C5 He Had Hidden Illnesses

Lee Bingqian placed the clean dishes into the sterilizer with a cold smile. "Mom, enough already. If he's as great as you claim, why hasn't he been in a relationship yet? Oh, I get it! Maybe he has some sort of health issue?"

"What kind of issue? What are you referring to?" Liu Yuhang asked, puzzled.

Lee Bingqian let out a sly chuckle. "What else? Mom, did you forget what I do for a living?"

"You're a urologist. Oh! You mean..." Liu Yuhang's face went pale. "Bingqian, watch your language. You can't just say anything that comes to mind. It's unbecoming."

"Mom, are you suggesting my assessment is baseless? I'll be meeting him for a blind date tomorrow, and as a doctor, I'll take the opportunity to give him a check-up," Lee Bingqian said with a playful grin.

Liu Yuhang clutched at Lee Bingqian, flustered. "No! Bingqian, please don't cause any trouble!"

"How could I? It's a doctor's responsibility to heal and save lives!" She feigned a stern look. "Mom, you mustn't question my expertise or the sanctity of the medical profession."

"Oh, Bingqian, cut it out. You know what I mean. Just go to the blind date tomorrow and don't deliberately stir up any mischief, okay?" Liu Yuhang implored, her concern evident. "Your grandfather would be so upset if he knew. He's getting on in years; you should consider his feelings..."

Once again, Liu Yuhang played the emotional card, using Lee Zhiguo's health as leverage. Lee Bingqian, feeling a mix of resignation and irritation, waved her hand dismissively. "I got it, I'm heading to my room."

Back in the living room, Liu Yuhang was greeted by Lee Zhiguo's inquiry, "Did you talk to her?"

She nodded, "I did. Bingqian has agreed to go on the blind date tomorrow."

"That's a relief," Lee Zhiguo sighed, his attention shifting back to the Spring Festival Gala on the screen.

Watching her husband, who had remained quiet throughout the conversation, and reflecting on the family's stubborn streak, Liu Yuhang let out a soft sigh.

In her bedroom, Lee Bingqian felt restless. Lying in bed, she texted her sister, "Made it home. Tomorrow's the dreaded blind date."

After waiting a few minutes without a reply, Lee Bingqian checked the time on her phone and whispered to herself, "Maybe she's already asleep?"

After a long journey back to the capital, Lee Bingqian was understandably exhausted. With a challenging day ahead, she knew she needed to rest up and recharge her energy.

Clutching her blanket, Bingqian quickly drifted off to sleep.

At the Huang family residence in the capital, Huang Wenyu arrived home, travel-weary and worn. It was well past midnight when he found his mother sitting in the living room. Surprised, he asked, "Mom, why haven't you gone to bed yet?"

"I couldn't settle down to sleep, not knowing when you'd be home," Wu Ruoping replied, swiftly taking his luggage with a look of concern. "Have you lost weight? Didn't the food agree with you in the military?"

"Lost weight? Impossible. I actually gained a couple of pounds right before coming home," Huang Wenyu reassured her, lifting his luggage. "I'm here now, so please, go get some rest."

"Are you hungry? There are dumplings in the fridge. I can whip up a bowl for you."

"No need, Mom. I grabbed something at the airport."

"That airport food is hardly fit for consumption. Go shower, and I'll cook you some proper dumplings."

With his mother insisting, Huang Wenyu had no choice but to take his luggage back to his room to freshen up.

Later, dressed in his pajamas, he sat in the dining hall savoring the hot dumplings and feeling a profound sense of gratitude. There truly was no place like home.

Wu Ruoping casually inquired about his year, and Huang Wenyu picked out light-hearted stories to share, glossing over anything mission-related, which brought a smile to his mother's face.

Finally, Wu Ruoping's worries eased. "As long as you're not hurt, that's what matters. I've been on edge all year, always wondering if you're eating and sleeping well, if you're safe on your missions."

"It's a relief to know you're okay!" Wu Ruoping said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Huang Wenyu took his mother's hand, comforting her. "Mom, I'm perfectly fine. It's late; you should head to bed. I'll take care of the dishes. But tomorrow, I'm looking forward to your braised fish."

"Alright, alright! Hold on a second! There's something I need to tell you!"

"What is it?" Huang Wenyu inquired.

"Your grandfather recently met up with an old army buddy. His granddaughter works as a doctor abroad and she's around your age. I've heard she's quite beautiful and very bright."

Huang Wenyu immediately grasped the implication from the start. "A blind date?"

"Exactly! It's set for tomorrow at noon. Why don't you go meet her?"

"No."

"What? Why not?"

Huang Wenyu's father, Huang Zhiming, was a special forces soldier too. But after sustaining severe injuries during a mission, he could no longer wield a gun and was forced to retire and enter politics.

Wu Ruoping had been reluctant to let Huang Wenyu enlist, but he had grown up under the influence of his father and grandfather. Serving in the military was his lifelong aspiration.