Inside the doctor’s office.
Wen Ci took the initiative to ask about Huo Jingyuan’s condition, smiling gently as she said, “For someone in Huo Jingyuan’s situation, would being discharged this week be ideal?”
“To be honest, we recommend Regiment Commander Huo stay in the hospital a few more days. But he insists on being discharged by next Monday. Today is already Thursday.”
Wen Ci fell silent.
Normally, after suture removal, about a week of rest in the hospital is needed. Huo Jingyuan was the youngest regimental-level officer in the Northwest; his safety was paramount.
But even their hospital couldn’t persuade him.
Wen Ci sighed and asked, “If he goes home on Monday, what precautions are needed?”
“Avoid getting the wound wet. Go to the military hospital immediately if any issues arise.”
Wen Ci nodded, indicating she understood.
She planned to go south with Xu Jinghe tonight and should be able to return by Monday.
Wen Ci thanked the doctor and left.
·
The atmosphere in the hospital room was cheerful and harmonious.
Xiao Chuan felt a long-lost sense of homely warmth. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he clenched his little fists and said, “Sister said that Uncle is a very impressive soldier. I want to be a soldier when I grow up too.”
Huo Jingyuan: “…”
Xu Jinghe, seeing Huo Jingyuan’s silent expression, chuckled softly and deliberately asked, “Why does Xiao Chuan call Auntie ‘Sister’?”
“Because Sister is young and pretty.”
“Then why doesn’t he call him brother?” Xu Jinghe continued asking.
“He looks like an uncle.”
Huo Jingyuan’s face darkened even more. He reached out and pinched Xiao Chuan’s soft cheek, pretending to be fierce. “From now on, you can’t call her ‘Sister’. You have to call her ‘Auntie’.”
Calling Wen Ci ‘Sister’ and him ‘Uncle’ messed up the generational order; it was completely topsy-turvy.
“No.” Xiao Chuan pouted in reply.
Wen Ci returned to the room and overheard their conversation. She walked to the bedside, ruffled Xiao Chuan’s hair, her face breaking into a wide smile. “Don’t listen to this strange Uncle.”
Xiao Chuan replied, “I won’t listen.”
Huo Jingyuan: “…”
Xu Jinghe teased, “Since you two like children so much, why not have one soon?”
They had always planned to have a child.
And were actively trying.
But then Huo Jingyuan got injured on a mission.
Huo Jingyuan coaxed, “Your uncle and I are childhood friends, so you can call me ‘Uncle’ too. ‘Sister’ is my wife. Do you think ‘Sister’ is better, or is ‘Auntie’ better?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chuan fell into deep thought.
Anyone could call Wen Ci ‘Sister’, but only he could call her ‘Auntie’. Moreover, the term ‘Auntie’ contained the character ‘妈’ (mother). He liked Wen Ci as his Auntie!
“‘Auntie’ is better.”
Huo Jingyuan pressed on, “Then what will you call her from now on?”
Xiao Chuan looked at Wen Ci and called out softly, “Hello, Auntie.”
Wen Ci was utterly speechless.
Seeing that visiting hours were almost over, Wen Ci said, “I might not be able to visit you in the hospital these next few days. I plan to go south with Xu Jinghe.”
“Go south for what?”
Wen Ci’s eyes sparkled with excitement: “To do business!”
The 1980s was an era of rejuvenation, and trade in the South was already booming.
Wen Ci clearly remembered a 21st-century film depicting the prosperity of the Shanghai area in the 80s, while during the same period, the Northwest was impoverished and planting windbreak trees.
She wanted to see the wealth and bustle of the southern regions with her own eyes.
Huo Jingyuan frowned. He had known since Wen Ci moved to the Northwest with him that she wanted to do business. He could support small-scale ventures in the North, but the Southern economy was developing too rapidly.
Countless people had plunged into business only to lose everything.
Xu Jinghe spoke up to explain, “I have a batch of outdated goods piled up at my factory. Sister-in-law said we could sell them up North. I figure there’s potential there.”
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