Chapter 338 Visiting the Sick 2

After checking Lou Yansui's homework and handing him the newly assigned questions, Shen Zhaolin remained somewhat absent-minded, mechanically grading the homework until the bell rang for the next class.

Fortunately, he didn't have any classes for the rest of the morning.

The teachers at the next desk were chatting while holding their thermos cups of hot water: "It's been so cold lately."

"It's not easy to write in this weather."

"However, it's better than last year. Last year was really cold; the water in my cup would freeze. Compared to last year, this year is much better."

"It's not good for me either, my child is sick, and cried all night yesterday..."

Shen Zhaolin looked up from his workbook at the teacher who had just spoken. The teacher was young, had a child in elementary school, and was a few years older than Mao Mao.

Now, he couldn't even grade the homework.

Shen Zhaolin glanced at the course schedule and quickly made a decision: "Teacher Fang."

"What?"

"I have something else to do this afternoon. Could we switch classes tomorrow?"

"Huh?" Teacher Fang checked the course schedule. "That's possible, but you have classes all day tomorrow, right? What could be so important?"

As they spoke, Shen Zhaolin quickly tidied his desk, picked up his briefcase, wrapped the cashmere scarf hanging on the coat rack around his neck, and stood at the office door. The last words of his voice came from outside the door: "...The child is sick."

Teacher Fang exclaimed "Ah!" and then he had vanished from sight.

He turned to his colleague, puzzled: "Doesn't Zhaolin not have children?"

The colleagues looked at each other in bewilderment.

...

As usual, Nie Zhengyun listened to his subordinates' reports.

He held a cup of tea, the lid slowly stroking the yellowish-green tea liquor. The unfurled tea leaves floated and sank in the tea, and behind the white mist, his expression remained indifferent.

After his subordinate finished reporting on the internal and external affairs of the Green Gang, he didn't rush to end the conversation but instead changed the subject: "Master Nie, Miss Lou didn't go to school today."

Nie Zhengyun paused in his movements: "Oh?"

He put down his teacup and glanced at his subordinate: "Is kindergarten closed today?"

"No, only Miss Lou requested leave."

That's strange.

Although Mao Mao hasn't been in kindergarten for long, those who know her well know that she loves going to kindergarten the most. She's always very enthusiastic, rain or shine, and never misses a day. This first time she's asked for leave, there must be something else going on.

Nie Zhengyun asked, "Where are the rest of the Lou family?"

"Everything is normal."

"The commander-in-chief isn't home?"

"Yes, Marshal Lou and the Young Marshal are also in the Military and Political Affairs Department today."

After thinking for a moment, Nie Zhengyun asked someone to bring the telephone over, picked up the receiver, and dialed a number.

After explaining his purpose, he waited a while, and soon, a panting little voice came from the other end of the phone: "Uncle!"

Nie Zhengyun's gaze softened suddenly, and a smile appeared on his lips: "Miss Mao Mao, it's me."

Mao Mao's chattering little voice came through the microphone to his ears: "Uncle, I recognize your voice! Uncle, what do you need me for?"

"Oh," Nie Zhengyun said, "I haven't had a chance to see Miss Mao Mao since the Mid-Autumn Festival. I suddenly thought of you today, so I called you."

On the other end of the phone, Mao Mao said warmly, "Uncle, Mao Mao misses you too!"

Nie Zhengyun smiled and said, "I thought Miss Mao Mao was going to kindergarten today too. Luckily I made this call today, or I almost missed it."

"I was supposed to go to kindergarten today," Mao Mao said, "but I'm sick, and my mom said I have to stay home and rest until I get better before going to school..."

"...Are you sick?"

His response was a sneeze.

Mao Mao is sick, and her voice still has a soft, nasal tone today. I initially thought it was because she was speaking through a microphone, which made her voice sound a bit distorted, but now that I heard her sneeze, I'm sure it wasn't my imagination.

Nie Zhengyun straightened his back: "Miss Mao Mao is sick? How are you feeling now? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Mao Mao rubbed her nose on the other end of the phone, holding the receiver obediently and saying, "My second brother said I'll get better soon, and once I'm better, I can go back to kindergarten."

"...Then, may I go and visit Miss Mao Mao?"

"hold head high?"

The sweet, childlike voice on the phone suddenly became lively and energetic.

"Uncle, are you coming to play with me?"

Mao Mao's little voice was full of joy and excitement, as if she was about to flap her little wings and fly away.

But even through the phone, Nie Zhengyun could still picture a little girl shaking her head vigorously, saying hurriedly, "No, no, you can't! Uncle, you're not sick, you'll catch it from me. My brother said we can't play with healthy people."

Nie Zhengyun said slowly, "I'm not going to play with Miss Mao Mao, I'm going to visit her in the hospital."

"Visiting someone in the hospital?"

“When I was hospitalized, Miss Mao often came to visit me. In return, since Miss Mao is sick, I should also visit my sick good friend.”

That makes so much sense!

Mao Mao immediately switched sides.

How can visiting a sick friend be called playing? If it were Mao Mao, she would definitely be eager to visit her friend if he was sick. Otherwise, she would be so worried that she wouldn't even be able to eat properly!

"Then... Uncle, you can come here."

Mao Mao said loudly on the phone, "Uncle, when you come, I'll peel a pomegranate for you!"

...

Even after being kicked out of the house by Old Madam Lou, and sitting in the conference room of the Military and Political Affairs Department for a meeting, Commander Lou was still somewhat absent-minded.

This is the first time my little girl in the family has been sick. Mao Mao is so small, a soft and fluffy little bundle of joy. She has never suffered much before. It's rare for her to be sick. I wonder if she's uncomfortable or aggrieved. It's really worrying.

Although Mao Mao seemed quite energetic when he left, being sick is being sick, and it's never a pleasant experience. Perhaps, after he left, Mao Mao was lying in bed feeling so unwell that she couldn't get up.

oops.

Thinking of Mao Mao's pitiful, listless appearance, Commander Lou became even more uneasy.

She couldn't wait to get home and hold her precious daughter in her arms to comfort her.

"General, General?"

The adjutant reminded him in a low voice for the third time.

Lou Dashuai snapped out of his daze, and everyone in the conference room was staring at him, waiting for his reaction.

Commander Lou nodded sternly, "...Hmm." He casually called on a name, "What do you think?"

The person who was called on immediately continued the conversation from where they left off.

Lou Dashuai continued to drift off into his own world.

Mao Mao is sick and is lying in the hospital bed right now. She must really want her dad to be by her side.

He needs to finish his official business quickly today and be the first one home!