Chapter 6: Misunderstandings

As soon as Jiang Chuan left, a nurse came to stay by Xiao Qingru’s side.

“Nurse Xiao, let me know if you need anything,” she offered.

Xiao Qingru tried to smile. “This IV will take another half hour. Please feel free to attend to other patients and come back when it’s nearly done.”

“There are colleagues outside who can help out if anything happens. Once your mother arrives, I’ll leave so it won’t take too much time,” the nurse reassured her.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

The nurse shook her head and sat on a nearby chair, occasionally glancing at Xiao Qingru’s condition. When Xiao’s mother arrived with a thermos, she was happy to see her daughter awake, but her face quickly turned stern. Had Jiang Chuan already left? As she suspected, he was unreliable.

She gave the nurse a polite smile. “Thank you for staying with Qingru. I’ll be here now, so you can get back to your work.”

“Alright, call if you need anything,” the nurse replied as she finished removing the IV.

When the door closed, Xiao’s mother turned to her daughter. “Where is Jiang Chuan?”

“He’s gone,” Qingru replied.

Xiao’s mother’s expression was flat, too disheartened to even scold him. A man like him wasn’t worth giving chance after chance, and she was now sure he wasn’t the right match for her daughter. Better to end things sooner than later.

Not wanting to upset her daughter in her fragile state, Xiao’s mother focused on her recovery instead. “I’ve arranged a leave for you with the art troupe. Let’s concentrate on your health.”

She pulled up the blanket and continued, “I’ll check with the doctor about when you can start eating again. I’ll be right back.”

“Alright,” Xiao Qingru replied, her head feeling clearer as the anesthetic wore off. Rubbing her temples, she tried to recall who had brought her to the hospital. A vague outline of someone remained in her mind, along with a pair of sharp, insightful eyes. They were so piercing that even just thinking about them made her nervous.

Yet the man had saved her, and it was only right to thank him properly.

When her mother returned, Qingru asked, “Mom, do you know who brought me to the hospital?”

Her mother chuckled, “It was Comrade Xu, your brother’s friend from Beijing.”

“The one who flies planes?”

“Yes, him,” her mother confirmed.

Xu Muzhou had visited their home once, and Qingru had met him then. But she’d been so focused on Jiang Chuan that she hadn’t paid much attention to her brother’s friend, who had always struck her as rather intimidating. Now she learned that he had saved her life.

“When you’re feeling better, we’ll invite him for a meal at our house, and you can thank him personally.”

Qingru nodded, feeling deeply grateful. Without Xu Muzhou, she might not have seen another day.

“The doctor says that once you pass gas, you can start eating,” her mother told her. “Until then, let’s wait a bit.”

“I’m not hungry.” Qingru’s gaze turned to her mother, “Mom, have you eaten yet? You should have something.”

After spending the whole day tending to her daughter, Xiao’s mother had only eaten breakfast, and her daughter’s reminder made her realize she was quite hungry.

“Alright, I’ll go to the cafeteria and buy some steamed buns.”

“I’ll be fine here you can take your time.”

Coincidentally, Xiao’s mother ran into Jiang Chuan in the cafeteria. He was meticulously inquiring about what foods were suitable for new mothers, looking so attentive that he seemed like the father himself. When he saw Xiao’s mother, he looked momentarily embarrassed as if caught doing something wrong.

“Auntie, can I help you with anything? I have some ration coupons if you need them,” he offered.

“No, thank you,” she responded coolly. Family matters were best kept private, and it was crucial to handle the breakup gracefully.

Ignoring him, she bought her buns and returned to the room.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chuan was back in another hospital room, where Du Wanqiu lay with her newborn. Although her situation wasn’t as severe as initially thought, she was visibly weak. Jiang Chuan had brought her a porridge bowl, and as he helped her sit up, the patient in the next bed couldn’t help but comment, “Du Comrade, your husband is so thoughtful! He’s been by your side non-stop. I’ve never seen such a caring husband!”

Jiang Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. He and Du Wanqiu were just friends being mistaken for her husband could be damaging.

Before he could explain, Du Wanqiu intervened, “Oh, I’d say your husband is even more attentive, taking care of your baby so lovingly.”

Embarrassed, the other woman replied, “I just moved into the family housing recently and don’t know many people here. We should chat sometime?”

“Of course,” Du Wanqiu replied with a friendly smile.

After the woman left, Jiang Chuan finally spoke up, “Next time, we should clear up misunderstandings. It’s not good for your reputation.”

Du Wanqiu’s expression fell, and with a sad smile, she replied, “You’re right, but I really don’t want people’s sympathy. After all, she’s just a passing acquaintance.”

“Misunderstandings are still best avoided,” Jiang Chuan said quietly.

“I’m sorry for not being more considerate,” she said, her eyes brimming with guilt. Jiang Chuan quickly reassured her, “There’s no need to apologize you didn’t mean it.”

Opening the thermos of porridge, he gently urged, “You should eat something and regain your strength.”

“Thank you, Jiang Comrade. If not for you, who knows what would have happened…” she trailed off with a tearful look. Jiang Chuan tried to calm her, “It was nothing. Don’t think that way.”

Meanwhile, outside, the woman who had just left chatted with her husband. “Look at Du Comrade’s husband. He’s been by her side the whole time, even helping with the baby. You weren’t even here when I gave birth!”

“Her husband…her husband was killed in action,” the man replied.

“What?” the woman exclaimed. “Then why didn’t they correct me?”