First watch.

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Both legs were plastered and suspended, making the upper body appear especially small. The face was gaunt and dark, almost unrecognizable from its original look...

Looking at Liu Lianbao, who was still in a state of unconsciousness, Zhao Qihui bit her lower lip tightly to prevent herself from crying. She couldn’t connect this pitiable man with the confident and strong man he used to be.

Sighing, Chuxia exchanged a glance with Secretary Li, who was accompanying them, and quietly left the room.

Accompanying him were several other soldiers who were gravely injured and required treatment at the rear, as the Wife of Zhou Mikang, she should go and see them.

It was at this moment that Chuxia truly felt the cruelty of war.

By comparison, Liu Lianbao’s injuries were relatively minor. There was a soldier whose left arm had been blown off and left eye was blind, and the key point was that he was only nineteen years old...

"Secretary Li, if there’s anything you need help with, please let me know." After making her rounds, Chuxia turned to Li Lifeng, who had been silently following her, "My classmates and I haven’t completed our training yet, but we can manage basic care."

"The families of several soldiers have already been informed and should arrive within the next couple of days, and..." Secretary Li sighed, "Even if their families can’t make it, the leaders will ensure the hospital provides special care for them..." She paused and added, "They’re using their lives to secure the peace of civilians; giving them special care is only right."

Chuxia nodded in agreement, "Yes, they deserve the highest level of care," but she didn’t mention any specific assistance further. The idea she expressed earlier was genuine, but there were limitations to what she could do.

Importantly, the state would certainly provide the best care for these individuals, so there was no need for her to interfere heedlessly.

She was not the type to seek attention or take on responsibilities needlessly. Worrying about her friends was due to the bonds they shared; otherwise, she couldn’t be bothered.

Back in Liu Lianbao’s ward, Zhao Qihui had calmed down and was carefully wiping Liu Lianbao’s hands, face, and arms with a warm towel.

Hearing a sound, she looked up and turned to smile at Chuxia, "When you go back to fetch toiletries, I’d like to ask you for a razor. He already looks older, and if his beard grows out, people might mistake him for my elder instead."

"Sure." Chuxia nodded and agreed, not saying much more.

...

At night, Chuxia had just hung up from a call with Zhou Mikang when Zhao Yulan came in.

"Mom, are you worried about Sister Qihui?" Glancing at her mother’s expression, Chuxia knew what she was thinking, "Don’t worry, I told her the truth after knowing her intentions."

"Ah..." Zhao Yulan sighed, "In my heart, I’m grateful to Commander Liu, but this is a lifetime decision. Now that it’s settled, why does my heart feel so uneasy?"

"Why are you worried? From Commander Liu’s character, he seems easy to get along with. Furthermore, he chose Sister Qihui first, so he’ll certainly treat her well after they’re married.

If you’re concerned about their cultural differences, there’s no need. Once his injuries heal, Commander Liu will attend GF University, which Zhou Mikang just mentioned to me. Now you can be at ease, right?"

"Really?" Zhao Yulan looked at her daughter with joy, "Did Xiaomi say Commander Liu will also attend university?"

"Yes, and he will be attending a university that’s not accessible to just anyone. After graduating, the future looks promising, and Sister Qihui will definitely not be wronged by marrying him."

Zhao Yulan clapped her hands happily, "That’s truly wonderful! Tomorrow I’ll call your eldest uncle and aunt about this, to save them from constantly worrying about Sister Qihui’s marriage. Now everything is good, and there’s no worry about gossip anymore. Finding such a son-in-law, who dares to say Qihui is settling because she couldn’t find something better?"

"Right, Commander Liu’s leg won’t be crippled, will it?" After the excitement, Zhao Yulan considered this critical issue, looking at her daughter anxiously.

Rather than answering directly, Chuxia asked in return, "Mom, do you think if Commander Liu is crippled, Sister Qihui will be disgraced by marrying him?"

"Of course not..." Zhao Yulan paused, sighed, "I think if that happens, Sister Qihui will be really tired, not that I’m shallow. Imagine, a healthy person suddenly becomes crippled, how can they accept this mentally?

No matter if he liked Qihui beforehand, if he feels unworthy afterward, his mindset will certainly change. Qihui is stubborn; once she decides, she’ll marry Commander Liu.

But such a marriage means difficulties. Initially, Commander Liu may appreciate your sister’s willingness to be with him, but over time he might become irritable and suspicious.

If they endure, they can have a happy life together. If not, they might end up breaking up, and regardless of the reason, your sister will be the one blamed."

"I asked the doctor, as long as the treatment is followed, this possibility shouldn’t occur. Of course, the doctor wasn’t absolute, but there is still a sixty percent chance.

Even if what you said really happens, it’s beyond our control. At the very least, they like each other now, and we can’t just kill this relationship in the cradle because of this possibility, right?

Moreover, if Sister Qihui doesn’t give Commander Liu hope at this time, the possibility of him fully recovering is even lower. It is because of this that Zhou Mikang asked me to persuade Sister Qihui to take care of Commander Liu as much as possible.

What he means is that, regardless of how the two of them end up in the future, getting through the current hurdle is the most important thing. This is not just for Commander Liu but also for Brother Qiliang’s mental burden.

Initially, I didn’t want to tell Sister Qihui that Commander Liu was injured saving Brother Qiliang, but after I understood her feelings for Commander Liu, I thought it was better to tell her.

This way, she won’t feel awkward and embarrassed to interact with Commander Liu or feel like everyone is forcing her. Doing something willingly and being forced to do something puts you in different states, and naturally, the one being cared for also feels differently.

Since our goal is to help Commander Liu recover better, why not push forward a little more under the given circumstances?"

"Alright, mom can’t out-talk you, and you understand, mom isn’t biased toward your sister to think recklessly like this. Mom just doesn’t want them to struggle in the future, but this matter really isn’t one that can be solved just by worrying. Forget it, I won’t dwell on it anymore. I’ll go talk to your dad, he’s been worried too."

Chuxia joked with a smile, "Dad will definitely understand better than you think."

"That’s not necessarily true." Zhao Yulan muttered as she left her daughter’s room.

However, facts proved that Chuxia really did understand her own father. Lin Baohe, after hearing Zhao Yulan explain the whole story, immediately relaxed his expression and explicitly expressed his full support for his daughter’s approach.

Zhao Yulan: "..." She just knew that when it comes to their daughter’s matters, there’s nothing her husband wouldn’t support! But afterwards, thinking about it, she also felt her daughter and husband made sense, so she didn’t get tangled up in the matter anymore.

...

Pain! Heart-wrenching pain!

After waking up, besides this sensation, Liu Lianbao felt nothing else. It took him a long moment to adjust to the light before his eyes, and the first thing he saw was that face he yearned for day and night.

Blinking his eyes, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He wanted to pinch himself, but found he had no strength in his hand.

"Where do you feel uncomfortable?" Zhao Qihui, looking at the man whose eyes showed helplessness, asked worriedly, her heart inexplicably softening. Ever since she knew this man, he had always displayed strength and toughness. Now, seeing him slightly vulnerable made her heart ache.

"Huihui..." After finally managing to say those two words, Liu Lianbao immediately felt a sense of reality and happiness. Whether in a dream or in reality, being able to see her as soon as he opened his eyes was the most wonderful thing!

Zhao Qihui nodded, "Yes, it’s me. If there’s any discomfort, just tell me, and I’ll get the on-duty doctor."

Only then did Liu Lianbao’s soul feel settled as he recalled his current situation.

"Is this Beijing 301?"

"Yes..." Zhao Qihui nodded, then added, "Don’t worry, your family has already been notified. Your uncle and aunt might not be able to come until tomorrow or the day after."

The smile on Liu Lianbao’s face gradually faded as he looked at Zhao Qihui with a slight sense of loss, "When they arrive, will you leave?"

After a brief hesitation, Zhao Qihui looked at him resolutely, "If you don’t want me to leave, I won’t leave."

"Really?" Liu Lianbao’s eyes immediately lit up, and his expression was as joyful as a child’s.

Zhao Qihui nodded firmly, "Of course it’s true. How could I lie to you about something like this?"

"That’s great!" Liu Lianbao beamed as he looked at her, "I mentioned you in my letters to my parents. They were really happy to hear about you and have been longing to meet you. Now they can finally meet you. I’m telling you, they’ll surely like you a lot, and you’ll like them too. They’re very kind and easygoing people..."

As he continued, his pace slowed, and Zhao Qihui quickly interrupted him, "Alright, alright, no more talking. I know everything you said. Rest well, and don’t overthink."

"I’m not overthinking..." After a moment’s pause, Liu Lianbao sighed, "Huihui, are you doing this for me because of your brother?"

Zhao Qihui helplessly replied, "You saved my brother, so of course, I am very grateful. However, even if you hadn’t saved my brother, at this time, I would still take care of you."

Liu Lianbao’s expression turned slightly gloomy, "So, it’s really because of that reason that you’re so good to me..." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommend votes, monthly votes, Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)