Chapter 151

Shen Ziming looked at the woman, who was not far away. She had grown even more beautiful than he remembered, perhaps because she had matured.

Seeing the man standing beside her, Shen Ziming felt a pang of discomfort.

Was this the man she married?

With her exceptional beauty, she ended up with such a fierce-looking man?

Perhaps the man’s gaze on Shi Tingyu was too intense, causing Lu Weiguo to shield Shi Tingyu behind him.

Shi Tingyu looked at the car that had suddenly stopped in front of them, momentarily unsure of who it was.

Lu Weiguo’s action of pulling her snapped her back to reality.

Looking at Shen Ziming again, the man’s face overlapped with the one in her original memory. This man was… Shen Ziming.

But now, looking at Shen Ziming, he seemed different from the person in her original memory.

Mainly, his temperament had changed.

The original Shen Ziming was good-looking, with a gentle and sunny demeanor. Now, he no longer appeared cheerful and seemed more gloomy.

The first time Lu Weiguo met Shi Tingyu was at a state-run restaurant, when she and Shi Muhuan were waiting for a blind date. But he didn’t know that the person who stood her up then was the man before them now.

Perhaps out of a man’s instinct towards a rival, Lu Weiguo’s gaze towards the other man carried a hint of scrutiny.

Shen Ziming smiled slightly and looked at Shi Tingyu, saying, “Xiaoyu, long time no see.”

Shi Tingyu’s eyebrows knitted slightly, then she raised a polite smile, “Comrade Shen, long time no see.”

Shen Ziming’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly adjusted and said, “You came to see your brother, right? I’ll give you a ride, as I’m heading to see him too.”

Shi Tingyu glanced at Lu Weiguo.

Lu Weiguo, holding her hand, opened the back door of the car, “Thank you.”

Shi Tingyu followed Lu Weiguo into the car.

No matter what relationship his wife had with this man, the priority was to see Shi Muhuan, who was lying in the hospital.

Shen Ziming looked back at them, their clasped hands stabbing deeply into his eyes.

Shi Tingyu had no intention of chatting with Shen Ziming and remained silent the entire way.

Lu Weiguo patted her hand, reassuring her.

As the car drove onto the main road, Shen Ziming said, “Muhuan’s injury is on his calf. The surgery was very successful. With proper rest, there will be no lasting effects, and he can continue training in the camp.”

Shen Ziming knew more about Shi Muhuan’s injury. As his partner instructor, he had been running back and forth between the hospital and the camp for the past few days.

Shi Tingyu sighed in relief, her tense expression easing.

After hesitating for a moment, she thanked Shen Ziming, “Thank you, Comrade Shen. My brother’s injury must have troubled you a lot.”

Shen Ziming replied, “There’s no need…”

He wanted to say there was no need for such formalities between them, but seeing the man beside Shi Tingyu, he stopped himself.

If the man was petty, such words might make Xiaoyu’s future difficult.

So he changed his words, “Your brother and I have been partners for many years. No need to be so polite.”

After speaking, the car fell silent again.

Lu Weiguo raised an eyebrow at him, catching the unspoken words.

But he said nothing, knowing his wife was focused on her brother’s injury, not wanting to upset her further.

Over an hour later, Shen Ziming’s car stopped at the hospital.

Knowing Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo were in a hurry, Shen Ziming didn’t dawdle and led them to the second-floor inpatient department.

The gray concrete floor and half-painted green walls with some peeling spots were typical of hospitals of this era.

They reached the ward door, which was not closed.

Shi Tingyu saw Shi Muhuan struggling to move towards the door with crutches.

His face was pale, devoid of his usual color.

Seeing the three at the door, Shi Muhuan froze, then felt a bit guilty.

Why were Xiaoyu and Lu Weiguo here?

Seeing Shen Ziming appear with his sister and brother-in-law, Shi Muhuan’s worry surged, and his gaze immediately locked onto Shi Tingyu.

He didn’t know if Xiaoyu had gotten over Shen Ziming.

“Brother, how are you?” Shi Tingyu ignored Shi Muhuan’s gaze and stepped forward to support his arm. “Why didn’t you tell me you were injured? I’m on break now, I could have taken care of you.”

Shi Muhuan pressed his lips together and then forced a smile, “It’s not a serious injury, I don’t need anyone to take care of me. See, I’m fine now, I can walk with crutches.”

Shi Tingyu noticed the bulging veins on his hand gripping the crutch and knew he was pretending to be strong.

Shen Ziming also spoke up, reproachfully, “I told you to call Xiaoyu, but you refused. Stubborn as always.”

Shi Muhuan remained silent. He knew his sister was busy visiting their parents for the New Year and didn’t have time, and he didn’t want Xiaoyu to run into Shen Ziming.

Her letters always claimed life was good, and Lu Weiguo treated her well, but he didn’t know if she was telling the truth.

He occasionally wondered if she, like him, was only sharing the good news and hiding the bad.

If her marriage was unhappy and she met Shen Ziming again, would she feel regret and disappointment?

Lu Weiguo glanced at Shi Muhuan and stepped forward to take his wife’s place, “Brother, do you need to go to the bathroom? I’ll help you.”

Shi Muhuan: …

He indeed needed to go to the bathroom.

Fortunately, they weren’t really outsiders, so it wasn’t too awkward. He just found it interesting that Lu Weiguo, who seemed rough, was actually quite considerate.

Shi Tingyu glanced at Lu Weiguo. Having just celebrated the New Year, her Lu Weiguo was already twenty-nine, while her brother was only twenty-five. Yet, he called him “big brother” without hesitation.

“Well, you two should go then,” Shi Tingyu said.

With the tall and strong Lu Weiguo supporting him, Shi Muhuan felt like he was almost lifted off the ground, and the burden on his leg was greatly reduced.

But after just a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned to Shen Ziming, and said, “Ziming, come over and give me a hand too.”

Shen Ziming was stunned for a few seconds before stepping forward to support Shi Muhuan’s other arm.

To say he was supporting was more like lightly touching, since using the crutch required effort.

In essence, Shi Muhuan only needed one person to help him, but he intentionally called Shen Ziming over to prevent him from being alone with Xiaoyu.

He knew this, but he had no choice but to comply.

Lu Weiguo, walking ahead, called back to Shi Tingyu, “Wife, you rest in the ward for a bit. We’ll be back soon.”

Shi Tingyu nodded, “Got it. Watch where you’re going.”

At the bathroom, Lu Weiguo glanced at Shi Muhuan, wondering if it would be difficult for him to manage his pants with the crutch. He hesitated, unsure whether to assist him like an elder.

Shi Muhuan looked at his two “bodyguards” and questioned, “Are you going to watch me relieve myself?”

Both shook their heads simultaneously.

Shen Ziming recalled that even right after the surgery, Shi Muhuan managed on his own in the bathroom, so naturally, he wouldn’t need help now.

Both men stepped out of the bathroom.