After being separated from my family, I became a darling of the military region thanks to my medical

Gu Zheng walked up to him.

"Big brother."

Ye Cheng looked up and saw Gu Zheng, then quickly stood up.

"Brother-in-law."

He almost dropped the half-eaten bun in his hand, but he managed to grab it back.

"Why did you come out?"

Gu Zheng frowned as he looked at the steamed bun in his hand.

"Why didn't you call ahead when you arrived?"

Ye Cheng patted the dust off his clothes.

"I just came to settle the bill and drop by to see Zhenzhen. I didn't want to take up too much of your time."

Gu Zheng didn't argue with him.

He bent down, picked up the canvas bag, and slung it over his shoulder.

Ye Cheng became anxious.

"No, no, no, I'll carry it myself, it's dirty."

Gu Zheng lifted his leg and walked into the courtyard.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Ye Cheng quickly followed.

The sentry stood by the guard post, watching Commander Gu carrying that dusty canvas bag on his shoulder, and then watching Ye Cheng following beside him empty-handed. He almost lost his composure.

Gu Zheng took two steps, then turned back and gave the order.

"Register Ye Cheng, my brother-in-law. From now on, just let him through."

Sentry, stand at attention.

"Yes."

Ye Cheng turned around and gave the sentry a simple, honest smile.

"Thank you for your trouble, young comrade."

The sentry quickly replied.

"No trouble at all, please take care."

After the two men walked away, another veteran poked half his head out of the guard post.

"Was that really Dr. Ye's brother?"

The young sentry closed the register.

"Commander Gu personally received them and even helped carry their bags."

The veteran looked into the distance and spoke after a long pause.

"You can't judge a book by its cover."

The young sentry whispered.

"I almost asked the wrong question just now."

The veteran asked.

"What do you want to ask?"

The young sentry touched his nose.

"I want to ask if he came to deliver vegetables."

The veteran pressed his head back into the guard post.

"It's a good thing you didn't ask."

On the other side, Ye Cheng followed Gu Zheng toward the family dormitory building.

He was reserved and cautious the whole way.

Neat buildings.

People in military uniforms by the roadside.

The bed sheets are clean and tidy on the clothesline.

Even the cement road surface was swept clean and tidy.

He walked lighter and lighter, as if afraid of dirtying the ground.

Gu Zheng noticed and lifted the canvas bag onto his shoulder.

"Brother, walk on the ground, don't look like a thief."

Ye Cheng lowered his voice.

"This place is too clean, my shoes are dirty."

Gu Zheng stopped and turned to look at him.

"Big brother."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was very steady.

"Where Zhenzhen lives is also where you can come."

Ye Cheng's lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

Gu Zheng raised his hand and patted him on the back.

"Let's go home."

When Ye Cheng heard the words "go home," his eyes welled up with tears.

He lowered his head and coughed.

"Um."

When they got downstairs, Ye Cheng stopped again.

"Brother-in-law, is this outfit inappropriate?"

Gu Zheng looked at him.

"What's inappropriate?"

Ye Cheng lowered his head and rubbed his fingers along the seam of his pants.

"I'm afraid of embarrassing Zhenzhen."

Gu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"You're her own brother, who would dare to dislike you?"

Ye Cheng was taken aback.

Gu Zheng chuckled.

"Let's go."

The two went upstairs.

Ye Cheng stood at the door, and before Gu Zheng could even take out his keys, the door opened from the inside.

Ye Zhen was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and her hair was loosely tied back with a black rubber band, clearly indicating that she had just returned from the hospital.

Her gaze fell on Ye Cheng.

"elder brother."

Ye Cheng looked at her and immediately broke into a smile.

"Zhenzhen".

He was about to step inside when he looked down at his shoes and pulled his toes back.

"Let me wipe my shoes by the door first."

Ye Zhen reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him directly into the room.

"Come in."

Ye Cheng turned around to look at the ground in a panic.

"There's mud on the ground."

Ye Zhen closed the door.

"It's alright."

Her gaze swept from Ye Cheng's face to his shoulders, and then from his shoulders to his trouser legs.

"You've lost weight."

Ye Cheng immediately shook his head.

"I haven't lost weight. I've been busy lately and eating quite well."

Ye Zhen reached out and squeezed his wrist.

"The bone is hard to hold."

Ye Cheng quickly pulled his hand back.

"I'm a laborer, how can I gain weight?"

Gu Zheng watched the commotion from the sidelines.

"Brother, stop struggling. She can tell you ate half a bowl less this morning just by taking your pulse."

Ye Cheng was startled.

"You can tell by touch?"

Ye Zhen looked at Gu Zheng.

"Don't scare him."

Gu Zheng raised his hand.

"I'm telling the truth."

Ye Cheng put the canvas bag on the ground and began to take things out one by one.

"These are dried mushrooms that Mom asked me to bring you."

"These are pickled cowpeas that Xiuxiu made. She said you can't find this flavor in Beicheng."

"These are dried sweet potatoes that Dad made."

"And this, Uncle Gen asked me to bring these walnuts."

Gu Zheng squatted down beside him, took the items one by one, and asked with a smile.

"Did Uncle Gen bring me anything?"

Ye Cheng carefully flipped through it.

"have."

Gu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Ye Cheng pulled a small cloth bag from the bottom of the bag.

"Uncle Gen said this is for his brother-in-law."

Gu Zheng took it and looked at it.

It's a bunch of wild chili peppers that have been dried in the mountains.

Ye Cheng chuckled sheepishly.

He said if you can drink alcohol, you must be able to eat spicy food.

Gu Zheng stared at the bag of Sichuan peppercorns and remained silent for a while.

Ye Zhen turned her head to look at him.

"Keep it; it's a token of Uncle Gen's appreciation."

Gu Zheng placed the Sichuan peppercorns on the coffee table.

"Take it, we must take it."

Ye Zhen poured Ye Cheng a cup of hot water.

Have you had lunch yet?

Ye Cheng held up a cup.

"have eaten."

Gu Zheng asked.

"What did you eat?"

Ye Cheng was vague.

"We just used some as a makeshift mat on the way."

Gu Zheng stood up.

"Alright, I'll go get my food from the cafeteria."

Ye Cheng hurriedly said.

"No need to bother, I've already eaten."

Gu Zheng was already walking towards the door.

"Brother, if you say you've already eaten again, I'll go to Donglaishun and order a whole table of food."

Ye Cheng immediately shut up.

Ye Zhen watched Gu Zheng leave, then turned and asked.

"How are your legs?"

Ye Cheng quickly straightened his legs.

"I'm fine. I was carrying a stone a while ago and it didn't hurt at all."

Ye Zhen squatted down and pressed his knees and ankles through his pants.

Does your stomach feel sore at night?

"It's not sour."

Will the water level rise when it's cloudy and rainy?

"It doesn't feel bloated."

"Does your legs feel weak when going uphill or downhill?"

"no."

Ye Zhen stood up.

"Don't take on any heavy work in the future."

Ye Cheng smiled.

Ye Zhen looked at him.

"The boss should be in charge of accounting, personnel, and quality control."

Her tone was calm.

"You shouldn't treat yourself like a worker."

Ye Cheng touched his nose after hearing what she said.

"I'm just used to it."

"Habits can be changed."

Ye Cheng nodded.

"It will definitely be changed."

A short while later, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Gu Zheng was carrying a tray with several dishes on it.

He shouted as soon as he entered the door.

"Brother, the cafeteria is having a special meal today, we're lucky."

He placed the tray on the table.

"Braised pork belly, hot and sour shredded potatoes, stewed cabbage and tofu, and a bowl of egg drop soup."

Looking at the food, Ye Cheng felt a little guilty.

"That must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Gu Zheng opened the lid of the lunchbox.

"The military canteen doesn't charge according to Donglaishun's rates."

Ye Zhen handed over the chopsticks.

"Let's eat first."

Ye Cheng took the chopsticks and sat up straight.

Gu Zheng pushed the braised pork in front of him.

"Brother, if you're going to be too polite today, I'll serve you some myself."

Ye Cheng quickly picked up a piece and put it in his bowl.

"I'll do it myself."

Ye Zhen also picked up a piece of meat and put it in his bowl.

"eat."

Ye Cheng looked at the two pieces of braised pork in the bowl and swallowed hard.

"Zhenzhen, you eat too."

Ye Zhen picked up the bowl.

"Um."

The wind outside the window blew the corner of the curtains.

Steam rose layer by layer from the small table inside the room.

Ye Cheng lowered his head and ate a mouthful of rice, his eyes quietly reddening.

Gu Zheng saw it, but pretended not to, and tapped the edge of the lunchbox with his chopsticks.

"Brother, tell us, what's been happening in the village lately?"

Ye Cheng raised his head, and a slow smile spread across his face.

"There are many."