Xie Heng let out a grunt.
Zhao Chuchu was instantly wide awake.
She quickly sat up straight. Xie Heng frowned.
"Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry. I'll massage it for you." Zhao Chuchu subconsciously reached her hand out.
Xie Heng was shocked when her soft, gentle hands touched his chest.
Moments later, his ears turned red.
"No need!" He frantically shoved away Zhao Chuchu's hand and turned his face away from her.
Zhao Chuchu was speechless.
He was easily embarrassed!
However, Xie Heng was too skinny. She had barely felt anything just now.
Before Zhao Chuchu lifted the curtains and got down from the carriage, she teased Xie Heng, "You should eat more when we get back."
Xie Heng came back to his senses. He couldn't say anything in response.
Zhao Chaochao got down from the carriage.
The two guards controlling the carriage said apologetically, "Doctor Zhao, sorry about that, were you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. Get the carriage out first."
"Please get out of the carriage and wait for a while. We'll fix it real quick."
They rejected Zhao Chuchu's offer to help them.
Zhao Chuchu stepped back and stood behind them.
Both men were from the military barracks. They managed to get the carriage out of the mud rather quickly.
Zhao Chuchu climbed back into the carriage.
Xie Heng's expression had already returned to normal, as though nothing had happened.
However, this time, it was Xie Heng's turn to close his eyes and 'sleep'.
Zhao Chuchu couldn't help it as the corners of her lips raised.
Objectively speaking, Xie Heng was very good-looking. He only seemed a little scrawny and weak, which made people let down their guard around him.
But she knew that Xie Heng wasn't as weak as he looked.
He often did things with a tinge of ruthlessness that was completely juxtaposed with his looks.
"What are you looking at?" Xie Heng opened his eyes helplessly and asked softly.
He was starting to feel uncomfortable because of Zhao Chuchu's stare.
Zhao Chuchu told him, "I'm looking at a handsome man."
Xie Heng didn't know how to respond to that.
Zhao Chuchu wasn't shy or reserved like other girls. She seemed honest and sincere. People did not feel that she was frivolous or a hussy.
Fortunately, Zhao Chuchu knew when to stop, so she didn't continue teasing Xie Heng.
For some inexplicable reason, Xie Heng heaved a sigh of relief.
They remained silent for the rest of their journey.
They were arriving at another town under the jurisdiction of Yuanjiang County.
Lin Xiang was waiting for Zhao Chuchu in an inn.
"Doctor Zhao, the deputy commander wants me to inform you that you can return home tomorrow."
Everyone had started referring to Zhao Chuchu as 'Doctor Zhao' instead of 'Mrs. Xie'.
It was their way of recognizing her skills as a doctor, as well as a means for them to show their respect.
"You mean we don't need to go to the other towns and villages?"
"Yes, the pandemic in Yuanjiang County is now under control. There are doctors stationed in the other towns now. Thank you so much for all that you've done. The deputy commander has ordered me to send you two back to Lengshui Village tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Oh right, the meal is ready. Let's eat first."
Lin Xiang stood up to help Xie Heng, and they entered the inn together.
The innkeeper quickly told the waiter to serve up the dishes.
The meal was sumptuous. It was the best dinner Zhao Chuchu had since she had transmigrated into this world.
Zhao Chuchu hadn't had a good meal in a very long time, so she didn't bother being too polite in front of Lin Xiang.
As she gobbled down the food, she didn't forget to put some into Xie Heng's bowl.
"Hubby, eat more. You're too skinny."
Xie Heng suddenly recalled what happened on the carriage. He instantly felt a little uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Zhao Chuchu and Lin Xiang's attention were on the food. They did not notice Xie Heng's expression.
The next day, Lin Xiang sent Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng back to Lengshui Village.
He even gave Zhao Chuchu a purse and said, "The deputy commander told me to give this to you. Please take it. The reward from the Imperial Palace will take some time to arrive."
Zhao Chuchu thought about the Xie family's financial situation. She took the purse and said, "Please help me thank the deputy commander."
Lin Xiang said, "We should be the ones thanking you. Without you, I can't imagine how many people would have died in Yuanjiang County!"
Everyone in Yuanjiang County is a living, breathing human being with their own life and family. Who would be willing to kill so many people if they had the choice to do so?
Zhao Chuchu had saved Yuanjiang County. They also saved her.
"I was able to save people. This proves that my hubby was right about telling me to read those medical books." Zhao Chuchu brought up Xie Heng.
"I thank you too, Mr. Xie," Lin Xiang bowed to him.
"You're welcome."
"I still need to go back to work. I shall take my leave now."
"Goodbye."
Lin Xiang nodded and rode his horse carriage away.
Zhao Chuchu watched smoke waft from the houses of Lengshui Village as families cooked their food. She sighed and said, "Twenty days ago, I was almost burned to death."
Xie Heng continued her sentence in his heart, "No one could burn you to death!"