Shen Zhanwu concealed the pensiveness in his eyes.  

He nodded and said, “Yes.”  

Ye Huairen spoke somewhat sheepishly, “Deputy Battalion Commander Shen, could you ask your wife to teach me acupuncture… I’d like to become her disciple.”  

At this point, he lowered his gaze and earnestly explained, “Acupuncture is a national treasure of our country’s medical heritage. It has been passed down for thousands of years, with its earliest origins tracing back to the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Texts like the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon and the Nine Volumes provide detailed records of meridians, acupuncture tools, needle techniques, and those miraculous life-saving methods.”  

“Never did I imagine that at my age, I’d encounter such legendary needle techniques. It’s as if my life hasn’t been lived in vain.”  

Ye Huairen let out a long sigh and continued, “Nowadays, acupuncture isn’t what it used to be. And it’s not just acupuncture—many other intangible cultural heritages of our country are quietly fading away. What we must do is preserve the wisdom of our ancestors and pass it on. The road ahead is difficult, but we must walk it! So, Deputy Battalion Commander Shen, I implore you to convey my request to your wife—I sincerely wish to become her disciple.”  

Shen Zhanwu understood his sentiments. “I’ll speak to her, but I’ll respect her decision. I hope you can understand, Elder Ye.”  

Just hearing this was enough to make the wrinkles on the old man’s face blossom into a smile.  

“Of course! Of course!”  

Li Kanshan, standing nearby, asked with concern, “Doctor, now that the deputy battalion commander is awake, does he need another examination?”  

Ye Huairen first inquired about Shen Zhanwu’s current condition.  

After receiving confirmation that everything was fine, he turned and said, “There’s nothing seriously wrong with him now.”  

“If you’re still worried, you can keep him under observation for a while. During this time, he should maintain a light diet, move slowly when sitting up or lying down, and avoid excessive emotional agitation. Most importantly, the wound on his leg must not tear again. With the hot weather now, make sure the wound stays ventilated.”  

Li Kanshan frowned. “So he can’t wear pants?”  

Ye Huairen nodded. “Better not for now.”  

Shen Zhanwu: “…”  

After giving a few more instructions, Ye Huairen finally left.  

Li Kanshan immediately rushed to the bedside, excited. “Wow, Deputy Battalion Commander! That old doctor is the most authoritative neurology expert in Shengyang! The common folks call him ‘Miracle-Handed Master.’ For someone so incredible to want to become Sister-in-Law’s disciple—she must be amazing!”  

Shen Zhanwu frowned. “Hand me my pants.”  

Li Kanshan snapped back to reality and quickly hid the trousers at the foot of the bed behind his back. “Deputy Battalion Commander, you can’t wear pants right now.”  

Shen Zhanwu glared. “That’s an order!”  

Li Kanshan took a step back. “This is a hospital, so I’ll follow the doctor’s instructions first. The wound is on your inner thigh, and if you sweat, it could easily get infected again. Do I really have to explain this—”  

He suddenly paused, then asked curiously, “Wait… are you embarrassed? Afraid Sister-in-Law might see you… down there?”  

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward a certain part of the man’s body…  

Shen Zhanwu, hearing this, immediately moved to get out of bed and teach him a lesson.  

“Hey, hey, hey!”  

Li Kanshan backed away fearfully.  

As soon as Shen Zhanwu swung one leg over the edge of the bed, Li Kanshan caved and hastily pulled out a pair of loose shorts. “How about wearing these instead…”  

Handing them over, he muttered, “Deputy Battalion Commander, if you’re this fierce, Sister-in-Law might end up scared of you someday.”

Shen Zhanwu thought of Ruan Qingzhi’s glistening, tear-filled eyes—fragile and delicate, like a flower nurtured in a greenhouse.  

Facing such a young girl, he really shouldn’t be so stern.  

Sitting on the bed, he spoke in a low voice, “Kanshan, I’ll have to trouble you these next few days to help me apply for family housing with the logistics department.”  

Li Kanshan, sitting on a chair, nodded. “Got it, I’ll handle it.”  

“While you were unconscious, the commander practically burned up the phone line trying to get the best doctors in the country to treat you. You’re his most valued soldier, after all. Thankfully, you woke up—otherwise, he’d have lost another right arm.”  

Suddenly, he grinned and scooted closer, his tone full of gossipy delight. “Deputy Battalion Commander, do you really like Sister-in-Law that much?”  

Hearing this, Shen Zhanwu’s brows slowly furrowed.  

Like?  

He had only known her for about two hours—how could there be any “like”?  

He had simply noticed her old, worn clothes.  

Noticed the calluses covering her hands, which should have been soft and delicate.  

Noticed her tears…  

Keeping her by his side was better than sending her back to that family.  

If she returned now, her family would just marry her off again for another dowry.  

What if the next man she was forced to marry had a terrible temper?  

What if he hit her, yelled at her?  

Or what if he was incompetent, unable to provide her with a decent life?  

She was so delicate—how could she endure that?  

The mere thought of these possibilities filled Shen Zhanwu with resistance.  

She was still young.  

She shouldn’t have to spend her life like this.  

Even if he himself wasn’t exactly a good match for her…  

As for what Li Kanshan called “like”—  

That kind of emotion… he might never be able to give it to her in this lifetime.  

He never forgot that he was a soldier.  

He couldn’t let personal emotions hinder his duty. He was destined to make her suffer this kind of grievance.  

At this thought, Shen Zhanwu exhaled silently and turned to look out the window.  

The scorching sunlight reflected off the glass in a blinding golden glare. The temperature outside was soaring. He wondered if that little girl, after her bath, had bought herself a bottle of soda to cool off…