After the family split up, my stepmother and scumbag father begged me to come home.

Lin Qianqian first went to Dr. Zhou's house.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Dr. Zhou's hospital, Lin Qianqian straightened her clothes and gently knocked on the door.

"Uncle Zhou," she greeted him respectfully as she stepped across the threshold.

Doctor Zhou was sitting in the courtyard drying medicinal herbs. Hearing the sound, he looked up, saw it was her, and put the winnowing basket aside: "You're here, girl? Come here, let me see what's going on over there."

Lin Qianqian walked over and lowered her head slightly. Doctor Zhou brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead and examined her closely for a moment in the sunlight.

"It's healing well." He nodded, his tone flat. "The scabs have already formed; I'll remove them for you today."

Dr. Zhou turned and went into the room, and soon came out with a small pair of scissors. His hands were very steady, and he quickly unwrapped the bandages and examined the skin and flesh under the wound.

"After the scab falls off, it will leave a light mark, but it's okay. It will gradually fade away over two summers and won't leave a scar."

Lin Qianqian raised her hand and touched the newly grown tender flesh, feeling relieved. She looked up, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "Thank you, Dr. Zhou, for saving me."

"I will save anyone, no matter who it is," Dr. Zhou said calmly.

Lin Qianqian took out the package of pork belly wrapped in oil paper from her basket and placed it on the stone table next to her: "This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Dr. Zhou's face fell: "Take it back, I don't want it."

Lin Qianqian knew his temperament—his medical skills were undeniable, but he was stubborn and argumentative. She didn't argue with him, put down the meat, and turned to run away.

"You little rascal—!"

Dr. Zhou's voice boomed behind her, but Lin Qianqian didn't turn around. She ran even faster, a smile on her lips, all the way to the courtyard gate.

Ding Xiaohu and Lin Yulong were waiting outside when they saw her like this. They were taken aback and asked, "Sister Qianqian, weren't you going to deliver something? Why are you in such a hurry? Did Doctor Zhou kick you out?"

Lin Qianqian caught her breath and glanced back. Doctor Zhou was still standing in the courtyard, holding the bag of meat, looking helpless.

"He's stubborn but soft-hearted," Lin Qianqian said with a smile. "He just has a bit of a bad temper."

Ding Xiaohu looked on with deep agreement: "Of course, who in the village doesn't know? If he encounters a disobedient patient during his consultations, he can berate them until they can't lift their heads. But after he's done scolding them, he still gives them the medicine, and if he takes less money, he doesn't say a word."

Lin Yulong tugged at his sister's sleeve: "Sis, did Doctor Zhou accept it?"

Lin Qianqian nodded, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "I'll take it."

Dr. Zhou was still standing at the courtyard gate, but he didn't chase after her to deliver the bag of meat.

Lin Qianqian knew that he had tacitly approved.

"Let's go home first and put our things down," Lin Qianqian said. Aunt Ding's house was next door to Lin's, so she would definitely pass by. She was afraid that they would try to take her things unreasonably, which would inevitably lead to more trouble.

She has absolutely no desire to have anything to do with the Lin family right now.

After putting my things down, I carried my basket on my back and headed to Aunt Ding's house.

There were five more buns in the basket. One for each of the five members of the Ding family; she couldn't give more than that, and besides, Aunt Ding wouldn't accept them.

As expected, I ran into the Lin family when I passed by their house.

Ding Yuxiang looked at the group with disdain.

I thought Lin Qianqian couldn't make it and regretted it, and wanted to come back!

"Why do you regret it after just one night and want to come back? I'm telling you, it's impossible unless..." Ding Yuxiang didn't finish her sentence.

Lin Qianqian retorted, "Hey, auntie, it's broad daylight, stop dreaming." With that, she turned and walked away without looking back, entering the Ding family's gate.

"Tch! You'll be begging me on your knees someday. I wonder how you'll survive with that little burden after you've eaten half a bag of sweet potatoes?" He spat after saying that and turned back to the yard.