Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

Qin Family Village in the early morning

The village was shrouded in a thin layer of smoke in the morning, and the air was filled with the fresh smell of firewood and soil.

Xu Lin opened his eyes, his consciousness slowly rising from a deep sleep.

The earthen bed beneath me was a bit hard, but it was warm, dispelling the chill of late autumn.

He slept soundly last night, a rare occurrence for him.

It lacked Tan's gentleness, Huai Ru's charm, and the large bed in the basement that could accommodate several people.

This feeling is both unfamiliar and long-lost.

Xu Lin sat up and got dressed. The moment he pushed open the door, a wave of noisy heat hit him.

The courtyard was bustling with activity, like it was Chinese New Year.

The father-in-law, Qin Dashan, and his elder brother, Qin Tieniu, were setting up a shed with freshly cut bamboo and tarpaulin, their movements swift and efficient.

At the kitchen doorway, Zhang Shufen, the mother-in-law, and Li Chunhua, the sister-in-law, were squatting on small stools, picking vegetables. A wooden basin in front of them was piled high with vibrant greens and round potatoes. On the cutting board, the muffled thuds of chopping meat echoed rhythmically.

"Xu Lin is awake?"

Qin Dashan straightened up, wiped the sweat with the towel hanging around his neck, and a simple, honest smile spread across his dark face.

"Go wash your face. Today is your big day. Don't worry about anything, just sit and rest."

"Dad, let me help."

Xu Lin rolled up his sleeves, ready to step forward and lend a hand.

"No, no!"

Qin Tieniu strode over, his large, fan-like hand blocking his way, his tone urgent.

"You're the new son-in-law, there's no reason for you to do chores. Besides, your parents are..."

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, scratched the back of his head somewhat embarrassedly, and revealed a set of white teeth.

A warm feeling welled up in Xu Lin's heart.

Last night at dinner, he briefly mentioned his parents' sacrifice for the country. Upon hearing this, the Qin family members all had tears in their eyes. The father-in-law, Qin Dashan, immediately slammed his fist on the table, making a loud thud on his chest, and declared that the entire wedding would be handled by the Qin family, and Xu Lin would not have to worry about a thing.

This simple act of care is deeply meaningful.

"Dad, brother, there's really no need to be so polite."

"This is no politeness at all!"

Hearing Qin Dashan's words, Zhang Shufen poked her head out of the kitchen. She first glared at Qin Dashan, scolding him for speaking inappropriately, and then spoke loudly to Xu Lin.

"You're all alone in the city, without any elders to look after you. Today is a joyous occasion, if we don't take care of you, who will? Relatives from the clan will all be here to help soon, you don't need to lift a finger, just rest!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a beautiful figure walked over carrying a brand-new enamel basin.

Qin Huairu dressed up specially today, wearing a brand new floral shirt, with two black braids hanging down her chest. Her face was flushed with a healthy blush in the morning light, and her bright eyes were full of smiles.

"Brother Xu, just listen to my parents."

She handed the basin of water to Xu Lin, steaming hot.

Xu Lin took the basin of water, his fingertips lightly touching the back of her soft hand. He whispered in Qin Huairu's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Corporal Qin Huairu! You've been naughty. You didn't wake your superior up today..."

Hearing Xu Lin's words, Qin Huairu recalled the way she had seen Tan Shi wake Xu Lin up in the basement that morning, and the scene of waking Xu Lin up with Tan Shi. Two blushes instantly rose on her cheeks, and her heart raced. She replied softly, "Reporting, sir~ I wanted to go, but my mother said you must be exhausted from riding your bike back so far yesterday carrying so much stuff, and you drank a lot last night, so she told me not to disturb you and to let you get some sleep, so I..."

Xu Lin nodded in satisfaction after hearing Qin Huairu's explanation. He secretly kissed Qin Huairu's blushing cheek before starting to wash up.

After tidying himself up, Xu Lin looked at the family who were busy taking care of him and listened to the noisy yet lively sounds in the yard. Suddenly, his nose felt a little sore.

In his previous life, he only had an elderly mother, and her greatest wish was to see him get married and have children.

He did have parents in this life, but they died early, leaving only some fragmented memories of the original owner.

The Qin family's genuine care made him feel the warmth of home for the first time in this era.

After washing his face, Xu Lin took out five brand-new ten-yuan bills from his pocket.

"Big brother."

He walked up to Qin Tieniu.

"Here's the money for the banquet, take it."

Five ten-yuan bills represent a huge sum of money in rural areas.

Qin Tieniu was startled and shook his hand like a rattle.

"How can this be! The dowry you gave yesterday was already more than enough! No other family in the village has such a grand wedding!"

"What is due should be given."

Xu Lin's tone left no room for argument as he directly stuffed the money into Qin Tieniu's rough palm.

"I know that hosting a wedding banquet is expensive, and we can't let our family pay for it. You must keep this money. Although it's convenient for Huai Ru and me to come back, we'll still be in Beijing for a long time. Your parents will definitely need you and your sister-in-law to take care of them later. We certainly can't let you contribute to our wedding expenses, so please keep it."

The tactile sensation of money made Qin Tieniu feel extremely uncomfortable.

He looked to his father for help.

Qin Dashan, with a pipe dangling from his lips, took a couple of puffs, the smoke swirling around him. He remained silent for a moment, looking into Xu Lin's calm yet resolute eyes, before finally nodding slowly.

"Then keep it."

He tapped his pipe on the sole of his shoe.

"But Xu Lin, you're too honest. Don't let anyone bully you when you're out there."

"Dad, don't worry."

Xu Lin's lips curled into a smile.

"No one can bully me."

"Exactly!" Qin Huairu added proudly from the side, "Brother Xu is amazing. In the city, he beat up a lot of bad guys in our courtyard several times over..."

She looked incredibly proud, practically reciting Xu Lin's impressive record on the spot.

Qin Dashan and Qin Tieniu exchanged a glance and both smiled.

They clearly didn't believe it.

Her new son-in-law looked refined, clean-cut, and like a college student; he didn't seem like the type to fight at all.

I guess it's like a lover sees beauty in their own daughter, mistaking a few clever words for real skills.

However, they couldn't expose him, after all, he was their son-in-law, and they had to give him face.

The two simply smiled and nodded, without asking any further questions.

Xu Lin didn't explain either.

His record against a bunch of beasts is nothing to brag about; he's not like Sha Zhu or Xu Damao, those boastful 50s blondies.

Soon, the area outside the courtyard gate became lively.

Several women, who were related to each other, arrived one after another. They were all aunties and older women from the village. As soon as they entered the yard, they didn't even bother to drink water. Without saying a word, they rolled up their sleeves and joined the ranks of those helping.

Xu Lin stood to the side, opened his mouth as if to say hello, but didn't know how to address him.

Qin Huairu noticed his unease and quietly walked to his side, her warm breath brushing against his ear.

"This is my second aunt, and that's my sister-in-law from my third aunt's family..."

She introduced each person who came to Xu Lin in a low voice.

Xu Lin immediately understood.

He didn't put on airs like a city official or a college student; he had a warm smile on his face and took the initiative to step forward.

He addressed Qin Huairu by the same way he would.

"Second Aunt, you're here!"

"Sister-in-law, you've worked hard!"

When he encountered a man, he would pull out a "Daqianmen" cigarette from his pocket and offer one to each of them. When he encountered a woman, he would grab a handful of fruit candies he had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative and stuff them into her hand.

This approach yielded immediate results.

"Oh my, this son-in-law is really something!"

"Huai Ru has found a good boyfriend! He's polite and knows how to handle things!"

"Absolutely! He's handsome, and he looks cultured!"

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with voices praising Xu Lin.

The Qin family members beamed with joy, their faces glowing with happiness.

Xu Lin's attitude and actions have certainly given the Qin family a lot of face!

When people learned that Xu Lin was not only a city dweller, but also a factory leader and director of the clinic at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, the whole courtyard was in an uproar.

"What? The factory manager?"

"My goodness! Huai Ru is such a lucky girl!"

Surprised and envious glances were all directed at Qin Huairu.

Therefore, the happiest person today is none other than Huai Ru.

Standing in the crowd, listening to the villagers' endless praise for her husband, her heart felt as if it were soaking in a honey pot, sweet to the point of being cloying.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Xu Lin, who was chatting with several elders.

Xu Lin seemed to sense her gaze, turned his head, and winked playfully at her.

Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat, a surge of heat rushed from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and her cheeks burned.

She had long forgotten the "hardships" she had encountered on her way back to the village from the city.

At that moment, only one thought remained in her mind.

My man is so outstanding, he makes me so proud, how can I possibly repay him properly...?

Inside the Qin family courtyard, the noise was deafening, and the lively atmosphere was almost enough to lift the roof off.

Just then, a muffled thud, accompanied by a woman's scream, shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

"Ouch! My dear husband!"

The noisy courtyard suddenly fell silent.

All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

In the center of the courtyard, a middle-aged man carrying a stool fell straight down, face down on the yellow earth, landing hard.

His wife was terrified and rushed over to shake him frantically.

Xu Lin was chatting with his father-in-law Qin Dashan, his elder brother Qin Tieniu, and several village elders. He had just lit a "Daqianmen" cigarette, and the wisps of smoke had not yet dissipated.

The smile on his face vanished the moment the man fell to the ground, and his eyes suddenly turned sharp.

"What happened?"

Xu Lin's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable penetrating power. He took a step and was already beside the couple.

The woman supporting the man was completely disoriented, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don't know! I was fine a few days ago, but I started feeling unwell last night. I was vomiting and had diarrhea, and I felt completely weak! I couldn't even stand up when I woke up this morning. I thought it was because I was exhausted, but who knew..."

Xu Lin squatted down and swiftly placed two fingers on the man's withered wrist.

The courtyard was completely silent, with dozens of eyes fixed on him.

Qin Huairu's heart leaped into her throat, and she nervously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Just three seconds.

Xu Lin's face darkened completely.

The divine-level medical and martial arts inheritance within him allowed him to diagnose pulse conditions as quickly as a computer. This pulse was wiry, slippery, and rapid, chaotic and disordered, indicating excessive liver fire and internal invasion of damp toxins—a classic case of severe liver disease!

"Quick! Lay him flat! Turn his head to the side!"

Xu Lin's voice carried a commanding tone.

"Brother Tie Niu, the door panel!"

Qin Tieniu was stunned for a moment, then reacted, roared, rushed to the eaves, picked up the newly made door panel, and put it heavily on the ground.

Several strong laborers worked together to carefully lift the unconscious man onto a door panel and then into the shed that had been set up that morning.

"Unbutton his shirt!"

Xu Lin spoke up again to make arrangements

The woman frantically tried to unbutton her husband's clothes, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Xu Lin didn't wait any longer. He reached out and ripped open several cloth buttons, revealing the man's sallow chest and bulging belly.

Everyone present gasped in shock.

The man's skin had an eerie, dark yellow hue, and the whites of his eyes were particularly cloudy.

Xu Lin flipped his right hand, and thirteen silver needles of varying lengths appeared in his palm, gleaming faintly in the morning light.

Without the slightest hesitation, he swiftly pressed several acupoints on the man's abdomen with his left hand, picked up a three-inch-long silver needle with his right hand, and flicked his wrist.

"Buzz—"

A barely audible chirp.

The silver needle had penetrated more than half an inch into the man's Qimen acupoint, and the needle tip was still vibrating rapidly.

The villagers who were watching had never seen anything like it before, and they were all dumbfounded.

This isn't just needle pricks, it's like a martial arts sparring match between masters from a wuxia novel!

Then, the second one, the third one...

Xu Lin's hand speed was so fast that afterimages appeared. More than a dozen silver needles danced and flew between his fingers, accurately piercing major acupoints such as Zhangmen, Taichong, and Zusanli.

The entire process was fluid and graceful, filled with an indescribable sense of rhythm and power.

Less than five minutes later, when the last needle was inserted, the man's rapid breathing suddenly calmed down.

His tightly furrowed brows relaxed, a painful groan escaped his throat, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"She's awake! She's awake!"

The woman was both surprised and delighted, and with a thud, she was about to kneel down before Xu Lin.

"Doctor! Miracle doctor! You saved my husband!"

Xu Lin helped her up, put away the silver needles, but his expression became increasingly serious.

"Don't rush."

He stood up, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over every villager present.

"He has acute viral hepatitis, which has already damaged his internal organs. This disease is contagious!"

The word "infectious" is like a boulder thrown into a calm pond, instantly stirring up huge waves.

The villagers' surprise and admiration immediately turned into fear and panic, and many people subconsciously took a step back, moving away from the patient lying on the door panel.

Xu Lin's voice turned cold, carrying the authority of a superior.

"Is there a problem with your village's water source?"

In rural areas during this era, food was limited, there was little industrial pollution, and population movement was low. Therefore, the most likely cause of an outbreak of intestinal infectious disease of this scale was waterborne transmission.

A commotion broke out in the crowd; people whispered among themselves and looked at each other in bewilderment.

A timid voice rang out.

"A while ago...it seems someone from the neighboring Liu Village moved their sheepfold to the riverbank, and they're dumping manure into the river. But...but our village only drinks well water..."

"Isn't well water okay? The underground water veins are all connected!"

Xu Lin snorted coldly, his gaze falling on the face of the man who had just woken up.

At this moment, the woman who had been crying seemed to suddenly realize something, and her face turned pale.

"My husband... when he comes back from the fields, he thinks the well is too far away, so sometimes, to save trouble, he'll wash his face by the river and take a small sip of water to quench his thirst..."

"Nonsense!"

Xu Lin's shout shook the entire courtyard.

"That's how intestinal infectious diseases spread! Illness enters through the mouth! I'm telling you, from now on, no one is allowed to drink a single drop of untreated water! Even well water must be boiled before drinking! Do you understand?"

His voice carried an undeniable authority, sending a chill down everyone's spine.

"Also, if anyone else in your family is experiencing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the face, or general weakness, don't delay, bring them over immediately so I can take a look!"

As soon as he finished speaking, it was as if a fuse had been lit in the crowd.

"Doctor! My husband is the same way! He's been bedridden for two days!"

"My son has been vomiting for two days now, and I thought he had food poisoning!"

"I...I've also been feeling weak these past few days..."

One, two, three...

In the blink of an eye, seven or eight people raised their hands, their faces filled with terror.

The entire Qin Family Village was shrouded in an invisible net, and panic began to spread.

Xu Lin took a deep breath. He knew that things were more serious than he had imagined.

He turned his head and looked at Qin Dashan, whose expression was equally solemn.

"dad."

That one word, "Dad," sent a shiver down Qin Dashan's spine.

"It seems the wedding won't be able to take place today."

Qin Dashan was suddenly stunned.

"What?"

"I must bring the situation in the village under control immediately. This is a matter of life and death," Xu Lin said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation. "The wedding can be rescheduled, but lives cannot wait."

His words were like a calming needle, instantly piercing the panicked hearts of everyone.

Qin Huairu walked quickly to his side, said nothing, but held his hand tightly.

The warmth emanating from my palm was firm and comforting.

"Brother Xu, I'll listen to you."

Looking at his calm and decisive new son-in-law, and then at his daughter who looked at him with admiration and trust, Qin Dashan's regret about the wedding vanished instantly.

He slapped his thigh hard, shaking the tobacco pouch off his hand.

"Okay! Well said! Let's see the doctor first!"

The old man straightened his back, regaining his authority as the head of the household, and roared loudly at the people in the yard.

"Tie Niu! Move all your tables and benches out and set up a shed in the yard! Chunhua! Go and call your mother to boil several more pots of water! Shufen! Stop picking vegetables and pour all the meat and vegetables prepared for the feast into the big pot and cook them into a big stew! Today, anyone from the village who came to see the doctor and hasn't eaten will be given a bowl of hot food!"

"Why!"

The entire Qin family immediately sprang into action, like a perfectly coordinated machine.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire Qin Family Village in less than half an hour.

A long line quickly formed at the entrance of the Qin family compound.

Xu Lin's consultation table was set up under a makeshift shed, with an eight-immortal table and a long bench.

He didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before he started taking pulses, prescribing medicine, and administering acupuncture one after another.

His speed was astonishing; he performed the four diagnostic methods—inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation—all in one smooth motion. From the moment each patient sat down to the moment he wrote out a diagnosis, it was almost never more than three minutes.

If someone needed medication, he would dictate the prescription to Qin Tieniu and instruct the patient to get the medicine from the town pharmacy. If someone was in financial difficulty, Xu Lin would lend them money without hesitation, but he would make sure Qin Tieniu wrote an IOU first. After all, a small favor can breed resentment, and it's best not to take human nature for granted. Whether or not the debt is repaid is another matter, but one shouldn't let people take it for granted.

For those with more severe symptoms, he would directly administer acupuncture, using his internal energy to forcefully unblock the patient's meridians and stimulate their own resistance.

The dozens of kilograms of pork and fresh vegetables originally prepared for the wedding banquet were now bubbling in a large iron pot in the center of the courtyard, filling the air with their aroma.

All the villagers present, whether they had seen a doctor or not, received a bowl of hot, oily food.

Holding their rice bowls, looking at that tireless figure in the shed, everyone felt a mix of emotions.

"This new son-in-law of the Qin family... he's truly kind-hearted!"

An old man was picking at the meat in his bowl, his eyes reddening.

"That's right! It's a joyous occasion for them, they should be happy, but this happened, and instead of finding it unlucky, they're canceling the celebration just to pay for our medical treatment!"

"Of course! Not only did they not take a single penny, but they even offered us their own wedding feast... We, the Qin Family Village, will remember this kindness for a lifetime!"

Exclamations of praise and gratitude rose and fell.

Qin Huairu stood behind Xu Lin, silently handing him water and wiping his sweat.

The sunlight outside the shed was somewhat dazzling, outlining a golden contour around the man's focused profile. Fine beads of sweat on his forehead glistened in the light.

Watching this scene, Qin Huairu's heart was filled with immense pride and satisfaction. In private, when she was with Xu Lin, he was like a child with a favorite toy, always tirelessly playing with and clinging to her. But when something happened, Xu Lin always left her with a sense of security, a figure that could shield her from all storms and difficulties. This was her man, a man of great stature, and also her little man.

The sun climbs to its zenith from the eastern mountaintop and then gradually sinks into the west.

People came and went in the courtyard, but the figure behind the octagonal table remained unchanged.

Xu Lin's lips were dry and chapped from anxiety, and his throat was burning. Every time he spoke, his voice was hoarse and metallic.

But he didn't stop.

Even the act of drinking water is incredibly fast, as if delaying for even a second is a sin.

Qin Huairu stood behind him without saying a word, but immediately refilled his water glass with warm water when it was empty, and gently wiped his forehead with a clean towel when he was sweating.

Her man is doing something that she considers great.

All she could do was ensure he had no worries.

As dusk approached, the last rays of the setting sun cast a weary golden glow on the dust in the courtyard.

A series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, and a middle-aged man with a lean build, wearing a slightly worn Zhongshan suit, pushed through the crowd and strode in.

Behind him followed closely a little girl with pigtails, peeking out with her big, bright eyes, curiously observing everything in the yard.

"Brother Dashan!"

The newcomer had a loud, clear voice, full of energy.

Qin Dashan, who was helping to maintain order, turned around upon hearing the sound, a hint of surprise appearing on his dark face.

"Third brother! You're back from town?"

The visitor was Qin Laosan, the village chief of Qin Family Village, and also Qin Dashan's cousin.

Qin Laosan walked closer, his gaze sweeping over the villagers queuing in the courtyard with their various expressions, before finally landing on the young yet unusually composed figure behind the simple consultation table. He was completely stunned.

"This is……"

"He's Huai Ru's man, our new son-in-law, Xu Lin."

Qin Dashan lowered his voice, but his tone revealed an irrepressible pride.

"He's also the director of the clinic at the steel mill in the city. Today was supposed to be the wedding day, but Shuanzi's son fell ill. Xu Lin saw that it was a contagious acute illness, so he canceled the wedding and is here treating the villagers."

Upon hearing this, Qin Laosan's astonishment instantly turned into deep respect.

He strode up to Xu Lin, looked at this young man who was a generation younger than him, and solemnly extended his calloused hand.

"Dr. Xu, I am Qin Laosan, the village chief of Qin Family Village. On behalf of all the villagers, young and old, I thank you!"

Xu Lin had just finished diagnosing a patient when he heard this. He looked up, stood up, and shook hands with him firmly.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the tender little face hiding behind Qin Laosan, and his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Qin Jingru!

A scene from the original story flashed through his mind—the girl who was manipulated by Xu Damao, that old widower, and ultimately met a tragic end.

An unnamed anger surged from the bottom of his heart, but he quickly suppressed it.

The girl is only six or seven years old now, far from those sordid things.

Now that he's here and has become her cousin-in-law, Xu Damao can forget about ever harming any of the Qin family's girls again.

Xu Lin withdrew his gaze, his emotions had calmed down. He sat down again, his voice hoarse but still steady.

"Village chief, you're too kind. Treating the sick and saving lives is a doctor's duty."

Qin Laosan looked at him, and the more he looked, the more he admired him.

Young, capable, and a high-ranking government official, what's most admirable is his character and medical ethics!

My cousin Qin Dashan must have had some incredible luck to have married such a wealthy and eligible bachelor!

He got a huge advantage from this!

The darkness of night could not ultimately quell the anxiety in people's hearts.

One pass ten, ten pass a hundred.

The news that a miraculous doctor from the city had appeared in Qin Family Village, with superb medical skills and who didn't charge a penny, spread like wildfire throughout the surrounding villages.

Soon, people from neighboring Lijia Village, Wangjiazhuang Village, and even more distant villages came over with torches, helping the old and carrying the young.

"We've heard there's a miracle doctor here, let's come and see!"

"Doctor, please take a look at me! My back has been hurting for years, and I've seen so many doctors but nothing has helped!"

The entrance to the Qin family courtyard was completely blocked. The crowd was boisterous and agitated, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

Qin Laosan got anxious and stood up, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Fellow villagers! Fellow villagers! Please quiet down!"

"Today is a joyous day for Dr. Xu! He's been busy all day! Even someone made of iron couldn't keep up!"

"Everyone, let's leave! Let them rest! They can come back tomorrow!"

However, pleading voices could be heard from the crowd.

"Don't go, doctor!"

"Just one look! Just one look!"

Please!

The anxious, expectant faces of the villagers were clearly visible in the torchlight. They refused to leave, not even a step.

Just then, Xu Lin stood up.

He didn't shout, but instead channeled a wisp of internal energy into his throat. The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out all the noise.

"Don't panic, everyone!"

That sound instantly silenced the entire courtyard.

All eyes turned to him.

"Now that I'm here, I won't abandon everyone."

Looking at the simple yet anxious faces before him, Xu Lin made his promise, word by word.

"I'll be here providing free medical consultations for three days!"

"Until the afternoon of the day after tomorrow!"

"It's getting late, everyone should go home and rest. I'll be here waiting for you all tomorrow morning!"

His words carried weight and authority.

The crowd was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into a huge cheer.

It was the joy of escaping from a desperate situation.

People left slowly, filled with hope and gratitude.

Qin Laosan walked over, patted Xu Lin's shoulder hard, and his eyes were a little hot.

"Dr. Xu, we in Qin Family Village will remember your kindness for generations to come!"

"Of course."

Xu Lin smiled and turned his gaze to Qin Huairu, who had been silently supporting him from the side.

"Now that I've married Huairu, this is my home."

Night finally fell.

The courtyard, which had been noisy all day, was now only illuminated by a few dim oil lamps and the lingering warmth in the pot.

Qin Huairu carried a bowl of steaming meat soup to Xu Lin's side.

She said nothing, but stared at him intently with her eyes, which were filled with starlight.

Xu Lin took the rough porcelain bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

The warm broth slid down my throat, dispelling all my fatigue and hoarseness.

Qin Dashan walked over, rubbing his hands together. This taciturn farmer had red eyes.

"Kobayashi, thank you for your hard work today."

"Dad, don't say that."

Xu Lin waved his hand.

"Saving people is what I should do."

Qin Tieniu stood to the side, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

"Brother-in-law, you're such a kind person!"

"Alright, alright, stop standing there!"

Zhang Shufen looked at her son-in-law with heartache and urged him repeatedly.

"Xiao Lin has been busy all day, Huai Ru, quickly take him to rest!"

Qin Huairu nodded, stepped forward, and naturally took Xu Lin's hand.

His hands were big and warm.

She pulled him into the makeshift bridal chamber prepared for them. Originally, the plan was for the couple to return to the city after the wedding at noon. This delay led Qin Dashan and his wife to discuss it and decide to have some women convert Qin Huairu's former bedroom into their new room. Although the room was originally intended for Qin Huairu's elder brother and sister-in-law's future children, after spending the last two days together, they had no objections and wholeheartedly agreed.

The moment the door closed, it shut out everything from the outside world.

Qin Huairu could no longer hold back and suddenly threw herself into his arms, burying her face deeply in his chest, her voice trembling and thick with a nasal tone.

"Brother Xu, how can you be so outstanding..."

Xu Lin held her soft body tightly and lowered his head to place a hot kiss on her smooth forehead.

"Silly girl."

"Today...we couldn't have the wedding ceremony. Will you be upset with me?"

Qin Huairu lifted her head from his embrace, her watery eyes filled with nothing but overflowing admiration and pride, without a trace of regret.

"How could that be!"

I'm proud of you.

Xu Lin smiled, the smile reaching his eyes, dispelling all his fatigue.

He put down the bowl, stretched out his arm, and picked her up horizontally.

Qin Huairu let out a soft gasp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek tightly against his firm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

Xu Lin carried her step by step toward the bed covered with brand-new bedding, whispering in her ear.

"Then tonight, you're not allowed to surrender..."

Qin Huairu, her face radiant with happiness, nestled in Xu Lin's arms. She raised her head, gazing at him with loving eyes, and said earnestly.

"Sir, please take good care of Huai Ru..."

Xu Lin: "You should call me 'Sir'."

Qin Huairu: "My lord..."

Xu Lin: "Call me sir."

Qin Huairu: "........."

"My lord~"

The candlelight flickered eternally, filling the room with the fragrance of spring.