Lin Xiaoxiao spotted a wild duck flying toward her. In one fluid motion, she drew back the slingshot and released the stone. It whistled sharply through the air.

The shot struck true. With a dull thud, the duck plummeted onto the shallow shore, its wings flapping weakly against the mud.

Fearing it might escape, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't hesitate. She waded into the icy river, not caring about her shoes, seized the duck firmly by the neck, and dragged it ashore.

It was an exceptionally plump bird. As it thrashed, its wings slapped the water, splattering Lin Xiaoxiao's face and clothes with muddy droplets. Unbothered by the mess, a wide grin spread across her face, her eyes crinkling with delight as if she were already looking into a pot of simmering duck soup.

Lü Zhigang watched from the bank, transfixed. He hadn't expected this slender girl to possess such skill. She was a natural-born markswoman.

The rising sun cast a warm glow over her, illuminating the pure joy on her face. Lü Zhigang found himself smiling faintly in return. Remembering he was supposed to visit Zhou Huai'an at the hospital, he turned to leave. Otherwise, he might have stopped to ask if she'd ever considered joining the army.

Emerging from the reeds, Lin Xiaoxiao borrowed a surgical blade from a passing nurse and squatted by the riverbank to clean her prize. Plucking feathers was too troublesome without hot water—skinning was faster. Not one to waste, she carefully turned the intestines inside out, rinsed them in the river, and tucked all the offal back into the cavity.

As she worked with swift, practiced movements, a small crowd of early-risers gathered, staring in astonishment at the young woman deftly handling the duck. The small blade seemed like an extension of her hand.

When she was done, Lin Xiaoxiao tried to stand. Her cotton shoes were soaked through, and her feet had gone numb from crouching so long. She stamped them lightly, trying to restore circulation, then limped stiffly back toward the hospital.

After she left, the onlookers exchanged glances, their eyes drifting toward the reeds. A new idea had taken root—maybe shotguns weren't the only way to put dinner on the table.

By the time Lin Xiaoxiao reached the hospital, her feet were still frozen. She scolded herself inwardly; this was a sure way to get chilblains. Ignoring the ward for now, she headed straight for the canteen in the back.

With a warm smile, she called out to the cook, "Excuse me, sir? Could I borrow that coal stove by the door? And a pot?"

The cook turned. "Aren't you Zhou Huai'an's wife?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded eagerly. "Yes! I got a duck. I'd like to make him some soup to help him recover."

The cook eyed her skeptically. She was smeared with mud and dotted with dried blood. Buying a duck? he thought. Looks more like she caught it with her bare hands. But he kept it to himself. Gesturing toward a steel pot, he said kindly, "Use that one. Help yourself to any seasonings. Our war hero deserves the best."

Lin Xiaoxiao beamed her thanks. She rinsed the duck under the faucet, placed it on the cutting board, and swiftly chopped it into pieces. Everything went into the stainless steel pot, which she then placed on the vigorously burning coal stove.

She lingered by the heat, planning to skim off the froth once it boiled before checking if Zhou Huai'an was awake—and whether he needed assistance.

The cook observed her, surprised. Rumors had painted Zhou Huai'an's wife as stubborn, lazy, and difficult. This cheerful, capable young woman was nothing like that.

Back in the ward, Zhou Huai'an—with Lü Zhigang's help—was slowly pacing the room before easing back onto the bed. He'd been awake for a while, but there was no sign of Lin Xiaoxiao. Had she gone home?

Lü Zhigang watched his silent friend and sighed. "Haven't changed a bit, have you? Would it kill you to say a few more words?"

Zhou Huai'an shot him a look and carefully lay back down. The pain in his abdomen was bearable but persistent.

Used to his partner's reticence after years together, Lü Zhigang mused aloud, "I saw a remarkable girl on my way here. Young, but she took down a duck with a slingshot. Clean hit. It's a shame she's not a sniper."

On that crisp early spring morning, with a gentle breeze stirring, she had managed to hit a flying duck with nothing but a handmade slingshot. Truly impressive aim.

Zhou Huai'an ignored him. He covered his eyes with his arm, clearly done with the conversation.

Lü Zhigang continued chatting for a while but got only silence in return. Undeterred, he changed the subject: "Look, I couldn't make it to your wedding, but I did send a red envelope. Though I heard Lin Xiaoxiao is... quite a character?" He leaned in slightly. "Seriously, Huai'an, what did Commander Cheng say that made you agree to marry her? You two seem completely mismatched." He shook his head. "Marriage isn't a game. You can't gamble your whole life on a impulse!"

Zhou Huai'an stayed quiet, but his mind replayed images of Lin Xiaoxiao's actions over the past two days. He couldn't help recalling the previous night—her brisk, no-nonsense efficiency in helping him with the bedpan. A flush of heat rushed through him; his ears turned bright red.

Oblivious, Lü Zhigang sighed. "Well, since you're married now, just... try to make it work, I guess. What I really want is for you to come back to the unit. You're wasted where you are." He waved a hand. "Forget that for now. What about yesterday at the municipal hospital? That misdiagnosis? How did that happen? That doctor, Li Keda—he shouldn't be making mistakes like that."

Zhou Huai'an shook his head slightly. "I don't know why. I've never even met Li Keda."

Lü Zhigang frowned. "He's been detained. There's an investigation. Should get answers soon."

Before Zhou Huai'an could respond, Xiao Yan entered carrying a lunchbox. Seeing Lü Zhigang, whom she didn't recognize, she offered a polite nod.

Lü Zhigang, not knowing who she was and seeing the food, jumped to the obvious conclusion. He stood up respectfully. "Hello, sister-in-law!" He studied her gentle demeanor, puzzled. This didn't match the domineering, difficult woman he'd heard about at all.

Xiao Yan's face flushed. "Oh! N-no, I'm not," she stammered, though a secret part of her wished the title were meant for her.

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "This is Dr. Xiao from the infirmary."

Realizing his mistake, Lü Zhigang was embarrassed. "Dr. Xiao! My apologies!"

Still blushing, Xiao Yan turned to Zhou Huai'an. "It's alright... Zhou Ge? Have you eaten? I brought some millet porridge from the cafeteria."

Just then, Lin Xiaoxiao pushed open the door and walked in. Lü Zhigang's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized her. "You?"