Hu Jun was about to leave when he received a phone call. He immediately drove straight to the military hospital.
Shen Xianjun’s left arm was wrapped in a cast, with Liao Yuanjie keeping him company.
"You need to rest that arm properly. We still have to inform Niannian and Aunt Yang about this," Zhou Ang said as he handed Shen Xianjun his medication. Zhou Ang had personally set the broken bone.
"How is it?" Hu Jun arrived and glanced at Shen Xianjun, but his gentle question was directed at Zhou Ang.
"Not too bad. The fracture was clean, and it’s been set. The other injury isn’t serious either—just a concussion."
Zhou Ang had already clocked out and changed out of his work clothes, but as soon as he reached the hospital entrance, he saw Shen Xianjun being brought in and immediately turned back to work overtime.
Little Baby was sitting on a nearby stool. When he saw his father arrive, he ran over, and Hu Jun scooped him up into his arms.
"Yuanjie, return to the unit and handle the follow-up procedures. Xianjun’s situation has already been reported. I’ll take him with me."
"I should just go back to the unit like this," Shen Xianjun said. In the past, he wouldn’t have worried about his family worrying over him, but now he didn’t want to trouble them.
"They’ll find out sooner or later. If you’d rather stay in the hospital, that’s fine too."
At Hu Jun’s words, Shen Xianjun fell silent. Staying in the hospital was out of the question.
"Write a report on what happened and submit it to me in three days."
After Shen Xianjun got into the car, Zhou Ang and the child sat in the back and overheard Hu Jun’s instructions.
"Brother, my hand is injured!"
"You’re not a rookie. It’s your left hand—you still have your right one."
Shen Xianjun didn’t argue further. The accident had indeed happened because the new recruit under his command lacked vigilance, and he had noticed too late.
"You’ll need time to recover. Take three days off, then report for teaching duties."
Hu Jun made the arrangements while driving.
"Understood."
Shen Xianjun was reluctant. He had finally managed to get assigned to a field mission to avoid teaching those cadets—it was torture for him.
"Today is Aunt Yang’s birthday. Niannian mentioned it specifically before."
As they approached the residential compound gate, Zhou Ang suddenly remembered. Hu Jun had just pressed the brakes, preparing to park.
Hu Jun looked at Shen Xianjun and briefly considered sending him back to the hospital right then.
But they were already here.
"You forgot?"
At Hu Jun’s question, Shen Xianjun stiffened slightly, his back straightening.
"..."
They were at the doorstep—there was no turning back now. Shen Xianjun began wondering how he should handle this.
Over the years, he had grown increasingly guilty about neglecting his mother. Now, showing up injured on her birthday felt like the height of filial ingratitude.
The car slowly pulled up in front of the courtyard. Inside, the children heard the engine and rushed out curiously.
Several of them carried over a large stack of flatbreads. The family couldn’t finish them all in one meal, so they’d need extra dishes to wrap them with.
"Dad!"
The voices of Hu Zhenghao and the twins rang out.
"Brother!"
Little Baby had already dashed down.
"Mom."
Hu Zhenghao took Little Baby’s hand.
"Dad, what happened to your hand?"
Li Wu’s voice was as loud as ever, drawing everyone’s attention to Shen Xianjun’s cast.
Qin Nian had been shooed out of the kitchen by Yang Yufen, who insisted she didn’t need help. She stepped outside and immediately rushed over in concern when she saw Shen Xianjun’s arm in a cast.
"You got injured on a mission? How serious is it?"
"It’s nothing. Sister-in-law already fixed it for me. I’m tough—I’ll recover fast."
Shen Xianjun quickly reassured her.
"But could you put in a good word for me in front of Mom? It’s her birthday, and I..."
"I used the money you gave me to pick out a set of clothes for her. She loved them. Brother, Sister-in-law, come inside—Professor Wen is here too."
At Zhou Ang and Hu Jun’s arrival, the group entered the courtyard. The children ran ahead, already delivering the news to the kitchen.
"Grandma, Dad hurt his hand!"
Yang Yufen paused mid-stir at Li Wu’s words.
"Mom, it’s not serious."
Shen Xianjun’s voice followed from outside the kitchen.
Yang Yufen quickly scooped the stir-fry out of the wok, added a ladle of water, wiped her hands on her apron, and headed out—only to find Shen Xianjun already at the doorway.
"What are you doing in the kitchen? Do you still want that arm?"
Yang Yfen looked him over. He seemed fine otherwise, but his arm was indeed in a sling.
"Of course I do—it’s been set."
Shen Xianjun hurriedly reassured her.
"Then go inside. The egg drop soup will be ready soon."
Seeing Qin Nian beside him and Hu Jun’s family behind them, Yang Yufen turned back to the kitchen.
"How is Xianjun?"
Aunt Wang had already scrubbed the wok clean.
"He’s fine—still in one piece. Tomorrow, I’ll get some trotters to stew for him."
At Yang Yufen’s words, Aunt Wang relaxed.
Thanks to the extra mouths, the stack of flatbreads that would’ve lasted two or three days was finished in one meal, wrapped with side dishes. Li Wu’s eyes sparkled with joy—no leftovers for days!
Since Shen Xianjun needed rest, Hu Jun followed Yang Yufen and Aunt Wang next door.
Zhou Ang explained to Qin Nian how to care for Shen Xianjun’s injury, then took the children and Professor Wen for a walk.
"Auntie, if you build these dormitories, how many workers can the orchard keep? I understand your kindness, but if it’s not sustainable, it might not be the best approach."
Hu Jun spoke seriously.
Yang Yufen glanced at her friend.
"The orchard needs plenty of hands, and with two more chicken coops, we’ll need even more. Later, we plan to dig irrigation channels for fish farming. Even during the orchard’s off-season, the agricultural institute has plenty of odd jobs."
Aunt Wang elaborated—it wasn’t just charity; they genuinely needed the manpower, though the benefits were generous.
Hu Jun listened and nodded.
"In that case, I’ll arrange for someone to help design the layout for optimal land use. I’ll also find contacts to fast-track the permit approvals for materials."
"That would be wonderful."
Yang Yufen was delighted.
"It’s all thanks to your kindness. Many of our retired veterans struggle financially despite subsidies, and some older comrades have no family left but refuse to burden the system. Giving them meaningful work is a blessing."
Back at home, Qin Nian brought a basin of warm water into the room.
"Use this towel to freshen up. It’ll help you feel better."
She noticed the dust still clinging to Shen Xianjun.
"Alright."
Shen Xianjun took the towel and wiped his face.
"Niannian, I can’t reach my back."
He said it with complete seriousness.
Qin Nian took the towel and helped him, scrubbing once, then rinsing and wiping again. Suddenly, she heard Shen Xianjun chuckle.
"What’s so funny?"
She was puzzled.
"I’m just happy, so I couldn’t help laughing. Thank you, Niannian—for remembering Mom’s birthday and for helping me with her gift."
