Everything Liu Zhixia had done—Zhou Yunting had seen it all.
There was a deep, unreadable darkness in his eyes.
But beneath it was an overwhelming sense of warmth and comfort.
The concerns in Liu Zhixia’s heart… he had thought of them too.
But his position was in the military. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to handle these matters—he simply had no leverage, no proper way to act.
These past two days, he had also been thinking: if he left, what would happen to Old Master Zhou and the others?
But this woman… she had already quietly removed all his worries for him.
For the first time, he felt so deeply grateful that he had married her.
In the Beijing Military District conference room.
A deputy chief made the decision.
“In view of Comrade Zhou Yunting’s contributions during this mission, and his wife’s assistance, as well as his years of military merit…”
“He is to be reinstated.”
“He will be temporarily transferred to the Shanghai Military District.”
Liu’s father quietly let out a breath of relief.
All his efforts these days hadn’t been in vain—his daughter could finally come back with them.
When Liu’s mother saw her husband’s relieved smile, she immediately understood.
“Old Liu, is there news about Zhixia? Is she alright? Is she coming back soon?”
Liu’s father paused for a moment before replying.
“She can come back.”
“But… she will probably be transferred to the coastal region in the south.”
“The environment there is harsh—surrounded by sea, short on supplies.”
“But this is already the best outcome we could fight for.”
“I think once Zhou Yunting returns, Old Master Zhou and Commander Zhou will also return soon after.”
“The Zhou family will still be the Zhou family of Beijing.”
Liu’s mother sighed.
“Our Zhixia has been delicate since she was young…”
“How can she endure such hardship? I don’t even know anymore… was it right to let her marry Zhou Yunting?”
Her voice carried both heartache and hesitation.
Liu’s father remained silent.
After a long while, Liu’s mother finally said,
“Still… it’s better than her being deceived.”
“Zhou Yunting’s character is solid. No one can fault that.”
“His ability is also among the best in that circle… the only concern is…”
She stopped.
The room fell into silence.
..
Meanwhile, the Wu family in Beijing was also discussing Zhou Yunting’s return.
Old Master Wu frowned heavily.
“This is your investigation result?”
“Zhou Yunting is about to return to duty—and so quickly?”
The man standing before him gritted his teeth.
“Father, even if he returns, Old Master Zhou and Commander Zhou cannot come back.”
“He is alone now—he can’t make waves.”
“And he’s being transferred to the south coast. That place is poor and isolated. It’s hard to rise there.”
Old Master Wu narrowed his eyes, slowly calming down.
“…Keep watching closely. No more mistakes are allowed.”
“Yes, Father.”
Back in Hongshan Village, Liu Zhixia had become something of a legend.
She was now called “Little Divine Doctor Liu” by the villagers.
Even the children followed her around calling her “Sister Divine Doctor.”
The village chief’s wife stayed close to her every day, telling stories about villagers’ long-standing illnesses and how “she cured them instantly.”
Liu Zhixia herself was starting to feel like she had been mythologized.
Old Master Zhou, on the other hand, was happily chatting with villagers.
In Beijing, he had spent decades in authority—people either feared or respected him.
But here, in this village, he liked the simple, honest conversations.
It brought people closer together.
Commander Zhou and Zhou Yunting could clearly see the old man’s joy, and they were grateful to Liu Zhixia for it.
Three days later, the Zhou family had fully integrated into village life.
Zhou Yunting’s transfer orders arrived quickly.
At the same time, Liu Zhixia’s parents also arrived in Hongshan Village after hearing the news.
After all, their daughter was here—they had to come see her.
They arrived by car, causing a huge stir in the village.
And when people saw Liu’s father in his military uniform and his commanding aura, they were even more shocked.
The village chief quickly brought them to the Zhou family’s hut.
By now, the Zhou family had moved into the huts previously used by Song Zhihua and his men.
Liu Zhixia lived alone in another hut.
A round of greetings and explanations followed, and the village chief soon left to give them space.
Liu’s mother immediately rushed forward and hugged her daughter tightly.
“Zhixia… are you alright?”
At first, Liu Zhixia stiffened slightly at the contact.
But after hearing those words, she realized she didn’t reject it.
Softly, she replied,
“Mom, I’m fine. I’ve been doing well here.”
Inside the hut, Liu’s mother pulled her aside to talk privately.
“Zhixia, tell me honestly… what do you really think about your marriage with Zhou Yunting?”
“I think it’s fine,” Liu Zhixia said calmly. “He’s a soldier, upright, capable, and responsible.”
“I don’t have any complaints.”
But Liu’s mother immediately saw through her.
“You’re dodging the question.”
“With my understanding of you… you don’t dislike him, but you don’t like him either. Am I right?”
Liu Zhixia sighed inwardly.
Her mother was too sharp.
She did feel appreciation for the Zhou family, and admiration for Zhou Yunting.
But whether that would become love… she didn’t know.
She wasn’t originally from this world.
And she didn’t know how long she would stay.
Love wasn’t something she was ready to consider.
In her past life too, she had always been alone.
She was used to it.
She also noticed that Zhou Yunting kept a certain distance between them, and she quite liked their current dynamic.
Simple. Comfortable. Uncomplicated.
She didn’t want to change it.
Outside the door, Zhou Yunting’s expression had turned cold.
So… she had no feelings for him.
Behind him, Liu’s father gently patted his shoulder.
Only then did Zhou Yunting come back to himself.
If she was already on his household register…
Then how could she just leave whenever she wanted?