Chapter 12: The Bolder the Person, the Bigger the Gain

Xia Ruanruan muttered in her heart: Are all doctors this fast?

Actually, she could keep up just fine—it was just that her poor neck…

Fortunately, after walking a few steps, Huo Beiqing seemed to realize he was still holding onto her collar. Finally, he let go, freeing her from his grip.

Once he released her, he said, “I’ll take you out.”

Xia Ruanruan was flattered but quickly waved her hands. “No need, no need, Dr. Huo, you’re too polite. I can walk by myself.”

Huo Beiqing raised an eyebrow and gave her a scrutinizing look. “To prevent my wife from being coerced again, I think it’s necessary.”

Xia Ruanruan: “…”

“…Actually, I think all our medical staff are highly professional. Dr. Jiang and Nurse Sun just had a moment of poor judgment. You already scolded them, so I’m sure it won’t happen again. Dr. Huo, you don’t have to worry.”

Huo Beiqing chuckled faintly. “It’s good that you’ve stopped using that inappropriate title from before, but I still have one suggestion—you calling me ‘Dr. Huo’ feels too distant.”

Xia Ruanruan: You’re really something.

You call me ‘Comrade’ all the time—doesn’t that feel distant and stiff?

What am I supposed to call you then?

Should I call you ‘Dad’?

Can you handle that? Won’t it shorten your lifespan?

Despite her tough thoughts, she obediently replied, “Alright, I’ll take your advice, Dr. Huo. I’ll go home and seriously consider this matter.”

Huo Beiqing’s eyes held a faint smile. He had seen it clearly—Xia Ruanruan could endure and adapt. She was strategic and knew how to assess the situation. If things weren’t in her favor, she could swallow her grievances with ease.

Xia Ruanruan had no idea what he was thinking. If she did, she would have rolled her eyes. If she couldn’t endure grievances, what else could she do? Fight people at every turn?

Not to mention whether her small frame could even put up a fight, but more importantly—that would be illegal!

However, making people angry wasn’t illegal.

So, as long as she could get through the situation, she would let it slide happily.

In the end, Huo Beiqing walked Xia Ruanruan to the bus stop outside the hospital. Before she got on the bus, he took out some cash from his pocket. “This is all I have on me. It should be enough for your fare.”

Xia Ruanruan was genuinely surprised, smiling with her eyes curved. “Dr. Huo… this is too kind of you. It’s more than enough!”

As she spoke, she reached out both hands.

Huo Beiqing placed the wad of bills into her palm. Her hands were as soft as her name suggested.

Although it was just a fleeting touch, Huo Beiqing still came to that conclusion.

As Xia Ruanruan smiled sweetly, Huo Beiqing arrived at another realization—she wasn’t just mentally strong, strategic, and adaptable, but she was also a little money-hungry.

After taking the money, Xia Ruanruan boarded the bus but didn’t forget to wave goodbye to him.

Huo Beiqing stood there without much expression on his face.

Xia Ruanruan, however, waved enthusiastically before lowering her head to count the money.

The original owner of this body had some money, but not much.

After all, she was from the countryside, and her family’s income was limited.

She didn’t dare to spend frivolously or wander around too much.

But now that she had suddenly traveled to this era, she was eager to explore the simplicity and ambition of this time.

With the money her “husband” had given her in hand, Xia Ruanruan felt she could finally go out and see the world.

Only after seeing her get on the bus did Huo Beiqing turn around and return to the hospital.

He was a traditional man. Marriage wasn’t something he had wanted, but just as his father had said, now that he was married, he should at least try to build a connection.

Xia Ruanruan was still young. If she had any shortcomings, he could try to teach her. He couldn’t just leave her in the cold.

What happened today was partly his fault. If he hadn’t acted the way he did initially, how would those irrelevant people have dared to behave like that?

Huo Beiqing kicked away a clump of dirt by his foot, stuffed his hands into the pockets of his white coat, and expressionlessly walked back into the hospital.

He always had a cold and indifferent expression, so even though many nurses admired him, none of them dared to approach him.

To think Xia Ruanruan actually had the guts to take advantage of him when he was under the effects of sleeping pills.

As the saying goes, “The bolder the person, the greater the reward.”

Thinking of this, Huo Beiqing found himself smirking out of sheer frustration.

Indeed, the only reason he hadn’t strangled Xia Ruanruan with his own hands was because socialism had saved her.

While Huo Beiqing was thinking about how much he wanted to strangle her, Xia Ruanruan, now holding his “generous funds,” had already gone shopping.

On the bus, she counted the money—Huo Beiqing had given her fifty-six yuan, and she had eight yuan of her own.

She now had a total of sixty-four yuan—a fortune.

In modern times, this might not even be enough for a bowl of noodles, but in an era where the average salary was just a few dozen yuan, Xia Ruanruan figured she could at least afford a decent outfit.

Why was the first thing she wanted to buy a new outfit?

Because her current clothes were unbearable to her modern fashion sense.

As for earning money on her own…

Xia Ruanruan was ambitious but not obsessive.

She didn’t believe she had to immediately prove her worth to be considered motivated.

Besides, no matter what she did, first impressions mattered.

With her current look—cloth shoes, a khaki-gray top, and blue cotton trousers—even if she applied for a nanny job, people would probably scrutinize her for a long time.

So, she decided to revamp her image first.

Then, she would look into finding a school to attend.

Xia Ruanruan valued education.

After all, for most people, education was the key to a better future.

Her ideal plan was to attend school during the day and rent a place nearby where she could start a piano or dance class.

Although extracurricular classes weren’t mainstream yet, wealthy families had already started investing in them.

More importantly, there weren’t many people with those skills right now—so even if parents wanted their children to take lessons, they had nowhere to go.

If she started teaching, wouldn’t she be like a beacon of hope for them?

Yes, she was that confident—confident and radiant.

Of course, the most crucial reason was simply her love for beauty!

And so, with her “fortune” in hand, Xia Ruanruan headed straight to the department store.

Autumn had arrived, and the department store was stocked with new fall clothing.

This was the provincial capital’s department store, so the clothing selection was relatively fashionable.

But after looking around, Xia Ruanruan still didn’t find anything she truly liked.

At that moment, she couldn’t help but lament—why did other time travelers get system perks, and she got nothing?

So unfair!

Grumbling about her lack of a cheat system, she finally settled on a pair of black trousers and a warm yellow sweater.

The trousers cost fifteen yuan, while the sweater cost thirty-five.

Her fortune was nearly wiped out in an instant.

Xia Ruanruan silently thanked Huo Beiqing—good thing she had received financial aid from “big bro.”

She even took the trousers to a tailor to have them altered into a slim fit.

After buying her new clothes, she treated herself to a bowl of noodles and then wandered around the city, soaking in the atmosphere of this era before finally heading home.

By the time she returned to the Huo household, it was already evening.

Aunt Chen was preparing dinner, while Lin Wei was busy tending to her plants.

As soon as Xia Ruanruan stepped through the door, she greeted Lin Wei with a smile.

“Mom, you’re busy? I’ll drop my things off and come help you!”