Chapter 33 - 26: Jing 4 and Teacher Lin
Qin Mei skillfully inserted the silver needles into several acupoints on his lower back. Despite Jie Jingchen’s fair face, his body was covered in scars, a few of which were from near-fatal wounds.
Being born in this era and having joined the army, he would always go all out, risking his life to complete his missions.
’With Jie Jingchen’s personality, it’s a good thing he retired. Otherwise, he would have been sacrificed sooner or later. But then again, would the army really let a man as talented as Jie Jingchen retire?’
’Since he joined the army, why did Jie Jingchen retire?’
Though Qin Mei was puzzled, she didn’t ask him directly. She took his hand, her smooth, slender fingertips discreetly resting on his pulse.
Noticing Qin Mei’s action, Jie Jingchen flinched slightly but didn’t resist. A look of resignation appeared on his face.
Qin Mei’s expression grew increasingly grave. Astonishment welled up inside her, and her heart clenched.
Jie Jingchen had numerous hidden injuries. If left untreated, he wouldn’t have long to live. These so-called hidden injuries were difficult to detect, especially in an era without advanced instruments or precise scanning equipment. They were hard to find based solely on a doctor’s experience and outdated medical devices.
Chinese medicine, however, was different. A highly skilled practitioner could diagnose them just by taking a pulse.
𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Jie Jingchen didn’t retire because of his hidden injuries, but because of his right hand.
It was semi-disabled. It didn’t affect his ability to eat, but he couldn’t lift heavy objects.
Qin Mei concealed the panic in her eyes and asked, "Have you seen a practitioner of Chinese medicine?"
"No," Jie Jingchen answered truthfully.
"Does your mother know about your condition?" Qin Mei asked again. ’Mrs. Xie is a doctor. I don’t know how skilled she is, but doctors of this era are all experts. In the future, they’ll be the authorities. Getting an appointment with them will be incredibly difficult!’
"She knows." Jie Jingchen’s gaze darkened, a deep, inconsolable sorrow hidden in the depths of his eyes.
"She knows?" Qin Mei was surprised. ’She knows her son’s condition and is just letting it be?’
"My right hand is ruined. My mom is probably just glad for it." Qin Mei could hear the bitterness and resigned helplessness in Jie Jingchen’s words.
Qin Mei understood. Between her son’s life and her son’s right hand, Mrs. Xie would choose his life. Though it was a pity, it wasn’t a lifelong regret.
Mrs. Xie only knew that Jie Jingchen’s right hand was crippled; she was unaware of the hidden injuries inside his body.
Qin Mei didn’t rush to explain his condition to him. As long as the hidden injuries didn’t flare up, Jie Jingchen’s life wasn’t in danger. He was safe for now, so treating his internal injuries wasn’t an immediate emergency.
After removing and putting away the silver needles, Qin Mei climbed into bed, lay down beside him, and closed her eyes in thought.
"Qin Mei," Jie Jingchen called out.
"Mm," Qin Mei hummed in response.
"Are you hiding something from me?" Jie Jingchen stared at Qin Mei. Even with her eyes closed, the space between her brows revealed an undeniable gravity and worry.
"I’m tired. We’ll talk about it later." Qin Mei turned over, showing Jie Jingchen her back.
Jie Jingchen didn’t press her. He silently pulled the covers over her. As the warm blanket settled on her, Qin Mei’s whole body stiffened. Her body was warm, but her heart felt as cold as ice.
Last night, Qin Mei had insomnia and only fell asleep at three in the morning.
Before she drifted off, she tossed and turned, and Jie Jingchen, lying beside her, didn’t get much sleep either.
At daybreak, the Jie Family woke up, washed, and left for work one by one. Jie Jingchen opened his eyes and saw that Qin Mei was fast asleep in a rather unladylike posture, with one leg draped over his. Jie Jingchen froze, then stiffly lifted her leg off, carefully got out of bed, changed his clothes, and went out to wash up, carrying his toothbrush and an enamel mug.
Jie Jingjue had come home late last night and couldn’t get up in the morning. Seeing it was almost time for work, he dragged himself out of bed. When he saw Jie Jingchen brushing his teeth in the courtyard, Jie Jingjue also grabbed his toothbrush, squeezed on some toothpaste, and trotted over to him.
He turned on the faucet, filled his enamel mug, turned it off, and squatted down next to Jie Jingchen.
"Fourth Bro, you don’t even have to work. Why are you up so early?" Jie Jingjue looked at his brother with eyes full of envy. ’No work, gets to sleep in, and doesn’t have to ask Mom and Dad for money. Unlike me, even with a job, my monthly salary isn’t enough. I have to ask our parents for money at the end of every month.’
If he asked Dad for money, he’d get a lecture. If he asked Mom, she wouldn’t scold him.
"Just used to it." Jie Jingchen finished brushing his teeth, washed his face, and reminded him, "You’re going to be late for work."
"I know, I know." Jie Jingjue quickly brushed his teeth, hastily washed his face, and didn’t even have time to put his mug back in his room. He shoved it into Jie Jingchen’s hands. "Fourth Bro, can you put this away for me? I’m gonna be late!"
In his rush to get to work, Jie Jingjue still peeked into Jie Jingshan’s room before riding his bicycle off to his job.