Lin Qingyan felt a little disappointed. Lu Zhengting's reluctance to admit it was probably due to his current inferiority complex. Once she healed his leg and he regained his confidence, he might be able to admit it openly.

Even if he still says the same thing, she won't force him.

At least now that she's certain he's still single, she feels much more at ease.

Lu Zhengting knew that Lin Qingyan also liked him, and he felt extremely guilty for not telling her the truth earlier.

Wanting to make the girl he liked happy, he smiled and said to Lin Qingyan, "Comrade Lin, let me tell you a joke."

“Okay, go ahead,” Lin Qingyan said happily.

Lu Zhengting then told a joke: "There was a new recruit in the army. On his first day, he received an order from his superiors that he should immediately report any strange objects he found during his night patrols."

That evening, during his patrol, he found a rat, caught it, and brought it back to the barracks to report to his superior: "Sir, I found a rat and have successfully caught it. I've brought it back for you to handle."

"Hahahaha." Lin Qingyan laughed immediately upon hearing this and asked Lu Zhengting, "Did you make this up yourself, or is it something that actually happened in your unit, or did you hear it from someone else?"

"I adapted it based on other people's true stories."

"Hahaha, surely there really is such a person?"

“Yes, it’s from abroad,” Lu Zhengting replied, then asked Lin Qingyan, “Do you think it’s fun?”

"Mmm." Lin Qingyan nodded. "It's fun."

"Then let me tell you another one."

"good."

Every joke Lu Zhengting told successfully made Lin Qingyan laugh, and seeing the little girl so happy gave him immense satisfaction.

After the acupuncture was completed, Lin Qingyan removed the silver needles from Lu Zhengting's knee and put them into the acupuncture kit.

She failed to "confess" her feelings to Lu Zhengting today, but she was incredibly happy.

After getting off the kang (heated brick bed), he said to Lu Zhengting, "Comrade Lu, that's enough for today. I'll come again tomorrow."

"Okay." Lu Zhengting wanted to say something more, but he didn't dare to.

As soon as Lin Qingyan and Grandma Lin left, Lu's mother and Li Qinqin walked in with smiles.

"San'er, I really didn't expect that the young educated youth, Lin, would say such a thing. She actually likes you. Even though you can't walk, she doesn't mind and even confessed her feelings to you. San'er, if this girl marries you in the future, she will definitely be a good wife. We must cherish her."

Lu's mother was so excited that she almost reached out to wipe away tears.

She walked up to Lu Zhengting's bed and asked, "San'er, how embarrassing is it when a girl confesses her feelings to you? How did you respond?"

"Mom, I, I, how should I put it, I am not good enough for him at all. If I agree to his request, I will only hurt him."

After thinking for a moment, Lu's mother said, "That makes sense, but I believe your leg will get better, and we should also trust Xiao Lin's medical skills."

"yes."

Mother Lu sat down: "What exactly did you say? Will Xiao Lin, the educated youth, wait for you?"

"I don't know. Mom, you're wrong again. Do I have the right to make her wait for me? If she meets someone good, I'll wish her well."

Mother Lu shook her head: "You're already like this, and people don't even mind you. It'll probably be hard for you to fall in love with someone else. I hope your legs get better soon so you can start dating Xiao Lin and marry her as soon as possible."

Lu Zhengting nodded and instructed his mother, "Mom, I'll say it again: until my leg heals, you must keep this a secret for me and not try to morally blackmail Comrade Lin in any way."

“We know, we know. You think you’re the only one who cares about Xiaolin, but even if I like her a lot, I can’t be selfish and not consider her. Besides, there’s you too. I can’t bear to see you sad. If Xiaolin marries you and doesn’t live well, you’ll probably feel worse than if you didn’t marry her at all.”

"My mom understands me best."

Li Qinqin then understood that Lu Zhengting didn't dislike Lin Qingyan anymore; rather, he liked her too much and was afraid that he would implicate her. Therefore, he had no choice but to bury all his feelings in his heart.

"Cousin, so the reason you suddenly stopped liking Sister Qingyan during the New Year was because you foresaw the dangers you would face while on your mission, right?"

"Mm." Lu Zhengting nodded.

"Cousin, don't worry, we will keep it a secret for you and help take care of Sister Qingyan."

"Thanks."

On the other side

Tong Jiaojiao, hoping to marry Lin Guanghui because of her unborn child, went to see the brigade leader.

Because of her pregnancy, she couldn't stay at the educated youth settlement for long, lest someone discover something was amiss.

Furthermore, since she is going to marry Lin Guanghui, they must have their own house.

She wanted to go to the brigade leader and get back the house where Lin Qingyan was currently living. After all, she had paid for the house to be rebuilt, so it was only reasonable for her to ask for it back.

On her way to the brigade leader's house, she bumped into Lin Qingyan and her mother-in-law, and then she spoke directly to Lin Qingyan.

“Lin Zhiqing, I want to move back to the house I repaired. I hope you can move out as soon as possible and make room for me.”

Lin Qingyan was surprised that she suddenly wanted to move back. "Tong Jiaojiao, when I took over the house, it was already the property of the brigade, not yours personally. If I want to return it, it should be returned to the brigade, not you. If you want the house back, you shouldn't be asking me."

"Yes, I'm going to see the brigade leader now. I told you so you could prepare and get the house ready as soon as possible. Now that you know, hurry back and get it ready so I can have room. It would be best to have the house vacant today so I can move tomorrow."

Lin Qingyan sneered, "I only listen to the captain."

"The brigade leader will make you move it anyway, since you'll have to move it sooner or later, so there's no point in dawdling."

Lin Qingyan didn't reply, but called to her mother-in-law, "Mother-in-law, let's go home."

As soon as they took a step, Lin Qingyan heard a dry heave. Turning around, she saw Tong Jiaojiao covering her mouth with her hand, looking like she wanted to vomit but dared not.

As a doctor, Lin Qingyan is highly sensitive to the uncomfortable symptoms people experience.

There are many reasons why people vomit, including pathological reasons, physiological reasons, and drug-induced vomiting.

Lin Qingyan observed that Tong Jiaojiao's complexion was dull, her expression was tired, and her vomiting symptoms were very similar to those of a woman in early pregnancy.