He was a disabled military officer who doted on his research work in the Northwest.

"Settling in within the military region bypasses local procedures, so it's faster." Mu Qinghan's tone was flat, revealing no emotion. "However, you'll have to pass the entrance exam for the affiliated high school yourself. If you don't pass, there's nothing I can do."

"Don't worry." Shen Tang's eyes crinkled into a confident smile. A mere high school transfer exam was a piece of cake. "Don't worry, I definitely won't let you down."

Mu Qinghan glanced at her but didn't say anything more.

……

That afternoon, after finishing writing Mu Qinghan's latest recovery report in his office, Dr. Chen dialed the internal phone number of the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters in Beijing.

The phone was answered after ringing twice.

"Old Chen." Mu Chengyuan's voice came through the receiver, gentle and steady, like a pot of well-brewed tea. "I was just about to call you."

"When have you ever not been thinking of hitting me?" Doctor Chen leaned back in his chair, his tone much more casual than when he spoke to Mu Qinghan. "Alright, let's get down to business. The latest data on your brother's leg is in—a weak knee-jerk reflex is showing."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Are you sure?" A crack appeared in Mu Chengyuan's voice, which was always calm and composed.

"Confirmed. I measured it myself." Dr. Chen smiled. "Chengyuan, when you asked me for help back then, I said I would do everything in my power to help your brother's leg. Now it seems I was on the right track."

"Old Chen, thank you." Mu Chengyuan's voice returned to normal, but Dr. Chen could hear the barely suppressed excitement in his voice.

"Don't thank me yet." Dr. Chen paused, carefully choosing his words, "Actually, besides our medication, there's another very important factor contributing to your brother's rapid recovery."

"oh?"

"There's a young woman. The one from the Shen family—she cooks for your brother and gives him massages every day. Her technique is very professional, her acupoints are precise, and her pressure is just right. Your brother's stomach problems and sleep only improved after she came, and the recovery speed of his leg muscles far exceeded my expectations," Dr. Chen said truthfully. "From a medical perspective, she played a crucial role in your brother's recovery."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"The Shen family... is that the arranged marriage?" Mu Chengyuan's tone became subtle.

"Yes, but the situation is a bit complicated." Dr. Chen briefly explained Shen Tang's situation—their biological daughter, Shen Tang, had just been found after being abducted, and the Shen family used her as a scapegoat, signed a letter severing ties, and sent her over.

Mu Chengyuan listened without saying a word.

"Your brother didn't acknowledge the marriage. But the girl had nowhere else to go, so she stayed for now."

"What about the bracelet? Did she bring it with her?" he asked. The jade bracelet was a betrothal gift from the Mu family, which his grandfather had left with the Shen family back then.

"Yes, it's still in that girl's hands. Your brother asked for it once, but she said her wrist was swollen and she couldn't take it off." Dr. Chen gave a wry smile. "Your brother hasn't mentioned it again since."

"Didn't you mention it again?" Mu Chengyuan keenly grasped this detail, his voice carrying a subtle, meaningful undertone. "When did Qinghan become so agreeable?"

Dr. Chen recalled the look in Mu Qinghan's eyes as she stared at Shen Tang's back outside the window. His throat bobbed, but he ultimately didn't say anything.

Some things are better left for the brothers to discuss themselves; as an outsider, I shouldn't get involved.

"In short, tell the old lady that the bracelet isn't urgent. Saving your brother's leg is the most important thing. That girl is crucial to his recovery right now; don't let her die at this critical juncture."

"I understand." Mu Chengyuan's voice returned to its usual gentle tone. "Old Chen, you know I was planning to go to the Northwest recently. Firstly, to see Qinghan, and secondly... to settle some matters that needed to be settled."

Even though he already knew, hearing it again still made his heart skip a beat.

The eldest son of the Mu family was always meticulous in his work. When he said "了了", it meant that he already had a complete plan.

The engagement was called off, the bracelet was returned, and compensation was paid—clean and simple.

This is about the Mu family's dignity and their sense of propriety. The marriage was an act of repaying a debt of gratitude, and now we cannot allow that gratitude to turn into a debt.

"Let me know you're coming, and I'll come pick you up," Dr. Chen sighed. "But I have something to say—don't rush into a decision after you arrive. See the girl for yourself before making a judgment."

"Old Chen, when did you start meddling in other people's family affairs?" Mu Chengyuan laughed, his voice tinged with teasing.

"I'm not meddling in your family affairs. I'm in charge of my patient's treatment plan," Dr. Chen said sternly. "That girl is an irreplaceable part of my rehabilitation plan. If you get rid of her, I can't guarantee your brother's leg will be alright."

On the other end of the phone, Mu Chengyuan chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.

"Okay, we'll talk about it later."

After hanging up the phone, Dr. Chen leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for a while.

The Mu family is coming. The girl carrying a lunchbox, tending to her bok choy, and with a bright, smiling face, is completely unaware.

……

News of the emergency rescue downstairs spread throughout the entire compound that afternoon.

Bai Wei's misdiagnosis of angina as heatstroke, which nearly cost an elderly person their life, became the biggest topic of conversation among the military wives. Shen Tang's ability to once again turn the tide completely changed the attitudes of the last remaining observers in the compound.

The elderly man who was rescued was the father of He Zhijun, the deputy battalion commander of the Second Battalion. After returning from outside and hearing what had happened, Deputy Battalion Commander He specifically sought out Shen Tang, saluted her impeccably, and said with tears in his eyes, "Comrade Shen, you saved my father's life. I, He Zhijun, will remember this kindness for the rest of my life. From now on, if anyone in this compound dares to bully you, just tell me."

Shen Tang said a few polite words, but the weight of this matter was far greater than it appeared on the surface.

He Zhijun was very popular in the military region, and his words were tantamount to publicly supporting Shen Tang. From then on, those military wives who were still gossiping behind Shen Tang's back would have to consider the influence of Deputy Battalion Commander He before they could say anything bad about her.

Bai Wei's days have become increasingly difficult.

Since the vegetable mold incident spread, coupled with the scandal of the misdiagnosis of angina at the hospital entrance, the atmosphere in the compound has completely changed.

When the military wives mentioned Shen Tang, they no longer spoke of her in a veiled and secretive manner, but rather offered genuine praise.

"Shen Tang is really capable." "My daughter finishes all her food at every meal now, all thanks to that little rabbit mold."

"Commander Mu looks much better; I heard it's all thanks to Shen Tang."

"If it weren't for Shen Tang, Deputy Battalion Commander He's father would probably have been killed that day."

And what about Bai Wei?

"The one who taught the wrong characters and misdiagnosed the wrong illness?"

"Oh, the one who lives at Liu Fang's house..."

"Don't even mention it! My son learned a ton of wrong spellings from her, and he almost failed his final exam! He can't even tell the difference between angina and heatstroke. I don't know how she got her nursing license!"