Chapter 327: 313 Captain Jiang is flattered and surprised
"Ever since our Captain came back after his injury, he’s become ridiculously strict, treating us as if we’re made of iron."
"Not only that, but he doesn’t treat himself like a human either. Look, it’s raining and he’s still running in the rain."
The soldiers, panting, all stared at Jiang Jinghuai in the rain. In the dead of winter, he stood drenched, having long since taken off his uniform jacket. His upper body wore just a black tank top.
"Deputy Commander, at least go try to talk to him."
"It’s not like I haven’t tried. Every time I talk to him, he just targets me the next day. This is a wound in the Captain’s heart; only he can figure it out for himself." Fang Tongzhou sighed, deep in thought.
"What kind of wound in his heart?"
In truth, many only knew the outcome of that day, but not the process. Only a select few like Political Commissioner Lin had seen what truly happened. In such a situation, it’s hard to say who was right or wrong. Perhaps, aside from Shui Lian and Chen Biao, no one was truly at fault. Yet, undeniable cracks had formed.
The Captain—he’s punishing himself.
**
Tian Sangsang returned home with Meng Shuyan after picking him up from kindergarten. She shook out his schoolbag and placed the umbrella off to the side.
Meng Shuyan stamped his feet in the living room and looked out at the pouring rain. "Mom, it’s raining—did Dad bring an umbrella?" His voice was filled with genuine concern.
Tian Sangsang frowned, but when she saw her son’s worried expression, she remembered her promise to him earlier. Mimicking his worry, she said with a gentle sigh, "No, he didn’t. Mommy should go bring him an umbrella. Otherwise, Daddy won’t be able to come back."
Hearing this, Meng Shuyan’s face lit up with joy. Finally, his parents were getting along again. Mommy was even going to take the initiative to send Daddy an umbrella.
Just as Sangsang grabbed the umbrella and was about to leave, the door clicked open.
Jiang Jinghuai stepped inside, drenched head to toe, water dripping from his entire body. Even the jacket he held in his hands looked unbearably heavy with rain. His soaked black hair clung to his face, his deep eyes were unreadable, and his tightly pressed lips exuded a cold aloofness. Droplets of water slid down his chiseled, handsome face, each one betraying a hint of solitude beneath his wild, icy demeanor.
He looked like someone cast away—out of place in this home.
Meng Shuyan looked at his mother.
Feeling her son’s gaze, Tian Sangsang responded with a soft, tender smile. Her tone had a hint of playful reproach as she said, "Jiang Jinghuai, why did you get yourself soaked like this? Your injuries still haven’t healed—are you trying to kill yourself? Honestly, I leave you alone for one day, and you’re already misbehaving."
Jiang Jinghuai stood there, stunned, staring at her.
As she spoke, she took the jacket from his hands, twisting it to wring out the water. "Wow, this could easily turn into a little river. I’ll heat up some water for you. Hurry up and take a hot bath; otherwise, you’ll catch a cold."
She muttered on, taking his jacket to the bathroom. Then she went to the kitchen and came back with a kettle of hot water.
Coming in from the rain, Jiang Jinghuai’s throat felt as if it were on fire, raw and burning. Normally, upon returning home, he would brace himself for her distant, indifferent gaze or her biting sarcasm. Yet, this sudden display of care left him overwhelmed, fumbling awkwardly.
His eyes grew warm as he glanced at his son, who was standing off to the side.
"Daddy, Mommy was saying earlier that she wanted to bring you an umbrella," Meng Shuyan said.
Jiang Jinghuai arched an eyebrow in surprise. Why had she suddenly become so kind? Puzzled, he walked over, gently ruffling his son’s hair and kneeling down to look at him. "Yanyan, let Daddy have a look at you."
"You’ve grown taller." At this moment, his son felt real, solid, alive. Yet, the memory of that heartbreaking day loomed, filling him with guilt.
Meng Shuyan beamed and puckered his lips.
"Pouting again?"
Meng Shuyan quickly clamped his mouth shut, and Jiang Jinghuai’s eyes softened, a faint smile of affection creeping in.
"Go take your bath. I’ve got the water ready," Tian Sangsang called from the doorway of the bathroom.
Jiang Jinghuai gave a soft hum in reply, walking toward her with cautious steps. Everything felt surreal to him. The steaming water felt warm as he used a towel to dab at his skin. After his bath, dressed in clean clothes, he sat on the living room couch, unable to collect his thoughts. By habit, he lit a cigarette, puffing smoke into the air, one stick after another.
Her crisp voice suddenly interrupted him, "I told you—your lungs are already in bad shape, and you’re still smoking? Did the doctor say you could? If your coughing wakes me and Yanyan tonight, you’ll have to deal with me!"
She emerged from the kitchen with a hand on her hip, stern but adorably so.
"Oh," Jiang Jinghuai mumbled, like a child caught misbehaving. Under her watchful eyes, he stubbed out his cigarette, cleaned the ashtray and table, and threw the trash into the bin nearby.
Placing a small plate on the table in front of him, Tian Sangsang said, "Have some snacks to warm your stomach. But listen—if you’re coughing, stay away from sweets. They’ll irritate your throat and make it worse. No milk either, no seafood, nothing with strong odors, no allergens, no heavy or greasy foods, and no inflammatory ones. You should stick to light, liquid-based meals. So, if you ever see those things on the table, know they’re for me and Yanyan, not you. Also, cut down on the smoking! That’s the only way your cough will heal faster. If it keeps recurring and you don’t treat it, it’ll turn into chronic coughing, which could lead to lung disease in the long run. Got it?"
"Alright." It had been so long since he’d felt cared for by her. How he wished she would nag him like this for a while longer—or even hit or scold him. Anything but those indifferent, icy stares.
As she stepped closer, Jiang Jinghuai tried to reach out for her hand, but she deftly sidestepped his gesture. He looked up at her, and in the space where Meng Shuyan couldn’t see, her gaze directed at him was ice-cold to the core. He finally understood that her unusual warmth today was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.
**
Nan’an.
A new village had been built, though its people remained the same. Old things gone, new things in their place. Chen Ying’s father was still the village chief, leading everyone in farming efforts.
Chen Ying no longer went out for work, staying home to tend the fields and plant tea trees. Meanwhile, Chen Ming handled deliveries, often driving tea shipments across regions, rarely at home.
Returning from fieldwork, Chen Ying carried a basket. Setting it down in the yard, she stepped into the main room. Yao Fangfang emerged from the kitchen nearby, smiling warmly. "Yingzi, you’re back. Wash up and eat."
"Sister-in-law." Chen Ying stepped closer, sniffing the air. "Did you even make fish today? Smells amazing!" A plate of braised carp sat on the table, garnished with green onions and ginger slices. The aroma made Chen Ying swallow hard.
"Your brother’s coming home today," Yao Fangfang said, her smile tinged with shyness.
"So I’m just riding on my brother’s coattails, huh?" Chen Ying teased, realization dawning. Watching Yao Fangfang bustling about in her apron, already exuding a mature graciousness, Chen Ying couldn’t help but feel the two of them got along quite well now. Initially, she’d been worried Yao Fangfang’s arrival would throw their household into chaos. As it turned out, only the first half-month was rocky. The rest was smooth sailing as Yao Fangfang transformed over time, becoming gentler and more capable.
Yao Fangfang had married Chen Ming two months ago. Her schooling had been disrupted by an earthquake, and soon after, she married Chen Ming. Upon joining their household, her once pampered demeanor had caused some friction—she refused to do chores, let alone cooking. Chen Ming, absent most of the time after their wedding day, had only exacerbated her discomfort. During that difficult period, Yao Fangfang had often thought of Tian Sangsang. In the past, she’d looked down on her, constantly finding fault. But as a daughter-in-law herself now, she understood how unbearable she’d been. Putting herself in another’s shoes, she realized how challenging life would be with a picky sister-in-law and a critical mother-in-law. It reaffirmed the saying that a harmonious family brings good fortune. Luckily, Chen Ying wasn’t unreasonable, and her mother-in-law was willing to teach. With a shift in mindset, Yao Fangfang learned quickly. Gradually, she mastered housework and cooking. She even recalled the first meal she’d cooked for Chen Ming, who bluntly remarked, "No wonder it tastes so bad—you made it."
This time, when he came back to eat, she’d definitely surprise him. She had improved a lot!