Chapter 546: Homesickness

He quickly winked at Bai Zhi, signaling her not to let anything slip.

Bai Zhi glanced at him but ignored him.

"Xiao Zhi, Happy New Year!" Ye Jingsong's voice came through the phone. "Xiao Zhi, did your cousin come to your house for the New Year today?"

Bai Zhi spoke in a loud voice with a smile, "Uncle, my cousin has been staying at my house these past few days. I made him lots of delicious food, and the New Year has been quite lively."

Ye Qingbai, “........”

"That's good, that's good." Ye Jingsong's tone clearly showed relief. He said, "Xiao Zhi, I dreamt last night that his face was smeared with blood, and he just stared straight at me without saying a word. I felt very uneasy when I woke up. I called their unit, but no one answered even though it's the New Year. So I asked you if you've seen him."

"Uncle, you're probably just missing my cousin too much, that's why you're having dreams. He's doing fine."

Bai Zhi looked at Ye Qingbai and said, "He's in the living room. I'll give him the phone, and you can talk to him."

"Cousin, it's your uncle on the phone."

Bai Zhi shoved the mobile phone into Ye Qingbai's hands.

Ye Qingbai also composed himself, a smile appearing on his face, and said in a relaxed tone, "Dad, Happy New Year! I was just thinking about you when you called. We really are father and son."

Ye Jingsong heard his son's voice clearly, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled down.

He yelled, "Son, how was your New Year?"

Ye Qingbai replied with a smile, "Dad, everything is fine in the army. We eat and sleep well, all my comrades are here, it's very lively, and my cousin's cooking is delicious."

Ye Jingsong sighed, "That's good. I even dreamed about you last night. I felt uneasy knowing you weren't home for the New Year."

“I’m a soldier, how can I go home for Chinese New Year every year? Why can’t you get used to it yet? You, Aunt Lan, and Qingchuan stay home and have a good New Year. I’ll go back when I’m on leave.”

Ye Qingbai tried to comfort Ye Jingsong, but Ye Jingsong became even more upset, his voice choked with emotion, "Okay."

Wang Lan quickly took the phone from his hand and spoke to Ye Qingbai. "Qingbai, your dad misses you so much he's almost crying. I tried to comfort him, but he scolded me. In the end, you, as his son, are the most important person in his heart."

Ye Qingbai said, "Aunt Lan, that's not necessarily true. If you were away for such a long time, he would definitely miss you even more. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, you know."

Ye Qingbai's explanation made Wang Lan beam with joy.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder; this is absolutely true.

Even during the Lunar New Year, she was quite concerned about Ye Qingbai.

So she started her usual refrain, "Qingbai, I think you should find someone soon. Once you're married, you'll have someone who cares about you. Even if they're not around, we'll feel at ease."

Ye Qingbai didn't want to argue, so he casually brushed it off, saying, "I'll find a partner after my workplace provides me with an apartment."

How could a mere platoon leader like him possibly be entitled to a house?

This is just a pie in the sky.

He quickly changed the subject, "Didn't you visit any relatives today?"

Wang Lan said with a smile, "I went to my parents' house to pay my respects for the New Year yesterday, and I'm resting at home today. I've invited your uncle over for dinner tonight."

“My cousin is also spending the New Year alone this year, so it would be nice to invite him to our house for a meal together.”

“Yes, that’s what we thought too. He’s divorced and single today, so his house must be lonely. Restaurants are closed during the Chinese New Year, so he might not even be able to get a meal.” Wang Lan is a kind-hearted person, especially when it comes to matters concerning relatives and family.

Ye Qingbai chatted with Wang Lan for a few minutes and could tell that Bai Zhi had something to say, so he gave Bai Zhi his mobile phone.

"Auntie, did my grandfather really not come home this year?" Bai Zhi asked hurriedly.

Wang Lan replied, "We sent Qingchuan to check several times, but his door was locked, so he probably hasn't come back."

Although Bai Zhi knew this would be the outcome, she still felt somewhat sad when she heard Wang Lan say that the door was locked.

She gave a disappointed "oh".

After calming himself down, Ye Jingsong chatted with Ye Qingbai for a few more minutes and gave him some instructions before hanging up the phone.

When Bai Zhi put away her mobile phone, she noticed that Ye Qingbai seemed to be crying.

He lowered his head and looked away, trying his best not to let Bai Zhi see his disheveled state, just in case she saw it.

Why are you crying?

It's not that I can't go home for the Chinese New Year, nor is it because I'm injured or in pain.

When he was at his most vulnerable, hearing a caring voice from afar, he really couldn't control himself.

This is the power of family love.

Bai Zhi looked at Ye Qingbai and asked, "Cousin, do you miss home?"

Just as Ye Qingbai was about to say something contrary to his true feelings, Bai Zhi said in a muffled voice, "I miss home."

She added, "It's not the Bai family, it's my maternal grandfather and Lu Ye's family that I miss."

I really miss my maternal grandfather, uncle, and Lu Jiade's grandfather and Lu Shan today.

I wonder what they're doing at this time of day.

Is Lu Shan already busy at the hospital, so busy that she doesn't even care about the New Year?

There probably aren't that many emergency patients at the Nancheng Military Region Hospital during the Chinese New Year period.

“I miss my dad too.” Ye Qingbai said with a solemn expression, full of sadness. “When I was at home, I didn’t take him seriously at all. I would get annoyed just seeing him. He called me just now, and I was really sad. He even dreamed about me when I was injured, which means he loves me very much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have such a feeling.”

Bai Zhi wholeheartedly agreed, "He definitely loves you, there's no doubt about that."

Just as the brother and sister were missing their family, the door to the hospital room opened.

"I'm back."

Lu Ye noticed that both of their eyes were red, as if they had been crying. His heart trembled slightly, and he looked at Bai Zhi with concern, asking, "Xiao Bai, what happened?"

When Bai Zhi saw Lu Ye, her dim eyes suddenly lit up.

Before she could speak, Ye Qingbai added, "My cousin has been waiting for you to come back, and she's worried about you."

Upon hearing Ye Qingbai's words, Lu Ye's expression became even more solemn. Ignoring the people around him, he pulled Bai Zhi directly into his arms.

Bai Zhi didn't even have a chance to speak before he pulled her into his arms.

Ye Qingbai, who had just been fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), was speechless.

The man's voice was deep and filled with apology, "I'm sorry I was a little late and kept you waiting."

Bai Zhi hugged him, then naturally pushed him away, and said with a smile, "It's okay."

She was afraid that Lu Ye would feel guilty towards her, so she explained, "Don't listen to my cousin's nonsense. My uncle just called and told my cousin that he was crying. I was comforting him."

Lu Ye hummed in agreement, then asked, "Are you done with your work? It's getting late, we should head back."

Upon hearing Bai Zhi's words, Ye Qingbai's face fell instantly. He pleaded in a tearful voice, "Cousin, how can you bear to leave me alone to go back?"

“This…” It’s a bit cruel to leave him injured here during the Lunar New Year.

Seeing Bai Zhi hesitate, Ye Qingbai pressed his advantage and said, "No, brother-in-law has to stay and take care of me tonight."

Lu Ye glanced at him and said indifferently, "Dream on."

“Cousin…” He looked at Bai Zhi pitifully, waiting for her to make a decision.

Bai Zhi could only look at Lu Ye and suggest, "Why don't you stay and take care of him?"