Witty Wife, Better Life-Chapter 593 - 583: A Compassionate Father’s Heart

Shen Yunfang felt she and Old Li had made things very clear, they had divided the family and the conflict was deep, whatever happened to Li Hongqi was of no concern to her and her husband.

However, she underestimated Old Li’s paternal love. The next morning, Old Li went to the hospital by himself, said nothing, just pulled up a stool and sat down beside the ward.

Shen Yunfang was upset, but since her father-in-law hadn’t actually harmed her and her husband, she couldn’t lash out. She had to hold back, "Dad, why did you come by yourself? Where is big brother?"

"The round-trip bus fare is quite expensive, so I didn’t let him come. I can manage by myself." Although Old Li had some issues with his daughter-in-law now, he couldn’t ignore her greeting since she had taken the initiative to speak to him.

Shen Yunfang glanced at Old Li, who was looking down, then at the expressionless Li Hongjun, and could only ask again, "Dad, did you have other things to do when you came today?"

"No, nothing. I just came to see Hongjun and the children. I got so caught up in talking yesterday that I didn’t even see the kids," said Old Li, who had the excuse already prepared.

Shen Yunfang rolled her eyes at Li Hongjun. It was like they say, an old son and grandson are the heartstrings of an old lady; in her family, these three men who were not the focal point were deservedly ignored right in front of the old man.

But Old Li’s reason was to see his son and grandchildren; no one could argue with that. So Shen Yunfang stopped bothering. He could stay here and watch if he wanted.

That morning, when Shen Yunfang went to get breakfast, Old Li didn’t say anything and ate with them. When the nurse came to give Li Hongjun an IV and change his medication, Old Li peeped in, then shrank back onto his stool without moving.

Shen Yunfang went to fetch some hot water and soaked a towel, placing it on his hand that held the IV tube. This way, the fluid inside the IV became warmer when it reached the towel and was less cold entering Li Hongjun’s body, making him feel much more comfortable.

In the middle of this, Old Li felt the urge to smoke, so he went to the corridor to have a few cigarettes. He got into trouble with the stern-faced nurse and was shooed off to smoke in the stairwell.

At noon, Shen Yunfang still prepared meals for three. Despite his age, Old Li had quite the strong teeth.

After lunch, seeing Old Li dozing off, head nodding off, Shen Yunfang urged him to go home and rest. There was no need for so many people to attend to Li Hongjun. But Old Li refused to leave, insisting he wasn’t tired.

Eventually, Old Li lay down on the companion bed she had rented and fell into a deep sleep.

Around two in the afternoon, after helping Li Hongjun with the bathroom, Shen Yunfang went home to cook and pick up the kids. As for Old Li still at the hospital, he reassured her he could watch over Li Hongjun, telling her to go home without worries.

When Shen Yunfang left the ward, she sneered. Her father-in-law couldn’t wait for her to leave so he could complain to his son.

When she returned to the hospital with the kids after cooking, Old Li was still there.

This time, Shen Yunfang was clever. She set down her bags and pulled both kids up to Old Li.

"Come on, Pangpang and Manman, this is your grandpa. You haven’t met him since you’ve grown up, so talk to your grandpa," she said.

Little Pangpang’s eyes lit up at the mention of grandpa, and he cheerfully greeted him with his sister. Then he approached Old Li, asking, "Grandpa, where have you been? How come we’ve never seen you before?"

"Grandpa, do you not like us? Other kids’ grandpas come to see their grandkids. Why don’t you come to see me and my sister?"

"Grandpa, are you part of the same family as that grandma? Do you know she’s very bad?"

"That grandma came to our house, hit my mom, and scolded her like she was crazy, do you know that?"

Old Li was utterly embarrassed by the children’s questions and didn’t know what to say.

Seeing his father in that state, Li Hongjun hurriedly called the children over, "Alright, stop bothering grandpa. Go wash your hands and eat."

With one sentence, he successfully got his father out of an awkward situation and also received a glare from his wife. He touched his nose, feeling a bit innocent. Being stuck in the middle like a sandwich biscuit was really not easy.

After dinner, Old Li didn’t continue to sit around. Instead, he told his son and then left with his hands behind his back.

After washing the dishes, Shen Yunfang asked, "After I left this afternoon, did your dad start complaining to you?"

Li Hongjun nodded, indeed he did complain. He brought up all the naughty things he did as a child and went over them again.

"Did he also say you should find connections to help out those few inside?"

Li Hongjun nodded again. The main idea was just that.

"Listen to me, you need to stand firm. You can’t intervene in matters that violate national laws, do you hear me?"

Li Hongjun continued nodding. Even if his wife hadn’t said it, he felt the same way. What could he, a mere soldier, do to influence the nation’s laws? Forget it.

Seeing Li Hongjun so obedient, Shen Yunfang nodded in satisfaction. Anyway, those few in the detention center would soon be sentenced. She figured that afterward, Old Li wouldn’t come to discuss these matters anymore.

In the days that followed, Old Li found a routine. Every day, taking advantage of when Shen Yunfang went home to cook and pick up the kids in the afternoon, he would come over and talk to Li Hongjun about this and that. The goal was to win over his son regarding those two matters. Then, when the time was right, he would take the bus back by himself. He mastered the timing to ensure he never ran into his daughter-in-law.

Shen Yunfang found this arrangement to be quite good. Since she didn’t see him, she wouldn’t get angry, and as for Li Hongjun, Old Li was his own father, so he should bear that burden.

At the end of July, another leader came to see Li Hongjun. Shen Yunfang happened to be at the hospital, so she took over the reception duties.

But she was only able to serve a cup of hot water before being asked to leave. Sigh, being a military wife might sound glorious, but in reality, she wasn’t welcomed anywhere.

Half an hour later, the leader left, and only then did Shen Yunfang enter the room to see Li Hongjun sitting there with a stern expression. By this time, Li Hongjun had recovered very well. The shadow in his mind had completely dissipated, meaning the hematoma in his brain had been absorbed. The wounds on his body were healing after a few days of anti-inflammatory injections, and he could already sit up in bed and go to the bathroom by himself.

"What happened?" she asked, noting his dazed appearance.

Only then did Li Hongjun come back to his senses and slowly said to his wife, "Wife, once I get better this time, I won’t have to go to the battlefield anymore. However, the organization has arranged for me to lead troops in Z Province. Because of the great merit I earned this time, they’ve promoted me out of turn to the rank of regimental commander."

Shen Yunfang’s mouth formed an ’O’ shape, surprised by this delightful news. She had not expected her man to become a regimental commander at the age of thirty.