Nan Lingyi’s gaze fell on the pastries and drinks. Having been ill for many years, she was not suited to drinking coffee, and cakes were high in sugar—also unsuitable for her metabolism.
“Prepare some porridge that’s easy to digest.”
She gave the order quite naturally.
Director Li became even more restless. He was starting to regret it—he’d always acted in the best interest of his patients, but he hadn’t expected Nan Lingyi to be this… mad.
What kind of normal person comes to a bank to drink porridge?!
They were definitely going to think they really were from Jincheng No. 27 Hospital…
Wuwuwu—reputation ruined again.
Director Li stared at the floor, feeling so embarrassed he could practically dig out eighteen hospital wards on the spot.
But to his surprise, one of the staff members said with a sycophantic smile, “That’s our oversight. We’ll prepare it right away. Time is a bit tight—would ginseng and abalone porridge be acceptable?”
Nan Lingyi gave a casual hum. She was usually quite easygoing.
Director Li watched as the staff swiftly served the ginseng and abalone porridge. The old lady took a few small spoonfuls, set it down, and said lightly, “The abalone isn’t very fresh, and the ginseng isn’t good either.”
The staff member who overheard this instantly panicked, repeatedly apologizing and claiming it was entirely their fault, that they hadn’t prepared properly.
Thinking back to his own visit yesterday—he hadn’t even gotten a sip of water despite begging at every counter until his lips were sore, only to be politely turned down with smiles everywhere.
And now look at this old lady in a patient’s uniform!
He felt indignant.
The gap—what kind of gap was this?!
Still, he was curious. Even if Nan Lingyi’s ancestors had some wealth, how much money could she really have in Citibank for them to treat her like this?
Naturally, he wouldn’t commit the faux pas of asking about her deposits. He simply sat quietly and cautiously to the side.
Seeing how uncomfortable Director Li looked, Nan Lingyi deliberately asked, “Isn’t this to your taste?”
Director Li hurriedly waved his hands. Western food was expensive in those days. All of his income had been poured into the hospital—he lived frugally. He had long wanted to try things like this but couldn’t bear to spend the money!
But he didn’t dare. What if Nan Lingyi was just bragging and they ended up getting kicked out? Nan Lingyi was a patient, but he was the director—he couldn’t afford that embarrassment!
As a doctor who treated psychiatric patients, he understood the complexity of their conditions all too well. So he was only half-convinced by Nan Lingyi’s current behavior and words.
Nan Lingyi stopped teasing Director Li, because at that moment the bank manager hurried over at a brisk trot. His forehead gleamed, and he wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, clearly afraid of any discourtesy.
“Honored madam, I am the branch manager of Jincheng Citibank. It is my great honor to assist you. Please forgive me, but I need to verify some information with you. Shall we step this way?”
Manager Liao was extremely respectful.
Nan Lingyi nodded. Director Li was a little worried and was just about to stand up when the old lady paused, turned her head, and instructed, “By the way, the pastries here don’t seem to suit our director’s taste. Prepare some more for him…”
Director Li was instantly surrounded by enthusiastic staff, all asking about his preferences.
He finally managed to extricate himself, only to see that the usually aloof Manager Liao was trailing behind the old lady like an attendant. Nan Lingyi spoke casually, “Open a passbook for me. Put the money I mentioned into it first…”
“Oh, right. Withdraw another fifty yuan and put it into a separate passbook. Let Director Li set the password himself—it’s payment for the medical fees I’ve owed him all these years.”
Director Li stood there dumbfounded. He suspected something was wrong with both his eyes and ears!
As the head of a hospital, his salary—though the hospital itself was in dire straits—was still considered high in Jincheng, yet it amounted to only 300 milliyuan.
The loan he’d begged for yesterday was 50,000 milliyuan. Even with the hospital as collateral, Citibank’s staff had said it was impossible.
And now, in the still-warm passbook in his hands, there was actually 50 yuan—that was equivalent to 500,000,000 milliyuan!
His head spun.
It was simply unbelievable.
In these times, households with savings of ten thousand milliyuan were already considered exceptionally wealthy!
Still in a daze as he followed Nan Lingyi out of the bank, he finally snapped out of it and hurriedly said, “All these years of treatment didn’t cost anywhere near this much!”
Nan Lingyi chuckled softly. “Without your care over these twenty years, I might not even be alive now. Even if I were, who knows how miserably I’d be living. My life, my dignity—I think they’re worth this treatment fee. I’m giving it to you, so take it. And I believe that in your hands, this money can help many more people.”
Director Li’s eyes immediately reddened. For doctors, a patient’s genuine gratitude was the most heartwarming thing of all. And Nan Lingyi’s words about helping more people struck him even more deeply, so he stopped refusing.
The old lady sighed again. Having just taken her money—softening his resolve—Director Li quickly asked what was wrong.
Nan Lingyi feigned reluctance. “I was thinking of my children. I haven’t seen them in so many years—I don’t know how they’re doing now. But I’m still a patient, after all. I don’t even know whether I can be discharged, or go see them like a normal mother…”
At this, Director Li immediately said, “That’s nothing at all! You’re better than fine—you’re more clear-minded than I am. Once we get back, I’ll issue your discharge papers right away. As for your children, my family has been in Jincheng for generations. I’ll have them help look for your children…”
He couldn’t help clicking his tongue inwardly. No matter how those children had lived before, with an old lady like her as their mother now, their future certainly wouldn’t be bad.
He must instruct the younger ones in the family carefully—when following up on leads, they must be sure to build a good relationship if they encountered them!
Sitting in the hospital car, Nan Lingyi gave a satisfied hum.
Once Director Li returned, he immediately processed Nan Lingyi’s discharge papers. He also warmly invited her to stay at his home for a while and said he would have someone help find her a suitable house during that time.
From Nan Lingyi’s performance at the bank, Director Li could see that the old lady, now mentally recovered, was extremely particular by nature. She had helped him save the hospital—now it would not only avoid bankruptcy but also have ample funds to purchase new equipment and medicine, and even attract expert talent with high salaries. To him, this was a tremendous favor, so naturally he would help her find proper housing.
After some thought, Nan Lingyi agreed.
She knew the plot well and naturally knew where her children were now. But her current identity was that of an elderly woman who had been insane for decades and had just been discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Of course she needed to leverage others—while staying consistent with her character—in order to reunite with her children more quickly.
As it happened, Director Li’s granddaughter attended the same kindergarten as her granddaughter.
In the novel, during her granddaughter’s short life, the few moments of warmth she experienced came from a little girl who gave her ointment and kindness.
She needed an opportunity.
And it would begin with accompanying Director Li’s wife to pick up the children.
(End of Chapter)