Qin i 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 i was puzzled, she didn’t ask him directly. She took his hand, her smooth, slender fingertips discreetly resting on his pulse.
Noticing Qin i’s action, Jie Jingchen flinched slightly but didn’t resist. A look of resignation appeared on his face.
Qin i’s expression grew increasingly grave. Astonishnt welled up inside her, and her heart clenched.
Jie Jingchen had nurous 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 instrunts or precise scanning equipnt. They were hard to find based solely on a doctor’s experience and outdated dical devices.
Chinese dicine, however, was different. A highly skilled practitioner could diagnose them just by taking a pulse.
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 i concealed the panic in her eyes and asked, "Have you seen a practitioner of Chinese dicine?"
"No," Jie Jingchen answered truthfully.
"Does your mother know about your condition?" Qin i 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 appointnt 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 i 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 i could hear the bitterness and resigned helplessness in Jie Jingchen’s words.
Qin i 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 i 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 imdiate ergency.
After removing and putting away the silver needles, Qin i climbed into bed, lay down beside him, and closed her eyes in thought.
"Qin i," Jie Jingchen called out.
"Mm," Qin i humd in response.
"Are you hiding sothing from ?" Jie Jingchen stared at Qin i. 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 i 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 i’s whole body stiffened. Her body was warm, but her heart felt as cold as ice.
Last night, Qin i 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 i 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 enal mug.
Jie Jingjue had co ho late last night and couldn’t get up in the morning. Seeing it was almost ti 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 so toothpaste, and trotted over to him.
He turned on the faucet, filled his enal 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 , 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 ti to put his mug back in his room. He shoved it into Jie Jingchen’s hands. "Fourth Bro, can you put this away for ? 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.
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