Li Cuilan nodded knowingly but suddenly her expression changed and she pressed a hand to her lower abdomen. Su Wan who had been watching for an opportunity to ask more questions immediately knelt beside her.
“Are you unwell”
“It is nothing. It is just that time of the month”
Su Wan understood instantly. “Please give me your hand” She felt her pulse. “You suffer from severe cold pain with dark clotted blood do you not”
“It is unbearable” Li Cuilan said with a pained expression. “The first two days are absolute agony”
“It is cold stagnation and blood stasis” Su Wan said calmly. “I can prescribe a formula to help”
“I have tried so many doctors and remedies already” Li Cuilan shook her head. “They provide temporary relief but it always returns”
Without replying Su Wan simply gestured for her to sit still. She inserted silver needles at Hegu Sanyinjiao and other key points. A warm tingling sensation spread through her limbs and settled in her abdomen. The discomfort faded away instantly. Li Cuilan had received acupuncture before but never with such immediate and striking effect. Her eyes widened as she remembered how Su Wan had dealt with the trafficker earlier. This was no ordinary village doctor.
“I believe you completely” Li Cuilan said eagerly. “Please prepare the medicine for me”
Su Wan nodded. Lu Linzhou watched with genuine admiration. She was young yet her skill surpassed many established practitioners. It seemed a waste for her to remain only a barefoot doctor.
Su Wan took out paper and ink to write the prescription. The carriage jolted making the small writing board wobble unsteadily. A steady hand appeared beside her pressing firmly at the corner. Lu Linzhou held the board in place his arm tensed with strength visible even through the coarse fabric. The board became perfectly still. Su Wan turned and found herself very close to him almost brushing his chin.
“Thank you” She gave him a quick smile and began writing. Lu Linzhou breathed more softly watching her hand move across the page. Her handwriting was as elegant as she was. His heart raced again.
“Here you are” Su Wan handed the prescription to Li Cuilan who beamed with gratitude and offered payment.
“It is nothing” Su Wan declined. “I would like to ask you something else”
“Ask me anything” Li Cuilan said generously. The carriage was noisy so Su Wan suggested moving to the connecting passageway where it was quieter.
“Commander Lu I will be right back”
Lu Linzhou looked curious but simply nodded.
“My name is Li Cuilan” she said once they were away from the crowd. “And you”
“Su Wan”
“What is it you want to know”
“I would like to ask about Liu Xiumei” Su Wan chose her words carefully. “What is she like among colleagues”
Li Cuilan grew more reserved. “Why do you ask”
“To be honest it concerns my cousin” Su Wan said partly truthfully partly otherwise. “She gave birth at your hospital several years ago. I examined her myself and confirmed she was carrying twins yet only one baby was delivered. I suspect a mistake was made”
Li Cuilan hesitated. “I do not speak ill of others lightly but your suspicions may not be unfounded. Liu Xiumei is a very calculating woman”
“Please tell me more” Su Wan urged.
“I transferred here three years ago hoping to become head nurse but Liu Xiumei got the position instead” Li Cuilan said with clear resentment. “She is not particularly skilled but she knows how to curry favour. It is said she once saved Doctor Zhou Meiling and they became close friends. Doctor Zhou Meiling husband is an official at the Health Bureau. He pulled strings to get her promoted. Zhou Meiling does not realize she has brought a wolf into her home”
Su Wan listened intently. If she remembered correctly Doctor Zhou Meiling was the very physician who had delivered her own children. Could she have been involved
“Why do you say that about Doctor Zhou”
Li Cuilan glanced around then leaned in close. “Because Liu Xiumei and Zhou Meiling husband are having an affair. One afternoon I saw Liu Xiumei leaving the office looking flushed and dishevelled. I peeked through the door and saw Zhou Meiling husband fastening his trousers”
Su Wan fell silent. Even in a place meant to heal darkness could take root.
“Thank you for telling me” she said. “You are a good person. I do not believe Liu Xiumei will get away with it forever”
Li Cuilan looked concerned. “Are you going to confront her directly”
“Not directly” Su Wan replied her eyes hardening. Confrontation would achieve nothing without proof. But what if there were witnesses
When they returned to their seats Lu Linzhou noticed her thoughtful expression. “Is something troubling you I can help”
Su Wan looked at him. “There is something I need help with. Could you ask someone at the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau to look up information for me”
Lu Linzhou thought of a trusted comrade stationed there. “I can arrange it”
“Her name is Liu Xiumei Head Nurse of the Maternity Department at Jiangcheng City Peoples Hospital”
Lu Linzhou looked at her questioningly. “Why are you investigating her”
“She is Lin Wenchuan cousin” Su Wan said. “I suspect she was acting on his orders when she took one of my twin boys four years ago and sold him”
Lu Linzhou stared in shock. He instinctively reached out wanting to pull her close and comfort her then stopped his hand closing into a fist. Four years ago she had lost a son A vivid image of his own nephew flashed through his mind. There was a distinct resemblance between the boy and Su Wan. Four years ago he had personally rescued several young boys from traffickers.