Chapter 7: Her name is Dai Dai

Xue Qingdai instinctively reached for the gray cloth shirt. Standing against the light, Xie Yan’s expression was hard to read. His downcast phoenix eyes were obscure, but with just one glance, he had already committed Xue Qingdai’s face to memory.

Those captivating eyes paired with a face capable of toppling cities. Naturally red lips, clear eyes as soft as spring, and long, elegant hair draped playfully over her shoulders. Her skin was as fair and delicate as soft tofu. Her family had truly raised her with the utmost care.

Xie Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he quickly shoved aside that fleeting thought. He consciously stepped back outside, turning his back toward Xue Qingdai.
“Mr. Li’s condition may need your attention again later,” he said.

Xue Qingdai quickly wiped her mouth with a soft cotton cloth her mother Yang Xiaomin had packed. “Okay.”

Just then, Xue Yongkang came in with a full military canteen of hot water, whistling,
“The flowing water carries away the stories of time…”
He stopped when he saw a tall soldier—taller than him—coming from his little sister’s berth.
“Who are you?” he asked.

Xue Yongkang, being from the north, was already taller than most men at 1.78 meters—especially at his age—and was a popular candidate for matchmaking. Now, facing someone even taller, he was annoyed. Height was a man’s pride!

Xie Yan adjusted his military cap, wiping away some heat-induced sweat. “You’re her brother?”

Xue Yongkang’s competitive spirit faded instantly. Anything concerning his little sister, he had to take seriously. If his sister got taken advantage of by any man on the way to the capital, he’d face the wrath of five furious family members back home. That wasn’t a joke—his life would be at stake.

Xie Yan added, “She seemed to choke just now. You should check on her.”

Xue Yongkang suspiciously looked up to see who this guy was—
Wait a second… wasn’t this the long-lost fiancé his sister had been betrothed to?

Xie Yan’s cold, sharp profile hadn’t changed. He was still better looking—tanner now, more rugged, with broader shoulders, a narrow waist, and an even more commanding presence.

Xue Yongkang nearly bit his tongue in panic.
“Yes, yes, yes,” he stammered.

Forget the height. His little sister almost got recognized by her fiancé. If Grandpa and Dad found out, they’d beat him to a pulp.

They were practically walking into a lion’s den!

With time before the next stop at Yunxi, there was still a chance to flee.

Xue Yongkang whispered, “Little sis, how about we get off for a bit and explore somewhere else?”

Xue Qingdai calmly wiped a stain on her clothes.
“Don’t be silly, Third Brother. Reaching the capital safely is already a blessing.”

Xue Yongkang stuffed the remaining half of her bun into his mouth, angrily ate another plate of pickled vegetables, and swallowed his pride. He never argued with his sister. Whatever she said, he followed.

Now all he could do was figure out how to keep Xie Yan from finding out she was his fiancée. After all, Xie Yan didn’t recognize him. They had only met once at age eleven. After that, Xie Yan vanished, and the engagement between the Xue and Xie families was finalized shortly after.

Their family’s standing in Pengyang village grew steadily—Grandpa retired safely from the military, Second Brother took his place, and the rest of the Xue men continued working hard to establish themselves in the city. Xue Yongkang knew Xie’s support was likely behind it all.

But his little sister wasn’t even twenty yet—so young and beautiful. How could she step into the shackles of marriage already? None of the brothers had married yet, precisely to avoid bringing in a woman who might mistreat their precious sister.

But the thought of her marrying someone else made his heart ache. He almost wanted to cry. She’d grown up crying and clinging to him, and now she was suddenly of marrying age.
Sigh… who would understand the sorrows of a handsome young man?

From then on, Xue Yongkang acted like a fiercely protective rooster, on high alert. He only went to the restroom twice—and both times he followed behind Xie Yan like a shadow.

There were only twenty minutes left before arriving at the capital. Xie Yan still hadn’t found a chance to speak to Xue Qingdai alone, nor did he want to stir up unnecessary complications. The fewer people who knew about Li Zhonghao’s condition, the better.

Liu Zhihong asked, “Do you think that girl’s brother misunderstood something? Should we explain?”

He felt wronged for his captain—Captain Xie wasn’t someone who chased after women. He was a man of true integrity, always calm and strategic in the face of crisis, never moved by flirtatious women. Except for that one unfortunate flaw—his wartime injury had rendered him infertile. Still, no one was more perfect than Captain Xie.

That girl had her face covered the whole time. No one knew what she looked like. Yet her brother guarded her like she was some divine fairy. They even let her and her brother stay in the captain’s resting compartment. Captain Xie hadn’t slept well all night.

Xie Yan closed Selected Works of Mao Zedong Vol. 3, capped his pen, and after rereading it again through the night, his thoughts had become much clearer.

“Let’s not waste time. We have more pressing matters.”

“Tell the girl she’s needed. She’ll come.”

That brother was only wary of him, not Liu Zhihong.

Liu sighed, put on his trademark smile, and entered what should have been Captain Xie’s sleeping space.

“Miss…” Liu Zhihong was momentarily speechless. Captain Xie had sharp eyes—this “medically experienced civilian” looked like a movie poster star. No, prettier than a celebrity.

No wonder she kept her face hidden.

He wanted to slap himself. He started to stutter, “Miss, I-I-I…”

Xue Yongkang, making red sugar water for his sister with supplies from their mom, turned and jeered,
“Oh wow, what—never seen a beauty before?”

He wasn’t afraid of confrontation—he’d been chased around the village his whole life. Getting into trouble was second nature.

“Third Brother!” Xue Qingdai pouted, her watery almond eyes filled with mock scolding.

After all, this lodging was graciously given to them.

Xue Yongkang immediately shut up. “Okay, okay. Drink your red sugar water.”

After sipping, Xue Qingdai licked her lips and said to Liu Zhihong,
“I’ll come with you to take a look.”

“Third Brother, wait here a while. I’ll be back soon.”

She still didn’t know how to explain her medical skills. As long as she could keep it quiet, she would. She didn’t want to lie to her family, who loved her so dearly.

Xue Yongkang didn’t overthink it and went to wash the enamel mug again.

From a corner, Xie Yan silently watched Xue Qingdai examine Li Zhonghao with expert movements.

So… her nickname was Daidai…

Xue Qingdai had only planned to check once. She had a silver needle tucked into her sleeve and quickly inserted it into a vital acupuncture point—Shenmen. Consider it the “after-sales service” for the previous life’s sky-high consultation fee.

The effect was excellent. Li Zhonghao’s fingers twitched.

She quickly hid the needle.

“He’s very healthy, better than me,” Xue Qingdai said lightly. Her own condition still required long-term care—just walking a bit left her short of breath. She joked at her own expense: a master healer who couldn’t instantly cure herself.

Xie Yan stepped in front of her and grabbed her wrist tightly.
“What were you just holding in your hand?”