Hearing his grandfather’s question, Huo Zhixing’s face instantly flushed red.
He knew exactly what his grandfather was implying. The moment he recalled what had happened two nights ago, even his usually stoic expression grew warm.
Even in front of his grandfather, there was no way he could tell the truth.
He couldn’t exactly say that the young woman’s natural body fragrance was what had soothed his illness.
He cleared his throat and answered vaguely,
“She knows some traditional Chinese medical therapy techniques. They can suppress my symptoms.”
Grandpa Huo’s interest was immediately piqued.
“She studied medicine? Didn’t you say she was just a country girl?”
Seizing the opportunity, Huo Zhixing pressed on.
Right now, all he wanted was to keep this woman by his side.
Without giving her a legitimate identity, his grandfather would undoubtedly send this mysterious girl away for his safety.
“Maybe it’s a family technique passed down to save lives. Otherwise, how could she have escaped after being set up by her stepmother?”
Grandpa Huo nodded thoughtfully.
His grandson’s reasoning made perfect sense.
Seeing his grandfather beginning to waver, Huo Zhixing lowered his voice.
“Grandpa, haven’t you always been urging me to get married? Why not marry her?”
“First, she can treat my illness.”
“Second, it would keep unnecessary eyes away from our family.”
For families like theirs, marriage alliances were often troublesome.
The tangled web of relationships could easily become a source of danger. One wrong move could drag the entire family into trouble.
Grandpa Huo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“You brat… don’t tell me you’re treating marriage like another mission?”
“Is there really a difference?” Huo Zhixing replied without changing expression. “The priority is curing my illness. Besides… she’s already my woman.”
“As for feelings, they can grow over time.”
After hearing that, Grandpa Huo found the argument surprisingly reasonable.
“If she really understands medicine, then she’s a promising talent! As it happens, the military hospital is short on Chinese medicine practitioners…”
The room suddenly fell silent.
An awkward hush settled over everyone.
At that moment, Su Jiuyue cautiously poked half her head out from behind the blanket.
The instant she met Grandpa Huo’s stern gaze, her eyes reddened in fright.
“I… I… I’m…”
Grandpa Huo froze.
He had expected some sturdy, rough country girl.
Instead, what he saw was a delicate little porcelain doll who looked as though she would shatter at the slightest touch.
She was wearing what appeared to be his grandson’s shirt.
The oversized men’s shirt only made her seem even smaller and more fragile.
For some reason…
Standing beside the girl made the air itself seem fresher.
It unconsciously relaxed both body and mind.
“Oh! So you’re Little Su?”
The fearsome face that could make fresh recruits cry transformed instantly into a beaming smile, blooming like an old chrysanthemum. His expression changed faster than flipping a page.
“Don’t be afraid! I’m Huo Zhixing’s grandfather. I heard you weren’t feeling well, so Grandpa came to check on you!”
As he spoke, he smacked Huo Zhixing hard on the back of the head.
The blow was even heavier than the one from his cane moments earlier.
Yet his tone had done a complete one-eighty.
“You useless brat! Don’t you know your own strength? Look how badly you’ve frightened the poor girl awake! Did you leave all your manners as a soldier out on the battlefield?”
Huo Zhixing: “…”
Who was it that had barged in moments ago, shouting about dragging her off for a political background investigation?
Su Jiuyue was completely dumbfounded by the sudden reversal.
Her mind couldn’t process what had just happened.
What… just happened?
I hid under the blanket because I was too scared to look… and the whole situation flipped around?
With everyone staring at her, she couldn’t very well crawl back under the blanket.
She could only weakly prop herself up against the headboard.
Grandpa Huo moved with surprising speed.
He slipped the sandalwood Buddhist prayer beads from his wrist—a string he had worn for decades—and placed them into Su Jiuyue’s hands.
Legend had it that the beads had been blessed by a revered monk, and countless people had tried in vain to obtain them.
Looking both protective and affectionate, he instructed her,
“Take them, child! This is Grandpa’s gift to you.”
“If this brat ever dares make you angry, use these beads to smack him!”
“If they break, Grandpa will get you a brand-new set made of pure gold!”
Then he turned toward Xiao Zhang, who was still standing frozen in the doorway, and barked,
“Xiao Zhang! What are you standing there for? Get to the Civil Affairs Bureau right now and register their marriage!”
“They’re getting their marriage certificate today!”
“We’re not letting this girl suffer even the slightest grievance!”
Bonus Mini Theater
Xiao Zhang sprinted toward the Civil Affairs Bureau with the household registration booklet in hand.
A passerby asked, “Xiao Zhang! Why are you running so fast?”
Xiao Zhang replied,
“I’m going to help the Commander get himself a wife! If I’m one second late, Grandpa’s cane is going to land on the Commander’s backside!”
Huo Zhixing (face darkening): “…It’s for treating my illness.”
Grandpa (snorting): “Treat your illness? You’re obviously addicted to that girl’s fragrance. I’m just too embarrassed to expose you!”