Southeast Military Region Fuzhou General Hospital.
The VIP ward was located halfway up the hill at the innermost part of the hospital. It was a six-story building, with a winding mountain path leading up, shaded by green trees on both sides, creating a very quiet environment.
Military hospitals have strict regulations. Those who can stay in the VIP ward are all leaders at the deputy division level or above, or professional and technical cadres with a professional technical grade of seven or above, or associate senior professional titles. Of course, Xu Qingya, a mere air force lieutenant, was completely out of the running. However, regardless of the Xu family's influence or Liu Guoqiang's status, no one dared to utter a word of criticism about Xu Qingya's stay here.
In a small suite on the third floor, Xu Qingya, wearing a loose hospital gown, lay half-reclined on the bed. The left leg of her trousers was rolled up halfway, revealing a section of her fair calf. Her left ankle was still slightly swollen and red, and an ice pack was being applied. Liu Xinyao sat beside the bed, carefully peeling an apple. She couldn't help but recall the scene of Chen Yang taking care of her in the ward that day, and felt a pang of guilt.
Although Liu Xinyao was disgusted by Chen Yang's womanizing ways, his concern for her was genuine. Liu Xinyao's recent harsh attitude towards Chen Yang was mostly due to her standing up for Su He. She was also thinking that perhaps she should be more amiable towards Chen Yang in the future, after all, he had saved her life!
"So boring! Just a sprained ankle, and I have to stay for two days of observation!" Xu Qingya complained listlessly, lying on the bed. "I haven't even reported to my workplace since arriving in Rongcheng! The bosses must be thinking something!"
Although Xu Qingya came from a prestigious family, she was easygoing and rarely put on airs. She came to Rongcheng to avoid Fan Zihong; she didn't want the whole unit to know she was a "connected employee" before even reporting for duty. Xu Qingya never sought special treatment at work.
"Who would dare to have any ideas!" Liu Xinyao joked. "The eldest daughter of the prestigious Xu family, the direct granddaughter of Old Master Xu, who would dare to make things difficult for you?"
"Xinyao..." Xu Qingya glanced helplessly at Liu Xinyao and said, "I'm just an ordinary technical maintenance engineer at the station now, understand?"
Liu Xinyao chuckled and said:
"I know! Cousin. I was just joking! Don't worry, your uncle, Comrade Liu Guoqiang, the Chief of Staff of the A Group Army, has personally called the station's political commissar to explain your injury and has arranged a week of sick leave for you. Just rest assured!"
"You're so disrespectful! Is that how you address your father?" Xu Qingya scolded with a laugh.
At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the ward door, and then someone pushed the door open and entered. Xu Qingya and her companion looked up and saw Chen Yang smiling as he pushed open the door, carrying a bag of fruit and a small package. He said as he walked in,
"This VIP ward is really strict. I got downstairs at 9:30 and waited for half an hour before they let me in during visiting hours."
As he spoke, Chen Yang placed the package on the bedside table and looked at Xu Qingya, asking,
"Qingya-jie, is your ankle feeling any better?"
After last night, Chen Yang now called her "Qingya-jie" quite naturally. Although in his previous life Xu Qingya had been very affectionate and dependent on him, now she acted like an older sister. But Chen Yang had accepted the fact that he was no longer the young master of the Fang family, so this little thing didn't matter. As long as Xu Qingya was still Xu Qingya, that was enough. Xu Qingya had a good impression of the young man who had saved her life and replied with a smile:
"It's mostly fine now. The doctor insisted I stay for observation for two days. Chen Yang, you didn't really need to come all this way, it's really nothing!"
Chen Yang seemed not to hear Xu Qingya's words, but bent down to carefully examine her ankle, then looked up and said:
"Hmm, it's recovering well! By the way, Qingya-jie, I got some ointment this morning, it should help with your injury, would you like me to apply some?"
Although Chen Yang had gone to bed very late last night, he still got up very early this morning. After completing his usual morning exercise, Chen Yang went to the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy near the school gate to buy medicine. The pharmacy wasn't open yet at six or seven o'clock, and Chen Yang had to bang on the door for several minutes before the clerk, still sleepy, got up and opened it. Fortunately, Chen Yang's prescription contained only expensive herbs, totaling several thousand yuan—a significant deal indeed. Otherwise, the shop assistant, disturbed from his sleep, would have certainly thrown a tantrum.
After purchasing the ingredients, Chen Yang returned to his dormitory and unceremoniously requisitioned Cao Xiao's alcohol stove. He began brewing traditional Chinese medicine right there in the room, waking his three roommates from the strong aroma. In making this family's ancestral liniment, Chen Yang had almost become the dormitory's most hated enemy.
After speaking, Chen Yang opened the small bag he had brought. Inside was a simple plastic box. Opening the lid revealed a dark, sticky paste. Although its appearance was less than appealing, it emitted a pleasant, herbal fragrance.
Liu Xinyao looked at the ointment with suspicion, then, choked by the smell, pinched her nose and asked,
"Did you really make this yourself? Will it work?"
Chen Yang, without looking up, said calmly,
"Of course, it's my family's secret recipe."
Liu Xinyao was a little skeptical, but Xu Qingya smiled and said directly,
"Then I'll trouble you, Chen Yang!"
Yesterday, by the highway, Xu Qingya had personally experienced Chen Yang's amazing massage techniques, and last night, the doctor's examination had said that the emergency treatment of the injury was very proper; otherwise, the injury would have been at least twice as serious. Therefore, Xu Qingya trusted Chen Yang completely.
Chen Yang placed the plastic box containing the ointment beside the bed, then carefully removed the ice pack from Xu Qingya's left ankle. He then opened the small bag he had brought and meticulously took out gauze, cotton swabs, tape, and other supplies. Then Chen Yang put on disposable gloves, picked up a bamboo skewer, carefully scooped out a piece of ointment, and meticulously applied it to Xu Qingya's wound with his fingers.
As soon as the ointment touched her skin, Xu Qingya felt a cool sensation, an indescribable comfort. However, as Chen Yang applied it, the wound began to feel warm again. Chen Yang said while applying the ointment,
"Sister Qingya, it might feel warm after using the ointment. Don't worry, this is normal. The main effect of this ointment is to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis!"
Xu Qingya nodded slightly, tilting her head to look at Chen Yang. Liu Xinyao stood to the side, also watching Chen Yang's actions curiously. Chen Yang was diligently applying the ointment to Xu Qingya, completely unaware that the two beauties were watching him.
Chen Yang's expression was very focused and serious. Because of the effort he was putting in, fine beads of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose. After evenly applying the ointment to the wound, Chen Yang picked up small scissors, skillfully cut a small piece of gauze, gently covered it with the ointment, and then used tape to secure it.
Chen Yang used standard military bandaging techniques, his movements fluid and practiced. Xu Qingya, seeing this, couldn't help but pause in surprise—she was also a soldier, had received basic nursing training, and immediately recognized Chen Yang's bandaging method, feeling a slight sense of astonishment.
After finishing, Chen Yang let out a soft sigh, then took off his disposable gloves and threw them in the trash can, stuffing all the miscellaneous items into a small bag. He then stood up and said:
"Qingya, change the dressing again at ** o'clock tonight. You should be able to walk around tomorrow."
After saying this, Chen Yang picked up a plastic box, went to a corner of the room, opened the refrigerator, and placed the ointment in the crisper drawer.
The VIP wards were very well-equipped, each room having a plasma TV, refrigerator, microwave, and other basic appliances, as well as a private bathroom. Xu Qingya's small suite also had a small reception room outside.
Many retired senior military officers from major military regions reside year-round in the VIP wards. The environment is excellent, their living conditions are guaranteed by the hospital, and most importantly, they feel secure there. If they experience any health issues, such as headaches or fevers, they can simply press a call to have a specialist (chief physician or higher) on duty.
Chen Yang washed his hands in the bathroom and walked to the bedside, saying,
"Xin Yao, Qing Ya, I'll head back now! Qing Ya, take good care of yourself and recover well!"
Xu Qing Ya smoothed her bangs and smiled, saying,
"Thank you, Chen Yang! I'll treat you to a meal after I'm discharged!"
"Sure! But you'd better let me know in advance so I can keep my appetite fresh!" Chen Yang didn't refuse, half-jokingly.
Chen Yang wouldn't let such an opportunity to interact with Xu Qing Ya legitimately slip by, so he agreed without even a polite formality.
...
Downstairs at the VIP ward, a black Mercedes-Benz quietly pulled up. Fan Zihong, dressed in a full Versace casual suit, sat in the back seat, a bouquet of vibrant carnations and a beautifully wrapped gift box beside him.
Fan Zihong didn't get out of the car, but stared at the receding young figure, his expression somewhat grim. He asked calmly:
"He Lin, you said yesterday that kid had absolutely no connection with Qingya?"
Sitting in the passenger seat, He Lin felt a chill run down his spine. He respectfully replied:
"Young Master, according to what we found yesterday, that's true! But..."
He Lin glanced at Chen Yang's retreating figure as he walked out of the courtyard, his tone becoming hesitant and uncertain.
"Investigate again," Fan Zihong casually ordered, his tone still flat.
But to He Lin, these words felt like a heavy burden. His back was instantly drenched in cold sweat, and he nodded heavily, saying,
"Yes, Young Master!"
Although He Lin didn't turn around, he could feel Fan Zihong's cold and unfriendly gaze. He knew that the more indifferent the young master's tone, the more dissatisfied he was with him. Conversely, if he spoke rudely and casually, it meant he valued him highly.
He Lin had already witnessed the consequences of displeasing Fan Zihong countless times, and he had no desire to experience it himself.
Fan Zihong seemed satisfied with He Lin's attitude. He reached for the bouquet of carnations and said calmly,
"Let's go! Accompany me to visit Qingya first!"