"Uncle Zhang, what are you talking about? I just got back; please don't tease me."
Having worked as a doctor away from home for so many years, Wang Jian thought he had seen it all. But Uncle Zhang's words still shocked him so much that he wondered if he had misheard.
"Ah, this isn't urgent. You just got back, and I've already taken up so much of your time talking. We can discuss it in detail later when you have a moment. It's rare to see a young man as outstanding as you."
"Alright, I'll stop talking. I'm home now. You head on back."
Zhang Quan watched Wang Jian walk into the distance, his satisfaction growing with every glance. It wasn't really his fault. Most of the young people in their village had left to find work. Those who remained were largely rascals or idlers, and not very easy on the eyes. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Before Wang Jian returned, Zhang Quan hadn't considered such things. But the moment he saw Wang Jian, he was somehow bewitched by the idea.
"It wouldn't be so bad to have a grandson as smart and handsome as him."
Zhang Quan knew he couldn't rush things and decided to discuss it with his son at home. They had broached the subject before but never found a suitable candidate. His sudden proposal had been a bit hasty; he just hoped he hadn't scared Wang Jian off.
As Wang Jian walked home alone, he was still puzzling over whether he had heard incorrectly.
The Wang and Zhang family homes weren't far apart, separated by only a few houses and on adjacent rows. So, Wang Jian didn't have to walk far before he could see the silhouette of someone hanging laundry in his family's yard from a distance.
"Still and quiet, she was like a delicate flower reflected in water; in motion, she was graceful and captivating."
Wang Jian didn't linger. He quickened his pace and entered his family's yard.
The Wang family's house had also been newly built in recent years. Like the other homes in the village, it was a two-story house with a front and back yard. The clothesline stretched from the security bars on a window to the courtyard wall, crossing the entire front yard.
"Sister-in-law, I'm back," Wang Jian called out.
Xu Qian had just finished hanging a piece of clothing. Seeing Wang Jian, her face lit up with joy. "Hey, have a seat. I'll go make you something to eat as soon as I finish up here."
With that, she sat back down on a small stool and began washing the next item. In front of her were a red bucket and a basin.
Judging by the contents of the basin, it was a four-piece bedding set.
As Xu Qian rinsed the fabric in clean water, she said, "I've already tidied up your room and changed the linens. You can go take a look. I put your bag on the bed. If you're missing anything, just let your sister-in-law know, and I'll find it for you."
"Hahaha, what's there to see?" Wang Jian laughed, rubbing his head. "If you prepared it, Sister-in-law, I'm sure it's perfect. I'm not worried at all. Thank you."
Xu Qian was pleased to hear this, and the smile never left her face.
It was only when Wang Jian drew closer that he noticed there were more clothes in the bucket besides the bedding set in the basin. With so much to wash, how long would it take? He was starting to get a little hungry. Surely two people could get it done faster than one.
Wang Jian simply squatted down and gestured toward the bedding. "Let me help you wash, Sister-in-law."
Xu Qian quickly waved him off. "No, no. After I rinse this set, I'll just use the washing machine to spin it dry. I don't need your help. I'm only washing it by hand because I'm worried the machine won't get it properly clean."
Seeing this, Wang Jian didn't insist. But his gaze shifted to the red bucket, and he chuckled. "Then I'll rinse these. It'll be faster with two people."
But his action startled Xu Qian. "No, no, don't... Xiao Jian, in there is..."
But her words were no match for the speed of his actions. They both froze, staring at the black, lace-trimmed panties in Wang Jian's hand.
Ah, this... This looks like the pair she was just wearing.
Wang Jian was a bit stunned. He'd seen this style on the mountain, and he wondered why she would wash them after wearing them for only half a day.
"You little rascal, didn't I tell you not to touch that?" Xu Qian's face flushed red as she snatched them back. She scrambled to her feet, intending to shoo Wang Jian into the house. She wouldn't have been washing her underwear if it wasn't dirty. After coming back from the mountain, the dampness had been uncomfortable, so of course, she'd changed as soon as she got home. She had just decided to wash them along with the bedding set, never expecting something like this to happen.
Flustered and embarrassed, Xu Qian was facing Wang Jian. As she tried to hustle him away, she failed to notice the basin at her feet and stepped right on the rim. Her foot slipped. Though she managed to catch her balance, a sharp pain shot through her ankle, telling her she'd twisted it. To make matters worse, the overturned basin splashed water all over them, soaking them both as the bedding set tumbled onto the ground.
HISS!
It all happened so fast. Xu Qian instinctively reached for the overturned basin, but the moment she put weight on her foot, the pain made her suck in a sharp breath.
"What's wrong?"
Wang Jian couldn't just stand by. He reached out, steadying her arm. Following her gaze, he immediately saw her already swelling ankle.
"Stop. Don't move," Wang Jian commanded, halting her. Before she could react, he swept her up into his arms, carried her into the house, and set her down on a high stool.
Holding Xu Qian, Wang Jian was surprised by how light she was. She looked quite buxom, but it seemed she was made of nothing but softness.
After slipping off her sandals, Wang Jian carefully examined her ankle. He gently probed the surrounding area, asking if it hurt each time he pressed a new spot.
"Try to move your foot. See if you can put any pressure on it."
Xu Qian did as he said, wiggling it from side to side. "It's okay. Besides the pain and the difficulty moving, I can still apply some force."
"Then it's fine." Wang Jian nodded. "You didn't damage the ligament; it's just a sprain. You'll need to limit your activity for a while. I'll get some medicinal oil and massage it to reduce the swelling. It's nothing serious. Just be more careful in the future, okay?"
Xu Qian froze. Looking into Wang Jian's clear, simple eyes, she felt a strange flutter but still replied, "Mmm, if my sandals hadn't gotten wet and slippery, I wouldn't have twisted it."
Wang Jian pressed, "When I tell you to be careful, just be careful. Enough excuses."
"..." Xu Qian glanced at him. For some reason, a light chuckle escaped her. "Alright, alright, I get it. Is this how you treat your patients when you're working as a doctor?"
Wang Jian realized his mistake. He would never dare talk like that while practicing medicine, not with how tense doctor-patient relationships were these days. He had only spoken so sternly because he was overly concerned for her. Still... his tone and attitude had definitely been inappropriate.
Not knowing how to respond, Wang Jian simply let her assume he was like that.
Xu Qian didn't overthink it and continued, "You better not be like this when you open your clinic here, you hear?"
Already feeling guilty, Wang Jian took all of Xu Qian's earnest advice to heart.
HISS!
Hearing her sudden intake of breath, Wang Jian stopped his hands and looked up, only to see Xu Qian's face flushed, her eyes shining. He couldn't handle the sight and quickly averted his gaze, not daring to meet hers. "Does it hurt, Sister-in-law?" he asked softly.
"Yes, a little," she replied.
"It seems there's some minor damage. You'll have to endure it," Wang Jian continued. "It'll feel better in a moment."
Xu Qian had never really had a concept of Wang Jian's medical training, but after experiencing it firsthand, she realized his Medical Skills were far better than she had imagined. As he massaged her ankle, it began to grow warm, and the pain did indeed fade considerably, leaving her mind free to wander.
Her focus shifted from his massaging hands to his face. Before she knew it, she found herself reaching out to touch his cheek, her gaze growing tender.
It had to be said, aside from the age gap, Wang Jian looked quite a bit like his older brother, only much younger.
At her touch, their eyes met. Wang Jian's hands stilled. The contact felt like an electric shock. Then, as if possessed by some strange impulse, Xu Qian leaned closer.
As her breath drew nearer, Wang Jian swallowed hard, completely frozen, unsure if he should move or how he should move.