Chapter 39

The next day

Pei Hejun’s awakening was a cause for celebration.

However, in the 1970s, there were no special ways to celebrate. Fresh meat was hard to come by, so Pei’s mother put two eggs in everyone’s bowl that morning—one poached and one fried.

After this small luxury, Pei’s mother borrowed the team’s tractor from the captain to take Pei Hejun to the county. She asked one of Pei Hejun’s comrades in the county to help get him to the military hospital in the city.

Pei Hejun had been hospitalized there before.

Since they wouldn’t be back for a while, Pei’s mother stayed home to look after the house and the two children, fearing theft given the family’s good reputation and the common thefts in the area. So, Jiang Xi went with Pei Hejun.

Jiang Xi was unfamiliar with the city, but fortunately, the tractor driver was from the team. After hearing Pei’s mother’s directions, he knew the way and took them to the county hospital, where he informed Pei Zhong and others.

When Jiang Xi found Pei Hejun’s comrade-in-arms, Chai Ming, he was very enthusiastic. Upon hearing that Pei Hejun had indeed woken up, he nearly fell over with excitement.

Pei Hejun, still at a stage where he could barely speak, was very happy to see his retired comrade-in-arms. They chatted during the trip to the hospital stretcher and while entering the ward.

Jiang Xi didn’t need to do anything else.

The military took care of the seriously injured soldiers well, and as a family member, her job was simply to wait.

Most of the examination results were favorable. The nasogastric tube had been removed, and Pei Hejun could eat liquid food, though some results required a couple more days.

So, Jiang Xi stayed to accompany him.

“Sister-in-law, there’s a guesthouse here. You should go rest. I’ll keep watch tonight. You can return during the day,” Chai Ming said as it grew late.

Jiang Xi didn’t hesitate. It was clear that Chai Ming had a much better relationship with Pei Hejun than the original owner did. It made sense to let him take care of Pei Hejun. She nodded and said, “Thank you for your help.”

She packed up her things and left.

In the ward, after everyone had left, Chai Ming noticed Pei Hejun staring at the door and laughed, “Everyone’s gone, and you’re still looking? Your sister-in-law didn’t even glance back, oh my…”

Pei Hejun remained silent, looking at him coldly.

Chai Ming, still chuckling, suddenly became serious and coughed lightly, “I heard your sister-in-law is quite a bit younger than you?”

Pei Hejun’s eyes grew colder.

Chai Ming, puzzled, said, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong? I envy you. Your sister-in-law is so devoted that she insisted on marrying you even after you became bedridden.”

As soon as he spoke, the mood turned awkward.

Pei Hejun nodded slightly, “It’s all thanks to her.”

Chai Ming clicked his tongue and sat down, curious, “When you recover, will you return to the army?”

Pei Hejun’s expression grew serious. “Of course. I was seriously injured, and if I recover, I must not waste the opportunity.”

Chai Ming stroked his chin, “So, you’ll follow the army? You were a battalion commander before. If you survive this, your contribution in the last mission will be acknowledged. You should be able to get a promotion. You’ll likely get a better apartment. The battalion commander only gets a two-bedroom, but you could get a three-bedroom, right?”

He was envious, “If I had stayed in the army, I wouldn’t have had to retire early.”

Chai Ming, who was the same age as Pei Hejun and a few months older, had joined the army together with him. But he had married early and was separated from his wife for a long time during his service. His wife had no children and faced difficulties with his parents, who mistreated her. 

Since his rank wasn’t high enough to have his family accompany him, he had to retire early.

He regretted not being able to stay in the army and take his wife with him, which might have led him to become a battalion commander.

When this was mentioned, Pei Hejun frowned and didn’t respond.

He had no particular affection for the original fiancée. Three years ago, knowing he was engaged, he had no interest in her. He thought she was too young, introverted, and timid for a military wife.

But since she had lost her father and her mother was unreliable, he didn’t object.

Anyway, he wasn’t planning to marry anytime soon.

He wanted to wait until she finished her studies, found a job, and then introduce her to a suitable partner.

Three years later, just as Pei Hejun graduated, he fell into a vegetative state due to a mission.

Pei Hejun thought he was dead. He worried about whether his parents would use his pension to support his elder and second brothers. He hadn’t considered his fiancée at all.

It was normal to cancel the engagement under these circumstances.

One day, he realized there are truly selfless people when a young girl took care of him. To repay her kindness, she chose to stay with him despite his uncertain condition.

Now that he’s awake, things have changed. Jiang Xi, his fiancée, has her own job and it seemed she wasn’t willing to stay in the army.

When she left, she didn’t even look back.

_

Jiang Xi had no idea what Pei Hejun was thinking. She checked into a guesthouse outside the military hospital with a letter of introduction from the captain, took a shower, and went to bed.

The next morning, she bought breakfast with Pei Hejun’s military ID and arrived at his ward. The doctor was discussing the latest test results, saying everything was fine and that Pei Hejun was recovering well.

The doctor handed Jiang Xi a notebook: “This is a rehabilitation manual. It will be useful for helping with rehabilitation at home. Don’t rush things. His muscles are still recovering. I noticed his arm muscles were strained yesterday. Did he overexert himself?”

Jiang Xi replied, “I understand. I will follow the manual.”

The doctor smiled and said, “Your husband has a good physique and was well cared for while in a coma. You can go home now, but if you’re worried, you can stay a few more days. What do you think?”

Jiang Xi looked at Pei Hejun for his decision.

Pei Hejun said, “Go home, I’m fine.”

The doctor nodded and asked Jiang Xi to complete the discharge procedures. All medical expenses were covered, so the money Jiang Xi brought was unused.

Chai Ming carried Pei Hejun to the car, and Jiang Xi followed them to the county hospital. Pei Hejun wanted to visit his father, who was in trouble, so they took a detour.

Pei Zhong was overjoyed to see them and insisted on going home, even though he was still injured. He said, “I’m really fine. Let me go back. Our family is reunited. This is a happy occasion. How can I stay here alone with my second son?”

Pei Hejun said, “Your injury is serious. Stay here for a couple of days.”

Pei Zhong insisted, and Jiang Xi was unsure whether to laugh or cry. Pei Deyi suggested letting their father go home, and Jiang Xi agreed to take care of him.

_

The Pei family celebrated with firecrackers and villagers came to congratulate them, as if it were a festive occasion.

Mother Pei was surprised but happy and shared snacks with everyone. She said, “Thank you very much. Come and have some.”

Aunt Lanhua also contributed, bringing biscuits and meat: “This is the meat I bought this morning. We should have something special to celebrate.”

Pei Hejun sat in the main hall, feeling awkward and being watched by everyone. He wanted to go inside but was kept outside by Jiang Xi to avoid crowding.

After the guests left, Jiang Xi asked Chai Ming to help Pei Hejun inside and called out, “Jiang Yu, Jiang Mi!”

Two little girls playing outside heard Jiang Xi’s call and responded, “Hey!”

Jiang Xi crossed her arms and said, “Hurry up and sweep the floor. Jiang Yu, you wipe the table.”

Jiang Mi picked up the broom and complained, “Sister, I want to clean the table!”

Jiang Xi smiled and said, “You want to be lazy, right? You wiped the table last time, so don’t think I don’t remember.”

Jiang Mi awkwardly accepted this and started sweeping. Pei’s mother, who had just washed the dishes, saw the children working and asked, “Why are you cleaning now? There will be another mess later.”

The floor of a rural house is made of compacted earth, which is uneven and dusty, making it hard to clean. Jiang Mi was struggling with the corners and hoped Pei’s mother would help.

Jiang Mi used to enjoy playing but now preferred to go out with friends. Despite this, she was obedient and started cleaning when asked.

Pei’s mother noticed Jiang Xi’s expression and let Jiang Mi continue sweeping. She then asked, “What’s for lunch? Aunt Lanhua brought some pork belly, but it might be too late to make dumplings. Do you want something else?”

Jiang Xi thought for a moment and said, “Braised pork!”

“Okay, we’re out of soy sauce. I’ll borrow some from someone,” Pei’s mother said and left.

Pei Zhong, who hadn’t entered the house yet and was using a cane, called out to Jiang Xi, “Xiaoxi.”

Jiang Xi asked, “What’s wrong?”

Pei Zhong, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, “The second brother has been doing well lately. How about inviting them for lunch?”

Jiang Xi agreed, “Okay, I’ll call them.”

Pei Zhong was pleased but didn’t mention the eldest sister. He knew she had done a lot but didn’t expect anything in return.