Chapter 42: Come with Me, I Have a Surprise for You

“Yes, how can I help you?” He Jinyan’s face bore the same warm smile as always. The gentle warmth radiating from him naturally brought to mind a phrase: “A stranger on the road is like jade; a nobleman unmatched in the world.”

Ruan Ling mustered her courage and spoke up, “Um, I have a friend who’s ill and can’t come to the hospital.”

He Jinyan raised an eyebrow. “You want me to treat her?”

Ruan Ling nodded. “Doctor He, you’re so smart. It won’t be too much trouble, will it?”

“It is a bit inconvenient, but not a big problem.” The more He Jinyan looked at her, the more she reminded him of the little sister who used to follow him everywhere when they were kids. It was just that back then, he was in a bad mood and didn’t even know her name.

Ruan Ling beamed. “Then it’s settled! We’ll meet at the entrance of Zhongshan Park.”

“All right.” He Jinyan agreed readily but then hesitated, feeling something was off. Why meet in a park if it’s inconvenient to see a doctor? Still, seeing her so happy, he said nothing more.

Wen Ran watched the scene, remembering the complicated love story between the two in the book.

He Jinyan had always regarded Ruan Ling as a little sister, which caused her endless anguish. She had to work hard to make him understand her feelings.

Just as they were about to be together, a female intellectual youth who had once pursued He Jinyan returned to the city.

She stirred up trouble and played various tricks, ultimately causing Ruan Ling to completely misunderstand He Jinyan. No matter how much she liked him, she left the city without hesitation and focused on her career.

Their relationship was fiery and tumultuous, and Ruan Ling became a renowned female entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry.

He Jinyan, due to the misunderstanding, never contacted Ruan Ling and eventually went abroad.

Wherever he was, he kept tabs on Ruan Ling until a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the country, prompting his return.

Ruan Ling invested both money and effort and met him at the epicenter.

By then, both were in their forties or fifties and could have rekindled their relationship, but He Jinyan became a vegetative state after being struck by aftershocks.

The ending was left open-ended, leaving it uncertain whether He Jinyan ever woke up.

Thinking about it, being a nurse might underutilize Ruan Ling’s talents.

But without the reform and opening-up, it wouldn’t matter what she did, and her current work still related to medicine, which would benefit her future.

Ruan Ling’s career flourished, yet her love life was fraught with setbacks, truly a poignant tale.

Wen Ran felt deeply moved but chose not to interfere in Ruan Ling’s affairs for now, as there were no conflicts or misunderstandings needing her involvement.

There were still two years before the return of the female intellectual youth; perhaps by then, Ruan Ling and He Jinyan would already have children.

She packed her things and left work on time.

Just as she rode out of the hospital gate, someone called, “Sister!”

She turned to see it was Erhu, the boy who had been caught and sent home by Shen Nanzheng.

Stopping her bicycle, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Sister, I waited here just for you.” Erhu hurried over, panting. “You know medicine. The last time I saw you was near here, so I guessed you must work at Chengdong Hospital.”

Wen Ran smiled knowingly. “Smart. Has your mother gotten any better?”

Erhu nodded vigorously. “You’re amazing, Sister. After taking the medicine you prescribed, her stomach really shrank a lot. I came specially to thank you and to ask how many more treatment courses she needs.”

Wen Ran thought for a moment. “It depends on how well your mother is now. Let me check her pulse again to see if the prescription needs adjusting.”

“Then come home with me!” Erhu’s eyes shone with hope, clearly seeing her as a savior.

Wen Ran didn’t hesitate and let Erhu get on the back of her bicycle, taking him back to the crowded courtyard.

The people there all knew she was a miracle doctor. After treating Erhu’s mother, a few others also came to her for help.

None had serious illnesses; all were resolved in less than half an hour.

As night fell, Erhu walked her partway home.

On the way, he asked, “Sister, I don’t even know your name yet.”

“Just call me Sister.” Wen Ran didn’t tell him her name, fearing the courtyard residents would spread it around, making it impossible for her to work peacefully at the hospital.

Erhu looked a little disappointed but then said seriously, “Sister, you don’t know my name either!”

“I do. You’re called Erhu.” Wen Ran’s eyes curved kindly, making anyone feel at ease.

Erhu shook his head. “No, that’s just my nickname. My full name is Ji Zhaolin.”

Ji Zhaolin???

Wen Ran stopped and looked at him, trying to see the adult Ji Zhaolin in his features but found they were very different.

Ji Zhaolin’s parents died early. He didn’t finish middle school, scavenged for scraps, begged for food, and after the reform and opening-up, he went south alone to develop himself. Later, he founded his own brand, growing from a small shop to a thousand-chain franchise. His business acumen was top-notch, ranking among the best in the Fortune 500. The book briefly described him as truly impressive.

Shen Nanzheng’s half-sister was deeply devoted to him, even giving up the chance to study abroad for his sake.

In the end, they still didn’t end up together.

The specific reason was unclear; the book didn’t elaborate, and Wen Ran hadn’t paid much attention.

She hadn’t expected Erhu to be Ji Zhaolin. What a surprise!

She had saved his mother, altering the fate of his orphaned childhood. She wondered if this would change his future life.

Erhu blushed under her gaze. “Sister, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing, I just think your name sounds really nice!” Wen Ran still found it unbelievable—the twists of fate were truly miraculous.

Erhu’s eyes sparkled. “Then from now on, I’ll only let people call me by my full name.”

Wen Ran smiled gently. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Erhu: “...”

Erhu saw her off at the crossroads before leaving. Seeing how sensible he was, she felt a pang of sadness.

Poor children grow up fast. She sincerely hoped he would become as outstanding as she remembered.

Thinking of the talented people around her, she felt invigorated.

That night, she read with a flashlight until past ten, only going to sleep when her mother urged her.

Lu Meiqin felt sorry for her and let her sleep in the next morning.

There was leftover rice in the pot, and after washing up, the food was still warm.

In this simple, quiet moment, she found joy.

After dinner, she lay back on the bed reading.

Reading enriched her; she never missed a chance to improve herself.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Who is it?”

Living in the staff compound was relatively safe. Hearing the knock, she got up to open the door.

A figure in army green appeared, making her heart skip a beat.

Looking up, it was indeed Shen Nanzheng.

“What are you doing here?”

Shen Nanzheng smiled faintly. “I came specially to see you.”

Wen Ran: “...”

She didn’t have to guess how he knew she was off duty today.

Her mother and Teacher Liu were so close; it was easy for them to leak her schedule.

They were his informants.

Besides, there was also He Changshan at the hospital. Even if Shen Nanzheng wasn’t close with He Changshan, it was easy to find out when she was off.

Leaning against the doorframe helplessly, she asked, “What do you want?”

Shen Nanzheng said mysteriously, “Come with me. I have a surprise for you!”

Wen Ran: “...”