“I never expected you to be like this, Xia Zhi. My dad is lying unconscious because of you. And now you’re even trying to steal his doctor? When did you become so selfish?”  

Gu Yunshen’s voice was dripping with disgust.  

“How is this because of me? Was I the one who carried him up the mountain? You can’t just accuse me without any proof!”  

Xia Zhi glared at the two shameless people in front of her. They were experts at shifting blame—no matter what happened, they always acted like they were in the right.  

“If it wasn’t because of you, then why are you standing here perfectly fine while my dad is so badly injured? Who would believe that?”  

Xia Zhi took a deep breath. Don’t get angry, don’t get angry—it’s not worth it with people like this.  

She might as well have been bitten by a dog.  

Xia Zhi stopped arguing with them and turned her attention to the doctor instead.  

Shen Hangzhi glanced between the two parties for a few seconds before offering a gentle smile when he noticed Xia Zhi looking at him.  

“Hello, I’m Shen Hangzhi, a friend of Beiting’s.”  

Xia Zhi quickly responded, “Hello, I’m Xia Zhi.”  

Shen Hangzhi then turned to Zhang Xiao and Gu Yunshen.  

“The patient suffered multiple bites. It’s a miracle he’s still alive. As for when he’ll wake up, we’ll just have to wait and see.”  

Zhang Xiao and Gu Yunshen’s expressions darkened, and their gazes at Xia Zhi grew even more hostile.  

Shen Hangzhi motioned to them. “You two, come with me.”  

“Yunshen, your dad is hurt so badly. What if he’s left with permanent damage? What are we going to do then?”  

Zhang Xiao stared at her son, her heart burning with anxiety. If the family’s breadwinner was gone, how would they survive?  

Gu Yunshen tore his gaze away from Xia Zhi and comforted his mother.  

“Mom, it’ll be fine. We’ll figure it out once Dad wakes up. If this really was Xia Zhi’s fault, I won’t let her off easy.”  

Zhang Xiao’s eyes turned vicious. “Right! Make her pay for the medical bills—and she has to take care of your dad until he’s fully recovered!”  

The two continued talking as they followed the doctor into the ward.  

…

Inside Shen Hangzhi’s office, Xia Zhi took off her coat, revealing several bloody wounds on her arm.  

“It’s just some injuries on my arms, legs, and back. The rest is fine.”  

As she spoke, Xia Zhi glanced around the office. It was simple—a wooden desk, two chairs, and a cabinet behind them filled with handwritten files and documents.  

Lu Beiting frowned at her casual tone, his gaze darkening as he stared at the claw marks on her arm.  

“Doesn’t it hurt?”  

Xia Zhi glanced at him and shook her head. “It’s fine, just minor injuries.”  

Shen Hangzhi handed the medical supplies to Lu Beiting. “Beiting, you bandage Xia Zhi’s wounds. Try to avoid getting them wet these next few days.”  

Lu Beiting froze for a second before taking the supplies and bandages.  

Xia Zhi hesitated, unsure how to bring up her request to Shen Hangzhi. Could she just outright ask if she could work at the military hospital? Would that be too forward?  

Shen Hangzhi walked over and poured them each a glass of water, then glanced at Lu Beiting, who looked like he was facing a formidable enemy.  

“Beiting, Xiaoya mentioned you refused to let me treat you?”  

There was no reproach in his tone, just curiosity.  

“Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Shen. That was my idea,” Xia Zhi quickly explained. “I never meant to stop Lu Beiting from coming to you for treatment. I just thought it’d be more convenient if I treated him at home.”  

She couldn’t let this misunderstanding ruin their friendship.  

Shen Hangzhi chuckled and shook his head. “It’s fine, I was just curious. But since you know medicine, Xia Zhi, Beiting really married a wonderful wife.”  

Xia Zhi’s face flushed at the praise, and she confidently declared,  

“My grandfather taught me a few things when I was young. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely cure him.”

Lu Beiting’s hand paused for a second. He had heard this phrase from her several times now.  

Shen Hangzhi maintained his gentle smile and simply nodded. “Well, if anything comes up, feel free to contact me anytime.”  

If Lu Beiting didn’t mind Xia Zhi treating him, then he naturally had nothing to say. In fact, he was somewhat looking forward to it.  

Lu Beiting kept a solemn expression, his movements careful and deliberate. Normally, he could have bandaged the wounds in seconds.  

At the thought, he swallowed slightly, his lowered eyes flickering.  

He glanced at Xia Zhi and noticed her face still looked relaxed.  

“Done.”  

“Okay, thanks.” Xia Zhi examined the bandages on her arms and legs, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.  

Not bad at all.  

Xia Zhi bit her lip, hesitating as she looked at Shen Hangzhi. The reason she had come here was to test the waters.  

But now that the words were on the tip of her tongue, she couldn’t bring herself to say them.  

Lu Beiting turned to Shen Hangzhi. “Hangzhi, Xia—ahem—Xia Zhi knows traditional medicine. She wants to help out here. See if there’s a suitable position for her.  

As for her medical skills, you can have Uncle Chen test her.”  

Xia Zhi’s eyes lit up, a trace of delight flashing in them as she shot Lu Beiting a grateful look.  

She stood up and faced Shen Hangzhi with confidence.  

“Dr. Shen, I’m not asking for special treatment—I just want a chance. If you think I’m not qualified, it’s fine to reject me.”  

Shen Hangzhi chuckled and glanced at Lu Beiting.  

“If you’re already treating Beiting, of course we wouldn’t turn you away. But you’re right—there should be an assessment.  

How about this? If you have time tomorrow, come by.”  

“Great, great! Thank you, Dr. Shen!” Suddenly, Xia Zhi’s arms didn’t hurt anymore, her legs didn’t hurt anymore—everything felt fantastic.  

Seeing how happy she was, Lu Beiting’s lips curved slightly.  

Shen Hangzhi observed their dynamic and unexpectedly thought that their marriage might actually be a good thing.  

He had met Hao Liping before—spoiled, willful, and selfish. She was no good match.  

….

After saying goodbye to Shen Hangzhi, Xia Zhi cheerfully pushed Lu Beiting’s wheelchair back home.  

Lu Beiting gazed at the darkening sky ahead, the path illuminated by a few electric lamps. The sound of Xia Zhi humming an unfamiliar tune filled his ears.  

“Are you really that happy?” Lu Beiting’s cool voice broke the silence.  

Xia Zhi stopped humming and replied cheerfully, “Of course! This means I’ll have my own career.  

One day, I’ll be the renowned Dr. Xia that every household knows!”  

“Dr. Xia?”  

Lu Beiting’s voice carried a hint of amusement. The way his deep, magnetic tone pronounced those two words inexplicably stirred the imagination.  

Xia Zhi felt her cheeks heat up and patted them lightly. Then, she bent down, peering into the man’s eyes under the dim light.  

Lu Beiting’s heart skipped a beat when Xia Zhi suddenly appeared in front of him. “What’s wrong?”  

“Lu Beiting, don’t tell me you don’t like the idea of me being a doctor?  

Don’t tell me that once I’ve cured you, you’ll expect me to stay home washing your clothes and cooking your meals?”  

Xia Zhi crossed her arms and scrutinized him with narrowed eyes.  

In this era, most women were expected to be devoted wives and mothers—essentially, glorified maids.  

Lu Beiting looked up at her, and now it was her turn to feel slightly embarrassed.  

Xia Zhi’s gaze flickered a few times before she straightened up, no longer meeting his eyes. She had only meant to tease him.  

“Anyway, I have my own dreams and ambitions. I don’t need your permission.”