Back to the ‘70s: My Life as the Trouble-Maker's Bride

Stuart stared at Annette, slightly stunned. Her face was mostly covered by a gauze mask, leaving only her beautiful, autumn-like eyes visible.

Her gaze was focused and carried a unique kind of beauty—yet it felt strangely familiar to him.

Annette skillfully removed the old stitches, scraped away the dead flesh, and began sewing the wound to prevent it from reopening. This time, she used a different stitching method.

The doctor watched Annette's deft hands with amazement. Compared to the only surgeon at their hospital, she was far more skilled.

He guessed she must be a doctor from a city hospital.

In less than half an hour, the minor surgery was complete, and Annette finally got her fill of satisfaction.

Sean was stunned when Annette helped Stuart out. "Sister-in-law, why do you know how to stitch wounds?"

Annette opened her eyes and casually lied, "Back at my grandfather's, I practiced on little rabbits when I had free time. It didn't seem that hard."

Sean was baffled, thinking? That works?

Stuart glanced at him and said, "Let's go."

Laura remained silent, her eyes full of worry and guilt as she looked at Stuart. She didn't speak because she was afraid Annette still had more to say to her.

Once in the car, Annette stared at Laura for a long while before slowly saying, "Did you not understand what I said that day? If Stuart's wound reopens, just wait and see."

Laura trembled. "I never meant to harm him."

Annette gave her a cold glare. "Put away that pitiful act. Just remember what I said."

Neither Stuart nor Sean said a word from the front seats.

Stuart dared not speak, and Sean preferred to stay silent and watch the drama unfold.

They arrived at He Wan Village, where children rarely saw cars. As soon as the vehicle approached, kids gathered from afar.

Sean parked right at the village entrance so the kids could have a good look.

Laura tried to speak softly, but Annette shot her a fierce glare: "Why aren't you getting off to go home? Should I have to escort you?"

Laura had no choice but to silently get out and head home.

After Laura left, Stuart turned to Annette. "Let's visit Third Uncle's place first, then take them to the county hospital for a checkup. After that, we'll head back."

Hearing that the trip back to the village was for this reason, Annette's expression softened. "Let's hurry then—if we're late, the hospital will be closed."

Sean waited in the car while Stuart and Annette went to Third Uncle's.

Third Uncle and his wife were weaving baskets in the yard. Little Zhu was nearby digging with a small shovel. When Stuart mentioned taking Little Zhu to the county hospital for a checkup, Third Uncle quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need. The kid eats and sleeps well, there's surely nothing wrong. We're not spending money on that."

Third Aunt wanted Little Zhu to go, but didn't want to waste money either. She agreed: "Yes, we won't go. Maybe soon, Little Zhu will start talking. We don't need to waste that money."

Stuart insisted, "I'll pay. Let's get him checked. If there's nothing wrong, we can rest easy."

Third Uncle still refused.

Annette squatted down beside Little Zhu and stroked his head. "Does Little Zhu want to talk?"

The boy looked up at Third Uncle, then at Annette, and nodded, pointing to his mouth to show he wanted to speak.

Annette stood and looked at Third Uncle. "Third Uncle, it's better to get a checkup. We can't afford to delay. Kids who talk late usually can say simple words like 'mama' or 'dada' or at least make crying sounds. Little Zhu makes no sound at all."

This was abnormal.

Third Uncle hesitated for a long moment, then said, "Alright, we'll go."

Third Aunt hurried to find clean clothes for Little Zhu and Third Uncle to change into, so they could follow Stuart and the others to the county hospital.

On the way, Third Uncle sighed, "At my age, I've only been to the county twice—once for your Fifth Uncle and Aunt's funeral, once for Changdong's funeral."

He blinked, tears glistening in his eyes.

Annette felt a pang of sadness for the poor old man. How strong must one be to endure all that?

It was Little Zhu's first time riding in a car. Sitting shyly on Third Uncle's lap, he looked curiously outside, then inside, and finally smiled shyly at Annette.

At the county hospital, Sean asked Stuart and Annette to wait in the car while he took Third Uncle and Little Zhu inside for the checkup.

Since Stuart was injured, and Annette feared she might question the doctors too much, she stayed behind.

Sitting in the car, she watched Sean carrying Little Zhu and accompanying Third Uncle into the hospital. She glanced back to see Stuart leaning against the front seat, eyes closed, resting.

The sunlight slanted through the window, casting dappled, gentle light across his face.

Annette gazed dreamily. This man looked better the more she saw him. When his eyes were closed, his thick eyelashes and the subtle upward tilt at the corners gave him an indescribable charm.

After a while of daydreaming, she felt a bit bored and turned to look out the window, silently tapping her finger on the glass.

The car was parked by the hospital entrance. No cars passed for a long time. Few bicycles, mostly pedestrians, donkey carts, and ox carts.

The trees had not yet budded, making the street look gray and dull. People wore muted colors. It felt like watching a black-and-white film.

Annette spaced out for a moment, then glanced back to tease Stuart, leaning between the front seats: "Stuart, who do you think those highway robbers were?"

Stuart wasn't asleep; Annette's burning gaze could have burned a hole through his face.

This girl was getting bolder, no longer hiding her true nature.

Now, suddenly so close, a faint sweet scent wafted to him, and in his mind echoed Sister-in-law Martha's words: "Girls from big cities all smell nice."

Seems it's true!

Seeing Stuart keep his eyes closed and remain motionless, Annette wondered why. Didn't soldiers stay alert to their surroundings?

Suddenly feeling mischievous, she carefully reached out to touch Stuart's ear—the one that blushed every time he got shy.

Just as her fingertip grazed his ear, Stuart's eyes snapped open, clear and alert. Whatever strange thoughts he had been having vanished instantly.

He turned to Annette. "What did you say?"

Only then did he realize Annette was even closer than he thought.

She turned her face, and they were only a fist apart.

He saw the fine separation of her roots and lashes, her black-and-white eyes shining with laughter.

While Stuart was dazed, Annette deliberately leaned even closer.

They were so close, it was almost a kiss...