Chapter 12: Gou Dan Falls into the Water

Yang Qingyan packed up her silver needles and bid farewell to Mu Nanhe. As Mu Nanhe watched her leave, a trace of doubt flickered in his heart—her medical skills were far beyond ordinary—but he chose not to voice his thoughts.

Yang Qingyan pondered that her weak body needed some nourishment. After some thought, she decided to buy a chicken and stew it with ginseng. She turned to Mu Nanhe and asked, “Mu Nanhe, do you know where we can buy a chicken nearby?”

Mu Nanhe thought for a moment, recalling that He Zheng had once mentioned it in passing. He said, “I remember He Zheng saying that a villager in the neighboring village has some. How about we go check it out?”

Yang Qingyan’s eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Alright, let’s go then.”

After making a few preparations, they set off for the neighboring village. The rural path was bathed in warm sunlight, with fields of crops swaying gently in the breeze. Occasionally, the sound of birds chirping could be heard in the distance.

Before long, they arrived at the villager’s house. The owner was very welcoming, and upon hearing that they were here to buy a chicken, he quickly drove out his flock for them to choose from. Yang Qingyan’s gaze landed on a hen with sleek, glossy feathers and an energetic demeanor. She pointed at it and said, “Sir, we’ll take this one.”

The villager nodded with a smile and helped catch and tie up the chicken. Mu Nanhe paid the money, and after expressing their thanks, the two of them headed back home with their purchase.

Once they returned, Yang Qingyan eagerly went into the kitchen. She cleaned the chicken, sliced the ginseng into thin pieces, placed everything into a clay pot, added an appropriate amount of water, and began simmering the stew.

As time passed, the kitchen was soon filled with a rich, mouthwatering aroma. The thick scent of chicken soup, combined with the distinctive herbal fragrance of ginseng, made one’s appetite stir.

Mu Nanhe helped out on the side, occasionally handing over seasonings. As he watched Yang Qingyan busy herself in the kitchen with such focus, his heart softened with warmth.

At last, the chicken soup was ready. Yang Qingyan lifted the lid, and steam billowed out, revealing golden broth and tender, juicy chicken. She ladled a bowl for herself and took a hearty sip. The rich, savory flavor spread through her mouth, and a comforting warmth coursed through her body. She enjoyed it so much that she closed her eyes in satisfaction, a blissful smile spreading across her face.

Standing nearby, Mu Nanhe watched her with a faint smile, his eyes filled with indulgence. For the first time, he felt a sense of home.

After finishing the meal, Yang Qingyan took a restful afternoon nap. When she woke up, she stepped outside into the courtyard and saw Mu Nanhe chopping firewood. His movements were swift and practiced, the axe swinging effortlessly as he split each log with ease.

Frowning slightly, Yang Qingyan quickened her steps and approached him. “Aren’t you still injured? Why are you doing such strenuous work?”

Mu Nanhe paused at the sound of her voice, straightened up, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. With a casual smile, he said, “I’m heading back to the army tomorrow. I thought I’d chop some wood for you to use over the next couple of days.”

A warm feeling surged in Yang Qingyan’s heart, but she still scolded him, “Stop chopping! Come here and let me check your wound.”

Mu Nanhe didn’t refuse. He put down the axe, walked over to her, and casually took off his shirt.

Yang Qingyan leaned in to examine him carefully. The wound on his back, which had been scraped by stones, had already started scabbing over, revealing fresh pink skin underneath. It was healing well. She couldn’t help but admire his physique—he really was built like a soldier. In just a day or two, his wounds had already improved significantly.

As Mu Nanhe turned around, Yang Qingyan’s gaze inadvertently landed on his chest, where she was startled to see a bullet scar. Though it had long since healed, the scar remained prominent, silently telling the story of a past life-or-death ordeal.

Noticing her stare, Mu Nanhe’s expression darkened for a brief moment before returning to calm. He spoke lightly, “This was from a mission a few months ago. It’s already healed, nothing to worry about.”

Yang Qingyan felt a tightness in her chest. Though she had survived in the apocalypse and witnessed countless deaths, the thought of Mu Nanhe fighting through gunfire, putting himself in harm’s way to protect the country and its people, still made her eyes sting with emotion. She reached out gently, her fingertips grazing the hardened scar as if trying to feel the pain he had endured. In a slightly choked voice, she whispered, “That must have hurt…”

Mu Nanhe’s gaze was both steady and warm. “It’s fine. It’s all in the past. As long as the mission was completed and people were kept safe, a little injury is nothing.”

Yang Qingyan looked up into his eyes. At that moment, she saw the resolve and fearlessness of a soldier, and her admiration and affection for him deepened even further.

—

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a week had gone by.

Mu Nanhe had already resumed the rigorous training schedule of the army. Every morning at the crack of dawn, he would head to the base, going through demanding drills and exercises without fail. No matter how busy training got, his heart was always tethered to the little home in the military housing complex. Every evening, without exception, he would appear at the doorstep right on time—just to have a hot meal waiting for him.

As for Yang Qingyan, her days were simple and relaxing. She woke up naturally without an alarm, then strolled to the bustling marketplace, weaving through the crowd as she carefully picked out the freshest vegetables and the plumpest cuts of meat. Back home, she would hum a tuneless melody while busying herself in the kitchen, preparing dish after dish of delicious food. In her spare time, she lounged in a chair in the courtyard, basking in the warm sunlight and dozing off, savoring the quiet afternoons.

Every day, she also took time to secretly activate her ability, guiding its mysterious energy to nourish her body. After a week of quiet recovery, though she still looked slender, she could clearly feel herself growing stronger. The pallor in her complexion had faded, replaced by a natural rosy glow, and her eyes now sparkled with vibrance. Even her movements carried a newfound energy.

—

That day, Yang Qingyan was heading out with her shopping basket as usual.

As she passed by the small river near the military housing, she suddenly heard frantic shouting and loud splashes. Her heart tensed as she followed the sound, only to see a child struggling desperately in the water. The small body bobbed up and down with the waves—he was in serious danger.

Without hesitation, she tossed her shopping basket aside and dove straight into the river.

The early autumn water was freezing, but she didn’t care. With powerful strokes, she swam toward the child. It took a great deal of effort, but she finally managed to grab hold of him and drag him back to shore.

Only after pulling him onto the riverbank did she realize—the child was Goudan.

At that moment, Goudan’s eyes were tightly shut, his face deathly pale, his breathing so weak it was almost imperceptible. His small chest barely rose and fell, a clear sign that his condition was critical.

Before Yang Qingyan could take further action, a crowd had already gathered around them. People had rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Among them, Li Zhaodi immediately spotted Goudan lying motionless on the ground. With a heart-wrenching scream, she flung herself forward, clutching him tightly in her arms. Tears poured down her face like a broken dam as she wailed, “Goudan! Goudan! Somebody, please save my child!”