Chapter 18: The Mind of a Ghost

“Sister-in-law, my surname is Li, and you can call me Yuling. I am Huai’an’s mom.”

Er Gouzi lay in Li Yuling’s arms, resting his head on her shoulder, his eyes darting around. Li Yuling spoke softly, her voice carrying the lilting tones typical of Jiangnan women, making it sound very pleasant.

Su Nianmei asked, “Huai’an?”

Er Gouzi lifted his head, his cheeks puffed out as he replied earnestly, “I am Huai’an. Dad said my name means to embrace peace and tranquillity.”

Su Nianmei beckoned Li Yuling to sit down. A cup of freshly brewed tea sat on the table, steam rising from it, indicating it had just been made.

Li Yuling settled into a chair, her white lab coat wrinkled from Er Gouzi’s tugging.

Fang Zheng walked in carrying a basket of eggs. He exchanged a few words with Gu Xichao before they both stepped outside.

Li Yuling placed the eggs on the table and said, “This is a little something for Xiaobao. The child suffered such serious injuries and needs to be properly nourished.”

Su Nianmei accepted the gesture with a smile.

Li Yuling patted Er Gouzi on the bottom, encouraging him to go play with Gu Xiaobao.

Su Nianmei took a seat in the nearby chair, and Li Yuling whispered, “Sister-in-law, actually, I came today as a negotiator.”

Su Nianmei’s smile froze for a second before returning to normal. “Is it about Xiaobao?”

Li Yuling replied, “Sister-in-law, you guessed it right. It was Sister Zhang who asked me to come. Shi Hongtu’s child is spoiled rotten, and Sister Zhang wanted to bring the child to apologize, but her mother-in-law held her back, so she sent me to apologize on her behalf.”

Su Nianmei remained silent.

Li Yuling continued, “The Shi family is a mess that can’t be sorted out. Shi Hongtu’s dad, Shi Aijun, came from a humble background. Sister Zhang was an educated young woman sent to the countryside; I don’t know how she fell for Shi Aijun, but she reportedly had a falling out with her family just to marry him.

Later, when Shi Aijun became more successful, he brought his mother and younger sister from their hometown. The old lady of the Shi family is notorious for her bad temper, and the youngest sister is a pampered miss with a spoiled attitude.

Even in her twenties, she still clings to her brother, wanting to share a bed. She has suitors coming and going, but she looks down on all of them. Sister Zhang suffers on all sides in this household. She wants to just break away and separate from them, but Shi Aijun won’t allow it.”

Right now, the entire household is still run by the old lady. Sister Zhang wants Shi Hongtu to come over, but he can’t. Just look at this situation.”

Su Nianmei sucked her teeth and lowered her gaze.

Regarding Zhang Xue’s situation, she could only pity her misfortune and feel anger at her lack of determination.

However, she would not compromise regarding Gu Xiaobao’s issues.

If Shi Hongtu did not sincerely admit his mistakes, violent behavior and tantrums would only repeat themselves.

“Yuling, I welcome your presence here, but let’s not discuss negotiation. You also know that Xiaobao suffered such serious injuries, and my family didn’t ask Sister Zhang for any compensation. Just having Shi Hongtu come to apologize is already a concession on our part.”

Li Yuling looked at the woman across from her, the corners of her eyes curving upward, her gaze steady and sincere.

She withdrew her gaze, laughing awkwardly, “Alright, I came here just to pass on the message. If I’ve offended you in any way, sister-in-law, please don’t take it to heart.”

After sending off Li Yuling and Er Gouzi, Su Nianmei spoke briefly with Gu Xiaobao’s attending physician.

Xiaobao’s wounds were healing well, and there were no major issues; he would be discharged tomorrow.

—o—o—o—

Two men stood and sat in a certain office at the military district, respectively, yet neither was willing to back down.

The man standing placed a brown paper bag on the table, his hat tilted down slightly, revealing a handsome profile.

The person behind the desk took the bag and opened it to glance inside, and his hand gripping the documents trembled slightly.

His voice was somewhat aged. “Is this real?”

The standing man leaned slightly forward, maintaining a composed demeanor. “You know how I work, Old Luo. The opportunity is right before you; whether to act or not is entirely up to you.”

The old man sitting in the chair closed his eyes slightly, realizing it was time to clear up the murky waters of the military district.

“Shi Aijun has held this position for too long, long enough that he has lost his original intentions.”

Old Luo chuckled a few times. “Xiao Gu, you are indeed a sharp sword for our West District.”

Gu Xichao lowered his gaze, a light chuckle escaping his throat.

—o—o—o—

After leaving the office, Gu Xichao headed to the hospital. He didn’t enter Gu Xiaobao’s ward but stood in the yard for a while.

Gu Xichao squinted, leaning against a tree trunk, holding a cigarette in his hand as he gazed up at the second floor. He exhaled a cloud of smoke, accompanied by a brief cough.

He hadn’t smoked in a long time, and the taste was still unpleasant when he resumed. He frowned and extinguished the cigarette with his fingers.

Gu Xichao stared at the window, seemingly peering through it at the person inside.

Xiao Gu, the young Major Gu, was feeling somewhat discouraged after experiencing his first setback in twenty-eight years.

He kicked a small pebble with the tip of his shoe, his mind circling back to Fang Zheng’s advice.

Fang Zheng had said that when it came to a girl he liked, he should confess his feelings at the right time.

Thinking about his young wife’s reaction, he crushed the cigarette in his hand again, the tobacco spilling out from the middle and trickling onto the ground.

He must have been crazy to take advice from a seventeen or eighteen-year-old kid.

His expression darkened even further as he considered his young wife’s age.

His wife was eighteen, a delicate age like a flower; naturally, she should be sweet and fresh.

After pondering for a moment, Major Gu’s squinted eyes opened wide again, and he mysteriously walked out of the hospital.