Chapter 185: An Old Friend Returns

The tense atmosphere of the military‑industrial mission had just eased, and Li Ping'an received a letter that made his heart race. The handwriting on the envelope was neat and forceful, and the signature read Lin Xueqing.

"Brother, who sent the letter?" Li Pingle curiously leaned his head forward.

Li Ping'an carefully opened the envelope, his mouth involuntarily curling upward: an old friend.

The letter was brief, only stating that Lin Xueqing had returned with a medical team from Korea and would arrive at Beijing Station this afternoon. It hoped he could go meet her at the station.

"Is she a young lady?" Li Pingle's eyes lit up. "Brother, when did you meet her?"

"On the Korean battlefield." Li Ping'an folded the letter neatly and slipped it into his pocket; at that time she was a field doctor.

After lunch, Li Ping'an deliberately changed into a clean Zhongshan suit. While adjusting the collar in front of the mirror, he suddenly felt dazed. Three years had passed, and he wondered what the female doctor who had remained composed amid artillery fire now looked like.

"Brother, are you nervous?" Li Pingle chuckled beside him.

"Nonsense." Li Ping'an cleared his throat lightly, "I'll go pick her up; you eat dinner on your own."

Beijing Station was swarming with people, and the medical team returning from Korea was being welcomed on the platform. Li Ping'an stood at the edge of the crowd, his eyes scanning the masses for that familiar figure.

Li Ping'an!

A crisp voice came from behind. He turned and saw a girl in a white coat smiling at him. After three years, Lin Xueqing had slimmed a bit, but her bright eyes were unchanged.

"Doctor Lin." Li Ping'an was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Still calling me Doctor Lin?" Lin Xueqing tilted her head and smiled, "When we were in Korea, didn't you always call me Xueqing?"

The two exchanged smiles, and memories of the past surged in their hearts.

"Are all your injuries healed?" Lin Xueqing asked concernedly, "When we were at the field hospital, you gave me plenty to worry about."

"They're long healed." Li Ping'an subconsciously touched his left shoulder, once hit by a bullet, "All thanks to you."

They walked outward along the platform, sunlight spilling over the two of them, warm and gentle.

"How is your work arranged?" Li Ping'an asked.

"Xiehe Hospital." Lin Xueqing said she was preparing to report to Xiehe Hospital. "And you? Still at the Steel Rolling Mill?"

"Hmm, Security Department."

Lin Xueqing sized him up: "Promoted to Chief? You look different."

Li Ping'an smiled awkwardly: "Just making a living."

After leaving the station, Lin Xueqing stopped: "I have to go back to my own home. No one is there; I wonder how much dust has settled."

"Probably." Li Ping'an nodded, "Your home is at..."

"West City Liuyin Street." Lin Xueqing took paper and pen from her bag, wrote down the address, and added, "Come over when you have time."

Li Ping'an took the note, carefully pocketed it: "Let me take you back."

"No need, the hospital has a car to pick me up." Lin Xueqing pointed to a jeep in the distance and added, "By the way, your sister..."

"Pingle found her." Li Ping'an's face broke into a satisfied smile; she now works at the Textile Factory, and her skills are excellent.

"Really?" Lin Xueqing's eyes lit up. "Great! I remember when we were at the field hospital, you were most concerned about this sister."

The jeep honked, and Lin Xueqing waved at the vehicle.

"I have to go." She extended her hand, "Goodbye, Li Chief."

Li Ping'an grasped her hand: "Goodbye, Doctor Lin."

Watching the jeep disappear into the distance, Li Ping'an stood rooted for a long while. The bits and pieces from three years ago in Korea surged to his mind. The doctor who had remained calm amid artillery fire, the girl who had guarded him day and night when he was wounded, had finally returned safely.

When they returned to the Siheyuan, night had already fallen. Li Pingle was embroidering flowers in the courtyard; seeing his brother return, he immediately approached:

"Brother, did you pick her up? Was she good-looking?"

"Kid, don't pry." Li Ping'an gently tapped his sister's forehead.

"I'm already working at the plant; I'm not a kid anymore!" Li Pingle protested, "Come on, tell me!"

Li Ping'an couldn't refuse his sister, so he briefly recounted how he met Lin Xueqing in Korea.

"Wow! A battlefield doctor!" Li Pingle's face showed admiration, "She must be very brave."

"Indeed." Li Ping'an looked into the distance, "She was brave."

The next day at work, Wang Dahu approached mysteriously: "Chief, who did you pick up yesterday? You even changed into new clothes."

"An old friend." Li Ping'an's face hardened, "Is the work all done?"

"All done, all done." Wang Dahu grinned, "She's a female comrade, right?"

Li Ping'an pretended to strike, and Wang Dahu quickly slipped away.

During the noon break, Li Ping'an hesitated repeatedly, but still called Xiehe Hospital.

"I'm looking for Doctor Lin Xueqing."

"Please hold."

Footsteps sounded on the other end of the line, followed by Lin Xueqing's crisp voice: "Hello, who is this?"

"It's me, Li Ping'an."

"Ah, Li Chief." Lin Xueqing smiled, "Why did you think of calling me?"

"Just wanted to ask how you're settling in."

"Everything's fine. It's just that no one's lived at home for a long time, so cleaning is a hassle."

"Do you need any help?" Li Ping'an blurted out, then regretted it.

There was a brief silence on the line, then a light laugh: "Sure, are you free this weekend?"

After hanging up, Li Ping'an realized his palms were sweaty. He shook his head, wondering what was happening to him.

Early on Saturday, Li Ping'an left home. He first went to Daoxiang Village and bought a box of pastries, then went to the flower market and bought a pot of narcissus.

Lin Xueqing's home was a solitary courtyard house, with blue bricks and gray tiles, kept spotless. When she opened the door she wore an apron and held a rag in her hand.

"You came early," Lin Xueqing laughed, "Come in quickly."

The courtyard was small but elegant. In the corner of the wall, plum blossoms were blooming in the cold winter.

These daffodils… Li Ping'an feels a little embarrassed and doesn't know if you like them.

Very much. Lin Xueqing takes the pot and places it nicely in the study.

She leads Li Ping'an on a tour of the house. The study is filled with medical books, and a photo of her and her brother hangs on the wall.

Since no one lives here, it's easy for mold to grow! Lin Xueqing says softly, "It's troublesome for me to tidy up alone, so I had to ask you to come."

Just right, I have nothing on Sunday, I'll come to try your cooking and see if your skills have improved, Li Ping'an jokes.

Sure, in Korea few people let me be a free taste‑tester. Lin Xueqing perks up, "Come, help me move this bookshelf."

After a busy morning, the house is finally tidied up. Lin Xueqing brews a pot of tea, and the two sit in the courtyard basking in the sun.

When I was in Korea, I never imagined I'd see a day like this, Lin Xueqing sighs.

Indeed. Li Ping'an nods. "Being alive and returning is already lucky."

I heard you've achieved a lot at the Steel Rolling Mill these years?

It's all part of the job.

Lin Xueqing looks at him: "You're still the same, never like to talk about what you've done."

At noon, Lin Xueqing cooks a few dishes herself. Her cooking is unexpectedly good.

She learned it in Korea. She explains that supplies were scarce then, so she had to figure it out herself.

After the meal, Li Ping'an helps wash the dishes. Sunlight streams through the window, sprinkling over both of them.

This feeling is wonderful, Lin Xueqing says suddenly, "peaceful days."

Li Ping'an nods, "So we must guard it well."

As he leaves, Lin Xueqing sees him to the door: "Thank you for coming to help."

You're welcome, Li Ping'an says. "If you need anything later, just find me anytime."

On the way back to the Siheyuan, Li Ping'an walks especially lightly. Passing the front courtyard, Yan Bu Gui is watering the flowers.

Ping'an, you're in a good mood today? Yan Bu Gui asks tentatively.

Not bad. Li Ping'an replies vaguely, then heads straight to the back courtyard.

In the central courtyard, Jia Zhangshi is pointing at Qin Huairu, scolding: "Lazybones! It took you half a day just to wash a piece of clothing!"

Seeing Li Ping'an, she instantly puts on a smile: "Ping'an, I heard you went to pick someone up yesterday?"

Li Ping'an nods, saying nothing further.

Back inside, Li Pingle is embroidering a new pattern.

Brother, did you go see Dr. Lin today?

Yeah, I helped her tidy the house.

How is she?

Fine. Li Ping'an thinks for a moment, then adds, "Very kind, very brave."

Li Pingle chuckles: "Brother, you rarely praise people like that."

At night, lying in bed, Li Ping'an cannot fall asleep for a long time. Lin Xueqing's smile keeps floating before his eyes. He knows that this suddenly returned old friend has added new colors to his life.

Meanwhile, Lin Xueqing is also daydreaming in the study. The daffodil on the table emits a faint fragrance, reminding her of Li Ping'an's shy demeanor today.

"This piece of wood…" she murmurs softly, a smile at the corner of her mouth.

Moonlight, like water, spills over the countless households of Bei Jing Cheng. On this peaceful night, two people who have endured war both think of each other.

A new story is quietly beginning.