Chapter 55 Go Home Go Home~

Xie Yan’s lips tightened slightly. He was clearly here to consult with his superior’s doctor, yet this traditional Chinese medicine practitioner kept probing into his private life, completely missing the point.

“I have a fiancée. We’re getting married soon.”
“I’m feeling a bit dizzy. I’ll go out for some air.”

Wang Guodong smiled faintly, brushing it off, “Xiao Xie’s not used to drinking—feeling unwell is normal.”
He looked at Xie Yan’s retreating back with some regret. Just like his father, afraid of marriage. He didn’t buy that Xie Yan was really getting married.

As for Li Yuqing, sitting there making constant allusions to Xie Yan—what was she playing at? She clearly didn’t respect his authority.

Li Yuqing patted the back of her young apprentice Li Qiuyan’s hand. “Go check on Xiao Xie.”
“Commander Wang, let’s continue. This headache of yours won’t be cured in just one day…”

Li Qiuyan smoothed her chin-length hair, wearing a light blue cotton tunic. Just as she was about to go out, a soft, coy voice called out:

“Xie Yan, weren’t you with your superior for a medical visit? Why are you out here?”
“You didn’t even tell me. I burned my hand just now while eating hotpot.”
“Look, it still hurts a little.”

Xue Qingdai lifted her nearly-healed finger, slightly red, the nail pale pink and smooth, soft fingertips without a single callus—hands that clearly never did rough work.

Xie Yan had drunk a fair amount. His cold, detached gaze now slightly clouded with alcohol.

“That’s a bit of a burn. I’ll bandage it when we get back.”

Li Qiuyan held onto her sleeve, unwilling to let go. She admitted she was a little taken with this soldier. But her pride wouldn’t allow her to like a man who was already taken. Still, she didn’t understand why her master kept pushing her toward Xie Yan. Now she couldn’t stop herself.

His previously aloof demeanor was much more approachable now that he was slightly tipsy. Her master had said his fiancée was from the countryside, and if Xie Yan wasn’t satisfied, the engagement could be called off. Maybe she still had a chance.

But as soon as Xie Yan stepped out, another woman had latched on. Seeing Xue Qingdai all coquettish and sweet, while Xie Yan looked indifferent, it seemed like just another clingy woman chasing after him.

“If you’re injured, go find a doctor,” Li Qiuyan said coldly. “Comrade Xie Yan has had a bit to drink, please don’t stand so close to him.”
“We should all be mindful of appearances in public. Besides, he already has a fiancée and they’re getting married soon.”

Xue Qingdai blinked at Xie Yan. Since when were they getting married?

Xie Yan held her hand, focused entirely on her small burn. Thank goodness for the presence of a doctor.
“Hello there,” he said to Li Qiuyan, “Could you take a look at my fiancée’s hand? Do we need to go to the hospital?”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Xue Qingdai pulled her hand back, but Xie Yan held it firmly.

“It’s fine, Xie Yan~” she said softly, then glanced at the way Li Qiuyan was staring longingly at him. A strange irritation rose in her chest—an unfamiliar emotion.

Li Qiuyan could no longer maintain her smile. Her eyes flicked to their interlocked fingers, and her knees went a little weak as she stepped back.
“I have something to do. I’ll be leaving now.”

“She was just being praised for her medical skills,” Xie Yan muttered as he sobered up, fumbling in his pocket for keys, ready to buy some ointment.

Xue Qingdai finally understood. That woman clearly had feelings for Xie Yan. But he didn’t seem to notice at all.
Then what was this tiny ache in her heart?

Just then, Xue Yongkang came over, having finished paying the bill.
“Xie Yan, long time no see,” he said as he stepped between the two of them.

“Third Brother,” Xie Yan greeted quietly, brushing off his uniform, suddenly aware of how much he reeked of alcohol.

“Little sister, I’ve explained everything to the family. If the old man hits me during New Year, you better speak up for me,” Xue Yongkang grinned.
“Ugh, hotpot is nice and all, but I miss Mom’s fish soup and crispy shrimp cakes.”

Xue Qingdai licked her lips—she hadn’t tasted those yet, but she was already looking forward to New Year’s. Once she sold all her lip balms, she was going to buy lots of things for the family and celebrate a prosperous year.

Xue Yongkang suddenly turned to Xie Yan, “Xie Yan, are you coming to the village before New Year? The old man hasn’t seen you in a while.”

Seeing the carefree glow on his sister’s face, and the way she only acted spoiled around family, he realized she’d already fully adapted to Xie Yan’s care. He’d passed Xue Yongkang’s test.

He admitted to himself—he might not even be able to treat his sister with such patience and trust. Plus, she was learning medicine from a reputable master, which was better than staying in the village.

Still, having an unmarried couple living together was bound to stir gossip. His sister’s reputation mattered. Everything about her mattered.

“Huh? Xie Yan’s going too?” Xue Qingdai asked.

Xie Yan tightened his arm around her. He had to go, even if she didn’t like it. He gently ruffled her hair to comfort her.
Everything he owed her before, he’d make up for little by little.

He nodded solemnly. And made sure to inform her second brother, Xue Fengrong, who was busy nonstop with military duties.

These were all her brothers—her guardians. Offending any of them was not an option.

“You really going to the Xue family’s home? The old man probably doesn’t even want to see you,” Xue Fengrong said, clearly amused. It was rare to see Xie Yan so out of his element.
“How’s my sister lately? Been throwing tantrums?”

Then his expression darkened. His little sister’s record of terrorizing the village was enough to fill a book.
If Xie Yan really went to Pengyang Village and saw her real side, he might not like her anymore.

It might just be one-sided affection on Xie Yan’s part right now. Once he saw the truth, he might change his mind.

But if by then his sister still wanted to marry him—then they’d stop at nothing to give her the very best.

Xie Yan looked down at his hands, gloved in the thin pair of mittens Daidai had personally put on him that morning.

His palms were still sweating, yet he couldn’t bring himself to take the gloves off—it was just too warm.

“Daidai’s always been well-tempered. The neighbors in the alley all really like her. They’ve even brought her lots of fruits and vegetables.”
“She made her own lip balm and plans to sell it to the neighbors today. She even prepared a little performance. I’m heading over after work to help her move tables.”

Xue Furong was surprised. “Are you talking about my little sister?”

His sister had never been that popular in the village—it had always been a sore spot for him. People used to bully her without her even noticing. He used to wish he could take her everywhere with him to protect her.
To hear she was now so well liked—it felt almost unreal.

His lips felt dry, and when he licked them, he tasted blood. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at his hands. The chilblains had completely healed—his skin was even lighter than before. The thick calluses on his thumbs had noticeably lessened.

Could it be that smelly, fishy hand cream his sister made actually worked?

“Wait here, I’m going to ask for leave from my superior—I want to go with you.”

Xue Furong lined up to buy a bag of popcorn, two candied hawthorn sticks, and a few trinkets that girls typically liked.
As the second brother, he was unintentionally putting pressure on Xie Yan. Not wanting to be outdone, Xie Yan also bought some honey oranges and sugar-roasted chestnuts before feeling comfortable enough to bring Xue Furong home.

He couldn’t lose face.

The little dog, Yan Yan, now had his own clothes and had stopped barking randomly. Sometimes he played dead, sometimes he lay in the sun watching the two fat goldfish swim around.

Xue Qingdai was busily writing out the raffle tickets—first, second, and third prizes—aiming to give customers strong emotional value so they’d happily open their wallets.

“Daidai, Second Brother brought you some snacks,” Xue Furong called out as he entered and immediately frowned at the little pup.
“Xie Yan, whose dog is this?”

His little sister was delicate and frail. Puppies were often dirty—what if she got sick? What kind of care was Xie Yan even giving her?

“Second Brother~”
Xue Qingdai hugged his arm gently, tears welling up as she cried softly, “Let me tell you… Xie Yan, he…”

Xie Yan was in the middle of carrying the large borrowed table when he heard her start to cry. The sound made his heart skip a beat.