As soon as the two met, Han Yao took out the written divorce petition.
"Take a look, it's fine. I'll submit it when I get back to the army."
Lin Ruo took it and glanced at it.
It stated that the relationship had broken down and their personalities were incompatible, making it impossible to continue living together.
Han Yao was at fault.
This was quite satisfying; at least this man was still responsible.
Lin Ruo smiled faintly and handed the divorce petition back to Han Yao.
"Submit it after breakfast."
Han Yao's eyes flickered as he folded the paper. He desperately wanted to tear it up, but instead slipped it into his uniform pocket.
Lin Ruo had already packed her things.
Actually, there wasn't much to pack—only a small bag, with her valuables being the items Han Yao had bought yesterday.
"Let's go. I'll take you back to the family compound. After you put your things away, we'll go to the cafeteria for dinner."
Thinking they would soon be divorced, Lin Ruo was in a very good mood and followed Han Yao downstairs with brisk steps.
When they came down, the staff of the guesthouse were busy cleaning inside and outside.
Lin Ruo glanced at Han Yao—it seemed that what he had said last night about the guesthouse receiving important people was true.
It took nearly half an hour to walk from the guesthouse to the family compound.
During this time, every soldier they passed would stop and salute Han Yao.
Han Yao naturally had to stop and return the salute, while Lin Ruo could only stand aside with an awkward smile.
"Hello, Captain Han!" After the salute, the young soldier's face changed from serious to enthusiastic.
"Captain Han, is this my sister-in-law?"
Without waiting for Han Yao to answer, the young soldier smiled and shouted to Lin Ruo:
"Hello, sister-in-law!"
After shouting, the young soldier ran off.
Han Yao suppressed the corners of his mouth that wanted to curve upward and explained to Lin Ruo:
"Don't be offended. We are still husband and wife now, so it's not wrong for them to call you sister-in-law."
Lin Ruo: "… …"
What could she say? Could she grab everyone one by one and explain that they were about to divorce, and it was inappropriate to call her "sister-in-law"?
Han Yao was the commander of the reinforced regiment, the youngest battalion commander in the military region, and a renowned soldier.
He was a reputable figure within the region.
Yesterday, news broke that Captain Han's wife had arrived at the base, and everyone was intensely curious about Lin Ruo—
wondering what kind of woman could have captured their unit's renowned "White Impermanence."
Because of his stern, cold demeanor and pale appearance, Han Yao's soldiers privately nicknamed him "White Impermanence" and "Little White Face."
After meeting her, however, everyone wondered if this "sister-in-law," with her thin figure and darker complexion, looked a bit out of place for Captain Han.
But since she was Han Yao's wife, no one dared to speak publicly—
they only whispered about her behind his back.
As he passed, the soldiers greeted him warmly, leaving Lin Ruo to grimace, the call of "sister-in-law" echoing in her ears like a demonic chant.
On the way to the family compound, one had to pass by a newly built tube-shaped building.
Naturally, Han Yao—already something of a celebrity—was recognized by many of the aunts, sisters-in-law, and other women.
Lin Ruo, following him, instantly became the center of attention, gradually growing numb to the constant cries of:
"Captain Han, is this your wife?"
"Captain Han, is your wife here with the troops?"
"Captain Han, are you really married?"
The warmth of the soldiers and their families was overwhelming, and Lin Ruo wished she could sprout wings and fly away.
As the men walked off, gossip spread everywhere about Captain Han's unattractive countryside wife joining the troops.
Lin Ruo glared at Han Yao.
"How far is it?"
"Almost there. Just a few hundred meters around the next corner. Don't be angry—you can't ignore someone's greeting."
Han Yao carefully observed Lin Ruo's expression, and when he saw she wasn't truly impatient, he breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, Han Yao was still a little upset.
Lin Ruo hadn't been kind to him since yesterday, and the very first thing she said when they met was that she wanted a divorce.
It was only thanks to those soldiers that he realized Lin Ruo could smile—especially her eyes.
When she smiled, they were bright and sparkling, like tiny stars shattering in the darkness.
Unfortunately, that smile wasn't directed at him.
Just as they were about to reach the turn, they heard a frightened child crying out from ahead.
"Brother, brother, what's wrong with you? Woohoo…"
Other children shouted for adults.
"Go find an adult, Xiaoliang's dying…"
Han Yao immediately took off running, with Lin Ruo following closely behind.
As they turned the corner, they saw a group of children gathered together, with several women rushing over as well.
Pushing through the crowd, they found a little boy, about four years old, lying on the ground, convulsing and foaming at the mouth.
A girl, about five or six, was kneeling on the ground, crying and calling for her brother.
Several other children, only two or three years old, stood nearby, terrified.
As a doctor, Lin Ruo's instinct was to rush forward the moment she saw someone sick.
She took a step, then hesitated and pulled back.
She suddenly thought of the strict suppression of traditional Chinese medicine in this era.
But she couldn't just watch a child suffer and do nothing.
While Lin Ruo was struggling, a man's deliberately lowered voice sounded in her ear:
"Do you have a solution?"
While keeping his eyes on the child, Han Yao had also noticed Lin Ruo's hesitation.
It was clear that she wanted to step forward but was worried about something.
Thinking back to how Lin Ruo had used silver needles to take down two gangsters on the train, he guessed that she must know some medical skills.
Lin Ruo glanced at him and nodded, whispering,
"I studied traditional Chinese medicine for a while. I can handle this."
Han Yao immediately understood what she was worried about.
"Alright, do what you need to do. I'll take care of everything else."
At that moment, a woman in her thirties squeezed into the crowd and rushed forward crying,
"Xiaoliang, Xiaoliang, what's wrong with you?"
Xu Xiuqing sobbed as she scooped up her son.
"Xiaoliang, don't scare me. I'll take you to the hospital."
"Don't move him yet. I know some medical skills—let me check him first."
With Han Yao's support, Lin Ruo no longer hesitated.
Ultimately, medical ethics and her conscience prevailed.
Lin Ruo squatted opposite Xu Xiuqing, her hand already checking the child's pulse.
"Put something in his mouth to stop him from biting his tongue. Everyone else, step back. Crowding so close is stopping him from breathing fresh air—it will only make things worse."
Xu Xiuqing, terrified by her son's condition, didn't think twice. She stuffed her handkerchief into her son's mouth and set him back on the ground.
The other family members, however, looked at the unfamiliar Lin Ruo with suspicion.
"Xiuqing, how can you listen to a stranger? If she can't cure him, won't that delay treatment?"
"Where did she come from? How can you trust her when you don't even know who she is?"
"Xiuqing, take him to the hospital right away! If anything happens to the child, you'll regret it."
"Xiaoliang looks like he's in serious trouble. Did he eat something poisonous? We should rush to the hospital—if we delay any longer, I'm afraid…"
Several women whispered among themselves, unwilling to believe a stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.
Seeing the hesitation of those around them, Han Yao's expression darkened.
He raised his voice coldly,
"Sisters-in-law, this is my wife. My wife is a doctor. Everyone step back and don't interfere with her treatment."
Han Yao kept calling her "my wife," which made Lin Ruo frown.
But considering the importance of saving the child, she didn't waste time correcting him.
The women of the compound all knew Han Yao. He was a well-known and popular "dream boyfriend" in the military district.
Many women had tried to introduce men to him or match him with others before, but he had always ruthlessly rejected them.
And now…