Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

Chen Ping helped Cui Ying off the operating table.

Her legs were still a little weak, and it took her a while to regain her balance.

Her clothes had been cut to shreds. Zhou Jie went back to the dormitory to get a loose cardigan and put it on her, carefully avoiding the wounds and buttoning it up one by one.

Zhao Guosheng walked over, looked at Chen Ping, and said, "The cafeteria has saved some food for you. Sister Li left the dishes in the steamer to keep them warm. Hurry up and have a bite."

Chen Ping nodded, supporting Cui Ying's arm with one hand, while Cui Ying held Zhou Xiaohe's hand, and the three of them slowly walked towards the backyard canteen.

The lights in the cafeteria were still on, and the large round tables were clean; everyone had left.

Chen Ping walked into the kitchen, lifted the lid of the steamer, and steam rushed out. Inside were three dishes: braised pork, stir-fried greens, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes, as well as two bowls of rice and a bowl of porridge.

He brought out the dishes one by one and placed them on the table, and then set out the chopsticks.

Cui Ying sat down in the chair, moving very carefully, keeping her back straight, and not daring to lean against the back of the chair.

She glanced down at the dishes on the table, then at Chen Ping, and asked, "What about you? Have you eaten?"

"I didn't have time."

Chen Ping picked up a bowl of rice, added some scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and pushed the porridge in front of Cui Ying. "Have some porridge first. Don't eat anything too oily. Keep it light these days."

Cui Ying picked up a spoon, scooped up a mouthful of porridge, and slowly drank it.

Zhou Xiaohe sat next to her, picked up her rice bowl, lowered her head and ate her rice, while secretly glancing at Cui Ying. Her eyes were still red, but she had stopped crying.

Chen Ping ate a few bites of rice, then looked up and found Cui Ying staring at him, her spoon suspended in mid-air, seemingly looking at something.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ping asked.

"How did you manage to drive the wolf away? When that wolf pounced on me, I thought I was going to die. But when I heard your voice, I felt like I was dreaming."

Cui Ying asked curiously.

Chen Ping finished chewing the food in his mouth, picked up the bowl, took a sip of water, and briefly explained what had happened.

When he spoke of holding that stone and forcing the wolf towards him, his tone was very calm, as if he were talking about someone else's story.

After listening, Cui Ying remained silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Aren't you afraid at all?"

"I'm scared." Chen Ping put down his chopsticks, looked at her, "There's nothing I can do about it."

Cui Ying didn't say anything, and lowered her head to continue drinking her porridge.

She gently stirred the spoon in her hand, breaking up the layer of rice oil on the surface of the porridge and making it swirl around.

She took two sips and then raised her head again.

"Just now on the mountain, I was thinking that Xiaohe couldn't get into trouble. I promised her parents, and I promised you too. After you came, I felt relieved, and I don't know what happened after that," Cui Ying said.

"Why can't I get through to your cell phone?" Chen Ping asked.

"It broke. When I saw the wolves, I grabbed Xiaohe and ran, and my phone fell out and broke."

Cui Ying explained.

Chen Ping nodded and lowered his head to continue eating.

After finishing their meal, Chen Ping cleaned up the dishes and then helped Cui Ying walk towards the dormitory in the backyard.

The moonlight had risen high overhead, shining brightly in the courtyard, and the poplar leaves rustled softly.

Zhou Xiaohe walked on the other side, tightly gripping Cui Ying's clothes, refusing to let go for even a moment.

When they arrived at Cui Ying's dormitory, Chen Ping pushed open the door, turned on the light, and checked again to make sure the windows were closed properly.

He took a small medicine bottle out of his pocket and placed it on the bedside table. "These are painkillers. If you can't sleep at night because of the pain, take one pill at most. Don't take more."

Cui Ying nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Zhou Xiaohe climbed onto the bed and lay down immediately. Her eyelids were already too heavy to keep open. After tossing and turning all night, she was both shocked and exhausted, and finally couldn't hold on any longer.

Chen Ping stood in the doorway, looking at the two of them, and asked Cui Ying, "Should we tell your parents about your injury?"

"No." Cui Ying quickly shook her head. "If my mom finds out, she'll definitely drive over overnight. My dad's stomach just recovered; we can't rush things. Let's wait until he's better."

Chen Ping nodded. "Okay, then you get some rest. Call me if you need anything tonight."

"understood."

Chen Ping opened the door, walked out, and closed it behind him.

He stood at the door for a few seconds and heard Zhou Xiaohe's groggy voice coming from inside, "Sister Cui Ying, Dr. Chen is probably the best man in the world to you. He's not even afraid of wolves for you."

"Go to sleep, you look so sleepy, cover yourself with the blanket..." Cui Ying smiled, feeling secretly pleased!

The next morning, Chen Ping was woken up by his phone alarm.

He opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, and the events of last night flashed through his mind like a movie.

He sat up, rubbed his face, put on his clothes, and went out.

The mornings in the mountains are quite cool, and the air is filled with the moisture of dew and the smell of pine resin.

Most of the leaves on the poplar tree in the yard had fallen, leaving only a few yellow ones hanging on the branches, rustling loudly in the wind.

Chen Ping washed his face at the tap in the backyard. The cold water jolted him awake, and he was finally fully sober.

Aunt Li was already busy in the cafeteria.

Steam rose from the large iron pot on the stove, filling the entire kitchen with the aroma of millet porridge mixed with the fragrance of steamed buns.

Aunt Li was stirring the pot with a long ladle when she heard footsteps. She turned around, saw Chen Ping, and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Dr. Chen, you're up so early? You were so busy last night, why didn't you get some more sleep?"

I can't sleep.

Chen Ping took out bowls and chopsticks from the cupboard. "Aunt Li, please give me an extra portion. I'll take it to Cui Ying; she had stitches in her back and it's difficult for her to walk."

Aunt Li took the bowl, deftly scooped out two bowls of porridge, then took four steamed buns from the steamer, along with two boiled eggs and a dish of her newly pickled radish strips, arranging them one by one on the tray.

As she typed, she kept glancing at Chen Ping out of the corner of her eye, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

"Dr. Chen, when you carried Xiao Cui back last night, you were covered in blood. Xiao Cui lay motionless on your back. Did you see the look in your eyes? You looked like you'd lost your soul. As the old saying goes, you only see a person's true character when faced with a crisis. Xiao Cui wasn't even afraid of wolves to protect Xiao He, and you weren't afraid of wolves to save Xiao Cui. What a fate you two have..."

"Aunt Li," Chen Ping said, picking up the tray, a little embarrassed, "these steamed buns are really well made, the alkalinity is just right, not sour at all."

Aunt Li watched Chen Ping's retreating figure, chuckled, then turned back to stir her porridge, humming a little tune.

Chen Ping carried the tray to the door of Cui Ying's dormitory and gently nudged the door with his elbow.

Cui Ying's voice came from inside, still nasal from just waking up, "Come in."

Pushing open the door, Cui Ying was already sitting up, wearing the cardigan Zhou Jie had given her last night. Her hair was loose over her shoulders, and the scratch on her face had formed a thin scab, its color much lighter than last night.

Zhou Xiaohe was still huddled under the covers, with only her messy head sticking out.

"Drink the millet porridge that Aunt Li cooked while it's hot."

Chen Ping put two stools together to make a makeshift dining table, placed a tray on it, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and then put two eggs on Cui Ying's side.