Chapter 7: The Clinic

The next day, Luo Yaqing locked the door and went alone to the clinic.

Work was important—she would never drag her man down. She planned to go early and return quickly. That way, she wouldn’t delay anything, and once her husband finished work, they could head into town together.

A group of women were still gathered near the wall, chatting. When they saw Luo Yaqing, their voices immediately ceased.

All eyes turned on her in unison.

It was suffocating.

The original Luo Yaqing would have ignored them completely, but the current Luo Yaqing greeted them cheerfully instead.

“Chitchatting, huh?”

“Granny Su, threading again?”

“Auntie, that sweater you’re knitting is lovely.”

The women were taken aback by Luo Yaqing’s sudden warmth and were momentarily confused.

The one who had been addressed responded a beat too late, “Oh, just using up leftover yarn at home.”

Luo Yaqing smiled and walked past them.

As soon as she was out of earshot, the women started whispering.

“She’s really changed. She used to be so haughty.”

“Besides not being sociable, she wasn’t actually bad. Last time when Ma Xiaolian was spreading rumors, she still respectfully called her ‘sister-in-law.’”

“Maybe she got beat up by her man and that taught her some manners?”

“Such a pretty wife—how could Commander Han bear to hit her?”

“You never know. When a man loses his temper, looks don’t matter.”

“Well, at least she talks to people now. We all live in the same housing compound—sooner or later we’ll need to get along.”

…

The clinic consisted of three rooms: one was a pharmacy, and the other two made up the consultation and infusion rooms. To the east, there were two small dorms and a canteen.

It was the season for colds and flu, and from a distance, the coughing of the elderly and the wailing of children filled the air. Luo Yaqing wrapped her scarf over her nose and mouth and stepped inside.

It wasn’t crowded. A few elderly people and children sat scattered along the wall, receiving IV drips.

As she passed the infusion room, she ran into someone she knew—Ye Hongping.

Ye Hongping was holding a nurse’s tray, followed by Ma Xiaolian from the housing compound.

Clearly not expecting Luo Yaqing to show up, Ye Hongping froze for a moment, then walked past expressionlessly.

Luo Yaqing didn’t mind and continued toward the consultation room.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Ma Xiaolian turned to glance at Luo Yaqing’s back and tugged on Ye Hongping’s white coat.

Ye Hongping frowned. “What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?”

“It’s Luo Yaqing! You two used to be as close as sisters. Why the cold shoulder just now?”

“Sister-in-law,” Ye Hongping stopped walking and cut her off, “Luo Yaqing and I aren’t really friends.”

“But you’re both from the city. You always visited her house.”

Ye Hongping’s face hardened. “We may both be from the city, but I’m from the urban poor. She’s the daughter of a capitalist! We’re on opposite sides!”

Ma Xiaolian gave an awkward laugh. “Come on now, I wasn’t calling you a capitalist…”

Before she could finish, Ye Hongping interrupted again, “Luo Yaqing’s suicide attempt drew attention from the top. My frequent visits to the compound were under orders, to care for the injured.”

That part, Ma Xiaolian believed.

After all, the wife of a battalion commander attempting suicide and being admitted to a military hospital would certainly attract leadership’s concern. After her discharge, her care had been transferred to the local clinic.

“Nurse! The IV’s done!”

Someone shouted, and Ye Hongping quickly carried her tray over.

Meanwhile, the doctor removed Luo Yaqing’s bandages—it turned out to be a false alarm. The wound had scabbed over.

As for why the healing was slow, the doctor explained it was due to her poor constitution.

In other words, Luo Yaqing was too weak.

Thinking back to the original host, who never worked, was picky with food, and went on a hunger strike during her suicide attempt—it made sense. She had pushed herself into shock and left behind this frail body.

“Keep the area around the wound clean while it’s scabbing. I’ll prescribe urea ointment—it’s antibacterial, stops itching, and moisturizes the skin.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Luo Yaqing took the prescription and picked up the medicine from the pharmacy. As she stepped out, she saw a familiar figure in military green.

She ran up excitedly. “What are you doing here?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be at the base at this hour?

Han Zhixu glanced at the medicine in her hand. “What did the doctor say?”

“He said it’s healing well and doesn’t need to be bandaged anymore.” Luo Yaqing rolled up her sleeve a little. “Look, it’s already scabbed.”

Seeing the wound on her wrist, Han Zhixu’s brows twitched slightly. “Good.”

“From now on, I’ll cook for you.” Luo Yaqing let her sleeve fall and smiled radiantly.

Something trembled in Han Zhixu’s heart.

Cook for him?

Did that mean she wouldn’t ask for a divorce again?

Steadying himself, he curled his lips. “You know how to cook?”

“Of course!” Luo Yaqing nodded vigorously. “I’m pretty good at it, actually.”

Aside from her love for music, she also loved cooking.

Frying, boiling, steaming, stewing—she was good at it all. Home-cooked meals were a breeze.

“…,” Han Zhixu remained skeptical.

When they got married, she had crossed her arms and declared she didn’t know how to cook or do housework.

And he hadn’t pressed her—someone of her class was used to being waited on, so it made sense she didn’t know how to do chores.

Luo Yaqing frowned. “Don’t underestimate me—I actually know a lot!”

“I’m not.” Han Zhixu gave a small cough, his hand forming a loose fist.

Luo Yaqing chuckled. “Commander Han, I’ll prove myself to you. Time will tell.”

With that, she playfully raised her hand in a salute.

Han Zhixu’s deep eyes flickered with complex emotions. After a moment, he said, “That’s wrong. Your posture.”

“What about this?” Luo Yaqing readjusted her stance and hand.

“Still wrong.”

“And now?”

“Nope. Like this…”

Han Zhixu reached out and patiently corrected her salute, again and again.

Through the window, Ye Hongping watched them laughing and chatting in the courtyard. Her hand clenched around a vial so tightly it nearly shattered. Her mood was utterly ruined.

Bitterness and jealousy churned in her chest—Luo Yaqing didn’t deserve such a good man!

Back at the educated youth camp, Ye Hongping had been the prettiest girl, with a gentle nature admired by many male youths.

In terms of looks, she believed she was second to none. In terms of background, she was a perfect match for Han Zhixu.

Most importantly, their ideals aligned.

He defended the nation; she served the people.

They were a match made in heaven.

So why couldn’t Brother Han see that?

“Hongping? Hongping? Is the medicine ready? I’m freezing my butt off here!”

Ma Xiaolian sat on the bench, her thick pants open, one side of her rear exposed to the air.

Already annoyed, Ye Hongping grew even more irritable at her nagging. She filled the syringe without even disinfecting the injection site.

“Ow ow ow… mother of God… that hurts!”

Ma Xiaolian howled like a pig being slaughtered.

Ye Hongping pulled the needle out with a cold expression and turned to disinfect and store the syringe, her eyes drifting again to the window.

“Hey—it’s bleeding! Hongping, quick, give me a cotton swab!”

Ma Xiaolian pointed at the bruised injection spot.

Ye Hongping ignored her and flung the curtain aside, rushing out.

“Where are you going?”

“Out for a bit.”

Ye Hongping replied without turning back, already stripping off her white coat as she walked away.

Ma Xiaolian rubbed her sore butt, muttering, “What’s the hurry? Gotta take a dump? …Tch, her nursing skills aren’t that great either. Heavy-handed, that one…”