The carefree life of Yang Shuisheng, the village miracle doctor

Her voice began to tremble, not from crying, but from the coldness and anger brought on by the memories.

"If I hadn't met Daqiang later, who took pity on me, took me in, gave me food, and provided me with shelter from the wind and rain, I, Xu Xiuxia, would have starved to death in some ditch or been violated by some bad person."

"When they pushed me away, did they ever consider that I was their daughter?"

"Have you ever thought about whether I might freeze or starve to death?"

"No! They only have their precious son in their eyes!"

"Now look what's happened! Their son is unfilial; he kicked them out, and now they remember they even have a daughter like me?"

"Too late! Too late!"

These words, like icicles, carried the chill and pain accumulated over the years, making Yang Shuisheng, who was listening outside the window, feel a pang in his heart.

He never imagined that Xu Xiuxia had such a painful past.

No wonder she was so resolute.

"Xiuxia, how can you say that?" Her second aunt's voice carried disapproval and a hint of reproach. "They are, after all, your biological parents. They gave birth to you and raised you; they deserve some credit, even if they didn't do anything special, right?"

"We can't be so...cold-blooded."

"Cold-blooded?" Xu Xiuxia seemed stung by the word, her voice suddenly rising, filled with suppressed agitation and indignation, "Yes! I am cold-blooded! My heart turned cold and hard long ago, when they kicked me out of my home and I almost froze to death in the winter wind!"

"Second Aunt, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I said I'm not going, and that's final."

"Take this money if you want, or leave it if you don't."

"Please deliver my words to them exactly as they are. From now on, whether they live or die has nothing to do with me, Xu Xiuxia."

She spoke with absolute certainty, leaving no room for negotiation.

An awkward silence fell over the room, broken only by Xu Xiuxia's slightly heavy breathing due to her excitement.

"Okay...okay."

After a long while, Auntie sighed, her voice full of helplessness and disappointment: "Xiuxia, you've grown up now and have your own ideas. I can't persuade you anymore."

"I'll take this money back for you, and I'll also pass on my message. You'd better take care of yourself."

"Why don't you stay overnight, Auntie, and leave tomorrow?" Xu Xiuxia's voice returned to calm, but beneath that calmness lay a deeper weariness and alienation.

"No, I'll stay at my son's place for the night and go back first thing tomorrow morning." Auntie seemed disheartened and unwilling to stay any longer.

Then came the sound of footsteps, the door to the main room opening and closing, followed by the sound of the courtyard gate being pulled open, people walking out, and the courtyard gate closing again.

My second aunt left.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Yang Shuisheng remained hidden behind the woodpile and did not come out immediately.

He heard Xu Xiuxia's footsteps pause for a moment in the main room before slowly walking back into the inner room.

Soon, suppressed sobbing came from the inner room.

At first, it was just sobbing, but gradually, the crying grew louder and more uncontrollable, filled with grievance, heartache, and pain.

That was a woman's most genuine and vulnerable cry when she shed all her facade of strength and licked her wounds alone.

Yang Shuisheng stood outside the window, listening to the heartbreaking cries, feeling a deep sense of unease.

He had seen Xu Xiuxia's capable and efficient manner when greeting guests, her shy and blushing face when she wanted to speak but hesitated, and her uncontrollable emotions when she vented them to herself, but he had never seen her break down and cry like this.

This woman appears strong and independent, single-handedly supporting her family and managing the restaurant impeccably.

But who knew that she harbored such deep pain and grievances in her heart?

Resentment towards her parents, bitterness over the past, and the hardships she had endured... all these emotions erupted at this moment because of the reappearance and moral blackmail by her family.

That crying sounded like an invisible hand, gripping Yang Shuisheng's heart.

He recalled the joy Xu Xiuxia had shown when she was settling accounts, and her gratitude for setting aside two hundred yuan as a thank-you gift for him. She was a kind and strong woman, yet life had left her battered and bruised.

Listening to the continuous, heart-wrenching sobs that seemed to be crying out one's heart and lungs, Yang Shuisheng's hesitation and concerns were gradually replaced by an indescribable impulse.

He didn't want to hear her cry alone anymore.

He took a deep breath and stopped hiding. He walked out from behind the woodpile, went straight to the door of the main room, and gently pushed open the half-closed door.

"Who?"

The crying inside the house stopped abruptly, and Xu Xiuxia's panicked voice came through, thick with a nasal tone.

Yang Shuisheng didn't say anything and went straight inside.

The inner room was lit by a kerosene lamp, casting a dim, yellowish light.

Xu Xiuxia was sitting on the edge of the bed, her face streaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen like peaches, and her hair somewhat disheveled.

She was only wearing a thin floral t-shirt, the collar of which was slightly open due to sobbing, revealing a patch of snow-white skin. When she saw Yang Shuisheng suddenly barge in, she was startled at first, but then she recognized him. The panic on her face turned into astonishment and embarrassment. She subconsciously wiped the tears on her face with the back of her hand, and tried to pull the clothes next to her to cover her disheveled appearance.

"Shuisheng? You... how could you..." she stammered, her voice choked with sobs.

Yang Shuisheng didn't answer her question. He simply strode up to her, and then, to her astonishment, stretched out his arms and gently pulled her into his embrace.

Xu Xiuxia's body stiffened instantly, as if she had been frozen in place.

She could clearly feel the warmth and firmness of Yang Shuisheng's chest. This sudden embrace came without any warning, yet it carried an irresistible comforting power.

"Don't cry." Yang Shuisheng's voice rang out above her head, not loud, but with a reassuring calmness. "I heard everything. You've had a tough time all these years on your own."

"If you feel wronged or upset, have a good cry. After you've cried, life goes on."

His words were calm and offered little comfort, yet they acted like a key, instantly unlocking the floodgates of tears that Xu Xiuxia had just managed to keep closed.

Held in her arms, feeling that long-lost warmth and embrace, Xu Xiuxia could no longer hold back her tears, which she had just stopped flowing again.

This time, however, she no longer suppressed her emotions or endured it alone. Instead, she hugged Yang Shuisheng tightly around the waist, buried her face in his chest, and burst into tears.

"Waaaaah... Waaaah... Why... Why are they doing this to me?"

"What did I do wrong... Waaaaah..."

She cried as she spoke haltingly, as if trying to pour out all the grievances, resentment, and bitterness that had accumulated over the years.

Warm tears quickly soaked Yang Shuisheng's clothes, and her trembling and sobbing were clearly conveyed to him.

Yang Shuisheng didn't say anything, he just held her quietly, gently patting her back with one hand, like comforting a child who had suffered a lot of grievances.

He could feel how soft and fragile the body in his arms was, and he could also feel the delicate skin and warmth under the thin shirt, as well as the amazing fullness and elasticity of the chest, which was pressed tightly against him because of crying, bringing a clear feeling of squeezing and friction.

But at that moment, he didn't have many thoughts in his mind, only pity and the urge to protect her.

Xu Xiuxia cried for a long time, as if she wanted to cry out all the tears she had in her life.

She cried until her voice was hoarse and she was completely exhausted, then she gradually stopped crying, leaving only occasional sobs.

But she lingered in Yang Shuisheng's arms, unwilling to leave, as if this embrace was her only haven at that moment.

The room was silent, the atmosphere somewhat subtle and ambiguous.

After a long while, Yang Shuisheng finally spoke softly, breaking the silence: "Your son... he's sleeping soundly, didn't he wake up even with all this noise?"

He was trying to change the subject and ease the awkwardness.

He's not home.

Xu Xiuxia gently shook her head in his arms: "He got tired from playing at the neighbor's house and fell asleep there. Plus, I came back late, so I didn't go to pick him up..."

After she finished speaking, she seemed to realize something, slightly raised her head, and looked at Yang Shuisheng's chin, which was so close to hers, with her red and swollen eyes. She asked in confusion, "Shuisheng, what are you doing here? It's so late."

"I was passing through town on my way and happened to see your second aunt," Yang Shuisheng explained simply, without going into details.

He sensed that Xu Xiuxia in his arms was much more stable, so he gently loosened his grip and took a half step back.

"Since you're alright now, I'll be going now. You should get some rest too, Sister Xia."

With that, he turned and prepared to leave.

"Wait!" Xu Xiuxia suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm.

Her palms were a little cold, and she was gripping them tightly.

Yang Shuisheng stopped and looked back at her.

Xu Xiuxia looked up, her eyes glistening with tears under the lamplight, her nose and cheeks still red, her lips slightly pursed, giving her a pitiful yet expectant expression.

"It's so late, and the road back to the village is dark."

She looked at Yang Shuisheng, her voice soft but pleading: "Why don't you stay here for the night? Leave tomorrow, okay?"

She said it so naturally, as if she was just worried about his safety walking at night.

But her wet, dependent eyes, and her trembling hand gripping his arm tightly, betrayed more of her unspoken thoughts.

She didn't want to stay alone in this empty house, which had just been filled with sadness.

She needs companionship, warmth, and some real comfort.

The young man who had just given her a hug and comfort was undoubtedly the best choice.