Chapter 11 – Nourishing the Body:

Huo Tingwu carried two boxes of pastries in his hands, looking mysterious as he told her he was taking her somewhere.

Ye Tao didn’t know what he was up to, but she followed behind him, winding through alley after alley until they stopped in front of a door that looked like the back entrance of a shop.

Huo Tingwu knocked lightly on the brass knocker. Soon, an elderly voice called out, “Who’s there?”

“Uncle Wen, it’s me.”

An old man opened the door. His hair and beard were already gray, but his spirit was lively.

“Well, well, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, brat.”

His gaze shifted to Ye Tao beside him, and he chuckled. “And this young comrade is?”

Huo Tingwu replied, “My wife.”

“Not easy, huh? After all these years, the iron tree finally blossoms.”

Though teased, Huo Tingwu wasn’t annoyed. He rubbed his nose and grinned. “Let’s talk inside.”

The courtyard was full of herbs drying under the sun, their fragrance thick in the air, refreshing to the mind.

“Uncle Wen, I came today hoping you could check on my wife. She’s rather weak.”

Huo Tingwu didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

“That’s a small matter.”

Uncle Wen turned to Ye Tao with a kind smile. “May I ask how to address you, young comrade?”

“My name is Ye Tao.”

“Then I’ll call you Xiao Ye, if that’s alright?”

Since she had lived with her grandfather growing up, Ye Tao felt a natural closeness to him and smiled. “Of course.”

“Uncle Wen.” Huo Tingwu was already waiting by the door.

The old man snorted, glaring at him. “What are you rushing for? I’m not deaf yet.”

“Hehe, I was just afraid you’d get carried away chatting.”

“Xiao Ye, ignore him. Come, let’s go sit inside.”

“Alright, after you.”

The room was simply furnished with a few chairs. Uncle Wen brought out a pulse pillow. “Xiao Ye, put your hand here. I’ll take your pulse.”

Ye Tao glanced at Huo Tingwu, who gave her a reassuring look.

Uncle Wen checked her pulse, then studied her tongue and complexion. His beard bristled as he scolded, “Brat, how do you take care of your wife? She’s not only malnourished, but has spleen deficiency, kidney weakness, and a cold womb. Big and small problems all piled up.”

Huo Tingwu frowned, not expecting her condition to be this bad. “Do you have a solution?”

Uncle Wen knew his character well. Judging from Xiao Ye’s state, these issues had persisted seven or eight years already—likely long before the marriage.

“Fortunately, they’re all minor ailments. With regular medicine, she’ll recover in six months.”

“Six months!” Ye Tao exclaimed.

She knew the original body’s health wasn’t good, but hadn’t expected it to be this bad. Though each issue was small, together they weighed heavily, and after years it was only natural that problems would arise.

“Six months is the norm. If you’re in a hurry, three months is possible. But Chinese medicine values gradual progress, so I suggest half a year.”

Huo Tingwu immediately said, “We’ll follow your advice—half a year it is. As long as she gets better, nothing else matters.”

Uncle Wen gave him an approving look.

“You sit down too. Let me check you as well.”

“No need. I’m a healthy man. What’s there to check?”

Huo Tingwu felt he was in perfect shape and didn’t need a doctor.

Ye Tao cut in, “No, you need to be checked too.”

He worked hard in the army. Now that they had an expert giving free checkups, how could he pass it up?

Under his wife’s “order,” Huo Tingwu obediently sat down.

Uncle Wen chuckled—finally someone who could rein in this rascal.

Then his eyes landed on the bite mark on Huo Tingwu’s hand. “Well now, who gave you this tattoo?”

Tattoo? Ye Tao blinked. He had tattoos?

Following Uncle Wen’s gaze, her face instantly burned. That wasn’t a tattoo—it was the bite mark she’d left yesterday!

The girl was mortified, wishing she could crawl into the floor. Huo Tingwu shot a cold glare at Uncle Wen.

But the old man only glared right back, fearless. After all, he was an old hand who had weathered every storm—what did he care about a soldier’s glare?

After taking his pulse and checking his joints and cervical spine, Uncle Wen nodded. “Not bad. Just a bit too much fire for a young man. Take it easy.”

Huo Tingwu coughed into his fist. “Got it.”

“Sit here for a while, I’ll go prepare Xiao Ye’s medicine.” As he reached the door, he paused. “By the way, you’re not in a rush to have children, are you?”

Ye Tao’s cheeks flushed red. Huo Tingwu waved his hand. “No rush. We just got married.”

“Good then.” Uncle Wen left with ease to prepare the medicine.

Ye Tao sat slumped in her chair.

Thinking she was worried about her body, Huo Tingwu wrapped an arm around her and comforted, “Don’t worry. Uncle Wen’s family has practiced medicine for generations—five, to be exact. He’ll definitely restore your health.”

Seeing no one else around, Ye Tao leaned against him and pouted. “I don’t want to drink medicine.”

“Good medicine tastes bitter but cures the illness. Don’t worry, as long as you take it on time, I’ll take you ice skating.”

“Ice skating?!”

Her eyes lit up instantly. She loved skating, though she wasn’t very good at it. Gliding on the ice had always thrilled her.

“The army is stationed near the border. In winter, the river freezes thick. To liven things up, we hold skating competitions, sometimes even winter swimming, or hunts. There are plenty of foolish deer out there—they won’t even run when they see people.”

Ye Tao’s eyes sparkled as if she could already see it, and she hugged him excitedly. “That sounds so fun!”

Huo Tingwu patted her head. “So, will you take the medicine?”

Ye Tao sighed. “Yes.” What had to be faced must be faced.

She knew medicine would help her body. Who didn’t want good health? She’d tried Chinese medicine once before—dark and foul-smelling, it nearly made her gag just sitting in front of it.

Huo Tingwu, meanwhile, was already planning to buy some sweets and pastries later to keep at home.

Uncle Wen prescribed half a month’s worth of medicine.

Ye Tao asked, “Uncle Wen, I might be going with Tingwu to join the army. When we leave, could we pick up the medicine in bulk and take it with us?”

Huo Tingwu’s eyes widened in delight. “Taotao!” The surprise came so suddenly, he gripped her hand tightly in excitement.

Uncle Wen looked at her. “He’s stationed on an island garrison, not exactly close by. You’re willing to go?”

Ye Tao answered firmly, “I want to.”

Huo Tingwu had treated her decently—he had money, looks, and strength, and he could even cook. Following him promised a life of comfort.