Qi Yue walked into the outpatient building. Colleagues exchanging day shifts, working night shifts, and coming off duty were greeting each other as usual.

“…How was the patient last night?”

“Don’t even mention it. The resident doctor was so stupid. It was obviously just a nurse changing the drainage bag when drainage backup blocked the abdominal blood, but the whole group was scared to death, making me run over there in the middle of the night for nothing…”

Everyone was talking to each other.

Qi Yue listened with a smile.

“Little Qi, how was your trip?” everyone asked casually.

“Not bad,” Qi Yue replied just as casually.

Everyone then went about their own business – making rounds, conducting consultations, organizing medical records. Each person had their own life, carrying various pressures. Others’ lives were beyond their capacity or concern to care about.

Qi Yue stood in the office, looked around once more, and walked out.

Looking at the resignation letter Qi Yue handed over, the director couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

“Qi Yue, you’re not joking, are you?” he asked.

Qi Yue shook her head.

“I’m not,” she said.

“Why?” the director asked. Anyone could potentially resign, but he had never imagined Qi Yue would quit.

Besides, this was Beijing Hospital, Beijing’s best hospital, where countless people would break their heads trying to get in. Someone actually wanted to leave voluntarily?

“I plan to be a doctor somewhere else,” Qi Yue said.

The director’s face darkened.

“Qi Yue, don’t be impulsive. Don’t let those people talk you into it. A doctor like you has a future in public hospitals. Don’t be tempted by temporary money…” he said seriously.

“No, no, I’m not going to a private hospital,” Qi Yue hurriedly smiled and shook her head. “I want to go to Maochun County Hospital in Nanyun Province.”

What?

The director didn’t react for a moment. He knew Nanyun Province, but what kind of place was Maochun County?

“Did they offer you a high salary?” he asked.

“Actually, I haven’t contacted them yet. I don’t know if they want me,” Qi Yue smiled.

The director was somewhat amused and exasperated.

“Qi Yue, stop fooling around. If you’re tired, I’ll approve leave for you right now. Go rest well and then come back to work,” he said, waving his hand.

“Director, I must go. I promised someone, so I must keep my word,” Qi Yue said, standing up. “Being a doctor – you can heal and save lives anywhere. You can earn a living anywhere. It’s all the same.”

“Promised whom?” the director asked. There must be someone poaching her with high pay, right?

The director had never particularly liked such young doctors with high aspirations but low abilities, so he was somewhat displeased.

“You go first and think about it more,” he said.

Qi Yue bowed, pushed the resignation letter across the desk, and left.

The director tapped on the desk thoughtfully, then dialed a number.

“Old classmate, help me inquire about something,” he said directly.

At noon, while in a meeting, the director’s phone rang. He glanced at the number and didn’t hang up as usual. Instead, he made an apologetic gesture to everyone and walked out.

“…I’m telling you, old classmate, you must be joking. I asked around and there’s no such thing… Besides, it would be somewhat possible for our Nanyun Provincial Hospital to poach your people, but a county hospital, especially a poor county hospital, poaching your people – that’s not you being crazy, it’s them being crazy…” Laughter came through the phone.

The director frowned. Indeed, this was impossible.

“But in fact, it did happen. Dr. Qi is determined to go to your place. If there are no benefits, why would she go? For what? Love and peace?” he said.

“Well, I don’t know about that. Since this doctor is determined to come, we naturally welcome her. Don’t worry, old classmate. I’ll handle the paperwork. Thanks for giving me a heads up. I’ll definitely treat this good comrade who’s willing to work at the grassroots level well. There are so few such good comrades nowadays…” The person on the phone laughed.

The director spat.

“Who’s giving you a heads up! Don’t be so presumptuous! So this became me making contributions to you,” he said, hanging up. The director frowned and thought outside for a while, finally shaking his head and going back to continue the meeting.

At this time, Qi Yue was already sitting on the sofa at home, watching her mother busy in the kitchen.

“Mom, do you want me to help?” she asked, swallowing the last piece of fruit.

“No need. Your father can’t get used to other people’s cooking,” her mother smiled. “It’s almost ready.”

“Mom, how can you spoil Dad like this,” Qi Yue laughed, walking over to lean against the kitchen doorway watching her busy mother.

“Oh my, how hard it is to find someone in this world you can spoil,” her mother laughed, glancing at her. “Envious?”

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

“Envious,” she said. As she said this, her nose couldn’t help but feel sour. She quickly turned her head and coughed to cover her reddening eyes.

The door opened and Father Qi came in, surprised to see Qi Yue.

“Hey, the independent, self-reliant Little Quick Blade who doesn’t need parental care actually came here for a meal?” he said.

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

“Well, at least the daughter has a conscience. After playing around, she still remembers her parents,” Father Qi smiled, changing his shoes and putting down his briefcase as he walked in, extending his hand. “Hand it over.”

Qi Yue was stunned.

“What? You want retirement money now?” she pretended to be shocked, grabbing her father’s arm. “Dad, you alone earn more than two of me. Dad, I haven’t finished paying my house loan yet. I’m not a freebie with phone service, am I?”

Father Qi patted her head.

“Go on,” he smiled. “You went to Nanyun Province to play – where are the local specialties?”

Qi Yue suddenly understood, smiling somewhat embarrassedly.

“Silly girl, you didn’t forget your parents, did you?” Father Qi asked, glaring.

“Alright, time to eat,” Mother came out to call them.

“No, the time was too rushed. I didn’t have time to buy any,” Qi Yue smiled, pushing Father Qi to sit at the dining table.

“Look at you, look at you,” Father Qi pointed at Mother Qi with a smile. “The daughter you raised…”

“Oh my, who keeps saying my daughter takes after me? Good things she gets from you, but when it’s bad, she becomes the one I raised?” Mother Qi smiled, distributing chopsticks.

Father Qi laughed heartily.

“But no problem. If you didn’t bring any this time, that’s fine. Next time I’ll have you send them to us anytime you want,” Qi Yue smiled, picking up chopsticks and making a drooling expression at the food on the table.

Father Qi stopped his chopsticks and looked at her.

“What Director Liu said – is it true?” he asked.

Qi Yue nodded.

Mother Qi was somewhat puzzled, looking at the father and daughter, but habitually stayed quiet.

“Mom, I resigned and plan to go to Maochun County Hospital in Nanyun Province,” Qi Yue said to her mother.

Mother Qi’s first reaction was the same as the director’s – what kind of place was Maochun County?

“Why?” Father Qi asked.

“Dad, I estimate that if I tell you this why, you might not believe me,” Qi Yue said, stirring the food in her bowl with chopsticks.

“As long as you tell us, we’ll believe you,” Father Qi said.

Mother Qi nodded too.

“I once promised a man that I would be with him,” Qi Yue said.

Father Qi and Mother Qi exchanged surprised glances.

Wu Jianfeng?

“Not Wu Jianfeng,” Qi Yue said quickly. “As for how we met, don’t ask. Anyway, now there’s been an accident. He… he’s gone, so I’m very sad, very sad, very sad…”

She lowered her head as she said this, tears falling into her bowl.

Father Qi and Mother Qi looked serious.

“Child, why didn’t you say anything about such a big matter?” Mother Qi said, pushing the tissues on the table toward her.

Qi Yue didn’t use them, looking up with a smile.

“Although he’s gone now, I still want to keep my promise and go there to be with him,” she said.

“Little Yue,” Mother Qi sighed. “A person’s life is very long. You need to be more open-minded.”

Qi Yue nodded.

“I know, Mom. I know,” she said. “A person’s life is very long. Who knows what the future holds, but at least right now, I know what I want to do, what I think I should do, what I must do, and what I have to do.”

Mother Qi wanted to persuade her more, but Father Qi stopped her.

“In that case, then go,” he said.

Qi Yue looked at her father and smiled. She knew that no matter what she did, her father would always support her.

Mother Qi looked at Father Qi, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

“Do what you want to do. I have confidence in my daughter – she won’t do anything foolish,” Father Qi smiled, comforting Mother Qi.

Qi Yue smiled and nodded firmly.

Mother Qi then smiled too.

“Oh, now she’s your daughter again,” she laughed, serving Father Qi some food.

Laughter rang out at the dinner table, warm and harmonious.

Huang Ying was probably the last to know. She ran angrily to Qi Yue’s office, where Qi Yue had already finished packing her things and was carrying them to leave.

“Hey, what are you doing? Are you really going there to guard a tomb?” Huang Ying shouted.

“Not at all. I’m going to work,” Qi Yue smiled, linking arms with her and showing her a new work ID.

Maochun County Hospital work ID.

This was because after Nanyun Provincial Hospital learned that Qi Yue wanted to find work there, administrative staff had specially flown over to personally find Qi Yue. This surprised Qi Yue greatly, and she was very grateful to the director.

“I don’t want my subordinate to live miserably,” the director said with a stern face, clearly unhappy.

Qi Yue ultimately declined the provincial hospital’s invitation and actively requested to go to Maochun County. As long as someone was willing to go, although it wasn’t the provincial hospital, it was still in the same province. When there were surgeries or such, they could invite experts from the county hospital… ahem, although this sounded a bit strange – inviting experts from the county hospital to the provincial hospital… this was really the first time such a thing had been said.

The people from Nanyun Province efficiently processed all the paperwork and arrangements for Qi Yue.

Looking at the work ID, Huang Ying knew it was a done deal. She was both angry and helpless.

“What are you trying to achieve?” she said.

“To be happy,” Qi Yue smiled, linking arms with her as they walked out. “Isn’t that what people live for?”

Huang Ying was silent, puffing with anger.

The elevator opened, and Peng Jiahai walked out. Both sides were stunned when they saw each other.

This was the first time they’d met since returning.

Qi Yue nodded to greet him first.

“Thank you. The incident last time must have scared you,” she said.

Peng Jiahai smiled.

“No,” he said. “It’s normal. I’ve been through the same.”

Qi Yue was stunned.

“Everyone has emotional breaking points,” Peng Jiahai continued, his gaze falling on the cardboard box in Qi Yue’s hands. “I guess there won’t be a farewell banquet?”

“Of course there will be,” Qi Yue smiled. “Are you coming?”

“Of course,” Peng Jiahai smiled.

“Once I set the time and place, I’ll call you,” Qi Yue said.

Peng Jiahai nodded.

“I’ll get busy then,” he said.

Qi Yue nodded, watching Peng Jiahai pass by. She also stepped into the elevator. The elevator door slowly closed, and Peng Jiahai, walking in the hallway, finally slowed down slightly and looked back.

Walking out of the hospital entrance, Qi Yue looked at Huang Ying, who was still sulking.

“Hey, is this how you’re seeing me off? Besides wearing that sour face, do you have anything else to say?” she asked.

Huang Ying glared at her.

“Don’t sell the house. I want to live in it,” she said.

Qi Yue laughed.

“Alright,” she nodded, reaching out to hug Huang Ying. “I’m leaving.”

She finished speaking, opened the car door, and got in. Without saying anything else, the car drove away in front of Huang Ying.

“This fool,” Huang Ying said, raising her hand to rub her eyes.

Because she had drunk too much at the farewell banquet the previous day, Qi Yue woke up rather late and was quite rushed catching her flight.

As she rushed into the airport entrance, two people were also walking in, and they almost collided.

“Sorry, sorry,” Qi Yue quickly stopped and apologized.

These were two young men with somewhat arrogant attitudes.

“What are you doing, beautiful? Trying to pick up guys?” one of them, a young man with a buzz cut but several long strands dyed golden yellow, said, his gaze sweeping over Qi Yue. “A bit old, but acceptable. Want to exchange numbers?”

Qi Yue didn’t get angry but smiled instead.

“Thanks, handsome,” she smiled and continued running away.

The buzz cut didn’t care and continued complaining to his companion.

“…What’s his background anyway?” he said.

“I heard he’s unregistered. Seems like he grew up in the mountains from childhood, like a wild man…” the other young man said.

“Come on,” the buzz cut interrupted him. “Wild man? What about wolf boy! What era are we in!”

The other young man smiled without speaking.

They had already entered the hall. Pick-up was on the first floor, but they walked straight toward the security checkpoint area, where there was a concealed VIP passage.

“If you ask me, returning to the old base is probably to pick up an illegitimate son,” the buzz cut continued.

“Wen Shao, don’t talk nonsense,” the young man said quietly.

“They already did it, why be afraid of people talking? When we meet the person later, there’ll be even more talk,” the buzz cut snorted.

The two stopped talking and focused on watching the passage entrance. Next to the passage was security checkpoint. There weren’t many people now, and the buzz cut noticed that the woman who had bumped into him was hurrying through security, quickly heading inside.

“Stop looking at beautiful women. The old man is here,” the young man beside him nudged him.

A group of people walked out of the passage. The buzz cut quickly put on a smile and went to greet them.

Walking at the front were two men in simple casual clothes, looking relaxed and casual.

The buzz cut smiled as he approached, but saw that there was no one following these two men.

“Where’s Grandpa?” he asked.

“He ran into Commander Wang and they’re talking inside,” one man said.

“From the Southwest Military Region,” the other man added.

His voice was cool and clear, but the buzz cut found it quite pleasant because it sounded somewhat like his grandfather’s accent.

He even knew to add a clarification – clearly very perceptive.

He couldn’t help but take another look at this man.

Tall and well-built, in his thirties, wearing a neat white shirt that made him look very gentle, but when he looked at you, he exerted a kind of pressure.

This bodyguard was quite good, just too good-looking.

For a bodyguard, was it necessary to look this good? Not low-key enough!

The buzz cut nodded at him, and several people stood outside waiting together.

“Hey, I heard the old chief brought back a country bumpkin?” he asked quietly, looking at this man. “Have you checked his background?”

The man looked at him.

“Country bumpkin?” he asked back.

The buzz cut clicked his tongue and stopped looking at him, turning to look inside.

“That wild man,” he said. “What’s his real background? How did he trick the old man into bringing him back?”

“Not a wild man,” the man finally understood who he was talking about and looked at the buzz cut, his gaze falling on his hair.

Was this natural?

Why did people here always style their hair so strangely…

If he touched it, would the color stain his hands?

The buzz cut didn’t notice his hair being studied and continued looking inside.

“How is he not a wild man? Didn’t they say he was like a wolf man, grew up in the mountains, first time leaving the mountains? Hey, are there still such people nowadays? Tell me, what’s he like? Covered in hair? Can he talk? Naked or wearing grass skirts and tree bark? Like those doing primitive ecology?” The buzz cut said, getting more amused as he spoke, then laughed heartily. “Damn, I actually get a chance to see a wild man. What fucking luck.”

The man smiled and extended his hand.

The buzz cut instinctively extended his hand too.

The man shook hands with him.

“I’m also very honored to meet you,” he said.

What?

The buzz cut was stunned. Before he could speak, there was commotion over there – the old chief had come out, and he hurried over to greet him.

“Grandpa,” he called out warmly.

The old man glanced at him and nodded, then waved to someone behind him.

“Yuncheng,” he said, “go get that wild ginseng from my luggage and take it to Commander Wang.”

The buzz cut was startled.

“Grandpa, how can you let a bodyguard do this? Let me go, let me go,” he said hurriedly.

The Southwest Military Region’s commander! That wasn’t someone you could meet casually!

This was a great opportunity.

Chang Yuncheng had already responded and walked away.

“What bodyguard,” the old man glanced at the buzz cut. “This is a young friend I just met.”

Young friend? Just met?

“That wild man?” the buzz cut blurted out.

“What wild man!” the old man glared. He looked him up and down. “I think you’re the wild man with that hair! Looking like a ghost!”

With that, he strode away.

The buzz cut stood there stunned.

“Fuck, that was the wild man? Are you all blind!” he said, glaring at the people beside him. “Where the hell does he look like a wild man? Can you stop being so dramatic when you talk!”

Chang Yuncheng didn’t care at all what the little blonde was saying about him behind his back. He walked calmly through the departure hall. He had already been amazed when he arrived, so now he kept his composure, but his heart still marveled – this truly was a magical… world.

Yes, people here called it a world.

Because the old man hadn’t left yet, Commander Wang hadn’t left either. Hearing that someone had come to deliver something, he quickly had them invited in.

Chang Yuncheng entered and handed over the box in his hands.

“The old gentleman asked me to give this to you,” he said.

Commander Wang remembered this man. On the plane, he had seen the old man frequently calling the man over and whispering to him. From the old man’s attitude and this man’s demeanor, he could be certain he wasn’t a bodyguard.

A nephew or junior relative?

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have him personally deliver it.

Since he had him personally deliver it, it meant he wanted him to get acquainted – plainly speaking, to remember his face and name, and look after him in the future.

Commander Wang stood up from the sofa and looked at Chang Yuncheng with a smile and nod.

“Thank you, Chief,” he said. “Where are you from, young man?”

“Chunzhang Province, Tai’an County, Taimao Ridge,” Chang Yuncheng said without hesitation, then reached into his pocket and took out a card.

Business card?

Commander Wang almost wanted to laugh but still reached out to take it. Looking at it, he did laugh.

ID card…

“This is my identification,” Chang Yuncheng said.

At this time, the old man getting ready to get in the car suddenly slapped his leg.

“Oh dear, I forgot to tell little Chang something,” he said.

The buzz cut was already sitting in the passenger seat. Hearing this, he hurriedly asked what it was.

“Nothing,” the old man glared at him and closed his eyes, saying no more.

The buzz cut pursed his lips.

“I don’t even know if I’m your real grandson…” he muttered. “Always scolding me…”

“That’s because you’re too stupid,” the old man said irritably.

The buzz cut shrank back and didn’t dare speak again.

Here, Commander Wang looked at the ID card Chang Yuncheng handed over, not knowing what expression to use, but remembering it was someone the old chief had introduced, he suppressed his emotions and looked down at the ID card.

The name was Chang Yuncheng, registered in the place he’d mentioned earlier, age thirty-three – good, just the age to start a career.

“The photo looks quite spirited. Good-looking people have it easy. Not like us – our ID photos make us look like different people,” he laughed, finding a topic from the ID card.

Chang Yuncheng thought the photo actually didn’t look as good as he did in person – the portrait technique here was too poor.

He smiled and said thank you.

He knew this – people here weren’t modest, and “thank you” was being modest.

Commander Wang nodded.

“Good. Little Chang, if you have the chance to come to the Southwest in the future, remember to visit me,” he said with a smile, handing back the ID card.

Chang Yuncheng took it, knowing the matter was finished. He nodded and bowed again, then turned and walked out.

Seeing him approach and naturally open the car door and get in, the buzz cut was somewhat wide-eyed.

Oh my, he’s actually getting in this car! And he looks quite comfortable with it!

“How did it go?” the old man asked.

“I gave it to him. He was very happy,” Chang Yuncheng said.

The old man nodded.

“Did you show him your ID card?” he finally couldn’t help but lean over slightly and ask quietly.

Chang Yuncheng nodded.

“He asked who I was, so I showed him my identification,” he said, then smiled slightly, showing his white teeth.

Really… simple and pure… like a newborn baby…

The old man touched his nose.

“Good, good,” he said, then curiously asked, “What did he say?”

“Commander Wang said the photo was good,” Chang Yuncheng replied.

Very good… Little Wang was indeed experienced – he could find something to say about anything.

The old man couldn’t help but smile and nod, leaning back in his seat.

Chang Yuncheng naturally saw the smile at the corner of the old man’s mouth, but he naturally wouldn’t ask. He sat up straight and looked ahead.

He had even ridden that terrifying monster that could fly in the sky – he definitely wouldn’t be nervous about this square box.

“Grandpa, what are you smiling about?” The buzz cut in front had been uncomfortable watching the intimate whispering behind him and quickly interjected.

“Smiling about what? Sit properly and mind your own business,” the old man glared, no longer smiling.

The buzz cut turned around sulkily.

The driver understood and started the car, driving steadily toward downtown Beijing. At the same time, an airplane was gliding south through the sky.