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"There’s nothing more important than a family reunion. As long as we’re alive, there’s no mistake that can’t be mended," Lan Li said. "I’m stepping out for a bit."

"It’s so late, where are you going?" His mother followed him out, but Lan Li’s figure had already disappeared into the stairwell.

After leaving the Lan Family’s house, Lan Li drove straight to the nightclub that Lin Chan used to frequent, only to find out from the nightclub manager that Lin Chan hadn’t been to places like that for years, unless he had clients that specifically wanted to meet there for business.

In his first attempt, Lan Li drew a blank, and to make things worse, Lin Chan didn’t answer his calls. Remembering that He Teng had a sister working at the General Military Hospital, Lan Li headed straight there.

This time, his luck was better. After asking around, he found out that He Dongxue was on the night shift that day. Once he figured out which department she was in, Lan Li went straight there to find her.

When He Dongxue saw Lan Li, she didn’t recognize him at first. It wasn’t until Lan Li said his own name that He Dongxue hesitated for a moment, nodded her head, and then remembered this comrade of her elder brother.

"Are you looking for me because you need help? Or did you get injured?" He Dongxue scratched her head as she moved a chair for Lan Li. Occupational habit—since becoming a doctor, she rarely showed a stern face to anyone in the hospital, Lin Chan being an exception, of course.

"I have a few questions for you." Lan Li did not beat around the bush. "I heard that your sister-in-law was a child bride arranged by your family for your brother?"

"Yeah, what about it?" He Dongxue’s heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself that it couldn’t be that someone was still asking about her sister-in-law after the whole ordeal had been settled.

"Did you know your sister-in-law well when she was a child?" This question from Lan Li was a bit roundabout and even contained a linguistic trap.

He Dongxue was not dumb; of course, she knew Lan Li was probing.

She nodded and directly responded with the pre-agreed story, "Of course, I know her! Our families were neighbors, and we grew up playing together. The reason why my brother and sister-in-law are so close is because they grew up together."

"Your sister-in-law wasn’t bought by your family?" Lan Li frowned. "When I was in the army, how come I heard that your sister-in-law was bought by your family?"

"Ah, how would you city folks understand our village customs? A child bride does require a payment, which is really no different from a purchase. That’s why many people say that raising a child bride is like buying one.

Moreover, don’t you also have to pay a bride price when taking a wife now?

It’s the same principle, just that the bride price for a child bride is paid earlier.

But why are you so curious about my sister-in-law?

Let me tell you, although she is beautiful and kind, she and my brother are very much in love.

Don’t get any ideas about her; she wouldn’t even give you a second glance! "

As He Dongxue spoke, she looked at Lan Li with a defensive expression.

Outside the door, Lin Chan, carrying the late-night snack he brought for He Dongxue, entered just in time to hear her last sentence. Upon seeing Lan Li, he uttered, "Lan Li? What are you doing here?"

"If Lin Chan can be here, why can’t I be?" Lan Li glanced at Lin Chan.

"Wow, but we come here for different reasons. You coming here means either you’ve hurt yourself or someone you know has. I’m different; I’m here to pursue my future wife, Dr. He, or to see my good buddy Bian Muhe."