.”

Lu Yu approached her, and his strong male presence enveloped her. Jiang Nian didn’t know why, but her breathing suddenly became tense. She slowly raised her head to look at Lu Yu, waiting for him to speak. Her fingers on the cabinet began to tighten.

The dimness in the room seemed to envelop all that had been open during the day.

Suddenly, Lu Yu reached out and embraced Jiang Nian, one arm tightly around her waist. His hand, with distinct knuckles, cupped the back of Jiang Nian’s head, pressing her firmly against his chest. Feeling the warmth and liveliness of the person in his arms, feeling her breath warm against him through his thin white shirt, Lu Yu felt a sense of unprecedented peace and security.