Village Doctor's Women-Chapter 35 Joy Outside the Door

"My older brother could never save money because he liked to have fun, but our dad was different. My dad was the kind of man who could live on nothing but steamed buns and water just to support my education for a lifetime.

"Luckily, it only took me three years to complete my apprenticeship under my master. Afterward, he took me along for free medical consultations, and we also charged for some treatments. This allowed me to earn a lot in consultation fees and help pay off some of our family’s debt.

"I initially wanted my dad to return to his hometown and live comfortably, but that little bit of money was nowhere near enough. A few tens of thousands of yuan might be negligible to others, but to our family back then, it was a mountain.

"After that, I started my internship at the hospital, working for another two years without a salary. I only managed to pay off all our debts after my master started taking me to treat some special clients.

"I didn’t sign on with a hospital and become a real doctor until my final year. That’s when things finally started to look up.

"So, there’s really nothing much to say about my college years... All my time was spent on medical studies and research. That’s why when you asked me about it before, I just smiled and didn’t tell you."

Wang Jian’s story wasn’t particularly unique, but Xu Qian listened intently. The incident with WeChat, along with her bad mood, completely vanished. Thinking about what Wang Jian had just said, she couldn’t help but feel that he must have had a difficult time suppressing himself during his school years. No wonder from the moment she first met him, she felt he was much more reserved than other men his age.

At first glance, he seemed like a mature and reserved handsome young man. Upon further interaction, however, she discovered he wasn’t quite as he appeared on the surface. He could be playful and loved to joke around; in fact, he was often quite informal. Yet, Wang Jian also knew a great deal, was capable of many things, and was very practical. Xu Qian hadn’t been a great student when she was young, but she had learned the saying, ’When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolution, exhausts their frame...’ The hardships Wang Jian had endured were what allowed him to gain so much and grow into the man he was today.

After Wang Jian finished, he waited a moment before asking, "That’s about it... Xu Qian, is there anything else you want to hear? I’ll tell you everything."

Men generally don’t like to share their personal stories with others, but today, Wang Jian was especially willing to tell Xu Qian.

However, Xu Qian didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, she took the initiative to say, "Thank you for telling me all this." She didn’t offer any words of comfort, but simply continued, "You didn’t come looking for me just to talk about this, did you? I didn’t want to bring up your older brother. You definitely know him better than I do. Honestly, I don’t know why he changed so suddenly."

Xu Qian poured out everything—the rumors about her and her husband’s reaction. This time, she was perfectly composed, much like Wang Jian had been while reminiscing. Her voice was gentle, as if she were telling a story. Only at the very end did she ask nervously, "Xiao Jian, you believe me, right?"

"..."

My brother... I do know a bit about him. He started messing around with women when he was just a teenager... He even made me watch adult films with him back then. I haven’t had much contact with him since. After working away from home for so many years, I have no idea what he’s become.

Regarding Xu Qian’s reaction, Wang Jian thought to himself that it was just as he’d expected; she had always been hung up on those rumors.

He immediately nodded, then remembered she couldn’t see him and replied in a firm tone, "Of course. I can tell what kind of person you are. Those rumors were just spread by some bored people, and I’m sure many in the village don’t believe them. I remember when I first came back, Uncle Zhang briefly mentioned it. I think I know how the rumors started."

He didn’t say a single word about his brother.

"Uncle Zhang said some hooligans used to come around here," Wang Jian explained. "The other day when I went next door, wasn’t it Mr. Niu’s widow who was involved with Liu Zi? Judging by their behavior, it was far from the first time. They were meeting up every few days, and no matter how careful they were, someone was bound to see them. I think someone just saw the wrong house. Our two houses look the same, so they must have mistaken who was having the affair, and that’s how the rumor about you started. If I’m not mistaken, that rumor died down after a while, and instead, people started talking more about Widow Yang."

Behind the door, Xu Qian was stunned. She had never expected such a turn of events. She thought about it carefully and realized that things might have happened just as Wang Jian guessed. The truth could very well be exactly as he had deduced. With that thought, the knot in her heart over the rumors finally loosened. Still, she didn’t know how to feel about the fact that such a series of misunderstandings had led to the ruin of her marriage.

But as for Wang Jian, her feelings for him became much clearer.

Xu Qian bit her lip, her hand reaching for the doorknob. As she turned it, she spoke, "Xiao Jian, can you close your eyes?"

"What’s wrong?"

Wang Jian was startled. He saw the doorknob turning and his heart leaped with joy. He quickly agreed, "Okay, I’ll close my eyes."

"Count to ten."

"..."

Just as Wang Jian closed his eyes, he heard the click of the lock disengaging. Following Xu Qian’s instructions, he began to count softly.

As he counted, Xu Qian slowly pulled the door open, revealing her stunning figure in the gap. She didn’t move right away, simply leaving the door half-open, watching his face with his eyes closed and listening to his count. They were only half a step apart. If Wang Jian opened his eyes even a sliver, he would see a captivating sight through the crack. But as they faced each other, it was only Xu Qian admiring Wang Jian.

When Wang Jian counted to three, Xu Qian let go of the doorknob and took that final step. She pressed her body against his, rising on her tiptoes to reach his face.

His slightly parted lips were sealed. The sudden, light impact made Wang Jian instinctively raise his hands to grab onto something. But the one who kissed him came and went in a flash. He only managed to brush against her waist before she slipped away. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was a willowy waist and the S-shaped curves of her hips as she hurried away. The blur of her moving legs, a result of her speed, left him with a lingering, inexplicable fantasy.

"Go to bed early."

Hearing her voice, Wang Jian dumbfoundedly touched his own lips.

He’d been kissed.

This was the first time his sister-in-law had kissed him.

Wang Jian’s stunned expression gradually softened. He didn’t even notice the corners of his mouth turning up into a silly smile he had never experienced before. All the clamor of the night couldn’t compare to the importance of that single second.

「The next morning.」

Wang Jian woke up cheerful. He was just about to grab his phone to wish his sister-in-law a good morning when he heard movement in the courtyard. Xu Qian was already up making breakfast. Not hesitating, Wang Jian threw on a thin shirt and ran outside.

"Quick, wash your face and come eat breakfast," Xu Qian said with a sweet smile when she saw him.

To her surprise, Wang Jian immediately shook his head. "I’m not washing up."

"Huh?" Xu Qian paused, asking in confusion, "Why not?"

Wang Jian smirked and touched his lips, his meaning perfectly clear.

Xu Qian’s face instantly turned red. She scoffed, muttering to herself about how mischievous he was.

But Wang Jian’s real mischief had just begun. He suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind in a tight, full embrace.

Xu Qian was startled. "Stop it! What if someone comes?"

Wang Jian pouted. "How could it be such a coincidence?" With that, he leaned in and kissed her on the neck.

Xu Qian gasped, a jolt running through her.

But wouldn’t you know it, the very next second, Wang Jian wanted to slap himself. Just as the words left his mouth, a voice came from the gate.

"Brother Jian, are you home?"

Hearing the voice, Xu Qian instantly sobered up. She struggled free and whispered, "I went out to throw away the trash this morning and left the gate unlocked."

Wang Jian froze, then glanced down at his clothes, quickly straightening them before heading out.

When Ren Yu arrived at the Wang family’s house and found the gate open, she naturally followed the sounds coming from the kitchen, only to run right into Wang Jian.