Chapter 8 : He’s My Man

“Brother Han, it’s flu season in winter. Remember to boil some ginger tea as a preventive measure.”

“I just saw Yaqing in the infusion room. She still seems mad at me. I called her, but she ignored me…”

Coming out of the restroom, Luo Yaqing immediately saw the two talking. Ye Hongping, who earlier wore a white coat over her cotton jacket, now had only a green sweater on. The bright red barrette in her hair and the matching ribbon tied around her braided ponytail made her look festive.

Like a blooming spring flower braving the biting winter wind—beautiful and striking.

Because Han Zhixu had his back turned, Luo Yaqing couldn’t see his expression. But Ye Hongping was smiling sweetly as she took something out from behind her back.

Luo Yaqing sneered and walked over. “Oh? Deep in conversation?”

“Nurse Ye was looking for you,” Han Zhixu said.

Luo Yaqing smiled faintly and turned her gaze to Ye Hongping, who stood awkwardly to the side.

Ye Hongping forced a smile. “I… I brought you some ointment.”

Luo Yaqing glanced at the chilblain cream in her hand, then at Han Zhixu. “You sure have a lot of ointments. But I have a knife wound on my wrist—not exactly in need of an anti-crack cream.”

Ye Hongping looked mortified.

“Yaqing…” Han Zhixu tried to speak, but Luo Yaqing shot him a glare.

He fell silent instantly, eyes downcast.

Ye Hongping took in the scene, her heart filled with fury. How could Luo Yaqing treat Brother Han like that?

Men, especially in public, care about face.

Suppressing her anger, she said, “Yaqing, what did Brother Han do wrong? He’s a man, and more importantly, a soldier. You shouldn’t treat him this way.”

“He defends our country while taking care of his family. He’s already burdened enough…”

Ha! Just listen to her. As if she’s someone important.

Luo Yaqing chuckled in disbelief. “Nurse Ye, you really like to meddle, don’t you?”

“I mean no harm!” Ye Hongping protested indignantly. “I just couldn’t stand by and say nothing.”

Luo Yaqing stuffed her hands into her cotton jacket pockets and smiled. “Even if you can’t stand it, you’ll have to. He’s my man. What’s it got to do with you?”

“You—” Ye Hongping was left speechless, biting her lip in frustration.

This damn capitalist miss was deliberately humiliating her.

“Brother Han…”

Tears welled up in Ye Hongping’s eyes. Her pitiful expression was meant to stir sympathy. Men hated to see women cry—surely Brother Han would soften and defend her?

But Han Zhixu looked up coldly and said, “I hate outsiders meddling in my family affairs.”

Then he turned and walked away.

Ye Hongping froze in disbelief.

All the energy drained from her body, and the cold wind made her tears fall uncontrollably.

How could Brother Han be so heartless?

She had liked him for so long. Three years ago, her heart was already his.

That year, she had just been assigned to Xinglin Village. Days of heavy rain had swollen the river and flooded farmland. Soldiers from the nearby military district were sent to help with flood relief.

As the old saying goes: beauty loves heroes.

She had fallen for him at first sight.

But she had no opportunity to get close to him, so she buried her feelings deep in her heart.

Then Luo Yaqing showed up out of nowhere, shattering all her dreams and possibilities.

Eventually, she tried to let it go—there’s no point clinging to a single tree.

She worked hard to get assigned to the health station, where she met many villagers and even some residents from the military compound.

From them, she learned about Luo Yaqing—the spoiled capitalist miss.

Her curiosity piqued, she began asking about Han Zhixu’s wife, both intentionally and unintentionally.

But soon, she wasn’t content just hearing about her. She wanted to meet the woman who had cut her off.

Everyone gets sick eventually—and she waited for that chance.

Luo Yaqing was undeniably beautiful. Even while sick, she had a delicate, fragile charm.

Ye Hongping envied and despised her, yet worked hard to get close. Fortunately, being from the city helped her gain the capitalist miss’s favor.

They became friends.

She became Luo Yaqing’s sole confidante, her strategist.

From Luo Yaqing’s constant complaints about Brother Han, she saw a glimmer of hope…

The night Luo Yaqing attempted suicide, Ye Hongping was on the night shift. The moment she heard the news, she grabbed her flashlight and ran to the military hospital, praying Luo Yaqing would just die already.

But unfortunately, Luo Yaqing’s cut wasn’t deep enough.

Ye Hongping encouraged her to go on a hunger strike. That idiot listened—but still didn’t starve to death.

From hope to despair, and now this heartbreak…

Luo Yaqing looked at Ye Hongping’s red nose and trembling, shivering figure. In a sweetly concerned tone, she said, “Nurse Ye, better head inside. You’re so cold, you’re crying.”

“…”

Ye Hongping sniffled and shot Luo Yaqing a hateful glare before turning and running into the building.

“Remember to drink some ginger tea!” Luo Yaqing called after her helpfully.

Outside the health station, a jeep was parked by the road. Luo Yaqing ran over and hopped into the passenger seat.

“Am I receiving special treatment?” she teased the man in the driver’s seat.

Han Zhixu started the engine. “Not really.”

“Then I’m relieved,” Luo Yaqing said, comfortably leaning back in her seat.

As the car turned a corner, Han Zhixu glanced at her, something flickering in his eyes.

About ten minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a state-run restaurant. Luo Yaqing got out first.

“You go in and order,” Han Zhixu said through the window.

Luo Yaqing nodded and watched the jeep drive off again before heading inside.

There weren’t many customers, so she picked a window seat. As soon as she sat down, a server came over with a friendly smile.

“Comrade, what would you like to order?”

“Uh, I’ll have… shredded sour and spicy potatoes, a mixed vegetable platter, and two bowls of plain noodles.”

The server noted it down. “Alright, please wait a moment.”

Luo Yaqing sat quietly, glancing around at the surroundings with a sense of nostalgia.

Turns out period dramas weren’t lying.

There was hardship, but also warmth… and even romance.

“Been waiting long?” Han Zhixu pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Perfect timing,” Luo Yaqing smiled.

The server soon brought over the steaming hot dishes.

Han Zhixu looked over them. “All vegetarian?”

“Uh, do you want some meat?” Luo Yaqing asked.

Han Zhixu shook his head. “I’m fine. But you’re still recovering—you need more nutrition.”

Luo Yaqing felt her heart warm. “Do I look like I need nutrition? My face is full of meat.”

Han Zhixu gave her a light glance, then called the server over and ordered a plate of stir-fried meat slices.

Faced with his stubbornness, Luo Yaqing was touched. What a good husband. She wanted to hug him.

They ate until they were full to bursting. Under Han Zhixu’s insistence, Luo Yaqing finished the entire plate of meat and her bowl of noodles.

She felt like her body was suddenly overcharged with calories.

After paying, Han Zhixu saw her rubbing her stomach. “Let’s take a walk to help digestion.”

“Mm.” Luo Yaqing nodded.

Walking out of the restaurant, Luo Yaqing followed behind Han Zhixu, annoyed at his brisk pace.

Why was he walking so fast? How was she supposed to keep up?

“Han Zhixu!”

Han Zhixu turned his head at her call. “What is it?”

“…” Luo Yaqing held her forehead dramatically.

He quickly walked back. “Does your head hurt?”

“No.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I’m tired. You have to hold my hand or I won’t be able to walk anymore.”