Chapter 376 – A Letter Discovered Too Late

Zhang Xinsheng accepted the gift with a smile. “Sis, I’ll thank you on their behalf for the gifts.”

“Alright, enough with the sweet talk. Just focus on your work. I’m heading into the office now. If you need anything, just come find me in there.” After saying this, Li Yiyi finally walked into her office, empty-handed.

As she stepped inside, she noticed that the office was tidy and spotless—just the way she had left it. Clearly, someone had been cleaning it regularly in her absence.

Since she had been away for quite a while, she spent the rest of the morning catching up on the work that had piled up during her time off.

While sorting through the mail at the end of the half-day, a letter caught her attention.

It was a letter from a remote mountain village. Looking at the place name on the envelope, Li Yiyi felt a bit embarrassed—she had never even heard of it before.

She unfolded the letter and had only read a little before her delicate brows furrowed tightly.

Quickly, she picked up the envelope to check the postmark. The date showed it had been sent nearly a month ago—right around the time she had just returned to her hometown.

Without wasting another moment, she grabbed the letter and left the office.

Over in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department, even though everyone was busy, the entire team wore smiles on their faces because of Li Yiyi’s return.

As soon as she appeared, all eyes—whether from those working or taking a break—turned toward her.

“Dr. Li, do you need something?” a young nurse came over and asked respectfully.

Li Yiyi shook her head. “No, it’s nothing. Carry on with your work. I’m stepping out for a bit. If anything comes up, just send someone to the director’s office to find me.”

“Got it, Dr. Li,” the nurse responded earnestly.

With that, Li Yiyi made her way toward the hospital director’s office, the letter still in hand.

On her way there, she bumped into several familiar colleagues from around the hospital.

“Dr. Li, when did you get back? You need to come over to our department and give us some guidance when you’re free!”

“Maybe another day,” Li Yiyi replied with a smile.

Eventually, she arrived at the director’s office. Just as she was about to speak to his assistant, the assistant beat her to it with a cheerful grin. “Dr. Li, you’re here. Go right in. The director said if you showed up, you don’t need to report in—just go straight inside.”

Li Yiyi was slightly surprised but kept her expression neutral. After thanking the assistant, she headed directly into the office.

As soon as she pushed open the door, Cheng Wei, who was busy with work inside, immediately stood up to greet her. “Dr. Li, you’re back! Please, have a seat.”

With how welcoming he was, it felt like he had known she would come see him.

Seeing the freshly brewed tea on the table, Li Yiyi couldn’t help but voice her suspicion. “Director, you already made tea? Don’t tell me you knew I was coming?”

Cheng Wei chuckled and poured her a cup. “If I really saw that coming, I’d be overestimating myself. I was taking a gamble. As soon as I got to work this morning, the doctors told me you were back. And if you’re back, shouldn’t you come talk to me about work?”

After hearing this, Li Yiyi finally understood—he had just gotten lucky.

“You really are wise, Director. You even figured out what was on my mind.” She smiled and threw him a compliment.

After spending so long in the workforce, she had gradually learned the art of flattery too.

Cheng Wei grinned at her words. “Alright, enough with the flattery. Did you come to report on something work-related today?”

Li Yiyi shook her head lightly. “No, it’s something else. Director, take a look at the contents of this letter.”

She handed him the letter she had just finished reading.

Cheng Wei glanced at the return address on the envelope and frowned slightly, confused. “This was mailed from such a remote place? Dr. Li, where did you get this letter?”

Li Yiyi smiled and explained, “I didn’t find it—it was sent to me. I came across it today while sorting through my mail.”

Cheng Wei nodded without saying much more. He opened the envelope and carefully read the contents.

After he finished, his expression turned serious as he looked toward Li Yiyi, who was quietly sipping tea. “Dr. Li, what’s your take on the contents of this letter?”

“I think it should be reported to higher authorities. Let them decide whether or not to intervene,” Li Yiyi said earnestly after finishing her tea.

Cheng Wei nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, I’ll hold on to the letter for now. Do you have anything else to report?”

Seeing how eager he was to report the matter quickly, Li Yiyi tactfully shook her head.

“Okay then, let’s talk another day. I need to step out for a bit,” Cheng Wei added promptly.

Li Yiyi got up, said goodbye, and left the office.

The rest of the day, she stayed in her office working through documents and other tasks.

By the end of the day, after a long period of sitting, her body felt a little sore as she exited the hospital.

She was just about to hop on her bicycle and head home when she noticed one or two men nearby glancing in her direction with odd expressions. They quickly looked away, trying to act inconspicuous.

Li Yiyi smirked but didn’t approach them. Since they hadn’t made a move, she figured she wasn’t in immediate danger.

Back at the military family compound, the comforting sounds and smells of everyday life made her feel like she was truly home.

When she reached her doorstep, the aroma of dinner wafted through the courtyard.

As soon as she stepped into the yard, she noticed some noticeable changes. The previously neglected patch of ground had been refurbished—it looked completely different now.

Voices of the elderly and children chatting came from inside the main hall.

“Dad, Mom, Aunt Huang, I’m back.” Seeing the elders sitting inside, Li Yiyi greeted them with a smile as she walked in.

“You’re back! Must’ve been a tiring day. Go wash your hands first. When Xiaohong gets home, we’ll all sit down and eat together,” Aunt Huang said warmly as she walked over to take Li Yiyi’s bag, helping her put it away.