Heavenly Dragon Doctor Son-in-Law-Chapter 20 - 21: Good Sisters Lin Yanrou

Xuewu! Why am I worried about him? But why do I feel so inexplicably lost the moment he leaves? All the care I gave him before was just out of pity, right?

Unable to sleep, Tang Xuewu sneaked into the bathroom and sent a voice message on WeChat to her best friend, Lin Yanrou.

Lin Yanrou was Tang Xuewu’s best friend. They had a strong relationship and had been inseparable from elementary school through high school. She was a cool, collected girl who had always been fascinated by the military, which led her to enroll in the Grand Xia Nation’s National Defense University. After graduating, she became a distinguished officer, like a modern-day Mulan. They kept in touch often.

"Well, well, why is our beautiful Xuewu thinking about her ’Hubby Lin’ all of a sudden?" Lin Yanrou’s carefree voice came through the message. You could tell just from her tone that she had a bold, straightforward personality.

"Stop it! Rou’er, I have something to ask you," Tang Xuewu said, before explaining her recent behavior to her best friend.

"Xuewu, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that big oaf. Listen to me, you can’t just give yourself away carelessly. You’re the number one beauty in Jiangzhong! Taking care of him for three years is more than enough to repay any debt. Let him go! Why not find a real gentleman?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Hearing her friend’s stern tone, Tang Xuewu was a little stunned. That was just Lin Yanrou’s character. She never beat around the bush, which was precisely why Tang Xuewu admired her more and more.

"Xuewu, don’t be a fool. What normal girl would want to marry a cripple, especially you, the top beauty of Jiangzhong? Leave him, and you’ll find out just how many outstanding men there are in the world. I, Lin Yanrou, have already met a man who is like a True Dragon, and I’ve sworn I’ll marry no one else."

As soon as Lin Yanrou mentioned the commander of the Heavenly Dragon Army, she instantly turned into a star-struck fan. Tang Xuewu couldn’t help but smile helplessly. Her friend was great at everything except for her hopeless infatuation with that legendary, dragon-like man.

"Oh my, this commander of the Heavenly Dragon Army... who is he exactly? Look at him, he’s completely stolen my dear Rourou’s heart. I really want to see a picture of him," Tang Xuewu joked with a hearty laugh.

"He’s the commander of the Heavenly Dragon Army, a Nine-Star Commander with the codename Heavenly Dragon. That’s all I can tell you. Just remember that he’s the embodiment of faith for all soldiers. He was appointed commander at eighteen. He is handsome, tall, and powerful. His martial arts and medical skills are unmatched in the world, and he is completely dedicated to protecting the people of Grand Xia. Three years ago, he single-handedly fought forty-nine martial grandmasters from the empire to reclaim thousands of miles of territory. He barely survived!"

As Lin Yanrou spoke, her voice trembled with respect. A man like a True Dragon. An unparalleled man! Only someone like that could make the tough Lin Yanrou sound so soft and feminine.

"Wow..." Tang Xuewu was shocked, her mouth agape. Just from her best friend’s words, she could picture what a towering figure this man was.

"Listening to you gush, you little missy, has me getting excited too." Tang Xuewu was undeniably curious. She, too, wished she could experience the battlefield, but her parents would never agree. The Tang Family still hoped she would marry into a wealthy family to elevate their status.

"My commander... It’s just a shame I can’t see him anymore," Lin Yanrou’s tone filled with despair.

"Why not?" Tang Xuewu asked, puzzled.

"Heaven is so unfair!" Lin Yanrou complained bitterly. "Rumor has it he’s missing. Some even say he’s dead, but I refuse to believe it! Countless people miss that young commander. I can still remember his dashing figure from behind... Heavenly Dragon, my hero, where are you?"

As she spoke, Lin Yanrou began to cry loudly. Tang Xuewu’s heart jolted when she heard this.

Missing for three years? Could it be...

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind. Qin Long had arrived at the Tang Family home exactly three years ago.

Could he know something? Or perhaps he was a subordinate of some powerful figure? If that’s true, he would be a prodigy in the military too! But how could he have ended up a crippled fool? It just doesn’t make sense.

Tang Xuewu quickly dismissed the idea.

"The brave war dragon will definitely return," Tang Xuewu gently comforted her friend.

"Xuewu, thank you. He will definitely come back," Lin Yanrou said, clenching her fists. "The Grand Xia Nation needs him! By the way, Xuewu, I’ve applied for a transfer out of active service."

"Really? Rou’er, when you get back, I’ll treat you to a meal!" Tang Xuewu was overjoyed to hear that her best friend was coming home.

"It’s true. Without the commander, the people of the Southern Region are plunged into misery. The new commander is too arrogant and completely disregards the lives of the soldiers! I can’t stand it anymore. I’d rather die by an enemy’s blade than be senselessly sacrificed by my own side. Without him, the Heavenly Dragon Army is no longer glorious; it’s lifeless. It’s like a heap of loose sand, with no fighting spirit left."

Lin Yanrou’s voice was filled with helplessness and a hint of despair.

Tang Xuewu pursed her lips and said comfortingly, "Rourou, once you’re back, I’ll have company. Just don’t forget to bring a photo of your heartthrob!"

"Deal!" Lin Yanrou wiped away her tears and laughed brightly.

With that, their voice chat ended.

「The next day.」

After washing up, Tang Xuewu was about to make breakfast but was surprised to find that Qin Long had already prepared it. Previously, Zhang Meilan had always done the cooking. But ever since Qin Long arrived, she had deliberately stopped to make things difficult for her daughter, hoping Tang Xuewu would get angry enough to kick him out. After all, Tang Xuewu was busy earning money and her cooking skills weren’t great. However, after three years of this, her daughter’s culinary skills had surprisingly improved. She had become a proper lady who could also cook like a master chef. Eventually, feeling sorry for her daughter, Zhang Meilan finally relented.

"Xuewu, I’ll drive you," Qin Long offered gently, handing her the keys and pursing his lips.

"That’s not our car! What if you damage it?" Zhang Meilan snapped.

"Mom, that car was a gift to Qin Long," Tang Xuewu explained hurriedly.

"Stop putting on airs when you’re broke! I’d like to see you try to drive it. But let me be clear: if you scratch it, you’re paying for it!"

Hearing this, Qin Long sighed silently. It seemed this woman had completely ignored what he had said before. He had warned her twice; there would not be a third time.

Whatever. I only need to protect Xuewu. What others think is none of my concern.

"Qin Long, please drive slowly," Tang Xuewu said with a smile as she walked toward the door.

This kind girl took care of me for three years. This small gesture is nothing in comparison.

"Xuewu, have you lost your mind?" Zhang Meilan glared at her daughter, furious. "Take the bus! Why let him go with you and make a fool of himself?"

"He’s protected me several times recently. It’s his kind intention, so there’s no need to refuse it, right?" Tang Xuewu, now changed into a small blazer, headed out.

"That cripple has ulterior motives! He’s probably just after your body," Zhang Meilan grumbled, grabbing a nearby broom and sweeping furiously to vent her anger.

"Mom, please stop mocking Ah Long in the future," Tang Xuewu said. "He was simple-minded before, but now that his memories have returned, he has his pride."

Tang De, who had been quietly sipping tea nearby, looked at his wife, wanting to say something but hesitating.

"If he had any pride, he would have left our home on his own long ago!" Zhang Meilan retorted, her glare intensifying as she bristled with anger.

"Meilan, it’s not that he doesn’t want to leave," Tang De said earnestly, setting down his teacup. "Back then, your mother went through great lengths to arrange this marriage. She had to plead with Qin Long’s master, who only reluctantly agreed. We can’t be so heartless. We shouldn’t look down on someone just because they’ve fallen on hard times. It isn’t right."