The air suddenly fell silent. The crackling sound of dry firewood burning was unusually clear in her ears.
Qin Xian picked up the item and placed it on the table without saying a word, but his face darkened.
Li Yingtang felt a pang of guilt. “A’Xian, listen to my explanation. It’s almost your birthday at the end of the year. I was saving this to buy you a gift.”
“No need to explain to me.”
“Then… let’s eat,” Li Yingtang said cautiously.
“I’m not hungry.”
Li Yingtang: “…”
He’s angry? If he’s not hungry, she was hungry. In the iron pot, duck meat soup was bubbling. Around the edge of the pot, a ring of dough cakes had been贴 along the side, partially stewed into a rich brown from the broth—it looked extremely delicious.
She couldn’t help herself and picked up a duck leg with her chopsticks, taking a bite. The meat was tender and juicy.
“A’Xian, hurry up and eat. Don’t be mad, it’s not a big deal.”
“…I’m not angry,” Qin Xian said.
After finishing one duck leg, she grabbed another piece of meat and sat next to him, chewing. “A’Xian, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you.”
Qin Xian: “…”
You’re eating while apologizing—does that even count?
He was about to lecture her when suddenly something soft touched his face.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise.
The woman’s red lips were glossy with oil, yet he strangely didn’t find it dirty.
“How can a young lady behave like this? You’re too improper. You—”
Li Yingtang leaned closer, wrapped one arm around his neck, and kissed his cheek again.
Smacking her lips, she said, “We’re already holding each other and kissing a bit—what’s wrong with that? We’re modern people, don’t be so old-fashioned. Don’t be mad anymore, okay? I promise next time I earn money, I’ll give it all to you.”
After I learn tailoring, I’ll even sew a special hidden pocket for private savings.
Qin Xian lightly rubbed the spot she had kissed and emphasized, “It’s not about money.”
Li Yingtang finally understood the point of his anger and quickly added more duck meat into his bowl. “I shouldn’t have hidden it from you. I won’t hide anything from you again. Eat quickly.”
Qin Xian said nothing.
But his expression clearly softened.
Seeing the atmosphere improve, she quietly reached for her hidden money again. Just as she stole a glance at him, their eyes met. She gave an awkward smile and quickly changed the topic.
“A’Xian, did you help me get the introduction letter?”
“You haven’t even told me where you live. How am I supposed to get it issued?”
Li Yingtang choked. “Just… near the hospital.”
Qin Xian took a slow breath. “Next to the hospital is a crematorium.”
Li Yingtang: “…”
She immediately corrected herself. “I meant nearby. My mistake. I’ll write it down later. Ah—this dish is too hot.”
Qin Xian gave a faint laugh. “You can’t write now?”
“My hands are frozen numb,” she said.
He gave her a meaningful look—those hands that were supposedly “frozen numb” were perfectly capable of holding chopsticks, grabbing meat, and even hugging him.
…
After dinner.
Li Yingtang washed up and returned to her room. Exhausted from the day, she collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, she woke early. After breakfast, she made double-layer milk pudding with goat milk for dessert.
She first heated the milk, poured it into a bowl, and waited for a milk skin to form. She then poured the milk into another bowl, added sugar and egg whites, mixed it evenly, strained it through gauze, and poured it back.
She steamed it for fifteen minutes, let it rest for five or six minutes, then took it out and topped it with diced hawthorn flesh.
She brought it into the clinic.
“A’Xian, I made double skin milk. Try it.”
Qin Xian looked at it. White, soft, smooth—it looked a bit like summer jelly.
It melted in the mouth, sweet and silky.
“You added eggs and sugar?”
“Yes. I originally wanted to add more sugar, but there wasn’t enough left,” Li Yingtang said, eating her own portion. “Mmm, so sweet. Good, right?!”
“Half a small bottle of sugar went into this?”
“…Where did you get ‘half a bottle’? It was only two spoonfuls,” she defended.
Qin Xian: Two spoonfuls isn’t little either. What a spendthrift.
“Is Xiao Qin’s family here?” someone called from outside.
“It’s Aunt Liu,” Li Yingtang said, opening the door.
“What are you eating? It’s white, soft, and smells so good.”
“It’s a homemade dessert. Want some?”
“Then I won’t be polite.”
Aunt Liu took the spoon and scooped up a large bite. “So smooth and sweet! Feels like it could melt your tongue. What is this made of? Why is it so delicious?”
Li Yingtang froze in disbelief.
She had just casually offered it—but the woman was actually eating it. And not just a bite—she kept going.
She had only managed to eat a few mouthfuls herself.
Her heart ached so much she felt dizzy, and she clenched her fists hard to calm down.
“Aunt Liu, did you come for something?”
“Yes,” Aunt Liu said with her mouth still full. “My niece is coming today to meet a young man from the next village. I thought since you married well and have good judgment in men, you could come help take a look.”
Li Yingtang gritted her teeth.
Help look? Why are you eating my dessert?!
She forced a calm smile. “Alright. Please go back first. I’ll come over after I tidy up.”
“Alright then.” Aunt Liu finished the rest in one gulp, wiped her mouth, and said, “Thanks, it was delicious.”
“…You’re welcome,” Li Yingtang replied through clenched teeth.
The moment she left, Li Yingtang started hopping in place. “I’m so mad! I spent half an hour making that! She actually ate it all! I thought she was a good person—how could she be like this?! A locust! She devoured a whole bowl in seconds!”
Qin Xian laughed helplessly. “Who told you to be polite? In the village, people rarely even see white flour, let alone milk desserts. The moment you offered it, it was gone.”
“Then eat this one,” he added.
“That was specially made for you!” she said angrily. “She asked me to help judge a match? Fine, I’ll ruin it!”
She stormed off.
At the gate of Aunt Liu’s house, a group of women stood by the wall basking in the sun.
“Xiao Qin’s wife is here,” Aunt Liu called warmly. “This is my niece, Li Rong.”
“Hello, Li Rong. I’m Li Yingtang,” she introduced herself, studying the girl.
She looked to be eighteen or nineteen, her cheeks dark and chapped from the cold. Her features were delicate, but she was shyly hiding behind Aunt Liu.
The girl kept her head down and said nothing.
Aunt Liu smiled. “I already told her about you. She’s a bit shy—unlike you, bold and confident.”
Someone interrupted, “Is life here comfortable for Dr. Qin’s wife?”
“When are you going back to the city?”
Li Yingtang smiled. “It’s fine here. I’m not planning to go back yet. Has the match started?”
Someone replied, “The young man hasn’t arrived yet.”
“He’s here! And that’s his mother beside him. What do you think?” Aunt Liu whispered, pointing ahead.
A man and his mother were walking over. The man was short and a bit fat—clearly not well matched with the girl in either appearance or temperament.
“She came alone for the match,” Li Yingtang thought.
“But he brought his mother? Afraid she’ll be tricked or something?”
The mother suddenly pointed at Li Yingtang and said, “Is this the girl? Oh my, she’s so pretty! Look at that fair skin—like jade! Take off your scarf so I can see your nose and mouth.”