Lin Jiang got the gist of it. Her recovery was going very well; as long as she wore a waterproof patch, she could even take a shower without any issue.
Lin Jiang walked over to her, and they went to the elevators.
By the elevators, a directory showed that the operating rooms were on the fifth floor.
"Where are you going now? Home?"
"I don’t really feel like going home. I’ll go stir-crazy," said Chen Jingxian.
"I want to stop by the office. It’s been a while."
"There’s nothing urgent, so don’t bother going back. Go out, do some shopping, and have some fun."
Chen Jingxian tilted her head to look at Lin Jiang.
"And I suppose it’d be even better if I bought a few short skirts and some stockings?"
"Now that’s my star employee! You know exactly what I’m thinking. I’m giving you a raise."
"Oh, stop it. You already took advantage of me yesterday."
"But it seemed like you were pretty into it, too."
"Don’t say that! Say it again and I’m ignoring you from now on!"
"So, what you’re saying is, the next time we need to discuss ’import-export trade,’ I can come to you again?"
"No, no, no! That’s not what I meant at all."
Chen Jingxian turned her head to look out the window, afraid Lin Jiang would see her face flush red.
’It was actually pretty fun... except it was a little scary when I looked up. That jerk!’
Lin Jiang chuckled; he’d take that as customer feedback.
Lin Jiang drove Chen Jingxian to Berkeley.
"Do you have anything to do this afternoon?"
Chen Jingxian wanted to ask Lin Jiang to go shopping with her, maybe let him help her pick out some clothes, but she was too shy to say so directly.
"I have something to take care of, so I’ve got to go. You go ahead and shop; put it all on my tab."
"President Lin pays me such a high salary, I can afford this level of spending."
Lin Jiang nodded. "Alright, I’m heading off then."
After getting out of the car, Chen Jingxian waved to Lin Jiang.
"Drive safe. And don’t forget to eat, no matter how busy you are."
"Got it."
With a quick reply, Lin Jiang drove off, heading back to the hospital.
RING, RING, RING—
Just as he finished parking, Lin Jiang’s phone rang.
To his surprise, the caller was Shen Qingqiu.
"President Lin, the head nurse just called me. She said someone came to the hospital looking for me. I was wondering, was that you?"
Shen Qingqiu’s voice was calm, like a tranquil forest at night, betraying no hint of sadness.
"I was at the hospital with a friend who was getting her stitches out, and I remembered your mother was staying here, so I just asked about her."
"I’ve been a bit busy these last few days, so I’ve had to postpone their lessons. But please don’t worry. As soon as I’ve taken care of things at home, I’ll make up the classes. It won’t affect their progress for the graduate entrance exams," Shen Qingqiu said.
"I’ve also contacted a political studies tutor for them, so you don’t have to worry about that. I won’t let my personal affairs get in the way of their studies."
Lin Jiang wanted to say something, but he held his tongue.
"Okay. Your family comes first. Their lessons can wait for now."
"Thank you, President Lin. Was there anything else?"
"No, that was all."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang sat in his car for a long time without getting out.
He realized he had underestimated Shen Qingqiu.
She must have known how dangerous this surgery was—that there was a high probability of not making it through.
Yet even in such a deeply distressing situation, she could still speak with him so calmly and proactively bring up the matter of the make-up lessons.
Such a strong inner core was rare even in men, let alone a woman.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Jiang went to the inpatient payment office.
There weren’t many people, just one person ahead of him. After a short wait, it was his turn.
"Hello, I’d like to check the outstanding medical fees for a patient. She’s in the hepatobiliary surgery ward of the third inpatient building, room 803. The family member’s name is Shen Qingqiu."
"One moment, let me check."
Even though Lin Jiang didn’t have any related documents or ID, he provided enough additional information for them to look up the patient’s records.
In other words, when you’re there to pay, they’ll find a way to take your money, even if you don’t have all the information.
"There’s over thirty thousand outstanding, but a surgery was scheduled this morning, so it’ll likely be over one hundred thousand."
Lin Jiang took out his card. "I’ll put down two hundred thousand for now."
"Okay."
The clerk took out the card terminal. After a few simple taps, Lin Jiang entered his PIN.
The transaction went through quickly.
[Task Complete: Reward: Protein Card*1, 20 experience points]
Just as he took the receipt, Lin Jiang stopped in his tracks and handed his bank card back over.
"Another 100,000."
The clerk gave Lin Jiang a knowing look. It was obvious he wasn’t short on cash.
Once the payment was done, Lin Jiang went up to the fifth floor.
The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Shen Qingqiu sitting on a bench.
She sat there quietly with her head lowered, completely still.
Lin Jiang quietly walked over.
As if sensing his approach, Shen Qingqiu scooted to the side to make room. Lin Jiang took the seat next to her.
"President Lin."
A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Qingqiu’s face when she saw Lin Jiang, but her expression was overshadowed by a deep, weary exhaustion.
"Did they say how long the surgery will take?"
Shen Qingqiu habitually tucked her hair back.
"It could take five to seven hours."
"Are you the only one here?"
"My aunt went home. She has her own family, so I couldn’t have her stay here for too long."
Lin Jiang nodded.
It was true what they say: a long illness will wear down even the most filial child, let alone another relative.
It was good of her to have come and helped for as long as she did.

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