Chapter 287: Chapter 287: A Couple’s Homecoming

When the doctor came for his rounds, Lu Cheng had him remove the gauze from Jiang Peng’s hands.

As the gauze was unwound, the state of Jiang Peng’s injuries was revealed to everyone.

Both hands were still swollen like steamed buns, covered in a dense pattern of holes from the iron thorns. Though the wounds had scabbed over, the sight was still shocking.

Lu Cheng’s heart softened a little. "Wrap them back up. Let them heal for a few more days."

Jiang Peng, however, was reluctant. "Can we not? It’s so inconvenient to have them wrapped..."

Jiang Moli said coolly, "Do you want your hands to get infected, fester, and end up being amputated?"

Jiang Peng jumped in fright and obediently went to find a nurse to have his hands re-bandaged.

Two days passed in a flash.

Early this morning, the First Company’s Captain, Zhao Hongbing, came to the hospital room to report news about Zhang Jia Ming and Tang Yuan to Lu Cheng.

Before Zhao Hongbing could begin his report, Jiang Moli asked, "Is it good news or bad news?"

Zhao Hongbing replied, "It’s good news, ma’am!"

"Then wait a moment, I’ll go get Xiao Yue."

Zhao Hongbing couldn’t help but smile. "You’re always so thoughtful, ma’am. Tang Yuan has been missing for so long, his sister must be worried sick."

Lu Cheng stopped Jiang Moli as she was heading out. "You sit and rest. Xiao Peng, you go upstairs and get Tang Xiaoyue."

Although he and Tang Xiaoyue had been on bad terms the past few days, Jiang Peng understood the deep bond between her and her brother, Tang Yuan. He ran out without a second word.

Noticing the look of satisfaction in Lu Cheng’s eyes as he watched her brother leave, Jiang Moli realized her husband was testing Jiang Peng.

They hadn’t been oblivious to the little spat between Jiang Peng and Tang Xiaoyue these past couple of days.

’If Jiang Peng had refused to go get Tang Xiaoyue because of it, it would have proved he was petty and lacked good judgment.’

...

Dr. Gu’s leg was recovering well, and he could just about stand. Tang Xiaoyue was helping him with his rehabilitation exercises at the door of his room.

Seeing Jiang Peng run up, panting, both Dr. Gu and Tang Xiaoyue stopped what they were doing to look at him.

"Tang Xiaoyue, come downstairs with me! There’s news about your brother!"

Tang Xiaoyue was overjoyed and was about to go with Jiang Peng immediately, but then she remembered she still had to take care of Dr. Gu and paused.

Dr. Gu was very understanding. "It’s alright, Xiao Tang, you go ahead. I can manage a walk by myself holding onto the wall."

Only then did Tang Xiaoyue feel relieved enough to run downstairs with Jiang Peng.

"After Zhang Jia Ming and Tang Yuan got separated from the squad, they took shelter in a village. Unfortunately, the villagers mistook them for thieves and locked them up. It took our men some effort to find them. Luckily, they weren’t hurt, just starved for a few days. We’re negotiating terms with the villagers now and should be able to ransom them back soon."

Upon hearing that her brother was safe, Tang Xiaoyue was so overjoyed she started crying. She squatted on the ground on the spot and buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

Jiang Peng was puzzled. "Your brother isn’t dead. What are you crying for?"

Jiang Moli shot him a sideways glance, helped Tang Xiaoyue up, and used her handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

"It’s okay now. Your brother will be back soon."

Tang Xiaoyue nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Sister Moli! Thank you, Camp Commander Lu! Thank you, Captain Zhao!"

After a pause, she added to Jiang Peng, "Thank you, Soldier Jiang Peng."

That single "thank you" was enough to dispel the bit of dissatisfaction and awkwardness in Jiang Peng’s heart.

「Two days later」

Zhang Jia Ming and Tang Yuan returned safely to the base. The next day, Zhang Jia Ming came to the hospital to visit Lu Cheng.

He still had ten days left of his previous leave, and with the seven days of special leave granted by the organization this time, he was preparing to go home to visit his parents and spend the New Year with them.

Lu Cheng was satisfied with Zhang Jia Ming’s performance on this mission.

"When you get back from your leave, come back to the camp. I’m short a platoon leader."

Zhang Jia Ming could hardly believe his ears. He stared blankly at Lu Cheng, speechless.

"What, you don’t want to?"

Zhang Jia Ming instantly stood ramrod straight. "I’m willing! Thank you for your support and guidance, Camp Commander Lu! I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties and will never fail to live up to your expectations!"

Lu Cheng pointed at him from a distance. "Next time you get married, choose more wisely."

Zhang Jia Ming nodded emphatically. "Yes, sir!"

Walking out of the inpatient building, Zhang Jia Ming looked up at the clear sky. His eyes slowly reddened, but the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled upwards.

The clouds had parted to reveal the sun. His time to shine had finally come.

...

After about ten days of recuperation, the injuries on Jiang Peng’s hands finally healed.

Once the gauze was off, he prepared to report back to the base and apply for leave to visit his family.

Jiang Moli saw him off at his discharge. "Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Xiao Yue? After all, she took care of you while you were hospitalized. I don’t care what unpleasantness happened between you two, but a man needs to be magnanimous and broad-minded, not haggle over every little thing."

After getting an earful from Jiang Moli, Jiang Peng dejectedly went up to the third floor.

Dr. Gu was recovering well and could already walk on his own. This left Tang Xiaoyue with a lot of free time, so she was sitting in the hallway reading a book.

"What are you reading?"

Looking up and seeing Jiang Peng, Tang Xiaoyue froze for a moment.

"What are you doing up here?"

"I’m heading back to the base. Just came to let you know."

With that, he turned and left.

Tang Xiaoyue stared at his back for a moment, then suddenly called out, "Jiang Peng."

Jiang Peng turned to look at her. "What is it?"

Tang Xiaoyue put down her book and walked over to him.

"I recently traded for some fine cotton cloth. I was planning to make a couple of undershirts for my brother, and I’ll have some fabric left over. Are you short of anything?"

"I’m short a pair of boxers. You can make them for me."

Seeing that he was just teasing, Tang Xiaoyue couldn’t help but get annoyed. "Just one pair? Is that enough for you?"

"Enough. I’ll wear them right side out for three days, inside out for three days, then wash and dry them on the weekend."

Tang Xiaoyue was stunned, then immediately burst out laughing with a "PFFT."

Jiang Peng watched her. "What’s so funny? But, you know, you look pretty good when you laugh."

That last sentence made Tang Xiaoyue blush and dispelled her annoyance.

"Alright, I’ll give them to you when they’re done."

"Remember to make them a little bigger. I have a big butt!"

Tossing out that line, Jiang Peng left.

Tang Xiaoyue watched his tall, lean, and straight back, unable to stop the smile on her face.

Besides being amused by Jiang Peng, another feeling was blossoming in her heart.

As for Jiang Peng, he mulled over Tang Xiaoyue’s intentions as he walked.

’She’s willing to make me boxers, so she must like me, right?’

’Whatever. She’s already making me boxers, is she going to marry someone else?’

’Heh heh, I’ve got a wife now!’

「A week later」

Lu Cheng’s gunshot wound had mostly healed, and he was cleared for discharge. The couple went straight to Kun City. After meeting up with Jiang Peng there, they took a train back to Rongcheng together.

It was already the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, and a light snow had fallen in Rongcheng the day before.

Although the snow hadn’t stuck, the temperature had dropped below freezing. Combined with Rongcheng’s damp and overcast climate, the cold seemed to seep right into your bones.

Lu Cheng, Jiang Moli, and Jiang Peng were all bundled up in thick military greatcoats.

Outside on the platform, the crowd waiting to pick people up was fully armed with cotton-padded hats, jackets, and pants. They were huddled with their necks drawn in, their faces barely visible.

But Lu Cheng, with his sharp intuition, immediately spotted Lu Deyao and An Hui in the crowd.

He quickened his pace and walked up to them.

Seeing the new gray hairs at the old couple’s temples, his eyes grew hot with emotion. He solemnly gave them a military salute.

"Dad, Mom, I’m back. I’m sorry for making you worry."

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