To be honest, Jiang Wanqing wasn't particularly attached to the wedding, especially since their marriage wasn't based on love. But since he brought it up, she couldn't go against the wishes of a seriously injured patient.
Furthermore, having a decent wedding can shut up some gossips, which is quite nice.
She hummed in agreement and then encouraged him, "Then you'd better get better soon."
"Okay." Cheng Ran held her hand tightly, unwilling to let go, and changed the subject, "Do you want to take a nap?"
"But you..."
"I'm fine now. I'll wake you up if anything happens. Sleep soundly."
It was indeed very late, and it was pitch black outside. Jiang Wanqing was forcing herself to stay awake, but after he said that, she actually felt a little sleepy.
Just as she was about to pull her hand away, he tightened his grip. Cheng Ran turned his head to indicate that there was still room on the bed: "You can sleep here... so it's easier for you to take care of me."
"Uh... that's not very convenient, I'd rather just sit and take a nap."
"You live far away from me. How am I supposed to wake you up if I feel unwell?"
His eyes held no ill intent; he was simply making the suggestion for the convenience of both of them. Jiang Wanqing was momentarily stunned, and after hesitating for a few seconds, she agreed.
Special circumstances require special measures; being hesitant or indecisive would only make things worse. Instead of taking the half of the bed he had vacated, she chose to sit in a chair and sleep on the edge of the bed.
She was so tired that she told herself not to sleep too deeply, but she soon fell into a deep sleep.
The ward fell silent. Cheng Ran still felt some discomfort in his lower abdomen, so he closed his eyes to calm himself down...
Her hair fell onto his hands, and her soft hand was still in his palm—that was enough.
Late at night, in a compound in Beijing—
The lights were still on in the Cheng family home, and a tall, upright figure paced back and forth inside, hands behind his back.
Cheng's mother slapped the table: "Oh dear, Mr. Cheng, can you please stop walking? You're getting on my nerves. Didn't you say on the phone today that our son is out of danger? That's already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."
"You make it sound so easy; we don't know the specifics yet!"
"Cheng Ran must have specifically asked people not to notify us, so let's not cause him any trouble. I heard from his superiors that his new wife is taking good care of him without any complaints. It seems that the older generation still has good judgment."
Mr. Cheng was probably tired from pacing, so he plopped down in front of his wife, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down without even tasting it; he just used it to quench his thirst.
"Speaking of this, do you remember that anonymous letter from more than two weeks ago? If it weren't for that letter, I wouldn't have been able to apply to the higher-ups in time..."
"Yes, haven't they found out who wrote the letter yet?"
Mr. Cheng shook his head. He was very grateful to the person who wrote the letter, but he was uneasy because he did not know the person's identity or background.
"Could it be Cheng Ran's comrade-in-arms? Aren't their superiors trying to keep him out of danger?"
"It's not something they should be discussing if we talk too much," Mr. Cheng waved his hand.
"Stop talking, we'll find out the truth eventually."
...
Jiang Wanqing had been cared for in the hospital for several days and had lost a lot of weight. Cheng Ran specially asked Hong Xing to buy her some tonics and some nourishing soup.
Before it could even reach Jiang Wanqing, it ran into Qiao Xuemei.
"Stop!" she commanded Hong Xing, glancing at the things in his hands: "These are all for Battalion Commander Cheng, right?"
"What's it to you?" Hung Hing ignored her and walked straight ahead.
Qiao Xuemei ran two steps to catch up with him and blocked his way.
"I'll deliver it. I need to check on Battalion Commander Cheng's injuries anyway, so you can leave it to me."
As she spoke, she reached for the thing in his hand, but Hung Hing, who didn't want to give it to her, stepped aside.
"I can deliver it myself."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a soldier came running over in a hurry.
"Guard Hong, the higher-ups have called you back; they need to speak with you."
Cheng Ran is not currently in the military region, so there are some things that need to be relayed through him.
"I already told you I'd deliver it for you, so go and take care of your business!"
Seizing the opportunity, Qiao Xuemei took the things and walked towards Cheng Ran's ward.
Hong Xing hesitated for a moment, thinking that it would be the same to deliver the goods to Battalion Commander Cheng, so he followed the soldier back.
Pushing open the ward door, Qiao Xuemei was overjoyed to finally be away from the annoying Jiang Wanqing, which made it easier for her to be alone with Cheng Ran.
Hearing the door open, Cheng Ran subconsciously thought Jiang Wanqing had returned, but when he turned around he saw someone else, and the smile on his face disappeared before it could even appear.
"Why is it you? Didn't I ask for a different doctor?"
He heard from Hong Xing that Qiao Xuemei had caused Jiang Wanqing a lot of trouble at the hospital, so he specially applied to change the attending physician.
Because of this incident, Qiao Xuemei's hatred for Jiang Wanqing intensified.
She chuckled awkwardly and adjusted the things in her hands.
"I ran into Hung Hing on the way, so I helped him bring his things over and also checked on your injuries to see how they were healing, Battalion Commander Cheng... Even as an ordinary comrade-in-arms, I have the right to visit you, don't I?"
Since she said that, Cheng Ran didn't want to give a harsh reply, so he chose to remain silent and close his eyes for a nap.
Despite being treated coldly, she did not leave, but instead sat down by the bed.
"Actually... there's something else I want to tell you, but I'm afraid it will upset you, so..."
"If you were afraid of upsetting me, you would have kept it to yourself forever. But since you've brought it up, you didn't intend to stay silent. Don't try to play tricks on me!"
The two could maintain a semblance of peace, but Qiao Xuemei repeatedly crossed his bottom line, especially after he married Jiang Wanqing.
She bit her lip, feeling truly uncomfortable being said such hurtful things by her beloved.
"I know you don't like me, but I don't want you to be deceived by that woman Jiang Wanqing. She's not a good woman at all! Before she married you, she was entangled with other men and stayed out all night. How can a woman like that be worthy of you!"
“Before she married me, she had the right to be with anyone,” Cheng Ran replied.
He answered almost without hesitation, a response that undoubtedly stabbed Qiao Xuemei in the heart once again! They had only been married for a short time, yet he could tolerate this?
"What if I said she wasn't clean for a long time!"
Qiao Xuemei had gone all out; once she spoke, there was no going back.
Fortunately, she noticed the change in Cheng Ran's expression. Sure enough, no husband would forget his wife's past. She calmed herself down and continued to embellish the story.
“You can ask anyone in her village about these things. You can say I wronged her, but you can’t say that the people she’s known since childhood wronged her, can you?”
"Oh? Dr. Qiao is so concerned about my matter; it seems he has done quite a bit of research."
Jiang Wanqing happened to return and overheard the conversation inside. Instead of being sad or angry, she confronted them head-on and came in.
"What...what nonsense are you spouting!"
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