Xu Xinghe felt the muscles under her fingertips tighten and immediately tried to pull her hand back. Actually, she was just joking and didn't intend to really touch him, but she didn't expect to actually touch him...
She looked up and saw that Jiang Linchuan's eyes were moist, as if the sudden touch had made his eyes red.
Xu Xinghe was genuinely scared this time, and pulled her hand back as if she had been burned. "I... I was just teasing you. I didn't mean to touch you. It was an accident just now."
She said that, but her gaze never left him.
The main problem is that Jiang Linchuan, such a tough and handsome man who remains calm even on the battlefield, is actually so innocent. Just touching his abs has turned him into this.
His tightly pursed lips and red-rimmed eyes created a strange contrast with his appearance and demeanor, yet somehow exuded an alluring charm.
At that moment, Xu Xinghe's heart seemed to skip a beat.
She belatedly looked away, coughing slightly awkwardly, "I'm sorry, don't be angry."
Jiang Linchuan didn't actually cry; it was just that it was the first time his beloved woman had touched him like that, and the stimulation from the intimate contact left him momentarily at a loss.
His usual coldness and toughness vanished at this moment, and his body reacted much faster than his reason.
Jiang Linchuan pursed his lips, offering no explanation; this was simply too embarrassing!
He simply closed his eyes, his voice muffled, "I'm not blaming you. I need to rest. You can go back now."
He paused, then added, afraid that Xu Xinghe would be angry, "Go back and light a fire once, at least to warm the house. Otherwise, if you don't light a fire for a long time, the chimney might freeze up."
Hearing his slightly stiff tone, Xu Xinghe knew he was embarrassed, and couldn't help but smile.
How can he be so cute?
If outsiders knew that he, known as the Living Yama, could actually make such an expression, they would probably be so shocked that their jaws would drop.
"Okay, I understand. I'll go back now. You get some rest and I'll come back to see you after I've finished lighting the fire."
After saying that, Xu Xinghe got up to leave.
Jiang Linchuan then realized that she didn't know how to start a fire at all. "Go find Lieutenant Wang and ask him to help you."
"good."
Hearing the door close, Jiang Linchuan finally opened his eyes. He felt his face was very hot, so hot that his head was a little dizzy.
After a long while, he finally sighed.
He was really... so embarrassing just now!
Three hours later, Xu Xinghe returned, bringing dinner with him.
She fed Jiang Linchuan porridge spoonful by spoonful.
His eyes were lowered, and his ears were still flushed again.
Every time the spoon was brought to his mouth, he only dared to open his mouth quickly, not daring to look Xu Xinghe in the eye.
Xu Xinghe cleared away the dishes and asked, "How are you feeling now? Is your back still hurting badly? Do you need me to get you a painkiller?"
Jiang Linchuan gave a muffled "hmm." Actually, the pain from his wound had lessened considerably and was completely within his tolerance. But being cared for so closely by her made him feel awkward again, a bit embarrassed by what had happened during the day. He felt uncomfortable all over.
After taking the painkiller, Jiang Linchuan finally uttered a complete sentence, "Go home and stay tonight."
Xu Xinghe was taken aback. "Why?"
“My injuries aren’t that serious, I don’t need anyone to keep watch over me.” Jiang Linchuan avoided her gaze and looked towards the corridor outside the door. “Besides, I’m already awake. It’s not good if word gets out that you’re always keeping watch here alone.”
He was actually more afraid of losing his composure like he had during the day.
"It's okay, I don't care." Xu Xinghe smiled, showing no intention of leaving. "There are too many people around here, and I don't trust anyone else to take care of you."
Moreover, there's that wicked Wang Zhizhi around; who knows what she might do?
Every time Xu Xinghe went to get food, he would specifically ask soldiers to guard the door, just to prevent what happened last time from happening again.
Jiang Linchuan wanted to say something, but when he met Xu Xinghe's eyes, he swallowed the words back.
He had long understood that once Xu Xinghe had made up her mind, there was no point in trying to persuade her.
If you don't let her do it, she'll resort to threats.
"Okay, then...get some rest."
It's late at night.
The ward was quiet.
All that could be heard was their steady breathing.
Jiang Linchuan lay on his side, his back to Xu Xinghe, the scenes from the daytime kept flashing through his mind, and his heart was pounding uncontrollably.
He just kept his eyes open, listening to the even breathing behind him.
It wasn't until the first light of dawn appeared outside the window that I finally succumbed to sleepiness and drifted off to rest.
The following month.
Xu Xinghe stayed by Jiang Linchuan's side at the hospital, taking care of him every step of the way.
Jiang Linchuan's health also began to improve day by day. He went from being bedridden to slowly sitting up, and then to being able to get out of bed and walk a few steps while holding onto the wall.
The dean examined his injuries one last time. "The recovery is better than expected. Apart from the superficial wounds, there are several broken ribs. It's a miracle that he has recovered like this in just one month. Comrade Xu, the medicine you provided has been very helpful, but the greatest credit goes to your meticulous care."
After saying that, he looked at Jiang Linchuan with admiration in his eyes, "Commander Jiang, you've found a good girl. You'll be living a good life from now on."
Jiang Linchuan looked directly at the dean, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Mm."
He will no longer deny it.
Xu Xinghe is the best.
The dean was even more gratified to see him smile like that one day.
He had always thought Jiang Linchuan was perfect in every way, except that he was too cold and aloof. Now it seemed that wasn't the case; rather, he lacked something—humanity.
He has it now.
The hospital director waved his hand, "Alright, you can be discharged now. Just go home and rest. Don't rush into training. It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. Your ribs need more time to heal."
Xu Xinghe carefully noted down all the precautions and began packing her things.
Before they could finish packing, Political Commissar Wang arrived with his men.
Many people came to help Jiang Linchuan after learning that he was being discharged from the hospital today.
The ward was filled with lively noise for a while.
The group exchanged pleasantries and left the ward.
The view outside was breathtaking.
It was already late November, and the real winter had arrived. Fine snowflakes drifted in the sky, and the earth and rooftops were covered with a thick layer of snow, a vast expanse of white.
If it weren't for someone shoveling snow every day, she wouldn't even be able to tell where the road is.
The bare branches were covered with frost, which shimmered in the sunlight; it was formed from the condensation of smoke rising from the cooking fires of every household.
The whole world was quiet and pure, as if it had been washed by ice and snow.
Even though she had been seeing this scene frequently lately, Xu Xinghe still couldn't help but take a few more glances.
There's no way around it; kids from the south can never resist the feeling of snow.
"It's really cold today, and the snow is getting heavier and heavier," a soldier said, pulling his overcoat tighter around himself.
Xu Xinghe walked beside Jiang Linchuan, keeping a close eye on him to prevent him from slipping. "Are you cold? Do you want to tighten your scarf?"
Jiang Linchuan shook his head. "It's not cold."
With her by my side, I don't feel cold at all.
Xu Xinghe didn't force the issue and continued to maintain a certain distance.
Political Commissar Wang earnestly instructed, "Take good care of yourself after you get home, and don't push yourself too hard."
The others also spoke up.
"Yes, Commander Jiang, please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help."
"Commander Jiang, please don't worry. Lieutenant Zhao is in charge of the training, so I guarantee there won't be any problems."
The group saw them off to the entrance of the courtyard before leaving one by one.
Xu Xinghe strode forward and pushed open the familiar door. "Come in quickly."
A fireplace had already been lit inside, and the warmth instantly enveloped the two of them.
Xu Xinghe turned her head to look at Jiang Linchuan, her gaze gentle, the corners of her mouth curving up to reveal two shallow dimples, brimming with warmth, "Welcome home."
Her voice was as soft as a feather, and every word was filled with tender affection.
Jiang Linchuan looked at her and felt that at this moment, all the beauty in the world was gathered in her smile.
He nodded. "Yes, I'm back."
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