"Auntie, is the work of a caretaker tiring?" Sun Chan asked.
"Yes, it's quite tiring and also pretty awkward," she said and laughed, "Actually, in our line of work, taking care of people doesn't differentiate between men and women. At first, I felt quite awkward, serving people with their bathroom needs and wiping them. My husband wasn't happy about it either, but there are so many mouths to feed at home, and his little earnings weren't enough. Now we're used to it. Why, do you also want to do it?"
Sun Chan hesitated for a moment and then said, "I came to the city to seek a friend. I need to talk to her first."
"Rest for a couple of days, and wait until your foot gets better. If you really want to do it, I can introduce you. Nowadays, many city folks are rich; when the elders at home get sick, they don't want to personally take care of them. We can earn a bit of money too."
Sun Chan nodded, thinking it would be nice to have a job, but no matter what, she had to let Wang Dan know she was safe. However, with her leg in its current state, it was quite troublesome.
At that moment, Bai Fanglan was in the office making a phone call, leaning against the table, playing with the phone cord, her tone slightly coquettish.
"Grandpa, you talk to Gu Junming yourself. He keeps refusing me, and I'm too embarrassed to ask him out again."
Bai Fanglan's grandfather, Bai Chuan, was sitting on the sofa holding the phone, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
"The Bai Family and the Gu Family have always had good relations. Don't worry about this matter, I'll make sure you see him." Bai Chuan was very unhappy. Gu Junming was too disrespectful, always refusing my granddaughter even though she is in such good condition. Clearly, he doesn't take me seriously!
Bai Fanglan laughed, "I understand, I'm always assured when you're handling things, Grandpa."
"I'll call him; he wouldn't dare not to come." Bai Chuan's tone was quite assertive and then added, "But Lan'er, do you really insist on being with him? His family is very complicated, can you accept that?" This granddaughter was pampered by him since childhood, what does she know about compromise and dealing with people?
"Don't worry, Grandpa, I'll try my best!" Bai Fanglan was very confident.
"Alright then, since you've said this, I'll agree to help you find a way."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Only then did Bai Fanglan feel at ease to hang up the phone.
Bai Chuan didn't actually call Gu Junming, but Gu's father, Gu Zishan. Though being in a high position now, Gu still remained respectful towards Bai Chuan.
He was sitting initially but instantly stood up: "Is it Old Master Bai?"
"It's rare that you still remember me, huh?"
"How can you say that, I'll always remember your grace for giving me a second chance."
Bai Chuan shared a few pleasantries with him before getting to the point: "Let's not talk as if we are strangers, I want your son to come over for a meal at our place, but he has been hesitant and unwilling, what do you say, Old Gu? Let him come for a visit."
Gu Zishan hesitated for a moment and replied with a bitter smile, "You know our family situation; he stopped listening to me long ago, it's just not possible for him to come. How about this, it's his grandfather's birthday at the end of this month, he will definitely come then."
"Well... alright then. I'll let Lan'er come over then."
In any case, a meeting is a meeting, Bai Chuan settled for the next best option, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then hung up the phone.
Bai Chuan's hand tapped on the desk, furrowing his brow slightly. For many years now, the relationship between Gu Zishan and his son has shown no improvement. Can Gu Junming's future be assured like this? If it weren't for his granddaughter's persistence, Bai Chuan wouldn't have agreed to her involvement with Gu Junming.
Besides, the incident back then... he'll forever remember the hatred in the eyes of that child in his teens.
For years, he had been subtly or overtly giving hints to his former subordinates to suppress Gu Junming, under the guise of 'training,' though he knew the true intent.
That's why despite being twenty-five, Gu Junming was still just a small company commander. But he knows that Gu Junming applied to be posted in the toughest location, intending to earn promotions through combat merits. It was getting harder to hold him down. Bai Chuan had a premonition that once Gu Junming rose up, his peaceful days would be numbered.
This meeting with Gu Junming was also partly to gauge the situation, as the Bai Family could only consider marriage alliances with sensible people.
Gu Zishan called Gu Junming's camp, mentioned his grandfather's birthday, and the need to meet. Gu Junming only gave a short acknowledgment.
"I heard you have a mission next month, and it's often dangerous, can you... please be very careful." He knew that suggesting not to go would inevitably be rejected by Gu Junming, so he let it go.
Gu Junming said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. Do you have any other matters?"
"About you and Bai Fanglan..."
"We're not suitable for each other. I will return for my grandfather's birthday, but I'm in a hurry to leave and probably can't stay long. Also, my marriage is something my parents will decide for me, so there's no need for you to worry, sir."
Gu Zishan slammed his fist on the table, causing the tea to splash: "Don't you realize whose son you are? How many years have gone by, and you still remain so stubborn!"
Gu Junming chuckled coldly, "You owe them a lifetime. You refuse to face it and dare not take responsibility, but it's alright, I'll repay them for you. Do you have any other matters, sir? If not, I need to return to training." He hung up the phone and walked out with determined strides.
Gu Zishan collapsed onto the sofa, rubbing his forehead, his face full of frustration and grief.
Sun Chan stayed in the hospital for two more days and felt that her foot had improved a lot. During these days, she helped Aunt Wang look after Brother Ma. Tasks like turning him over, which required physical effort, were shouldered by Sun Chan since Aunt Wang's hand hadn't healed yet.
Aunt Wang felt much relieved and, feeling embarrassed to give her money, expressed her gratitude by giving her a few loaves of bread: "These are health supplements given to my husband at the mine, hope you don't mind."
"How could I possibly refuse?"
The loaf had a slightly dull color, clearly made from inferior flour, but the filling was meat. Eating one could fill a whole day's meal without needing any side dishes, which made Sun Chan very grateful.
"Thank you so much."
Aunt Wang chuckled, "It's nothing. Eat as much as you like! I owe you a big favor after all."
With the bread, Sun Chan didn't need to buy food. In the ward, some canned food containers were left behind after being eaten, which she cleaned and used for herself. Early in the morning, she'd fill up a bottle with water, and together with the bread, it would suffice for the entire day.
However, just staying here wasn't feasible; she still wanted to earn money to repay Gu Lianzhang as soon as possible.
One morning, after a doctor examined her, the redness and swelling subsided, allowing her to walk a bit.
Sun Chan was delighted, and her first task was to go to the department store to find Wang Dan. The store was situated in the city's most central area and was considered quite luxurious. Therefore, she found it after just a few inquiries.
The mall had three floors, with many people coming and going. It was Sun Chan's first time here, so she looked around curiously.