Chapter 41 — Sweet Breakfast Just for Her

Annette racked her brain but still couldn't remember clearly—was it really a birthmark she had seen on Stuart's waist? She decided she'd check more carefully next time she helped him change the bandage.

The guesthouse room had no private bathroom, so she fetched some water from the communal sink at the end of the hallway, added hot water from the thermos, gave herself a quick wash, and fell asleep without a care in the world.

She only woke up when footsteps echoed in the corridor and someone started speaking loudly outside her door.

Annette blinked, disoriented. She had no idea what time it was. She rushed to the window and peeked out—dawn had just broken, with the soft orange glow of morning creeping across the rooftops.

After washing up and packing her things, she got ready to check out and head to the hospital. She remembered hearing yesterday that Nancy would be discharged today. Just imagining the bustle of returning to the Longlife family household made her oddly excited.

She figured the slow pace of life here must have made her restless.

As she descended the stairs with her bag, she spotted Stuart already waiting by the front desk. No matter when or where, his posture was always impeccable—shoulders square, back straight, tall and calm.

In his hand was a small tin lunchbox wrapped in a towel.

When he saw her coming, he instinctively took her bag and handed her the container. "Find a quiet spot to eat first. Then we'll head to the hospital."

Annette held the warm lunchbox, touched by the gesture. They stepped outside and found a secluded stone step to sit on. When she opened the lid, a delicate fragrance of rice wine and sweetness floated out.

It was milk rice wine with poached egg—topped with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts.

It wasn't the kind of rice wine soup she was used to. The addition of milk gave it a rich, creamy appearance, its aroma indulgent and comforting.

Unable to resist, Annette swallowed hard and turned to look at Stuart beside her. "They sell this in the morning? It smells amazing. Have you eaten?"

Stuart nodded. "I have."

He then pulled something from his coat pocket and passed it to her. "I forgot to give you this."

Annette placed the lunchbox on her knees and opened the oiled paper packet. Inside was a layer of reed leaves. She unfolded them to reveal a glutinous rice cake, dyed ruby by red dates and glistening in the morning light.

It smelled wonderfully sweet and sticky.

These were both her favorites.

She happily finished both treats, her stomach warm and full, her mood rising with each bite.

Stuart watched her out of the corner of his eye. With each spoonful, her eyes curved like crescent moons, pure delight written all over her face.

Her joy was contagious.

After breakfast, Annette ran off to rinse the lunchbox, then followed Stuart toward the hospital. Along the way, she asked casually, "So she's being discharged this afternoon?"

Stuart nodded. "Yes. The doctor said it's fine."

Annette wasn't sure if people were just less fragile in this era, or if healthcare was simply rough and ready.

A few muscle injections after surgery, and you were out the door.

Even IV drips were a rarity.

When they arrived at the ward, Laura was already inside. She stood up quickly when they walked in. "I figured since Nancy's going home today, I'd bring her some brown sugar porridge for strength."

Nancy sat upright on the bed, silently eating from her bowl, pretending not to notice anyone entering.

Stuart nodded at Laura, saying nothing.

Annette had even less to say. After all, Laura and Nancy had grown up together—it was only natural she'd come visit.

Still… something about the way Laura kept glancing at Stuart made Annette feel vaguely uneasy.

Laura turned to her with a kind smile. "Annette, have you had breakfast? I brought a few boiled eggs—would you like one?"

Annette shook her head politely. "Thank you, but I've already eaten."

Suddenly, Nancy looked up from her bowl, eyes locked on Stuart. "Stuart, I want the milk rice wine with egg from the west side of Longbridge. The one from Li's."

Laura immediately chimed in, "That place is five or six kilometers from here, and they're probably sold out by now. If you really want it, why not stay one more night? I can go early tomorrow to get it for you."

Annette blinked in surprise.

Was the breakfast she just ate really from that far away?

Had Stuart walked six kilometers just to buy it?

In another time, it would've been a simple, unremarkable breakfast. But now, it felt like a rare and precious gesture.

Nancy pouted. Truthfully, she didn't want to return home. Her body still ached, and she knew she'd be scolded the moment she stepped through the door.

Charles spoke up from the side. "That's not gonna work. The village needs the tractor for hauling fertilizer—the spring planting starts soon. We've got irrigation to finish. No delays."

Stuart ignored Nancy's watery eyes and said to Charles, "Go check with the doctor about discharge."

Charles nodded and left.

Laura bit her lip, clearly distressed. "If you're all busy, I can stay and look after her. When she's better, I'll take her home. I'm free these next few days anyway."

Stuart refused flatly. "No need. She can recover at home."

Laura frowned, clearly upset. "Stuart, she's your sister. You can't be so cold."

Annette, standing quietly nearby, felt like she was watching a drama unfold. Laura's tone—chiding, familiar—sounded exactly like someone speaking to her own man.

There was no doubt about it. Laura still had feelings for Stuart.

In the end, Stuart's insistence prevailed. Nancy was discharged and went home with them.

Before they left, Laura wrapped a headscarf tightly around Nancy's face and whispered to her, "Don't be sad, alright? So long as you're alive, everything else can be handled. I'll come visit after I finish my work."

Annette, standing close by, noticed something in Laura's voice—something worn and wistful, as if she'd lived through too much and come out the other side.

It resonated deeply.

The ride home was in the village tractor, with Charles driving. Annette sat beside Stuart, while Nancy, wrapped in a quilt, sat opposite them.

As the tractor rumbled down the road, Annette glanced back and saw Laura still standing at the roadside. Her green scarf was a bright splash of color in the early light.

Nancy followed her gaze and suddenly shouted over the engine noise, "Stuart! That scarf Laura's wearing—it's the one you gave her, remember?"

She was loud. Even the roar of the tractor couldn't drown it out.

There was no way Annette could've missed it.

She turned to look at Stuart. Thinking of how meticulous he was, and now knowing he had once given another woman a scarf—she instantly felt a sour pang in her chest.

Jealousy, swift and sharp.

Stuart, meanwhile, frowned.

When had he ever given Laura a scarf?

Then he remembered—he had once sent one to Laura's mother as a thank-you, back when he'd just started receiving his army allowance. He'd written clearly in the letter that it was for her mother.

Was that where the misunderstanding came from?

But in Annette's eyes, his silence only confirmed everything.

Her heart soured further.

As the tractor chugged back into Woodacre Village, the Longlife courtyard came into view.

Waiting in the yard were Grace and Carl.