Chapter 20 Disfigured

Early the next morning.

Qian Lai was still fast asleep in the spacious bed, only to be awakened by Aunt Zhang’s knocking.

"Miss Qian, it's almost six. If you don’t get up now to make breakfast, you’ll run out of time."

"Aunt Zhang, do you prepare breakfast for them every day?" She rubbed her sleepy eyes, handed the list to Aunt Zhang, who smiled quietly, saying only, "The porridge is cooking on the stove. I’m heading to the market for vegetables now—I'll leave the rest to you."

"You’re going out so early?" Qian Lai exclaimed.

"Sister Cheng insists on the freshest vegetables every day. If I go late, they’ll be gone. No more chatter, I’m off. Keep an eye on the porridge—don’t let it burn."

...

Gu Yue rose even earlier than usual that morning. She was eager to witness Qian Lai’s struggle in the kitchen.

She had even rehearsed lines to criticize.

Tiptoeing downstairs, she found herself surprised by the absence of the expected clatter and chaos.

Entering the dining room, she looked around and cried out in frustration.

Gu Weiguo, Cheng Fangping, and Gu Kanze hurried in, fearing something was amiss.

On the expansive dining table sat only a pot of plain porridge and a note.

In graceful, neat handwriting, the note read:

The porridge was cooked by Aunt Zhang. I only helped move it to the table. I have not yet undergone a physical examination, so for the sake of the family's health, it is unwise for me to cook. Wishing everyone a pleasant meal!

Also, my thoughts are with Commander Gu. I leave without farewell today, only to hasten to his side. Please do not worry.

Qian Lai.

"My sister-in-law is quite something!" Kanze remarked, reading the note repeatedly, finding it rather endearing.

Gu Yue and Cheng Fangping’s scheme had failed, and no one had prepared breakfast—so their frustration was palpable.

Gu Weiguo, on the other hand, appeared unconcerned. He had never agreed with tormenting the new daughter-in-law so.

"You all eat—I’ll have breakfast at the staff canteen."

Meanwhile, Qian Lai had already boarded the earliest bus bound for the military retirement home.

Fortunately, she had the foresight yesterday to ask Xiao Li about the route.

Unexpectedly, the scenery along the way was breathtaking.

From city to countryside, every step revealed a unique view.

Without the smog of later years, the air carried a sweet freshness.

As the bus passed a stretch of sea, she glimpsed ships large and small bustling through the port.

Navy personnel stationed at the harbor wore blue and white uniforms, harmonizing beautifully with the sky and clouds—a truly pleasant sight.

After more than an hour, passengers gradually left the bus, until only two remained.

The other passenger glanced at her several times, finally unable to contain his curiosity.

"Comrade, are you heading to the retirement home?"

"How did you know?"

Qian Lai observed him closely: a light army green shirt, matching trousers—he must be an officer as well.

He smiled gently, adjusting his glasses.

"Because the retirement home is just ahead. Anyone riding this far is likely going there. Which commander are you visiting?"

"Gu Kanchuan, Deputy Division Commander Gu. Do you know him?"

"Deputy Division Commander Gu? Of course. I’m the doctor overseeing his recovery. My name is Tan Yunhai. May I ask, are you…?"

"Doctor Tan, hello. I am… a family member. My name is Qian Lai."

"Your surname is Qian—so you must be his fiancée!"

His eyes lit up, excitement barely contained.

"Your arrival is wonderful. Deputy Division Commander Gu is facing the greatest setback of his life and truly needs encouragement. With you here, perhaps his will to live will revive.

To be honest, he's refused food for days now. No one has been able to persuade him. Even his family is at a loss."

"But we've never met. I don’t know how much help I can be, but I'll do my best. How is his condition?"

"A bullet penetrated his lumbar vertebrae, causing a transverse spinal cord injury. Our current technology cannot repair it. If it cannot be repaired, he will never stand again." Tan Yunhai lowered his head, heavy-hearted.

"May I see all his post-surgery examination reports?"

"You can read professional medical reports?" Tan Yunhai was surprised.

"I've read relevant books. Let me try. Anything I don’t understand, I’ll ask you."

Tan Yunhai led Qian Lai into the retirement home, handing her all the documents.

Qian Lai carefully examined every detail, but some descriptions of certain areas were less than precise.

Moreover, with time, many data points needed updating before further accurate assessment could be made.

Even so, she was as excited as if she had found a treasure. Her experiments were nearing the stage of in vivo testing.

Once animal trials were complete, clinical trials would begin. Finding suitable patients for the research would be a vital step.

Gu Kanchuan’s injury was precisely the most challenging—and most needed—type for her study.

She had been troubled by the search for patients; unexpectedly, one had appeared right before her.

"Doctor Tan, I see some of the commander’s reference values are long outdated. If we want the latest data, can the retirement home conduct a full-body examination for him?"

"The retirement home doesn't have such facilities—it would have to be at the military hospital." Tan Yunhai paused, then added, "But first, he needs to eat and drink normally. He’s been fasting for three days. No one can persuade him. Why don't you try?"

Gu Kanchuan’s ward was at the end of the first-floor corridor.

As Qian Lai followed Dr. Tan down from the third-floor office, she saw many patients and family members gathered in the corridor, all peering toward the end.

"It's Deputy Division Commander Gu again, isn’t it? If he doesn’t curse someone every day, it's as if he hasn't eaten."

"Truly pitiable. Not yet twenty-eight, and paralyzed. Who wouldn't be troubled?"

"His family hasn’t visited lately, have they?"

"They come, he curses at them. Who would dare return?"

"I heard his fiancée is coming. Even in his state, they’re thinking of marriage?"

"Keep your voice down. His matter is taken seriously in the capital. The marriage was approved by the authorities. It's basically to find someone to care for him, to comfort him."

...

Qian Lai walked through the corridor, surrounded by ceaseless whispers.

Near the ward, she heard someone inside coaxing gently.

"Old Gu, how long do you think you can last not eating or drinking? Your mother called—her girl is arriving soon. Are you waiting for your little bride to feed you before you eat?"

"What fiancée? Whose fiancée? I’m a worthless cripple—what do I need a fiancée for?" Gu Kanchuan roared.

At once, a food tray clattered violently, tumbling out the door.

Just as Qian Lai peeked in, a spoon flew straight at her forehead.

"Ah! Hiss—"

Blood instantly trickled through her fingers as she pressed her brow.