Chapter 99 - 84: Returned to Its Owner

Geng Wenxiu originally wanted to take the opportunity to recommend Huang Lide for the position of Director of the Medical Department, but before she could say anything, Zhao Feiyang had already blocked her next words. Geng Wenxiu realized that Zhao Feiyang had probably seen through her intentions and deliberately set a trap for her. She also understood that Huang Lide did not meet Zhao Feiyang’s standards, and there was likely no hope left.Geng Wenxiu certainly didn’t dare to openly question her superior’s judgment: "I also think Xiaoxu is good, but he’s at a disadvantage because he’s too young and lacks some stability."

"Good steel should be used on the blade," Zhao Feiyang said, without directly stating whether he would promote Xu Chunliang to Director of the Medical Department. This comment made it clear to Geng Wenxiu that Xu Chunliang would surely be given an important position.

##

After returning, Xu Chunliang skimmed through Bai Mushan’s academic work. He had to admit that Bai Mushan was indeed one of the leading figures in the field of oracle bone script research in China, possessing a deep expertise. However, Xu Chunliang also found a few typos in the book. These mistakes were purely due to the era in which Bai Mushan lived; considering the current times, his research on oracle bone script was already quite impressive.

Xu Chunliang’s intention in studying this book, "Research on Oracle Bone Script", was to deduce whether Bai Mushan had lied. At Huichun Hall, they found a piece of dragon bone and some rubbings, which contained many obscure characters, some of which were only used in the medical field.

If several such characters appeared in "Research on Oracle Bone Script," it could be concluded that Bai Mushan had lied and he might still have some dragon bones in his possession. However, after reading the entire book, Xu Chunliang found no such evidence. Perhaps the batch of dragon bones donated by his grandfather was truly destroyed in the fire. Otherwise, Bai Mushan might have hidden the truth too well.

On the day of his return, Xu Chunliang specially went to buy salted duck for Cheng Xiaohong. While waiting in line, Cheng Xiaohong called to ask if he’d be back to work on Monday.

Xu Chunliang confirmed that he would. Cheng Xiaohong asked him to accompany her to meet Zhao Xiaohui early Monday morning, saying it was a task assigned by the hospital leadership.

Xu Chunliang didn’t need to ask to guess that there had been no progress on work during his absence. Cheng Xiaohong initially wanted to tell him about the progress in detail, but Xu Chunliang wasn’t interested in listening and suggested they discuss it further when they met on Monday.

Shortly after hanging up, he received another call, surprisingly from Bai Mushan’s student Xue Anliang. Xue Anliang informed him that Bai Mushan had been hospitalized. After Xu Chunliang’s visit that day, Bai Mushan had been feeling anxious. He went for a full body checkup at the Provincial People’s Hospital yesterday and was unexpectedly diagnosed with liver cancer.

Xue Anliang was calling on behalf of Bai Mushan, who really wanted to see Xu Chunliang again.

Xu Chunliang asked for Bai Mushan’s ward details. Since there was still time, he decided to visit Bai Mushan.

Bai Mushan was staying in the Hepatobiliary Surgery Department at the Provincial People’s Hospital. The examination results indicated that he had primary liver cancer. Since it was detected early, the tumor’s diameter was less than two centimeters. The hospital recommended surgical removal, but he hadn’t yet decided whether to undergo surgery in the country.

When Xu Chunliang met Bai Mushan, he was dressed in hospital attire, sitting by the window reading a book. Bai Mushan was staying in a VIP ward with excellent conditions, as he was particular about his quality of life. He hadn’t informed his family about his condition, and currently, his student Xue Anliang was taking care of him.

Xu Chunliang handed the fruit basket he was carrying to Xue Anliang. Bai Mushan put down his book, rose, and greeted him, "Sorry to trouble you to come all this way."

Xu Chunliang replied, "It’s my duty." From Bai Mushan’s demeanor, it was evident that he remained very calm and hadn’t become despondent upon learning of his cancer diagnosis.

Bai Mushan invited him to sit, and Xue Anliang handed Xu Chunliang a bottle of mineral water before leaving, giving them some privacy for a conversation.

Xu Chunliang inquired about Bai Mushan’s examination results.

Bai Mushan handed him his medical report, admitting that he initially intended to undergo a comprehensive checkup but unexpectedly found a problem. "Truly, fate is fickle," he remarked.

Xu Chunliang looked at the CT and ultrasound reports. The diagnosis was a liver mass, and though a biopsy hadn’t yet been done, based on Bai Mushan’s medical history and the features observed, it was essentially confirmed as liver cancer. Fortunately, it was just a single primary lesion, with no metastases found elsewhere in the body.

Bai Mushan said, "I hadn’t planned on telling you this, but if it weren’t for you, I might not have discovered my cancer so early. The doctors told me that the prognosis after surgery should be very positive. You’ve effectively saved my life. I asked you here to thank you in person."

"Professor Bai, you’re too kind. It’s your own fortune; I didn’t really do anything for you," Xu Chunliang said, puzzled as to why Bai Mushan had specifically invited him just to say this.

Seeing Xu Chunliang with a suitcase, Bai Mushan realized that he was heading back today. Apologetically, he remarked, "After you left the other day, I felt increasingly guilty towards Mr. Xu. Perhaps this calamity is my retribution."

"Please don’t say that. None of us wanted that incident to happen. The destruction of those oracle bones probably pained you more than it did us."

Bai Mushan nodded. He took a scroll from under the bed and handed it to Xu Chunliang, saying, "I wasn’t truthful with you the other day. Before the fire, I had deciphered nine pieces of dragon bone. I’ve compiled their contents; it’s time for them to return to their rightful owner."

Xu Chunliang accepted the scroll but didn’t open it in front of him. After offering some comforting words to Bai Mushan, he took his leave.

As he entered the elevator, he happened to encounter Su Yunquan, the Director of Cardiology. Xu Chunliang proactively greeted him.

Surprisingly, Su Yunquan didn’t recognize him, glanced at him briefly, and passed by, likely mistaking him for a family member of a patient.

Reflecting on Su Yunquan’s sociable demeanor during the event at Wangjiang Building, Xu Chunliang thought to himself about how some people seemed to have different faces in public.

Xu Chunliang’s mood wasn’t affected; they were never on the same path, and might never meet in this lifetime.

##

Xu Chunliang returned to Dongzhou at seven in the evening. Xu Changshan had prepared food at home, waiting for him. Seeing his beloved grandson after a week apart, Elder Xu was beaming with joy.

Xu Chunliang first took out the gifts he brought back for him, and the old man urged him to take a quick shower before dinner.

After Xu Chunliang finished showering and changed clothes, he saw his grandfather had already put on the new cloth shoes he bought for him, walking happily around the room.

Xu Chunliang teased his grandfather for being vain.

Xu Changshan told his grandson that the shoes fit well and were extremely comfortable. He had just checked the tag, and a pair cost over eight hundred, which was quite expensive. His old cloth shoes never cost more than a hundred.

Xu Chunliang told his grandfather that money couldn’t buy the happiness of an old man, and compared to joy, money was nothing, making Elder Xu overjoyed.

The two sat down, and Xu Chunliang remembered he also bought salted duck, which he placed on the table, and had a few drinks with his grandfather.

Xu Changshan asked about his experiences on this trip to Nanjiang. Xu Chunliang briefly recounted them, also mentioning meeting Bai Mushan but didn’t bring up Bai Mushan’s cancer. His grandfather was old, and at his age, people tend to become sentimental. Moreover, he hadn’t been in touch with Bai Mushan for years and might never meet again in this lifetime; telling him would only add to his sadness. Why upset an elderly man over unrelated people?

Xu Chunliang also didn’t mention saving someone on the high-speed train. If his grandfather found out, he would surely question his medical skills. He toasted his grandfather, saying, "You can’t just ask about me. Shouldn’t I ask about you?"

Xu Changshan smiled lovingly at his grandson, "Ask!"

"While I was on my trip, you didn’t happen to flirt with any beautiful old ladies, did you?"

Xu Changshan burst out laughing, "You little rascal, joking with me like that! Beautiful old ladies? Have you ever seen a beautiful old lady?"

"Could it be you still have your eye on the young and pretty ones?"

"Nonsense, you’re asking for a spanking!" Although he scolded, the old man was delighted inside.

Xu Chunliang asked about Huichun Hall’s recent business. At this, Xu Changshan was a bit upset. Ever since the opening of Tingmei Beauty, Huichun Hall’s business had declined. Tingmei Beauty had many employees, and they were all young women, dressed flamboyantly, with cheongsams clinging to their bodies and high slits almost showing their thighs. They wandered around the entrance all day. Being traditional, the old man always felt something was off.

No matter how he felt, it didn’t stop Tingmei Beauty from being bustling, with customers every day. Many even parked their cars in front of Huichun Hall. If it happened once or twice, it might be fine, but it was like this every day, and anyone would have thoughts about it.

The old man used to set a table at his shop’s entrance with some connected chairs, enjoying the sun, chatting, and playing cards with passing neighbors, but the constant disturbance from vehicles made him restless.

Xu Chunliang told his grandfather not to worry; he would talk to them and resolve the issue soon.

Xu Changshan felt genuinely comforted. His grandson was grown now, and he didn’t need to handle these matters himself. It used to be him taking care of the grandson, and unknowingly, it had turned into the grandson caring for him.

While the two were happily chatting, Cheng Xiaohong called, asking if Xu Chunliang had returned to Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang told her he was having dinner at home. Cheng Xiaohong told him she happened to be passing by Huichun Hall and saw the lights on the second floor, guessing he had already arrived home.

Xu Chunliang immediately understood Cheng Xiaohong wanted to pick up the salted duck he helped get for her, so he went to the window to check and indeed saw Cheng Xiaohong’s POLO parked below.

Xu Chunliang took the salted duck out to her, and when Cheng Xiaohong saw him exit, she quickly got out of the car to greet him.

Xu Chunliang saw a young man sitting in the passenger seat, likely Cheng Xiaohong’s boyfriend, and didn’t chat with her much.

Cheng Xiaohong insisted on transferring money to him on the spot, but Xu Chunliang declined, telling her to hurry home.

As Cheng Xiaohong drove away, Xu Chunliang waved at the man in the car to say goodbye. The man smiled at him but made no other gesture.

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