“I have a savings book in my shirt pocket with a few hundred yuan in it. That’s what I saved up after I got married. Take it and withdraw it to go with your lover. We’ll still be husband and wife in name only. Once I’m discharged from the hospital, I’ll go through with the divorce.”

Gu Shaoxuan's words made Xia Enruo laugh. He's still thinking about divorce! If she just left, wouldn't everyone around her condemn her? They'd call her mean, ungrateful, and promiscuous—she could think of every vicious word that could be used to attack her.

This is completely contrary to her original intention of leaving with a good reputation.

Furthermore, when the original owner had nowhere to turn, it was the Gu family who took her in and even arranged for Gu Shaoxuan to marry her. Because of this, the original owner didn't end up homeless. Now that I've transmigrated and taken over her body, taking care of Gu Shaoxuan is a way of repaying the original owner's kindness.

Wait until he recovers before getting a divorce and separating. That way, we can leave with peace of mind and less guilt.

“I, Xia En, am not an ungrateful person. Although you never believe what I say, Gu Shaoxuan, rest assured, after you recover, I will definitely not bother you, I will divorce you and set you free, and let you and Jiang Pei be together. I mean what I say.”

"Jiang Pei? What is this?"

Gu Shaoxuan found Xia Enruo's words inexplicable, but he was relieved that she had said that. At least she wouldn't bother him anymore, and he wouldn't have to continue living that miserable life he used to live.

"Come on, drink this fish soup and rice porridge. You just had surgery, so you need to eat some liquid food first."

Xia Enruo gently helped Gu Shaoxuan up from the bed, took a pillow from the side and put it behind his back so that he wouldn't choke while eating in a semi-reclined position.

Fish soup? Millet porridge?

Gu Shaoxuan felt like he had misheard. Where did she get all this? But he was thirsty anyway, and some soup would be just what he wanted.

Xia Enruo opened the lunchbox, and the aroma of fish soup immediately wafted out.

"This smells really good."

Gu Shaoxuan smelled the aroma and became quite expectant.

"Here, have a sip of soup first."

"I'll do it myself."

Gu Shaoxuan gritted his teeth and prepared to raise his arms, but he had no strength at all, and both arms were sore from being stretched.

"Alright, stop overexerting yourself. The doctor said you just had surgery and it will take you a while to recover. You can't exert yourself during this time, otherwise the wound will heal slowly."

Xia Enruo scooped up a spoonful of soup and fed it to Gu Shaoxuan. The two were so close that Gu Shaoxuan felt incredibly embarrassed; he had never done this before.

"This soup is delicious. Did you buy it from a state-run restaurant?"

Gu Shaoxuan took a sip; he was extremely hungry for it and wished he could drink such delicious fish soup every day.

"I made it. I bought a carp a few days ago and kept it in the freezer without eating it."

Gu Shaoxuan stared wide-eyed at Xia Enruo, somewhat disbelieving.

"Hurry up and drink your soup. Why are you looking at me? I have something to do in a bit and I need to go out."

Xia Enruo has also arranged to host a banquet today. Gu Shaoxuan is currently hospitalized, which increases household expenses, so making money cannot be delayed.

She fed Gu Shaoxuan a bowl of fish soup and fish meat, and added a few brown sugar grains and an egg to the millet porridge before feeding it to him.

Gu Shaoxuan ate with great relish. The millet porridge mixed with brown sugar was sweet and warming. This breakfast was a pleasant surprise, even better than what the army canteen made.

Gu Shaoxuan had eaten his fill, and suddenly he needed to urinate. Although Xia Enruo was beside him, he was too embarrassed to say it.

"Could you call a male nurse over for me?"

Xia Enruo understood what he meant by saying that, and since she couldn't help him, she could only go out and look for someone.

To her surprise, she was rejected as soon as she finished speaking to the nurse.

The nurse said irritably, "What do you take us nurses for? The hospital doesn't offer this service. Besides, as his wife, it's perfectly normal for you to help your husband relieve himself. Go back now, don't delay my work."

Xia Enruo returned to the ward and, seeing Gu Shaoxuan's unwell appearance, thought to herself.

"We can't let him keep holding it in any longer; he'll ruin his health. Fine, let's just go for it. It's just a matter of saving face; if he keeps dawdling, he'll be missing work."

She took the chamber pot and walked to the bedside, saying:

"The nurse said they don't offer that service, so let me help you relieve yourself."

She lifted one side of the blanket, reached inside to feel around, finally pinpointed the exact location, grabbed it, and stuffed it into the chamber pot.

Although Gu Shaoxuan was extremely unwilling, he was unable to move and had no choice but to turn his head to one side with a flushed face.

"Hurry up and pee, why aren't you done yet?"

Xia Enruo waited anxiously for a long time, but there was no movement at all.

"I...I can't pee."

Gu Shaoxuan was both shy and nervous, wondering why his thing wasn't obeying him.

"You don't need to be so nervous, it's not like this is the first time I've seen this."

Xia Enru muttered.

"What! You've seen other men too."

Gu Shaoxuan turned his head and said with an incredulous expression.

"Who do you take me for? Besides you, who else do you want me to meet? Relax and take your time."

Gu Shaoxuan was full of questions. The two had only been husband and wife in name since their marriage, but had no real relationship. Why would Xia Enruo say that?

The two remained deadlocked for quite some time before it finally ended. Although Gu Shaoxuan was extremely unwilling, he suddenly felt refreshed.

Xia Enruo glanced at the clock; if she didn't leave soon, she would be late for work. She packed her things, settled Gu Shaoxuan in, and said:

"I'm going out to cook. I'll be back after noon. Don't drink water yet, otherwise no one will help you pee. I'll feed you when I get back."

After she finished speaking, she hurriedly grabbed the cloth bag and rushed out.

Gu Shaoxuan lay on the bed looking at the ceiling. He suddenly felt that Xia Enruo might never come back. After all, no one would want to serve a cripple every day by cleaning up his excrement and urine.

Everything that just happened felt like a dream, and the dream should end as soon as she left.

Zhang Xin, carrying the completed interview transcript and camera, dashed to the city's daily newspaper office. The thought of seeing Chen Yan filled him with an irrepressible urge.

Chen Yan learned about the police's anti-drug operation early this morning. Knowing that Zhang Xin was going to the hospital for an interview, she didn't want to miss this readily available material and specifically instructed him to come see her first after the interview.

The two were in the office with the door closed. Chen Yan sat on Zhang Xin's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said:

"Why did you take so long to arrive? You made me wait so long. Did you go home to see that old hag?"

"No way, I feel like throwing up just looking at her now. She's ugly and fat. I went to the hospital today to interview some comrades who were injured, and we chatted for a while longer."

Chen Yan kissed Zhang Xin and said in a sweet, affectionate tone.

"I'm thinking of going to that newly opened Western restaurant for lunch. I've heard their steak is really good."

Zhang Xin, overjoyed by the kiss, readily agreed.

"Okay, we'll go in a bit. You little devil, let me devour you first."

He picked up Chen Yan and pressed her onto the table, where the two kissed passionately and entwined.