The Vicious Ex-Wife Stripped Me Bare, and Now the Commander Is Seeing Red Every Day - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Gu Yan, Be Obedient

“Xiao Lin, what exactly is going on?”

“Rou-rou, aren’t you supposed to be married to Zhao Wenbin? Why are you here too?”

Father Gu looked at the two of them, his anxiety plain to see.

Lin Ning’s focus remained on Gu Yan’s body, cleaning away the bloodstains and filth. Hearing Father Gu’s question, her explanation was brief: “Rou-rou couldn’t stop worrying about you, so I brought her along to be an Educated Youth. That Zhao Wenbin is no good; he has someone else on the side.”

Father and Mother Gu were stunned, and even Gu Rou froze. Zhao Wenbin had someone else? Well, if Sister-in-law said so, then he definitely did!

Gu Rou turned to her parents: “Dad, Mom, we all misunderstood Sister-in-law. She didn’t really want to divorce my brother. She only did it so she could pull the two of us out of this disaster and help you secretly like this.”

“Oh, right! My surname is Lin now, and my name is Lin Rou. I’m on the same household registration as Sister-in-law; I’m her younger sister.”

“Our status here is Educated Youth. The Village Chief is very kind to us. With me and Sister-in-law here, we won’t let you truly suffer.”

Gu Rou rambled on, terrified that she wasn’t making things clear enough. Father and Mother Gu looked at the two girls, their hearts aching with gratitude and sorrow.

Mother Gu, in particular, watched Lin Ning as she wiped her son’s body and treated his wounds. “Good child, it was Mom who misunderstood you. Mom apologizes to you.”

Lin Ning pulled back a blood-stained strip of cloth and replaced it with a clean one. While bandaging Gu Yan, she took a moment to comfort Mother Gu: “We’re all family; let’s not talk about that.”

She then turned to Gu Rou: “Rou-rou, take out the rice porridge you simmered tonight for Mom and Dad to eat, then serve a bowl to feed your brother.”

“Oh, right! I brought the porridge.” Gu Rou had been so excited to see her parents and brother that she’d forgotten. She pulled a cylindrical lunch box from the bag, took out several small bowls, and served them one by one. “Dad, Mom, eat quickly, it’s still hot!”

Holding the warm, thick white porridge, the first thing Father and Mother Gu asked was: “Have you two eaten?”

Lin Ning replied, “Don’t worry about us. It’s very convenient for us to get food. You eat.”

Gu Rou nodded in agreement: “Yes, there’s still a big pot at home! Sister-in-law and I aren’t staying at the Educated Youth point; we rented a house not far ahead. Sister-in-law said it makes it easier to take care of you.”

As Father Gu ate the warm porridge, his stiff body began to thaw. He looked up at Lin Ning: “You rented a house? Do you have enough money?”

Lin Ning finished cleaning and bandaging Gu Yan. She stood up and walked over to Father Gu. “It’s enough. You gave us plenty of money and items; we aren’t short of money for the time being.”

Father Gu felt she was hinting at the Lu family’s hidden treasure. He remembered that the “bandits” had gone to the old residence and reportedly turned it upside down without finding a thing. So, had Xiao Lin moved it? Thinking of this, Father Gu felt a surge of joy, and his movements as he ate became a bit more spirited.

“Gu Yan’s arm and leg have various degrees of fractures and dislocations. There’s no time today, but tomorrow I’ll find something to splint them. Until then, don’t move him, or it might cause more serious damage.” Lin Ning reviewed Gu Yan’s injuries, a plan quickly forming in her mind.

Mother Gu looked at her son and said uneasily, “Shouldn’t we call a doctor for Xiao Yan?”

Lin Ning replied, “No doctor is going to come to a cowshed to treat someone. Although his injuries look heavy, they are actually the easiest to handle. Just leave it to Rou-rou and me.”

Mother Gu was still uneasy and wanted to say more, but Gu Rou suddenly spoke up anxiously: “Sister-in-law, my brother won’t open his mouth. I can’t feed him!”

Father and Mother Gu turned their heads. Lin Ning walked straight over, pinched Gu Yan’s cheeks, and forced his mouth open.

“Feed him!”

Gu Rou was startled for a second, then began ladling the porridge into his mouth. However, he didn’t swallow. Gu Rou looked at Lin Ning again.

Lin Ning stared at Gu Yan’s face and commanded: “Gu Yan, swallow.”

Miraculously, Gu Yan, whose throat had been blocked just a moment ago, swallowed the porridge.

Gu Rou: “…!” Sister-in-law is amazing! My brother is so obedient! Omigosh, why am I so excited?!

Gu Rou didn’t know that her current feeling of excitement would be called “shipping it” in the future.

Once the bowl of porridge was finished, Lin Ning let go. “Rou-rou, we should head back.”

Gu Rou was reluctant to leave her parents. “Sister-in-law, can’t Mom and Dad come back with us?”

“It’s not time yet,” Lin Ning said.

Father Gu added, “Rou-rou, go back with your sister-in-law! Listen to her.”

Mother Gu agreed. Though she was loath to see them go, she knew the cowshed was no place for them. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Go back!”

Lin Ning pulled Gu Rou away. Before leaving, she gave detailed instructions on the medicines in the cloth bag. She didn’t leave any food behind; since they lived nearby, it was safer to cook and bring it over than to leave raw grain for them to cook themselves.

After they left, Father and Mother Gu sat by their son. Looking at him bandaged from head to toe with his face cleaned, they were deeply moved.

“That child Ning-ning… I never imagined she would go this far for Xiao Yan!” Mother Gu sighed. She reached out to touch his forehead to see if the fever had broken. Suddenly, she saw his eyes move under his lids before he slowly opened them.

Mother Gu stared blankly. The moment their eyes met, she whispered: “Xiao Yan, you’re awake?”

Gu Yan’s gaze focused: “Mom?” Then he looked over to Father Gu: “Dad!”

“Yes, you’re awake! Where does it hurt? Is it very painful? Ning-ning left some painkillers; do you want some?” Mother Gu was frantic to help him but didn’t know where to start given his numerous injuries.

Gu Yan’s gaze began to shift around the room. Seeing no one else, he asked, “Mom, Dad, why are you here?”

At this, Mother Gu wiped away a tear. “Xiao Yan, our family has been relocated. But your father, me, your sister, and Ning-ning—none of us believe you collaborated with the enemy.”

Gu Yan had a premonition, but hearing the truth still brought a wave of disappointment and guilt. “I’m sorry. I’ve dragged you all down!”

Though Father Gu’s eyes were red, he comforted him: “Don’t say such silly things; we’re a family. And the situation is much better than we expected, all thanks to Ning-ning. You must cheer up and recover. As long as our family is together, that’s what matters most.”

Gu Yan’s eyes scanned the area one more time. After confirming there wasn’t a fourth person in the cowshed, he asked, “Where are Lin Ning and my sister? They…”

Fearing he would worry, Mother Gu cut in: “They are here as Educated Youths living in the village. Don’t worry about them.”

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