The next day, Cheng You naturally overslept.
Qi Chengyan, however, was as punctual as ever, waking up at six, his stamina seemingly inexhaustible.
Cheng You rolled over and wrapped her arm around his.
She mumbled, "Just a little longer..."
Qi Chengyan leaned down and kissed her, whispering in her ear, "Rest, my dear, you sleep a bit more."
Cheng You hugged him tightly, refusing to let him get up, and nestled into his embrace, starting to whine.
"It's not fair at all. How can I be so exhausted while you're perfectly fine."
Qi Chengyan hummed, "That's because you're too weak. We'll start exercising together early in the mornings from now on."
Cheng You, still half-asleep, cried out, "Qi Chengyan, you must be a devil!"
Qi Chengyan chuckled helplessly, then stayed with her for a while longer, only getting up to leave after she had fallen back into a deep sleep.
He began by practicing a set of military combat drills in the courtyard, a habit he maintained, and then went for a morning run around the village.
Mid-run, he encountered Qi Yang, who was also out for a morning jog.
Qi Yang had also served in the military for two years. Although she spent most of her time in the laboratory, she had maintained a habit of physical fitness.
"So early?"
She had assumed Qi Chengyan would oversleep today.
Doubt flickered in her eyes. Was her brother not quite... capable?
Qi Chengyan ignored her gaze and continued his run with an unperturbed expression.
Qi Yang caught up and said, "I've spoken to Mom and Dad about your marriage."
Qi Chengyan responded with a faint hum, saying nothing more.
Qi Yang sighed softly, understanding that the relationship between their parents and her brother could not be easily mended.
"A'yan, you're not planning to stay here forever, are you?"
In her eyes, her brother was an eagle destined for the highest skies, a fish not meant for shallow ponds.
Qi Chengyan replied, "Of course not."
In the past, he had felt disillusioned and indifferent to everything.
But now, things were different. He had Cheng You.
Every drop of the mud slung at him, he would wash clean, one by one.
He couldn't let Cheng You bear a life of ill repute, just like him.
"I'll help you contact a doctor, and you can go back to Yancheng to treat your leg."
Qi Chengyan slowed his pace. "My leg is already healed."
Qi Yang suddenly stopped, exclaiming in surprise, "What did you say!"
Qi Chengyan stated calmly, "It's healed."
Qi Yang, disregarding her appearance, crouched down and felt his calf.
"It's really healed?"
Her expression was one of utter shock, but tears quickly welled up in her eyes. She exclaimed excitedly, "Which divine doctor was it? We must thank them properly!"
"It was Cheng You."
Qi Yang froze. She had always suspected this girl was no ordinary person.
The hemostatic powder she made had been analyzed at the People's Hospital, and the doctors had all said it was a common formula.
Yet, the results they achieved were vastly inferior.
At the time, Qi Yang had mused that such a rare substance couldn't possibly be easily revealed to them.
"A'yan, you're not marrying her just because of this, are you? I'm telling you, she healed your leg, and you can't be ungrateful."
Qi Chengyan scoffed, "What are you talking about."
If someone else had healed him, he wouldn't have offered to marry them.
Qi Yang hadn't expected her sister-in-law to be so extraordinary. Her parents would surely no longer oppose this marriage if they knew.
However, Qi Chengyan, discerning her thoughts, said coldly, "You are not to tell anyone about this."
Qi Yang was taken aback. "I understand. So, when are you planning to bring Cheng You back to Yancheng?"
"It's not time yet."
Cheng You had no foundation there. If he took her back now, he wouldn't be able to be by her side constantly, and he feared she might be bullied.
He trusted no one to protect her, not even Qi Yang.
Therefore, Cheng You needed to be capable of protecting herself.
She needed time.
Qi Yang didn't insist further. As long as he still had the intention of returning, everything could be arranged.
"When are you leaving?" Qi Chengyan asked.
"Today."
"So soon?"
Qi Yang nodded. "There's a project at the lab that's only half-finished."
She had specifically taken leave, and the department had initially been reluctant to approve it, but she had badgered them until she secured three days off.
"Does Xiao Youzi have any new medicine? I can take some back."
Since she had come all this way, she might as well get some benefits.
The hair growth pills she had used before were incredibly effective, even improving her complexion.
For those who pulled all-nighters in the lab, hair loss was a major concern, with clumps falling out during every wash.
Everyone had been asking her where she bought them.
She had come this time hoping to ask Cheng You if she had any more.
"Ask her later. It's a small business, remember to pay."
Qi Yang rolled her eyes. "You think I'd take advantage of my sister-in-law?"
Qi Chengyan raised an eyebrow and continued running.
By the time he returned from his run, Cheng You was still asleep.
Cheng Wenyu had gone back to his maternal uncle's house after dinner yesterday and had school today, so the house was quiet.
Qi Chengyan glanced into the room, not wanting to disturb her, and went to the kitchen on his own.
Thanks to Cheng You's diligent training, he could now make simple breakfasts.
He occasionally even cooked a few dishes, and their taste wasn't too bad.
By the time Cheng You emerged from the room, yawning, his noodles were ready.
"Awake?"
Cheng You, her eyes still heavy with sleep and a bit dazed.
He placed two bowls of noodles on the table and walked over, hugging her and stroking her head.
Seeing the marks on her fair neck, he gently rubbed them with his fingertips.
"Go brush your teeth, then come and eat."
Cheng You hummed and, still yawning, went to brush her teeth, already planning to take a nap after eating.
However, just as she finished her noodles, Qi Yang arrived.
Cheng You instantly perked up. "Sister, have you eaten?"
"Yes, yes. You eat first. I have to leave this afternoon, and I was afraid I wouldn't have time, so I came to talk to you."
Cheng You said, "So soon? I have two jars of hair growth pills here. Sister, you can take them back with you."
Qi Yang's expression brightened. This was exactly what she had been waiting for.
"Oh, that's too much trouble."
Cheng You smiled. "We're family, no need to be polite."
Qi Yang held her hand, her gratitude evident.
"Xiao Youzi, I'm truly grateful to you. Thank you for helping A'yan, and thank you for being willing to marry him. I also have to apologize to you, as my parents were absent from your wedding."
She couldn't even offer an excuse.
Cheng You understood everything and smiled, "I know, Qi Chengyan told me."
Qi Yang nodded. The fact that Qi Chengyan was willing to tell her indicated that Cheng You was someone he trusted implicitly.
Perhaps her own position in his heart was not as significant as Cheng You's.
Cheng You decided against her planned second nap and began packing things for Qi Yang to take back.
"I've already submitted the application materials. The license should be issued soon, and then my medicine won't be considered an unapproved product. If you need anything on your end, Sister, you can buy from me. I'll give you a discount."
Qi Yang liked her straightforwardness and readily agreed, "When the time comes, I'll help you contact the hospital and promote your products."
After seeing Qi Yang off, Cheng You rubbed her lower back, thinking of going back to bed.
"I'm exhausted. I want to sleep again."
Qi Chengyan massaged her back. "No sleeping now. If you sleep now, you won't be able to sleep tonight."
Cheng You playfully kicked him, feigning annoyance. "It's your fault!"
"Yes, it's my fault. Let me give you a massage."
He thought to himself that Cheng You really needed to work out more.