As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Ci arrived home, dragging her exhausted body. Forty-eight hours on a hard seat had left her bottom nearly numb. Facing the risk of being abducted by middle-aged women, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
She had remained tense the entire journey, not even daring to sleep deeply at night.
The moment she opened the door, Wen Ci saw Wen Yaozu holding the landline phone and talking, frowning as she asked, “Who are you chatting with on the phone?”
Hearing Wen Ci’s voice, Wen Yaozu’s face lit up with a smile. “Brother-in-law, my sister is back. You promised you’d come home and put in a good word for me.”
“Mm, let your sister take the call.”
Wen Yaozu immediately stood up, stepped forward, and took Wen Ci’s hand, his tone ingratiating. “Sis, you’re finally back. Brother-in-law calls every day to check on you.”
Wen Ci’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed as she walked to the sofa and sat down. The soft couch brought her some physical and mental relief. Holding the receiver, she said calmly, “Aren’t you supposed to be resting in the hospital? Why are you calling every day?”
“Uh…”
On the other end of the line, Huo Jingyuan froze. He had been about to bring up the matter of being discharged to his wife, but hearing her tone, he asked concernedly, “Was your journey okay?”
“Average.”
“Then when are you coming to the hospital?”
The man’s tone carried a hint of grievance.
Wen Ci blinked and teased him deliberately, “Why should I come to the hospital?”
“To pick me up and take me home. The superiors in the Northwest Military District require that I can only be discharged with your approval.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Can’t it be today?”
Wen Ci raised her hand and rubbed her temples, speaking earnestly, “Huo Jingyuan, I just got back and I’m a bit tired. I don’t want to move again.”
“It’s fine, as long as you agree.”
He didn’t need Wen Ci to come pick him up in person. The hospital wasn’t far from the Beijing military district—it would only take about ten minutes to get home. He said cheerfully, “As long as you agree to my discharge, I can come home later today.”
Wen Ci hesitated.
After all, Huo Jingyuan was still a patient. Letting him leave the hospital alone worried her.
“If it really doesn’t work, I can ask Xue Li to pick me up from the hospital.”
Wen Ci laughed in exasperation. “Do you really have to be discharged today?”
“Mm.”
In the end, Wen Ci agreed to Huo Jingyuan’s request.
She first called the Northwest Military District leadership on the landline to tentatively ask when Huo Jingyuan could return to the northwest.
The leader insisted that Huo Jingyuan must focus on recovering from his injuries and was in no hurry to return to the Northwest Military District.
After some pleasantries, Wen Ci brought up the matter of taking Huo Jingyuan home to recuperate.
…
After completing the discharge procedures, the sky gradually darkened. Xue Li drove Huo Jingyuan to the entrance of the compound. “Brother Huo, I have to return to the northwest tomorrow.”
Huo Jingyuan reached out and patted Xue Li’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Xue Li had been saving his leave for next year, but due to Huo Jingyuan’s sudden situation, he used it early because he didn’t feel comfortable letting Sister-in-law travel back to Beijing alone.
Xue Li smiled. “We’re brothers, no need for thanks.”
“Mm, I’ll treat you to drinks when I return to the northwest.”
As soon as Huo Jingyuan got out of the car, Yu Qing came out carrying her luggage, her expression indifferent. “Regiment Commander Huo, I originally wanted to say goodbye to A-Ci, but she was too tired and fell asleep soon after returning home.”
Huo Jingyuan asked, “Are you also returning to the northwest?”
Yu Qing nodded. “I’m taking the latest train tonight.”
She had already used up several days of leave before arriving in Beijing, and the return journey would take more time. Her remaining leave wasn’t much after her stay in the capital.
“Once you arrive in the northwest, call Wen Ci to let her know you’ve arrived safely.”
Yu Qing nodded solemnly. “I will.”
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