Grandma Qi's surgery took only fifteen minutes, which included the time for Senior Brother Zhu to explain. Generally speaking, it only takes three to five minutes for a single eye to solve the long-term pain of cataract patients.

The postoperative recovery period is also shorter than that of general surgery. In addition to eye disinfection and care, you can follow Dr. Mu’s prescription for three days and then remove the gauze.

The first operation at the health center ended quickly, but the turmoil it caused lasted for a long time, like a huge firecracker being dropped in a mountain valley.

For the whole morning, everyone in the health center was answering all kinds of inquiries. Some asked if their relative's cataracts could be treated, some asked if the tumor on their back could be removed, and some asked if their lame legs could be fixed. There were all kinds of questions.

Mu Huaixi and Jiang Wenyuan were busy until they got off work. When they wanted to find Senior Brother Zhu for dinner, they found out that he had already left in the afternoon.

"Gone? When did he leave?"

"Teacher Zhu didn't want me to tell you that he left this afternoon, and Xiao Gao drove him there." Wang Xiaohua saw that both of them looked unhappy, and quickly added, "Teacher Zhu really liked the peanuts roasted by Aunt Fengjuan, and he took a big bag with him!"

Fengjuan's aunt brought a bag of peanuts specially, intending to spend the whole morning in the clinic, but the operation was over before her peanuts were even burnt.

But the regret in Mu Huaixi's heart could not be made up by a bag of roasted peanuts. She was very upset when she got home, feeling that she had neglected Senior Brother Zhu.

Ying Mingcheng came back later than her today, holding a bag in his hand. Seeing her sitting on the kang in a daze with a rare emotion in her eyes, he sat down beside her.

"How about roast duck with radish tonight? I asked someone to find it for me. I traded it with the mountain folks for sugar!"

Mu Huaixi did not respond.

"Hey, I don't know what's so good about this cured duck. Doctor Zhu's eyes widened when he saw the cured duck..." Ying Mingcheng shook his head and walked out, but his steps were very slow, as if he was afraid that she would not have time to figure it out.

Mu Huaixi immediately grabbed his arm and asked, "Are you going to see Senior Brother Zhu off?"

"Of course." Ying Mingcheng turned around and touched her head, then pinched the tip of her nose in frustration. "Didn't you say you'd leave this to me? Why don't you trust me?"

"Believe it!" Mu Huaixi immediately got down from the kang and took the black cured duck from his hand. "How do you eat this? Let me help you."

Ying Mingcheng raised an eyebrow behind her. Seeing that she didn't ask about the details of sending Brother Zhu, he didn't say anything either. Instead, he turned around and talked about how to make the cured duck. "Chop the duck, wash it, and boil it to remove the smell. Add the radish and stew it for half an hour. You cook the cured duck, and I'll season it at the end."

Mu Huaixi wanted to thank him and chopped the cured duck until it crackled, but when she heard Ying Mingcheng say that he was going to the outer room to chop firewood, she immediately threw down the knife and ran after him. When she went out, she saw him leaning outside the kitchen, waiting for her to catch up.

"You..." Mu Huaixi was inexplicably annoyed by his smile and was about to complain when he pulled her into his arms. Although they had already had more intimate contact, she still felt shy being hugged outside the house. There were adults and children playing in the sandpit not far away, and the laughter seemed to echo right next to them, making her feel particularly overwhelmed.

Ying Mingcheng felt her resistance, but he did not let go of her hand as gently as usual. He even ignored her suggestion to go into the house and forced her into his arms.

"Why are you so distant from me after the New Year? You clearly want to know what I gave Brother Zhu, so why don't you ask?"

Mu Huaixi was shocked. She hadn't expected Ying Mingcheng to be so perceptive. She had no idea what she was feeling awkward about. Thinking about it carefully, she felt a little aggrieved. He knew she was upset about not being able to thank Senior Brother Zhu, so why didn't he just say it earlier? Why did he have to ask her?

"..." Ying Mingcheng laughed dumbly. He had never expected that his good intentions would lead to him being blamed.

Mu Huaixi's face also became hot. She leaned against Ying Mingcheng's chest, half admitting her fault and half trying to coax him, "Then tell me, how did you know that Senior Brother Zhu likes to eat cured duck?"

"I was wrong." Ying Mingcheng suddenly picked her up and let her sit on the wooden frame of the water tank. Meeting her surprised eyes, he admitted his fault again. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you anxious."

"No, it's me..."

Mu Huaixi was about to explain when her mouth was blocked by someone. The man's hot and forceful kiss swept away everything she wanted to say, and kissed her until she couldn't breathe.

"I'm very happy."

Mu Huaixi was finally released, but after hearing what he said, she fell into deeper confusion. Wasn't he angry at her for not being honest just now, so why was he happy again?

"I wasn't honest," Ying Mingcheng held her to his chest and began to reflect on himself. "I wanted to show off my abilities, but I forgot to reassure you. It's my fault."

He had been so complacent just now, wanting to give Xiaoxi a surprise, wanting her to rely on him more, but he had forgotten to make her feel at ease. He could have just passed on a message that would have saved her from feeling guilty, but he had messed up for the sake of the so-called surprise.

It’s not that Mu Huaixi doesn’t trust him, but that he hasn’t done well enough.

Mu Huaixi didn't expect that things could be explained in this way, but she had to say that when she heard Ying Mingcheng give in, the inexplicable awkwardness in her heart immediately disappeared. She grabbed the other's collar, put her face against him, and said thank you sincerely.

"You're welcome. I was originally planning to ask Jiang Wenyuan, but when I arrived at the guesthouse early this morning, I happened to hear the front desk clerk say that Dr. Zhu had asked where to buy cured duck and local eggs. So I went to find Xiao Gao and exchanged two ducks and a basket of eggs with the villagers and the mountain people."

"Dr. Zhu will definitely be using the regiment's car when he leaves. I'll ask Xiao Gao to keep an eye on it so I can thank him in person."

"Doctor Zhu even praised you."

"Xiao Xi, you are a good doctor. You will definitely be able to carry forward the Mu family's medical skills and pass on the hard work of Grandpa and the Mu family!"

Mu Huaixi listened quietly, and felt from Ying Mingcheng's words how proud he was of her, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red.

How long has it been?

How long has it been since her family praised her like this?

Grandpa is not good at giving compliments. At most, he would nod with satisfaction when she did well, but he would always have a stern face, for fear that she would become proud.

Her father would praise her, but unfortunately the memory was too old, like a tattered old book that he could only treasure and was reluctant to take out and read.

It has been a long time since anyone praised her like this and was so proud of her.

Knowing that Senior Brother Zhu praised her in front of Ying Mingcheng made her feel even happier than when he praised her in person. It was just like getting full marks on an exam and being praised by the teacher in front of her parents.

Mu Huaixi quietly pulled up his clothes from behind his waist, listened quietly to the commotion not far away, and thanked him sincerely again, but this time she was thanking fate for giving her a chance to start over again and for allowing her to meet such a good Ying Mingcheng.