Grandma Liu hesitated, wanting to say more. She had suggested her grandson go abroad for treatment because she didn’t want any lasting effects on his health. But since it could affect A-Yuan’s future prospects, she felt she couldn’t insist further.
“How about you and A-Ci stay at home for a few more months then?”
“No, Grandma. I need to take A-Ci back to the capital by the day after tomorrow at the latest,” Huo Jingyuan refused outright.
It wasn’t just that Wen Ci had business to attend to; he also knew that living with the elders would make Wen Ci feel pressured and wasn’t conducive to their, well, unrestrained married life.
“But didn’t they say you need at least six months of recuperation?”
“Yes, I need to go to the hospital regularly for dressing changes.”
“There are sanatoriums by West Lake too.”
Huo Jingyuan frowned deeply. He looked at his grandmother, sighed softly, and said calmly, “The capital is more suitable for recuperation. The West Lake sanatoriums are for senior veterans.” His rank was far from sufficient to receive treatment at a West Lake sanatorium.
Suddenly, Su Wanqing suggested, “Brother Jingyuan, how about I accompany you back to the capital? You can stay at the military hospital there. I’m a surgeon too; I can take care of you regularly.”
Before Wen Ci could speak, Grandma Liu, seated at the head of the table, frowned and said, “That doesn’t seem very appropriate, does it, Wanqing?”
Liking Su Wanqing didn’t mean she could condone her behavior. Her grandson was now married, and the two should maintain a proper distance.
“Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? In medicine, there’s no distinction between men and women. Besides, Grandma Liu, you know it’s quite common abroad to have live-in doctors.”
Su Wanqing paused here, glanced at Wen Ci, and said carefully, “It’s just… I don’t know if Nurse Wen would mind me coming home.” She deliberately emphasized Wen Ci’s role as a nurse.
The choice between a nurse and a doctor for caregiving seemed obvious.
Wen Ci smiled. “Sure, I have no objection.”
She genuinely didn’t mind. Even if she refused Su Wanqing moving in, the woman would likely find various ways to hover around anyway. Since the outcome was inevitable, she might as well agree directly.
“Really? Nurse Wen, you really agree to me moving into Brother Jingyuan’s home?” Su Wanqing’s voice was filled with disbelief.
As Su Wanqing finished speaking, Huo Jingyuan and the elderly lady’s voices rang out simultaneously: “I disagree.”
Wen Ci looked up to see Huo Jingyuan’s dark expression. He was staring straight at her, his tongue lightly pressing against his lower lip, enunciating each word clearly:
“I don’t need a live-in doctor.”
“Why?” Su Wanqing asked.
“During my recuperation, I want to have a child with A-Ci. It would disrupt our marital happiness.”
The man’s words were very blunt.
Grandpa Huo choked slightly and coughed, then looked brightly at Wen Ci, smiling. “Having a child is good! The sooner we have four generations under one roof, the better.” Huo Jingyuan wasn’t getting any younger.
Wen Ci’s cheeks burned crimson. Under the table, she stomped hard on the man’s foot, narrowing her eyes and glaring at him resentfully. How dare he talk about such things in front of the elders!
The elderly lady addressed the issue directly at the dinner table. “Wanqing, you and A-Yuan grew up together, but if there’s no fate, there’s no fate. Don’t force it, understand?”
If she didn’t clarify things now, she worried Su Wanqing might attempt to openly poach him. Even if successfully disrupting a military marriage wasn’t possible, being reported would lead to punishment, even a public reprimand. For a young woman, that would bring great shame to her family.
Su Wanqing didn’t reply, lowering her head in silence.
The rest of the meal passed in utter quiet.
…
On the other side, at the Jiang family home.
Jiang Chen finished packing his luggage and prepared to say goodbye to his mother. No matter how much he argued with his father, his mother had always loved him.
Leave a Reply