"I want to take apart that thermos..."

Howard was truly at a loss for words. His anger had dissipated, leaving him only with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

Just then—

Thump, thump, thump.

Suddenly, three very soft, cautious knocks came from outside the ward door.

Immediately afterwards, a deliberately soft and low female voice, carrying a flattering tone, rang out from outside the door, clearly reaching inside:

"Commander Huo? Sister Mingzhao? Are you asleep? Auntie... Auntie's here to collect the dishes..."

It's Aunt Gou!

Howard's tightly closed eyes snapped open! A chilling glint flashed in his eyes! The anger he had temporarily suppressed because of Mingzhao's "self-harm" reignited the moment he heard that voice, like ashes doused with oil! And it burned even more fiercely!

He slowly lowered his hand from his temple, his gaze like a poisoned arrow, fixed on the thin door of the ward! A cold, devoid of any warmth curled at the corner of his mouth.

Collect the bowls? Are you going to collect those bowls of hard, dog-skin-dead steamed buns and rotten, rancid porridge?

Okay. Very good.

Howard did not immediately respond to the sound outside the door. He turned his head and looked intently at Mingzhao, who was applying mercurochrome to her wrist.

Mingzhao also heard the knocking and stopped applying the medicine. She looked up at Huo Hua, her eyes questioning.

Howard shook his head slightly at her, signaling her to be quiet. His eyes were sharp and cold, with the focus of a hunter locking onto his prey and... a chilling calm that was about to unfold.

He needs to confirm something.

Howard took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger, and made his voice sound as calm as possible, even deliberately weak, as he spoke to the door:

"Is that Aunt Gou? The door isn't locked, come in. Thank you for coming all this way to collect the dishes."