“Can you help me?”
Shen Yan asked again, his tone earnest. He truly wanted to find his sister. “By the way, my name is Shen Yan, and my sister’s name is Shen Nian. As long as you’re willing to help me, whether you can draw her or not, I can agree to any request you make.”
For example, becoming the kids’ stepfather.
What Shen Yan was thinking, Ruan Tinghe naturally had no idea. The first thing that came to her mind was Xiao Bao.
Shen Yan’s identity was clearly anything but ordinary. Maybe he could help her find the best doctor to treat Xiao Bao.
Even if he couldn’t find a doctor, getting some money would still help.
Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself. Wasn’t it just aging a three-year-old face? She might not have done it before, but she had at least heard of it.
Ruan Tinghe took the photo.
“I can try, but I can’t guarantee anything.”
“That’s great, thank you. So, what do you want me to promise you?” Shen Yan suddenly bent down, his forehead almost touching hers.
His gaze burned intensely, as if trying to pull her in.
Ruan Tinghe clutched her racing heart. Damn it—was this man doing it on purpose? If he wanted to talk, why get so close?
She didn’t dare meet his eyes and instead let her gaze drift upward, landing on the wound on his forehead. It was red and swollen, with fresh blood seeping out.
Frowning, she gently pushed him away. “Wait until I finish the portrait before we talk. Hurry and go to the hospital. You’ll scare the kids looking like this!”
“The rain’s too heavy.” Shen Yan slumped into a grand armchair, settling in as if he had no intention of leaving.
Looking outside—sure enough, the drizzle had turned into a torrential downpour.
“You!” Ruan Tinghe was utterly helpless. “Don’t die in my house!”
Ignoring him, she turned and went back to her room, locked the door, entered her space, and carefully put away the photo. Her gaze flicked to the medical kit, and after a moment’s hesitation, she took it out.
But a 21st-century medical kit was far too advanced for this era.
Ruan Tinghe grabbed a bowl, poured a little iodine solution into it, took some gauze, and headed out.
Shen Yan and the three little ones were sitting face-to-face. One big, three small, all staring at each other in silence.
The scene was a little bizarre.
“What are you all doing?” Ruan Tinghe broke the silence.
“Mom, he’s bleeding a lot. Will he die?”
The second child pointed innocently at the blood on Shen Yan’s face, curiosity in his eyes but no fear.
The eldest stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Mom, if he dies, does that mean he can’t be our dad anymore? Then can we turn him into cured meat and hang him on the door as a door god?”
The second child’s face filled with shock. “That big a piece of cured meat hanging on the door… wouldn’t mice steal it?”
The youngest, hiding between her brothers, curled into a little ball and covered half her face with a palm fan, leaving only a pair of bright, deer-like eyes exposed. She blinked, already imagining Shen Yan as a slab of cured meat.
Ruan Tinghe looked utterly helpless. “No!”
“Ah…” The eldest sighed regretfully. “That’s such a waste. What if bad people come again?”
The little boy frowned so hard his delicate face nearly scrunched into a ball.
Ruan Tinghe snapped, “What does that have to do with him?”
The eldest answered seriously, “If bad people come and see how fierce he looks, they’ll be scared and won’t dare hurt Mom or our siblings.”
“Then raising a dog that bites would do the same thing.”
Second child: “That makes sense.”
The youngest looked disappointed, babbling softly.
The second child translated, “Little sister says then we wouldn’t have a dad.”
Ruan Tinghe felt a mix of softness and bitterness in her chest and instinctively avoided the topic.
She ushered the three kids out. “Alright, go on. Mom needs to treat the bad uncle’s wounds. If you stay here and he feels pain, he won’t even dare cry.”
The three children were obedient. Before leaving, they even gave Shen Yan a little cheering gesture.
“Uncle, if it hurts, just cry. We won’t laugh at you!”
Once they left, Ruan Tinghe pulled over a stool and sat across from him.
“Kids talk nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.”
“They’re very cute. Are you planning to find them a father?”
Ruan Tinghe’s hand froze mid-motion, cotton swab in hand. She looked at him warily. “What are you trying to do?”
Shen Yan read her expression and decided not to be too direct—he didn’t want to scare her.
“Just curious. If you don’t want to say, you don’t have to.”
“Hmph. Keep your curiosity to yourself. Haven’t you heard curiosity killed the cat?”
Ruan Tinghe gestured. “Lower your head. You’re too tall.”
Even sitting, he was still much taller than her.
Shen Yan obediently leaned forward, lowering his head until her warm breath brushed lightly against his face.
At close range, Ruan Tinghe realized how serious the wound on his forehead was. Judging by it, it had likely been caused by a blade. Just looking at it made it easy to imagine how fierce the fight must have been.
She had always admired those who silently sacrificed for their country and people.
Her resistance toward Shen Yan softened a little.
Shen Yan wasn’t at fault. The one at fault was her…
For having that kind of dream—and even dreaming of him as the male lead.
Otherwise, things wouldn’t be this awkward. They should have been comrades who had faced life and death together.
She cleaned the wound, disinfected it, and applied medicine.
“The wound is so big. Why didn’t you use gauze to wrap it?”
Shen Yan watched her as she carefully treated him. His gaze softened unconsciously. Being around her made him feel relaxed and at ease.
His voice carried a hint of laziness. “A lot of people were injured this time. Gauze was limited.”
Ruan Tinghe took out her gauze and wrapped his wound. She hadn’t learned professionally, so…
A few minutes later, looking at Shen Yan’s head wrapped like a pig’s head, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Shen Yan touched the bulky wrapping on his head, his tone indulgent, tinged with helplessness. “Comrade Ruan’s skills… are excellent.”
“Of course they are!” Ruan Tinghe accepted the praise without shame. She patted his shoulder, urging him out. “The rain’s lighter. Hurry up and go!”
“Wait…” Shen Yan suddenly held his head. “I still feel very dizzy.”
Here we go again. With acting like this, he wouldn’t even pass an audition for a minor role.
“Don’t even think about staying. If you really can’t walk, I’ll call Uncle Chen to send you back to the police station!”
Her attitude was firm. Shen Yan knew he couldn’t stay, but just being able to come in and see her was already enough.
He stood up, about to leave, when noisy shouting suddenly came from outside.
“Ruan Tinghe! Are you even human? You actually called the police to arrest your own parents!”
The eldest ran in quickly. “Mom, people from the village are here!”
Ruan Tinghe’s face turned cold as she stood, rolling up her sleeves as if preparing for a fight.
“Comrade Shen, stay inside and don’t come out!”
Shen Yan frowned. “Why? Am I not fit to be seen?”
“I said no, and that means no! Eldest, watch him. Don’t let him come out!” Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for refusal.
Her relationship with the village was like fire and water—utterly incompatible. She didn’t want anyone else dragged into it.
She stepped out and shut the door behind her.
Facing her were Village Chief Zhao Youqian, his son Zhao Xiaogang, and several familiar faces from the village.
Ruan Tinghe stood with hands on her hips, blocking their way. “Stop right there! Who gave you permission to enter my house? Want to end up behind bars too?”
Zhao Youqian barked angrily, “What kind of attitude is that! I’m the village chief—and your elder!”
“I think you’ve gone senile! This is the county town, not your Stone Village! Don’t put on airs in front of me. Get out, all of you, or don’t blame me for getting violent!” Ruan Tinghe shot back mercilessly.
The second child quickly handed her a kitchen knife, then scurried back into the small room to huddle with his sister and peek outside.