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

Chen Ping handed over the bag of stationery and fairy tale books, saying, "Here you go. Do your homework well, but don't stay up too late."

Zhou Xiaohe took it and hugged it to her chest, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and said, "Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Zhou Xiaohe's mother washed her hands by the sink after washing the celery, and then started preparing to cut fruit. She washed the apples and pears, cut them into small pieces, arranged them on a plate, and served them on the table.

Zhou Xiaohe's father also came out of the study, wearing a dark gray home sweater. His hair was a bit whiter than the last time I saw him, but he looked well. He smiled and nodded when he saw Chen Ping and Cui Ying, and then sat on the sofa and started chatting.

Chen Ping and Zhou Xiaohe's father chatted for about half an hour, while Cui Ying stayed with Zhou Xiaohe in her bedroom, chatting and occasionally letting out giggles.

Hearing his daughter's laughter, Zhou Xiaohe's father was filled with relief. "Dr. Chen, if we hadn't met you, our family would probably be finished. Now Xiaohe is in a good mood, and the atmosphere at home is harmonious."

"Brother, it's all fate. Zhou Xiaohe is a cheerful person by nature; she's just been feeling overwhelmed for a while."

Chen Ping said.

"Sigh, who can argue with that? I've stopped all the tutoring classes now. No matter how high or low her grades are, or how well or poorly she's doing in school, nothing is more important than my daughter's health," Zhou Xiaohe's father sighed.

"It's good that you've figured it out. The child is still young, and everything is still uncertain." As he spoke, Chen Ping glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost 11:30, so he stood up and said, "Brother, it's getting late. We won't disturb you any longer."

"Cui Ying, we should go now, or we'll miss our train back."

Chen Ping called out towards Zhou Xiaohe's bedroom.

Cui Ying agreed and walked out of the bedroom with Zhou Xiaohe.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaohe's mother became anxious and hurried out of the kitchen: "Why are you leaving! It's already this late. Finish your meal before you leave. The food is already prepared. If you leave, you're disrespecting me."

Zhou Xiaohe also took Cui Ying's hand, "Sister Cui Ying, please sit a little longer and have some food before you leave."

"Dr. Chen, have some food before you leave. It won't be too late. If you can't get a ride, I'll drive you home," Zhou Xiaohe's father also urged.

Cui Ying glanced at Chen Ping, who thought for a moment, then sat back down and said with a smile, "Then I'll have to bother you."

"No, no, I won't bother you..."

Zhou Xiaohe's mother turned around and went into the kitchen again, and soon the sound of the spatula clattering could be heard.

Zhou Xiaohe's father took out a bottle of Moutai from the cabinet. The packaging box was a bit old, and the label on the bottle had turned yellow.

He held it in his hand and weighed it in his hand. "It's been sitting here for a while, and I haven't been able to bring myself to drink it. But since you're here today, let's have a couple of drinks."

"No, no, it's too expensive..."

Chen Ping knew that a bottle of Moutai cost several thousand yuan, and a vintage bottle like this could probably cost tens of thousands.

"No matter how expensive it is, it's worth it for Dr. Chen!"

After Zhou Xiaohe's father finished speaking, he immediately unscrewed the bottle cap, and the aroma of the wine immediately wafted out. It was mellow and rich, truly a good product.

The table was laden with dishes when they were served.

Braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, garlic broccoli, cold black fungus salad, winter melon meatball soup, and a plate of pickled radishes made by Zhou Xiaohe's mother, crisp and refreshing, with a sour and spicy flavor that whets the appetite.

Zhou Xiaohe sat next to Cui Ying, frequently picking up food with her chopsticks, placing a piece of pork rib and a piece of fish on Cui Ying's plate, while barely touching the rice in her own bowl.

Cui Ying also served her food, and the two of them went back and forth, as if they had returned to the days when they were in the health center.

Zhou Xiaohe's father poured Chen Ping a glass of wine, and poured one for himself as well. The two clinked glasses, and Chen Ping took a sip. The wine was smooth on the palate and had a long aftertaste; it was indeed a good wine.

Zhou Xiaohe's father put down his cup and asked, "Dr. Chen, has Xiaohe changed a lot lately?"

Chen Ping glanced at Zhou Xiaohe. The little girl was drinking soup with her head down, a grain of rice still stuck to the corner of her mouth. She looked much more energetic than when she was at the health center. "Wow, she's like a completely different person."

The meal lasted until after 1 p.m., and half a bottle of wine was consumed. Chen Ping's face was slightly flushed, but his mind was still clear.

Zhou Xiaohe's father was about to drink more when Chen Ping stopped him, saying that he had to take a car back in the afternoon and couldn't drink anymore.

After the meal was cleared away, Zhou Xiaohe's mother brought up a plate of sliced ​​apples. Chen Ping and Cui Ying sat for a while longer before getting up to say goodbye.

Zhou Xiaohe stood at the door, clutching Cui Ying's clothes tightly, her eyes reddening again.

Cui Ying squatted down to be at eye level with her, reached out and tucked her loose hair behind her ear, "How about we go to Siping Township for a few days during winter vacation and then come back?"

Zhou Xiaohe nodded vigorously, let go of their hands but still stood at the door, watching the two of them go downstairs.

As Cui Ying reached the corner, she glanced back and saw Zhou Xiaohe still standing at the door, waving at her.

The two left the residential area and hailed a taxi on the roadside, heading straight for the long-distance bus station.

When I arrived at the station, I bought a ticket for the next bus back to Siping Township. By the time I boarded, the bus was already about to leave.

The window seats in the back row were empty, so Chen Ping let Cui Ying sit inside while he sat in the aisle seat.

When the car started, the sun outside the window had already moved from its zenith to the west, and the sunlight shone through the car window, warmly covering the back of the seats.

The mountain road was bumpy, and the car twisted and turned on the winding mountain road. Cui Ying leaned back in her seat with her eyes closed, and it was hard to tell whether she was asleep or resting.

Because of the alcohol, Chen Ping's eyes started to droop and his head was spinning.

Slowly, Chen Ping closed his eyes and began to breathe heavily.

His head involuntarily tilted to the side and then rested on Cui Ying's shoulder.

Cui Ying opened her eyes and saw Chen Ping leaning on her shoulder, breathing heavily, clearly asleep.

Chen Ping's breath carried the aroma of wine, which Cui Ying found very appealing.

Cui Ying stared blankly at Chen Ping, then gently reached out and grasped Chen Ping's hand.

Chen Ping didn't move; he seemed to be sleeping soundly.

Cui Ying held Chen Ping's hand, turned her gaze to the window, and saw mountains rushing past one after another, the shadows of trees flickering on the car window, and the rooftops of distant villages gleaming grayish-white in the afternoon sun.

The car drove steadily along the winding mountain road, getting closer and closer to Siping Township, and the mountain shadows outside the window gradually became familiar.

"We've arrived at Siping Township. Everyone, please take your luggage and disembark in an orderly manner..."

The driver parked the car and then shouted loudly.

Chen Ping was still asleep and showed no sign of waking up. Seeing that everyone else had gotten off the bus, Cui Ying could only gently nudge Chen Ping.

"Chen Ping, we've arrived at our stop. We should get off the train now..."

Cui Ying spoke very softly, probably because she was afraid of startling Chen Ping.

However, Chen Ping was sleeping soundly and showed no sign of waking up.

Just as Cui Ying hesitated about whether to shout again, the driver stood up and looked in their direction.

"Hey, wake up! We've arrived at our stop, why are you still sleeping..."

The driver's voice was loud, like thunder, and it woke Chen Ping up.