RYEY -Chapter 468 Li Bing Retires from the Army

“No need to come. The child is important, and her father is important too. You go back. Qiao, you and Huan’er should go back as well. I have Lele here, that’s enough. Go back quickly—don’t exhaust yourselves.”

Mother Li began urging them to leave. She knew how hard Li Huan and Cheng Qiao worked, and wanted them to go back and get a good rest. Besides, Huan’er still had poison in his body.

Cheng Qiao did want to go back. She didn’t know whether her father and Master at the guesthouse had eaten yet. She took Mother Li’s pulse again—though weak, it posed no threat to life. After giving Lele a few instructions, she took the children and left.

Early the next morning, Jiang Meili cooked a large pot of medicinal congee and brought Jiang Hua and Li Chen to Mother Li’s ward. After setting the pot down, Jiang Meili knelt by Mother Li’s bed.

Mother Li panicked and tried to help her up, but lacked the strength. In the end, Lele pulled Jiang Meili up, her tone not very friendly:

“Big Sister-in-law, my mom can’t bear your kneeling. It’s not your fault—why are you kneeling to my mom?”

Jiang Meili looked awkward. Her mother had harmed her mother-in-law; wasn’t it right for her to apologize on her mother’s behalf? Why was Lele so unhappy?

“Eldest daughter-in-law, get up quickly. This is a new society—we can’t do this anymore.”

Mother Li spoke again, already sounding a bit breathless. Jiang Meili was startled and quickly stood up, scooped a bowl of medicinal congee, and sat by the bed.

“Mom, I learned how to cook medicinal congee from Cheng Qiao. Let me serve you a bowl and feed you, alright?”

Mother Li didn’t really have an appetite. She didn’t know what Cheng Qiao had given her, but she never felt hungry. Her abdomen and heart area were always warm, making her feel very comfortable.

The only bad thing was that she had no strength at all now. She needed Lele’s help to go to the toilet, and even talking too much left her short of breath.

“Big Sister-in-law, don’t act like you know everything when you don’t. Medicinal congee depends on who eats it. You don’t even know my mom’s condition, yet you keep talking about medicinal congee—what exactly are you trying to do?”

“Lele, don’t be rude to your eldest sister-in-law. She means well. Meili, Lele is just worried about me—that’s why she’s like this. Don’t mind her. Where’s Bing’er? Why hasn’t he come?”

“Mom, early this morning Xiao Dan called Li Bing away, saying the brigade commander wanted to see him about something.”

“Do you know what it’s about?”

“I don’t know. I went home early to cook the congee. Li Bing was at the hospital watching Cheng’er. When I came back, my dad said Xiao Dan had taken Li Bing away.”

“Oh. How is your father’s health? Cheng’er, why do you look so pale?”

“Grandma, I got sick too. I had a nightmare—I was locked in a place without a cage. I couldn’t see anything and couldn’t get out. I was so scared. Dad saved me.”

“A great misfortune survived brings great blessings. My Chenger will have plenty of good fortune in the future.”

“Grandma, what is good fortune? How can one have good fortune?”

Mother Li was momentarily taken aback. Everyone knew what good fortune was, but when asked to put it into words, she really couldn’t. Jiang Hua came over, patted Li Chen’s head, and told him to sit aside so as not to disturb his grandmother’s recovery.

“In-law, I’m sorry you suffered because of Yuan Qin’s madness. On behalf of my whole family, I apologize. I’ve also taken care of your medical and nutrition expenses.”

“Oh, In-law, these things are unexpected. My son has already covered the medical costs, and the nutrition expenses aren’t necessary. You should keep it for yourself.”

Looking at Jiang Hua, whose temples were already streaked with white, Mother Li sighed. Although he was much younger than her, he suddenly seemed so much older. Sigh…

“That won’t do. I’ve already bought it. You eat first, and if you like anything else, I’ll go get it.”

“In-law, really, you don’t need to. I know your situation—you still have a son to take care of.”

Mother Li really didn’t want Jiang Hua’s things. If he ran out of money, he’d inevitably ask Meili, who had quit her job. In the end, it would always fall back on Li Bing.

Jiang Hua’s face instantly turned red. He hadn’t intended to ask Meili; at most, he could borrow from a colleague and pay back after next month’s salary. But everyone knew that Meili helped her family, even Mother Li.

“Dad, take Chengcheng to get his injection first. He needs a fever shot today. After that, take him home.”

Jiang Hua quickly put down the nylon net bag he was holding, which contained a can of malted milk, a can of fruit, and half a pound of White Rabbit candies.

Li Chen refused to go back. Especially to his grandparents’ house—what if his grandmother got sick again and hurt him?

“No! I don’t want to go back! I’ll die! I want to stay with Grandma! I won’t get an injection—my bottom hurts! Grandma, save me…”

Li Le was displeased. Li Chen was the only son of her eldest brother, and now he was so scared he wouldn’t even go home. That was too much.

“Chengcheng, come, let Auntie hold you. If you don’t want to go home, you can stay here with Auntie and keep Grandma company.”

“Auntie, I want to stay with Grandma. Don’t send me back.”

Li Chen clutched Li Le’s clothes tightly while secretly glancing at Meili. He didn’t want his mother to be upset, but he was really scared.

“Mom, I’m not bullying Chengcheng. I’m his mother. I wouldn’t abuse him.”

Sweat rolled down Jiang Meili’s forehead. If her mother-in-law thought she was mistreating her child, her marriage with Li Bing could really end.

“Mom understands. Chengcheng was frightened yesterday. Let him play here for now. When Cheng Li comes back, he can play with them.”

“Grandma, is Brother Li Ming coming?”

“Yes, your favorite Brother Li Ming will come, right?”

“Mm, Brother Li Ming will protect me.”

“Then let Brother Li Ming take you for your injection later, or he’ll think you’re a coward and won’t play with you anymore.”

“Okay… I’m not a coward. Second Uncle said I’m the son of a hero, and I will be a hero too.”

Li Bing, recognized as a hero by his son, sat across from Qin Daqiang, his face full of unspeakable fatigue and disappointment.

Because of Yuan Qin, Li Bing had been completely discharged from the army. Soldiers couldn’t tolerate someone like Yuan Qin—ungrateful, feigning madness, and a murderer—especially since her target had been Cheng Qiao.

So Yuan Qin wasn’t just locked up; she was treated as a spy and subjected to severe interrogation, including by Jiang Hua and Jiang Meili, though they hadn’t been questioned yet.

Li Bing avoided suspicion thanks to Qin Daqiang’s guarantee and because he wasn’t stationed locally at the time. But staying in the army or transferring was impossible.

Despite all that, Li Bing had been a battalion commander and earned many military merits. Yet because of Yuan Qin, all his achievements were exchanged for a discharge allowance—8,000 yuan in total.