Chapter 1 The Nearest Yet Farthest Person (Four)

“See for yourself.” Qiuwei spread her hands. “There’s no need for me to make up stories about you—you’ve already let it slip.” As she spoke, she opened the food container and served Nannan a bowl of porridge, urging her to drink it. Seeing Nannan grinning, she added, “You keep teasing your Uncle Pang. No matter how many troops he commands, he’s simply helpless when it comes to you.”

Nannan held the bowl, simply laughing.

Pang Dunhuang took off his military cap and sat by the hospital bed, watching Nannan drink the porridge.

Qiu Wei smiled as she saw the deep affection in his eyes, and stood quietly to one side. Pang Dunhuang glanced at her and asked, “Any news from Huyi recently?”

“They say he’ll be back within the next couple of days.” As she spoke, Qiu Wei discreetly signaled to Pang Dunhuang.

Pang Dunhuang looked at Nannan, who seemed completely uninterested in their topic, and said, “The main force is currently in a period of rest and reorganization. Commander Tao’s headquarters have already moved into Xuzhou. Nannan, your father…”

“I’m not eating anymore.” The little girl pushed her bowl away, lifted the covers, and burrowed under the sheets. “You all can leave. I want to sleep.”

“Nannan…” Pang Dunhuang patted Nannan’s shoulder helplessly through the blanket. The small body twisted violently twice more under the covers, then simply pulled the blanket over its head. “Nannan, you can’t throw a tantrum this time. When Dad comes back, you have to go home and stay with him peacefully for a couple of days, understand?”

“General Pang.” Qiu Wei waved to him.

“General! Telegram!” The adjutant’s report echoed from outside the ward door.

“Understood.” Pang Dunhuang stood up as he spoke. Seeing that Nannan showed no reaction, he put on his military cap and said to Qiuwei, “I have to leave now. Please take extra care—if the doctor confirms Nannan is fine, take her home. I’ll come see her once I’m free. Let me know right away if anything happens.”

With that, he walked out.

Qiuwei agreed and saw him out. Once they reached the corridor, she closed the door to the ward softly and asked Pang Dunhuang in a low voice, “Is Commander Tao sure to return within the next few days?”

“The troops have been ordered to rest and regroup, so he should have time to return. I’ve also heard that Mrs. Tao has come back from Nanyang and will be arriving in a day or two. Though he never says it out loud, he misses Nannan too,” Pang Dunhuang said as he put on his military cap.

“So, Commander Tao and Miss Su’s matter… has it been settled?” Qiu Wei asked.

“He needs a wife. And Nannan needs a mother.” Pang Dunhuang did not answer directly.

Qiu Wei opened her mouth, sighed, and said, “Yes. It’s just… this child… I really shouldn’t say this, but Miss Su is after all a bit young.”

“Don’t worry, how could we ever let her feel wronged? Even if we step back ten thousand steps, with Nannan’s temper, she’s lucky if she doesn’t make others angry.” Pang Dunhuang understood Qiu Wei’s feelings, and his own heart felt heavy too, yet he managed a smile. “Now that she is willing to stay with you, you’ll just have to take on a bit more responsibility.”

“I promised the young lady, and I will certainly fulfill it,” Qiuwei said.

Upon hearing this, Pang Dunhuang glanced at Qiuwei without saying a word, then left with his men.

Watching their figures disappear, Qiuwei returned to the ward. As soon as she entered and saw the empty bed, she turned pale with fright and cried out, “Where’s the child?!”

The bathroom door was wide open, and she rushed inside. Finding no one there and the window open, her heart sank. Dashing to the window, she spotted a rope made of white bed sheets hanging down, with the little girl in a pink floral nightgown already about to reach the ground.