At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

I don't know how much time passed.

Bai Yushu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing Yi Zhongding sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), she was stunned for a moment, then gave a sleepy smile.

"You're back? How long have I been asleep?"

Bai Yushu spoke lazily as she stretched out her hands to him.

"It won't be long, just a little while. Are you hungry? Your sister-in-law is going to heat up some porridge, it'll be ready in a bit."

Yi Zhongding stood up and pulled her into his arms.

After the child was born, Bai Yushu was more clingy to him than to her two children.

"I'm not hungry. I had a big bowl of chicken soup for lunch, and I'm still feeling full."

Bai Yushu shifted her body, trying to sit up.

Yi Zhongding quickly helped her sit up and placed a pillow behind her back.

He also took the opportunity to check her waist belt.

"How was today? Did it go smoothly?"

Bai Yushu settled down, glanced at her two sons sleeping side by side, then looked at Yi Zhongding with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

"It went smoothly, even more smoothly than expected."

Yi Zhongding nodded without hesitation.

He then briefly recounted what had happened that day.

However, he didn't mention a word about who he treated or who he prescribed medicine for.

Yi Zhongding spoke of it casually.

But Bai Yushu grew up in the home of high-ranking generals, including her godfather and godmother.

Therefore, she knew very well what it meant to have Yi Zhongding temporarily join the health care team for consultation.

"So, the higher-ups specifically requested your participation in the consultation because of the artemisinin issue?"

Bai Yushu asked softly.

"Yes, Master Liu Duzhou told me today that the reason I was able to join this physical examination at the last minute was because of artemisinin."

"Many people above want to see how much real ability I, the person who proposed the artemisinin project, really have."

"And that other guy, since we parted ways in Sichuan, he also wants to have a chat with me."

Yi Zhongding lowered his voice slightly.

"Did they see it?"

Bai Yushu looked directly into his eyes and asked with a smile.

"You should have seen it."

Yi Zhongding met her gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said confidently.

Bai Yushu smiled along with her, her smile carrying a sense of pride and honor.

But she didn't say anything else, she just reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"That's good."

The two sat quietly for a while, neither of them speaking.

The two little ones on the kang (a heated brick bed) were sleeping soundly, occasionally letting out a soft murmur in their sleep.

Outside the window, one could hear the footsteps of Jiu Liang and his siblings chasing the hen, and the concerned voices of their younger siblings telling them to slow down and not fall.

There were also sounds of Tan Xiulian busy in the kitchen.

"Look, this is what my master gave me today."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Yi Zhongding took out the pocket watch from his pocket, placed it in her palm, and raised his eyebrows with a rather boastful air.

"Is this Old Liu's?"

Bai Yushu took the pocket watch, examined it carefully, and asked, guessing.

Although she didn't know much about antiques, she could tell that this thing was unusual.

"Yes, he said it was a gift from someone when he was practicing medicine, and now he's giving it to me, hoping that I, like this watch, will never stop, no matter what."

Yi Zhongding nodded and said with a light laugh.

"Then you must not let the old man down. All those masters have high hopes for you. They hope you can support the sky of traditional Chinese medicine and also support half of the sky of people's medicine."

Bai Yushu returned the pocket watch to him, grasped his hand, and said earnestly.

"No, I won't stop."

Yi Zhongding grasped her hand in return, his gaze falling on the faces of the two sleeping babies on the kang (a heated brick bed). His voice was soft, yet firm.

As the two were talking, there was a knock on the door.

"Zhongding! The porridge is ready, come and eat. I poached two eggs for you! Xiaoyu is awake too, right? She heard you talking. Ask her if she's hungry."

Tan Xiulian's voice followed.

"Here it comes!"

Yi Zhongding responded, released Bai Yushu's hand, and stood up.

"Sister-in-law, don't bother, I'm still full. I need to breastfeed the two little ones soon, so you don't need to worry about me."

Bai Yushu also answered.

"Okay, then Zhongding, come out and eat."

Tan Xiulian's voice faded away with the sound of footsteps.

"You rest first, I'm going to get something to eat."

Yi Zhongding bent down and kissed his wife on the forehead, saying with a smile.

"Go ahead, eat more, don't leave any."

Bai Yushu waved his hand at him and added another sentence.

Yi Zhongding smiled and nodded, then turned and left the west room.

A bowl of thick, golden cornmeal porridge, topped with two white poached eggs, and a side dish of finely chopped pickled vegetables, drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil.

"Eat quickly, eat while it's hot."

Tan Xiulian handed him the chopsticks and then turned to clean the stove.

Yi Zhongding picked up the bowl, took a sip of porridge, and felt the warm liquid slide down his throat, making him feel completely comfortable.

He picked up another fried egg and took a bite. The yolk was still runny, cooked to perfection.

"Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are absolutely amazing! You can even make a fried egg that tastes better than anyone else's."

Yi Zhongding gave a sincere compliment.

Stop flattering me and finish your food quickly, or the porridge will get cold.

Tan Xiulian said without turning her head, but the corners of her mouth were clearly upturned.

Just as Yi Zhongding was about to continue eating, four small heads suddenly peeked out from the kitchen doorway.

"whee."

When Jiu Liang saw his uncle looking over, he grinned and ran over with his short legs, then jumped straight into Yi Zhongding's arms.

"Wow, Xiao Jiuliang, you're so strong!"

Yi Zhongding caught him, rubbed his forehead, and said with a light laugh.

"Piggy, time to eat."

Little Jiu pointed at the porridge in his bowl and said in a childish voice.

None of these little guys can pronounce words correctly.

Calling him "uncle" is "piggy," calling him "aunt" is "crying," and he still can't quite pronounce "dad" and "mom" correctly.

However, considering that he is only a little over one year old, it is already quite good that he can learn to call people and say short words.

Before Yi Zhongding could answer, the other three little ones pounced on him.

Yi Zhongding was so frightened that he quickly picked up the bowl of porridge.

This thing is still scalding hot. If it burns anyone, he'll regret it.

"Go away, go away, don't disturb your uncle's meal. You four little rascals have already eaten your fill at noon, and now you're here to join in the fun."

Tan Xiulian laughed and scolded as she stepped forward, trying to drive them out like cattle, and then reached out and picked up Xiao Jiuliang.

"Wow...piggy, eat, food."

When Xiao Jiu and the other little ones saw their mother about to take them away, they immediately started crying in distress.

Little Jiu Liang, nestled in his mother's arms, looked like a little suckling pig, fidgeting with his tiny hands and feet.

The other three clung tightly to their uncle, watching their mother warily.