Font Size:
Chapter 46
Outside the hospital:
The training location is the county hospital, but the trainees stay in the hospital dormitory building. It is noon, so Jiang Xi and others are in the dormitory, not the classroom.
The dormitories are like those in boarding schools and are guarded.
Pei Hejun stood at the entrance of the dormitory building with a cane, looking straight ahead. He didn’t notice his mother’s reminder. His mother noticed his distraction and said, “Come and sit for a while. You can’t stand for so long with your legs like this.”
She pointed to a nearby bench, wanting him to rest.
Pei Hejun looked at the bench and saw it was a bit far from the door, so he shook his head: “It’s okay, Xiaoxi will come out soon.”
Pei’s mother, both amused and exasperated, gave up and stood beside her son.
At this time, a young man waiting nearby caught Pei’s mother’s attention. She saw a young girl come out of the dormitory building. The young man gave her a flower, and the girl smiled happily, following him.
Pei’s mother and son watched this: “…”
They looked at each other, and Pei’s mother became anxious: “Oh no, we don’t have any flowers!”
She had brought her son to see Jiang Xi, hoping the young man could enjoy his time, but she forgot the flowers!
Pei Hejun frowned, noting that he had two crutches and couldn’t carry flowers. He shook his head: “It’s okay, Xiaoxi won’t mind.”
Pei’s mother thought her son didn’t understand how to please girls and explained, “Of course, she won’t mind, but she will be happier if you give her something. When your father courted me, he sent me bird eggs frequently. Now that we are doing well and don’t need food, you should send other gifts.”
Pei Hejun nodded and made a mental note.
But it was indeed impossible to use this advice now.
Suddenly, a beautiful figure appeared at the door of the dormitory. Pei’s mother’s eyes lit up, and she handed the package in her hand to Pei Hejun: “Just say this is what you… brought along.”
Pei Hejun: “…”
He didn’t believe this.
But Pei’s mother had already approached Jiang Xi with a smile: “Xiaoxi is here.”
Jiang Xi was happy to see familiar faces. She trotted over, swinging her pigtails: “Mom, He Jun, why are you here?”
Mother Pei smiled and said, “I missed you. The brigade’s tractor was coming to town, and the third brother wanted to come, so he convinced me to come along.”
Jiang Xi was surprised. She didn’t expect Pei Hejun, who usually didn’t say much, to come all the way here. She knew he was a reserved person, so this visit was unexpected.
Pei Hejun felt embarrassed under Jiang Xi’s gaze. He wanted to explain that he was here because his mother insisted, but he was suddenly pinched by her.
Jiang Xi found his shyness endearing. She had seen many different types of men but found Pei Hejun’s innocence refreshing.
Pei’s mother, happy to see Jiang Xi, handed her a package of snacks she had made. “It’s hard to keep them fresh, so I didn’t make much. Share them with your friends, and they can take care of you.”
Jiang Xi thanked her warmly, “Thank you, Mom! You’re so kind.”
Pei’s mother was delighted. She admired Jiang Xi and felt pleased that her son had found someone like her. She thought it was a shame they didn’t have any photos together.
Pei Hejun stood quietly, still holding the package. His mother suggested, “You should take some photos with Xiaoxi later. It’s important to keep memories.”
_
After helping Pei Hejun to a bench, Jiang Xi went upstairs with the package to avoid making them wait too long.
Even though it was September and still quite hot, Jiang Xi hurried back and forth, sweating from the heat.
“Let’s go eat,” Jiang Xi said as she led them out. Pei Hejun suddenly stopped and asked, “Mom, I want to eat popsicles.”
Mother Pei agreed and offered to buy some. Jiang Xi insisted on buying them herself and ran to get them. She bought three popsicles for one cent each, one for each of them. Pei Hejun would eat his after they reached the restaurant and put away his crutches.
Jiang Xi was familiar with their preferences, so she ordered their favorite dishes. While eating a popsicle, she reflected on how much prices would rise in the future.
Eating the popsicle cooled her down and lifted her spirits. She noticed that Pei Hejun hadn’t gained much weight, despite his recovery.
The restaurant was not crowded, so the food arrived quickly. Pei’s mother and Pei Hejun, very hungry, began eating right away.
Jiang Xi asked, “Mom, does He Jun eat well at home?”
Pei Hejun paused, and Mother Pei laughed, “Not really! If we didn’t remind him, he’d eat even less and always say he’s full.”
Pei Hejun quickly explained, “The hot weather makes me lose my appetite.”
Jiang Xi accepted this and advised, “Give him some hawthorn water or tangerine peel water an hour before meals. I have the herbs in my medicine cabinet.”
Mother Pei agreed, “Okay, I’ll remember.”
She then scolded her son gently, “You need to eat better. Xiaoxi cares about you.”
Pei Hejun nodded and said quietly, “Yeah.”
He then took two big bites of rice, forgetting to pick up his food.
Jiang Xi noticed that despite the hot weather, he seemed to have a good appetite. She wondered if the food was just not as appealing as usual.
Pei’s mother, curious, asked, “Why are you eating so much today? Aren’t you hot?”
Pei Hejun cleared his throat and whispered, “I just had a popsicle. I’m not hot.”
Mother Pei smiled, thinking maybe her cooking was just better today. She watched her son sneak glances at Jiang Xi as he ate.
After finishing their meal, Mother Pei suggested, “You two go out and have some fun. I’m tired and need to rest here.”
Jiang Xi agreed and asked Pei Hejun, “Shall we go?”
“Yeah,” he replied eagerly, standing up and using his crutch more confidently.
_
The shaded road made the walk more comfortable. As they walked, Jiang Xi asked about home, particularly about Jiang Yu and Jiang Mi. After learning they were doing well, she didn’t ask more.
Pei Hejun then asked Jiang Xi about her studies: “Is it hard?”
“Not really,” Jiang Xi said proudly. “I became the team leader!”
Pei Hejun smiled and praised her, “That’s amazing!”
Jiang Xi blushed a bit at the compliment. Pei Hejun spotted a photo studio and, recalling his mother’s suggestion, wanted to go there but felt too shy to bring it up.
Jiang Xi noticed and asked, “Shall we take a picture?”
“Okay,” Pei Hejun agreed quickly.
The photo studio was simple, like those from old TV dramas. The photographer took their picture, commenting on how handsome Pei Hejun and pretty Jiang Xi looked. He asked if Pei Hejun had been a soldier due to his straight posture.
Pei Hejun nodded and paid extra to get the photos quickly. Jiang Xi tried to return the money, but Pei Hejun insisted.
The photographer soon returned with several photos: three large and two small ones. They both looked good, with clear smiles.
Pei Hejun and Jiang Xi were pleased with the photos. Jiang Xi admired how beautiful she looked even without makeup. Pei Hejun, though thin, looked good as well.
As it was getting late, Jiang Xi said goodbye and went back to the hospital.
Pei Hejun watched her leave, and Mother Pei teased him about looking at the photos instead of eating. Pei Hejun tried to stay serious but looked visibly embarrassed.
Mother Pei shook her head and pulled him away.
_
Pei Hejun rarely visited the county, so this was a special trip.
Jiang Xi’s training was ending, and though she was sad to leave, she was eager to go home and enjoy Pei’s cooking again. She had finished her snacks and was feeling quite hungry.
The team arranged for her to take a bus back, with the tractor coming to pick her up.
Before getting on the tractor, Jiang Xi saw Pei Hejun and smiled.
***
If you’d like to show your appreciation, consider buying me a coffee—it really helps me keep going! 𖹭
Don’t forget to check out more of Vyl’s projects! ۶ৎ
_
✨ For even more, click Vyl’s profile or this link! ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
↓↓↓
Vyl[Translator]
~Thank you soo much for the support! Love yaa~ ⋆.❤︎