Chapter 14: Applying Medicine

When Su Nianmei returned, Xiao Fang had already left, and only Gu Xiaobao remained in the room. He sat on the bed, his small hands tightly clasped together, fidgeting nervously.

On the table sat a bowl with another small bowl placed upside down on top of it.

Gu Xiaobao pointed to the bowl, opening his mouth with some difficulty. “Dad, this is for you.”

Su Nianmei walked over to take a look. Under the bowl, a note had been placed, written in bold and strong handwriting that exuded a certain style.

[My Wife, Mei.

The meal I left for you is in the bowl. I’ve gone to training.]

Su Nianmei stared at the note, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Whenever Gu Xichao was around, he took care of her, and she thought it might be nice to write a reply to express her gratitude.

Just as she lifted the pen, however, she noticed the format of Gu Xichao’s writing, and an odd feeling arose as she began her response.

The tip of her pen trembled slightly, and her heartbeat suddenly quickened.

[My Husband, Chao.

I’ve already eaten the meal—it was delicious!]

She gazed at her writing for a moment before a slight frown creased her brow. She took up the pen again, adding a delicate plum blossom in the blank space on the paper.

Folding the paper neatly, she set it aside.

Lifting the bowl that had been covering the meal, she picked up the rice and began to eat.

It was a simple bowl of rice topped with shredded potatoes, yet it tasted exceptionally sweet.

After finishing the meal, thoughts of the Mid-Autumn Festival gala still lingered in Su Nianmei’s mind. She borrowed a few sheets of paper from a nurse and started jotting down notes and sketches on them.

Biting the end of her pen, Su Nianmei scratched out the few lines she had just written.

Gu Xiaobao, noticing his mom scribbling away on the paper, grew curious. He didn’t dare move his head easily, so he scooted his little body closer to the edge of the bed, staring eagerly at Su Nianmei.

Sensing her little bun’s gaze, Su Nianmei turned to him and asked, “Baobao, do you want to play?”

Unable to nod, Gu Xiaobao blinked twice with all his might and let out a soft “mm” from his throat.

Seeing his enthusiastic little face, Su Nianmei forgot about the Mid-Autumn Festival gala and pulled up a chair beside Gu Xiaobao.

With little experience in entertaining children, Su Nianmei doodled a few lines on the paper.

Gu Xiaobao looked at her drawing, his cheeks puffed up, lips pouting slightly.

Pinching his small exposed fingers, Su Nianmei pointed to the drawing. “Baobao, this is a bunny.”

Gu Xiaobao blinked at the creature on the paper, with its huge nostrils, looking quite like a “pig.”

He responded with a soft “mm.”

Maybe it was a rabbit.

No! Mom said it was a rabbit, so it must be a rabbit!

—o—o—o—

The Black Eagle squad ran around the track on the training field, each soldier carrying weights.

Gu Xichao led the group, his breathing slightly laboured. Xiao Fang followed about five or six meters behind, glancing at Gu Xichao’s back now and then, his expression tinged with concern.

Major Gu had been injured, saving him. Now, having to train with the squad again, Xiao Fang worried that it might be too much for Major Gu.

Two men stood on the distant bleachers, watching the training below.

One, tall and lean, leaned against the railing with one foot propped on it, holding his cap loosely in one hand and standing upright. The other man stood beside him.

As the day drew toward dusk, the setting sun cast long shadows on the two men, who watched in silence.

“Lao Ji, our Gu Xichao is definitely talented. Recommending him to your Wild Leopard squad was a solid gain for your squad.” said the tall, lean man.

Ji Yuan smiled as he naturally draped an arm over the other man’s shoulder. He nodded in agreement, then swiftly changed the topic. “Brother, did you get any results on the matter I asked you to look into a couple of days ago?”

Old Li shifted uncomfortably, feeling an odd shiver under Ji Yuan’s laughing, fox-like gaze. “It’s been over ten years since that incident. The records were incomplete even back then, and most older soldiers have retired. Digging it up again has been a bit difficult.”

Ji Yuan laughed, clapping Old Li on the shoulder again, his gaze drifting briefly to Gu Xichao below. “Brother, I’m here this time to scout for talent, and I’ve got less than two weeks to stick around.”

Old Li looked at Ji Yuan, realizing the young man was pressuring him—trading a position for information. Only Ji Yuan would think of something like that. But, he thought again, Gu Xichao was indeed an exceptional talent. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow getting the short end of the stick.

As Gu Xichao ran, he occasionally glanced into the distance, feeling like something or someone was watching him.

—o—o—o—

Su Nianmei lay in bed that night, holding Gu Xiaobao as they slept. Her arm rested somewhat awkwardly over his small body.

Since his injury, her little bun had become even clingier, curling tightly into her embrace, his small mouth slightly open, and his delicate nose inviting a playful pinch.

Half-awake, Su Nianmei glanced up and saw a figure standing at the bedside.

The figure had his back to her, lifting the corner of his shirt with his left hand while using his right to gently dab medicine with a cotton swab, slowly applying it to his injuries.

Most of his back was exposed, his muscular waist shifting slightly with each movement.

Su Nianmei stared for a long while, swallowing slowly.

The sound of her gulp echoed in the quiet room, shattering the silence.

Gu Xichao’s hand froze mid-application, and he swiftly turned his head.

Su Nianmei’s eyes were tightly closed, her breathing a bit heavier than before.

Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

She opened her eyes abruptly, only to find Gu Xichao’s face mere inches from hers.

—o—o—o—