CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 332: ADJUSTMENT

Seeing Wan Chu’er still wanting to protest, Jiang Kechu cupped her face with both hands and kissed her deeply. After the kiss, Wan Chu’er immediately surrendered and gave up, figuring she might as well embrace being bandaged like a pig’s trotter.

"I see that you’re not seriously injured; it’s better to spend less time in the hospital. Your hand will heal just fine at home. Let me take you back," Jiang Kechu changed the subject and began to pack up things, preparing to discharge Wan Chu’er from the hospital.

Better she leaves the hospital sooner rather than later; the thought of Chu’er wandering to Yan Hui’s side every now and then while in the hospital made him uneasy.

Wan Chu’er was slow to react, but she nodded in dumb agreement. She actually had no serious issues, and staying in the hospital was simply a waste of public resources. Moreover, no golden or silver nest could compare to one’s own dog kennel, and her home was ten thousand times better than any dog kennel.

Finally, at Wan Chu’er’s insistent request, Jiang Kechu brought her back to the old mansion.

Upon arriving home, they found only Mrs. Zhu there; the old master and Li Shan were nowhere to be seen.

Wan Chu’er felt a little sad for a moment. Everyone had left at her discharge; they weren’t even at home. Seeing Mrs. Zhu’s kind smile, Wan Chu’er threw herself into her arms, hugging Mrs. Zhu tightly.

"Mrs. Zhu, I missed you so much."

Wan Chu’er had never been this close to her before, and Mrs. Zhu was pleasantly surprised. Laughing, she said:

"You must have missed the food I cook, right? Don’t worry, I bought lots of groceries this morning and will cook you a delicious meal tonight."

And just like that, Wan Chu’er’s bit of sadness was cured. Home truly was the best place.

"Uncle Jiang, would you like to stay and have dinner with us?" she then asked Jiang Kechu.

Jiang Kechu ruffled her hair and said gently, "No, I need to go back and deal with some things."

Seeing Wan Chu’er pout, Jiang Kechu chuckled and shook his head. He pulled her aside and whispered:

"After taking such a big loss this time, don’t you want to see those behind the scenes pay the price?"

Wan Chu’er’s eyes brightened, and she nodded repeatedly, "Yes, very much! It would be even better if I could personally give them a good thrashing."

Jiang Kechu said, "That might be difficult to realize. You just behave and stay at home. Watch us avenge you. The old master has also been dealing with this matter for the past couple of days. We must make the other party pay and regret ever crossing you."

So that’s how it is. Wan Chu’er’s previous dissatisfaction at not seeing the old master vanished immediately, and she eagerly waved her hand, "Uncle Jiang, go quickly. I promise to rest well at home."

"Mm," Jiang Kechu said, and then he left.

Because her hand was bandaged like a pig’s trotter, and Jiang Kechu had specifically reminded Mrs. Zhu once more, Mrs. Zhu, not quite understanding, thought Wan Chu’er’s hand was severely injured, and thus watched over her every moment.

Washing your face? Mrs. Zhu was there.

Changing clothes? Mrs. Zhu was there.

Doing chores? Mrs. Zhu insisted, just take it easy.

Thinking of removing the bandage? No way! Xiao Jiang specifically said, it must stay on for a full two days.

Wanting to visit Yan Hui at the hospital? Mrs. Zhu would accompany her. Mrs. Zhu put so much effort into caring for her, Wan Chu’er didn’t have the heart to upset her, so she continued to wear the bandage, all the while internally accusing Jiang Kechu of being too sly.

Yan Hui spent the night pining away, waiting for the stars and moon to shift, and when the next day finally came, he welcomed the arrival of Wan Chu’er, along with the pitiful-looking Mrs. Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu’s eyes reddened immediately upon seeing Yan Hui lying in the hospital bed. She bombarded him with questions and busied herself with serving him, bringing tea and water, and insisting on feeding him, making sure that Yan Hui was well looked after. This left Wan Chu’er with practically nothing to do.

Mainly because Yan Hui was such a genuine person, Mrs. Zhu had long since started treating and caring for him as if he were her own son.

During the entire visit, Wan Chu’er and Yan Hui didn’t get a minute alone together, nor did they exchange more than ten sentences. Mrs. Zhu spent a good while advising Yan Hui, and another while instructing the caregiver before she took Wan Chu’er, whose hands had swollen up like pig’s trotters, back home.

Over the past couple of days, under Mrs. Zhu’s nurturing and care, Wan Chu’er had regained her previously healthy and radiant complexion.

The elder, Li Shan, and Jiang Kechu had not shown their faces for a week straight. Wan Chu’er didn’t call to ask about them, knowing there were some questions she shouldn’t ask because it would only make things difficult for them.

Their absence was actually rather convenient, as it gave her time alone to think things through.

Due to this kidnapping, she had missed the Special Action Department’s assessment, and now there was no longer any need to agonize over whether to join or not. She felt a sense of relief deep within her heart.

She did enjoy thrilling experiences, but life isn’t always filled with excitement and joy. Excitement entails danger, which can bring injury and sacrifice.

Yan Hui had been seriously wounded protecting her during the kidnapping. Just that incident alone, she couldn’t accept calmly, let alone the idea of embarking on real missions with the Special Action Department.

Those missions were akin to walking on the edge of a knife or staring down the barrel of a gun, where a moment’s lapse could mean watching comrades bleed and sacrifice themselves and then having to act as if nothing had happened, proceeding with the mission. She didn’t believe she had the fortitude or could face such scenes.

Now she finally understood why Jiang Kechu had been so adamantly opposed to her joining the Special Action Department.

She wondered whether the elder would be disappointed when he found out about her choice and avoidance. Remembering the elder’s high hopes for her, Wan Chu’er somewhat dreaded facing Li Shan.

After staying home for a week, Mai Qiqi called to say she was going on a trip and asked if Wan Chu’er wanted to come.

Without a second thought, Wan Chu’er told Mrs. Zhu, packed her bags, and despite An Zihao’s eyes nearly popping out, she happily became the third wheel, shining like a bright light alongside the two of them.

Originally, An Zihao had pestered Mai Qiqi for a long time before she agreed to go on a road trip with him. He had imagined it would be a trip for just the two of them, filled with car battles, field battles, mountaintop battles, flower field battles, desert battles, plateau battles... experiencing all of it.

Just when An Zihao was delighting in anticipation, the terrible Wan Chu’er showed up.

Seeing Mai Qiqi and Wan Chu’er joking and laughing together in the backseat, An Zihao was filled with sorrow, anger, and frustrated silence, nearly slipping into depression.

Even at night in the hotel, Mai Qiqi actually ran off to share a room with Wan Chu’er instead of him.

An Zihao resentfully recalled how Wan Chu’er had once kissed Mai Qiqi. How could he possibly be at ease with them sharing a room? So, he just sat outside their room, belting out various heart-wrenching songs.

Inside the room, Mai Qiqi was immediately moved to tears. Wan Chu’er let out a tsk, thinking to herself that An Zihao truly had Mai Qiqi wrapped around his finger. Without a word, she packed up Mai Qiqi and sent her back to An Zihao.

After a satisfying night, An Zihao finally seemed to see Wan Chu’er in a better light during the day.

Wan Chu’er scoffed and handed him an extra bonus, then took the driver’s seat, leaving An Zihao and Mai Qiqi to their sweet nothings in the back.

In the vast Northwest Desert, Wan Chu’er drove the car like a madwoman, the vehicle speeding by and leaving behind a long, dragon-like trail.

They spent ten days in the Northwest, witnessing the brilliant stars, braving sandstorms that blotted out the sky, trekking across the scorching Gobi desert... and even fought off a band of short-sighted robbers.