Chapter 34: Dispute

The railway police officer, seeing the old man truly awake, breathed a sigh of relief. “Sir, you suddenly collapsed, and we were all scared.”

Wei Yunxiang slowly sat up, recalling the feeling before he fainted.

“Yes, I suddenly felt uncomfortable in my chest, and then I don’t know what happened.”

Tang Xiaorou explained, “Sir, you’ve been neglecting your health for years, and you’ve been overworked lately. That’s why you lost consciousness. Luckily, we intervened in time, and you’re out of danger.

However, you should get off at the next station and go to the nearest hospital for a checkup.” She knew the old man’s condition but lacked the necessary medicine.

Wei Yunxiang understood that the young girl had saved him.

“Young lady, thank you so much. What’s your name? I must thank you properly later.”

“You’re welcome. I happened to be here, so I had to help.”

But the old man insisted on knowing her name. Tang Xiaorou didn’t hesitate. “My name is Tang Xiaorou.”

“So you’re Doctor Tang. Thank you so much.”

Wei Yunxiang also introduced himself and gave her his contact information. “If you ever come to Beijing, I’ll treat you properly.”

“Okay, we’ll visit if we have the chance.”

Tang Xiaorou took the slip of paper and casually put it away, not taking the old man’s words to heart.  They might not go to Beijing, and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t visit him to avoid putting him to any expense.

Yue Yuan, hearing the old man’s words, showed a flash of surprise. He carefully examined the old man before recognizing him.

“Professor Wei, it’s you!”

Wei Yunxiang looked at Yue Yuan, uncertainly saying, “You… are you Yue’s youngest son?”

Yue Yuan nodded. “Yes, I am.”

Neither expected to meet on the train.  Yue Yuan sincerely thanked Tang Xiaorou. “Young lady, thank you so much for saving Professor Wei.”

Tang Xiaorou waved her hand. “You’re welcome. Since you know him, please persuade him to go to the hospital.”

“No need. I know my own body. I feel much better now. I don’t feel any discomfort.”

Tang Xiaorou frowned. “You don’t feel any discomfort now because I used acupuncture to suppress the symptoms. But after a while, when the effect wears off, you’ll still feel unwell, and you might even faint again.”

“Doctor Tang, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled in acupuncture at such a young age. You’re amazing!” Wei Yunxiang hadn’t expected to encounter such a skilled doctor on the train.  “Okay, I’ll get off at the next station.”

Yue Yuan offered to accompany Wei Yunxiang.

“Xiaoyue, I appreciate your help,” Wei Yunxiang accepted Yue Yuan’s offer. When the train arrived at the next station, they both got off.

Tang Xiaorou and Qin Xueqiong returned to their seats, but the surrounding passengers looked at them curiously. 

An enthusiastic middle-aged woman sat in the seat Yue Yuan had occupied, looking at Xiaorou with curiosity.

“Young lady, you’re really a doctor! You can’t judge a book by its cover. We didn’t believe you could save him!”

Hearing this, others nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, this young girl is amazing. She saved that old man in a flash.”

Many people surrounded Tang Xiaorou. Even sitting down, she felt squeezed.  “Everyone, please return to your seats. Standing like this is disturbing others.”

A railway police officer arrived and gestured for everyone to move, but the woman sitting in Yue Yuan’s seat didn’t leave. After the officer left, she curiously asked, “Young lady, where are you going?”

Tang Xiaorou smiled but didn’t answer.

Seeing this, the woman understood she didn’t want to answer and stopped asking about their destination. Instead, she started sharing a recent interesting story.

Tang Xiaorou wasn’t interested, but Qin Xueqiong listened attentively, so she didn’t interrupt.

The woman’s story went on and on.  As most of the time had passed, Tang Xiaorou stood up. “Mom, let’s go to Grandma Yao’s.  It’ll be easier to get off together.”

Qin Xueqiong readily agreed. “Okay, let’s go together.”

Seeing them leaving, the woman reluctantly stopped her story. “Sister, let’s meet again if we’re destined to.”

“Okay, see you again if we’re destined to.”

Qin Xueqiong liked the woman and waved goodbye.

Reaching the sleeping car section, they heard Xiaoyan crying.

Tang Xiaorou’s expression tightened. She quickly went to their sleeping compartment, followed by Qin Xueqiong and Yao Bingcheng, their faces filled with worry.

“Xiaoyan, why are you crying?”

Seeing Tang Xiaorou, Xiaoyan cried even harder, reaching out for a hug.

Tang Xiaorou hugged her. “What’s wrong, Xiaoyan? What happened?”

Grandma Yao pointed at a young woman across from them. “Xiaoyan was pushed down by her and hurt herself, that’s why she’s crying so hard.”  She blamed herself, “It’s my fault for not watching her properly.”

Tang Xiaorou turned to the young woman, her eyes cold. “Why did you push Xiaoyan?”

The young woman scoffed. “She dirtied my dress first. And I didn’t push her; I just lightly bumped into her.  Who knew she’d fall?  But you appeared so conveniently.  You didn’t plan this, making the little girl do this to extort me, did you?”

Tang Xiaorou was furious.

“Who do you think you are? We wouldn’t extort you. Do you think too highly of yourself?”

Grandma Yao added, “Exactly! Xiaoyan already apologized, and I promised to compensate you for your dress. Yet, you still pushed her down. That’s outrageous!”

The onlookers also thought the woman was unreasonable and pointed at her.

Lu Shan looked at Tang Xiaorou and the others with sarcasm. “Can you even afford it? This dress is from Haicheng.

I bought it for twenty-eight yuan at the Haicheng Friendship Store. 

Since you said you’ll compensate me, give me the twenty-eight yuan!”