In a jubilant atmosphere, Shang Ruyi was about to step forward to say sothing to Su Qinglan, but before she could get closer, she sensed a figure charging out of the crowd like a little calf and suddenly bumping into her arms.
"Ouch!"
She staggered back several steps before managing to steady herself. Looking down, a round bald head lifted from her embrace, grinning at her with eyes squinted into slits.
"Sister Ruyi!"
"Shantong’er!?"
Shang Ruyi was both surprised and delighted; it was none other than the long unseen Shantong’er who had thrown himself into her arms.
Since returning from Fufeng to Daxing City, their chances to et had been few. Added to that, with the plague spreading and Daxing City under lockdown, Yu Wenye had ordered the military camp sealed off to prevent the disease from infecting the troops. It’s been over half a month since there was any contact between the two sides.
Unexpectedly, today he suddenly appeared.
Although a bit surprised, seeing this child filled Shang Ruyi with joy. She reached out to touch Shantong’er’s cheek, which had lost so flesh, but fortunately, it still felt chubby and soft to the touch. She then smiled and said, "Why have you co?"
Shantong’er blinked at her and asked, "Sister Ruyi, don’t you miss ?"
"Of course."
"I’ve missed you a lot, so I ca specifically to see you."
"Really?"
Just as Shang Ruyi was feeling sweet inside from his words, a sowhat cold voice ca from the front, saying, "You better clarify; if you ca into the city just to see the Young Madam, then I’m not taking you to the tavern for a al."
This familiar voice was—
Shang Ruyi looked up and was t with a face that was overly thin, always appearing weary, and even underlined by a touch of sickness—who else but Nie Chong? Wearing a blue cloth outfit, his limbs were clean and neat. It was a spirited attire but the dark circles under his eyes appeared deeper than before.
He seed even more haggard.
Even though no plague was spreading in the camp, and he wasn’t ill, he looked even weaker than those infected. If she weren’t accustod to his appearance, Shang Ruyi would have insisted on calling the dical Officer over to check his pulse.
Shang Ruyi imdiately smiled and said, "Nie Chong, you ca too."
Nie Chong clasped his hand in salute to her and said, "Young Madam, this child said that he hadn’t eaten his fill being confined in the camp these days, and when he heard that the gates of Daxing City would open today, he insisted that I bring—"
"Oh, Brother Nie!"
Shantong’er hurriedly interrupted him, his eyes anxiously turning red, "I need to eat, but I also miss Sister Ruyi! Who says eating at ans I can’t miss her?"
Then he turned to Shang Ruyi seriously and said, "I miss you too, Sister Ruyi, you have to believe ."
Nie Chong just shook his head.
Shang Ruyi was amused by him, guessing this child had been confined in the camp for many days. Although the food in the military wouldn’t be bad, fresh fruits and vegetables might have been scarce, probably making him crave them. So, upon hearing that Daxing City’s gates would open today, he couldn’t resist asking Nie Chong to bring him into the city for a feast. But she didn’t expose him, only smiling and saying, "Of course I believe you."
Shantong’er squinted his eyes happily, thought for a mont, and then asked, "By the way, Sister Ruyi, we haven’t co into the city for days, but we’ve heard people around say that lately sothing’s going to change, or sothing like that? So people even said you are up to sothing big. What is that all about—"
Before he could finish, Shang Ruyi’s expression changed. She reached out, putting a finger on his lips.
Shantong’er imdiately closed his mouth.
Facing his wide-eyed stare, Shang Ruyi looked around. Fortunately, people nearby were all focused on the patients coming out of Changle Square, with few taking notice of them. She then said softly, "Such things, you mustn’t speak carelessly."
Shantong’er, finger still on his lips, mumbled, "I, I didn’t..."
Shang Ruyi said, "In the camp, you also mustn’t spread such words."
Confronted with her serious expression, Shantong’er seed to perceive sothing. He closed his mouth tightly and nodded solemnly.
Only then did Shang Ruyi look up at Nie Chong again. Shantong’er was young, and so people might not guard their words around him, allowing him to overhear those "wild rumors." As for Nie Chong, with his Sharp-Hearing Ear, even if people wanted to avoid him, they couldn’t, so he probably heard even more.
Thus she said, "You—"
Nie Chong seed to imdiately understand her intent and said softly, "Young Madam, rest assured, those words were only spoken when soone spread rumors about a cot appearing so days ago. Later on, the army strictly prohibited it, especially Brother Shen giving repeated orders, and no one has ntioned it since."
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