My grandfather’s health hasn’t been what it used to be these past few years.

He doesn’t perform surgeries himself much anymore.

But he still holds specialist consultations at the city hospital. When I was young and being groomed as the future head of the Xue Family, I used to accompany my grandfather during his consultations there.

’I just wasn’t as clever as my younger brother.’

"So, what time can we visit the ward tomorrow?" Xue Li asked.

"From seven to seven-thirty. Only half an hour."

"Thanks, Uncle Zhang."

Xue Li thanked him and walked back to Wen Ci, explaining patiently, "Sis, we already missed the visiting hours for today. We can only come back tomorrow at seven. The visiting window closes at seven-thirty."

"Can’t they make an exception? Just let me go in for a moment."

Seeing the anxiety on Wen Ci’s face, Xue Li softened his tone. "The fact that they’re allowing visitors means Brother Huo is out of danger. He just needs a lot of rest. We’re all worn out from the long journey, so let’s go back and get some rest. We’ll come back tomorrow."

Wen Ci’s gaze shifted to Yu Qing. She said calmly, "Alright, let’s go back, take a shower, and rest. We can get lunch at the state-run restaurant."

There were no bathing facilities on the green-skinned train, so they could only wipe themselves down with a cloth. They had left in such a hurry that they only packed clothes and hadn’t properly bathed for four whole days.

"No."

Before Yu Qing could answer, Xue Li reacted strongly. His gaze quickly shifted to Yu Qing, and he winked, saying, "Doctor Yu hasn’t done what she promised me yet. I’ll bring her back tonight."

"What did she promise?"

Wen Ci narrowed her eyes, her gaze flicking between the two of them. "What did you two secretly agree on behind my back?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Nothing." Yu Qing’s face flushed red as she said shyly, "I just promised Mr. Xue I’d pretend to be his girlfriend and go with him to meet his parents."

"Pretend to be his girlfriend, hm~?" Wen Ci’s eyes landed on Xue Li, staring straight into his with a probing look as she teased him.

"Well, if you’re meeting his parents, shouldn’t you let Yu Qing go home and take a shower first?"

"Oh, right."

Xue Li scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chen’s car was still parked at the hospital entrance. He sat with his legs crossed, holding a brick phone to his ear, and said nonchalantly:

"What does it matter to me if she comes back or not? The higher-ups haven’t repossessed Old Commander Huo’s house. She can still live in the military family courtyard all the same."

As he finished, he listened to the incessant chatter on the other end, his expression growing impatient. "No matter what you say about Ye Zi, you raised her for over twenty years. Are you really going to disown her over something so small?"

「A few days ago.」

Su Guilan had been furious when she unexpectedly learned that Jiang Ye wasn’t in Beijing but had gone to the Northwest. She had even given Jiang Chen a harsh scolding.

She had declared that from now on, she would act as if she’d never had a daughter named Jiang Ye.

Listening to the shouting on the other end, Jiang Chen made an excuse. "I can’t talk anymore, I have to drive. We’ll talk when I get home."

Xue Li casually opened the car door and said with a grin, "Hey, Brother, could I trouble you to drop me off at the Xue Family Mansion first?"

Suddenly, he noticed the brick phone in Jiang Chen’s hand. His eyes widened. "Brother, is that the legendary brick phone?!"

In the 80s, a brick phone was incredibly expensive. The price of a single one was equivalent to two courtyard houses near the Beijing City Center.

Tens of thousands of yuan.

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively and said with a smile, "It’s nothing worth mentioning."

He studied Xue Li, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He had originally thought Xue Li was just some grunt from the Northwest, but it turned out his background was anything but ordinary.

"You’re Little Divine Doctor Xue’s brother?"

Xue Li was speechless.

’It’s only been seven or eight years since I left Beijing.’

’How did I go from being the eldest son of the Xue Family to Little Divine Doctor Xue’s brother?!’

"Are you Xue Chongsui’s brother?" Jiang Chen repeated.

Xue Li nodded.

The Xue Family was a renowned medical family in Beijing. During the war, they had unconditionally donated their ancestral formula for treating wounds, which had benefited countless severely injured soldiers.

And now, they had a "Little Divine Doctor" who was not even ten years old.

"Why did you join the army?" Jiang Chen asked curiously.

When Wen Ci got in the car, she overheard their conversation. From Jiang Chen’s ingratiating expression, she could tell that Xue Li’s family was extraordinary. She leaned close to Yu Qing and whispered:

"Do you know about Xue Li’s family?"

Yu Qing nodded. "His family is a super, super prominent medical dynasty. That book on difficult and complex cases you were reading at the hospital was written by his grandfather."

Whoa!

Wen Ci was surprised to hear that.

A doctor who could be a book editor in the 1980s...

That was a truly renowned figure.

"Mr. Xue Sr. has never failed in his entire life. The fact that Mr. Huo’s life was saved this time probably has something to do with him. I also agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend so I could meet the old gentleman."

Wen Ci nodded slightly.

’When I have the time, I must pay him a visit to thank him for saving a life.’

·

The Xue Family Mansion was on the same route as the military family courtyard.

Xue Li got out of the car and walked over to the back seat, motioning for Yu Qing to roll down the window. He said earnestly, "Doctor Yu, I’ll come pick you up for lunch."

"Okay."

After confirming the pickup time again, Xue Li walked toward the Xue Family Mansion with a look of grim determination. With every step, his stride grew firmer, as if he were marching to his death.

As they drove toward the military family courtyard, the atmosphere in the car was silent.

Noticing more people in military uniforms around them, Jiang Chen gripped the steering wheel and said calmly, "Mom wants you to come stay with the Jiang Family."

"That’s not necessary," Wen Ci refused.

She had asked Xue Li whether Old Commander Huo’s courtyard house had been repossessed by the higher-ups. The answer was that as long as Huo Jingyuan still held a military position, the house would not be confiscated.

"Suit yourself."

With that, Jiang Chen stepped on the gas. Just as they were about to reach the entrance of the family courtyard, he suddenly asked, "Is your sister doing okay in the Northwest?"

"Do I have a sister?"

"You!" Jiang Chen let out a breath, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart and lowering his voice. "I just want to know if Jiang Ye is doing okay in the Northwest."

"I haven’t really seen her."

Wen Ci was telling the truth.

The number of times she had met Jiang Ye could be counted on one hand.

Aside from seeing her once when she first arrived in the Northwest, the only other time was during the Military Art troupe’s tour a few days ago, when she saw her on stage leading children in singing the national anthem.

Jiang Chen’s brow furrowed.

Arriving at the gate of the family courtyard, Jiang Chen stopped the car. His expression was flat as he said, "If you’re not coming home, at least give Mom a call. She’s been thinking about you."

Wen Ci’s expression was indifferent. "I’ll see when I have time."

The Northwest Military Region’s family courtyard was different from the Beijing Military District Family Courtyard.

The Beijing courtyard was filled with lush, leafy trees, creating a green ecosystem. It was nothing like the Northwest courtyard, which was covered in yellow sand with hardly any green plants in sight.

Wen Ci had an excellent memory. Huo Jingyuan had taken her to his grandfather’s courtyard once, and she still remembered the way.

Old Commander Huo’s courtyard wasn’t locked, and someone still came to clean it regularly. Wen Ci slowly pushed open the gate. The sight of the spacious courtyard made Yu Qing’s eyes go wide.