Zhao Ming did see Xu Xinning, but Mu Jingheng was also there.

As long as Zhao Ming was still in the village, Mu Jingheng dared not leave Xu Xinning's side for even a moment, wishing he could follow her even when she went to the outhouse.

Zhao Ming and Xu Xinning met at the medical station because their comrade had injured his foot with a stone while helping disaster victims rebuild their houses.

Zhao Ming was unaware that Xu Xinning knew medicine, and he was quite surprised when he suddenly discovered that Xu Xinning was a barefoot doctor.

Zhao Ming: "Ningning, I never expected you to know medicine."

Upon seeing this person, Mu Jingheng immediately guessed that it must be Zhao Ming. She hopped over on one foot and smiled as she extended her hand to Zhao Ming: "Hello! I am Mu Jingheng, Xin'er's boyfriend. You must be Zhao Ming. I've heard my third son, Xu, mention you before."

Zhao Ming was taken aback by Mu Jingheng's sudden action, but he reacted quickly and reached out to shake hands with Mu Jingheng symbolically. However, he was quite disappointed, not expecting that Xu Xinning would have a boyfriend so soon after two years.

Zhao Ming forced a smile and said, "Hello!"

Mu Jingheng had been observing Zhao Ming ever since he first saw him, and his disappointment did not escape his notice.

Mu Jingheng was very glad that he had made a wise decision. Luckily, he had arranged his wife early on. Otherwise, it would have been hard to say whether she would be his wife in this lifetime. He had no confidence in comparing her to his childhood sweetheart.

Mu Jingheng: "Thank you for your hard work!"

Zhao Ming: "Serve the people!"

Mu Jingheng: "Your comrade's leg will be fine. My Xin'er is a good doctor and will ensure there are no regrets. You don't need to worry."

Zhao Ming glanced at Xu Xinning, who was diligently treating his comrade's wounds. He found Mu Jingheng extremely annoying. Xu Xinning hadn't said anything about his comrade's injury, so why should he, a bystander, have the right to comment?

However, Zhao Ming noticed that Xu Xinning had become even more beautiful in the two years since he last saw her. Her skin was fair, and her swan-like neck, which was exposed when she was working with her head down, made her look incredibly noble. She also looked more and more charming when she was working seriously.

In the past, the aunties in the compound would often tease the children, pairing them up. One day he would be paired with her, and the next day he might be paired with another girl. But most of the time, Xu Xinning would be paired with Zhao Ming. The reason was simple: they played together more often. Of course, there were other children playing together as well.

At first, he would be embarrassed and stubbornly argue back, even swearing, but as he got older and Xu Xinning grew more and more beautiful, Zhao Ming never argued back anymore. In fact, he quite liked it when the aunties put him and Xu Xinning together.

Zhao Ming remembered that the first person he dreamed about was Xu Xinning. From that moment on, he truly put Xu Xinning in his heart and regarded her as his possession.

When Xu Xinning got into trouble, he was extremely anxious and wished he could grow three heads and six arms to save her.

After Xu Xinning was rescued, she fell ill. He wanted to be by her side every moment, but her mother wouldn't let him go out. When he didn't listen, his mother locked him up. He made a scene at home and even argued with his mother. His father slapped him hard twice and sent him to another military unit the next day.

He later realized that his parents already knew his feelings, and they seemed not to want Xu Xinning to become their daughter-in-law.

Upon careful recollection, Zhao Ming realized that his mother had never really liked Xu Xinning. She said she was too stunningly beautiful, that the Xu family had spoiled her too much, and that any family that married a girl like her would be doomed. They were looking for a wife, not an ancestor.

Seeing how nervous Mu Jingheng was about Xu Xinning, Zhao Ming smiled bitterly to himself. While his mother was so anxious, perhaps she had never even considered him.

Mu Jingheng is far superior to Zhao Ming in both appearance and height, and he and Xu Xinning are an absolutely perfect match.

Zhao Ming didn't know about Mu Jingheng's family background or what he did for a living, but judging from his words, actions, and clothing, he seemed extraordinary.

Zhao Ming was discouraged.

In the end, we missed our chance.

Zhao Ming's foot was not seriously injured. After Xu Xinning finished treating it and got two days' worth of medicine, Mu Jingheng quickly helped with the treatment. The two worked together very well, as if they had done it many times before.

Xu Xinning: "It's nothing serious. Just apply the medicine for two days and you'll be fine. Come back for a follow-up appointment in two days. By the way, you should still be here in two days, right? If you're not here anymore, you can go back to your military hospital for a follow-up appointment."

The soldier clearly felt much better after Xu Xinning massaged his foot, and after the medicine was applied, he felt much better.

He had been injured before, but it was quite unexpected that he recovered so quickly this time. I didn't expect a young barefoot doctor to have such good medical skills.

Seeing Zhao Ming staring blankly at Xu Xinning several times, his comrade guessed that this was the person Zhao Ming had been keeping in his heart. He felt sorry for Zhao Ming, that he had missed such a good female comrade, and that he would probably never find someone like her again.

Zhao Ming left with his comrades, never finding a chance to speak with Xu Xinning alone. He left with loneliness, regret, and remorse.

Xu Xinning looked at Mu Jingheng with amusement and teased, "Are you happy now?"

Mu Jingheng pretended not to understand and said, "How could I not be happy when I'm with you? To be honest, I wish I could be with you every moment."

Xu Xinning felt that she shouldn't have spoken; it seemed that her impression that he was more mature and composed than before was just her imagination.

Xu Daya has been too afraid to go out or see anyone for the past two days. She has locked herself in her room for two days in a row, and she refused to come out when Xu Yaoqiang and Xu Zeyu called her for dinner.

Xu Yaoqiang assumed his daughter was frightened by the landslide and Wang Ying's disappearance, so he didn't say anything. He figured she could stay in the room if she wanted, and she might come out tomorrow.

Only Xu Daya herself knew how scared she was.

She knew that not only Mu Jingheng and Jiang Juecheng saw her push Xu Xinning, but perhaps the other members of the brigade who were present at the time also saw it.

She felt that she was really finished this time. If the elders of the Xu family found out what she had done, they might sever ties with her. This reminded her of the second branch's young master and young mistress. Weren't they cut off from their relationship by the first branch because they did something wrong?

And her father, Xu Yaoqiang, if he knew that she wanted to kill Xu Xinning, he would probably kick her out of the house, right?

Xu Daya waited and waited at home, but her grandparents, uncles, and aunts never came to confront her. She was extremely anxious, like a criminal waiting to be tortured.

No, she is now a criminal waiting to be punished, and she hopes to find out as soon as possible what kind of punishment she will suffer.