Chapter 18

“County Chief.”

“Mm.”

“Comrade Xue asked me to bring you some medicinal food. She said you’ve been overworking and your mind is exhausted. She specifically made this for you to try,” Xiao Yan recalled the taste he had just experienced, swallowing.

“Oh, that girl knows medicine too.” Yu Xiaohua chuckled but didn’t take it seriously.

“Mm, it smells so good.” Yu Xiaohua was surprised when she looked at the food box Xiao Yan had opened.

“County Chief, it really tastes amazing. After eating, I feel warm and comfortable. You should try it.”

Yu Xiaohua wasn’t that hungry initially, but now she found herself salivating.

“Bring it over. Let me taste it.”

It tasted so good! There was a medicinal flavor, but it wasn’t bitter at all. It felt as if her taste buds were being nourished as she ate.

And indeed, as Xiao Yan had said, it felt warm, like the comfort after deep sleep.

Knock, knock!

Xiao Yan glanced at Yu Xiaohua and went to open the door.

“What’s the matter?”

“Secretary Yan, some people from the Armed Forces Department are looking for the County Chief.”

“The Armed Forces Department?” Xiao Yan turned to look at Yu Xiaohua.

Yu Xiaohua tidied up the table. “Let them in.”

Soon, two tall figures appeared at the door.

“County Chief Yu.”

“Director Ma.” Yu Xiaohua recognized the head of the county’s Armed Forces Department, so she directed her gaze to the man standing behind him.

“County Chief Yu, this is Comrade Cang Ling, deputy regiment commander of the Iron Fist Regiment from the T Division H Brigade. He’s here to investigate the situation of one of the soldiers.”

“Cang Ling?” Yu Xiaohua was surprised. She studied the upright, impressive soldier in front of her more carefully.

“Aunt Yu,” Cang Ling greeted her first.

“Oh my, it really is you, Cang Ling,” Yu Xiaohua said with a warm, genuine smile. “The last time I saw you, you were just a little boy. Now look at you, all grown up. How is your mother?”

“My mother is well. She’s still living in the capital.”

“Time really flies. I haven’t seen your mother in nearly twenty years.” She then thought of the little girl in her own home, realizing that the younger generation was growing up as well.

“Mother always speaks highly of you,” Cang Ling said politely, maintaining a respectful yet close demeanor as a junior.

This warmed Yu Xiaohua’s heart. Her son and husband were both away, and her home felt cold and empty. Unexpectedly, she was now meeting two younger ones, both of whom were so outstanding, which made her feel deeply comforted.

However, Yu Xiaohua was a very professional person. She could catch up during off-hours, but now, it was time to get down to business.

With their established relationship, the conversation went smoothly.

By the time they finished, it was already time to clock off.

“Cang Ling, if you have time, come over to Auntie’s house for dinner. I’ll introduce you to a younger sister. Her mother and your mother were also good friends. She’s one of our little sisters. It’s a pity…”

Cang Ling’s heart skipped a beat. “Aunt Yu, are you off work? Let me escort you back.”

“Hm?” Yu Xiaohua was surprised by Cang Ling’s sudden proposal, feeling a bit unexpected.

Cang Ling showed a hint of embarrassment. “Aunt Yu, is the younger sister you’re talking about surnamed Xue?”

Yu Xiaohua widened her eyes. “How do you know?”

Cough cough, “I met her on the train to Lin’an. It was a brief encounter. When I got off the train, I saw Secretary Xiao Yan waiting for her…” Cang Ling spoke with a serious tone, but the underlying meaning was clear to Yu Xiaohua, who was more experienced.

Yu Xiaohua couldn’t help but imagine the two of them together. Yes, a talented man and a beautiful woman.

She then teasingly said, “A brief encounter, really?”

“A-Aunt Yu…” Cang Ling stammered.

“Alright, come on. Let’s head home.”

What Xue Miaoyun didn’t know was that a big surprise was waiting for her.

These past couple of days staying at Aunt Yu’s home had been incredibly comfortable. Aunt Yu treated her with deep care—just like a mother would.

Xue Miaoyun was quite touched, as she had never experienced this kind of love from a female elder in either of her lives. In her previous life, she had been an orphan, and in this life, the original owner’s mother had passed away long ago.

Li Dacui—let’s not even speak about her.

When she had previously checked Aunt Yu’s pulse, she had noticed extreme fatigue, and her body had suffered significant wear and tear. Xue Miaoyun could prepare a prescription, but she feared that Yu Xiaohua wouldn’t trust her medical skills, considering her age. Additionally, she didn’t have access to all the necessary medicinal ingredients yet. What was in the space couldn’t be used.

Thus, she could only choose some nourishing herbs, with a focus on adding the Life’s Blue, which, although much of it had dissipated, still left some traces in the medicinal food.

It was better than nothing, though it felt like a bit of a waste. However, Xue Miaoyun thought it was worth it.

Tomorrow, she was going to leave, so tonight, Xue Miaoyun decided to prepare a few extra dishes.

Steamed bass, scrambled eggs with cucumbers, and chicken soup.

When Yu Xiaohua and the others stepped into the courtyard, the aroma of the food filled the air.

“It smells so good. Miaoyun’s cooking skills are truly amazing. I wonder which lucky boy will get to enjoy this in the future.” She glanced teasingly at Cang Ling.

“Auntie, you’re back.” Upon hearing movement at the door, Xue Miaoyun wiped her hands and ran out to greet them.

Hmm? There’s someone else?

Cang Ling looked at the young woman, who seemed even more radiant and beautiful than before, having not seen her for two days.

“Comrade… Cang?” Xue Miaoyun’s beautiful eyes filled with confusion.

“Miaoyun, what delicious food have you prepared? It smells so good,” Yu Xiaohua said, teasing them, not bothering to introduce the two right away.

Xue Miaoyun’s attention was immediately captured by Yu Xiaohua. She smiled sweetly, “Auntie, I’ve specially made chicken soup for you. You should try it later.”

“Oh, chicken soup! Well, I must try it.” Yu Xiaohua eagerly agreed.

Xue Miaoyun was even more delighted, linking arms with Yu Xiaohua as they headed inside.

“Comrade Cang, please come in.” Xiao Yan wasn’t happy, as he finally remembered who this person was and the connection he had with Xue Miaoyun. They had come together to Lin’an, and since he entered, his eyes hadn’t left Xue Miaoyun for a moment—such disrespect.

“Such a lavish spread,” Yu Xiaohua didn’t have a negative impression, knowing that Miaoyun had prepared the food to nourish her body.

“Auntie, you work so hard and need to replenish your strength. You should have been taking some nourishing medicine, but unfortunately…” As a doctor, without medicine, even a skilled practitioner is helpless. Acupuncture can mostly stimulate the body’s potential, but to truly replenish the body, external energy is needed.

“Child, you even know Chinese medicine? Who taught you?”

“My master was sent down to Shuize Village during the reassignments. My mother respected him greatly,” Xue Miaoyun replied as she personally served a bowl of chicken soup.

Yu Xiaohua accepted it and took a sip. “It tastes really good.”

“Cang Ling, Xiao Yan, please sit down and try Miaoyun’s cooking.”

The square table was just right for four people.

Xue Miaoyun glanced across at Cang Ling, never expecting to see him again.

Thinking back to how he had helped her on the train, she stood up and poured another bowl of chicken soup for him.

“Comrade Cang, thank you for your help on the train.”

Cang Ling looked at the bowl of soup before him, then lifted his gaze to meet Xue Miaoyun’s eyes. He gave a slight smile, taking the bowl from her.

“It was the least I could do, Xue—little sister.” His deep, rich voice carried the words ‘little sister’ with a subtle hint of intimacy that lingered in the air.