Xia Zhi nodded. “Okay, as long as I can work at the military hospital, I’ll take on any task.”  

Chen Yang nodded in satisfaction and said cheerfully, “Good. As long as you complete the task I assign you, you can work at my traditional Chinese medicine clinic.”  

He whispered something in her ear, and Xia Zhi instantly felt full of confidence. “Thank you, Uncle Chen. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”  

Grateful, she glanced at the others before leaving the hospital. She headed straight to the cafeteria and, after explaining her purpose, the head chef readily lent her the kitchen—thanks to Lu Beiting’s influence.  

Using the limited ingredients available, Xia Zhi prepared some food mixed with medicinal herbs.  

“Auntie, I’m done. Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal another time.”  

“Ah, alright. You’re such a polite child.” Chen Yan smiled at her. The girl was clearly likable. She had heard that Battalion Commander Lu had changed fiancées-his previous one…

Chen Yan let out a cold snort. Truly shameless.

When Xia Zhi returned, Lu Beiting and Zhang Yi were deep in conversation. Both turned to look at her as she entered.  

“Zhang Yi, you’re here too. Have you eaten? If not, why don’t you join us for a simple meal?”  

She brought out a pot of something pitch-black. Zhang Yi had initially leaned in, curious to see what delicious dish she had made, but the unappetizing appearance immediately put him off.  

Then, a strong herbal scent hit his nose, making him slightly uncomfortable.  

“Hahaha, sister-in-law, I already ate before coming. You two go ahead. After you’re done, I’ll accompany you up the mountain to gather herbs.” With that, Zhang Yi quietly retreated to the side, shooting his battalion commander a look that said, Good luck.

Perhaps heaven was fair-though Sister-in-law was skilled in both combat and medicine, cooking might just be her weakness.  

Thinking this, Zhang Yi felt slightly better about the blow to his pride from the day before.  

Xia Zhi looked at the dish in her hands and said earnestly, “It might not look great, but the taste… well, it’s not great either.”  

She scooped a bowl and handed it to Lu Beiting. “Eat up. There’s also corn porridge if you want some later.”  

The so-called “corn porridge” was nothing more than boiled crushed corn kernels.  

Lu Beiting stared at the bowl in her hands, the pungent smell making him frown. He took it reluctantly, his face stiff with resistance.  

“Drink it!” Xia Zhi pushed it closer insistently, clearly unwilling to back down.  

Expressionless, Lu Beiting took the bowl. The moment the first sip touched his tongue, his stoic face twisted in disgust.  

This stuff was more bitter than his life.  

“Good medicine tastes bitter. The bitterness means it’s working.” Xia Zhi spoke earnestly, then turned to serve the porridge. She took a sip first—at least it was tolerable.  

She finished a bowl quickly, while Lu Beiting was still struggling with the medicine.  

By the time he finished, he looked utterly defeated, sitting on the edge of the bed. Logically speaking, he had eaten tree bark before—this shouldn’t have been a big deal.  

But after drinking it, his entire body felt numb.  

Seeing his expression, Xia Zhi sighed helplessly and popped a piece of candy into his mouth.  

The bitterness in his mouth faded instantly. Lu Beiting stiffened, then turned his face away awkwardly. “I’m not a child.”  

“Your face says otherwise.” She handed him the porridge. “Drink this. After I finish, I’ll head up the mountain. I can go alone. Just have Zhang Yi reheat the medicine for you later.”  

As she spoke, she pressed a few more candies into his palm.

At the door, Zhang Yi watched the scene, biting his lower lip to stifle his laughter. If it weren’t for sister-in-law, he probably wouldn’t have had the chance to see the battalion commander like this.  

“Sister-in-law, are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”  

“No need. Just take good care of your battalion commander.” If he came along, it would only complicate things for her.  

Seeing her firm stance, Zhang Yi had no choice but to glance at Lu Beiting. Lu Beiting looked down at the few candies lying in his palm, then raised his head to gaze at Xia Zhi.  

“Alright, then be careful.”  

“Got it!”  

Xia Zhi hoisted her small basket onto her back and glanced at the empty space outside the door. Once I manage to set up a small stove here, I won’t have to run to the cafeteria every day.

Considering Lu Beiting’s condition, Li Jianguo had arranged for them to stay in a ground-floor unit on the edge of the compound. There was even some unused land to the left that could be put to good use later.  

When Xia Zhi arrived at the guard post, she saw Xu Rufeng again. “Squad Leader Xu, I’m heading into the mountains.”  

Xu Rufeng frowned when he noticed she was alone again. Why is the battalion commander still letting her go up the mountain by herself?

“Xia Zhi, why don’t I go with you? It’s not safe for you to go alone.”  

Xia Zhi quickly waved her hand. “It’s safe, perfectly safe! I’ll definitely be back before sunset.”  

Xu Rufeng opened his mouth to say more but suddenly realized he had no real standing to insist. He swallowed his words and simply said, “Then be careful.”  

Xia Zhi nodded and walked off with her basket, heading toward the mountains.  

To avoid running into that lunatic Hao Liping again, she deliberately chose a different path this time.  

Once in the mountains, Xia Zhi climbed a tree with practiced ease and lay down on a branch, mulling over her next steps. But before long, she dozed off.  

A short while later, a tickling sensation on her face jolted her awake. She opened her eyes to find a monkey hanging above her, its tail brushing against her cheek.  

She sat up abruptly. No way, am I really this unlucky? Did I run into one looking for revenge?  

Her eyes locked onto the monkey in the tree. Strangely, the monkey didn’t seem hostile—it just stared at her, chattering and gesturing with its hands.  

Xia Zhi watched for a while, puzzled.  

The monkey kept pointing in one direction. Is it trying to lead me somewhere?

“You want me to follow you?”  

Xia Zhi stared in astonishment as the monkey, as if understanding her words, nodded vigorously before leaping to another branch.  

It even waved at her to come along.  

Xia Zhi’s lips twitched. I’m not a monkey—how am I supposed to jump like that?  

After a moment of hesitation, she decided to follow anyway. Who knows, maybe there’s some treasure ahead. That’s how it always happens in novels.

Seeing her lagging behind, the little monkey grew impatient and doubled back, tugging at her pant leg to hurry her along.  

“Hey, hey, slow down!” Xia Zhi adjusted her basket and quickened her pace.  

They passed through dense woods, thickets, and scattered boulders. Xia Zhi’s unease grew with every step. This place is getting more and more remote.

The unfamiliar surroundings, the increasing dampness, the thickening foliage—a creeping sense of dread crawled up from the soles of her feet.  

Xia Zhi’s face twisted with reluctance. This is way too far out.

Just as she was about to turn back, the little monkey at her feet suddenly stopped, jumping excitedly and pointing ahead.  

Xia Zhi gritted her teeth. Well, I’ve come this far. Might as well see what’s there.

Heart pounding, she stepped across the stream on a few large rocks, then pushed aside the tall grass—and froze, her breath catching in her throat at what lay before her.