Ning Yuan subconsciously clenched her fist: "What kind of aftereffects? Are they serious?"
Old Xu nodded, his expression grave: "The captain's body is naturally suited for martial arts. His flexibility, balance, jumping ability, and even pain tolerance and healing ability far surpass ours. But once the broken bones are reattached, the ruptured internal organs slowly heal, and the torn and stitched ligaments... they can never be exactly the same as before."
Ning Yuan's fingers trembled, spilling water from the glass: "Then, then... will he still go on missions like... like the dangerous ones before?"
Looking at her suddenly pale face, Old Xu waved his hand with a sigh—
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, there won't be any more missions with near-death experiences like before. The captain is almost thirty, and we're all getting on in years."
"A person's physical functions will always decline; how can they still be like a young man in his late teens or early twenties?"
"If we don't do it again, we might really be 'gloriously' killed, and what if that delays the mission?!"
Ning Yuan's eyes flashed for a moment, it was hard to tell whether it was relief or something else, she couldn't help but ask again to confirm: "Really... there won't be any more missions that are that dangerous?"
Old Xu nodded very firmly this time, his gaze serious.
“Besides assessing his physical condition, the superiors also considered that his identity had been exposed this time, meaning he was being watched by many people and was no longer suitable to perform this type of mission, so there would be new arrangements.”
"Although the captain's body is no longer suitable for the highest intensity of combat, he is quick-witted and has rich experience in fighting the enemy! He can continue to shine in a different way in the future, focusing on command and decision-making! He will most likely go back to study at the Foreign Affairs University or Tsinghua University."
Ning Yuan finally breathed a long sigh of relief, her tense nerves relaxed, and a huge sense of exhaustion instantly washed over her.
The thing I feared most seemed to finally be put down at this moment.
He wouldn't "sacrifice" himself so easily anymore, which gave her a sense of relief, like she had survived a catastrophe...
But the thought of the long-term suffering he might have to endure in the future is unbearable.
She looked down at her trembling fingers, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible—
"Then... will those aftereffects be very painful when I get older... on rainy days...?"
Old Xu glanced at the figure outside the window without making a sound, a barely perceptible smile flashing in the depths of his eyes.
But his face still showed worry: "Yes, although he received the best treatment abroad, the injury was too severe. He is most afraid of changes in the weather, which will cause him a lot of pain, and he may even have a short lifespan. Sister-in-law, you must take good care of our captain."
That's half true and half false.
If Ning Yuan were still as perceptive as usual, she would naturally have noticed that Lao Xu's words were strange, such as what he meant by "show more pity for our captain".
A bunch of rough men, they can't even figure out how to be a "green tea" (a manipulative woman).
But at this moment, her mind was in turmoil; was she destined for a short life?
How could he have died young?
He was perfectly fine when she died in his past life!
No, he was blind in one eye at that time and wasn't on a mission!! He wouldn't have been injured so badly!!
Did she change his fate?
Her fingers unconsciously gripped the cup, her face was pale, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions: "I understand."
His mind was filled with thoughts of the years to come, during which he might have to endure prolonged physical pain...
The body will become "useless," and life expectancy will be shortened...
...
At that moment, the door to the lounge was pushed open, and Rong Zhaonan walked in.
He had changed back into his own clothes, a neatly pressed white shirt that made his face look slightly pale, with a hint of fatigue between his brows.
When he saw Lao Xu, his brows immediately furrowed: "Lao Xu, what nonsense are you talking about here? I'm fine."
Old Xu immediately straightened his back, a perfectly measured look of regret on his face: "Captain! I... I just saw your wife was worried, so I couldn't help but say a few more words... I just... I was just worrying for no reason!"
"Um... I got the report, I need to send it up as soon as possible. The higher-ups are quite concerned about the captain's health, I'll be going now!"
He nodded quickly to Ning Yuan and hurriedly left the lounge, his steps somewhat rushed.
Only Ning Yuan and Rong Zhaonan remained in the room.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Rong Zhaonan looked at Ning Yuan calmly, his voice low and gentle: "Don't listen to Lao Xu's nonsense, I'm fine, it's just some old injuries, I'll be fine after some rest. Don't you have to go to the company? Go ahead, don't delay your business."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and coughed softly twice, his brow furrowing slightly as if he were uncomfortable.
His pale face was even more noticeable under the light.
Ning Yuan closed her eyes and said, "I'll take you back to your apartment."
He replied gently, "No need... I can just take a taxi home myself. It's not like I'll be keeping you from going to work... cough cough cough..."
Then he coughed a few more times. When he tried to appear refined and quiet, his red lips and white teeth made his complexion look even more translucent.
Ning Yuan sighed silently and said softly, "My mother taught me a few medicinal dishes before, which are helpful for conditioning the body. I'll find you a reliable traditional Chinese medicine doctor to take a look... We can't let Jiajia really be without a father."
Women don't actually dislike green tea; they just dislike the fact that the person serving it isn't doing it for them.
Although he was clumsy at being a green tea bitch, but...
Ning Yuan looked at the bag of medicine in his hand and sighed silently...
Let him continue with the tea.
She picked up her handbag and walked towards the door first, leaving behind only the words, "Let's go."
As Rong Zhaonan watched her slender back, his heart felt as if it were being soaked in warm water, carrying a slightly numb, bittersweet feeling.
The emotions surging deep in his eyes were almost uncontrollable. He suppressed all his turmoil and quickly followed.
Rong Zhaonan's upscale apartment is very close to Central, with a wide view and understated modern decor.
Ning Yuan didn't say anything more. She went straight to the telephone in the living room, picked up the receiver, and skillfully dialed a few numbers.
"Hello, is this Fu Kee? Send over some dried abalone, fish maw, conch slices, ginseng slices, astragalus... for making a good broth... Hmm, the best of everything."
"Chen's Chicken? Could you please send me a cleaned free-range hen?"
She spoke slowly and clearly, giving her instructions.
Rong Zhaonan stood to the side, watching her profile as she remained calm and focused.
She still cares about him, but she's not the same as she used to be.
If she hadn't shown weakness, she wouldn't have stayed with him...
Before long, the doorbell rang, and shop assistants from various stores arrived one after another carrying large and small bags of top-quality ingredients.
Ning Yuan checked the goods, paid for them after confirming that everything was correct, and then carried the items to the open kitchen.
Rong Zhaonan immediately followed and said gently, "I'll help."
Ning Yuan glanced at him, did not refuse, and pointed to the fish maw and conch slices in the sink: "Soak them, clean them, and cut the free-range chicken."
He immediately rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his muscular forearms, and began to carefully prepare the ingredients, just like he did back in the countryside.
Ning Yuan lit the fire.
The kitchen gradually filled with the unique aroma of dried ingredients, mixed with a hint of smoky flavor.
As the temperature around the stove slowly rose, fine beads of sweat appeared on Rong Zhaonan's forehead.
Ning Yuan blanched the prepared chicken, put it in a casserole dish, and added other ingredients.
She watched as the man beside her prepared the materials, his cheeks slightly flushed and sweat beading on his forehead. She spoke calmly, "Your complexion is much better, and you're not coughing as much anymore?"
Rong Zhaonan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately lowered his eyes and began to cough: "Cough cough... It's probably because it's so hot and stuffy here. I'll go take a shower."
Ning Yuan nodded: "Once you're done washing up, take your medicine and rest. The soup will be ready in a while; I'll leave as soon as I'm done."
Rong Zhaonan looked a little sullen, but still nodded obediently: "Okay, I know. I'll come see you and Xiao Jiajia tonight."
He turned and walked towards the bathroom, his back view carrying a barely perceptible sense of loss.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Ning Yuan looked at the slowly bubbling soup in the casserole, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and the phrase "not long-lived" kept swirling in her mind.
The sound of water stopped.
Rong Zhaonan came out of the bathroom, looked in the mirror for a while, and finally decided to change into a clean black thin shirt.
The soft black fabric made his face appear even whiter and his features softer.
After he got dressed, he walked to the full-length mirror in the bedroom and carefully dried his wet hair with a towel.
Looking at my face in the mirror, which had regained some color after my shower.
He frowned slightly and took out a new type of powder compact that Old Xu had secretly stuffed into a pile of medicine bottles from a medicine bag. This thing should make his face look pale and haggard again.
Just then, the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.
Rong Zhaonan picked up the receiver, listened for only a few seconds, and his originally gentle gaze instantly turned indifferent, even somewhat cold.
“Second Uncle.” His voice was low, carrying a businesslike detachment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
