"Don't cry, don't cry, don't upset the baby. Look, all your parts are here, just a minor injury."
Chen Yang hadn't wanted to see his wife so soon. In his current state, Shen Xue would surely worry.
The pain in his body was real, but he was a man. No matter how much it hurt, he didn't want his woman to fret.
What's more, Shen Xue was pregnant right now, and too much emotional fluctuation was bad for the baby.
It wasn't just Shen Xue; his parents, and his in-laws, the whole family had been through so much worry because of him. He felt terrible about it.
"Still trying to be tough? You're this injured, how is that a minor injury?"
"I heard the doctor. It was just a little bit away from losing a finger. If it had been severed, what would you have done?"
Shen Xue held Chen Yang, her eyes instantly reddening.
Seeing his hands wrapped in bandages, her heart ached as if being pierced by knives.
"What would I have done? Would you have abandoned me and kicked me out?"
Chen Yang turned his head and bumped his forehead against Shen Xue's, a gesture of affection he could only manage now that his hands were incapacitated.
"I, I, I will take care of you."
"But, but, even if I take care of you, you're not allowed to get hurt. You must be alright."
Shen Xue hugged Chen Yang, disregarding her parents and his parents who were nearby. Right now, all she wanted was to hold him. Seeing him so badly injured made her heart ache.
"Alright, alright, the whole family is watching."
Chen Yang didn't want Shen Xue to worry too much and deliberately changed the subject.
"Mom, Dad, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, it's nothing, just a minor injury. You all should get some rest. Don't look at me. The two children were also terribly frightened this time. It'll be hard on you these few days."
"It's my fault too, I was too careless. I was worried you and Xue'er would be anxious if I didn't return. I thought with Wu Kang and Gao Feng with me, three grown men, no one would be foolish enough to cause trouble. Who knew we'd run into a madman."
Chen Yang looked at his mother's red, tear-filled eyes and felt a pang of guilt.
His intention was to prevent them from worrying, which was why he decided to return. He hadn't expected that in the end, it would cause them even greater anxiety.
"You're a father now. In the future, you must act with more prudence and consideration. Safety must always come first."
"I know you were worried about us and Xue'er, but from now on, we all need a plan. If you can't make it back, don't travel in the dark. Xue'er and we won't go looking for you in the dark either. It's better for you to stay at a guesthouse, and we'll wait at home."
"This way is safer for everyone. It won't delay anything for a night."
Chen Liming understood his son's intentions; he was afraid of them and Shen Xue worrying. After all, Shen Xue often wanted to go meet him on the road when he wasn't back.
She was pregnant; how could they, as elders, let her go out in the dark?
She was their daughter-in-law, and she was worried about her son. He couldn't say too much.
Since something had happened this time, he decided to use this opportunity to properly guide his son and daughter-in-law.
In a marriage, everything needed to be discussed and agreed upon, and there needed to be understanding. Otherwise, weren't they just creating trouble for themselves?
Like this time, it was fortunate the injury wasn't severe. If Chen Yang hadn't brought Zhao Wu Kang and Gao Feng, Chen Liming didn't dare to think about what could have happened.
If Chen Yang hadn't returned, and Shen Xue insisted on going to meet him, what would have happened if something had occurred on the road late at night? What if she had been hurt?
With them around, they could persuade her, but they couldn't always be by their side. The couple needed to understand this principle themselves.
Worrying about each other stemmed from care, but care shouldn't lead to recklessness. Otherwise, regretting it when something happened would be too late.
"Dad, we know we were wrong."
"Wife, did you hear that? From now on, neither of us will worry and overthink. If I can come back, I will. If I can't, it means there's something going on, and I'll be back the next day. Don't worry so much."
His father's words were undeniably correct. Chen Yang wholeheartedly agreed.
Shen Xue nodded with red eyes. Indeed, she and Chen Yang needed more mutual trust and a certain marital understanding.
"Alright, it's good that you both understand."
"In-laws, Lifen, you take the children to the guesthouse nearby to wash up and get some rest. The police comrades have made arrangements."
"Mother-in-law, you take care of Xue'er. I'll stay up tonight with this brat."
Seeing that the two of them had recognized the mistakes in their usual approach, Chen Liming didn't lecture them further.
The two little ones were crying tearfully. As their grandfather, how could he not feel heartbroken?
And his own unruly son, seeing him so injured, how could his heart not ache?
Fortunately, he was blessed with good fortune, and his finger was saved.
"Dad, I'll take care of him..."
Shen Xue started to say something, but upon seeing Chen Liming's gaze, she quickly understood.
Her heart ached for Chen Yang, and her desire to care for him was well-intentioned.
However, she was newly pregnant and in a period where miscarriage was a risk. With so many people in the family who could provide care, there was no need for a pregnant woman to do so.
Chen Yang didn't need her to care for him. Her taking good care of herself now was the best comfort for Chen Yang.
"Your marital affection is so strong, Father is very pleased."
"But no matter what, you must assess the situation and act within your capabilities."
"Mutual respect and understanding. You are both doing very well in this regard, always considering things from the other's perspective. However, between husband and wife, there must also be understanding, and more thought must be given to how to handle matters in the best way for each other."
"We are experienced. We have made many mistakes, so we hope you will take fewer detours and make fewer mistakes than we have."
Chen Liming was afraid his words were too harsh and might upset Chen Yang and Shen Xue, so he patiently explained further.
"Dad, we understand. We will think carefully."
Chen Yang glanced at his wife, who was deep in thought. Honestly, although he had lived two lives, his experience in starting a family and living with a wife was no match for his father's.
"I will take good care of myself and rest with the children."
"This hospitalization won't be for just a day or two. If you're worried, come back during the day to look after this brat. Afterward, I, along with your in-laws and Chen Yang's mother, will take turns keeping vigil."
Chen Liming's words were agreed upon by everyone in the family. The in-laws also felt it was appropriate.
"Take good care of the children. These two little ones suffered with me today."
Chen Yang looked at his daughter and son, their faces streaked with tears as they slept in the arms of his mother and mother-in-law, and felt a pang of tenderness.
"I know, I will take good care of them."
"You get some rest. I'll bring you something delicious tomorrow morning."
"See if I can have Wu Kang bring two pig trotters tomorrow. I'll stew soup for you. What you eat will help you heal faster."
Chen Yang was initially feeling a little sorry for the children. Hearing Shen Xue's serious tone almost made him laugh.