Zhan Zeye was completely bewildered, not understanding what Dr. Qin meant. Seeing her flushed face, he assumed something unusual had happened.
Dr. Qin didn't leave; as a professional, she stayed to wait for the patient.
Since the patient inside was female, Zhan Zeye couldn't enter. He asked Dr. Qin, "What's going on?"
Dr. Qin ignored him and asked instead, "Is your wife a doctor?"
At first, Zhan Zeye wanted to say no. Tang Qiyue had appeared as a student before, with only basic first-aid knowledge. But then he remembered the times she had treated him—skills far beyond a normal student.
"Why do you ask?"
Dr. Qin's words gave Zhan Zeye a hint that something he didn't know had occurred.
"She has anesthetic!"
Zhan Zeye raised an eyebrow. That simple statement contained a lot of meaning. As a soldier frequently wounded, he knew anesthesia wasn't commonly used. Supplies were limited, approval complicated, and unless necessary, soldiers wouldn't use it.
Tang Qiyue had stitched his wound before, without anesthesia.
"What's wrong?" Zhan Zeye asked Dr. Qin, then added, "I don't need to explain who her father is, do I?"
Dr. Qin knew Tang Qiyue's identity well. After learning that Zhan Zeye had agreed to the marriage with the Tang family, she realized Tang Qiyue came from a lineage connected to doctors. Comparing her and Tang Qiyue wasn't unreasonable—they were of the same generation.
Dr. Qin, accustomed to being pampered, had never imagined facing someone so skilled.
"Do you know how good her medical skills are?"
Zhan Zeye hummed in agreement. Her skills weren't just good—they were miraculous. She could heal wounds overnight.
"Then why didn't you let her work as a doctor in the clinic?" Dr. Qin asked, disbelief written across her face.
Had she known Tang Qiyue's skill, she wouldn't have come to the island at all. She had pride—but Tang Qiyue's talent made it seem effortless.
Zhan Zeye didn't understand her question. "She's not military; just a civilian. She just graduated high school!"
Dr. Qin: …Even a high school graduate outshines her?
"How old is she?" she asked, exasperated.
"She's an adult; the law recognizes that. Why couldn't I?" Zhan Zeye replied, puzzled.
Their discussion ended when Political Commissar Wu called Zhan Zeye away.
Dr. Qin re-entered the room. Tang Qiyue had finished treating the fisherwoman, Yu Niang, using medicine similar to Zhan Zeye's but diluted carefully to prevent overdosing.
Yu Niang could only speak after Tang Qiyue finished.
"I'm not afraid of death. I want him dead!"
Yu Niang grasped Tang Qiyue's hand, pleading.
Tang Qiyue patted her hand. "Then I can't help you—you must live first!"
Yu Niang whispered, "I shouldn't live."
Her insistence on seeing Tang Qiyue wasn't to live—it was to die. Even Dr. Qin couldn't guarantee Tang Qiyue would save someone.
The fisherwoman wanted to remind Tang Qiyue that she no longer wished to live—but Tang Qiyue reassured her:
"A life for a life sounds good, but it's not worth it. You have a long life ahead. Survive, and you'll see him face justice. If you live, I can help you divorce him!"
The word "divorce" was unfamiliar to Yu Niang, but she understood. In the village, there was no divorce—only widowhood—but Tang Qiyue promised her a way out.
"I'm sorry!" the fisherwoman cried.
Tang Qiyue patted her shoulder, asked Coral to watch her, and went to wash herself. The blood on her hands was unpleasant.
Dr. Qin followed, watching Tang Qiyue remove her gloves and discard them.
"Are all you capitalists this extravagant?" Dr. Qin asked.
Medical gloves weren't disposable; doctors usually washed and sterilized them for reuse. Tang Qiyue's post-apocalyptic instincts had her discard them—but she did so responsibly into the medical waste bag.
"Pretty much," Tang Qiyue admitted, leaving Dr. Qin speechless.
Dr. Qin asked again, curiosity piqued, "Zhan Zeyi married you because of your medical skills?"
Tang Qiyue flicked water from her hands, smiled, and teased, "He's lusting after my good looks!"
Dr. Qin knew Tang Qiyue was joking but didn't refute her. Tang Qiyue's beauty and confidence were undeniable.
"Dr. Qin, men are visual creatures. You're too serious!"
Tang Qiyue leaned close, lifting Dr. Qin's chin with a finger. The scene was oddly flirtatious, almost daring.
Two women stood by the water vat—one blushing, one smirking.
Political Commissar Wu and Zhan Zeyi appeared just in time.
"My goodness, your wife likes women?" Wu exclaimed, half teasing.
Zhan Zeyi's face darkened. He shook off Wu's hand, strode over, and hoisted Tang Qiyue onto his shoulder.