Chapter 645

"Alright, I'll head over once I'm done here." Alexander Hamilton gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping across the clinic's modest hallway. The director's enthusiasm was hard to decline, but his attention was drawn to the faint crease between Evelyn Carter's brows.

Elder Thompson rubbed his calloused hands together as he approached. "Mr. Hamilton, is there anything else you need?"

Alexander glanced at Evelyn, who was inventorying medical supplies, and lowered his voice. "These medications need to be sorted and stored. Dr. Carter and I were just about to organize them."

He knew her too well. Those cardboard boxes piled in the hallway were like thorns—she wouldn't even eat lunch until they were dealt with.

"Leave it to me!" The elder slapped his thigh and turned to call outside, "Zach! Round up the boys who delivered the supplies earlier!"

Evelyn opened her mouth to protest, but the elder had already dashed out with surprising agility for a man his age.

Alexander watched his retreating figure disappear around the corner and chuckled. "The people here are more welcoming than I expected."

"Did you see the cured meats in the dormitory?" Evelyn asked without looking up.

"I did." He nodded. "I thought it might be some local custom."

She paused her notetaking. "They arrived this morning. All because we delivered a difficult birth last night." Her eyes drifted toward the rolling green hills outside the window. "People here don't know empty pleasantries. They just give you the best they have."

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting golden flecks on her lashes. Alexander found himself holding his breath.

"No wonder some choose to live secluded in the mountains," he murmured, inhaling the crisp scent of grass and trees. "This kind of simple life truly—"

"It's only the first day." Evelyn cut him off. "Don't jump to conclusions."

He smiled faintly but didn't argue. "Aside from medical supplies, what else is lacking here?"

"Doctors." The word slipped out before she could stop herself, her ears turning pink. "I mean—"

"I understand." His eyes settled on the humming, antiquated refrigerator in the corner. "Insufficient refrigeration?"

Her face lit up. "How did you know? Many vaccines and specialized medications require temperature control. Right now, we can only prioritize the most urgent—"

Alexander was already pulling out his phone. "Order a commercial freezer—the largest available—expedited shipping."

When Elder Thompson returned with the young men, he overheard the conversation. The old man's eyes instantly welled up, his rough fingers wiping at the corners.

"Are you alright?" Evelyn startled.

"It's nothing, nothing..." His voice trembled. "Just...thank you..."

Flustered, she looked to Alexander, who smoothly interjected, "It's the least we can do. By the way, Elder, about lunch—"

"Right, right!" The elder suddenly remembered. "I'll go slaughter a hen!"

Evelyn darted forward to stop him. "No! Those hens are still laying eggs!"

"How can we neglect our honored guests?" The elder insisted.

Alexander stepped in. "Wouldn't preparing the chicken now delay lunch?"

Evelyn caught on immediately. "Exactly. With all the fresh ingredients everyone brought this morning, they'll spoil if we don't use them soon."

The elder hesitated, rubbing his hands. "But those were gifts for you two..."

"We'd like to share the meal with everyone," Evelyn said brightly. "Consider it...a welcome for Mr. Hamilton?"

He played along with a nod. "I'd love to meet everyone properly."

Finally relenting, the elder agreed. Evelyn exhaled quietly—the hens had been granted a temporary reprieve.

Soon, savory aromas wafted from the kitchen. Two wooden tables pushed together were laden with cured meats, bamboo shoots, and seasonal vegetables brought by the villagers. The nurses clustered around Evelyn, chattering excitedly:

"Dr. Carter, your husband arrived just in time. All this food won't go to waste now."

"He's even more handsome than those CEOs in dramas!"

"But can a big-shot executive really adjust to a place like this?"

Evelyn opened her mouth to explain when she noticed Alexander standing beneath the pear tree in the courtyard. Sunlight dappled his shoulders through the leaves. He raised a rough ceramic bowl toward her, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

In that moment, she forgot what she meant to say.