Chapter 43: Is Tianyou the Only Child in Your Family?

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. With Yang Qingyan’s careful care and professional guidance, Mu Nanhe’s leg had significantly improved through rehabilitation. Although he still needed a wheelchair for mobility, he was clearly much stronger.

One day, after finishing their busy tasks, Xia Qiming and her father found some time to visit Mu Nanhe at the hospital, and Xia Tianyou followed them like a little tail.

As soon as Xia Qiming entered, she said to Yang Qingyan, “Doctor Wang, I made some chicken soup for Commander Mu. It’s delicious and nutritious! You all should drink some to help with the recovery.”

Xia’s father also expressed his concern, his gaze sweeping back and forth over Mu Nanhe as he asked, “Are you feeling better now? When can you be discharged?”

Xia Tianyou chimed in enthusiastically, “Commander Mu, I’m waiting to spar with you! Once you’re well, we need to duel properly!”

Yang Qingyan smiled and replied, “Thank you, Uncle Xia. After a few more days of nurturing, we should be able to discharge him and head back to the family quarters in He City for recovery.”

Mu Nanhe nodded in agreement, “Thank you all for your concern. I’m feeling much better, and my leg has started to gain strength.”

After a lively exchange filled with warmth, the atmosphere in the ward became cozy and amicable.

Xia’s father coughed lightly, seemingly bringing up a casual topic. With a slight frown and a hint of curiosity and concern in his eyes, he quietly asked, “Nanhe, you’ve gone through so much at such a young age and achieved so much. We genuinely admire you. By the way, where is your family? Why haven’t they come to see you? Do they know you’ve been injured?”

Hearing this, Mu Nanhe’s expression momentarily dimmed, as if touched by an unhealed wound. After a pause, he said slowly, “I didn’t tell them. They probably wouldn’t care.”

Xia Qiming couldn’t help but ask, “Where were you born? Do you have any relatives back home?”

Mu Nanhe replied, “I’m from Mu Village, Shengxi Brigade, An County, An Province. I have my father and one younger brother at home.”

Xia Qiming was taken aback, instinctively exchanging a glance with her father as distant memories flashed through her mind. She had been born in An County herself. Xia’s father, noticing his wife’s sudden reaction, ventured further, “How do your family treat you? Why didn’t you let them know you were injured?”

Mu Nanhe slightly lowered his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face. His voice carried a hint of sorrow. “Commander, forgive me for this—my relationship with them isn’t good. They have never treated me well, only being good to my younger brother.”

Xia’s father looked puzzled, knitting his brows together. “Why is that? There aren’t any parents who don’t love their children.”

Mu Nanhe shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know.”

Suddenly, Xia’s father seemed to come back to his senses and said quickly, “From now on, don’t call me ‘Commander.’ Since Yang rescued Tianyou, just call me Uncle Xia. In the future, if you face any difficulties, you must come to me.”

Mu Nanhe nodded in acknowledgment. “Sure, Uncle Xia.”

Yang Qingyan, who had been listening quietly, felt a wave of curiosity swell inside her. She thought to herself: Why are they suddenly so interested in Mu Nanhe’s background? Could they have some suspicions? With this in mind, she asked, “Uncle Xia, do you only have Tianyou as a child?”

Xia’s father let out a gentle sigh, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes. “Tianyou actually had a younger sister who died right after birth. She would have been the same age as Nanhe. She was also born in An County.”

A sudden silence filled the ward as everyone processed this information, each lost in their thoughts. Although there were questions abound, no one continued on the topic.

Xia’s mother, sensing the slightly heavy atmosphere, quickly tried to lighten it up. “If you’re discharged, you should come stay with us for a few days. It’ll make things easier.”

Yang Qingyan hesitated for a moment, showing a slight reluctance. “Let’s see how things are at that time before deciding.”

Yang Qingyan took the opportunity to check on Xia Tianyou’s recovery as well. “Your hand is recovering well; you should be able to use it normally in about half a month. However, you’ll still need about a month of further recovery before you can go back to the military.”

Xia Tianyou was thrilled and said, “Doctor Wang, I owe you so much. I promise I’ll be there for you when you need me in the future.”

After chatting for two hours, they finally took their leave, promising to return with soup in a couple of days. Despite Mu Nanhe feeling like he was bothering them, they insisted on bringing it, and he agreed.

Little did they know, outside the hospital, Xia Qimingming was gathering with a few rough-looking individuals, glaring ominously at the hospital building while speaking viciously, “That Yang Qingyan will eventually be mine.”

A yellow-haired thug beside him flattered, “Don’t worry, Brother Ming, we’ll make sure this is handled for you.”

Xia Qimingming’s lips curled into a sneer, his malicious intent growing more intense, as if a storm aimed at Yang Qingyan was quietly brewing.

He could not get Yang Qingyan out of his mind, her tenacious and cool demeanor stuck in his thoughts like a thorn, causing him restless nights.

Early the next morning, he gathered those thugs together, with a fierce glint in his eyes. “Brothers, I don’t care how you do it, but keep a close watch on Yang Qingyan. I want to know when she leaves the hospital each day and who she interacts with—don’t miss a single detail.”

A scar-faced thug hurriedly replied, “Brother Ming, don’t worry; we’re great at keeping tabs on people—just leave it to us, and we’ll make sure to watch her closely.”

After two days, the thugs had thoroughly mapped out Yang Qingyan’s daily routine. Xia Qimingming learned that apart from being at the hospital, she often stepped out for errands but rarely went anywhere else. Since it was difficult to take action in the hospital, he planned to stage a “heroic rescue” for her when she was out to win her favor.

He instructed his men, “Go create some chaos in the market; if you can scare her a bit, when I swoop in to save her, she’ll definitely look at me differently.”

Thus, the thugs swaggered into the market, deliberately picking fights with vendors. In no time, the market was in disarray, and people scattered in a panic.

Just as Yang Qingyan approached the entrance of the market, she heard the commotion inside and frowned, unsure whether to go in. Suddenly, a flustered vendor rushed out and bumped into her, nearly dropping her goods.

Yang Qingyan steadied herself and was about to ask what was going on when she sensed a force coming from behind her. Instinctually, she sidestepped to dodge and turned to see a thug lunging toward her with menacing gestures.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, using her silver needles to subdue him with ease, and the crowd around her erupted in applause. Xia Qimingming, watching from a distance, gritted his teeth in frustration; he had expected her to fall into trouble, but she surprised him with her skills.

Not only did Xia Qimingming not back down, but he also grew increasingly furious. He vowed to make Yang Qingyan submit to his will, plotting even more malicious schemes in his mind.