On the other side.
After leaving the hospital, Song Yueying walked out of the gates, observing the streets filled with the atmosphere of the era as she went. There was only one word for it, poor. It was a time of rebuilding; the country was poor, and the people were even poorer.
She began to doubt whether the money-making methods she had relied on in the past could really work here.
Stopping in her tracks, Song Yueying looked up at the sky with a somewhat melancholic expression.
But in the next moment, while she was distracted, an elderly man suddenly collapsed right beside her.
Song Yueying was startled, then immediately rubbed her forehead in frustration.
She quickly knelt on one knee and reached out to check the old man’s pulse. It was very weak, this was a sign that his life was nearing its end.
“Is this old man okay?”
“I don’t know, the little girl is checking him.”
“Is he sick?”
“Looks like it. Otherwise, why would he suddenly faint?”
“What’s going on with this old man?”
“I saw it with my own eyes, he was walking along when he suddenly collapsed onto the ground. He just happened to fall right next to that young girl, and she was startled, then immediately crouched down to check on him.”
“Is that girl a doctor?”
“I don’t know.”
As the crowd buzzed with chatter, more and more people gathered around.
Song Yueying took out a green pill and fed it to the old man, then looked up and said to the crowd, “Please step back a few paces. The old man needs fresh air to breathe.”
“Thank you all.”
At her clear voice, the onlookers quickly retreated a few steps.
She again checked the old man’s pulse. It was slightly stronger than before, which meant the pill was taking effect. Song Yueying withdrew her hand and slowly stood up.
A few minutes later, the old man opened his eyes. After steadying his breathing, he got to his feet. Seemingly aware of the changes in his body, his aged face was filled with disbelief.
Then came a faint look of joy. He looked at Song Yueying and asked with certainty, “Young lady, did you save me?”
“Yes, old man, it was this young girl who saved you,” before Song Yueying could answer, the bystanders spoke up for her.
“That’s right, old man, it was this young girl who saved you. I saw it myself.”
“Yes, yes, I saw it too. It was this young girl who saved you. She’s really skilled, she gave you a pill and you woke up soon after.”
Song Yueying blinked her pretty eyes and kindly reminded him, “Old man, your health isn’t very good. It’s due to overexertion. In the future, you should try not to work yourself so hard.”
“Little girl, your medical skills are quite good!” the old man sighed. “If it weren’t for you saving me today, this old life of mine might not have been preserved!”
Song Yueying said, “It’s not that serious. The hospital is just not far from here. Even if I hadn’t helped you, everyone would have sent you there anyway.”
Her words sounded modest, but inwardly she was thinking that the old man’s body was already severely depleted. At this rate, he truly wouldn’t have much time left.
Encountering her was also his good fortune, his fate wasn’t yet sealed. After taking her green pill, his body would recover quickly. Otherwise, even if he had been sent to the hospital today, there would have been nothing anyone could do.
The people around, hearing her words, praised her a few times in succession.
While everyone was talking, a group of people suddenly rushed over. A middle-aged man in work clothes walked up to the old man. “Old Master Wang, we finally found you.”
“You said you wanted to take a walk, you should have waited for us! We were all worried with no one accompanying you. Your health…”
“I’m fine now,” the old man interrupted. Then he glanced at Song Yueying and said to the middle-aged man, “Xiao Liu, we really need to thank this young girl today.”
“If it weren’t for her saving me, I might have really collapsed here.”
The man called Xiao Liu was startled upon hearing this. He quickly looked the old man up and down, asking anxiously, “Old Master Wang, did you faint again?”
“How serious was it? Did you get injured when you fell this time?”
“Regardless of whether you were injured or not, we should still go to the hospital for a checkup. Come on, let’s go right now.”
As he spoke, Xiao Liu supported Old Master Wang by the arm and was about to escort him toward the nearby hospital.
“Xiao Liu, you’re still just as impatient as ever,” Old Master Wang said, patting the hand Xiao Liu had on his arm. “I already said I’m fine.”
“It was this young girl who saved me.”
“Even so, we should still go to the hospital and have you checked.” It wasn’t that Xiao Liu didn’t believe Old Master Wang, but having stayed by his side for so long, he knew his condition very well.
Old Master Wang’s health was poor. For the sake of work, he had neglected his body for years. Even though he was only in his fifties, he looked like someone in his sixties or seventies.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Wang waved his hand with a smile and said, “No need. I know my own body. I feel very well now, lighter and more relaxed than I have in a long time.”
“I’ve been to hospitals for this illness, seen countless doctors, and taken who knows how many medications.”
“None of those treatments ever worked as well as this time. This young girl’s medical skills are truly remarkable, she’s clearly very capable.”
Seeing that the old man’s family had arrived, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed.
Song Yueying was also preparing to leave, but she was stopped by Old Master Wang.
He exchanged a glance with Xiao Liu, who immediately understood and took an envelope out of his briefcase, handing it to him.
Old Master Wang took the envelope and turned to present it to Song Yueying. “Young lady, thank you for saving this old man’s life. This is a small token of appreciation, please accept it.”
When Xiao Liu and the others arrived earlier, Song Yueying had already realized that Old Master Wang was no ordinary person.
Looking at the envelope held out before her, she was slightly surprised.
Old Master Wang had said it was a “meeting gift,” not a “thank-you gift.” A meeting gift is something exchanged when two parties first get to know each other, whereas a thank-you gift is given in gratitude after receiving a favor.
A meeting gift expresses the intention to build goodwill, whereas a thank-you gift carries the opposite implication.
Song Yueying hesitated for only a moment before smiling and accepting it with both hands. Feeling the thickness of the envelope, her smile widened even more.
Seeing her accept it, Old Master Wang also smiled and extended an invitation. “I wonder if the young lady has time to have a simple meal with this old man?”
“I’m sorry, I really don’t have time today,” Song Yueying declined.
Now that she had money, she needed to hurry back to the hospital and settle Qi Yanjue’s medical expenses. After that, they would go their separate ways with no further ties.
“No problem, we’ll leave this meal for another time.” Even though he was refused, Old Master Wang was not disappointed and instead said with a smile, “I’ll be staying here for a while, so the young lady can come find me to make it up anytime.”
“Alright.” Song Yueying nodded. “My name is Song Yueying, and I live in Qingyuan Commune, Fourth Brigade, First Squad. If your health ever feels unwell again, you can come find me.”
Old Master Wang nodded.
Song Yueying said no more and turned to walk toward the hospital.
Watching her enter the hospital gates, Xiao Liu asked in confusion, “Is the young lady a nurse at this hospital?”
“No,” Old Master Wang said firmly, shaking his head as he walked away with his hands behind his back.