Chapter 174

As night fell, a deep silence enveloped everything.

Qi Huan had just finished bathing, her delicate face flushed pink from the steam, her lustrous hair flowing freely down her back.

The bathroom was some distance from her room. The chilly wind outside made her pull her cloak tightly around herself as she hurried back.

Once inside, she quickly dove under the covers.

Before sleeping, she habitually reflected on the day's events. Remembering Doctor Shen's words, she suddenly sat up.

After getting dressed, she knocked on Li Shuchen's door.

"Come in," came the response.

Upon receiving permission, Qi Huan gently pushed open the door and climbed onto the bed with practiced ease.

Li Shuchen's gaze immediately shifted from his book to her rosy, charming face. "Why isn't Huan asleep yet?"

"I've come to give you a massage," she replied.

With that, she lifted the brocade quilt and began massaging him through his white undergarment, applying even pressure.

In her previous life, whenever she had time off, she would return to the orphanage to visit the matron. She often gave the matron massages and had even searched for massage techniques on TikTok.

She never imagined these skills would come in handy in this other world.

Tao Su's mother was right – it never hurts to have more skills.

As Qi Huan massaged, lost in thought, her lowered brows and eyes appeared gentle and beautiful in the lamplight, her slender neck as white and lustrous as jade.

Her soft, boneless hands roamed over his legs.

Li Shuchen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he silently recited a mantra to calm his heart.

It was both torturous and sweet.

Remembering what Yan Jiu had reported that afternoon, he parted his thin lips and said to Qi Huan, "Huan, I need to return to the Capital City. We leave in three days."

The battle in Mishan Valley had frightened Eunuch Luo into a serious illness. While recuperating at the government office, he had instructed Zhang Yuge, the magistrate of Yunzhou, to send people to find him.

Now that his poison was under control, it was time to set out. However, Doctor Shen still needed time to prepare his medicine, so he had scheduled their departure for three days later.

While he was deep in thought, Qi Huan had already moved from the foot of the bed to the head, throwing herself into his arms.

"Shu, come with me."

"Hide in my spatial pocket. I'll take you back to the Capital City. Once we arrive, I'll let you out. This way, the assassins will never find you. What do you say?"

"Alright."

Hearing his agreement, Qi Huan smiled mischievously.

"My wish is: May good doctors fill the world, making medical care easily accessible."

"This is my lifelong aspiration."

"I share that wish," Qi Huan said, smiling at him with growing fondness in her heart.

Ding! Friend zone card!

Shen Jueming was a doctor with both skill and compassion. At this moment, she sincerely wanted to lend him all her medical books.

No longer for repayment, but because he deserved it.

He was a true medical saint.

It's rare to find a kindred spirit in life. The smile in Shen Jueming's eyes deepened. "Miss Qi, if you have any questions while studying medicine, feel free to ask me anytime."

"When I'm providing free medical consultations, you're welcome to come and learn if you're not busy."

Qi Huan smiled and thanked him for his kindness.

Afterwards, she happily shared this good news with Li Shuchen.

By the window desk, Li Shuchen raised his eyes to gaze at her joyful expression and asked, "Huan, why do you want to study medicine? Is it because of me, or because you truly like it?"

Qi Huan thought for a moment before answering seriously, "Both, I suppose."

"I don't want to feel helpless when you're injured."

"Moreover, I want to enrich myself and have a skill to rely on. No matter when or where, I want to be able to make a living with my own hands and help others. I think a life like that has substance and meaning."

She had grown a lot on this journey.

She gradually understood that the harder one works, the luckier one becomes; the stronger one is, the freer one becomes.

Her bright almond eyes sparkled like stars, imprinting deeply in Li Shuchen's heart.

Li Shuchen nodded and said, "If Qi Huan wants to learn, I will naturally support her."

If Qi Huan wanted to study medicine only for his sake, he wouldn't want her to go through such trouble.

He had money and power; he could employ countless doctors.

But if Qi Huan truly liked it, he would grant her wish.

He hoped that his little girl could happily do everything she enjoyed.

He supported her unconditionally.

"Shuchen, you're so wonderful! You score full marks in being a good man!"

Having grown up under feudal etiquette, yet not harboring the outdated notion that "a woman's lack of talent is a virtue," he respected her and cherished her. How could she not love him?

However, Li Shuchen's focus was on: "What does 'being a good man' mean?"