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

The living room was deathly silent.

Gu Linlin slumped onto the carpet, covering her face with her hands, desperate sobs escaping from between her fingers. The copy of the medical record stamped with a bright red official seal was like an invisible slap, shattering all her pride and views on love.

Hepatitis B e antigen positive (HBeAg positive) is highly contagious.

Her so-called romantic encounter was nothing more than a meticulously planned scam.

Ye Zhen stood there, her back ramrod straight, looking at the devastated Gu Linlin. There was no hint of triumph in her eyes, but rather a trace of the weariness a doctor experiences when facing a patient's family.

Human emotions are always so vulnerable in the face of illness.

"Zhenzhen".

An old man's call broke the silence.

Grandpa Gu, leaning on his cane, struggled to his feet. This veteran general, who had spent his life in the military, showed no anger on his face, only guilt towards the younger generation.

Ye Zhen subconsciously tensed her back. Based on her past survival experience, what followed was likely to be an accusation about "not washing dirty linen in public."

"sorry."

Grandpa Gu sighed, his voice heavy, "It's our fault for not teaching Linlin well, and that's why you've suffered."

Ye Zhen suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting slightly.

Grandma Gu also came over with red eyes. Instead of helping her granddaughter on the ground, she tremblingly took Ye Zhen's hand, her rough palm burning hot.

"Good child, we owe you so much." The old lady's voice choked with emotion. "If it weren't for your thoughtfulness, Linlin's life would have been ruined. Our whole family... You are a benefactor to the Gu family."

There was no blame, no attempt to smooth things over.

Only clear-cut principles of protection and heartfelt gratitude.

A surge of heat rushed from Ye Zhen's chest to her nose, the stinging sensation forcing her to lower her eyes and conceal her momentary loss of composure. Having lived two lives, she had learned to read people's expressions and to disguise herself with indifference, but she had never learned how to deal with this pure and unadulterated warmth.

"I'm a doctor," she said, her voice a little dry. "This is my duty."

"Alright, everyone disperse." Old Master Gu waved his hand, giving Gu Linlin on the ground a stern look. "Linlin, go back to your room! Come out again when you've figured things out! Our Gu family's daughters can be foolish, but they can't be blind!"

Late at night, the north wind howled.

Ye Zhen sat by the window, wearing a military overcoat, looking at the few winter plum blossoms trembling in the cold wind in the yard, which looked just like herself all alone.

The door was pushed open, and Gu Zheng walked in carrying an enamel mug.

"Drink it." He held the steaming cup to her lips, his tone domineering. "It has malted milk powder in it, so it's sweet."

As soon as Ye Zhen took it, a broad embrace enveloped her from behind. Gu Zheng bent down, resting his chin on the top of her head, trapping her between himself and the wicker chair.

Ye Zhen's body stiffened, and she instinctively tried to break free, but when she felt the steady heartbeat of the man's chest, she stopped as if possessed.

"Still thinking about what happened during the day?" Gu Zheng's voice rang out above her head, deep and husky.

"No." Ye Zhen held the cup, her fingertips tracing the peeling red double happiness symbol on it. "Cutting off the source of infection is the most correct way to handle it."

His response was as calm as if he were conducting a case analysis.

"Dr. Ye, it's after get off work hours now." Gu Zheng chuckled, his large hand covering her cold hand. "In this family, you don't have to be right all the time. You can even make mistakes, you can act wildly. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."

Ye Zhen's heart suddenly stopped.

In both her past and present lives, everyone demanded that she never make a mistake. Only this man gave her the right to err.

She remained silent for a long time, then turned her head, looked at Gu Zheng's eyes that shone frighteningly bright in the darkness, and asked a question that even she felt was unnecessary:

"Gu Zheng, what if... I was wrong today? What if Chen Zhuo wasn't sick, and I misdiagnosed him?"

Gu Zheng was stunned for a moment, then a roguish smile appeared on his lips.

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching hers, his breath hot.

"Then I'll make the same mistake with you."

Gu Zheng's voice suddenly turned deep, the roguish smile vanished without a trace, replaced by a hoarse and solemn declaration. Every word he spoke seemed to be spoken with all his might, resounding with conviction.

"If you think that horse is a deer, I'll go and slaughter it, cut off a pair of antlers and put them on it! In short, what my wife says is the truth. Even if you're wrong," he paused, his eyes filled with an unyielding mix of obsession and doting affection, "that's the fault of this world, not yours."

Unreasonable.

Domineering and protective of their own.

But damn it, she simply couldn't resist it.

Ye Zhen felt that her tightly taut, rational defenses, which she had relied on for survival, were being shattered and reduced to dust by these simple and brutal words.

Her eyes welled up uncontrollably, and the soreness she had been trying to suppress surged up again.

She didn't speak, but stiffly, with a hint of probing that she herself didn't even realize, she pulled her hand away from the cup and then covered Gu Zheng's large hand that was wrapped around her waist.

Her hands were cold, but his hands were burning hot.

Their fingers are intertwined.

Gu Zheng's entire body trembled, and a storm of wild joy surged in his eyes. He didn't say anything more, but lowered his head and kissed her hairline forcefully and tenderly.

……

The next morning, at the Gu family's dining table.

The atmosphere was much quieter than usual, with only the occasional soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Hesitant footsteps came from the stairwell, very light, each step feeling like a blow to everyone's heart.

Gu Linlin came down.

Her hair was tied up casually with a cloth rope, her eyelids were swollen and red like two walnuts, and her face was so pale that it was devoid of any color. Gone was her former arrogance and haughtiness.

She stopped at the dining table and, under everyone's gaze, slowly moved to Ye Zhen's side. She took a deep breath, then suddenly bent down and bowed ninety degrees to Ye Zhen.

"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry."

Large tears splattered onto the floor, leaving a small, dark stain.

"I was blind, I was an idiot, I was so ungrateful. Yesterday... thank you. If it weren't for you, my life... would really be over."

Looking at her trembling shoulders, Ye Zhen's last trace of resentment vanished without a trace along with the falling tears. She picked up a clean towel from the table and handed it to her.

"Wipe it off." Her voice was still cool, but it lacked its usual aloofness. "When you're looking for a partner in the future, ask them to provide a medical report first. Also, remember to wash your hands before eating."

Gu Linlin took the towel, wiped her face haphazardly, and finally managed a smile that looked even worse than a grimace on her tear-streaked face: "Okay! I...I'll listen to my sister-in-law!"

"Alright, everyone sit down and eat." Old Master Gu, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, a look of relief on his face.

The storm has thus subsided.