Thus began Chu Xia’s internship at the hospital, with a colleague she didn’t like from the very beginning.

Cheng Jun was eager to climb the ranks.

Every day, he arrived at the department early, cleaned the consultation room meticulously, opened the windows, and poured Dr. Yan a cup of hot water.

Chu Xia couldn’t match his dedication.

If it weren’t for the unpleasant encounter at the hospital entrance when she first reported in, she might have admired such a person.

Not everyone can consistently wake up early and try to please others day after day.

Even though he had his own motives, it didn’t make him seem very unpleasant.

However, due to that initial negative meeting, Chu Xia and Cheng Jun maintained a stony relationship.

During work hours, aside from what was necessary, they avoided unnecessary conversations.

Dr. Yan had many patients every day, but most came for health maintenance; for other ailments, people preferred Western medicine.

Dr. Yan was generally easygoing but became very stern with Chu Xia and Cheng Jun regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine.

“Day-to-day behavior doesn’t matter much, but when it comes to treating patients, there can’t be any mistakes. Human lives aren’t a joke. Chu Xia, the prescription you provided is very good. It shows your solid foundation in knowledge. Cheng Jun, why did you write this prescription?”

Cheng Jun looked troubled and scratched his head. “I thought the patient just had a common cold with cough.”

“Just thought! Did you examine the patient properly? Did you ask about the symptoms in detail? What were you thinking when you took the pulse?”

Cheng Jun seemed not to notice Dr. Yan’s anger, still smiling. “Teacher, I was careless this time. I won’t make the same mistake again. Please give me another chance. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Dr. Yan’s brows furrowed, and he slammed his hand on the table. “Cheng Jun, stop with the smirking! Do you know that the prescription you just wrote could make the patient’s cough worse? This shows a lack of respect for the patient and your profession! If you don’t understand this, you’re not fit to be a doctor.”

Cheng Jun’s smile faded as he repeatedly bowed to Dr. Yan, panic evident on his face. “Teacher, I really understand my mistake. I’m sorry. I will change and won’t make this mistake again.”

Dr. Yan said a few more words.

Seeing Cheng Jun’s attitude of repentance, he stopped scolding and said earnestly, “I’m being strict with you now for your own good. Study all the knowledge related to the case we just discussed. I will question you again in a few days.”

Cheng Jun lowered his head, looking obedient, and nodded. “I understand, Teacher.”

Chu Xia stood by, listening to the entire reprimand, feeling no sympathy for Cheng Jun.

Although Cheng Jun was quick and sincere in admitting his mistake, Chu Xia felt he didn’t truly grasp Dr. Yan’s concern.

After work, as Chu Xia was about to head home, she passed by the side street of the hospital and saw Cheng Jun kicking the wall violently.

“Damn, questions, questions, what’s there to question? I made one mistake, and he won’t let go! That old man!”

Chu Xia’s face turned cold. “Cheng Jun.”

Cheng Jun jumped in surprise, turning around to see Chu Xia.

His face instantly turned pale. “You…you didn’t hear anything, did you?”

“Cheng Jun, if you have issues with the teacher, you should address them directly with him rather than wasting his efforts on someone ungrateful.”

“What are you talking about?” Cheng Jun’s face showed anger and embarrassment as he raised his fist. “Don’t think that just because the teacher likes you, I won’t dare to hit you. Be careful or I’ll beat you up!”

His eyes were fierce, looking more like a violent thug than a healer.

Chu Xia took a step back defensively. “This is the affiliated hospital of the research institute, which is part of the military. There are military personnel patrolling nearby. Do you dare to act out? If you do, you won’t be able to stay in the hospital!”

Cheng Jun certainly didn’t dare.

He came to the research institute’s affiliated hospital to get promoted.

Although the hospital was remote, it had ties to the research institute and military.

Performing well here could lead to opportunities in higher-tier hospitals.

He lowered his hand and laughed awkwardly. “Don’t be so serious. I was just joking. I said those things in the heat of the moment because I had to memorize too much. It wasn’t my real feelings. Don’t take it seriously, Chu Xia.”

Chu Xia looked at Cheng Jun.

Despite his smiling face, the malice in his eyes hadn’t been suppressed, and his smile seemed forced.

Being a grown man, Chu Xia didn’t want to engage in further conflict and said, “Say whatever you want. I couldn’t care less about your affairs.”

She turned and walked away.

Once she was out of Cheng Jun’s sight, Chu Xia let out a sigh of relief and felt a cold sweat on her back.

She had been too impulsive, but her anger and the knowledge of nearby military personnel had driven her actions.

Cheng Jun could leave the hospital without waiting for him to actually cause harm and be forcibly dismissed.

Back home, Chu Xia continued to think about the incident, her brows tightly knitted.

When Cen Zhengnian returned, he saw her like this and walked over, handing her a glass of water. “What’s wrong? Did you encounter difficulties at the hospital?”

He sat beside Chu Xia, his eyes full of concern.

Chu Xia held the cup with both hands, turned to Cen Zhengnian, and recounted the entire incident with Cheng Jun.

Upon hearing that Cheng Jun had threatened Chu Xia, Cen Zhengnian’s brows furrowed deeply.

He held Chu Xia’s hand. “Are you okay? Did he lay a hand on you?”

“No, listen to me first.”

Cen Zhengnian’s frown didn’t ease. “Next time, don’t confront such people directly. Call me selfish if you like, but I only want you to be safe. Anything else should be dealt with only if you’re safe. Otherwise, I’d rather you not do it.”

Chu Xia pursed her lips and looked steadily at Cen Zhengnian.

Cen Zhengnian looked back at her with serious eyes.

Chu Xia leaned into his embrace. “I understand. I won’t act impulsively next time.”

Cen Zhengnian patted her shoulder. “You can be impulsive when I’m around,” he said, “because I’ll protect you.”

Chuxia laughed softly. “What if that person really fights with you, and you can’t beat them? What if you get hurt?”

Cen Zhengnian sighed. “Then there’s nothing to be done about it. As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.”

Chuxia’s smile widened.

After laughing for a while, she continued discussing future plans with Cen Zhengnian and asked for his advice on what to do next.

“You handled it well. Men like Cheng Jun are prone to holding grudges. What you said was to protect yourself. You don’t need to concern yourself too much with him; he won’t pass the internship period.”

Chuxia looked up at him in his embrace and noticed his moving Adam’s apple.

She couldn’t help but touch it. “Why is that?”

Chuxia understood that someone like Cheng Jun wouldn’t go far, as he was ambitious but lacked patience.

Dr. Yan, who had seen many people, wouldn’t fail to notice this.

She just wanted to hear Cen Zhengnian’s explanation.

Cen Zhengnian held her hand, his Adam’s apple moving up and down again.

His voice was smooth and steady as he explained, “Cheng Jun vented his dissatisfaction right at the hospital entrance. People who can’t control their nature will eventually reveal their flaws, no matter how good they are at pleasing others.”

Chuxia nodded, saying, “Mm.”

“Mom!” Just as she was about to say something, the sound of the door opening and Cen Huai’an’s voice came from outside.

Chuxia quickly pushed Cen Zhengnian away and straightened herself.

She used her free hand to tidy her hair, took a sip of water, and nonchalantly looked towards the door. “An’an, you’re back from school?”

Cen Huai’an, looking down as he changed his shoes, seemed to ignore everything. “Mm.”

“Mom, our teacher said that the application form and materials have been submitted. I’ll be able to go to the summer camp when summer vacation starts.”

“Great. In a couple of days, when it’s Sunday, I’ll take you to the department store to buy some things you need for the camp.”

“Mm.” Cen Huai’an nodded and then looked up.

Cen Zhengnian, who had been pushed onto the sofa by Chuxia, was now sitting up straight.

Both he and Chuxia wore expressions as if nothing had happened.

In the evening, Cen Huai’an opened the letters sent from Northwest and Liangzhou.

Cen Huai’an had seen his friends from Northwest before, but he hadn’t seen Bang Ge and the others for a long time.

Bang Ge was older than him and was now in middle school.

His grades had improved; though he wasn’t top of the class, he was fine for high school.

“An’an, a new arcade opened near our school recently. Many of my classmates go there every day to play games. I went in once; it wasn’t hard, but the slot machines have an interesting difficulty adjustment feature that lets you control how much you earn. Do you have such machines over there?”

Bang Ge’s letter showed a keen interest in slot machines, not for playing, but for how to make money with them.

Cen Huai’an frowned and wrote back, “We have them here too. But I haven’t been there, though I know that slot machines used to manipulate odds are gambling. Bang Ge, this is not the right path. I know you want to make money quickly, but if you use this method, you’ll only sink deeper and deeper into a quagmire, and won’t be able to get out when you want to.

We’re still young and have many opportunities ahead. Don’t let the immediate temptations blind you. Bang Ge, I’m still waiting for you to come to Beijing and go to college with me. The future is bright, but if we take the wrong path, everything will change. I hope we both have a good future!”

Cen Huai’an was worried that Bang Ge might actually try to get a slot machine near their school.

Since childhood, Chuxia had drilled into him that gambling was something he should never touch.

He feared Bang Ge might get involved in such activities.

In today’s arcades, those who run them often have connections and are involved in more than just this business.

After sending the letter, Cen Huai’an anxiously waited for Bang Ge’s reply.

After years without seeing him, he worried that Bang Ge might have changed and might not heed his advice.

Meanwhile, Bang Ge and his friends in Liangzhou received Cen Huai’an’s letter.

Bang Ge, now resembling a teenage boy with a crew cut, had a fierce aura that made him seem intimidating despite his good looks.

“Let’s see what this small letter says,” Bang Ge said, waving the letter.

He pulled it out with one hand and opened it, drawing the attention of his friends, including Maozi.

After reading the letter, Maozi showed confusion. “Is the slot machine really as terrible as An’an says? It’s just a game machine.”

Maozi didn’t have Bang Ge’s self-control.

If not for running a business every day, he would have gone to the arcade to play several rounds.

Bang Ge kicked him on the butt. “An’an is in Beijing, and you’re in Liangzhou. Who’s seen more, him or you?”

Maozi, kicked forward a few steps, rubbed his butt and came back, grumbling, “Bang Ge, even if I don’t know as much as An’an, you don’t have to kick me every time. It really hurts.”

Bang Ge glanced at him. “If you go to the arcade again, I can make it hurt even more.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but Maozi shuddered and immediately shook his head. “Bang Ge, I won’t go anymore.”

Despite his love for games, Maozi could tell from Bang Ge’s tone that if he persisted, Bang Ge would use more severe methods.

Bang Ge would not abandon his brothers but would use various means to correct those who had gone astray.