Free Web NovelChapter 133: Chapter 133: Call Auntie
Inside the doctor’s office.
With a gentle smile, Wen Ci asked about Huo Jingyuan’s condition, "For someone in Huo Jingyuan’s situation, is it realistic for him to be discharged this week?"
"Frankly, we’d recommend Mr. Huo stay hospitalized for a few more days, but he insists on being discharged next Monday. And today is already Thursday."
Wen Ci fell silent.
Normally, a patient needs about a week to recover after their stitches are removed before being discharged. Huo Jingyuan was the youngest regiment-level officer in the Northwest; his well-being was of the utmost importance.
But there was nothing the hospital could do to convince him.
Wen Ci sighed and asked, "So, if he goes home on Monday, are there any precautions we should take?"
"Keep the wound dry. If anything comes up, go to the military hospital immediately."
Wen Ci nodded, showing she understood.
’She planned to head to the South with Xu Jinghe tonight and should be able to get back before Monday.’
Wen Ci said her thanks and left.
·
The atmosphere in the hospital room was warm and cheerful.
Xiao Chuan felt a sense of home he hadn’t in a long time. Sitting by the bed, he clenched his fists. "Sister said that Uncle is a very impressive soldier. I want to be a soldier too when I grow up."
Huo Jingyuan: "..."
Seeing Huo Jingyuan’s silent expression, Xu Jinghe let out a soft chuckle and deliberately asked, "Why does Xiao Chuan call his auntie ’Sister’?"
"Because Sister is young and pretty."
"Then why doesn’t he call him ’Brother’?" Xu Jinghe pressed.
"He looks like an uncle."
Huo Jingyuan’s face darkened even more. He reached out and pinched Xiao Chuan’s chubby little cheeks, pretending to be fierce. "From now on, you’re not allowed to call her ’Sister.’ You have to call her ’Auntie.’"
’Calling Wen Ci ’Sister’ and him ’Uncle’...’
’This completely messed up the generational order. It’s utterly preposterous.’
"No," Xiao Chuan replied with a pout.
Wen Ci heard their conversation as she returned to the room. Walking to the bedside, she gently ruffled Xiao Chuan’s hair, her face breaking into a wide smile. "Don’t listen to this weird uncle."
"I won’t," Xiao Chuan replied.
Huo Jingyuan: "..."
Xu Jinghe teased, "Since you two love kids so much, why don’t you hurry up and have one of your own?"
They had always been planning to have a child.
And they were actively trying.
But then, Huo Jingyuan had to go and get injured on a mission.
Huo Jingyuan tried to coax him. "Your uncle and I are childhood friends, so you can call me Uncle too. ’Sister’ is my wife. Do you think it’s better to call her ’Sister,’ or ’Auntie’?"
Hearing this, Xiao Chuan sank into deep thought.
’Anyone could call Wen Ci ’Sister,’ but only he could call her ’Auntie.’ And ’Auntie’ sounded so warm, so close... almost like she was his mom. He liked that! He wanted an Auntie Wen Ci!’
"Auntie is better."
Huo Jingyuan followed up, "Then what will you call her from now on?"
Xiao Chuan looked at Wen Ci and called out sweetly, "Hello, Auntie."
Wen Ci was utterly speechless.
Seeing that visiting hours were nearly over, Wen Ci said, "I probably won’t be able to visit you at the hospital for the next few days. I’m planning on heading south with Xu Jinghe."
"Go south for what?"
Wen Ci’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "To do business!"
The 1980s were a period of widespread reconstruction, and trade in the South had officially taken off.
Wen Ci clearly remembered a 21st-century film that depicted the prosperity of Shanghai in the eighties, while at the same time, the impoverished Northwest was planting trees as windbreaks.
She wanted to see the wealth and prosperity of the Southern regions with her own eyes.
Huo Jingyuan frowned. Ever since Wen Ci had followed him to his post in the Northwest, he knew she wanted to do business. He could support her dabbling on a small scale in the North, but the economy in the South was developing too rapidly.
Countless people had plunged into the world of commerce only to lose every penny they had.
Xu Jinghe spoke up to explain, "I have a batch of outdated goods piled up at my factory. Sister-in-law said we could haul them up north to sell. I did the math, and it seems promising."
