Lin Xiaoxiao stumbled backward a few steps, bracing herself heavily against the doorframe. A sharp pain shot through her back, but now was not the time to argue—the child's life couldn't wait another second.

She glared at Zhou Huai'an, her eyes blazing. "You're wasting precious rescue time, Zhou Huai'an! If this child dies today because of this delay, I will hold myself responsible!"

With that, she decisively took the child back and quickly resumed emergency measures. If this didn't work, she would have to perform a tracheotomy to remove the obstruction.

Lin Xiaoxiao's voice was fierce, her eyes filled with anger and a stubborn determination—like a fiery rose, beautiful yet sharp.

Surprisingly, people found themselves believing her.

Zhou Huai'an didn't try to take the child back this time. Instead, he watched as Lin Xiaoxiao performed first aid. He could clearly see sweat dampening the hair on her forehead, large droplets rolling down and clinging to her lashes.

Zhang Yimei cried nervously and tried to grab her son, but Zhou Huai'an stopped her.

Xiao Yan stamped her foot anxiously. "Brother Zhou, this is a matter of life and death! If this method really worked, would we still be in such a panic?"

Zhou Huai'an pressed his lips together, his eyes fixed on Lin Xiaoxiao, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know how many times she had applied pressure when finally—the child coughed out a whole red date and began to wail. She let out a sigh of relief.

When Zhang Yimei heard her son cry, she rushed over, hugging him tightly. "Oh, Shanzi! Thank goodness you're okay!"

Xiao Yan, seeing that Lin Xiaoxiao had actually saved the child, frowned disapprovingly. "That was too risky. It was just luck this time—what if something had gone wrong? Could you really take that responsibility?"

Searching through the original owner's memories, Lin Xiaoxiao still didn't recognize this soft-spoken girl. So she was a doctor? With that kind of attitude?

She couldn't help but sneer. "You're a doctor, and you don't even know basic first aid? How did you get your license?"

Xiao Yan hadn't actually graduated from a formal medical school—she had trained with a local doctor and was essentially a barefoot physician. After passing an exam, she'd been assigned to the clinic serving the families in the compound. She was usually well-liked.

But now, being openly criticized by Lin Xiaoxiao, her fair face flushed with anger and shame. "How—how dare you talk to me like that! You...!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked wronged.

Zhang Yimei, who held a grudge against Lin Xiaoxiao, jumped to Xiao Yan's defense while still holding her son. "You may have saved Shanzi, but that doesn't give you the right to insult Dr. Xiao! Who knows—maybe the date was just about to come out on its own, and you shaking him just made it happen sooner."

Lin Xiaoxiao almost laughed. Well, at least the original owner's hot-headedness had one advantage: she never had to swallow insults.

"Fine. Since you see it that way, consider me a meddler. Next time something happens to you or your family, don't expect me to even glance your way."

With that, she turned and strode back into the house, slamming the door so hard that dust shook loose from the frame.

Zhang Yimei was so angry she stammered, "You—how could you curse people like that? What a vicious woman!"

Xiao Yan held Zhang Yimei's arm and gently patted the child's back. "Sister Zhang, calm down. Let's make sure Shanzi is really okay now."

Then she turned to Zhou Huai'an with an apologetic look. "Brother Zhou, I'm sorry. We may have misjudged your wife. When she cools down, we'll come apologize. I didn't expect her to be so... warmhearted."

Zhou Huai'an frowned slightly and nodded without a word. His eyes lingered on the closed door—it seemed Lin Xiaoxiao was genuinely angry this time.

Once inside, Lin Xiaoxiao's anger quickly faded. She washed her hands calmly and sat back down to finish her meal.

She knew she had already acted out of character by saving the child. Zhou Huai'an's gaze was too perceptive—as if he could see right through her.

She had to put on a show of pride and temper to keep him from growing suspicious. If the difference between her and the original owner became too obvious, she might be sent to a mental hospital.

After a while, Zhou Huai'an came back inside. Lin Xiaoxiao had already eaten half of a coarse grain bun and finished the stir-fried cabbage. Only the braised pork remained untouched.

Remembering how hard he had pushed her earlier, he felt a twinge of guilt. Silently, he walked to the cot, reached under the pillow, and pulled out an envelope.

He turned and handed it to Lin Xiaoxiao. "This is for you."