Chapter 20.3

Despite his injured arm, Gu Sui couldn’t stand the thought of Guan Yue eating from the communal pot, so he walked a little further to find some nearby villagers and paid them to make preserved sausage steamed rice and a lunchbox of spicy shredded potatoes.

Gu Sui was interrupted on his way back by Gu Ci, who blocked him mid-route. “Oh, what’s this all about? I’ve been stuck in bed for weeks and didn’t see you cooking me any special meals.”

“Get out of the way, I’m taking this food to Guan Yue,” Gu Sui said firmly.

Gu Ci huffed. “I won’t get out of your way! Answer me—are you sweet on that girl?”

Gu Sui didn’t reply, but it was clear to Gu Ci, who had grown up with him, what was happening.

Gu Ci was decisive. “You do like her!”

Gu Sui smiled in his eyes. “I’m going to take her the food. It’ll get cold if I don’t hurry.”

Gu Ci reluctantly moved aside. “Always with the elbows sticking out. What will happen when you’re married with a wife?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, she’s still young.”

“She’s not that young,” Gu Ci teased. “I checked her household registration—nineteen years old. The Marriage Law says twenty for men, eighteen for women, doesn’t it?”

Gu Sui said nothing, not denying it.

Gu Ci continued, pestering him as they walked. “About the medicine—it’s crucial. Ask Guan Yue if she can give us some, just enough for emergencies. The money’s not an issue.”

“Our place isn’t short on medicine yet, but good medicines are scarce—people’s lives are at stake!”

“Gu Sui, are you listening?” Gu Ci insisted.

Gu Sui sighed. “Brother, your health isn’t fully restored yet. Go back and rest. I’ll talk to Guan Yue.”

Watching Gu Sui’s retreating back, Gu Ci felt a twinge of sentimentality. That little brat, he’s found someone to like now—finally showing a bit of humanity. It’s about time Mom and Dad saw him in this light.

Gu Ci walked over to Guan Yue’s tent and pushed the curtain aside as he stepped in. “Dinner’s here. Make do with it for now.”

The Colonel moved closer to Gu Ci. “How is he?”

Gu Ci glanced at the Colonel. “To get the god-tier medicinal powder, I even had my little brother pull a beauty trick on her. Be sure to give us a bigger cut later.”

The Colonel rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever. Your brother’s the one who wants to rise up the ranks. Don’t drag us into it.”

Gu Ci laughed.

Despite not having slept well since last night, Guan Yue’s spirits were still up when she decided to leave tonight, even though she had a tent all to herself. The area was overcrowded, close to the hospital, with only a faint hint of blood lingering in the air—she didn’t like it.

After dinner, Gu Sui talked to Guan Yue about the medicinal powder. She wasn’t really unreasonable. She gave him some from her bag.

“Ordinary wounds don’t necessarily need such a good hemostatic powder,” she explained.

Gu Sui understood her intention. “I’ll tell them—it’s only for the severe cases.”

As Gu Sui took the medicines away, Guan Yue didn’t want to stay in the stuffy tent, so she went out for a walk.

At that moment, a girl in a nurse’s uniform walked over, bluntly asking, “You’re Guan Yue, right? The one who got rid of Wang Lu from Gu Sui’s side? You don’t look that impressive.”

Zhang Yu, sizing up Guan Yue with a look of disdain, was Wang Lu’s childhood friend, although their relationship was not particularly close. Of course, she also knew the Gu brothers.

Guan Yue met her gaze with her own look of assessment. “You say these baseless things when you know nothing about me. Should I compliment you on your imagination or pity you for being unwell?”

Zhang Yu’s face turned red with anger. “You’re denying it!”

Guan Yue spoke earnestly, “I don’t even know who Wang Lu is. If I didn’t do it, how could I have driven Wang Lu away?”

Zhang Yu hesitated. “You really don’t know Wang Lu?”

“Really don’t know,” Guan Yue confirmed.

Zhang Yu suddenly burst out laughing. “Wang Lu, oh Wang Lu! All that fuss, and your rival didn’t even know who she was—what a slap in the face!”

The cocky, aggressive demeanor Zhang Yu had just moments before had changed faster than a face in a Sichuan opera.

But what was this about stealing Gu Sui?

Zhang Yu’s gaze turned back to Guan Yue. “Hey, herb picker—do you like Gu Sui?”

Guan Yue hadn’t been this openly challenged in a while and found it amusing. She decided to play along. “So what if I do? Gu Sui cooks well, is gentle-tempered, and especially kind. Why should it matter to you?”

Zhang Yu couldn’t believe her ears. “You think Gu Sui is gentle?”

“Yes.”

“Kind, too.”

“Absolutely. Whenever he has the time, he cooks for me.”

Zhang Yu looked deep into Guan Yue’s eyes, as if searching for any hint of deceit. Was the woman really describing the Gu Sui she knew?

Could it be that Gu Sui really liked this herb picker, treating her completely differently?

Zhang Yu’s heart ached. Without Wang Lu, did she really not even get a shot? Gu Sui picked this herb picker over her? What did she have that was so special? A pretty face didn’t cut it—she was better in every way.

She silently cursed Gu Sui’s blindness!

Guan Yue’s response to Zhang Yu’s questions was enough to make her see red. Suddenly, Guan Yue’s own feelings dawned on her.

Gu Sui seemed genuinely good to her. When he left, she traveled far to find him—did she really like him?

When the apocalypse started, she was still a high school student. During these desperate times, who had time to think about love?

After arriving in this world, she’d always lived alone on Daqing Mountain. Aside from Gu Sui, there hadn’t been a third person for a long time.

With no experience in love, Guan Yue suddenly felt lost. What was it like to like someone?

Guan Yue’s thoughtful expression, the nostalgia in her gaze, was a sight to Zhang Yu, as if this stubborn girl was bragging.

She must be showing off how much Gu Sui loved her! Zhang Yu gritted his teeth, “Just you wait!”

Zhang Yu came and left mysteriously, leaving no trace behind.

Guan Yue rubbed her cheeks, groaning, surely she was just overthinking things. She had planned to play a prank, but instead found herself in a hole.

She scolded herself for being so stupid.

Gu Sui stood in the shade of a tree, listening to the bickering between the two girls. He had come over to help Guan Yue, but hearing her talk about liking him, liking how he cooked, liking his temperament, liking his gentleness…

After Zhang Yu left, Gu Sui saw the girl stomp her feet and cover her face with her hands, her frustration clear. He held back the urge to go out and talk to her.

He stayed put, watching her walk back to the tent.

Cool moonlight cast a silver glow, and Gu Sui stepped out from the shadows, telling himself not to rush, there was still time, let her think, slowly…

The next morning, Guan Yue and Gu Sui were leaving, and Gu Ci made time to send them off.

Gu Ci said to his brother, “Just be a Barefoot Doctor in the village. I don’t need you worrying about me here. When you have the time, help Guan Yue out, get some good medicine for your brother while you’re at it.”

Gu Ci turned to Guan Yue, “Wang Tiejun is one of my men. Thanks for saving his life.”

Maybe it was because they were leaving this place still smelling of gunpowder, but Guan Yue was in a good mood, “No need to be so polite.”

Gu Ci smiled and gave a nod to Gu Sui, urging him on.

Gu Sui didn’t respond to his brother, following Guan Yue as they walked away.

Back in Qingchuan City, Guan Yue’s mood was much lighter.

Gu Sui asked her, “Stay at the guesthouse or somewhere else?”

Guan Yue replied directly, “Let’s go stay with the Deng family, I still have the medical books they promised me to read.”

Gu Sui remembered, Deng Lao Sir seemed to be here as well.

When Deng Weimin saw Guan Yue return, he was overjoyed, “My God, if you didn’t come back soon, I was going to take time off to come find you. How can you stay in such a dangerous place?”

Guan Yue didn’t bother to explain, “I’m back now, aren’t I? The medical books you promised me, I still haven’t seen. Of course, I had to come back.”

This time, Deng Lao’s anger wasn’t as intense as the day before; he just gave Deng Weimin a glare before smiling at Guan Yue, “The books are in the house, feel free to read as much as you want.”

Deng Baishu’s jealousy was almost palpable.

He and the other brothers and cousins hadn’t been given the same privilege to casually read medical books—only this little girl, Guan Yue, got to enjoy that luxury.

It was infuriating!

Did Deng Weimin not know his own son? Seeing his expression, he knew exactly what was going through his mind.

Deng Weimin scolded Deng Baishu, “Lack of talent and not putting in the effort—you just pout and stomp your feet. Do you think you’re a three-year-old?”

It was so frustrating—he hadn’t even said anything, and he was being scolded again.

Guan Yue stayed with the Deng family, and Gu Sui moved in as well.

Every day, Guan Yue would be in her room studying medical books, while Gu Sui would wander around outside, buying her treats. Once his arm was almost healed, he would even cook for her.

With Gu Sui’s care, Guan Yue’s face was radiant and glowing, her cheeks rosy and plump—a picture of health and beauty, adorable in every way.

Deng Baishu was lonely, squatting at the kitchen door, reciting from his books while inhaling the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen.

The young man sighed for the umpteenth time, feeling like he was surrounded by the most infuriating comparisons—while everyone else was inside reading whatever books they wanted, he was stuck outside, forced to recite whatever his father dictated.

His father never cared about what he ate or drank; he was left only to sniff at the delicious smells from the kitchen. Meanwhile, that little girl had someone making her breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, sometimes even late-night snacks. It was almost too much to bear!

Gu Sui brought the food out and set it down for Deng Baishu, who was squatting by the window, “I left you a portion of food. Go ahead and get it.”

Deng Baishu stood up eagerly, calling out with a sycophantic tone, “Thanks, Brother Gu! You’re so generous!”

Guan Yue crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, “Hmph, am I not generous?”

“Of course, Sister Yue is the most generous! No one in Qingchuan City is as generous as you!” Deng Baishu hurriedly flattered, afraid that if he spoke too slowly, the girl wouldn’t let him have any food.

Gu Sui chuckled, “Don’t tease him, hurry up and come eat.”

Guan Yue hopped lightly from the eave down into the courtyard, “Coming! Let’s eat here today!”

“Sure, it’s cooler under the tree this time of day.”

In the courtyard stood a cherry tree, shading a stone table. This season, the cherries were gone, leaving behind lush, green leaves.

Guan Yue told Gu Sui, “In the afternoon, let’s go to the hospital and check on Wang Tiejun’s foot. After we’re done there, we can head back to Qingxi Village.”

Gu Sui had no objections, listening to her without question.

She had read through all the medical books in the house. With her memory and cognitive abilities, having absorbed so much knowledge, she had developed a deeper understanding of diagnosis.

If before, she had relied on her ability to assist with diagnosis, now, without it, she could still reach her original level. However, with her ability still aiding her, her skills had become even more refined.

Guan Yue whispered to Gu Sui, “I’ve got it all down. When we get back, I’ll teach you.”

Deng Baishu, sitting in the eave, loudly complained, “I heard that! You’re going to share our family’s medical books!”

Guan Yue ignored him and asked directly, “Still want to learn how to mix medicines?”

“Of course! You’re like my grandma! Where else would I go to complain?” Deng Baishu sighed, wishing he could free himself from the little girl’s control.

Guan Yue smirked, “You wish!”

At first, Deng Weimin and Deng Lao hadn’t realized just how good Guan Yue’s memory was. Once they found out, they discussed it and decided to let Guan Yue read the medical books daily.

“Teaching a man to fish is better than giving him a fish.” Even if one could read all the medical books in the world, it didn’t mean everyone could be a doctor.

**Learning something and using it are two different things.**

And, they believed, Guan Yue would be a renowned doctor who could save lives, and the Deng family was willing to support her growth every step of the way.

Don’t think Deng Baishu was really that naive; even though his father hadn’t said anything, he had long guessed their thoughts.

It was because the elders in his family had faith in Guan Yue, not him, so he felt bitter and resentful!

In the afternoon, Guan Yue went to the hospital to see Wang Tiejun.

The injuries on Wang Tiejun’s body weren’t severe; it was only his right foot that couldn’t bear weight yet.

Guan Yue had already planned how to treat his foot—first, acupuncture, using her ability to stimulate the damaged meridians and awaken them, and then using traditional herbal moxibustion. The dual approach would maximize the effect on his injury.

Of course, the herbs used for the moxibustion were ones she provided; no other herbs could have the same potency.

That night, Deng Weimin and Deng Lao did not come back. After Deng Baishu had gone to bed early, Gu Sui brought a wooden bucket into the room, filled with soil.

Gu Sui watched as a seed was dropped into the soil, slowly breaking through the shell, sprouting, and growing until it was ready to be harvested.

Initially, when he had seen the large tree in front of the wooden house, he had only seen the end result, not the process of how Guan Yue made it grow.

This time, he was truly amazed!

The herbs were full of energy; after being smoked, the leftover herbal solution could still be used for Wang Tiejun to soak his foot.

Guan Yue gave Wang Tiejun acupuncture for several days in a row. Everyone watched as Wang Tiejun moved from not being able to walk to being able to take a few steps with a crutch.

Guan Yue nodded, “The inside of your foot isn’t fully healed yet, so take care of it. Once it heals properly, you can leave the crutch behind.”

While everyone was celebrating Wang Tiejun’s recovery and discussing Guan Yue’s acupuncture, a group of people suddenly burst into the hospital, their demeanor aggressive, claiming to be from the Revolutionary Committee and suspecting Guan Yue of being a spy—demanding to take her in for questioning.

The people at the hospital wouldn’t allow it—they were just a bunch of thugs and bullies under the pretense of authority. How could a girl who was solely focused on medical research be a spy? It was absurd!

This was a military hospital; they weren’t afraid of these people at all. They immediately called for security to escort them out.

But the men wouldn’t give up, shouting that if Guan Yue dared to step out the door, they would arrest her.

“Don’t think that hiding behind the protection of a military hospital makes you untouchable; you’re a spy!” They shouted, refusing to back down.

Guan Yue didn’t respond; they thought she was scared, and their taunts grew even more vile and obscene.

Guan Yue sneered; today, she was determined to see if their bark was worse than their bite.

Gu Sui stepped in front of her, “Don’t fall for their provocation, trust me, I won’t let you get hurt.”

Deng Weimin and Deng Lao came huffing and puffing, “Gu Sui is right, don’t fall for it. Those people are just cockroaches from the sewers—they’re only good for making trouble.”

Gu Sui looked into Guan Yue’s eyes, his expression serious, “Trust me.”

Guan Yue slowly unclenched her fists, deciding to trust him for now.

Gu Sui watched the group of people outside, his gaze suddenly cold and calculating, eager to find out who was behind this troublemaking.