Bo Xin gave him a surprised glance. Ji Xingzhi said with amusement, "Don't underestimate a soldier's ability to find places."
Finding survival resources in the mountains was basic. And the small paths frequently used up the mountain, with the ground worn flat, were particularly easy to spot.
Then Ji Xingzhi drove to Tianyang Village and saw the path on a slope. The car couldn't go up, so they had to walk the rest of the way.
The two got out, stood at the corner, and found the spot where Yang Hu had seen the child.
Ji Xingzhi said smugly, "How about it?"
Bo Xin commented with amusement, "Not bad. At least you didn't hold me back."
But she wondered if the child would pass by here again today. Yang Hu had said that even helping was stopped?
Looking down from above, Bo Xin could indeed see several houses. Because the soil here was fertile. That meant they could be watched from anywhere. It was a bit disgusting.
Bo Xin slowly walked up, then her eyes lit up.
She always felt she was very lucky. The child named Ye Jinyi was right at the top of this path, gathering firewood.
She had once questioned how the family could come up with such a nice name, but He Yewan said it was one of the few memories he had left. Just the surname had been changed.
How awful.
Up close, Bo Xin saw that although he wasn't yet an adult, he was already taller than her. But because of his limp, that height seemed to be a burden. Despite his difficulties, he was carrying a half-body-length basket on his back.
As for his appearance, he had grown a lot. The photo He Yewan had taken from the school archives was from before his younger brother was born. Back then, he could attend school in the village, though only for a short time. His grades were excellent, even ranking first in his grade. He Yewan had found it such a waste that he arranged that home visit.
Bo Xin said, "Your foot doesn't look good. From a doctor's perspective, you shouldn't put too much strain on it."
Ye Jinyi looked up. His hair, too long, covered his eyes. He tied it up hastily, but a few strands still fell loose because of his work. This was a completely unfamiliar face—pale skin that was never seen in the village.
"Are you a doctor?"
Bo Xin raised her hand as if confused, looking at herself. "What? Don't I look like one?"
People said doctors carry a certain aura. Hers was the most obvious.
"No, that's not what I meant."
Ye Jinyi had simply learned to question things habitually. If he had doubted the pregnant woman who needed help back then, he wouldn't have ended up like this. But he felt he doubted where he shouldn't and didn't doubt where he should.
What could anyone possibly want from him now?
"So, is there something?"
Bo Xin said earnestly, "Can I take a look at your foot?"
She began to smile brightly, but her tone took on a pitiful note as she complained to him. "Someone has a serious illness, and when I want to treat him, he won't accept it. He keeps questioning my medical skills and doubting my abilities."
This person—could he be the one next to you? His expression is starting to change.
But oddly enough, after this interruption, his tension seemed to dissipate. It was amazing.
He began to carefully study their faces. "Then... you can take a look." Then he looked down. "But don't take too long."
Bo Xin took out a folding chair from her bag and had Ye Jinyi sit down. She pulled up the loose, non-insulating pant leg and saw a withered wound that had received no treatment. She frowned. She could almost imagine the prolonged pain of healing, tearing, and festering.
Perhaps Ye Jinyi didn't even notice his own voice carried a hint of nervousness. "Do you think it can be cured?"
"Yes."
Bo Xin looked up and reassured him, "Don't worry. It can be cured."
Her voice carried a calming strength.
Ye Jinyi let go of his pant leg and said nothing. He didn't know what he was thinking. Of course, being curable made him happy, but whether he could actually get treated was the question. He had given the note to Teacher He, but he hadn't seen Teacher He in a long time. Teacher He was such an idealistic, almost naive teacher. He hoped he hadn't dragged Teacher He into doing something beyond his abilities.
As for the doctor in front of him, "If you have nothing else to do, you should leave this village quickly."
Because she was just too beautiful.
Bo Xin tightened her grip on his hand, then gave a warm smile like a spring breeze.
Before Ye Jinyi realized it, the distance between them had become very close.
Ye Jinyi had originally felt flustered around strangers, but now he was much calmer.
Bo Xin lowered her voice to the barest whisper. "I'm the one Teacher He found to help."
She patted his hand reassuringly, her words carrying the power to soothe. "Trust me. I'll take you away."
Ye Jinyi's heart pounded violently. He looked at her in disbelief.
Then he realized that his first question was whether what she had just said about his leg being curable was true. Hopeless.
Ye Jinyi closed his eyes.
Ye Laoqi: "What are you two doing?"
The three of them on the mountain couldn't hide their actions from the observant people below. Not long ago, there was an overly caring village cadre, and now a busybody tourist. But the cadre had connections and influence, so they were more wary of him.
When they got closer, they would have to drive them away.
Although Ye Jinyi was now very obedient, how could he forget what he had done back then? Now they leisurely climbed the mountain, and with numbers on their side, they shouted loudly, "What are you doing? Stay away from our child."
Bo Xin had said what she needed to. So she moved away from the child.
She wasn't afraid of these people, but she wanted to prevent them from taking out their anger on the child.