Chapter One: The Closest, Yet Farthest Person (Part Three)
“Let me ask the doctor carefully before we decide.” Pang Dunhuang looked at her appearance; though she still had an air of childlike innocence, she faintly resembled another face. His chest tightened instantly. Unable to help himself, he raised a hand to rub his temple, masking his emotions. Dealing with this child, he had never had any good methods.
“Aunt Qiuwei has already asked many times, and the doctor found her annoying. If you go and ask again, the doctor will find you annoying too.” The little girl imitated him, also rubbing her temple. She still had some baby fat, her small hands chubby and plump, pinkish-white and flushed.
“Who dares to think I’m a bother?” Peng Dunhuang glared fiercely. “If it weren’t for us fighting the enemy on the battlefield, they wouldn’t even have the chance to run a hospital peacefully here!”
“Uncle Peng, that’s not reasonable,” the little girl pouted.
Peng Dunhuang sighed, then glared again and asked, “Where’s Qiuwei? Why isn’t she here keeping an eye on you?”
“I said I wanted to eat steamed soup dumplings, so Xiao Bo drove her to get some. There’s no need for her to be here watching over me all the time. If you hadn’t come, I would be sound asleep right now… Besides, the third and fourth kids in her family start making a fuss the moment she’s away…” The little girl blinked, speaking fluently and clearly. Peng Dunhuang looked at her and smiled inwardly. Neither of this child’s parents were particularly talkative people… Maybe she’s been influenced by Qiuwei from a young age? Seeing him simply smiling, the little girl added, “Uncle Peng, Aunt Qiuwei is just too busy. Why don’t I go stay with you once I’m discharged this time?”
“Living at my place? That won’t do!” Pang Dunhuang frowned. This little imp was full of clever and unusual ideas, switching plans left and right, leaving him at a loss. He was hoping Qiuwei would return soon, because he could barely handle it anymore.
“How can it not work?” the little girl asked, blinking her big eyes and staring straight at Pang Dunhuang.
“Mine’s just a place for raising spiders. You want to come to my place? Who would take care of you?”
“Mom, look,” the little girl pouted. “Uncle Pang, you won’t let me visit you. Could it be… you’ve changed girlfriends again?”
“What nonsense! That’s just nonsense!” Pang Dunhuang became agitated. “Who told you all this?” He waved his hand, and catching a glimpse of his adjutant behind him—who was secretly smirking—he immediately snapped to attention as Pang glanced his way. Pang pointed his finger at the adjutant and scolded, “I told you all not to gossip when you’ve got nothing better to do… That wife of Tu Huyi, she always seemed so honest and simple. Could she actually be the type to gossip behind people’s backs? Nannan, tell me, who told you all this nonsense? Go on, tell Uncle Pang…”
He was muttering to himself when the sound of sharp, tapping high heels echoed down the hallway.
The adjutant peeked out and returned with a smile to report, “Mrs. Tu is back.”
“Perfect timing—I was just about to look for her. How could she talk badly about me in front of Nannan?” Pang Dunhuang stood up and placed his hands on his hips.
“General Pang, I’ve never said a single bad word about you, whether to your face or behind your back.” A young woman entered the room, her hair styled in a bun and dressed in a purple Western-style outfit, her features strikingly beautiful. With a gentle smile, she carried a food box to the bedside, looking at the little girl who was already laughing gleefully in bed. “You, it’s you again, you little imp!” Her tone was filled with utmost affection.
Pang Dunhuang chuckled and said, “If it wasn’t you making up stories about me, how would Nannan know I changed again…”
