Chapter 199

Old Lady Ning's mind was dizzy and not very clear.

She first saw the light overhead, which was so blinding that one couldn't see anything else, with only white light left in her eyes.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again... she didn't look up, but looked straight ahead.

The people in the ward were facing away from Old Lady Ning and did not see her wake up.

The dignified man looked at the person on the hospital bed.

He couldn't help but walk forward, walking to the bedside, just looking at her like that.

Familiar images squeezed out of his mind, and his usually calm eyes turned red.

"Mom."

In the instant before he could collect his thoughts, this word was called out first.

Guard: "?"

Master Physician Sun: He remembered?!!

The little old man's eyes were bright as a thief's. He looked up at the back of Chief Ning's head, wishing he could pry it open to see what kind of violent movement was happening inside.

A major breakthrough in medicine.

He wanted to step forward but was pressed down by a palm as big as a cattail fan.

"Dr. Sun, don't be a killjoy," the guard lowered his voice.

After saying this, he gave a hehe smile, his tone smug, "My mother always says I'm slow-witted, but I suddenly feel... smart people have their slow-witted moments too."

Master Physician Sun really wanted to give him a big slap.

You simple-minded lad, you really think you've gotten one back on me, huh?!

Old Lady Ning was stunned.

She stared fixedly at the tall man in front of her, unable to react for a long while.

After coming to her senses, she raised her hand to pat his arm.

Seeing her son, the old lady was both happy and worried.

What she was happy about was being able to see the son who had sacrificed himself many years ago; what she was worried about was that the living and the dead were on different paths.

"Why did you come?"

Old Lady Ning stared at her son, her eyes shining, as if she wanted to take one more look, and then another, yet her hands couldn't stop pushing him away.

"You go quickly! Don't come to pick me up! I'm not going! Maodan is still small, I can't leave yet..."

She had taken a fall and had no strength in her body; that little bit of pushing didn't even amount to a child's, yet it made Chief Ning's nose ache.

"Mom, your son has returned." The man who had experienced the flames of war had an extremely hoarse voice. The memories in his brain were chaotic and still being rapidly organized and filed.

But he was very certain... this was his old mother.

Old Lady Ning was very happy to see her son.

"You heartless thing, you didn't even know how to send a dream all these years," she scolded with a smile.

"Did you see your dad?" Old Lady Ning rambled on, "Did the little old man find a new wife?"

Just after asking, she said, "Forget it, forget it, it doesn't matter if he did."

Chief Ning: "..."

"Did you see your wife?" Old Lady Ning asked again.

She was very satisfied with her daughter-in-law and exhorted her son, "Your wife had a hard life and didn't enjoy many days of happiness. She was always thinking of you. If you see her... treat her well."

After caring about the people she cared about, her eyes revealed worry, "Son, are you short of money? If you are, just say so, Mom will burn paper for you secretly."

From beginning to end, she didn't treat the person in front of her as a living person at all.

Old Lady Ning looked Chief Ning over, seeing that he was much more mature and profound than in her memory, and there was an extra scar on his face, making him look fierce and menacing.

Her smile deepened.

"I used to think, after not seeing you for years... what had my son become? Now that I see you, you look sturdier. Sturdy is good; you won't be bullied by other ghosts." Old Lady Ning nodded with satisfaction and urged him, "Mom is satisfied to see you, you go quickly..."

Chief Ning: "..."

He held his mother's hand.

"Mom, I'm not dead, I've come back."

The touch on her hand was incomparably real, but Old Lady Ning still had no sense of reality; her son had sacrificed himself for several years.

"Mom knows you have a heart," she patted the back of that hand, gently stroking the calluses on it.

"The living and the dead are on different paths, we are no longer people of the same world. Don't stay too long, go back to where you should be. Don't worry about me and Maodan, we are doing just fine. I will definitely watch Maodan get married and have children, go in peace..."

Chief Ning: How should he make his own mother believe that he is not a ghost, but a human?

He looked at the others in the ward.

In a daze, the old Gu couple finally came to their senses.

"You, are you really Mingde?" Gu Fu was full of shock.

Joy appeared on his face, and he stepped forward with small steps, wanting to pat his shoulder, but finding it too tiring, he changed to patting his arm.

"I said you looked familiar, you're not dead!!"

"Mingde, since you're not dead, why haven't you come back for so many years?"

Chief Ning learned from what his mother said—

His father had passed away, his wife was also gone, and only his mother and young son were left at home... living a difficult life, and his heart ached.

"I..."

The guard couldn't help but interrupt, "The Chief was on a secret mission for the past few years and only just returned. He suffered a very serious head injury and forgot his name and what relatives he had. He is still receiving treatment now."

After saying this, he grabbed Master Physician Sun's arm and pulled him forward, exposing him to the Gu family.

"This is the person treating the leader, Dr. Sun. If you don't believe me, ask him, he knows everything."

Master Physician Sun: "..."

The highly skilled old physician wanted to give the simple-minded lad two needles to make him shut his mouth.

Giving the guard a disdainful look, Master Physician Sun touched his short beard and nodded.

"That is correct." He looked at Chief Ning and explained for him.

"He has blood stasis in his brain, which caused him to lose his memory. A few days ago, the stasis just cleared, but he still hadn't remembered anything. Seeing you... that's why..."

Having said this, Master Physician Sun looked at Chief Ning.

"Have you remembered?"

Chief Ning nodded.

"Yes," he said, "... My name is Ning Mingde."

He was most concerned about his mother's illness and immediately asked, "Uncle Gu, what's wrong with my mother?"

Ning Mingde was born when Old Lady Ning was in her early thirties. He married late and had children late, and he was almost forty this year. Old Lady Ning and the old Gu couple were of the same generation, so he was right to call them Uncle and Aunt.

Gu Fu explained the general situation.

The doctor had said many unfamiliar words, and he was confused, stumbling through his explanation, with Gu Mu supplementing from the side.

The guard pointed at Master Physician Sun and reminded him silently: "Isn't there a doctor here?"

Hearing this, the old Gu couple shut their mouths.

With a doctor here, why were they still reciting a lesson?

Master Physician Sun didn't waste words, stepped forward a few steps, and said to Old Lady Ning, "Big Sister, stretch out your hand."

This "Big Sister" really made one feel uncomfortable!

Old Lady Ning grumbled to herself but stretched out her hand.

For the sake of her son coming to see her.

There was a trace of real force on her wrist, and Old Lady Ning was startled.

This dream was quite real.

"Son, Mom is fine. Why did you specially bring a doctor from the underworld? Isn't doing this... against the rules?"

Chief Ning twitched the corners of his mouth, his mouth tasting bitter.

Helplessly, he turned his head to look at Gu Mu.

His eyes were asking for help.

After not seeing her for many years, he was clumsy and didn't know what to say, let alone how to make his mother believe that he was a living person and that he had returned alive!

Gu Mu saw Mingde's intention and gave him a look that said "leave it to your aunt."

She sat down beside the hospital bed, grabbed Old Lady Ning's hand, and pinched it not too lightly or too heavily.

"Big Sister, does it hurt?" she asked.

Old Lady Ning looked at this one, then at that one, a bit confused, and answered honestly, "... A little."

"If it hurts, that's right!" Gu Mu said with a smile, "If it hurts, that means it's real. You're not dreaming, Mingde really has returned. Your son Ning Mingde didn't sacrifice himself, he has returned safe and sound!!"

She was genuinely happy for the old sister.

Look, look, she had said Old Lady Ning would have blessings later in life.

Old Lady Ning was half-believing.

She always felt that she had fallen and broken her head, and had contracted some rare disease.

Her son had sacrificed himself for many years, and that notification was still tucked in the photo album.

Mingde returned...

How could that be.

Seeing that the old sister was still confused, Gu Mu pulled over the even more confused Maodan and said, "Maodan, come tell your grandma, did you see your dad?"

Maodan was sensible early and smart, so of course he knew what the adults were talking about just now.

—That person, so tall, wearing a military uniform, was his dad.

His dad didn't sacrifice himself.

He was alive.

It's just that he forgot them.

Maodan thought of his mother, his eyebrows drooped, and a layer of mist spread over his dark, bright eyes.

Mom said she went to find Dad, and Dad was still alive, where did she go to find him?

He missed Mom.

Just as he was letting his imagination run wild, he was suddenly pulled to the bedside by Aunt Gu.

"Maodan?" Gu Mu squeezed his little hand.

The person who had returned from the dead had scared both the grandmother and grandson.

It wasn't strange.

Anyone would be scared.

Maodan came to his senses. He didn't look at the dad who was slightly unfamiliar to him, but looked at Old Lady Ning, gently pursed his lips, and asked, "Grandma, is this my dad?"

Seeing his grandson, Old Lady Ning finally realized that everything in front of her was real, not a dream.

Her son had returned.

Radiance appeared in her old eyes, a light brighter than ever before.

"Mingde? My son?"

Ning Mingde's mouth curled slightly, "It's me."

After answering, he called out "Mom."

Old Lady Ning froze for a moment, then burst into tears, struggling to get up, "Son, why did you only just return?"

She patted Ning Mingde's shoulder.

"Your dad didn't wait for you, he didn't go in peace."

"Your wife, for your sake... her eyes were almost cried blind! You heartless thing, if you couldn't come back, couldn't you have sent a letter? At least let us know you were alive."

Old Lady Ning was heartbroken for the little old man, and also for her hard-fated daughter-in-law.

Ning Mingde's eyes were slightly red. He didn't dodge his mother's lecture, nor did he make excuses for himself.

It was indeed his fault; he hadn't taken good care of the family.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

Old Lady Ning couldn't bear to hear this, choking up, "Don't say that. Your dad and I agreed to let you join the army, and we were prepared long ago not to see you one last time. It's good that you're back, it's good that you're alive. Treat Maodan well from now on; children without a father or mother have a hard life."

This kind of hardship wasn't the hardship of lacking food or clothing—

It was the hardship of other children having parents to call them to eat, while he had no one; it was the hardship of other children being taken by their fathers to hunt in the mountains or swim and catch fish, while he could only watch from afar; it was the hardship of other children having little school bags and scarves made by their mothers, while he could only look at his mother's portrait...

The hardship of having no father or mother was a hardship that came from comparison.

The hardship was in the heart!

Ning Mingde looked at the thin little boy, his eyes slightly sore, "I know."

"Maodan is my son, I will definitely treat him well."

Be a good father, and also a good mother.

Maodan didn't know his father's thoughts. Sensing a gaze falling on him, he lowered his eyes, his long, curled eyelashes trembling gently.

Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, I have a dad!!

No matter how calm he was on the surface, Maodan was happy inside, but he was precocious and appeared overly calm, looking as if nothing had happened.

When people are nervous, they want to do something.

Maodan was like this. He was busy going to pour water, found the kettle was empty, and took the kettle to fetch water, "... I'm going to fetch water."

His gaze glanced at Chief Ning inadvertently.

In the eyes of Chief Ning, who had suddenly become a father, his son was very well-behaved and looked good too. His skin was like his mother's, and his eyebrows and eyes were like his; he was a handsome young lad.

The guard consciously followed Maodan.

This was his Chief's only son, he had to protect him well.

Old Lady Ning said: "Maodan likes you, he's just shy. After you spend more time together, he'll get close to you. Maodan is a child with the softest heart."

"He admires you."

Chief Ning's eyes lit up.

He also learned from Master Physician Sun that his mother's illness was fine and would get better with good care, so he set his mind at ease.

Old Lady Ning didn't want to stay in the hospital and made a fuss about going home.

Her son hadn't returned for many years, and she wanted to take him home early so he could burn a stick of incense for the old man.

Chief Ning consulted Master Physician Sun's opinion, and only after confirming that his mother could go home to recuperate did he nod in agreement.

"It's too late today, I'll take you home tomorrow morning."

Old Lady Ning nodded reluctantly.

She was very sleepy, but couldn't bear to sleep, forcing herself to talk to her son, saying whatever came to mind.

That night, the old Gu couple and others were settled in the guesthouse.

They were crazy with joy.

Gu Yucheng clicked his tongue in wonder, "So this is the guesthouse where leaders stay, it's really grand. It was really worth it today!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the back of his head was slapped.

Gu Mu glared at him: "What? You feel like you're losing out if you don't stay in a guesthouse? We're all neighbors, shouldn't we help each other? Why are you so calculating? Is that how I taught you?"

Gu Yucheng hissed twice, "I was just saying."

Gu Fu was happy and entered their room with Gu Mu.

After entering the room, the old couple looked around. After the staff introduced it to them, they weren't as constrained as when they first arrived.

"It's really good." Gu Mu sat on the bed, feeling that the bed was soft and even had springs, which was very rare, "Mingde has made something of himself, Old Lady Ning and Maodan have blessings."

"Do you think they will be taken away?"

Gu Fu said: "That's for sure."

"I wonder which troop Mingde is in..." Gu Mu muttered.

"Don't ask, these are all secrets."

"Do I need you to tell me?" Gu Mu glared, "My awareness is very high."

Gu Fu sighed, "Look at you, I just reminded you, why are you getting angry? My wife's awareness is definitely top-notch."

Gu Mu couldn't control the smile at the corner of her mouth, "Go on with you, I'm going to wash up."

A string of happy laughter spilled from her mouth, "I didn't expect that I could stay in a guesthouse too. I heard that you can take a bath directly, it's more convenient than a big bathhouse. I'll go try it, you try it later too."

After saying this, she went into the bathroom.

Gu Fu thought to himself, that's for sure, since we're already here...

The next day.

A jeep came to the Harvest Brigade.

The whole village was boiling.

Adults and children watched from afar.

The car door opened.

Xiang Yubao and Gu Hangbao walked down from the car.

Seeing them, Tie Chui rushed over, his voice full of joy, "Xiang Yubao, Gu Hangbao, you're back!!"

Yuan Bao followed closely and said: "You rode in a big car, how does it feel to ride in a big car?"

While speaking, his little eyes glanced straight at the car, and seeing Maodan was also there, his eyes widened immediately, "Maodan?! You're here too, is your grandma better?"

He took out an egg he hadn't been willing to eat and stuffed it into Maodan's hand, "Maodan, my mom said eating eggs is nourishing, you give the egg to your grandma to eat, and your grandma will be better soon."

Chief Ning walked off the car and looked at the children, "Whose families are you all from?"

The children chattered and revealed their families.

Finally, Tie Niu asked: "Uncle, who are you?"

Master Physician Sun shook his head with a smile, "Children meet but do not recognize each other, laughing and asking where the guest comes from..."