“How does it taste?” Ming Yu’s gaze was tense.
Jiang Fuyue nodded and spoke honestly: “It’s good.”
Then she reached out and picked up another one.
“Just like before.”
Ming Yu smiled broadly. “As long as you like it.”
“Don’t just watch me, you eat too.”
“Mm.”
After the two finished eating, Jiang Fuyue gathered the bowls and chopsticks, preparing to take them to the kitchen to wash.
She was stopped by Ming Yu—
“You sit. I’ll do it.”
Before Ming Yu moved in, Xiao Shan had specially asked a designer to make modifications to this apartment to facilitate his daily life.
For example, the stove was lowered by twenty centimeters, grab bars were embedded in the walls, and so on.
In this house, Ming Yu could completely carry out normal daily activities while seated in a wheelchair.
Naturally, that also included washing dishes and tidying the kitchen.
And he wasn’t slow at all.
Very soon, the kitchen was clean and neat.
Jiang Fuyue wanted to help, but was chased into the living room instead.
“I already told you not to move. I can handle all this myself. Go sit and watch some TV.”
Jiang Fuyue raised her brows and clicked her tongue lightly. “Since when did you become so efficient at housework?”
“When I was in the northwest, I did it often. Practice makes perfect.”
“Were you living alone over there?”
“Yes.”
So when he first moved here, he needed a period of adjustment before gradually getting used to it.
“All these years…” Jiang Fuyue paused. “You were alone the whole time?”
Ming Yu’s lashes trembled lightly. He suddenly raised his eyes, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and said, “No. I was always with the motherland.”
Jiang Fuyue fell silent.
“…You never thought about getting married all these years?”
Ming Yu said, “My lover is the motherland. You can’t get a marriage certificate, so I can only stay single.”
Jiang Fuyue felt both annoyed and amused. “Have you been singing too many red songs?”
“Maybe?”
After saying that, he laughed at himself as well.
“Alright, go to the living room first. Don’t interfere with me doing proper work.”
Jiang Fuyue shrugged and could only leave the kitchen.
…
In less than a quarter of an hour, Ming Yu finished washing up. When he came out, he was holding a fruit platter.
Freshly cut.
Jiang Fuyue reached out to take it and set it on the coffee table. “Are you getting used to living here?”
She had just taken a walk around. Aside from the bedroom, she had looked everywhere.
Not bad.
Sure enough, Ming Yu nodded. “Principal Xiao was thoughtful.”
“Can you go out?” Jiang Fuyue suddenly asked.
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
Ming Yu glanced at the murky, smog-filled sky outside the window. “Sure,” he smiled, picked up a toothpick and speared a piece of apple, handing it to her. “Where are we going?”
“A bar. Not far, twenty minutes by car.”
“Alright, it’s just…” Ming Yu touched his nose. “I’m not very good at drinking. I haven’t made any progress in the past twenty years. My alcohol tolerance is still as bad as before.”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “We’re not going to drink.”
Ming Yu was surprised. “Going to a bar without drinking? Then what are we doing? Listening to music? If it’s dancing, I might not be able to…”
Jiang Fuyue suddenly squatted down and grasped the hand resting on his leg.
Ming Yu froze hard, his whole body stiffening. “Yueyue, you…”
“Yesterday in the private room at the cafeteria, I heard everything you and Ming Zheng said.”
The man fell silent, lowering his eyes.
“You fell out with the Ming family, so you went to the Northwest Research Institute and stayed there for twenty years, right?”
“…” He didn’t speak.
Jiang Fuyue said, “Was it because of me?”
“No!” He suddenly raised his eyes. “This was my own choice. It has nothing to do with anyone else!”
“Then why did you choose to come back now?”
Ming Yu: “……”
Jiang Fuyue smiled bitterly. “As expected… Actually, back then when the Ming family called off the engagement, you really didn’t need to take it to heart.”
“Originally, the two families had only talked about it verbally. There was no formal promise. When I first took over the Lou Group, many people on the board were unconvinced. Under those circumstances, I didn’t clarify things to the outside world right away because I wanted to borrow the Ming family’s influence…”
Back then, Jiang Fuyue had already been honest with Ming Yu about this point.
What did Ming Yu say at the time?
“I know you don’t like being arranged, and I don’t like it either. Our relationship is so solid. An arranged marriage… seems okay too! Anyway, once we actually get married, we can still do whatever we want, just like before. It’s better than randomly marrying someone from the circle. Don’t you think?”
Seeing that she didn’t agree right away, Ming Yu spread his hands, shrugged, and said lightly—
“Of course, if in the future you meet someone you like, or I meet my true love, either of us can propose a divorce, and the other must cooperate unconditionally.”
At that time, no one but Ming Yu himself knew how fast his heart was beating or how tense his nerves were.
Finally, Lou Mingyue nodded. “Alright.”
Just like that, the alliance between the two families was settled, and their status as an engaged couple was announced to the public.
Since it was a gentleman’s agreement, when the Ming family later proposed to cancel the engagement, Lou Mingyue did not object and agreed directly.
She just hadn’t expected Ming Yu’s reaction to be so extreme…
When she saw him again after the engagement was broken off, Lou Mingyue almost didn’t dare recognize him, his sickly face was haggard, his beard unshaven, his eyes bloodshot, his lips pale and cracked.
His hair hadn’t been taken care of, his clothes and trousers were wrinkled. He looked completely different from his formerly well-groomed self.
“You…” What happened?
“Why did you agree?”
They spoke at the same time. Their eyes met. To this day, Jiang Fuyue still remembered his expression then… suffocating, desperate, as if his faith had collapsed.
Without waiting for Lou Mingyue to answer, he said again—
“Don’t worry about the Ming family. We can still get married as normal. As long as you’re willing, no one would dare object!”
But this time, she didn’t nod.
Ming Yu harbored resentment toward his family because of this, and in a fit of anger ran off to the northwest. It wasn’t until news of Lou Mingyue’s death arrived that he first blew up his leg, and later went blind.
Twenty years, before he finally waited for her again.
Now, Ming Yu sought nothing and hoped for nothing anymore. How merciful had Heaven been to him?
“I fell out with my family and went far away to the northwest, not only because of the broken engagement back then, but also because I didn’t want to be arranged and controlled by my parents. Didn’t you say it yourself? People need to learn to fight for themselves.”
“Back then, I studied nuclear physics to protect the country. Since I couldn’t realize my dreams in the Imperial Capital, then I went to a place where I could.”
Jiang Fuyue fell silent.
“So,” he let out a soft sigh and looked at her with a gentle, almost compassionate gaze, “don’t overthink it, and don’t feel burdened. It’s all in the past.”
Yes, it was all in the past. Twenty years of time had worn away too many things.
They were no longer who they once were.
“Your leg can still be treated, right?” Jiang Fuyue suddenly raised her eyes and fixed them on him.
Ming Yu was taken aback, completely caught off guard.
“Looks like it can be treated.” She knew him too well.
From the fact that he had gone to the northwest for twenty years without returning, one could tell just how stubborn Ming Yu was.
“Are you stupid? Who are you punishing by using your own body?”
Ming Yu remained silent.
Jiang Fuyue stood up. Seeing that he didn’t follow, she turned back. “What are you spacing out for? Let’s go.”
He suddenly snapped back to his senses, his expression dull. “Still… the bar?”
“Of course.”
“…Oh.” Ming Yu maneuvered his wheelchair, following behind.
Jiang Fuyue sighed, turned back, and stopped beside him. “Alright, let’s go.”
A small curve spread at the corner of Ming Yu’s mouth.
…
Jiang Fuyue drove and eventually stopped in front of “Danggui.”
Niu Rui came out to receive them right on time, yawning as they walked.
“Where’s Shigong?”
“He stayed up late playing games last night. He’s sleeping in his room right now.” As Niu Rui spoke, their gaze unobtrusively landed on Ming Yu, who was sitting in a wheelchair at the side.
Jiang Fuyue said, “Let me introduce you. This is Ming Yu. This is Niu Rui.”
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
The two nodded to each other.
Niu Rui said, “Let’s go in and talk.”
Only after going inside did Ming Yu realize that it wasn’t open for business at all. The booths were cold and deserted, the stage was spotless, and there wasn’t even a single server.
Niu Rui led the two into the elevator and up to the second floor.
“I’ll go wake Shigong.”
No sooner had the words fallen than, before they could take any action, Ye Qianji came out of the room.
“Is Little Yue here?”
“Shigong.”
The moment he saw her, Ye Qianji’s aged eyes lit up. “Little Yue, in weather this cold, how come you didn’t even put on a scarf? Your hands are exposed too…” As he spoke, he asked her with concern, “Aren’t you cold?”
“Not cold.”
Even so, he still directed Niu Rui to pour a cup of hot water.
Niu Rui: “?”
“Hurry up and go, what are you rambling about!”
“…Oh.” Pitiful me.
Jiang Fuyue introduced the old man and Ming Yu to each other.
“Ming Yu…” Ye Qianji smacked his lips for a moment. “The kid who almost married you back then?”
Jiang Fuyue nearly choked.
Ming Yu, on the other hand, smiled calmly and nodded. “That’s me.”
“Tsk, you were able to find her…” the old man muttered softly, “…that does count as being thoughtful.”
With Little Yue’s current status, there were probably very few old acquaintances who could recognize her.
Moreover, Jiang Fuyue did not refuse to acknowledge him, but chose to reveal her identity, and even brought this person to “Danggui”, which showed she trusted him very much.
Ye Qianji more or less had an idea in his heart.
At this moment, Niu Rui finished pouring the hot water and brought it over.
Ye Qianji immediately stuffed it into Jiang Fuyue’s hands. “Hurry and drink a few sips, warm yourself up.”
Only after personally watching her drink the hot water did the old man feel satisfied, yet his mouth still kept nagging. “Next time you go out you still have to wear more clothes, your health wasn’t good before, now you need to pay even more attention! Recently I followed a public account called ‘A Little Bit of Health Every Day’, it pushes little health tips every day balabla…”
Ye Qianji talked on and on, Jiang Fuyue listened attentively.
Ming Yu also showed not the slightest impatience.
Only Niu Rui leaned against the wall, yawning out of boredom. They had already heard these words countless times and could recite them by heart.
Finally, when Ye Qianji finished speaking, Jiang Fuyue immediately took out her phone and followed that public account on the spot.
Ming Yu followed suit.
Niu Rui: “……”
“Alright, tell me, what did you come to see me for?” Finally getting to the main point.
Jiang Fuyue hooked her arm around his, shaking it affectionately. “Shigong, can you help take a look at Ming Yu’s legs?”
Ye Qianji’s gaze fell on Ming Yu’s legs.
The latter was startled, completely not expecting that Jiang Fuyue had come here for his sake…
“Yueyue, actually I don’t need…”
“Don’t talk yet.”
Ming Yu instantly fell silent. “…Oh.”
“Kid, what’s going on with your legs?”
Ming Yu: “…They were blown up during an experiment.”
Ye Qianji: “What did the doctor say back then?”
Ming Yu’s eyes flickered. “The nerves were damaged.”
“Alright, come in with me, I’ll take a look first.”
Ming Yu: “Actually I…”
Jiang Fuyue cut in. “Trust Shigong, his medical skills are very good, I guarantee it.”
Meeting her clear eyes, all the words of refusal could no longer be spoken. Ming Yu nodded and responded softly, “Okay.”
The two went inside.
While waiting, Jiang Fuyue and Niu Rui went to the basement.
“Where’s your mom? Why haven’t I seen her again?”
Niu Rui curled his lips. “No idea which country she’s gone wild in again, she dumped Danggui on me, so annoying…”
“Didn’t I remember her saying not long ago that she was going to stay in the country for a while and wouldn’t go out?”
“She was just lying to you. With the way she is, if she can stay in one place, I’ll twist my head off and use it as a kettle!”
“……” That’s not necessary.
When they reached the basement, Jiang Fuyue sat in front of the central control console and faced the screen. “Where’s the data?”
Niu Rui stood beside her, holding a tablet. After some fiddling, a virtual shadow of a file icon appeared on the screen.
Jiang Fuyue entered the key within the specified time. The folder opened, and multiple English documents popped out.
She casually clicked one, flipping pages quickly as she skimmed through.
Niu Rui: “What do you need so much information on the Schankwo virus for? It’s currently well controlled domestically, there’s no sign of large-scale spread.”
Hearing this, Jiang Fuyue did not slow down her browsing speed and had already opened the second document. “Curious.”
Niu Rui: “?” Curious about anything else and it had to be viruses.
“Do these materials have sources?”
Niu Rui: “There’s a summary in the last document. Most of them were hacked from the personal computers of foreign virology experts. Some important documents even have encryption settings that haven’t been cracked yet. You’re faster than me, I’ll leave it to you.”
Jiang Fuyue found that document and opened it. Sure enough, a string of source lists appeared, research results and researchers, even the affiliated laboratories were all matched one by one, clear and explicit.
“Send all the documents in this file to me via encrypted email. Don’t forget to erase the traces, don’t let anyone trace it back.”
Niu Rui made an “OK” gesture. “When have I ever let you worry about my work?”
Jiang Fuyue shut down the computer and prepared to go up.
After taking two steps, she suddenly turned back, stopped in front of Niu Rui.
Niu Rui: “?” Completely confused.
She pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “Do you know where one can get a Schankwo virus sample?”
“W-what?! Are you crazy?! You want a virus?!”
Niu Rui’s eyes widened, his voice cracking.
Jiang Fuyue: “Mm. Is there a channel?”
“No… why, when everything’s fine, do you want that thing for?”
“Research.”
“This isn’t allowed to be obtained privately, right? As far as I know, you need approval procedures from the relevant departments. Otherwise anyone could want to get some virus. If something goes wrong and causes contamination or leakage, wouldn’t our country be finished?”
“I know the rules. The procedures are already being handled. I just want to understand in advance. I don’t need the kind that’s still infectious. I’ve checked. Processed samples can be used for research in ordinary biological laboratories. The danger level isn’t high.”
“This…” Niu Rui scratched his head. He didn’t really understand either. “I can only see whether there are any in existing domestic biological laboratories. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
“Thanks.”
……
Jiang Fuyue left.
Niu Rui didn’t follow her up, but stayed in the basement, clacking away at the keyboard.
“Every single day, working myself to death! Doing intelligence during the day, running a bar at night. Why is my life so miserable…”
D*mn it!
The more Niu Rui thought about it, the more indignant he felt. He picked up his phone and called Niu Chunhua. “Old lady! When are you coming back? I’m done! I’m going on strike! I want to go travel!”
The other end didn’t say a single word and hung up directly.
Niu Rui: “?”
Was I picked up off the street?!
Speaking of Jiang Fuyue, after she went upstairs, she waited another ten or so minutes before Ye Qianji and Ming Yu came out.
“Shigong, how is his situation?”
“Mm… not very good, but not particularly bad either.”
Seeing that he spoke vaguely, Jiang Fuyue didn’t press him on the spot. She only turned her head to look for a water cup.
“…Why isn’t it here? It must be that when I went down to the lobby just now, I casually put it on the bar counter.”
“I’ll go get it.” Ming Yu was closest to the elevator. Just as the metal doors opened, he directly maneuvered his wheelchair inside.
“Is it convenient?”
Ming Yu smiled. “This little thing, I can still do it.”
Jiang Fuyue nodded. “Thank you.”
After the elevator doors closed and Ming Yu left, she turned to Ye Qianji, her tone tinged with a bit of gravity. “Shigong, go ahead and say it.”
The old and the young had long had tacit understanding. Ye Qianji didn’t hide it anymore, his gaze tightening slightly. “His legs were indeed blown up, and the nerves were indeed damaged, but it wasn’t serious. If he had cooperated with treatment back then, actively used medication, he wouldn’t even have needed surgery, and he could have recovered.”
Jiang Fuyue’s expression was shocked. “But he’s been in a wheelchair for twenty years…”
“Exactly. With non-serious nerve damage, how could he possibly sit in a wheelchair for twenty years? Unless he himself didn’t want to stand up!”
“How is that possible?” Jiang Fuyue didn’t understand.
How could a perfectly good person give up healthy legs and be willing to sit in a wheelchair for a lifetime?
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