Qin Xiang reached out and ruffled Jie Jingshan’s hair. "You’re Jing Si’s sister, so you’re my sister too. Don’t be so formal with me."

Qin Mei sat before the stove, staring blankly into the fire. Jie Jingchen saw this but didn’t press the matter.

Once the meal was ready, Jie Jingchen called Jing Qi and Qin Xiang to eat. Qin Mei had already served the rice and was sitting at the dining table, waiting for them.

Qin Xiang pushed Jing Qi to the sink in the courtyard to wash her hands, then pushed her toward the kitchen. The kitchen doorway had a threshold, so Qin Xiang bent down, preparing to lift both Jing Qi and her wheelchair. But then he saw Jing Qi stand up on her own. Qin Xiang was stunned.

"This..."

"Jing Qi’s legs are healed. Don’t just stand there gawking; hurry up and come eat," Jie Jingchen urged.

"Healed? But I thought..." Qin Xiang’s voice trailed off as he mechanically stepped over the threshold. "It’s great that she’s healed. Who did it?"

Qin Mei was silent. Jie Jingchen said nothing. Seeing their silence, Jie Jingshan also remained quiet. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Qin Xiang sat across from Qin Mei and took the chopsticks Jie Jingchen offered him. He sighed. "Jing Qi’s legs are healed. I’m truly happy for her. To get her legs treated, you were willing to try anything out of desperation."

Jie Jingchen remained silent, handing a pair of chopsticks to Qin Mei.

Qin Mei took them and lowered her head to eat.

Holding his chopsticks but not yet eating, Qin Xiang continued with feeling, "To treat Jing Qi’s legs, I used the Qin family’s connections to introduce you to several leading experts, but the results were all deeply disappointing. The medical community had already declared it a hopeless case, yet someone actually managed to heal them. It’s incredible. That person is nothing short of a divine doctor."

Jie Jingchen and Jie Jingshan both instinctively glanced at Qin Mei, who was focused only on her food. They both agreed with Qin Xiang. She truly was a divine doctor.

"By healing Jing Qi’s legs, that doctor has earned the eternal gratitude of the Qiao Family. With the Qiao Family’s help, they’ll be set for life... AHEM AHEM, ’set for life’ is a bit crude. Fame and fortune—yes, that’s it. Fame and fortune." Qin Xiang didn’t mention the Jie Family; their influence was what it was, no match for the Qiao Family.

’Fame and fortune?’ Qin Mei’s brow furrowed slightly. She chewed her food, swallowed, and then looked up at Qin Xiang. "The saying, ’When one person achieves enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven,’ is a closer fit."

Hearing her sarcastic tone, a hint of concern crossed Qin Xiang’s strikingly handsome face. After a long moment of thought, he couldn’t resist asking, "Little sister, do you have a grudge against this divine doctor?"

’A grudge against myself? Am I crazy?’ The corner of Qin Mei’s eye twitched. She lowered her head and went back to eating. "No."

Qin Xiang and Qin Mei looked quite alike. Both siblings possessed a striking beauty; Qin Mei’s was infused with a feminine allure, while Qin Xiang’s was tempered with a resolute strength.

Jie Jingchen had stir-fried four dishes: three meat and one vegetable. Two were mild, and two were lightly spiced. The soup was a simple rice broth.

Jie Jingchen placed a piece of lean meat in Qin Mei’s bowl. Qin Xiang was about to remind him that Qin Mei didn’t eat spicy food, but when he saw her eat the meat without the slightest hesitation, his feelings instantly grew complicated. ’Her amnesia even changed her palate. People from Yangcheng City can’t handle spice.’

Qin Xiang said no more and ate in silence. Two of the dishes Jie Jingchen had made were his favorites, yet the food was tasteless to him.

After dinner, Jie Jingchen washed the dishes while Qin Mei kept him company. Jing Qi went back to her room, and Qin Xiang sat in the courtyard, drinking tea.

"Jie Jingchen, when is he leaving?" Qin Mei asked. ’Jie Jingchen took today off, but what about tomorrow? Once he’s back at work, I won’t know how to face Qin Xiang.’

Jie Jingchen paused his washing. He cast a sidelong glance at Qin Mei and replied with a sigh of resignation, "Your brother just got here today."

’She already wants him to leave on the day he arrived. Qin Xiang would be heartbroken if he found out.’

Qin Mei bit her lower lip. She felt a pang of guilt, so instead of being direct, she put it delicately, "It feels awkward being around him."

"He’s your brother," Jie Jingchen reminded her.

"I’m not saying he isn’t." Qin Mei scratched her head. ’Looks like Qin Xiang plans to stay for a while. Hiding from him won’t work. I guess I’ll have to be a little warmer toward him.’

A flicker of melancholy appeared in Jie Jingchen’s eyes as he watched her struggle. "Qin Mei."

"Never mind. You finish up the dishes. I’ll go out and talk to him." ’He came all this way to see me. It’s too heartless to just leave him by himself.’ With that, Qin Mei turned and left the kitchen.

Jie Jingchen watched her go, a distant look in his eyes as he was lost in thought.

Qin Mei didn’t hesitate, walking straight toward Qin Xiang, who was sitting under a tree. Seeing her approach, Qin Xiang sat up straight. Qin Mei sat down in the rattan chair beside him and stared directly at him, saying nothing.

Her intense stare made Qin Xiang’s scalp tingle. ’What is she up to?’

The air between the brother and sister was heavy with silence. Qin Xiang looked at the sister who was at once so familiar and yet a complete stranger. After a long pause, he finally teased, "Not hiding from me anymore?"