Chapter 21 Visiting Dean Chen

Lin Anran listened to the commotion outside and held her breath, suddenly remembering that she was in her space and they couldn’t see her. Thinking carefully, she still felt a shiver of fear—these people had actually found her. Looking at the situation, she realized she could only take it one step at a time.

After the noise outside died down, she heard someone say, “It’s almost dark.” Evening was approaching, and feeling a bit bored, she listened to some pop songs and watched a few episodes of a TV drama about a woman who sacrificed everything for her family while her husband pursued a mistress. The woman, without any income, grew depressed, and her situation worsened until she tragically attempted suicide by jumping into a river. Watching the drama, Lin Anran suddenly felt it mirrored the original owner’s fate. She thought: a woman must secure her livelihood before thinking about love—a timeless truth, valid in any era.

Reflecting on her arrival in the 1980s, she realized a series of challenges awaited her. She knew she had to earn money to secure her life. With her space, even if she didn’t work, selling the items inside could sustain her for life. But here, she still needed to be self-sufficient. She thought: men only slow down the speed of making money—they also impede her path to fame!

Thinking of this, she recalled Leng Feng. He had left quietly without leaving a message. She considered sending a note, but then realized even if she did, he wouldn’t receive it. Yet she couldn’t deny a strange flutter of the heart and a feeling of longing for him after their few days together. Just as she had resolved to stay away from men, hope crept back in. Torn by conflict and indecision, she fell asleep, dreaming of scenes from the 20th century: herself in a car accident, lying in a hospital bed, with Director Xiao Feng at her side day and night. She dreamt of Leng Feng at her wedding—she was the bride, he the groom—but then he vanished, and she tried calling out but couldn’t. She ran around in panic and woke up, wiping sweat from her forehead, realizing it was a false alarm, though the dream had felt so real.

Time didn’t exist in the space. Lin Anran calculated roughly and then stepped out. She packed a set of cosmetics, arranged fruits into a beautiful basket, and included a ginseng. Carrying these gifts on the street, she caught everyone’s attention: her fitted clothes, flawless skin, and graceful stride made her strikingly beautiful. People admired her hands skillfully arranging the fruit like art.

Suddenly, a woman in her thirties blocked her path. Lin Anran looked at the unexpected visitor and asked politely, “Sister, why are you blocking my way?” The woman, realizing her mistake, quickly apologized: “I’m sorry to bother you. The basket you’re carrying—is that fruit?”

“Yes,” Lin Anran said calmly. The woman, excited, said repeatedly, “Really fruit? Really? Everyone look, it’s really fruit!” Lin Anran realized she was being stopped because the woman admired the fruit arrangement. Remembering it was the 1980s, she understood. The woman then asked earnestly if Lin Anran could teach her how to arrange fruit so beautifully. Lin Anran agreed but explained she had urgent matters: “I can teach you, but… after I finish what I need to do, I’ll come find you.” The woman gratefully told her that her fruit shop was east of the hospital and she was the only one there.

Lin Anran nodded and continued toward the hospital. The woman thought happily that learning this skill from Lin Anran could help her start her path to wealth.

Arriving at the hospital, Lin Anran went to the emergency department on the first floor and directly to Room 6, where the man she had saved yesterday lay with his eyes closed. Seeing her arrive with the fruit basket and other gifts, he thought, “Could it be she’s here for me?” Lin Anran set the items on the table and, noticing his surprised look, said, “Hello, Director Chen. Are you feeling better? I’m Lin Anran, the young woman who saved you on the street yesterday.”

“Oh, it’s you. Please sit.” Director Chen invited her to sit, staring at her in disbelief. He continued, “I heard you saved me. Your wife said you’re young, beautiful, and a doctor. I never expected you to be so young.” Hearing this, Lin Anran felt confident that this job was practically secured.

Lin Anran humbly said, “It’s thanks to you, Director Chen. Heaven wouldn’t let you suffer, and look—you’re on the road to recovery.”

Director Chen looked at this young woman, probably in her early twenties, who had just saved his life. “You speak so sweetly, you’re beautiful, and your medical skills are excellent. Truly, the waves of the Yangtze push one another—each one higher than the last.”

Lin Anran felt a little embarrassed by his continuous praise and replied, “Not at all, I still have so much to learn.”

Director Chen, hearing her modesty and reasonableness, continued, “Our hospital is in need of a doctor like you. Why don’t you work here? Whatever salary you want, it’s yours. We’ll even give you a private dorm room—how does that sound?”

“Great. I’ll follow your arrangements, Director!”

“Good.”

As the two of them were chatting happily, they suddenly heard a voice: “What are you talking about? So cheerful?”

Lin Anran looked up and saw the woman from yesterday, who had asked her to come find her. She quickly stood up and respectfully said, “Hello, sister!”

“Sit, sit! It’s good that you came, and you even brought something. You haven’t even been repaid for saving my life!”

“That’s just a doctor’s duty, sister. You’re too kind,” Lin Anran replied.

The three of them continued talking for a while, reaching a comfortable understanding. Director Chen said, “I’ll be discharged tomorrow. You can come to my office directly, and you can start work then—how does that sound?”

“Good!” Lin Anran agreed, feeling that it was about time to take her leave. She stood and said, “I wish you a speedy recovery, Director Chen!”

“Thank you. Go see her off.”

Lin Anran prepared to leave but said, “Sister, please wait. I’ll report on time tomorrow.”

With an excited heart, Lin Anran walked out of the hospital and headed to the fruit shop. She noticed someone quietly following her from the hospital.