The medicinal herb field is now what Xu Xinghe values most.
She doesn't like anyone touching her.
Jiang Linchuan understood this very well, and even though he felt she was working hard, he never overstepped his bounds.
Lin Hui's enthusiasm has now begun to lose its boundaries.
Lin Hui's smile faltered, and she awkwardly replied, "Yes, yes, you're right. I'll definitely be more careful next time and won't act recklessly."
"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry." Xu Xinghe glanced at the wood ash in her hand. "I still have things to do. I need to loosen the soil and spread the ash on the medicinal herbs quickly, otherwise the roots will rot. If you don't have anything else, you can go back first. We can talk about dinner next time."
This is practically a blatant order to leave.
Lin Hui knew that staying any longer would only make Xu Xinghe dislike her more, which would be detrimental to obtaining the prescription later.
She could only suppress her resentment and force a smile, "Alright, you go ahead with your work, I won't bother you anymore. If you need any help, just call me anytime."
After saying that, she turned around and walked quickly out of the courtyard, her steps somewhat hurried.
The smile on her face didn't completely disappear until she walked out of the alley.
Xu Xinghe was indeed more perceptive than she had imagined!
This attempt failed and aroused her suspicion and disgust, making it even more difficult for her to approach the herb field and obtain clues in the future.
In the courtyard, Xu Xinghe watched Lin Hui's departing figure, then looked down at the herbs that had been pinched, her brows furrowing even more.
She felt that Lin Hui's explanation was somewhat far-fetched, but there was no substantial evidence.
Shaking her head, she stopped thinking about it, picked up her tools, and went into the medicinal herb field. She carefully loosened the soil around the waterlogged herbs and sprinkled wood ash on them.
However, she still kept this matter in mind and became more wary of Lin Hui.
In the following days, Lin Hui seemed determined to repair her relationship with Xu Xinghe.
Today, someone brought a basket of fresh fruit to my door, saying it was brought from the city by Director Li.
Tomorrow they'll bring over handmade insoles, saying that seeing her always busy in the fields must be tiring for her feet.
No matter how enthusiastic Lin Hui was, Xu Xinghe remained indifferent, polite but distant, never taking the initiative to speak to her, and never asking her to stay any longer.
This lukewarm attitude made Lin Hui's anxiety grow day by day.
News of the railway repairs has arrived, and the General Staff's inspection mission is about to end; she doesn't have much time left to stay here.
There was no progress with the traditional Chinese medicine master, and the pressure from above was getting increasingly intense.
If she can't get the prescription or more ointments, her mission will be a complete failure, with unimaginable consequences.
After much thought, Lin Hui finally came up with a good idea.
That afternoon, she rushed back to the courtyard without taking anything with her.
Xu Xinghe was organizing her notes on medicinal herbs in the room when she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door and saw Lin Hui, a barely perceptible look of disgust flashed across her face.
After refusing several times, it wouldn't be right to kick her out directly, so he could only step aside and let her in, saying, "Sister-in-law, come in and sit down."
As soon as Lin Hui entered the room, instead of exchanging pleasantries as usual, she went straight to the table and her eyes welled up with tears as soon as she sat down.
She clasped her hands on her knees, her eyes were moist, and her voice was choked with emotion, "Xinghe, I've come here today because there's something I've kept in my heart for a long time that I want to tell you."
Xu Xinghe put down her pen and listened patiently until the end. "Sister-in-law, please speak."
“I’ve been married to Lao Li for so many years, but we still haven’t been able to have a child.” Lin Hui sniffed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “When I was young, I didn’t feel it, but the older I get, the more I want a close daughter by my side. There’s no hope of having a biological child, so these days I think about it every day, wondering if I could adopt a goddaughter.”
As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Xu Xinghe's hand.
Her palm was slightly cool, yet her grip was firm. "The first time I saw you, I felt we were destined for each other. You're reliable, kind, and dedicated to studying medicinal herbs—exactly the image of the daughter I've always dreamed of. Xinghe, could you... become my goddaughter?"
Xu Xinghe was taken aback by this sudden request and subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but Lin Hui held it tightly.
Lin Hui didn't give her a chance to react and continued to press her advantage, "Don't you like working with medicinal herbs and researching medicine? Old Li is the director of the General Hospital and knows many senior figures in the medical field. He can personally teach you and then use his connections to get you into the General Hospital. Then you can do what you love in the best environment and come into contact with the most advanced medical techniques. That's much more promising than guarding a medicinal herb field in this small courtyard."
She wiped away her tears. "I don't want anything from you. I don't need you to take care of me in my old age or see me off when I die. I just ask that you come to see me when you have time, talk to me, and let me experience what it's like to have a daughter who loves me."
After she finished speaking, tears fell again, streaming down her cheeks and landing on their clasped hands, making her look exceptionally sincere.
As long as Xu Xinghe agrees to recognize her as her godmother, the two will become godparents, and she can naturally become close to her. Their daily interactions and inquiries about medicine prescriptions will not seem abrupt.
Once the relationship is close enough, find an excuse to ask for the prescription, and Xu Xinghe will most likely not refuse.
Moreover, no one can resist the allure of the General Hospital.
That's a place that countless people would kill to get into; it offers a permanent position, a promising future, and access to the best resources.
There's no reason why a girl working in a small medicinal herb field at the military headquarters in Heilongjiang Province wouldn't be tempted.
Xu Xinghe frowned as he looked at Lin Hui's tightly clenched hand.
Without the slightest hesitation, she firmly withdrew her hand, saying, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I can't grant this request."
Lin Hui's face was still wet with tears. She froze upon hearing this, forgetting all her tears. "Xinghe, why...why won't you agree? Is it because you think I did something wrong?"
“It’s not my sister-in-law’s problem.” Xu Xinghe shook her head. “It’s just that my parents have only been gone for a little over a year. According to the rules, I can’t recognize godparents if the mourning period is not three years. That would be disrespectful to my parents. Even if it were three years later, I would never have thought about recognizing godparents. My heart is only for my biological parents.”
These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Lin Hui's enthusiasm.
Her lips twitched involuntarily; she clearly hadn't expected Xu Xinghe to refuse her with this reason, and with such a resolute attitude.
Undeterred, she continued to persuade him, "Xinghe, rules are rules, but people are flexible! If your parents are watching from heaven, they would surely want you to have someone to rely on and a better future. The opportunity at the General Hospital is so rare; if you miss it, it'll be gone forever!"
"Thank you for your kindness, sister-in-law, but I really don't need it." Xu Xinghe shook her head again, her tone unwavering. "I grow herbs and study medicine in my courtyard. I live a very peaceful life and I like my current life very much. There's no need for me to go to the General Hospital."
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