Chapter 81.3

The hallway quieted down. Jiang Nian sat inside, holding an embroidery needle as she worked on her embroidery. She had heard the commotion at Deputy Commander Luo’s house. Thinking about the conversation between Luo Xiaoyue and Guan Lu, Jiang Nian felt an unsettling thought.

Maybe Luo Xiaoyue wasn’t as innocent and lively as she seemed. Perhaps Guan Lu saw the real Luo Xiaoyue?

Jiang Nian felt it was unfair to speculate maliciously about a child, so she pushed the thought away and continued with her embroidery.

Lu Yu was supposed to return on Wednesday. Jiang Nian counted the days and finally reached Wednesday, only to be met with a major commotion instead of Lu Yu’s return.

Ning Xiu was threatening to jump off a building.

He Yue, returning from the vegetable field, banged on Jiang Nian’s door. As soon as Jiang Nian opened it, He Yue dragged her out, “It’s bad, Xiu’er is going to jump off a building. This time old Mrs. Wu has caused big trouble.”

Jiang Nian followed He Yue quickly outside.

Tian Mai’s building was next to Jiang Nian’s. Jiang Nian saw Ning Xiu standing by the window on the fourth floor, gripping the edge with one foot already in the air. Tian Mai sat on the ground, shouting up, “Xiu’er, listen to me and come back. What will your mother do if you jump?”

Lan Hui, frightened, stood next to Tian Mai, speaking to Ning Xiu.

old Mrs. Wu hid inside, not daring to come out, while Ning Qian stood at the foot of the bed, unable to move forward. Every time she tried, Ning Xiu told her to stay put. The news reached the regiment, and Deputy Commander Ning rushed back, accompanied by Gu Shizhou and Chen Yao.

The fourth floor was high enough to cause serious injury if Ning Xiu jumped. Military wives started murmuring:

“Why would she want to jump?”

“Did old Mrs. Wu bully her again?”

“That old woman is so cruel, she must be happy only if the child dies.”

“Qian’er, what’s wrong with your sister!”

Deputy Commander Ning stood below, while Chen Yao and the others ran upstairs, hoping to catch Ning Xiu.

Ning Qian, crying with red eyes, shouted out the window, “Grandma told my sister to jump and die quickly, so she wouldn’t eat—”

old Mrs. Wu rushed out, covering Ning Qian’s mouth, pinching her, “You wretched girl, spouting nonsense! Whether Ning Xiu lives or dies has nothing to do with me. You’re deliberately opposing me, aren’t you?”

Ning Qian bit old Mrs. Wu’s hand hard, making her scream in pain. She pushed old Mrs. Wu and ran into Chen Yao, who shielded her, his face cold as he looked at old Mrs. Wu. Ning Qian hid behind Chen Yao, showing him her arm, “Uncle Chen, my grandma pinched me.”

Ning Qian rolled up her sleeve, revealing many bruises on her arm, clearly from being pinched. Deputy Commander Ning, who had just come up, saw this too.

“Xiu’er, don’t jump!”

Tian Mai’s desperate voice came from outside. Deputy Commander Ning and Chen Yao pushed past old Mrs. Wu and ran in. Ning Xiu, already halfway out the window, loosened her grip, about to fall.

Deputy Commander Ning, panicked, “Xiu’er, Dad’s here, Dad’s here!”

Ning Xiu turned to look at him, and for the first time, called out, “Dad,” then looked at old Mrs. Wu behind him, “I’ll make Grandma happy if I die.”

“Dad, if I die, I won’t be a burden anymore, and Mom won’t have to waste money on notebooks.”

“Dad never scolded you. Come down, Dad will buy you notebooks, lots of them. You can draw every day.”

Deputy Commander Ning’s eyes reddened. Hearing old Mrs. Wu’s complaints behind him, he turned and glared at her, “Mother! Can’t you shut up! You’ve ruined my family, won’t you be happy until you destroy us all?”

old Mrs. Wu, seeing her son’s bloodshot eyes for the first time, was stunned by his fierce look.

Chen Yao said, “Xiu’er, come down. Uncle Chen wants to see your drawings. Come down and draw for Uncle Chen, okay?”

As he spoke, he inched closer to Ning Xiu.

A crowd had gathered below. Jiang Nian looked up at Ning Xiu, standing at the edge of the window, her small body barely holding on. Jiang Nian’s heart raced, “Xiu’er, Aunt Jiang has contacted a teacher for you. When you’re older, you can go and learn to draw. Come down first, okay?”

Ning Xiu heard Jiang Nian’s voice, looked back down at the crowd, and saw Jiang Nian. She pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Tian Mai also called out from below, “Xiu’er, did you hear that? Aunt Jiang said she’s arranged a teacher for you. When you grow up, you can go and learn to draw. You love drawing, don’t you? Mom promises to send you.”

“That all costs money. Can drawing put food on the table? Why waste that money? Even if she learns well, she’ll still get married off and benefit someone else’s family.”

Old Mrs. Wu, upon hearing about spending money, got angry again.

The commotion had started because of old Mrs. Wu. Tian Mai had bought Ning Xiu a notebook and pen to draw with, and Ning Xiu had been quietly drawing inside, sketching Tian Mai, Ning Qian, and others. But old Mrs. Wu tore up the drawings, saying they looked like dead people, and it was a waste of money to buy a notebook for a worthless girl like her. It would be better to save the money and buy a pound of meat instead.

Ning Xiu had for the first time argued with old Mrs. Wu to try get her notebook back, but old Mrs. Wu beat her and cursed her, wishing Ning Xiu would die soon and reincarnate as a boy next time. This was the final straw that led Ning Xiu to contemplate jumping.

Old Mrs. Wu’s words made NIng Xiu, who had been hesitating, make up her mind again. She let go of the window frame and fell down.

“Xiu’er!”

Deputy Commander Ning rushed over, while Chen Yao tried to grab her but only managed to catch her sleeve, which slipped through his fingers. He shouted, “Catch her!”

“Xiu’er—”

Tian Mai screamed and fainted.

Jiang Nian, paralyzed with fear, watched Ning Xiu fall. Someone below shouted, “A blanket, quick, get a blanket!”

A blanket was brought over, but it was too late. Ning Xiu had already jumped.

Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang rushed over, trying to catch Ning Xiu. Despite their strong builds, the impact knocked them back as the weight of the nine-year-old child hit them.

Lan Hui shook Tian Mai, “Xiu’er is fine, wake up.”

Jiang Nian snapped out of her shock and ran over to see Gu Shizhou holding Ning Xiu. Ning Xiu, biting her lip to stifle her sobs, cried out when she saw Jiang Nian, “Aunt Jiang…”

Jiang Nian choked back her tears, “Why are you so foolish?”

“Xiu’er, Xiu’er—”

Deputy Commander Ning ran down from upstairs, took Ning Xiu in his arms, and patted her back, “Dad’s here, it’s okay now. Dad will stand up for you this time.”

Tian Mai woke up, supported by Lan Hui. She walked over and slapped Deputy Commander Ning, “Ning Sheng, let me tell you, your mother has to give an explanation today, or I’ll take Xiu’er and Qian’er and leave, never to return!”

Deputy Commander Ning, with red eyes, hugged Ning Xiu tighter, looking at Tian Mai’s pale face, “You don’t have to leave, I’ll send my mother away.”

Tian Mai was stunned. It was the first time in years she heard Ning Sheng relent.

Ning Sheng had realized that his mother would never change, and her presence was causing his daughters to be marginalized and unable to go to school. They remained silent at home and outside, and if this continued, his family would fall apart.

Deputy Commander Ning glanced at the fourth-floor window and carried Ning Xiu upstairs.

Jiang Nian, standing close to Gu Shizhou, noticed his pale face and his left arm held tightly. Realizing the impact Ning Xiu’s weight must have had, she asked worriedly, “Is your arm dislocated?”

Gu Shizhou, looking down at Jiang Nian, frowned slightly, “Yes.”

Yu Liang wasn’t in much better shape. Both had rushed up, and Ning Xiu’s fall from the fourth floor had exerted a lot of force. They went to the military hospital, while Jiang Nian and He Yue checked on Ning Xiu, who was stable.

The incident lasted until the afternoon. Deputy Commander Ning was determined this time. No matter how much old Mrs. Wu fussed, he remained cold. When she threatened to hang herself, he handed her a rope, saying he’d buy her a good coffin once she was dead, which left her speechless.

Deputy Commander Ning bought train tickets and took old Mrs. Wu away, resolute in sending her back to her hometown, determined to prevent her from harming his family any longer.

Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang’s arms were injured and couldn’t be used for some time.

Tian Mai asked Jiang Nian, “Can you check on Political Commissar Gu and Captain Yu for me? Ning Sheng isn’t here, and I need to watch Xiu’er in case she does something drastic. I’ll visit them when Ning Sheng returns.”

Jiang Nian replied, “Don’t worry, you take care of Xiu’er.”

Even if Tian Mai hadn’t asked, she would have gone to see Gu Shizhou. During Lu Yu’s absence, he and Chen Yao had helped with watering and weeding. Besides that, because of his relationship with Lu Yu, she needed to check on him.

Ning Xiu’s incident had left a shadow in Tian Mai’s heart. She now feared for Xiu’er even approaching the window.

Jiang Nian waited all night for Lu Yu, but he didn’t come back. She slept fitfully and felt dizzy in the morning. After washing up and having breakfast, she went to the food market, bought big bones, and made soup at home. She packed the soup in an aluminum lunch box and made some flatbreads, remembering the large appetites of Gu Shizhou and his friends from their last visit.

She packed the food in a basket, covered it with cloth, and went to the military hospital during lunch. After inquiring, she found Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang’s room, knocked, and heard Yu Liang’s voice, “Come in.”

Jiang Nian walked in with the basket. The white walls and two beds greeted her. Gu Shizhou was resting with his eyes closed, but opened them when Yu Liang called out, “Sister-in-law?”

Gu Shizhou was somewhat surprised to see Jiang Nian coming over.

Jiang Nian glanced at Gu Shizhou’s left arm and Yu Liang’s right arm, both in slings, and said, “Deputy Commander Ning went out, and Sister Tian needs to stay home to watch Ning Xiu. She couldn’t come, so she asked me to help. I made bone soup and some flatbreads for you. Have some.”

Yu Liang grinned, “Wow, Political Commissar Gu and I are in for a treat today.”

He still remembered the delicious taste of Jiang Nian’s chicken dish from last time and had been craving it ever since.

Gu Shizhou simply said, “Thank you.”

Jiang Nian took out the aluminum lunch box but struggled to open it, likely due to the pressure from the hot steam inside. Gu Shizhou offered, “You hold it, I’ll open it.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Nian held the lunch box while Gu Shizhou, using his uninjured right hand, easily unscrew the lid. She smiled, “Got it.”

Just then, steady footsteps approached from outside, and the half-open door was pushed open. Yu Liang looked out and raised his eyebrows, “Commander Lu, you’re finally back!”

Lu Yu??

Jiang Nian froze for a moment, then quickly turned her head, her bright eyes still holding a trace of laughter. When she saw Lu Yu walking into the room, her smile widened, “Lu Yu!”

After not seeing him for twenty days, Jiang Nian thought he looked thinner, with a bit of stubble on his chin and slightly longer hair. His cool demeanor now had a rugged edge.

Seeing Lu Yu made Jiang Nian’s heart race. She was still holding the aluminum lunch box, which she placed on the table beside Gu Shizhou’s bed before running over to Lu Yu, “Did you just get back?”

Lu Yu noticed that the top two buttons of Jiang Nian’s blouse were undone, revealing her slender neck and delicate collarbones. He hadn’t missed how she had been smiling brightly at Gu Shizhou when he walked in.

His jaw clenched slightly, and he reached out to tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers possessively grazing her earlobe, “I just got home. I heard from He Yue that you came to the military hospital to see Shizhou and Yu Liang, so I came to check.”

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Author’s Note:

Lu Yu: It’s a bit painful to see my wife smiling at someone else like that.