Reborn in the 70s: Pampered by Regiment Commander
Chapter 224 - 171: Encounter_2

Chapter 224: Chapter 171: Encounter_2

A moment’s hesitation, then Zhao Yulan recognized the person before her, her face lighting up with surprise, "Meiying..." But as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself, "Xiaoqiong, what are you doing here so late?"

"I’ve been transferred over here, Auntie. What’s wrong with you? Is Uncle ill? Does Chuxia know about it? Is she here too?" Luo Xiaoqiong pulled at Zhao Yulan’s arm, firing off a string of questions anxiously.

"Hold on, hold on, good child, don’t rush. Your uncle just has a minor issue; he’ll be fine after a few days in the hospital. Chuxia is aware of it, but she isn’t here," Zhao Yulan answered Luo Xiaoqiong’s questions one by one, and then affectionately stroked her head, "Your father and mother would be so happy to know how accomplished you’ve become."

"What’s wrong with Uncle?" Luo Xiaoqiong peered at Zhao Yulan with a worried face, "Auntie, you’re not lying to me, are you? Chuxia really does know about it, right? You can’t lie to her, or she’d hold it against you."

Zhao Yulan smiled helplessly, "Child, how could you still not trust your auntie? Your uncle has what they call avascular necrosis of the femoral head, but it’s only in the early stages and has not become necrotic yet. A minor surgery to drill and medicate it will gradually lead to recovery, but he must refrain from heavy labor for six months."

"Ah!" Luo Xiaoqiong sighed heavily, repeating her earlier question, "Chuxia really knows?"

"Yes, truly. It was your uncle and I who sent her back. She serves as a medical soldier; it wouldn’t do for her to keep delaying. Your uncle isn’t seriously ill, and I’m here to take care of him..." Zhao Yulan’s voice lowered, "Commander Zhou is keeping him company tonight, urging me to go to sleep, but how could I possibly sleep?"

She sneaked a glance at your uncle, fearing that Commander Zhou would see her, so she quickly left. Yet unable to sleep upon returning home, she thought she’d come out for a walk. Worried she’d lose her way and not manage to return, she was wandering aimlessly here when you came along, hehe..." Toward the end, Zhao Yulan laughed embarrassedly, "Your auntie doesn’t know her way around, as you know."

"Hmm." Luo Xiaoqiong also laughed, recalling a story her mother had told her. Right after Zhao Yulan married Lin Baohe, there was a time she went back to her parents’ home on her own. By evening, when Lin Baohe returned from work and didn’t find her at home, he went to meet her, searching all the way to Xiaolin Village without sighting Zhao Yulan. Asking Chuxia’s grandparents, they said Zhao Yulan had left as it was getting dark.

This alarmed everyone. Zhao Yushan even gathered the villagers over the loudspeaker to help search the mountains. They were busy until midnight when they eventually found Zhao Yulan in Guoer Village, ten miles from Xiaolin Village and fifteen miles from Dalin Village.

Zhao Yulan, already bad with directions, became hopelessly lost once it got dark. Afraid of asking for directions lest she encounter bad characters, it all resulted in the situation that unfolded.

Now in this unfamiliar city, it would be strange if Zhao Yulan could find her way. However, Luo Xiaoqiong’s curiosity piqued not about this matter, but about Commander Zhou keeping watch all night?

"Auntie, did you say Commander Zhou is keeping watch?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked, her eyes widening in curiosity.

"Yes. As evening fell, he came and told me to sleep, saying he would stay awake. Your uncle’s condition isn’t serious, and there’s no need for anyone to keep watch tonight, but well," she paused, her face showing embarrassment, "I didn’t quite know what to say, faced with him, so I just followed his orders."

"Commander Zhou’s personality is indeed a bit overbearing," Luo Xiaoqiong agreed, nodding her head and then pulling Zhao Yulan toward the hospital, "Since neither of us can sleep, let me keep you company and walk around; I know the way."

"Are you having trouble sleeping in the new place?" asked Zhao Yulan.

"It’s not just that. Here, I don’t know anyone, and most are city folk. I can’t really converse with them, and it just feels less comfortable than being with Chuxia and the others." Growing up with Chuxia, Luo Xiaoqiong considered Zhao Yulan just like her own mother, so she didn’t hide her worries from her.

"Ah!" Zhao Yulan sighed, looking at Luo Xiaoqiong with concern, "Xiaoqiong, I understand what you’re feeling. It’s very much like how I felt when I first married into Dalin Village. However, at that time, I at least knew your uncle. Ah, you have it even tougher than I did.

But Xiaoqiong, you have always been an adept child since you were young. I haven’t seen much of the world, but I know, it’s not easy for you all to come here. What you’re facing now is a rare and good opportunity, and I believe you’ll do well in it."

"Mhm!" Luo Xiaoqiong nodded earnestly, "Aunt, I’m just venting a bit to you. I know that such a good opportunity, however difficult, must be endured.

I know my brother’s temper well; it’s hard to rely on him to become something. My mother has a proud disposition; if Aunt Zhong were to say something unpleasant, wouldn’t that just kill her?

If I do well and surpass Zhong Hongying, then Aunt Zhong wouldn’t dare to badmouth my mother. That way, she won’t get under my mother’s skin!"

"Your mother is blessed to have raised a daughter like you," said Zhao Yulan.

"Aunt, don’t just praise me. Chuxia is getting more and more capable. I can hardly believe she’s the same stubborn girl who grew up with me," Xiaoqiong responded.

As the conversation turned to her daughter, Zhao Yulan’s lips curled up in a smile. Other people’s daughters were good, but her own daughter was even better! That’s the sort of parents she and Lin Baohe were; no one’s child could outshine theirs!

Seeing it was getting late, Zhao Yulan nudged Luo Xiaoqiong, "Don’t let tomorrow’s work be affected; go get some rest. Your uncle and I will still be here for a few more days. When you’re off work, come to the ward to find us if you have nothing else planned."

Luo Xiaoqiong agreed happily, "Okay, I’ll walk you back." After speaking her heart out with Zhao Yulan, she felt much better, and the prospect of seeing Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan over the next few days gave her comfort! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support me. Your encouragement is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)