Chapter 26: Dispute

Early the next morning, as soon as Xu Cuihua arrived at the family compound, she spotted the blind old man from afar.

He was making inquiries as he walked, laboriously using a cane to make his way toward Ning Wanwan’s home.

Seeing this, Xu Cuihua led him over directly. Coincidentally, Ning Wanwan had woken up early today and had already taken out spiritual spring water and herbs from her space.

Hearing movement in the courtyard, Ning Wanwan wheeled herself out to greet them, smiling as she asked, “Uncle, you’re here so early. Have you had breakfast yet?”

The blind old man shook his head uneasily and said, “It was a neighbor who brought me here. He’s busy and won’t have time later, so I came early.”

Hearing this, Ning Wanwan asked Xu Cuihua to bring breakfast out.

“Uncle, let’s eat together. I haven’t eaten yet either. We need strength to treat your illness.”

The old man awkwardly shook his head. “No, no, I’m not hungry. You and Doctor Ning should eat.”

Ning Wanwan scooped him a bowl of porridge and pressed a pair of chopsticks into his hand.

“Don’t worry, Uncle. Eat up. We’ll talk more about your condition after. You need to be full of energy to go home and take care of Auntie.”

Only then did the old man stop refusing. After breakfast, they all got busy.

Ning Wanwan first crushed the prepared herbs, then mixed in some spiritual spring water.

The spring water was stored in an ordinary cup, indistinguishable from plain boiled water. Even Xu Cuihua, who was helping nearby, didn’t notice anything unusual.

The remaining spiritual water was brought out by Ning Wanwan for the old man to drink — not a drop was wasted.

Next was the medicine application. Half an hour later, the gauze was removed, and the old man’s previously pale and cloudy eyes appeared visibly clearer.

He raised his hand and waved it in front of his face.

“Doctor Ning, your medical skills are truly miraculous. I think… I think I can see light again!”

Xu Cuihua smiled casually on the side, thinking the old man was just flattering Ning Wanwan, and didn’t take it seriously.

Ning Wanwan smiled quietly without saying a word. With the effect of the spiritual spring water, she believed his words were true.

She also caught the look on Xu Cuihua’s face, but that was exactly the effect she wanted — keeping things low-profile was always better.

The blind old man, eyes brimming with emotion, fumbled in his old, worn-out jacket pocket and took out two wrinkled bills, placing them on the stone table.

“Doctor Ning, this is the consultation fee I brought. See if it’s enough. If not, I’ll find a way to get more.”

Ning Wanwan refused to accept it. She picked up the money and stuffed it back into his hand.

“Uncle, I won’t take this money. You should use it to buy Auntie something to eat.”

“I’m doing free consultations. I won’t take your money.”

The old man’s eyes welled up. “Thank you, child. I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Xu Cuihua also laughed and said, “Uncle, just take it back. Our Doctor Ning never charges for treatment — even my headaches were treated for free.”

Hearing this, the old man was clearly more at ease. He wiped his tears and put the money back into his pocket.

After giving a few instructions, Ning Wanwan asked Xu Cuihua to escort the old man home.

As noon approached, Ning Wanwan took out a slab of pork belly and some vegetables from her space — she planned to cook braised pork for lunch.

After a few days of observation, she had figured out He Yunshen’s preferences — he was a hardcore meat lover and a complete rice bucket (he could eat a lot).

Two yuan a day for food was honestly not expensive. With his appetite, it might not even be enough to cover rice and vegetables.

Her braised pork recipe was something her 21st-century mother, Xiang Zhilan, had taught her. Thinking of that, Ning Wanwan sighed softly.

She wondered what had happened to her counterpart in the parallel world.

Was she dead? Missing? Or in a coma?

Her parents must be heartbroken…

Now, she was all alone in this world, and a sudden wave of sadness washed over her.

She let her imagination run wild — could her parents have crossed over too?

She remembered that they were also from Jing City, and had met at a medical university.

Thinking of this possibility, her spirits lifted, and her desire to get a divorce grew stronger.

Once the divorce was finalized, she’d return to Jing City immediately and try to find her parents.

Even if it sounded crazy, it was still worth trying.

The aroma of the braised pork filled the entire courtyard. As He Yunshen approached the house, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved up.

After washing his hands, he dutifully helped bring the food to the table, and the two of them ate in silence.

Ning Wanwan picked up some greens with her chopsticks, looking a bit guilty.

“He Yunshen, I want to talk seriously about our divorce.”

He Yunshen paused mid-bite, his expression unreadable.

“Ning Wanwan, I told you — it’s my responsibility to take care of you. As long as you can’t stand, it’s my duty to look after you.”

Ning Wanwan rolled her eyes, exasperated, a flicker of anger appearing on her fair face.

Why is this stubborn man so hard-headed?

“If I can stand up, will you agree to the divorce?”

He Yunshen fixed his gaze on her, as if trying to determine if she was serious.

After what felt like a century, his low voice finally responded.

“Fine. If you can stand up, I’ll agree to divorce you.”

With that, he put down his chopsticks, face grim, and strode out of the courtyard.

Ning Wanwan pouted as she watched him leave. He used to be sick of the original host — now I’m asking for a divorce and he’s unhappy?

Why? Responsibility alone couldn’t explain it.

She could already feel her feet and her legs had regained some strength — standing up was only a matter of time.

Since He Yunshen agreed to divorce, her goal was achieved. She should be happy.

But looking at him like that made her feel strangely frustrated and upset.

The meal ended on a sour note. Ning Wanwan absentmindedly ate a few more bites, then began clearing the table when Xu Cuihua came rushing back.

“Wanwan, did you and Commander He have a fight? I saw him sitting in the car smoking.”

Ning Wanwan glanced toward the gate and nodded.

“I was talking to him about divorce.”

Xu Cuihua’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected that at all and looked genuinely worried.

“Wanwan, take some advice from your sister here — Commander He is a man worth relying on. It’s normal for couples to fight sometimes, but you can’t go around talking about divorce.”

“I used to argue all the time with my late husband too. We were still quarreling the day before he went off to war… but who would’ve thought he’d never come back? I… I really regret it now…”