Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Zhao Mingchuan returned to the ward empty-handed.
Chu Ning was surprised: “That quickly?”
The young nurse saw him enter. “Bed 13’s family member, hand me the medicine.”
Chu Ning looked down, saw his empty hands, and asked, “Where’s the medicine?”
“It was robbed.”
“Huh?”
“Robbery on the way, understand?”
Chu Ning scoffed, “What nonsense are you talking about now?”
Zhao Mingchuan didn’t explain, standing with a strange, sarcastic expression. Chu Ning suddenly found it amusing, lowered her brows, and asked him, “I gave Zhao Xi’s number to you last time. Have you two contacted each other?”
Zhao Mingchuan replied stiffly with two words: “No.”
Chu Ning chuckled at that. “Is it ‘no,’ or is it that she’s ignoring you?”
“Don’t you know how to give people a break since you were little?” Zhao Mingchuan was annoyed, his tone fierce.
Chu Ning’s eyes curved into a smile. “You really know me.”
Zhao Mingchuan said nothing more.
“Hey, is she really ignoring you?”
“Yeah.”
Chu Ning was silent for two seconds, quite interested. “How did you two break up back then?”
This past relationship was Zhao Mingchuan’s unspoken sore spot. In the past, whoever mentioned it would face his wrath.
How did they break up?
It was ruined by his own foolishness.
He was young then, with a profligate attitude, money in his pocket, connections behind him, always surrounded by people calling him Young Master Zhao. Truly dashing and enjoying life.
At that time, Zhao Xi was the star student of the Spanish department, exceptionally talented and elegant, also low-key, polite to everyone. Rare, a beautiful and graceful girl.
Zhao Mingchuan was genuinely smitten with her at first sight.
As his brothers at the time described it, he was like a madman.
Irresistibly obsessed!
But she didn’t care for him. Zhao Xi’s words when rejecting Zhao Mingchuan sent shockwaves through the entire Spanish department.
“I know you’re very rich, but I’m also very rich. You say you like me, well, thank you. But I have no obligation to be responsible for you. Oh, maybe someone else will be responsible for you, but it definitely won’t be me.”
Zhao Mingchuan didn’t feel humiliated; instead, he found it even more exciting.
Later, the two got together and were passionately in love for a long time. Zhao Mingchuan spoiled women, and he did so flamboyantly and arrogantly. Even after many years, if Zhao Xi were asked now,
She would still admit that they had a very beautiful love.
At that time, Zhao Mingchuan was very young, like the blazing summer sun high overhead at noon, capable of giving you warmth and also making you feel overwhelmingly hot. He still carried a hint of his playboy nature in his bones; to put it nobly, it was his nature; to put it crudely, it was a bad habit.
Zhao Mingchuan had many wild friends, and when they played, they never cared about tomorrow.
These two, one hot and one cold, were bound to clash.
Zhao Mingchuan was used to being thick-skinned; every time he would coax her, act like a rogue, and sweep Zhao Xi’s displeasure under the rug. After enduring it repeatedly, Zhao Xi decided she couldn’t take it anymore.
She wasn’t like most young couples who fight, quarrel and cry when they’re angry, or even run away from home, only to return to a sweet, loving reconciliation.
She was different.
When she said she couldn’t endure it, she would simply and decisively say goodbye.
Calmly, blandly, one sentence: “Zhao Mingchuan, let’s break up.”
That night, Young Master Zhao hadn’t sobered up yet, vaguely thinking he was dreaming.
Zhao Xi said, “You’re too much of a player. I tried to integrate into your life, but I’m sorry, I can’t.”
This girl was brilliant; even when it was the other person’s fault, she could put the reason on herself, saving the man’s face. She was clear-headed. With Zhao Mingchuan’s temperament now, the two of them wouldn’t walk the same path.
Better a short pain than a long one.
Break up.
Who hasn’t done something foolish or made mistakes in their youth?
The fall Zhao Mingchuan took with Zhao Xi taught him that some mistakes cannot be forgiven just by admitting them.
They were in love for five years.
He never said he had loved.
Because even now, he still loves her.
Zhao Mingchuan spoke of these things calmly, yet his heart was already seared by volcanic magma. He glanced at Chu Ning, then suddenly curled his lips: “Speechless?”
Chu Ning cleared her throat, a bit unnaturally, “You’re... quite miserable too, aren’t you?”
Zhao Mingchuan rarely showed weakness, and he didn’t argue with her this time.
“Sister Xi is very strong inside,” Chu Ning sighed. “To be able to do something so decisively, it’s amazing.”
Then she sarcastically taunted: “Don’t think all women are docile little lambs. While you’re out carousing, they have to obediently wait at home for you to come to bed. You hit a wall, didn’t you? Tasted the bitter consequences, didn’t you? You deserved it!”
Zhao Mingchuan raised his hand to hit her. “Are you looking for trouble? Why are you taking it out on me?”
Chu Ning shrieked, “Nurse, I demand to change family members! My brother hit me!”
Zhao Mingchuan’s hand was about to poke her forehead again, when Chu Ning suddenly raised her voice: “Think before you act! Sister Xi is coming to see me soon!”
Zhao Mingchuan’s movement abruptly halted mid-air. He was stunned.
Chu Ning raised an eyebrow, as if she had someone backing her up: “I’m more capable than you. Sister Xi and I have already ‘colluded’.”
Zhao Mingchuan stiffened like a robot: “When?”
“You wouldn’t understand the feelings between women. When you were dating her, you even tried to get her to stay overnight at your house when your dad and my mom were traveling abroad.”
Zhao Mingchuan coughed twice, feeling guilty.
“Before she went abroad, I was always in touch with her. We reconnected when we ran into each other last time,” Chu Ning said. “She knows I’m injured and insisted on coming to see me. She should be here soon; it’s already been half an hour.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?!” Zhao Mingchuan suddenly burst out.
Chu Ning, emboldened by someone’s presence, raised her voice even more: “Go ahead and yell at me again!”
Zhao Mingchuan paused for three seconds. Then he suddenly reached out, “Hey, pull your blanket up properly, don’t catch a cold. Want some water? Is 39.8 degrees good? Tsk, the more I look, the more presentable you are. Oh, you have double eyelids? Never noticed before.”
Chu Ning: “...”
“Aren’t you going to change family members?” Zhao Mingchuan pointed to the door: “Look, here they come.”
Just then, there was a flurry of commotion at the doorway. Ying Jing rushed in, looking bewildered, carrying two boxes of vitamins.
A young nurse blocked him at the door. “Which bed? No entry to the emergency room.”
Ying Jing anxiously asked, “Which bed is Chu Ning in?”
As soon as he spoke, he found her himself.
When the two met, their eyes reddened.
Ying Jing knelt on the ground, not uttering a word, just quietly looking at her.
Chu Ning sniffled, forcing a smile. “You’re here? Come, lean closer. Let me see what’s different about a world champion?”
Ying Jing shook his head, suppressing a sob, and said hoarsely, “Nothing’s different. Still your boyfriend.”
Zhao Mingchuan, listening nearby, felt a pang of bitterness. He turned and left, not forgetting to mock as he went: “Are you filming an idol drama?”
He left, not wanting to be a third wheel.
Ying Jing turned his head in displeasure and said, “Your brother is difficult to get along with. He tricked me into believing you became a vegetable.”
Chu Ning found it amusing, “You actually believed such nonsense?”
“I rushed here right after the competition; I was just anxious. At the entrance, I happened to see a bleeding person being taken off an ambulance, yelling about losing breath and needing help. My mind just blanked out.”
Chu Ning smiled and then couldn’t smile anymore. She turned her head away, feeling unwell. All this suffering, ultimately, was because of her.
Ying Jing was unaware of her thoughts. Seeing her safe and sound, he was relieved. He leaned close to her ear and softly hummed, “Don’t worry, my arm is fine. It’s just that the blow was really solid, and the joint is a bit swollen.”
Chu Ning nodded, shifting her eyes back. Their gazes met.
Having faced life and death together, and narrowly escaping, this huge upheaval had miraculously transformed into peace. No words were needed; their understanding was stored in their hearts.
Ying Jing used his uninjured right hand to tightly grip Chu Ning’s uninjured left hand.
Their fingers intertwined, hidden under the blankets, allowing the warmth of their palms to intermingle.
“I can’t stay too long; there’s a press conference at the stadium,” Ying Jing said.
Chu Ning nodded, “Then hurry. Do you have a car?”
“Yes, it’s waiting outside.” Ying Jing brushed away the stray hairs on both sides of her face, then placed a kiss on her forehead: “Ning’er, I’ll take you back to Xingcheng tomorrow.”
“Hmm?”
“To formally meet my parents.”
Ying Jing couldn’t delay too long. After a brief meeting, he had to leave again.
Chu Ning watched his retreating figure disappear at the door, sighing with emotion. Her young boyfriend seemed to be getting busier and busier.
After observing overnight, Chu Ning was allowed to be discharged.
The next day, Ying Jing took her back to Xingcheng.
Both of them had injuries, making it inconvenient to drive, so they took the high-speed train. Upon exiting the station, Li Kun and Ying Chen were already waiting there.
“You didn’t tell me your sister and brother-in-law were coming to pick us up!” Chu Ning saw them from afar and became nervous.
Ying Jing squeezed her hand and asked, “Are you afraid of my sister?”
“No,” Chu Ning initially tried to be tough, but as they walked closer, she still felt nervous. She tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Your sister doesn’t like me very much.”
“Why?”
“We met before, and we had an argument because of you.”
How long ago was that? At that time, Ying Jing was still a naive, single-minded young man. At that time, Chu Ning was a money-driven person who had no time for romance. She was proud and always had her own rules for doing things.
Her meeting with Ying Chen was a strong confrontation, each with their own valid points. Who would have thought it would come to this today!
“My sister is a very good person. Just like you, tough on the outside, soft on the inside.”
Chu Ning thought about it carefully and said, “That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”
Ying Jing pulled her closer, half-leaning against her, lowered his head, and playfully whispered something in her ear.
Chu Ning instantly lost her temper and pinched his waist hard to show her displeasure.
Exiting the ticket gate, Li Kun was waiting at the front. Dressed in a black short jacket, no longer in military uniform, he looked sharp and had an exceptionally proper demeanor. Seeing them, he raised a hand.
Chu Ning greeted him, “Brother Li.”
Ying Jing: “Brother-in-law!”
Li Kun nodded in greeting, “Hello, Xiao Ning.”
“Where’s my sister?”
“Her belly’s big, she’s waiting in the car.”
The three chatted as they walked. By the car, it fell silent again for a moment. The person playing on her phone in the passenger seat was oblivious, completely unaware that her husband had returned. Li Kun opened the car door, frowning with a cold expression: “Are you secretly playing on your phone again?!”
Ying Chen was startled and almost dropped her phone. “No!”
Li Kun said nothing more, his thin lips pressed into a line. He extended his hand, his fingers wiggling.
Ying Chen hung her head dejectedly and honestly placed her phone in his palm.
Li Kun expressionlessly took it, looked at it, and directly uninstalled “JJ Landlord,” “Happy Mahjong,” and “Super Bull” from it.
The phone was returned as is.
Ying Chen snorted, not getting angry, and lowered her head, rubbing her round belly. She said earnestly, “Baby, did you remember? Bad guys look like this. When you meet bad guys, remember to call Officer Uncle for help!”
Li Kun chuckled, sat in the driver’s seat, his hand on the steering wheel, and turned his head, narrowing his eyes at her. “Call me for help? False alarm?”
Ying Jing and Chu Ning in the back seat struggled to suppress their laughter.
Ying Chen was annoyed, “They won’t even let me play Landlord, is there any justice left?”
“It’s not that I won’t let you, but you can hold your phone for a whole day without moving. Is that acceptable?” Li Kun fastened his seatbelt and tried to reason with her.
Ying Chen pouted, “Then I want to eat KFC later.”
Li Kun smirked.
“A pair of chicken wings.”
No response. Ying Chen gritted her teeth, “One chicken wing!”
Li Kun readily agreed: “Deal.”
Ying Chen sighed sadly, “They were perfectly happy flying together, and you just brutally tore them apart. Oh, how cruel!”
Her words lightened the mood.
Li Kun’s lips curved slightly upwards. Unable to resist, he freed his right hand, reached across the center console, and gently ruffled his wife’s hair, in an extremely intimate gesture.
Only then did Ying Chen turn her head, smiling sweetly: “Xiao Ning’er, don’t mind us. Our family likes to joke around.”
Chu Ning also smiled, “I won’t mind. Your relationship is so good.”
Ying Chen exclaimed, “We have no feelings!”
Hearing this, Li Kun’s eyes narrowed slightly, about to erupt, when Ying Chen suddenly leaned close to him, giggling: “We have love!”
Oh, delightful!
Ying Jing whispered in Chu Ning’s ear: “Not so nervous now, are you? Our family’s atmosphere has always been like this. You might not feel it deeply now, but you’ll experience it more as time goes on.”
With that, he quietly placed his hand on her back, his thumb scratching lightly.
Chu Ning’s heart stirred, and she suddenly understood that Ying Chen was actually worried about her being nervous, about her minding, about her overthinking. That’s why she said lighthearted things. Without needing to be stated, her thoughtfulness for Chu Ning in every aspect was precious.
The car smoothly drove towards the Army Compound. Chu Ning watched the scenery outside the window, observing the stream of pedestrians, until the road widened, vehicles became fewer, and the number of sentries along the roadside increased.
She suddenly wasn’t so nervous anymore.
They arrived at the gate and got out of the car. Chu Ning was still startled. Outside the Ying family home, cars filled the area. The main gate was open, and people were constantly coming and going. Ying Jing took her hand, smirking playfully: “Don’t be nervous. There are many neighbors, relatives, and friends. They’re all here to see me.”
Just as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter erupted: “Oh!! The Old Ying family’s daughter-in-law is back!”
Aunts and other relatives stepped out one after another, their gazes benevolent.
Chu Ning was stunned. This scene made her feel flustered.
Ying Jing wouldn’t let her hide. He stood behind her, his chest against her back, and said, “They came to see me... and then, incidentally, to see you.”
Chu Ning: “...”
Embarrassment and indignation!
Google Sites
Report abuse