Two trucks drove one after another to the entrance of Jinsui Village. From a distance, they could already see a group of people waiting beneath the large locust tree at the village entrance.

The soldiers disembarked in an orderly manner, each one well-trained, their formation neat and uniform.

Huo Qingshan stood tall at the front of the line, his gaze sharp as a torch as he inspected his troops.

“Salute!”

At his command, his firm and powerful voice rang out like a morning bell at dawn, echoing through the village entrance with striking clarity.

In an instant, the soldiers raised their hands in unison. The angle of each arm, the strength in each palm—precise and forceful—fully displayed the discipline of soldiers.

Sunlight fell evenly upon each of them, as if draping them in a layer of golden armor.

The atmosphere was solemn and awe-inspiring, stirring emotions in all who witnessed it.

Meng Youyou stood alone outside the formation, dressed in casual clothes. While everyone else saluted, she failed to react in time, making her seem out of place.

She froze for a moment, her face instantly flushing red. Lowering her head, she bit her lip awkwardly, trying to hide her embarrassment.

The aid team received a warm welcome from the villagers of Jinsui Village. The village was mainly inhabited by the Que ethnic group, though a small number of Han and other ethnic groups lived there harmoniously as well.

Que culture dominated the area, and many customs reflected its unique traditions.

For example, at this very moment, the hospitable Que villagers were carrying out their most traditional welcoming ceremony.

At the village entrance stood a rustic wooden table, upon which rows of bamboo tubes were filled with liquor. The fragrance of the alcohol lingered in the air.

The village chief, wearing a kind smile, stepped forward to deliver a welcome speech to the soldiers. He then warmly invited them to drink, explaining that this was a special liquor unique to the Que people, brewed through a complex process using grains and fruits, and reserved as the highest form of hospitality for honored guests.

Huo Qingshan stepped forward with a polite smile and respectfully explained, “Village Chief, thank you and the villagers for your warm hospitality. However, we are soldiers, and the army has strict regulations—no alcohol is allowed while carrying out missions.”

He then added, emphasizing his sincerity, “That said, we deeply respect the cultural traditions of the Que people.”

After speaking, Huo Qingshan bent slightly, lifted a bamboo tube, and lightly touched it to his lips. He then signaled for the soldiers to do the same, and they all followed suit.

Seeing this, the villagers smiled with understanding and goodwill. The welcoming ceremony continued, and the atmosphere grew even more harmonious.

…

Throughout the day, everyone remained busy. Some helped villagers harvest wheat, some repaired old houses for elderly people living alone, and others worked on fixing the village’s embankments and roads… not a single moment of rest was spared.

The temporary medical aid station set up at the village entrance was just as busy. Even close to four in the afternoon, villagers continued to arrive one after another. A long line had formed in front of Chu Yao’s table.

Huo Qingshan finally found a moment to catch his breath. He grabbed the water bottle at his feet and gulped down water to soothe his dry, burning throat.

Water poured out from the bottle, some of it tracing along the man’s firm jawline, sliding past his moving Adam’s apple, down his neck, and soaking into his collar.

With the setting sun behind him, he lowered the bottle and casually wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. His broad shoulders blocked the center of the sun.

Sitting on a small stool not far away, Meng Youyou glanced over unintentionally, her gaze lingering for a moment.

For that brief instant, she felt that this man carried the scent of wind and sand—the kind from vast deserts and endless yellow earth. It was rough and weathered, hardened by sun and wind, reflecting glimmers of light under the blazing sun. It was dazzling, almost blinding, yet strangely captivating—so much so that one would squint just to look a little longer.

After drinking, Huo Qingshan returned to work. Patients came one after another; as soon as one group left, another arrived. The medicine supply was being used up faster than expected.

He carried a new box of medicine from the truck. As he passed by the medical station, whether intentionally or not, his gaze swept briefly toward a certain corner.

There was someone who, just moments ago, had been seriously explaining to elderly villagers how to prevent hypertension and diabetes, discussing dietary precautions, reminding pregnant women about care at different stages, and instructing children to wash their hands regularly and brush their teeth morning and night—speaking with such detail and confidence.

Yet in the blink of an eye, she was now surrounded by a group of young girls, enthusiastically giving a “puberty health lesson.”

The younger girls stared at her with wide eyes, full of curiosity and confusion, completely absorbed.

The older girls, however, flushed red, their eyes darting away, too embarrassed to look at Meng Youyou directly. Still, Huo Qingshan could tell that despite their shyness, none of them wanted to leave.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Huo Qingshan’s lips. He then bent down and placed the box on the ground.

By evening, the crowd gradually dispersed. Chu Yao rubbed her sore shoulders and neck, when suddenly a round bamboo water bottle wrapped in colorful threads appeared in front of her.

Her gaze followed the bottle upward, landing on Meng Youyou’s smiling face.

“You’ve worked hard today. I noticed your water’s already gone. I still have some left—do you want a drink?”

Chu Yao was a little surprised. Perhaps it was the girl’s bright smile, or the clear concern and kindness in her eyes, but before her mind could process it, her hand had already reached out and taken the bottle.

Huo Qingshan stood at a distance, watching this scene. His thoughts became increasingly tangled.

There was something strange about her. Every time he felt like he had understood her actions or thoughts a little, she would create new confusion, effortlessly drawing his attention again.

But such attention was, in itself, something that could easily slip out of control.

Or perhaps, many profound changes between people often begin with a single, unintentional, seemingly insignificant glance.

A person destined to be unimportant should remain just a fleeting presence in one’s life—passing by without leaving a trace, staying forever in an insignificant place, both on the surface and deep within.

Forcing himself to look away, Huo Qingshan rolled his neck slightly. His gaze sharpened as he suddenly noticed, about ten meters away, a small boy peeking from behind a banyan tree, only half his head visible.

The moment the boy met Huo Qingshan’s sharp and intimidating gaze, he immediately shrank back behind the tree.

Huo Qingshan frowned, suspicion rising, and quickly strode toward the banyan tree.

Stopping beneath it, he looked at the bit of clothing peeking out from behind the trunk and asked sternly, “What are you doing here?”

Hearing the voice of the imposing man, the little boy began trembling uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word.

Huo Qingshan stepped closer, his gaze pressing down with even more intensity.

The boy trembled even harder.

Meng Youyou, who had been organizing medical supplies, noticed the commotion from the corner of her eye. She immediately set everything down and ran over.

As she approached, she saw the boy shaking like a leaf in front of Huo Qingshan.

She quickly stepped forward, shot Huo Qingshan a disapproving glance, then gently nudged his arm back with her elbow and positioned herself between them, blocking his intimidating presence.

Squatting down in front of the boy, she spoke softly, “Hey there, don’t be scared. Big sister’s here. What are you doing here? Did you need something from us? You can tell me, okay?”

The boy cautiously lifted his head. Seeing Meng Youyou’s gentle smile and kind eyes, the fear on his face gradually eased.

She continued patiently, “Do you want to tell me now? If you do, I can help you figure it out.”

The boy hesitated for a few seconds, still sneaking glances at Huo Qingshan. Finally, he stammered softly, “Grandma… Grandma… she… she hasn’t come back today… I’m… really worried about her.”

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