Chapter 55: Lin You: I Wish People Would Gossip About Me Too

“What do you mean, really? He grabbed my arm, and I shook him off right away.” Xia Yan hurried to explain when she saw Zhu Yan’s look of surprise.

Zhu Yan’s face darkened with anger. “I knew it was that Zhang Jun causing trouble. I wonder who’s been spreading such outrageous rumors.”

She’d always thought Zhang Jun was just full of hot air, never expecting him to actually lay a hand on someone. He must have thought Xia Yan was just a country girl with no connections, so he dared to act that way.

Xia Yan said to Zhu Yan, “It doesn’t matter who’s spreading it. I have a clear conscience and nothing to fear. The truth will come out eventually.”

“You’re certainly optimistic, but I worry some people will blow this out of proportion,” Zhu Yan replied, still sounding a little anxious.

Luckily, Lin You believed Xia Yan; otherwise, this matter wouldn’t have been so easy to explain.

“How can I control what other people say? Oh, by the way, Zhu Yan, when can Xiao Zhe go home?” With the rumors discussed, Xia Yan finally turned her attention to Lin Hongzhe.

“There’s no problem—he can go home tomorrow. But it’s best he rests at home for a couple of days before going back to school.”

“I’m just glad he’s all right. I made some fish soup—let’s all have some together in a bit.” Xia Yan lifted the insulated container in her hand.

Zhu Yan smiled and didn’t stand on ceremony. “I’ve heard everyone praise your cooking, so I’ll have to try it. Let’s see where I’ve lost out to you.”

Xia Yan laughed too.

Lin You arrived later, carrying his lunch. He ran into Zhu Yan just as she was leaving the ward.

“You’re here, Brother Lin.”

“Yeah. Is Xiao Zhe all right?” Lin You glanced toward the ward. Inside, Xia Yan was coaxing Lin Hongzhe to eat. The little boy’s face was flushed in stubborn resistance, wanting to feed himself.

“He’s fine. I told Xia Yan they could take him home tomorrow,” Zhu Yan replied. She followed Lin You’s gaze into the ward and added, “I didn’t expect her to be so good at taking care of people at her age—or that her cooking would be better than mine.”

Lin You was a little surprised to hear her say that. “I never thought you’d compliment her.”

“What, do you think I’m that petty?” Zhu Yan retorted, but she found that after letting go of certain things, talking to Lin You felt easier. “I heard Zhao Ming went to the regiment headquarters to see you?”

Lin You’s tone was calm. “Yes, he pleaded for Liu Xiuying, but I didn’t agree.”

“You couldn’t have—Liu Xiuying went too far this time. She lost all sense of shame, even hitting a child, and so viciously… But you and Zhao Ming are in the same company. Won’t things be awkward between you now?”

“If Zhao Ming lets this come between us, then I’ve misjudged him. At work, he’s always been a reasonable person.”

As they were talking, someone entered from outside. When Lin You saw who it was, his expression instantly turned cold, and Zhu Yan’s face darkened as well.

Zhang Jun, feeling the chill from their stares, forced himself to greet them. “Captain Lin, Dr. Zhu, you’re both here.”

“Why so nervous to see us, Dr. Zhang?”

After her earlier conversation with Xia Yan, Zhu Yan disliked Zhang Jun even more than before.

“N-no, why would I be nervous? I haven’t done anything wrong,” Zhang Jun stammered, growing even more anxious, afraid of angering Lin You.

“You’d best not have!” Lin You snorted coldly. “Zhang Jun, you’d better keep yourself in check. Otherwise, I won’t let this go. Do you understand?”

“Are you threatening me, Captain Lin?” Zhang Jun, for some reason, mustered up the courage to retort.

“If that’s how you see it, I don’t mind,” Lin You said, striding up to Zhang Jun and staring him down so intently that Zhang Jun instinctively took two steps back.

Zhang Jun, tense, warned, “Lin You, this is a hospital. Don’t do anything reckless, or I’ll report you to headquarters.”

Lin You’s lips curled up, and he lifted a hand, making Zhang Jun cower and crouch with his arms over his head.

“What’s the matter, Dr. Zhang? I just saw something dirty on your clothes and wanted to brush it off for you,” Lin You sneered.

Zhang Jun slowly released his grip on his head, peeking up through his fingers. Seeing Lin You’s hand drop, he awkwardly straightened up, forcing a smile. “Thank you, Captain Lin. I have some things to do, so I’ll be going.”

“What a coward,” Zhu Yan spat, watching Zhang Jun’s sorry exit.

“I’ll go in first, Dr. Zhu,” Lin You said, turning to enter the ward.

“Dad!” Lin Hongzhe called out.

Xia Yan stood and brought over a stool. “You’re here. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Join us.”

“All right.”

From outside the room, Zhu Yan watched the family eat together, and a swirl of emotions rose in her heart: envy, a touch of bitterness, and—perhaps—a blessing.

……

The next day, there was fresh news at the compound: Liu Xiuying had been taken away by the police.

As soon as Xia Yan finished preparing breakfast for the children, she went out to the backyard. When she arrived, she found Lin You already feeding the piglets.

“You’re up early.”

“I’m up to feed the pigs. I can’t let you do everything,” Lin You said, pouring slop into the trough and making coaxing noises, “Shh, shh.” “I raised pigs when I was little, so I know a thing or two about it.”

“I can see you’re pretty skilled at it,” Xia Yan said, picking up “Spark,” who was tugging at her pant leg.

“You’re not worried about getting dirty? That little fellow hasn’t had a bath since he came back,” Lin You said, putting down the bucket and dusting off his hands.

Xia Yan didn’t mind at all, scratching the little piglet’s head until its eyes squinted and its tongue lolled out. “I don’t mind. He’s adorable—just like someone else I know. Looks fierce, but actually…”

“But actually what?” Lin You’s curiosity was piqued by her unfinished sentence.

“I’m not telling. You can guess,” she teased.

“Oh?” Lin You arched an eyebrow, reaching out to seize Xia Yan’s arms. His dark eyes locked on hers, unblinking.

“W-what are you doing? We’re outside—someone might see…” Xia Yan’s heart fluttered.

“So what if they do? I wouldn’t mind a few rumors about you and me for a change.”

“Jealous, are you?”

“I told you before—I don’t get jealous,” Lin You said, lowering his head slightly, his masculine scent suddenly enveloping her…