“Huh?”
Jiang Ci arrived at Pei Jiran’s ward only to find a nurse tidying the bed, with no patient in sight.
Puzzled, she asked, “Where’s the patient?”
The nurse looked up at Jiang Ci. “The patient went to complete the transfer procedures.”
Transfer?
Jiang Ci frowned. “Why is he being transferred?”
“I heard from the director that this patient is seriously injured. Both legs might need amputation. Our hospital’s facilities are limited, so we’re helping transfer him to the Jingdu Military Hospital.”
So serious?
Didn’t Father Jiang say it wasn’t serious?
Could it be that Father Jiang was worried she would tell Mother Jiang, so he deliberately downplayed it?
That was possible.
Just as she was thinking this, Pei Jiran returned, pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse.
Their eyes met. Jiang Ci looked at the refined young man before her—gentle and scholarly—and couldn’t connect him with the tough, iron-willed soldiers of the military unit.
He didn’t look like a soldier; his demeanor was more like that of a nobleman’s son, gentle and polished.
“Pei Jiran?”
Jiang Ci called out tentatively.
Pei Jiran raised his head slightly. His neat, short hair gave him a clean and refreshing appearance, and his bright, spirited eyes turned to Jiang Ci.
His handsome brows furrowed slightly, feeling that the doctor before him looked somewhat familiar, though he couldn’t immediately recall where he had seen her.
Casually, he handed over the documents he was holding. “Doctor, the transfer procedures are already completed.”
His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.
Jiang Ci didn’t take them. “Comrade Pei, you’ve worked hard. It shouldn’t have been necessary for you to handle the transfer procedures personally.”
Jiang Ci suddenly felt sympathy for this cannon fodder.
Alone in the world, with his entire loyal family having sacrificed themselves for the country, he ultimately died at the hands of the enemy because the male lead was jealous.
Sigh!
They were both souls adrift in this world!
“It’s no trouble. It’s what should be done.”
He gently curved his lips, masking the pain that had been there moments before.
It made him even more pitiable.
Jiang Ci suddenly stepped forward and, without thinking, reached out to take his pulse, then moved her hand to feel his injured leg.
He was so thin! There was hardly any flesh on his legs; they felt hard to the touch, nothing but bones and firm muscle.
The tips of his ears reddened as he forcibly suppressed the urge to pull away. He smiled bitterly and said, “Doctor, the director has already examined me. My legs… are beyond saving.”
“Just because he can’t save them doesn’t mean the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department has no solution.”
“Xiao Jiang, watch your words.”
As soon as Jiang Ci finished speaking, Director Cai’s reproachful voice came from behind her.
“Director, don’t listen to Xiao Jiang’s nonsense. Her medical skills are only good for treating minor colds.”
Director Wang, who was standing beside Director Cai, wore an inscrutable expression. He glanced at Jiang Ci and said, “The younger generation in our hospital’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Department is truly formidable!”
Jiang Ci: …
What did that mean?
“Just average, really. You flatter me, Director.”
Hehe.
If she didn’t understand, she might as well take it as a compliment.
But as soon as she finished speaking, Director Cai facepalmed.
Director Wang shot her a glare and turned to Pei Jiran. “Commander Pei, I’ll see you out. The car has already been arranged.”
“Hey!” Just as Jiang Ci tried to intervene, Director Cai pulled her aside.
Once they were gone, Director Cai turned back, exasperated. “Why are you meddling? The director already doesn’t think much of our Traditional Chinese Medicine Department.
He’s been wanting to shut it down for a while, and you’re just asking for trouble.”
“But, Director, I think Commander Pei’s legs still have hope…”
“Enough, enough. Just behave yourself these last few days! You should focus on thinking about your own future.”
Huh?
“What do you mean, Director Cai? Is the director really going to shut down the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department?”
“Pretty much, yes! That was the main point of today’s meeting. Western medicine is efficient, with cheap and fast-acting drugs, so it’s very popular among patients.
Our Traditional Chinese Medicine Department is inefficient, with slow-acting treatments. The hospital director and leadership mean to say that the department shouldn’t keep so many idle people anymore.
Keeping two or three people will be enough. Xiao Jiang, since you’re trained in both Chinese and Western medicine, I’d like to recommend you for the Western Medicine Internal Department. What do you think?”
This?
Not great?
The Internal Department is swamped with work, and it only pays 40 yuan a month. Jiang Ci’s idea is to make money through Metaphysics.
But then again!
In this era, practicing Metaphysics might get you reported, right? Still, she has a way.
“Director, I don’t want to go to the Internal Department.”
“Hmm?” Director Cai was quite surprised by Jiang Ci’s answer. After all, the original host had studied Western medicine day and night before.
Now she doesn’t want to go to the Internal Department?
“Xiao Jiang, no rush. Take your time to think it over. You can give me your answer tomorrow.”
Director Cai patted Jiang Ci on the shoulder and left.
As soon as Director Cai was gone, Jiang Ci turned and hurried in the direction the hospital director had left.
Earlier, when she checked Pei Jiran’s pulse, she felt confident she could cure his leg. After all, she was now a Cannon Fodder with the female lead’s Space.
No longer an ordinary Cannon Fodder.
In the original book, the female lead used the Spiritual Stream Water from her Space to treat the male lead’s hidden ailment. Why couldn’t she heal Pei Jiran?
“Hey! Pei…” Comrade.
Jiang Ci chased out of the hospital, about to call out.
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut in, “Jiran, what happened to your leg?”
It was Mother Jiang.
Mother Jiang stared in shock at Pei Jiran in the wheelchair, her face turning grim in an instant.
“Aunt Jiang, hello. My leg… is crippled.”
Pei Jiran’s voice carried a barely noticeable bitterness.
What?
Mother Jiang shrieked, “Your leg is crippled?”
“…Yes.”
Pei Jiran nodded heavily.
Mother Jiang was stunned for a long moment before snapping back to reality. She asked again, “How did it get crippled?”
“It happened during a mission. I was shot, damaging the bones and tendons.”
“Does that mean you’ll never be able to stand again?”
With each question from Mother Jiang, Pei Jiran’s head hung a little lower.
“Probably.”
“What do you mean, ‘probably’? What will my Wanwan do if you’re like this? She’s supposed to marry—”
Here, Mother Jiang seemed to realize she was being too harsh.
Changing her tone, she said, “Since you’re injured, why aren’t you staying in the hospital?
My, my Xiao Ci is a doctor here. Should I call her to wheel you inside?”
“No need to trouble you, Aunt Jiang. I’m being transferred to another hospital.”
“Ah! A transfer? Well, if you’re transferring, is there any hope for your leg to be cured?”
Mother Jiang nervously clenched the small black cloth bag in her hand, her expression torn between fearing Pei Jiran’s leg could be cured and dreading it couldn’t.
Her conflicted features twisted.
“Not sure, but the hospital director said there’s hope.”
Pei Jiran lowered his eyelashes, his tone still calm, giving no hint of his feelings.
But Jiang Ci could hear the suppressed sorrow in his voice.
What does it mean for a Regiment Commander who leads troops to lose his legs? The pain might be something others can’t understand or empathize with.
Mother Jiang left.
After the hospital director helped Pei Jiran into the car, he returned to the hospital.
Only then did Jiang Ci jog over.
Screech—
The jeep, which had just started, slammed on the brakes, emitting a harsh sound.
The driver was a Service Soldier from the military unit. Once he regained his composure, he first glanced back at Pei Jiran to make sure he was alright.
Opening the car door and stepping out, “What’s the matter with you, comrade? Stopping a car like this is very dangerous…”
“Sorry, sorry, my apologies, I was too anxious.”
Jiang Ci’s attitude in admitting fault was sincere. The Service Soldier was young, and with Jiang Ci apologizing so earnestly, he actually began to feel embarrassed.
“You… just be more careful in the future.”
“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right, young man. Um, can I speak with your Regiment Commander for a moment?”
Huh?
Looking for the Regiment Commander!