Qi Yue walked into the outpatient building, exchanging greetings with colleagues finishing their night shifts and those starting the morning one, just as always.
“…How were the patients last night?”
“Don’t even ask. The resident doctors were clueless. It was just a clogged suction line from accumulated drainage fluid that the nurses had to deal with, but they all acted like the world was ending, making me run over there in the middle of the night for nothing…”
That was the kind of chatter filling the air. Qi Yue listened, a faint smile on her face.
“Xiao Qi, how was your trip?” someone asked casually.
“It was fine,” Qi Yue replied just as casually.
Then everyone scattered to their duties—rounds, charting, organizing medical records. Each carried their own burdens and lived their own lives; they neither had the capacity nor the inclination to care about anyone else’s.
Qi Yue paused in the office, taking in the room one last time before walking out.
The Director’s eyes widened when he saw the letter of resignation Qi Yue handed him.
“Qi Yue, you’re not joking, are you?” he asked.
Qi Yue shook her head.
“No,” she confirmed.
“Why?” The Director pressed. Anyone could resign, but he had never expected Qi Yue to do so. Besides, this was Yan Jing Hospital, the best hospital in Yan Jing; people fought tooth and nail just for an entry-level position. And yet, someone wanted to leave voluntarily?
“I plan to practice medicine somewhere else,” Qi Yue stated.
The Director’s expression darkened.
“Qi Yue, don’t let your emotions run away with you. Don’t let those people sway you. A doctor like you has a bright future in a public hospital. Don’t be tempted by fleeting wealth…” he said, his voice strained.
“It’s not a private hospital,” Qi Yue quickly shook her head with a laugh. “I want to go to Maochun County Hospital in Nanyun Province.”
What?
The Director couldn't process it for a moment. He knew Nanyun Province, but what kind of place was Maochun County?
“Are they offering you a high salary?” he inquired.
“Actually, I haven’t even contacted them yet. I don’t know if they’ll even take me,” Qi Yue chuckled.
The Director felt a strange mix of amusement and exasperation.
“Qi Yue, stop messing around. If you’re tired, I’ll grant you leave right now. Go rest properly and then come back to work,” he waved his hand dismissively.
“Director, I have to go. I made a promise to someone, and I must keep my word,” Qi Yue said, rising to her feet. “Being a doctor—we can save lives anywhere, and we can earn a living anywhere. It’s all the same.”
“Who did you promise?” the Director asked, perhaps suspecting a lucrative recruitment offer. He generally disliked young doctors who were too ambitious for their current standing and felt a touch of annoyance.
“You go ahead for now, and think about it some more,” he said.
Qi Yue bowed respectfully, placed the resignation letter on his desk, and turned to leave.
The Director tapped his desk thoughtfully, then dialed a number.
“Old classmate, I need you to look into something for me,” he said without preamble.
At noon, while the Director was leading a meeting, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, didn't dismiss it as he usually would, and made an apologetic gesture to the room before stepping out.
“…Are you kidding me, old classmate? I’ve asked around, and there’s absolutely nothing to this. Moreover, if anyone were to poach one of your staff, it would be our Nanyun Provincial Hospital. A county hospital, especially a poor one? They’d have to be insane to poach someone from you—they would be the insane ones…” Laughter boomed over the line.
The Director frowned. Yes, that was impossible.
“But the fact remains, Dr. Xiao Qi is dead set on going there. Is there some hidden benefit? Why would she go? For love and peace?” he countered.
“I wouldn’t know about that. Since this doctor is so determined to come, we will naturally welcome her. Don't worry, old classmate. I’ll handle the paperwork. Thank you for giving me a heads-up early notice. I’ll certainly treat this comrade, who is willing to serve at the grassroots level, with the utmost respect. Such good comrades are rare these days…” the voice on the other end continued to laugh.
The Director spat out a sound of disdain.
“Who’s asking you for a heads-up! Don’t get sentimental! So this turns into me contributing to your staff roster,” he snapped, hanging up. The Director frowned outside, thinking for a moment, before finally shaking his head and rejoining the meeting.
Meanwhile, Qi Yue was already sitting on the sofa at home, watching her mother busy herself in the kitchen.
“Mom, do you need help?” she asked, swallowing the last piece of fruit.
“No need, your father can’t stand food made by others,” her mother smiled. “It’ll be ready soon.”
“Mom, you spoil Dad too much,” Qi Yue laughed, walking over and leaning against the doorframe, watching her mother work.
“Oh, how rare it is in this world to find someone you can spoil,” her mother chuckled, glancing at her. “Jealous?”
Qi Yue burst into laughter.
“Jealous,” she admitted. Saying the word, her nose unexpectedly stung, and she quickly turned her head away, coughing to disguise the sudden redness in her eyes.
The door opened and her father walked in, looking surprised to see Qi Yue there.
“Well, well, look who decided to freeload after a trip—my independent little sharp knife who doesn’t need parental coddling?” he teased.
Qi Yue laughed heartily.
“Alright, I admit, your daughter has a conscience, remembering her parents after a jaunt,” her father said, taking off his shoes and setting down his briefcase. He extended his hand. “Hand it over.”
Qi Yue paused, feigning shock.
“What? You want my old-age allowance already?” she called out playfully, grasping her father’s arm. “Dad, you earn more than both of us combined! Dad, I haven’t even paid off my mortgage yet! I wasn’t delivered as a phone bill bonus, was I?”
Her father patted her head.
“Go on,” he smiled. “You went to Nanyun province—where are the local specialties?”
Qi Yue realized with a faint, embarrassed smile.
“You little brat, you didn’t forget your dear parents, did you?” her father asked with a mock glare.
“Okay, dinner is served,” her mother called from the kitchen.
“No, no, it was too rushed; I didn't get a chance to buy anything,” Qi Yue said, gently steering her father towards the dining table.
“Look at her, look at her,” her father chuckled, pointing at her mother. “The girl you raised…”
“Oh, who is it that always says my girl takes after him? When she’s good, she’s like you; when she’s not, she’s my responsibility?” her mother retorted, passing over chopsticks.
Her father laughed heartily.
“But never mind, if I didn't bring anything this time, I can mail you things anytime you want them in the future,” Qi Yue promised, picking up her chopsticks and making a show of looking ravenous at the spread before them.
Her father paused with his chopsticks raised, looking at her.
“What Director Liu said—is it true?” he asked.
Qi Yue nodded.
Her mother looked confused, glancing between father and daughter, but habitually remained quiet.
“Mom, I resigned. I’m planning to go to Maochun County Hospital in Nanyun Province,” Qi Yue told her mother.
Her mother’s first reaction echoed the Director’s: What kind of place was Maochun County?
“Why?” her father asked.
“Dad, if I tell you why, you probably won’t believe me,” Qi Yue admitted, stirring the food in her bowl with her chopsticks.
“If you say it, we’ll believe you,” her father affirmed.
Her mother nodded in agreement.
“I promised a man a long time ago that I would be with him,” Qi Yue confessed.
Her parents exchanged a look of surprise.
Wu Jianfeng?
“It’s not Wu Jianfeng,” Qi Yue quickly interjected. “As for how I met him, don't ask. But now, something unexpected happened—he… he is gone, and I am so, so, so heartbroken…”
As she spoke, she lowered her head, and tears dropped into her bowl.
Her parents’ expressions grew solemn.
“You child, why didn’t you tell us about something so big?” her mother murmured, sliding a tissue box across the table.
Qi Yue didn't take it, looking up with a smile instead.
“Even though he is gone now, I still want to honor my commitment and go there to keep him company,” she said.
“Xiao Yue,” her mother sighed gently. “Life is long; you have to learn to look past things.”
Qi Yue nodded.
“I know, Mom, I know,” she replied. “Life is long, and no one knows what the future holds. But at least for now, I know what I need to do, what I want to do, what I should do, and what I must do.”
Her mother started to speak again, but her father stopped her.
“Since that’s the case, then go,” he stated.
Qi Yue smiled at her father; she knew that no matter what she chose, her father would support her.
Her mother looked at her husband, seemingly wanting to say more but holding back.
“Do what you need to do. I have faith in my daughter; she won’t do anything reckless,” her father assured her mother with a smile, comforting her.
Qi Yue smiled brightly, nodding firmly.
“Oh, now she’s your daughter again, is she?” her mother laughed, serving her husband a portion of food.
Laughter filled the dining room, a scene of perfect harmony.
Huang Ying was probably the last to know. She stormed into Qi Yue’s office, finding Qi Yue already finishing packing her things to leave.
“Hey, what are you doing? Are you really going there to watch a grave?” Huang Ying yelled.
“No, I’m going to work,” Qi Yue smiled, linking arms with her friend and showing her a brand-new work ID.
It was the work ID for Maochun County Hospital.
This had happened after the Nanyun Provincial Hospital learned Qi Yue was seeking a job there. Administrative staff had flown over personally to meet her, which surprised Qi Yue and filled her with gratitude towards the Director.
“I don’t want any patient under my watch to suffer because of a poor transfer,” the Director had said, his face set in stern disapproval.
Qi Yue had ultimately declined the invitation from the Provincial Hospital and insisted on going to Maochun County. As long as she was willing to go, even if it wasn't the Provincial Hospital, they were in the same province, and they could always call upon her for complex surgeries—though the idea of a county hospital calling a provincial one for expertise felt strangely backward, a first in memory.
The Nanyun Provincial officials had been swift in finalizing her documentation and official post registration.
Huang Ying looked at the ID, realizing the decision was final, feeling both angry and helpless.
“What are you getting out of this?” she demanded.
“Happiness,” Qi Yue said cheerfully, linking arms with her as they walked toward the door. “What else is life for, if not this?”
Huang Ying walked along in a frustrated silence.
The elevator doors opened, and Peng Jiahai stepped out. Both stopped dead when they saw each other.
This was their first meeting since his return.
Qi Yue nodded a greeting first.
“Thank you. I must have scared you badly last time,” she said.
Peng Jiahai smiled faintly.
“I wasn’t scared,” he replied. “It’s normal. I’ve been there too.”
Qi Yue paused, surprised.
“Everyone has an emotional breaking point,” Peng Jiahai continued, his gaze drifting to the small box Qi Yue was holding. “Looks like the farewell banquet isn't happening?”
“Of course, it’s happening,” Qi Yue smiled. “Are you coming?”
“Definitely,” Peng Jiahai affirmed.
“I’ll set the time and place and call you,” Qi Yue promised.
Peng Jiahai nodded.
“I need to get back to work then,” he said.
Qi Yue nodded, watching him walk past before stepping into the elevator. As the doors slowly closed, Peng Jiahai, walking down the corridor, paused briefly and looked back.
Stepping out of the hospital gate, Qi Yue found Huang Ying still wearing a long face.
“Hey, is this the farewell? Besides wearing that sour expression, are there any final instructions?” she teased.
Huang Ying glared at her.
“Don’t you dare sell the apartment. I’m living there,” she ordered.
Qi Yue let out a small burst of laughter.
“Deal.” She nodded, then hugged Huang Ying tightly. “I’m leaving now.”
She opened the car door, slid inside, and said nothing more. The car pulled away from in front of Huang Ying.
“That fool,” Huang Ying muttered, raising a hand to rub her eyes.
Having drunk too much at the farewell dinner the night before, Qi Yue overslept and was terribly rushed when catching her flight.
As she burst through the airport entrance, two young men were entering at the same moment, nearly colliding.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” Qi Yue quickly pulled back her feet to apologize.
They were two young men, carrying an air of arrogance.
“What’s the rush, beautiful? Trying to pick us up?” one of them—a young man with a buzz cut where only a few long, dyed-gold strands remained—said, letting his gaze sweep over Qi Yue. “A bit past your prime, maybe, but acceptable. Want a number?”
Qi Yue didn't get angry; instead, she smiled.
“Thanks, handsome young man,” she chuckled, turning and hurrying away.
The buzz-cut man shrugged it off, turning to complain to his companion.
“…What’s the story with them?” he asked.
“Heard he’s an illegal immigrant, grew up in the mountains, practically a savage…” the other young man replied.
“Forget it,” the buzz-cut man cut him off. “Savage? A wolf boy? What era are we in?”
The second young man smiled without speaking.
They had already entered the main hall. Arrivals were on the first floor, but they headed directly toward the area near security, where a discreet, private channel was located.
“I’m telling you, they’re bringing back an illegitimate child they found in their old base area,” the buzz-cut man continued, looking at the other man. “Have you checked their background?”
“Young Master Wen, don't speak carelessly,” the younger man warned in a low voice.
“They’ve already done it; what’s there to fear people saying? What’s said when they meet will be worse,” the buzz-cut man huffed.
The two fell silent, focusing intently on the private channel entrance. Near the entrance was the security checkpoint, relatively empty now. The buzz-cut man noticed the woman who had bumped into him rushing through, quickly heading deeper inside.
“Stop looking at the beauty. The Old Master is here,” the young man beside him nudged him.
A group emerged from the channel entrance. The buzz-cut man quickly pasted on a smile to greet them.
Two men led the way, dressed in simple casual wear, looking relaxed and easygoing.
The buzz-cut man approached with a smile, only to realize there was no one following these two.
“Grandpa?” he asked.
“He ran into Commander Wang. They’re having a chat inside,” one of the men explained.
“From the Southwest Military Region,” the other man added.
His voice was crisp, but the buzz-cut man found it quite pleasant, as it shared a similarity with his grandfather’s accent. This man, knowing to add a supplementary detail, showed he was perceptive. He looked at the speaker again.
Tall, around thirty-something, wearing a crisply ironed white shirt, he appeared gentle, but if he focused his gaze on you, it exerted pressure.
This bodyguard is quite capable, but he’s too handsome. Does a bodyguard really need to look this good? It’s too flashy!
The buzz-cut man nodded toward him, and the group stood outside waiting.
“Hey, I heard the Old Chief brought back a bumpkin?” he quietly asked the man with the crisp shirt. “What’s his background? Did you check?”
The man looked at him.
“Bumpkin?” he repeated.
The buzz-cut man scoffed, looking back inside.
“The savage one,” he said. “What’s his real background? How did he trick the Old Master into bringing him back?”
“Not a savage,” the man finally understood who he meant. He looked at the buzz-cut man, his gaze settling on his hair. Why did people here always style their hair so strangely… Would touching it leave dye on his hand?
The buzz-cut man, oblivious to his hair being scrutinized, kept looking inside.
“Why not a savage? Didn’t they say he was like a werewolf, raised in the mountains, only just leaving the wilderness? Hey, do people like that still exist? Tell me, what’s he like? Is he hairy all over? Can he talk? Is he naked or wearing animal hides? Like those eco-rebels?” the buzz-cut man rambled, then burst into laughter. “Damn, I actually get to meet a savage! What an honor, goddamn it.”
The man smiled and extended his hand.
The buzz-cut man instinctively shook it.
“It is my honor to meet you too,” he replied.
What?
The buzz-cut man froze. Before he could speak, there was a flurry of activity. The Old Chief emerged, and the young man rushed to attend to him.
“Grandpa,” he called out enthusiastically.
The elder glanced at him, nodded, and gestured behind him.
“Hey, Yun Cheng,” the elder said. “Go get that wild ginseng from my luggage and give it to Commander Wang.”
The buzz-cut man jumped in alarm.
“Grandpa, how can you let a bodyguard handle something like that? I’ll go, I’ll go!” he quickly offered. The Commander of the Southwest Military Region—that wasn't someone you met casually! This was a huge opportunity.
Chang Yun Cheng had already acknowledged the order and moved away.
“What bodyguard?” The elder looked at the buzz-cut man. “That is a young friend I just met.”
A young friend? Just met?
“The… the savage?” the buzz-cut man blurted out.
“What savage!” the elder snapped, looking him up and down. “I think you’re the savage, with that hair! Looks spooky!”
With that, the elder strode away.
The buzz-cut man stood stunned.
“Damn it, was that guy the savage? Are you all blind!” he exclaimed, glaring at the man beside him. “How the hell does that look like a savage? Can you guys stop exaggerating when you talk?”
Chang Yun Cheng paid no mind to the complaints of the little punk behind him. He walked through the waiting hall with composed dignity. His initial surprise upon arrival had settled, but his heart still marveled at this truly astonishing… world.
Yes, this was what the people here called their world.
Since the elder hadn't left yet and Commander Wang was waiting, he ordered that the person delivering the gift be admitted.
Chang Yun Cheng entered and handed over the box.
“The old gentleman asked me to give this to you,” he stated.
Commander Wang remembered this man from the plane; he had seen the elder repeatedly calling the man over to speak quietly. Based on the elder’s demeanor and this man’s deference, Wang was certain he wasn't a bodyguard. A nephew or younger relative, perhaps? Otherwise, he wouldn't be sent to deliver the item personally. Since he was asked to deliver it in person, it meant the Commander should get to know him—in short, memorize his face and name for future consideration.
Commander Wang sat up on the sofa, smiling faintly at Chang Yun Cheng.
“Thank you, Chief,” he said. “Where are you from, young brother?”
“Taishui County, Tai Mao Ridge, Chunchang Province,” Chang Yun Cheng replied without hesitation, pulling a card from his pocket as he spoke.
A business card?
Commander Wang almost laughed but accepted it anyway. Upon looking, he smiled.
An ID card…
“This is my identification,” Chang Yun Cheng explained.
At that moment, the elder, who was about to board the car, suddenly slapped his thigh.
“Ah, I forgot to give Little Chang one instruction,” he said.
The buzz-cut man was already settled in the co-pilot seat and quickly asked what it was.
“Nothing,” the elder glared at him, then closed his eyes and remained silent.
The buzz-cut man pouted.
“I don’t know if I’m your real grandson,” he mumbled. “Always yelling at me…”
“That’s because you’re too dense,” the elder retorted without warmth.
The buzz-cut man shrank back, daring not to speak again.
Meanwhile, Commander Wang stared at the ID card Chang Yun Cheng had handed him, unsure how to react. However, remembering this was someone introduced by the Old Chief, he suppressed his emotions and examined the ID.
The name was Chang Yun Cheng, the residency matched what he had just said, and the age—thirty-three—was a good time to be building a career.
“Your photo is quite spirited. Good looks are an advantage; unlike us, our ID photos make us look like different people,” he chuckled, finding a point of conversation on the card.
Chang Yun Cheng thought the photo didn't even capture his true appearance; the portrait skills here were too poor. He smiled and said, “Thank you.” He knew that people here interpreted "thank you" as a form of modesty, not literal gratitude.
Commander Wang nodded.
“Good, Little Chang, if you have a chance to visit the Southwest in the future, remember to stop by my office,” he said with a warm smile, handing the ID back.
Chang Yun Cheng took it, realizing the task was complete. He nodded in deference again, turned, and walked out.
Seeing him approach, she naturally opened the car door and slid in, causing the flat-topped haircut to stare wide-eyed. Good heavens, he actually got into this car!
And he seems quite comfortable sitting there! “How did it go?” the old man inquired.
“I gave it to him; he was very pleased,” Chang Yuncheng replied. The old man nodded slowly.
“Uh, did you show him your identification?” He couldn’t help but lean slightly to the side, dropping his voice to ask. Chang Yuncheng nodded.
“He asked who I was, so I showed him my credentials.” As he said this, he gave a slight smile, revealing a few very white teeth. Truly… simple and pure… like a newborn infant….
The old man raised a hand to adjust the bridge of his nose. “Good, good,” he murmured, then added with a touch of curiosity, “So, what did he say?” “Commander Wang said the photo was quite good,” Chang Yuncheng answered.
Excellent… Little Wang has certainly matured; he even managed to start a conversation. The old man couldn't help but chuckle and nod, leaning back against the seat.
Chang Yuncheng certainly noticed the smile playing on the old man's lips, but he naturally wouldn't ask about it, instead sitting up straight, gaze fixed forward. Having endured rides with terrifying monsters that could fly through the air, this four-sided box wouldn't make him nervous anymore.
“Grandpa, what are you laughing at?” The flat-topped haircut in the front seat, already uncomfortable with the low, intimate conversation happening behind him, quickly interjected. “What’s so funny?
Sit up straight and mind your own business,” the old man said, his smile gone, his eyes glaring. The flat-topped haircut turned his head sullenly and sat properly.
The driver understood, started the car, and smoothly steered toward the district of Yanjing, while simultaneously, an airplane glided southward across the sky. Two chapters combined into one, cough, I believe the pink double chapter event starts on the 28th, everyone save up their resources~ Thank you, thank you, RS