Chapter 30: A Notification of the Final Farewell

The next day, sunlight filtered through the curtain slits, gently illuminating Yang Qingyan’s face as she slowly awakened, surprisingly without the expected soreness.

In the middle of the night, she had felt vaguely aware of someone massaging her, the pressure just right, soothing her muscles. When she woke up, she instinctively reached out to her side, but found the bed empty, realizing that Mu Nanhe must have already gone to the army base.

A smile unconsciously formed on her lips, her heart filled with sweetness. She got up to freshen up, glancing at her radiant self in the mirror with a slight blush on her cheeks. After tidying up, she recalled that today she was to go to the health bureau to take her certification exam, and promptly set out with a renewed spirit.

Upon arriving at the health bureau, Yang Qingyan took a deep breath and confidently walked in. The examination went smoothly for her; drawing upon her solid medical foundation and rich practical experience, she breezed through the questions, excelling particularly in the practical segment. Before long, she successfully obtained her medical qualification certificate.

Exiting the health bureau, Yang Qingyan held the certificate tightly in her hands, feeling an overwhelming sense of achievement. She knew that this was not merely a piece of paper but the key to embarking on a new journey. From now on, she could legitimately practice at the military hospital, helping more people.

On her way back to the family compound, Yang Qingyan hummed a tune, her mood exceptionally bright. As she walked, she unexpectedly ran into Wei Lan, who had seemingly disappeared since Wei Wan’s difficult delivery.

Wei Lan seemed to realize her past mistakes as she happily called out, “Sister-in-law!” It turned out that Wei Lan wasn’t entirely a bad person; just a bit willful. Seeing Yang Qingyan married to the man she liked had led her to act out, but she never crossed too many lines.

Yang Qingyan paused, examining the girl who once tried to trip her up. A mix of emotions washed over her. However, seeing Wei Lan’s earnest expression and a hint of regret in her eyes softened Yang Qingyan’s heart. She smiled gently and replied, “Wei Lan, it’s been a while.”

Wei Lan awkwardly scratched her head, saying, “Sister-in-law, I was really thoughtless before and caused you a lot of trouble. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Yang Qingyan waved her hand with a smile. “It’s all in the past; it’s good that you’ve come to realize it.”

The two stood by the roadside, chatting for a while. Wei Lan shared her reflections during this time, realizing that feelings could not be forced. She acknowledged that Yang Qingyan and Mu Nanhe were genuinely in love and that she shouldn’t meddle.

Listening to her, Yang Qingyan’s lingering grudges began to fade away, and she comforted her, saying that she would encounter someone more suitable in the future.

Wei Lan’s eyes brightened as if she had made a decision, saying to Yang Qingyan, “Sister-in-law, if you ever need help, just let me know. I will do my best!”

Once home, Yang Qingyan joyfully cooked, eagerly awaiting Mu Nanhe’s return. She prepared his favorite dish, braised fish, along with several refreshing side dishes, setting the table in a cozy and romantic manner.

The aroma of the dishes wafted through the house as she occasionally glanced toward the door, anticipating the familiar sound of footsteps. However, minutes turned to hours, and he did not arrive.

As time went by, dusk started to envelop the family compound. It was only in the early evening that He Zhengping hurried over to inform her that Mu Nanhe had received an urgent mission and was unable to come back.

Upon receiving the news, Yang Qingyan’s heart sank, and the warmth that had filled her moments before evaporated, replaced by deep concern.

She eagerly inquired of He Zhengping, “Do you know what mission it is? Is it dangerous?”

He Zhengping looked troubled and shook his head, replying, “It’s a protection mission. We were only informed that it’s very urgent; Nanhe left as soon as he received the notice.”

Yang Qingyan’s expression dimmed. Silently, she began clearing the table, her movements slow and heavy. The once steaming hot dishes now lost their allure.

For a month straight, Mu Nanhe hadn’t sent any news. The past month had been torturous for Yang Qingyan.

The day before yesterday, the military hospital called her to perform several surgeries. Thanks to her exceptional medical skills, she completed them all successfully, pouring every bit of herself into her work, as if being absorbed in her craft was the only way to momentarily forget her longing for Mu Nanhe.

But once moments of idle time arose, the image of Mu Nanhe would surface in her mind unbidden. She would recall the countless moments they shared, his warm smile, his powerful embrace, and their sweet nights spent together.

Liang Huantao and Wei Wan frequently came to visit her, fully aware of the heartache Yang Qingyan harbored. Each time they visited, they would bring snacks or homemade meals, chatting with her to help divert her attention.

They reassured her that the nature of a soldier’s work was such that when missions arose, they often became bound by circumstances. They urged her not to worry, saying that Mu Nanhe was so outstanding, he would surely return safely.

Yang Qingyan listened to their comforting words, grateful, managing a smile. However, the moment they left, waves of longing and worry would crash over her, engulfing her once more.

That day, as she prepared to go to the military hospital for work as usual, an urgent knock echoed through the door. The sound was rapid and heavy, carrying an unsettling foreboding that felt starkly out of place in the stillness of the house. Yang Qingyan’s heart tightened in alarm as she hurriedly rushed to open the door.

To her shock, she found Chen Feng standing outside. Yet, he looked particularly frantic, his face pale and beads of sweat dotting his forehead, the calm demeanour he usually had completely absent.

Yang Qingyan’s heart raced, a wave of intense anxiety hitting her. “What happened?” she asked urgently.

Chen Feng’s lips trembled, his voice laced with urgency and panic. “Sister-in-law, you need to get in the car right now. I have something to tell you.”

With no time for questions, Yang Qingyan hastened to follow Chen Feng to the vehicle. He immediately started the engine, speeding away like an arrow. Yang Qingyan’s heart pounded in her chest, as though it would burst from her ribcage, and she anxiously turned to Chen Feng, waiting for him to speak.

Tightly gripping the steering wheel, Chen Feng glanced at Yang Qingyan, his eyes filled with compassion and pain. “Sister-in-law, I need to tell you something. You must hold on.”

Hearing this, Yang Qingyan’s heart raced with fear. Her hands unconsciously clutched her clothing tightly, her nails nearly digging into her flesh, but she fought to suppress the surge of terror and asked in a trembling voice, “What happened to Mu Nanhe?”

Chen Feng took a deep breath, seemingly summoning immense courage. His voice was hoarse as he said, “He was seriously injured and brought to the Capital City General Hospital. My dad asked me to take you there to say your last goodbyes.”

These words struck Yang Qingyan like a bolt of lightning, causing the world around her to dim and tilt. A thunderous “buzz” resonated in her head as darkness encroached upon her vision, and it felt as though her entire world had collapsed in that instant.