Chapter 40: The Xia Family’s Doubts

At the Xia family home, Xia Tianyou has returned to rest, and both his mother and father have deliberately stayed home today to accompany him. Xia’s mother works in the government affairs office and is usually a strong-willed person, but in this moment, faced with her injured son, her heart is filled with tenderness.

The family sits together, and Xia Tianyou suddenly remembers Mu Nanhe’s appearance. Unable to help himself, he says, “Mom, Dad, I took a good look at Commander Mu Nanhe today, and the more I look, the stranger it seems. I swear, he looks just like you, Dad.”

Xia’s mother pauses for a moment, and after thinking it over, she responds, “When I first saw that boy, I couldn’t help but think he resembled your father a bit in his youth. However, I was so worried about you at the time that I didn’t pay it much thought. Now that you mention it, it’s quite peculiar to have someone who looks so similar.”

Xia Tianyou’s eyes shift to his father, half-jokingly saying, “Dad, you don’t have a secret love child out there, do you?”

Xia’s father immediately puts on a stern face, feigning anger as he replies, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Xia’s mother quickly smooths things over, saying, “Tianyou, don’t be disrespectful; I believe your father, so don’t say such things.”

Xia Tianyou chuckles. Ever since he heard Yang Qingyan say that she could treat his hand, he has become hopeful and cheerful again, shaking off the gloom that lingered after his injury.

He continues chatting, “Dad, Mom, is there anything else about our family that I don’t know?”

After a moment of silence, Xia’s father seems to make a significant decision and slowly begins to speak: “Actually, you have a younger sister, but she died shortly after birth.”

Xia’s mother’s expression instantly dims, and she picks up the conversation: “Yes, when your father and I were being chased by the enemy agents, we escaped to a rural county. In the chaos, we got separated. At that time, I was in labor and had no family or support…”

As she speaks, tears well up in Xia’s mother’s eyes, her voice choked with emotion, “Your sister passed away as soon as she was born. I didn’t even get a chance to properly look at her little face…”

Xia’s father gently pats Xia’s mother on the shoulder, comforting her before falling into contemplation: “Meimei, are you sure it was a girl? When I rushed over at that time, the doctor simply told me the baby had already died. I was so anxious and worried about your safety that I didn’t take a close look; all I could think about was you.”

Xia’s mother wipes the tears from her eyes, trying to calm herself: “I was too weak back then; I bled profusely after giving birth and fainted. When I woke up, the doctor told me that I had a daughter, but she didn’t survive. I felt utterly hopeless then…”

Xia’s father furrows his brows tightly, musing to himself, “Could there be something we don’t know? That Nanhe kid looks too much like me; could it be…?”

After a moment of thought, Xia Tianyou’s eyes light up, and he suggests, “Dad, Mom, why don’t we go visit Commander Mu one day and find out more about his family? Given the current situation, I feel an inexplicable closeness to him; maybe we can unravel these doubts.”

Xia’s mother immediately nods in agreement: “I was thinking the same thing. I also want to bring that kid some chicken soup; Doctor Wang has cured you, but we haven’t had the chance to properly thank them. Commander Mu has gone through so much suffering, and his body needs nourishment; the chicken soup will be beneficial for his recovery.”

Xia’s father also agrees: “We should go see him. This kid has been a real man on the battlefield and has done his duty for the country; we can’t neglect the heart of a hero.”

Xia Tianyou smiles and replies, “Exactly, it’s settled then. We’ll pick a time, and the whole family will go together.”

The family’s thoughts are focused on Mu Nanhe.

The day after the surgery, Yang Qingyan steps out and immediately encounters a well-dressed unfamiliar woman exuding an air of sophistication. The woman’s makeup is exquisite, and her well-tailored qipao accentuates her slender waist, adorned with opulent jewelry. She strides over confidently in high heels and calls out to Yang Qingyan, her eyes assessing, “You must be Yang Qingyan. I am Bai Yiling’s mother, and I have something to discuss with you.”

Seeing her demeanor, Yang Qingyan feels an unwelcome dislike and wrinkles her brow in irritation. “What do you need? Get to the point!”

Li Fen is momentarily taken aback by her attitude, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face, but she suppresses her anger and forces a smile: “Comrade Yang, I assume you’re aware of my daughter’s feelings for Mu Nanhe. My daughter has been spoiled since childhood and is quite stubborn; once she set her heart on Mu Nanhe, she refuses to let go.” She pauses, her gaze lingering on Yang Qingyan’s face, seemingly gauging her reaction.

Yang Qingyan crosses her arms and snorts derisively, “That’s your family’s matter, so why are you involving me? I don’t have time to concern myself with your daughter’s love life.”

Upon seeing this, Li Fen grits her teeth and continues, “My daughter clings to me, crying and insisting that she will only marry Mu Nanhe. I really can’t go against her wishes, and she genuinely likes Nanhe. Please, do something to leave so they can be together.” There’s an air of helplessness in Li Fen’s tone, yet there’s an underlying shrewdness and calculation in her gaze.

Yang Qingyan rolls her eyes in disdain, “Auntie, your daughter’s romantic troubles are no concern of mine. I’m not a matchmaker; I can’t control who gets paired up. If you truly care for your daughter, you should advise her not to hang all her hopes on one person. There are plenty of good men in the world; why cling to Mu Nanhe?”

Li Fen now feels completely enraged; her smile vanishes instantly, and her tone sharpens: “Yang Qingyan, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I know you have a close relationship with Mu Nanhe; he listens to you. If you could help my daughter by saying some kind words to him and promote this marriage, there would surely be benefits for you.”

With that, she pulls a business card from her bag and waves it in front of Yang Qingyan. “See this? If you agree to leave Mu Nanhe, a position at Capital Hospital could be yours. This is an opportunity that countless people dream of; you better think it through.”

Yang Qingyan, hearing this, can’t help but laugh in fury: “Ha! You really think highly of me, trying to buy me off with a position? Do you think I’m that easy to tempt? My love for Mu Nanhe is genuine; it’s not something to be bartered with. So, you can put your ambitions away. As for your daughter’s endless chasing, that’s her problem. Instead of educating her, you come to me as a broker, offering money? If you really had the ability, why don’t you teach your daughter what self-respect is? She shouldn’t be following someone else’s husband around like this; it’s embarrassing.”