It’s done. Seeing that someone was showing signs of consciousness, Sang Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. As she got up to leave, a crackling sound suddenly sparked in her mind. She shook her head, and the sound disappeared. After only a few steps, her wrist was grabbed tightly—though the person had just barely escaped death, their grip was like iron pliers, causing her pain. Pulling and tugging, her clothes slipped down.
Jiang Yan had already regained some awareness while she was performing artificial respiration. By the time his lips were pried open and a sharp pain hit his tongue, his consciousness had fully returned. He wanted to see who it was, but golden spots danced before his eyes. He only vaguely saw a red maple leaf birthmark below the person’s right shoulder before he unwillingly sank back into darkness.
Just as Sang Zhi left, a man and a woman entered. Mao Xiaojun and Sang Yun came in but didn’t find the “eloping” pair, showing different expressions.
“Damn it, Wang Daqing dared to play me? If I catch him, I’ll break his legs!” Mao Xiaojun thought it was a case of betrayal among accomplices and had come alone. Now he was cursing loudly.
Sang Yun’s delicate face showed a trace of relief. But she remained cautious, glancing at the unconscious man on the hospital bed before pulling Mao Xiaojun out. Her cousin’s “disappearance” certainly involved her interference. She couldn’t help it—her way had been blocked. Hearing that someone had gone missing had initially shocked her, thinking Sang Zhi had run off. But learning that Wang Daqing was also missing, she felt reassured. She didn’t concern herself with the pair’s case and advised Mao Xiaojun to quickly buy tickets for tomorrow; maybe they could still salvage some losses.
“Yes, I need to find that guy!” After sending away the troublesome ones, Sang Yun returned inside to inspect the man on the hospital bed. His upper body was half-naked, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted. His athletic physique had no excess fat, muscles clearly defined. Combined with his slightly tanned, handsome face, and nearly 1.9-meter height, he exuded raw, vigorous wildness. She had even heard the broadcast just now and hadn’t expected him to be this attractive.
As her eyes lingered and her heartbeat quickened, several people suddenly entered. Coincidentally, as they came in, the man on the bed opened his eyes.
Feng Xiangdong, seeing the leader awake, was momentarily stunned. Once he realized, tears streamed down his face. “Leader, you’re not dead! Thank goodness, thank goodness!” On the way to find a doctor, he had already prepared for the worst. Who survives after being clinically dead for over ten minutes? Fortunately, luck was on their side, and the leader was saved.
The on-duty doctor finished the examination and approved: “The acupuncture points were accurate. The patient has been stabilized, but external injuries still need hospital treatment.”
“All right, we’ll go, we’ll go. I also want to properly thank the doctor who saved him.”
The station leader scratched his head. He had been making announcements on the platform but hadn’t seen any passengers come forward. Could it be…? Everyone looked at Sang Yun simultaneously. Sang Yun’s mouth was dry, her heart racing. From their expressions, the injured person was a deputy regiment commander, young but already in such a high position with a promising future—and he was also incredibly good-looking. She realized this was her opportunity.
Meeting those dark, sharp eyes, she offered her most poised smile. “Hello, soldier. Saving you is fate, and also my honor.” Previously, she wouldn’t have dared claim credit, but the room had been empty when she entered. Besides, although she wasn’t fully qualified to independently treat someone, she had seen cases of critically ill people recovering. Perhaps this was just a miracle of soldiers. Not seizing the chance would be foolish.
Feng Xiangdong asked again, “Comrade Sang, were you here to deliver someone or on official business? How come you’re here?”
Sang Yun sighed. “I hope you won’t laugh. I came looking for my cousin. She fell for a rogue. Her family opposed their relationship, and she ran off without a word. My uncle and aunt are gone, and if something happened to her, how could I face their spirits?”
Her explanation cleared his confusion, smeared Sang Zhi’s reputation, and painted herself in a good light. Since Sang Zhi had been taken, there was no one to contradict her. Feng Xiangdong nodded. It was troublesome, but since he had to take Jiang Yan to the hospital, he wouldn’t help her search. Before leaving, they exchanged addresses, planning to visit in a day or two.
At parting, she looked reluctantly at the deputy regiment commander, his brow slightly furrowed, eyes guarded. It was fine—having a lifesaving connection meant future dealings were inevitable. No need to rush.
As Feng Xiangdong escorted Jiang Yan to the hospital, he suddenly leaned close. “Leader, why are your lips so red?”
Jiang Yan just opened his mouth, a pain in his tongue hitting him, and coldly spat, “Get lost.”
At the evening rush hour, the residential compound of the City Timber General Company was bustling. The Second Timber Factory, a professional distribution enterprise under the Provincial Material Department, supplied wood for both industrial and civilian use in Pingcheng and across the province.
The factory’s good performance ensured better employee benefits. The factory even had its own supply station. Today, with payroll just issued, many lined up early to buy meat to improve their meals.
Su Xia had just opened the door when Liu Meili from across the street, holding a piece of paper, asked anxiously, “Su Xia, have you seen Sang Zhi?”
Su Xia, friends with the original owner’s mother, had long disliked this family who always usurped others’ positions and didn’t treat them kindly. But when asked about Sang Zhi, she immediately inquired what happened.
Liu Meili handed her the letter, and seeing the neighbors staring curiously, loudly cried out.
“Although the two of us have been covering for my elder brother and sister-in-law, we’ve been scrimping and saving a lot each month and sending it all back home to support Sang Zhi. This year we even brought her back to the city, feeding her well. If she’s ungrateful, fine, but then she ran off with someone!”
Sang Yun, who had returned from the station, also wore a face full of “worry.” She added, “No wonder men have been pestering Sang Zhi these past couple of days… so that’s why…” She stomped her foot. “Why can’t a family talk things over? Why run off!”
A perfectly fine person went missing; someone had to have arranged for her. Running off was the easiest excuse. After she spoke, many neighbors suddenly understood. Indeed, a number of drifters had been wandering around the residential compound these past few days—apparently invited by Sang Zhi. Thinking of her face that could captivate anyone, it all made sense.
“Shut up, all of you!” Su Xia didn’t believe a word about running off. A few days ago, the girl had quietly confided in her. She said the factory appreciated her grandmother’s selfless donation of her own hospital during the public-private merger and had specially arranged a position for her. But later, she seemed gloomy, saying she couldn’t start the job. Su Xia hadn’t gone, but Liu Meili happily announced to the world that her eldest son had been hired by the factory hospital. If her son hadn’t taken Sang Zhi’s spot, Su Xia would have been furious. Cousins might scheme, let alone those unrelated by blood. Yes, Sang Zhi’s biological grandmother had already passed away, and Liu Meili’s husband came from Sang Zhi’s step-grandmother’s side.
Su Xia felt upset and prepared to go out to look for Sang Zhi.
Amid the chatter and slander, a clear voice rang out: “Run off? Who ran off? Me?”