Chapter 27 – Little He Salutes!

As Xu Cuihua spoke, tears began to stream down her face.

Although Ning Wanwan was also emotionally moved by her words, she knew that Xu Cuihua’s situation was completely different from her own.

She lowered her eyes, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to Xu Cuihua, gently comforting her: “Sister-in-law, I understand. I’ll think about it seriously.”

“I’ve kept your lunch warm in the pot. Go eat now.”

With nothing much to do in the afternoon, Ning Wanwan brought Xu Cuihua to Zhang Yun’s house. A few women sat together working on embroidery, and time passed quickly.

Meanwhile, He Yunshen was clearly in a foul mood that afternoon. The regimental commanders and captains under him were all harshly scolded by him for no apparent reason.

Even he couldn’t figure out where this anger came from. Deep down, he knew the answer, but he refused to accept it.

Because now, he really didn’t want to divorce Ning Wanwan. And he blamed himself for agreeing to it in a moment of impulse.

Thinking about it now, Ning Wanwan seemed to have quite decent medical skills. No one could say for sure—what if she really did suddenly stand up one day?

This uncertainty was driving him crazy.

During dinner, Ning Wanwan absentmindedly nibbled on a meat pie, while He Yunshen quietly ate with a calm expression, appearing perfectly normal—except for the fact that he ate far less than usual.

After dinner, still in a bad mood, He Yunshen heated water and knocked on Ning Wanwan’s door before leaving.

He took his change of clothes and headed to the bathhouse. A few minutes later, unaware that he was inside, Ning Wanwan also headed there with her own clothes.

The lighting in the bathhouse was dim, and the old lightbulb gave off a yellowish glow.

When Ning Wanwan entered, it was quiet inside. She undressed and slowly wheeled herself toward the bath barrel.

Suddenly, she heard unsteady footsteps. He Yunshen, who had just dozed off in the bath, woke up abruptly. Embarrassed, he grabbed the towel beside him and cleared his throat.

“Ning Wanwan, don’t come over! I… I’m not done bathing yet!”

Ning Wanwan, standing naked, was scared out of her wits. She never expected He Yunshen to suddenly be there in the tub.

Shocked and furious, she lost her balance completely, and with a loud shriek, fell toward the ground.

He Yunshen reacted quickly. Wrapping a towel hastily around his waist, he jumped out of the bath and caught her mid-fall.

But in her panic, Ning Wanwan’s hand fumbled—and yanked the towel from He Yunshen’s waist.

Ning Wanwan: …

He Yunshen: …

A suffocating silence filled the air…

Only Xiao He (a euphemism for his lower body) silently gave a perfect military salute.

Ning Wanwan was stunned by the burning heat against her back. Blushing furiously, she shoved He Yunshen away.

With her support gone, she collapsed heavily to the ground. Sitting awkwardly, she was so flustered she didn’t even know what to cover.

He Yunshen’s face turned red all the way to his neck. He turned his back in a flash, scrambled to grab a big towel from the floor, and wrapped it around himself in a panic.

Looking at the tent rising under the towel, he cursed inwardly: What a disgrace…

He quickly grabbed a nearby coat and wrapped Ning Wanwan tightly before scooping her up and carrying her back to the bedroom.

“Sorry… Are you hurt anywhere?”

With her face still red, Ning Wanwan clutched the blanket and shook her head, her back to him.

He Yunshen hesitated for a long while. Seeing how despondent she looked, he finally left her room obediently.

The light in Ning Wanwan’s room soon went out. She lay on the bed, her eyes wide open, haunted by the image of He Yunshen’s strong, naked figure.

He Yunshen, too, couldn’t sleep after returning to his room. He began to reevaluate his feelings for Ning Wanwan.

—

The next morning, Ning Wanwan unusually woke up early, only to see He Yunshen stepping out with dark panda-like eye circles.

He Yunshen was surprised by her tired look as well—it seemed he wasn’t the only one who had trouble sleeping last night.

Ning Wanwan awkwardly pursed her lips. “I’ll go make breakfast. You freshen up.”

Then, she wheeled herself off toward the kitchen, fleeing the scene.

While cooking congee, she poured a cup of spiritual spring water from her space into the pot.

She hadn’t slept well and felt sluggish. He Yunshen probably felt the same. She figured this small act of kindness wouldn’t hurt.

At breakfast, He Yunshen took a sip and couldn’t help but compliment, “This porridge is delicious.”

Ning Wanwan didn’t show much reaction, only nodded slightly, but internally she grumbled: Hmph, lucky you. That’s precious spiritual spring water…

Xu Cuihua arrived while Ning Wanwan was washing dishes. She quickly put on an apron and walked over.

“Oh dear, Wanwan, go rest. Let me wash these for you.”

Ning Wanwan smiled and didn’t refuse. She’d hated doing dishes since she was a child, and was glad for the help.

“Sister-in-law, did you eat? I saved your breakfast in the pot.”

Xu Cuihua smiled and shook her head. “No need to save me breakfast anymore, Wanwan. Xiao Ling has been really sensible lately. He makes breakfast for me every day now.”

Just then, a voice came from the front gate:

“Excuse me, is Doctor Ning at home?”

A mother and son stood anxiously at the entrance, peeking inside.

Ning Wanwan responded from inside, and Xu Cuihua helped push her out into the courtyard.

A woman in her forties stood at the gate, supporting a teenage boy who clutched his belly in pain, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

“Sister-in-law, please come in,” Ning Wanwan waved them over, and Xu Cuihua quickly stepped forward to assist.

“It hurts… it hurts so bad…” the boy groaned continuously.

The woman was in tears from panic, but Xu Cuihua managed to calm her down.

After seating them in the courtyard, Ning Wanwan took the boy’s wrist and examined his pulse.

She then pressed gently around his abdomen. Seeing his pained expression deepen, she already had her diagnosis.

Frowning slightly, she said, “Sister-in-law, the boy has acute appendicitis. I can’t treat that here—it needs surgery at the hospital.”

The woman immediately panicked and looked doubtful.

“What’s acute appendicitis? No, my puppy just has a stomach bug! How could he need surgery? Doctor Ning, aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”

She continued, “Just prescribe him some medicine for an upset stomach. I’ll take him home and he’ll be fine.”

Ning Wanwan shook her head firmly. “Sister-in-law, this is definitely acute appendicitis. I’m not mistaken. It’s very dangerous and can be life-threatening if delayed.”

“You must take him to the hospital now. This can’t wait.”