Even now, Qian Lai regrets making that phone call even more.

Curiosity killed the cat, and the result is often disappointing.

“This is my family’s business. Brother Mu Ting agreed, and I’m willing. It’s none of the business of outsiders to interfere,” Fang Wenxue said confidently.

He agreed too?!

Having witnessed how much he cherished the hot springs and the warmth they offered, Qian Lai would never believe he was such a heartless father.

However, it is said that "with a stepmother comes a stepfather", so will he change too?

"Since that's the case, Comrade Xue, that's all I have to say. As for your beautiful love story with your fiancé, it has absolutely nothing to do with me. I don't want to hear it."

If there's nothing wrong, don't waste money posting missing person notices. I'm quite busy too, and I don't want to get involved in your emotional games.

But I still stand by what I said: be kind to your two children.

After saying that, she got up to leave.

Seeing her so arrogant, Fang Wenxue felt a surge of anger rising within her.

"Are you really unable to tell, or are you just pretending to be sophisticated?" She simply gave up on the pretense.

"I'm warning you. Qiao Muting, he has a fiancée! You better stay away from him."

Qian Lai thought about the original book carefully and realized that it didn't seem to mention that Qiao Muting had a fiancée.

That's true! He was just an NPC in the book, no wonder I didn't remember much about him.

Moreover, ever since I joined in, the direction of the book seems to have become a mess, and there are even many characters that don't exist, such as the one in front of me.

"Tsk tsk, I feel a bit sorry for Dr. Qiao. Such a fair-skinned man, yet he doesn't understand the principle of marrying a virtuous wife. Alas!"

But don't even think about mistreating the two children. If you do anything to wrong them in the slightest, I guarantee you won't be able to stay in the military family compound for even a single day.

"you!"

Fang Wenxue was furious.

I've never seen a third party act so self-righteously. How she disciplines the child is none of her business!

"What do you mean, 'what ...'? Let me tell you, don't keep summoning me when you're bored."

"Also, you're not bad-looking either. You have a bit of self-confidence, but you're also prone to self-pity, insecurity, and depression."

"You! You actually called me mentally ill?" Fang Wenxue abandoned all composure, grabbed the hot coffee in front of her, and splashed it at the other person's face.

In the blink of an eye, as if he had anticipated this scene, Qian Lai grabbed the menu on the table and held it in front of himself.

The menus in upscale coffee shops are often so exquisitely crafted that they resemble a photo album.

With that, most of the coffee bounced back onto Fang Wenxue, instantly staining her light-colored dress with coffee. Qian Lai, however, remained completely untouched.

"Ah!" Fang Wenxue never expected that the other party could "block" her like that, leaving her the only one in a sorry state.

She screamed on the spot.

"I'll repeat myself, stop bothering me! Also, let me correct you, depression is not a mental illness."

Qian Lai was utterly disgusted by this farce.

Little did she know that at the other end of the coffee shop, someone who had witnessed the whole thing was secretly plotting something sinister behind a pair of sinister and unsettling eyes.

However, Qiao Muting, unaware of what had happened, became the biggest victim of this misunderstanding.

She glanced at herself briefly, and that glance was completely different from the fiery woman on the train. Her eyes revealed blame, indifference, and even disdain.

"Teacher Xiaoran, I have a car. Where are you in a hurry to go? I can take you there."

Meng Tianyu looked in the direction Qiao Muting was pointing and saw a military jeep.

He's a soldier!

"Teacher Xiaoran, you two know each other? He has a car, it's much faster than my bicycle. Otherwise..."

“We’re not familiar with each other,” Qian Lai replied calmly. “Let’s go, don’t waste any more time.”

"Even if we're not familiar with each other, I can give you a ride!" Qiao Muting wouldn't give up easily.

"Teacher Xiaoran, he is a soldier. Soldiers are the most lovable people, he would never harm us."

Since we're in such a hurry, let's just hitch a ride.

He dragged Qian Lai toward where Qiao Muting had parked his car.

"I'm a military doctor, how could I be a bad person? I'd be happy to help you."

Qiao Muting quickly got into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove the car to their side: "Get in."

Where are you going?

"It's Tanhua Hutong in Wuliju, Nancheng. Comrade, how about I show you the way?"

After helping Qian Lai into the back seat, Meng Tianyu consciously sat in the front passenger seat.

Throughout the journey, Meng Tianyu kept chatting with Qiao Muting, explaining the purpose of his trip.

However, Qiao Muting repeatedly peeked at Qian Lai through the rearview mirror.

She seemed to have no recollection of herself at all; a strong sense of alienation stood between them.

"Dr. Qiao, I'm still worried. Why don't you pull over to the side of the road for a bit, and I'll report this to the police in advance?"

Qiao Muting then snapped out of his daze: "I'll report it."

He stole another glance at the girl in the back seat; her eyes were tightly closed, and her face was expressionless.

She'd probably be happy inside if I offered to help, right?

Qiao Muting pondered to himself.

"Teacher Xiaoran, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Qian Lai's expression was getting increasingly strange.

Upon hearing this, Meng Tianyu turned around and saw that the other person's face was pale, his brows were furrowed, and his lips were slightly pursed. "Teacher Xiaoran, what's wrong?"

"It's okay, I just feel a little nauseous." The more she spoke, the more nauseous she felt, and Qian Lai actually puffed out her cheeks as if she was about to vomit.

Perhaps cars these days still run on diesel? I haven't felt this carsick in a long time.

Qian Lai struggled to suppress the churning sensation in her stomach.

"Screech~" Qiao Muting slammed on the brakes and stopped right in front of a pharmacy. "Wait for me."

A moment later, he returned with a paper bag in his hand.

Qian Lai was almost slumped in the back seat, completely exhausted.

He took a military water bottle from the car and handed it to Qian Lai. Then he took a bottle of medicine from a paper bag and poured the small black pills into her palm: "This contains cooled boiled water, which I haven't drunk yet. Here, take this medicine quickly."

Qian Lai recognized the medicine. Although the packaging was different from that of later generations, this medicine could indeed calm the mind and soothe the nerves, relieve summer heat and reduce fever, and was an excellent remedy for motion sickness.

She obediently put the medicine in her mouth, took the water bottle, and after gulping down two mouthfuls of water, she indeed regained her senses and seemed to come back to life.

Just as I was about to thank the other person, I saw a White Rabbit milk candy being held in someone's hand and handed to me.

"These were prepared for the children yesterday when I was helping out at the emergency room. You're lucky, this is the last one."

He's a thoughtful and considerate doctor! Qian Lai thought to herself.

"Thank you." She took the milk candy and put it in her mouth. The strange taste of the medicine was completely masked by the rich sweetness of the milk.

We set off again, and after just over ten minutes, we finally saw Tanhua Hutong.

By this time, the factory gate was already packed with people, three layers deep.