Chapter 46: Explanation

The corridors of the inpatient department were always quieter. Even climbing a few flights of stairs, only the rhythmic footsteps of two people could be heard.

Qi Huaiwen couldn’t help but glance at Lin Qiao, “Who was that just now?”

He had actually encountered Ji Duo once when Li Xiaoqiu’s mother came to see her, and Ji Duo helped Lin Qiao deliver liquid soap to the school. But Ji Duo didn’t get out of the car, and he was far away. Their first face-to-face meeting was just now downstairs.

To be honest, his presence was strong. Even without shoulder epaulets, his rank was evident. Compared to his presence, his equally outstanding appearance wasn’t as noticeable. Instead, it was Lin Qiao’s attitude toward him that seemed very familiar, yet she called him Captain Ji.

Hearing the voice, Lin Qiao turned her gaze and saw the boy’s cold eyes looking at the ground as if casually asking. But he had been very silent all the way, and this was a rare moment of speaking up.

Lin Qiao knew he was about to see Vice Principal Qi, and his heart must be unsettled. She followed his words and said, “That’s your teacher’s wife.”

“Teacher’s wife” was a term that had nothing to do with Ji Duo.

Qi Huaiwen’s expression noticeably paused, “Why is he here? Is someone in your family sick?”

This question showed some concern, though he still didn’t look at Lin Qiao. Lin Qiao smiled and said, “Who knows? I’ll ask him when I get back.”

She does not know? This time, the boy finally turned his gaze, looking surprised.

Lin Qiao, taking advantage of being on a higher step, reached out and patted his head. “Alright, we’re almost there. Just talk properly. No one is asking you to forgive him.”

This obvious gesture of an elder comforting a younger one made the boy fall silent. He lowered his head and walked with her into the corridor.

Vice Principal Qi was in a regular ward with four beds. He was in the middle bed near the outside, flanked by older patients. A woman helping to care for him brought a pot of water and placed it on the bedside table. “Where’s your family? Why are you here alone?”

Vice Principal Qi smiled warmly and thanked her, “It’s just a transfer for a check-up, nothing serious, so I didn’t tell my family.” After speaking, he saw Lin Qiao and Qi Huaiwen at the door and was stunned.

In just a few days, both father and son had become thinner, looking at each other across half the ward as if separated by countless invisible distances.

One was worried and guilty, not knowing what to say, while the other was full of stubbornness, not wanting to speak at all. Lin Qiao remained calm, smiling as she walked in. “I heard you were transferred to the military hospital, so Qi Huaiwen and I came to see you.”

With so many people in the ward, some things were indeed inconvenient to say. Vice Principal Qi quickly responded, “I’m fine, just here for a check-up.” As he spoke, his eyes couldn’t help but look at Qi Huaiwen.

Lin Qiao noticed, “I’ll borrow a wheelchair and take you outside for fresh air. The weather looks nice.”

“No need, I can walk myself.” Vice Principal Qi said, trying to get out of bed, but Qi Huaiwen had already turned to leave, “I’ll go borrow one.”

Soon, a wheelchair was borrowed from the nurse’s station. Lin Qiao helped him into it but didn’t follow. After sending the father and son out of the ward, she stopped, “I’ll go ask the doctor how many more tests are needed.”

Qi Huaiwen glanced at her, and she returned an encouraging smile. The boy lowered his eyes and pushed the wheelchair.

After a while, the sound of the wheels rolling over the floor finally stopped by the window at the end of the corridor.

As dusk fell, the hospital corridor lights came on, reflecting their silhouettes in the window glass. In the dim light, they seemed very similar, yet somehow different.

Vice Principal Qi didn’t turn around, “I’m sorry to you and your mother.”

“Teacher Lin found me and brought me back.”

Father and son spoke almost simultaneously, their gazes meeting in the window glass for a moment before both fell into a longer silence.

Meanwhile, Lin Qiao inquired about Vice Principal Qi’s condition.

He couldn’t relax, staying awake night after night. Even a healthy person couldn’t endure that, let alone someone with a heart condition. But with things as they were, Vice Principal Qi had to take full responsibility, and Lin Qiao would never persuade Qi Huaiwen on his behalf.

After asking, she exited the office and saw a familiar figure standing at the nurse’s station.

This was surprising. Was Captain Ji also coming to this floor?

Lin Qiao stood still, hearing the man ask the nurse, “There was a woman just now, about this tall, with a small mole at the corner of her eye. Do you know which ward she went to?”

Was he looking for her?

Ji Duo had just come down from upstairs, having sent Su Zheng to Elder Gu’s ward, and immediately came to find Lin Qiao.

Although Su Zheng exaggerated, saying things like “you’re finished,” he wasn’t entirely wrong. Ji Duo had left hurriedly, not explaining many things to Lin Qiao, and hadn’t gone home upon returning. Running into her here could easily lead to misunderstandings.

Though Lin Qiao didn’t seem to have misunderstood anything, Ji Duo wasn’t one to leave things unclear. Since they had met, he decided to explain.

Moreover, seeing Lin Qiao at the hospital now, he wanted to check if something had happened.

The nurse might not have remembered if he had asked something else, but Lin Qiao’s distinctive mole made her memorable. The nurse quickly recalled, “She just went into the doctor’s office.”

He thanked her and turned to see Lin Qiao standing at the office door, looking at him with her phoenix eyes. For some reason, a phrase flashed through Ji Duo’s mind: “Ji Duo, you’re finished.”

This made him frown slightly, but he quickly dismissed the thought and walked over, asking Lin Qiao in a low voice, “Who’s in the hospital?”

So that’s why. Lin Qiao understood, “Our school’s vice principal, also a parent of one of our students, was just transferred here. I brought the student to visit.”

Ji Duo remembered seeing the student with her earlier and didn’t ask further, “Come with me for a moment.”

What’s this about now?

Lin Qiao was puzzled but followed him to the nearby stairwell. As soon as they stopped, he said, “I have an elder hospitalized upstairs.”

No preamble, straight to the point.

Considering he had been asking the doctor about the situation earlier, Lin Qiao could guess most of it. Ji Duo was always direct and efficient, rarely wasting words. Coming down specifically to tell her this meant there was more to it.

Lin Qiao didn’t beat around the bush, “Is it about money? I don’t have much on me, but I can go get some for you.”

This was completely unexpected for Ji Duo, leaving him momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said, “No, the medical expenses are covered. I don’t need to pay.”

Then why come down to tell her this? To prevent misunderstandings? It wasn’t impossible. After all, they had discussed trust issues last month, with him insisting she didn’t trust him enough.

Lin Qiao decided to reassure him, “Don’t worry, I didn’t think you were here for the obstetrics department.”

It wasn’t because all JJWXC’s male protagonists are pure; mainly, she knew where this man’s strength was used. He was always very passionate when needed.

However, this reassurance seemed a bit choking, reminding Ji Duo of the day he left. She was the same, only asking what he needed to do, not the reason.

It was clearly a sign of great trust, but for some reason, it felt more unsettling than Su Zheng’s explanations, which never quite made sense.

Ji Duo felt that irritation again and decided to be straightforward, “Su Zheng and I have a childhood friend whose parents died early, leaving only a sister six years younger. She got lost in 1967 while following her grandfather during the relocation. This time, I went out because we received news that she might have been trafficked abroad, so I accompanied her grandfather to identify her.”

Hearing it was about a missing person, Lin Qiao asked concernedly, “Did she get lost on her own or…?”

“I don’t know.” Ji Duo’s expression turned grim, “After all these years, there’s been no sign of her, dead or alive.”

He was always calm and restrained, rarely showing his emotions. This grimness was something Lin Qiao had never seen in him before. Clearly, there was more to the story. Otherwise, why would he accompany his friend’s grandfather instead of his friend?

His bad mood on the day he left was probably related to this matter. However, given their current relationship, asking further would be too intrusive.

Lin Qiao was silent for a moment, “How is the elder doing?”

“Not well,” Ji Duo said. “We rushed over, only to find out the person was fake. On the way back, he had a heart attack.”

Lin Qiao could understand this feeling. In her previous life, those parents who desperately searched for their trafficked children experienced the same cycle of hope and despair.

She rarely offered comforting words, “As long as you haven’t seen a body, there’s hope of finding her, right?”

Though it didn’t help much in finding the person, Ji Duo felt the softness in her words, and the tension in his chest eased considerably.

Ji Duo looked down at her, “Do you want to go up and see…” The words were on the tip of his tongue when a clear young voice came from behind, “Teacher Lin, I’m done talking.”

It was the student who had been with Lin Qiao downstairs. Ji Duo had some impression of him. Judging by his eyes and the way he looked at people without flinching and exuded a cold arrogance, with his years of experience leading soldiers, he knew he was a problematic troublemaker.

But this troublemaker was quite obedient in front of Lin Qiao. When she asked, “Did you have a fight?” he just glanced at her and said, “No.”

That glance indicated he had something he didn’t want to say in front of Ji Duo. Lin Qiao noticed and immediately asked Ji Duo, “Do you have anything else?”

Ji Duo could guarantee she was definitely trying to get rid of him.

That inexplicable feeling of being stuck by something surged again, but Lin Qiao seemed unaware, waiting for his answer with her phoenix eyes and the student’s peach blossom eyes.

Ji Duo paused, “When you’re done, wait for me downstairs. We’ll go back together.”

He had a car, which would be more convenient for the return trip. Lin Qiao didn’t refuse. As soon as he left, she called Qi Huaiwen aside.

This time, the boy didn’t hesitate, “He apologized to me.” His expression was calm, but his half-lowered eyelids were full of complexity.

There was no need to ask for details at this point. Lin Qiao only asked, “Can you go back to class now?”

The boy seemed much more relaxed without her asking, though he hesitated, “I still want to take a few days off so he doesn’t really wear himself out.”

After all, they were father and son. No matter the heartache, he couldn’t truly ignore his father in the hospital.

Lin Qiao readily agreed, “I’ll give you a leave note. But you’ll have to catch up on the missed lessons yourself.”

“Okay.” This time, the boy was silent even longer before suddenly lifting his eyelids and saying seriously, “Teacher Lin, I haven’t forgiven him.”

Lin Qiao responded with equal seriousness, “You don’t need to forgive him. You just need to live your own life well.”

Meanwhile, Ji Duo still felt uneasy even after returning to the high-level ward, especially thinking about Lin Qiao’s “Do you have anything else?”

Su Zheng had just come out of the ward and lowered his voice, “Elder Gu is asleep.”

With a caregiver looking after him, Ji Duo didn’t go in to disturb him, “I’ll come back another day.”

As they walked back along the corridor, Su Zheng was still sighing, “Next time there’s such news, don’t let him go. What if it’s fake again? How many lives does Elder Gu have to endure this?” Then he remembered Ji Duo, “Did you go downstairs to explain to your wife?”

Ji Duo neither confirmed nor denied it.

“So quickly?” Su Zheng was surprised, “You left without explaining clearly, and then she ran into you here. Didn’t she give you a good political lesson?”

Lin Qiao was a teacher, just like their political commissar, who was best at giving political lessons.

He couldn’t help but pull Ji Duo, “Come on, tell me what she said. I feel something’s not right here.”

Ji Duo frowned, not really wanting to discuss personal matters.

“No, something’s really off. Think about it from another angle. If she suddenly had to go far away without explaining clearly and you ran into her at the hospital, wouldn’t you be angry?”

If it were Lin Qiao…

Ji Duo didn’t think he would be angry, but he would definitely care. They had discussed trust issues between spouses last time.

This made his expression freeze, and Su Zheng immediately noticed, “Right? Even Aunt Xu would nag you a bit if she encountered this, let alone your wife. If she’s not saying anything now, there’s only one possibility: it’s not convenient to talk outside, and she’s saving it all up for when you get home.”

Su Zheng was clearly experienced in this area, “My mom is like that. The calmer and more cheerful she is at the time, the harsher the reckoning afterward.”

The Su family was a typical example of a strong woman and a weak man. Mother Su was not only successful in her career but also very dominant at home. Father Su didn’t mind and had been content for many years, but Su Zheng couldn’t stand it. His reluctance to marry also had something to do with this.

Ji Duo only heard one sentence: “Even Aunt Xu would nag you a bit if she encountered this.”

His steps suddenly halted as if all the points subtly bothered him before were now strung together by this sentence, becoming clear.

Yes, even his mother, who had such a good temper, would sometimes nag a bit. Complaining that his father couldn’t buy things, that he was too reserved, that he didn’t like to explain, that he didn’t come home often enough. But Lin Qiao had never said anything to him, as if she had no demands on him.

Well, not entirely. She did have some demands, like how he wore his uniform and did not leave marks in visible places. But it was limited to those things. In their daily life together, Lin Qiao would buy her own fruit if she wanted any…

Ji Duo resumed walking, his expression unchanged, but Su Zheng sensed something was off and instinctively fell silent.

They walked in silence until they reached the ground floor of the inpatient department, where Lin Qiao was already waiting. Under the streetlight, her figure was slender, her shadow elongated. Because she was looking down at the tiles in front of her, her brows and eyes were bathed in the warm light, making it hard to tell if she was angry.

Hearing the movement, she looked up and immediately thanked Su Zheng, “Thank you again for your help. I’ve found the person, so you don’t need to worry anymore. I’ll treat you to a meal to thank you.”

“There’s no need for that. I didn’t really help much.” Su Zheng waved his hand, then remembered he hadn’t told Ji Duo about this and quickly explained.

“I got the phone number from Xiao Ze,” Lin Qiao said. “His friend helped find the person at a construction site.”

All news Ji Duo didn’t know.

Ji Duo said nothing, opening the passenger door for Su Zheng, “Let Xiao Fang take you back first.”

The couple hadn’t seen each other for many days and surely had things to talk about. Su Zheng couldn’t take his car, “No need to send me. We’re not going the same way.”

After Su Zheng left, the two in the car didn’t say much. Lin Qiao mentioned, “A few days ago, Xiao Ze had something to discuss with you. He called Liang’s house next door, and I answered. I got Su Zheng’s number from him. If you have time, give him a call.”

Ji Duo responded with a curt “Hmm,” clearly not in the mood for conversation, so Lin Qiao said no more.

At home, Ji Duo got out of the car first but stood by the car, glancing at Xiao Fang. Lin Qiao guessed he had something to say and went inside first.

Xiao Fang also sensed something was up. Seeing Ji Duo staring at Lin Qiao’s back, he whispered, “While you were away, your wife didn’t call me for the car.”

Ji Duo wasn’t asking about that. He opened the passenger door and got in, “I remember you have five brothers. Are they all married?”

Xiao Fang became even more nervous, feeling a bit flattered.

Ji Duo wasn’t the type of leader who smiled and was easy to approach. He usually gave money, tickets, and holidays but rarely chatted about personal matters. Suddenly asking about this, Xiao Fang thought about whether he had made any mistakes recently and replied, “They’re all married. They all got married the year I left.”

“How are they doing?”

“Not bad. Each has a bunch of kids. Last month, my dad wrote to me saying my eldest brother’s son is starting middle school.”

“Is there anyone who handles everything well, doesn’t ask too many questions, and doesn’t make any demands?”

“Well…” Xiao Fang hesitated, “Someone who handles everything well, doesn’t ask much, and doesn’t make demands—that’s a subordinate, right?”

Yes, even Xiao Fang knew that was a subordinate, not a wife. But that’s how Ji Duo and Lin Qiao had always lived. When they first married, he even thought this way of getting along was good—comfortable and worry-free, and he felt Lin Qiao was easier to get along with and care for than any other woman.

However, Lin Qiao might never have intended for him to care for her.

Lin Qiao had brains, abilities, and even an independent spirit that didn’t need to rely on others. The only thing she lacked was a hand to pull her out of the mire.

Ji Duo was silent for a long time, then got out of the car, “You can go back.”

Although Xiao Fang was puzzled, he obediently drove away. This was also why Ji Duo chose to ask him instead of Su Zheng.

Early autumn still carried a hint of summer’s heat, and the cicadas in the trees were making the most of their remaining time to chirp. Ji Duo stood outside the courtyard gate and lit a cigarette.

The problem was now obvious. When Lin Qiao talked about cooperation, it really was just cooperation—two people teaming up to get through life. When he promised the old man he would get married, it was just marriage, always an arrangement of mutual non-interference. But recently, he inexplicably didn’t want it to be this way anymore.

So, should he take a step forward and find a way to bring about change from Lin Qiao, or should he follow her lead and return to the previous comfortable, worry-free state?

After days of travel and immediately taking someone to the hospital upon returning, Ji Duo didn’t find the answer in that cigarette. Knowing he was physically and mentally exhausted from this trip, Lin Qiao didn’t rush to get intimate with him. The couple reunited after a short separation but spent a peaceful night without talking, one going to the military camp and the other to school the next day.

After the morning reading started, Lin Qiao habitually went to the back door of Class Four. Everyone was inside, and she remembered Qi Huaiwen had already been found.

Just as she was about to leave, Junzi sneaked out, “Teacher, why isn’t Qi Huaiwen here? Did something happen to him again?”

These students genuinely cared about him, making Lin Qiao smile, “He didn’t run away. He’ll be back when Vice Principal Qi is discharged.”

Hearing this, Junzi was relieved and returned to the classroom to share the news with the students in the back row.

“Everyone, focus on your morning reading,” Lin Qiao said at the door. Seeing them quickly stop whispering, she returned to the office.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the office, Group Leader Gao informed her that all teachers and students must attend the morning exercise. The school had an announcement.

“What is it? Why announce it during the morning exercise?” Lin Qiao hadn’t even asked when the homeroom teacher of Class Three curiously inquired.

Group Leader Gao didn’t know either, “Principal Zeng didn’t say, just told me to notify everyone.”

If Vice Principal Qi were here, they might have found a way to inquire. However, many people in Principal Zeng’s office were unfamiliar, and he was very cautious in his work. So, everyone just went back to inform their classes that no one needed to stay behind to clean the classroom during the morning exercise.

Not only did Lin Qiao and the other homeroom teachers attend, but Group Leader Gao and the subject teachers also went, standing in a row behind the students. Principal Zeng was still whispering guesses before going on stage.

“Testing, testing.” The white-haired Principal Zeng first tested the school’s broadcast speaker, then took out his script, ready to start reading.

Lin Qiao heard a few troublemakers in the back row immediately start whispering.

“Here we go again. Every time he talks, it’s like chanting, especially long.”

“And it’s all nonsense, takes forever to get to the point…”

Lin Qiao walked over and lightly tapped one of them on the back of the head. The students immediately shrank their necks and fell silent.

At that moment, Principal Zeng’s voice came through the broadcast speaker—

“Last semester, our teacher Lin Qiao wrote a letter to the leaders’ mailbox based on her teaching experience, suggesting the establishment of laboratories. She received commendation from the leaders and was honored in the newspaper. Recently, this suggestion has been officially approved after discussion.”

Approved? Does this mean the state will fund middle schools to build laboratories?

Not only the two classes Lin Qiao taught, but even the students in the classes she didn’t teach perked up their ears and secretly turned to look at her.

Then everyone heard Principal Zeng’s next sentence, “After active efforts and relentless striving, our school will be one of the pilot schools, becoming one of the first schools in the country to establish laboratories.”