That evening, Feng Mingshu lingered in her mother’s room. Later, Mingxue joined them, while Mingyu was sent back to his own room due to the separation between males and females.
They had a peaceful night’s sleep.
The next day, Feng Mingshu woke up early and hurried to the kitchen to help her mother prepare breakfast.
The twins were surprised to see their eldest sister doing household chores and ran over to join the fun, causing chaos in the kitchen until they were eventually shooed away.
Wang Ma, once again left with nothing to do, seemed at a loss. Yu Jingqiu gave her another day off, promising not to deduct her wages, which made Wang Ma happy as she returned home to care for her daughter-in-law who had just given birth.
After breakfast, the family of four headed to Bincheng First Hospital.
This was one of the top local hospitals. The Feng family had been one of its founders. After the founding of the nation, they voluntarily donated their shares to the state and no longer participated in management. However, old connections remained, and several attending physicians had maintained good relations with the Feng family.
Yu Jingqiu contacted the familiar Director Wang, who quickly arranged for their physical examinations.
However, medical testing methods at the time were limited, with very few imported equipment available. Only basic procedures like blood tests, urine tests, auscultation, and traditional Chinese medicine’s inspection, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking were performed.
The results came back quickly. Aside from Mingyu having minor digestive issues from overeating, all four family members were healthy.
Though relieved, Feng Mingshu still felt uneasy. She carefully reviewed each of her mother’s examination reports. Finding no problems, she pulled Director Wang aside and asked, “Uncle Wang, have all the tests been completed? Is there anything missing? We’re not in a hurry. Please arrange everything possible, just for my mother.”
Director Wang paused briefly, glanced behind the young girl, and smiled kindly. “We’ve arranged all the tests our hospital can provide. You can rest assured, young lady. Based on the current results, your mother is very healthy. Of course, if you ever notice any discomfort in your family members, be sure to bring them to the hospital promptly.”
Hearing this, Feng Mingshu sighed in relief and nodded repeatedly, indicating she would follow the medical advice.
Then, Yu Jingqiu, who had been standing behind her daughter, spoke gently: “The hospital is excellent, but it’s quite far from our home. It would be troublesome to come here for common fevers or colds. Director Wang, could you prescribe some heat-clearing and fever-reducing medicine for me to keep at home?”
Director Wang nodded. “That’s a good idea. Please come with me.”
“Mom, let me go instead,” Feng Mingshu immediately volunteered, but was refused.
“You stay here and watch over those two. I’ll be back soon.”
Yu Jingqiu left quickly, leaving Feng Mingshu to watch the twins in the corridor while waiting.
Suddenly, noisy commotion erupted ahead.
The curious twins, not content with just craning their necks, began stealthily shuffling forward on their short legs.
Feng Mingshu immediately frowned. “Mingyu, Mingxue, come back!”
But before her words faded, several people in military uniforms came rushing down the corridor pushing a blood-stained stretcher, accompanied by white-coated doctors urgently shouting for people to make way.
Feng Mingshu’s heart leaped. She dashed over, grabbed the twins, and pulled them backward. In her haste, all three siblings stumbled and crashed against the wall, but fortunately avoided the oncoming stretcher just in time.
As they passed by, Feng Mingshu saw a unconscious soldier lying on the stretcher. His body was covered in blood, his short hair stained red, with blood streaming down from his temple—a horrifying sight.
Just as she was about to look away, the soldier suddenly opened his eyes. His dark pupils were pitch black, sharp as knives, radiating killing intent as they shot straight toward her.
Instantly, Feng Mingshu froze completely.Like a human in the wild being stared down by a fierce and cruel beast, instinct took over—she stood frozen, playing dead!
But then a rebellious impulse surged within her. She had been reborn, so why should she remain so timid?
She widened her almond-shaped eyes and glared back, like a small creature baring its delicate claws at a predator.
The moment Zhou Jinshan struggled free from unconsciousness, gunshots still echoed in his ears, and a haze of blood clouded his vision. His body instinctively prepared for combat, only to realize he was wounded and immobilized. As his gaze swept the surroundings, it collided with a pair of misty almond eyes.
In that instant, it was as if he saw the spring waters flowing through the mountains of his hometown, where he had bathed and caught fish every year in his youth, each time feeling utterly carefree.
Perhaps it was because he missed his hometown too much, or perhaps for some other reason, he couldn’t tear his eyes away, his gaze burning intensely.
But soon, he noticed the fear and trepidation in her eyes. Had he frightened her?
Just as Zhou Jinshan was about to soften his gaze, the soft, bun-like girl suddenly mustered her courage and glared at him. Yet, those clear, almond eyes held no intimidation whatsoever—instead, they felt like a kitten swiping a paw, scratching right at his heart.
An unfamiliar sensation, one he had never felt before, suddenly surged in his chest.
“This operating room, push him in! The doctor will be here shortly!”
The head nurse, who had rushed over, directed loudly, pushing open a door ahead. Several soldiers immediately wheeled the stretcher inside.
That oppressive gaze vanished, and only then did Feng Mingshu realize her back, pressed against the wall, was damp with sweat, her inner clothes slightly moist.
She suddenly regretted glaring back at him.
“Sis, the person on the stretcher was so scary,” Mingxue whispered, tightly clutching her sister’s sleeve.
“Scaredy-cat, that’s a hero. All soldiers are heroes,” Mingyu puffed out his small chest, eyes shining. “When I grow up, I’m going to be a soldier too. Sis, don’t you think that’s good?”
Meeting her younger brother’s innocent gaze, Feng Mingshu’s mind flashed to the man’s cold, sharp eyes and the bloodstains covering him. For a moment, she found herself unable to speak.
“Director Wang, the patient has shrapnel in his body and needs immediate surgery. I’ve already arranged for him to be in Operating Room One.”
The head nurse’s voice rang out again as she led Director Wang over. Spotting bystanders nearby, she waved them away. “No loitering here, everyone disperse.”
Director Wang also noticed the three siblings and gave a slight nod. “Mingshu, your mother is further back. Go on.”
Following Director Wang’s direction, Feng Mingshu saw her mother not far away. She quickly thanked him and led her younger siblings over to join her.
Feng Mingshu discreetly checked the medicine her mother had brought—it was indeed the regular heat-clearing and fever-reducing medicine. Her anxious heart finally settled.
It seemed that as long as they avoided that impending turmoil, her mother would be safe and sound.
After lunch at home, Feng Mingshu and her mother, Yu Jingqiu, headed to the municipal government.
Upon arrival, Feng Mingshu discovered that the donation was being made in her name as the eldest daughter of the Feng family, with her mother’s name omitted.
She was about to object, but the mayor had already been notified and took a moment to meet with them, then arranged for an office director to receive them.Director Wu, a female leader known for her kindness and enthusiasm, praised and thanked the mother and daughter selflessly and generously. She then warmly inquired, “Are there any difficulties in your life, work, or studies? If so, please don’t hesitate to speak up. The organization will do its best to resolve any issues within its capacity.”
Apart from the small Western-style house in the west of the city, all the Feng family’s assets had been donated. If the organization failed to show any acknowledgment, it would risk dampening people’s goodwill.
Director Wu had learned that The eldest daughter of the Feng family, the donor, would be taking the college entrance examination next year and had fairly good grades. The donation was likely intended to facilitate her smooth admission into a university.
While she couldn’t guarantee admission to universities outside the city, she could certainly make arrangements for several local universities in Bincheng. As long as the girl’s scores met the requirements, she wouldn’t face obstacles in other aspects.
If the girl ultimately didn’t get into university, arranging a job for her would also be possible—such as a salesclerk or train attendant.