Chapter 189: Learning to Drive

Chapter 189: Learning to Drive

Li Deshu was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Erni had slimmed down and her complexion had lightened, her entire demeanor different from before.

With a bit of makeup and styling, she was no longer the silly girl from the past.

Zhang Erni seemed to have noticed Li Deshu as well.

She held Fei Qing's arm and walked up to Li Deshu, saying generously, "Li Deshu, would you like to come in and have a wedding toast?"

In the end, it was Li Deshu who lowered his head first, "No, I just got back, and there's still a lot to do at home."

Li Deshu made a hasty retreat.

Zhang Erni didn't insist, with a gracious smile as she held Fei Qing's arm and returned to their banquet.

Li Deshu's mother also just glanced and then hurriedly left.

Although their family was now bankrupt, they didn't regret their previous decisions. Even now, seeing Zhang Erni's happy appearance, they only felt a slight pang of discomfort inside.

"It's tough for the men in our village to find wives. What's the use of marrying into our village? You'll be stuck here forever. Deshu, although we've temporarily returned, we still need to go back to the city in the future."

Hearing his mother's words, Li Deshu didn't know what to feel.

He didn't even have a job at the moment, what chance did he have of returning to the city?

Moreover, after his leg was broken last time, it left some issues. While it wasn't noticeable when walking normally, he couldn't run or jump.

With these thoughts, Li Deshu felt even more certain that he couldn't get a divorce.

...

Lu Hanchuan had assigned Han Xing to handle Ye Xiaoxiao's driving lessons.

On the first day, Han Xing personally picked up Ye Xiaoxiao for her driving lesson.

Ye Xiaoxiao bent down to look at Han Xing, who was driving, "Why did you come yourself?"

Han Xing rolled down the car window and said nonchalantly, "It's a task Brother Lu assigned me, I have to complete it. It's an honor to be your driver."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It feels odd for you to call me sister-in-law, just call me by my name."

Han Xing made a gesture with two fingers by his ear, "Alright."

Han Xing had arranged for Ye Xiaoxiao to practice driving in a spacious courtyard, and the instructor was also specially hired.

"This is Master Wu Xuan, a veteran from the army. He has experience driving various types of vehicles in the army and guarantees you'll be ready in a week."

Ye Xiaoxiao greeted him with, "Hello, Master Wu."

Wu Xuan was serious but very meticulous in his teaching.

Ye Xiaoxiao managed to start the car on her first day, and thanks to the extended practice sessions, she made rapid progress.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao adapt well, Han Xing left first.

This spacious courtyard wasn't solely for Ye Xiaoxiao's driving practice; there was another student practicing as well.

The other person was also a woman, a few years older than Xiao Xiao. She seemed quite irritable during the driving lesson and got into a heated argument with the instructor.

The sweltering heat made everyone more irritable, and the instructor's tone wasn't exactly friendly.

Xiao Xiao happened to get out of the car to rest and was drinking water under a nearby shade.

The woman stormed out of the car, came to the shade to grab her bag, but after walking a few steps, she suddenly fainted.

"Ms. Ning!"

The instructor, who had just been arguing with her, immediately ran over.

Xiao Xiao put down her water bottle and rushed over, only to see the woman on the ground, convulsing and spasming.

"Don't move her; she's overheated and suffering from heatstroke."

Xiao Xiao instructed the instructor to carry the woman to a cooler spot, then took out some needles from her bag and pricked a few of her acupressure points.

When the woman came to, Xiao Xiao took out some cool saline solution from her bag and gave it to her.

Xiao Xiao had anticipated the possibility of heatstroke and had come prepared.

Si Ning recovered and looked at Xiao Xiao.

"Thanks."

"No problem, it was nothing."

"Ms. Ning, are you okay?" The instructor was also startled.

Si Ning replied tersely, "I'm fine."

Xiao Xiao said, "If you're worried, you can get checked out at the hospital, but I think it's just heatstroke—nothing serious."

Si Ning was helped up and sat in the shade to recover.

"I still don't know your name."

"I'm Xiao Xiao."

"Xiao Xiao, are you a doctor or something?"

"I'm studying medicine."

Si Ning was pleasantly surprised, "You're really skilled. Those few needles you used made me feel much better. I think you're even better than the doctors at the hospital."

Xiao Xiao modestly replied, "I've only picked up a few things."

Si Ning, however, took Xiao Xiao's hand and asked, "Are you studying traditional Chinese medicine? Can you check my pulse?"

This was the first time Xiao Xiao had encountered such an eager patient.

Since there was time, she asked her to extend her hand.

"You're a bit weak, but it's nothing serious. Just some dietary supplements should do the trick—no need for medication."

Si Ning looked a bit disappointed.

"Oh, I see..."

"Is there something you're hesitant to talk about?"

Noticing Ye Xiaoxiao's youth, Si Ning felt a bit embarrassed.

After hesitating, she finally spoke up.

"I've been married for three years, but we haven't been able to have a child. So I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my body."

Ye Xiaoxiao said frankly, "It might also be an issue with your husband."

Si Ning: "Really? Men can have problems with that too?"

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded.

"You might want to get checked at a major hospital."

Si Ning was troubled, "I'm worried he won't want to go."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "If you want children, both of you need to take this seriously. If it's his issue, there's no point in you always seeing doctors."

Ye Xiaoxiao spoke plainly to the conflicted patient.

Si Ning finally made up her mind, "I'll talk it over with my husband."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "If you're interested in traditional Chinese medicine, come see me at Rende Pharmacy before September. If I'm not there, other doctors can assist you."

Si Ning smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."

Si Ning skipped afternoon driving practice due to her condition.

Ye Xiaoxiao had lunch nearby, rested until it cooled off, then practiced a few more rounds.

She felt good about driving, but reversing and parallel parking were definitely challenges.

With fewer tight parking spots, as long as she avoids blocking traffic, she should be fine.

After her first day of practice, Ye Xiaoxiao felt confident.

Han Xing picked her up early in the afternoon.

Han Xing: "Come earlier tomorrow and leave by noon; it gets too hot in the fields in the afternoon."

When Han Xing left, Ye Xiaoxiao, still energetic, wanted to stay longer.

But after a full day, she realized there was no need to stay too long.

"Alright."

Ye Xiaoxiao adjusted her schedule: driving practice in the mornings, resting at home in the afternoons, and handling other tasks.

Bai Mengan scheduled the summer gathering and let Ye Xiaoxiao know ahead of time.

"Where are you staying now? I can pick you up."

Bai Mengan said over the phone.

Ye Xiaoxiao gave her an address.

"I can get there on my own."

"It's pretty far from our place, so I'll pick you up and bring some friends."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Who are you bringing?"

"Don't worry, they're all familiar faces—you'll recognize them."

Ye Xiaoxiao paused.