Zhou Huai'an gazed at Lin Xiaoxiao, momentarily spellbound. The gauze mask covered most of her face, leaving only a pair of beautiful, autumn-water-like eyes visible.

Her focused gaze carried a unique kind of beauty, one that felt strangely familiar to him.

With practiced ease, Lin Xiaoxiao removed the old stitches, scraped away a layer of useless rotten flesh, and began suturing again—this time using a different method to prevent the wound from reopening. The doctor watching nearby couldn't help but marvel at her skillful technique. She was even more proficient than the only surgeon at their hospital.

He wondered if perhaps Lin Xiaoxiao was a doctor from a city hospital.

In less than half an hour, the minor procedure was completed, and Lin Xiaoxiao finally felt a sense of satisfaction.

When Lü Zhigang saw Lin Xiaoxiao supporting Zhou Huai'an as they came out, he was still in shock. "Sis-in-law, how do you know how to suture wounds?"

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't bat an eye as she spun a lie: "Back at my grandpa's place, I used to practice on little rabbits for fun. It really didn't seem that hard."

Lü Zhigang was utterly dumbfounded. Was that even possible?

Zhou Huai'an shot him a look. "Let's go."

Luo Caixia had remained silent the whole time, her eyes filled with worry and guilt as she looked at Zhou Huai'an. She didn't dare speak—afraid of what else Lin Xiaoxiao might have in store for her.

Even so, after they got in the car, Lin Xiaoxiao stared at Luo Caixia for a long moment before slowly saying, "Did you not understand what I said the other day? If Zhou Huai'an's wound splits open again, you'll have me to deal with."

Luo Caixia trembled. "I never meant to harm him."

Lin Xiaoxiao fixed a cold stare on her. "Drop the pitiful act. Just remember what I said."

Neither Zhou Huai'an nor Lü Zhigang made a sound from the front seats.

Zhou Huai'an didn't dare speak up; Lü Zhigang simply preferred not to—he was enjoying the drama.

When they reached Zhou Village, children who rarely saw cars gathered around from a distance.Lü Zhigang simply parked at the village entrance, letting the kids look their fill.

Luo Caixia was about to offer some sweetly poisonous words, but Lin Xiaoxiao cut her off with a glare: "Aren't you getting out and going home? Or do you need us to escort you?"

Left with no choice, Luo Caixia silently got out and headed home.

Only after she had left did Zhou Huai'an turn to Lin Xiaoxiao. "We're going to Third Grandpa's house first. Then we'll take them to the county hospital for a check-up. After we bring them back, we'll head home."

Hearing that this was the purpose of their visit, Lin Xiaoxiao softened a little. "Then let's hurry. If we're too late, the hospital will be closed."

Lü Zhigang waited in the car while Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao went to Third Grandpa's house.

Third Grandpa and Third Grandma were in the yard weaving baskets. Little Zhu was nearby, digging in the dirt with a small shovel. When they heard Zhou Huai'an suggest taking Little Zhu to the county hospital for examination, Third Grandpa immediately waved his hands.

"No, no. The boy eats well and sleeps well—I'm sure there's nothing wrong. We're not spending that money."

Third Grandma also wanted Little Zhu to go, but she couldn't bear the cost either. "Yes, let's not go. Maybe if we wait a bit longer, Little Zhu will start talking. No need to waste money."

But Zhou Huai'an insisted: "I'll cover the cost. Let's just get him checked. Wouldn't it put all our minds at ease if everything is fine?"

Still, Third Grandpa refused.

Lin Xiaoxiao walked over and crouched in front of Little Zhu, gently stroking his head. "Little Zhu, do you want to speak?"

The child looked up at Third Grandpa, then at Lin Xiaoxiao, and nodded. He pointed to his mouth, gesturing that he did.

Lin Xiaoxiao stood up and turned to Third Grandpa. "Third Grandpa, let's take him for the examination. We can't hold him back. Even late-talkers can say simple words like 'mama' and 'papa' by now, or at least make sounds when they cry. But Little Zhu doesn't make a sound at all."

That clearly wasn't normal.

Third Grandpa hesitated, wrestling with the decision for a good while before finally saying, "Alright, we'll go."

Third Grandma hurried to find clean clothes for Little Zhu and Third Grandpa to change into before leaving for the county town with Zhou Huai'an and the others.

On the way to the county town, Third Grandpa sighed: "In all my years, I've only been to the county town twice. Once was to arrange your Fifth Uncle and Aunt's funeral, the other was for Changdong's."

He blinked, tears welling in his eyes.

Lin Xiaoxiao's heart ached at his words. What strength it must have taken for the elderly to endure so much.

It was Little Zhu's first time in a car too. Full of curiosity, he sat on Third Grandpa's lap, looking now outside, now inside the car, before finally offering a shy smile to Lin Xiaoxiao.

When they reached the county hospital, Lü Zhigang suggested Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao wait in the car and rest—he would take Third Grandpa and Little Zhu for the examination. He was mainly concerned about Zhou Huai'an's injury.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't go in either, worried she might not be able to stop herself from questioning the doctors' competence.

She watched from the car as Lü Zhigang carried Little Zhu and accompanied Third Grandpa into the hospital. When she turned back, she saw Zhou Huai'an leaning against the front passenger seat, eyes closed as he rested.

The sunlight slanted through the window, falling on his face in dappled, soft light.

Lin Xiaoxiao found herself staring, a little mesmerized. The more she looked at this man, the more handsome he became. Even with his eyes closed, his thick lashes and the faint crease at the corners of his eyes held a certain charm.

After indulging in her admiration for a while, she grew a little bored and turned to look out the window, silently tapping her fingers against the glass.

The car was parked on the side of the road near the hospital entrance. The whole street saw barely any cars pass by; even bicycles were rare. Most people were on foot, or used donkey and ox carts.

The trees had not yet budded, leaving the street looking dusty and grey. People wore dull-colored clothing—it felt like watching a monochrome film.

After spacing out for a bit, Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up with mischief and she decided to bother Zhou Huai'an again. She leaned between the front seats: "Zhou Huai'an, who do you think those road bandits were today?"

There was no way Zhou Huai'an could actually sleep—not with Lin Xiaoxiao's burning gaze practically drilling holes into his face.

This girl was becoming more and more unrestrained, not even trying to hide her personality anymore.

Now that she'd suddenly leaned in so close, a faint sweet fragrance wafted toward him, and he suddenly remembered his sister-in-law Dong Hongmei's words: "City girls all smell sweet."

Seems it was true!

Seeing Zhou Huai'an lying still with his eyes closed, Lin Xiaoxiao wondered—was he really that deeply asleep? She thought ex-soldiers were supposed to be highly alert to their surroundings.

A sudden mischievous urge struck her. Carefully, she reached out to touch Zhou Huai'an's ear—the ears that reddened every time he was embarrassed.

Just as her fingertip brushed his ear, Zhou Huai'an's eyes snapped open, instantly clear and alert. What had he been thinking just now? He turned to look at Lin Xiaoxiao: "What did you say?"

Only then did he realize Lin Xiaoxiao was much closer than he'd thought. As he turned, their faces were barely a fist apart. He could clearly see the laughter sparkling in her distinct black-and-white eyes under her well-defined lashes.

In the moment Zhou Huai'an was still processing, Lin Xiaoxiao deliberately leaned even closer, as if about to kiss him...