After hearing this, Qi Huan replied without hesitation, "Alright, go ahead with the treatment."
Having learned the cruel truth that his own younger brother was the one who wanted him dead, there was no pain he couldn’t endure now.
Jiang Youli looked at Qi Huan, a flicker of admiration flashing in her eyes. "As expected of the man I’ve set my sights on."
To cure Qi Huan’s legs, not only exceptional medical skills were required but also the patient’s cooperation and perseverance.
Qi Huan’s attitude left Jiang Youli satisfied.
[The man I’ve set my sights on]—these words pleased Qi Huan immensely. A faint joy unconsciously colored his expression, and he paid no mind to how painful the treatment process might be.
Jiang Youli placed the acupuncture needle pouch and several jars of medicinal powder she had brought on the stone table, then bent down and gently rolled up Qi Huan’s pant leg.
Since it was for treatment, Qi Huan had deliberately worn loose, comfortable pants today.
Jiang Youli glanced at his leg and remarked offhandedly, "The leg hair is quite sexy."
Qi Huan: "…"
Not far away, Cheng Jing, who was standing guard, nearly choked upon hearing this.
Qi Huan coughed awkwardly before smiling. "As long as you like it."
Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow, her hands still busy. After rolling up his pant leg, she turned back to pick up the needle pouch, took out a needle, and sterilized it with alcohol. "Of course I like it. If I didn’t, would I have agreed to get engaged to you?"
Qi Huan asked, "Has the Jiang family already made it clear to you about the arranged marriage between our families?"
Jiang Youli lowered her head, carefully inserting the needles. "Mm, my grandfather mentioned it this morning. He said since I’m the Jiang family’s true heiress, it’s only right that I marry you. I agreed, and he told me to spend more time with you whenever possible."
Qi Huan nodded in approval. "Grandfather Jiang is right. We should spend more time together and get to know each other better."
"Aren’t we already doing that?" Jiang Youli said. "At the very least, we’ll be seeing each other every day until your legs are healed."
"Does that mean we can’t see each other every day after my legs are better?" Qi Huan teased, looking down at her focused expression as she worked.
Jiang Youli chuckled. "Are you really nitpicking my words? If you still feel it’s not enough after your legs recover, we can move up the wedding date. Then we’ll naturally see each other every day."
Qi Huan smiled. "That’s exactly what I was thinking."
Gradually, Qi Huan began to feel the pain in his legs—an agony as if his bones were being shattered one by one.
He endured it silently, showing no outward discomfort, though he no longer had the energy for casual conversation.
Jiang Youli noticed and occasionally glanced up at him. "If it’s too painful, you don’t have to hold back. I have painkillers."
Qi Huan, his face pale, shook his head. "No need. I want to remember this pain."
Jiang Youli fell silent for a moment before shrugging. "Suit yourself."
Nearby, Jiang Xing observed the interaction between Jiang Youli and Qi Huan, initially puzzled before finally understanding.
He found it strange—how could Qi Huan, who had only known Jiang Youli for such a short time, treat her so well? His tone and the way he looked at her were filled with affection and adoration.
In the past, Qi Huan had always been polite and gentlemanly toward Jiang Yonghe, yet there was an unmistakable distance between them.
Could it be that Qi Huan genuinely preferred Jiang Youli and had no interest in Jiang Yonghe?
No, Jiang Xing refused to believe it.
Qi Huan was merely pinning his hopes of recovering his legs on Jiang Youli!
A man of his status had seen countless women—how could he possibly fall for Jiang Youli?
As he thought this, Jiang Xing stared fixedly at Jiang Youli, watching her meticulously administer the acupuncture. Disdain still filled his heart.
According to Jiang Zhao, she was just a village medicine seller. Countless renowned doctors from around the world had examined Qi Huan’s legs, yet none had claimed they could cure him. How dare she think she could succeed?
Wasn’t she just making his condition worse?
Once Qi Huan realized she was useless, he’d surely lose his patience with her!
……
Three hours later—
Jiang Youli removed the dense cluster of silver needles from Qi Huan’s legs, then wrapped his knee joints with bandages soaked in medicinal powder before finally stretching her back. "Today’s treatment is done."
She looked at Qi Huan, whose forehead was covered in sweat, and couldn’t help but admire his endurance. The process was undeniably excruciating.
Hmph, truly the man she was going to marry.
After wiping the sweat from his brow, Qi Huan massaged his legs. The stiffness in his knees seemed to have eased slightly.
"If I really recover completely in three months, how about we set the wedding for then?"
Jiang Youli sat on the stone bench, sterilizing the needles. "I’m fine with that. I’m just afraid you might regret it once your legs are healed."
Not that she was worried—she always had a backup plan.
Qi Huan said earnestly, "Nonsense. I’ve already decided you’re the one for me in this lifetime."
Jiang Youli smiled brightly as she slid the needles back into the pouch. "Alright then, we’ll set the wedding for three months after your legs are healed."
Seeing her agree so readily, Qi Huan gazed at her, a faint warmth in his eyes.
In the past, marriage had merely been a strategic move for him.
It didn’t matter whom he married, as long as his father and grandfather were satisfied and it benefited the family business.
He had never imagined that one day, he would look forward to marriage this much—to sharing a life with a woman.
……
"How did you meet Qi Huan?" Jiang Xing asked from the back seat as Jiang Youli drove them home.
Jiang Youli glanced at him through the rearview mirror, noting his barely concealed resentment. "Qi Huan sought me out himself. He took a liking to me and wanted to marry me."
Jiang Xing sneered. "You don’t actually think Qi Huan genuinely wants to marry you, do you? It’s only because he’s crippled now and doesn’t want to burden Jiang Yonghe, so he’s settling for you instead."
Jiang Youli smirked. "Oh? So now it’s ‘settling for me’? Wasn’t the whole point of bringing me back to the Jiang family to make me marry Qi Huan in Jiang Yonghe’s place? From the sound of it, you’re not happy even though I’m willing to go through with it."
Jiang Xing didn’t deny it.
He had been aware of the plan to bring his biological sister back so she could replace Jiang Yonghe in the marriage alliance. He hadn’t objected.
There was no way he would stand by and watch Jiang Yonghe marry Qi Huan, who was now disabled.
Besides, with his legs crippled, it was uncertain whether Qi Huan could even remain the Qi family’s heir!
As for his biological sister, she had never lived a good life. Bringing her back and letting her marry someone of Qi Huan’s status was already an immense favor to her.
Jiang Youli teased, "Should I suggest to Grandfather that Jiang Yonghe marry Qi Huan after all?"
At this point, she laughed and said, "Even if Jiang Yonghe were willing to marry him, Qi Huan wouldn’t be eager to take her as his bride right now. After all, it’s obvious he likes me and has no interest in Jiang Yonghe."
