Chapter 32.2

While they’re eating, Gu Sui shared the news about Li Dingbang and the collaboration with the other military districts. “The number of patients coming shouldn’t be too many, so it won’t take up too much of your time.”

Li Dingbang might think Guan Yue diligently worked one or two hours daily, but in reality, her actual work time was only about half of that.  

Gu Sui knew the truth. Aside from days when new patients arrived and required extra attention, Guan Yue typically finished her work in about thirty minutes. She would then deliberately linger for another hour or two before leaving, just to keep up appearances.

“So, the incident last time really was internal conflict among their people?” Guan Yue asked.

“Yeah. Minister Li returned today, and the detainees in the interrogation room were already sent away. Word is, they’ve been shipped off to Xinjiang to work on farms.”

“What about my master and the others? Are they safe?”

“They’re fine. Don’t worry.”

Several major military regions had formed an alliance, making it impossible for the troublemakers to involve them in any disputes.  

Guan Yue said: “You should tell Li Dingbang this afternoon that Zhang Mingrui can leave the day after tomorrow. If he wants to take advantage of anything, he’d better act quickly.”  

Gu Sui chuckled. “What are you doing this afternoon?”  

“Taking a nap and then returning the little cub to Gou Sheng.”  

After finishing lunch, the two parted ways—one heading downhill, the other going uphill.  

When Li Dingbang received Guan Yue’s response, he felt relieved. “I’ll go and talk to Zhang Mingrui in a bit.”  

---

Earlier that morning, after taking Zhang Mingrui’s pulse, Guan Yue had informed him that his health had almost fully recovered. In two more days, he would be fit to leave.  

So, when Zhang Mingrui was exercising outside the house that afternoon and saw Li Dingbang approaching, he wasn’t surprised at all.  

Li Dingbang greeted him with a smile. “Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, on regaining your health!”  

Zhang Mingrui invited him inside. “I have to thank Doctor Guan and your team for all the help.”  

Li Dingbang waved off the gratitude. “Not at all. We’re just helping each other out. Since Doctor Guan said you’ll be able to leave the day after tomorrow, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”  

“Please, go ahead.”  

Li Dingbang wanted to use Zhang Mingrui’s connections to acquire some large-scale equipment. Zhang Mingrui readily agreed, and their conversation went smoothly.  

After their discussion, Zhang Mingrui expressed a desire to take some of Guan Yue’s commonly used medicines with him. Li Dingbang told him to negotiate directly with Guan Yue, as he couldn’t make decisions about Guan Yue’s matters.  

At that moment, Guan Yue was taking the little cub to Gou Sheng. After traversing two mountain ridges, they finally found the wolf pack.  

When Gou Sheng spotted Guan Yue, he howled excitedly, his tail wagging furiously.  

Guan Yue climbed down from the tree and placed the cub in front of Gou Sheng. “Your pup’s leg has healed. Take better care of him from now on, and don’t step on him.”  

The cub, placed on the ground, was still a bit unsteady. It turned to look at Guan Yue and let out a soft, high-pitched whimper.  

Guan Yue gave its plump backside a nudge. “Go on, now.”  

The cub wagged its tail and dashed toward Gou Sheng, its four legs full of energy.  

Gou Sheng was overjoyed. In his excitement, he nudged the little cub so hard that it ended up on its back with its legs in the air. The cub cried out in surprise, and Gou Sheng quickly used his paws to pull the cub back upright.  

Guan Yue pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. With such an unreliable father, it was easy to imagine how the cub had gotten injured in the first place.  

Guan Yue said: “Take good care of him from now on. I’m leaving.”  

She climbed up a tree. Gou Sheng let out a howl and chased after her from below.  

“Stop following me and go back.”  

Guan Yue quickened her pace, soon disappearing into the forest.  

---

By evening, Guan Yue had arrived at Xiaoqing Mountain for her routine medical visits. After checking Zhang Mingrui’s pulse, she asked: “When are you leaving?”  

Zhang Mingrui replied: “The morning after tomorrow. Before I go, I have a small request. I’d like to buy some medicines from you, like those for colds and fevers.”  

Cai Jin quickly added: “I’d like some Chinese herbal medicines for skincare and beauty.”  

Before Guan Yue could respond, Zhang Mingrui interjected: “Before I came here, I arranged for a shipment of advanced research equipment from the United States. It should arrive no later than next month.”  

Guan Yue nodded. “Deal.”  

Cai Jin laughed heartily. “I won’t take your medicine for free. When I return, I’ll send you several boxes of summer dresses.”  

“Thanks in advance, then.”  

Xu Huaping asked Guan Yue: “Guan Yue, how much longer until I recover?”  

He added: “I feel like I’m already fine. Your master checked my pulse and said there’s nothing major wrong with me.”  

Guan Yue glanced at her master. Xu Hua’an rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and said: “I really didn’t find anything wrong.”  

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Guan Yue’s lips. “Master Uncle, you still need at least two more weeks. Just wait a bit longer—you’ll be able to leave by the end of the month.”  

Zhang Mingrui chimed in: “Don’t rush it. Recovery takes time, and health is the most important thing.”  

Xu Huaping smiled and nodded. “I’m not in a hurry.”  

Although he said he wasn’t anxious, Xu Huaping was a little impatient inside.  

He had been away from Hong Kong for over twenty days now. Jiang Zhi hadn’t heard from him during this time and was probably worried sick. He wanted to return as soon as possible.  

Xu Hua’an, however, didn’t share the same concerns. In fact, he was considering staying longer.  

“Guan Yue.” Xu Hua’an said: “Help me ask if I can stay here.”  

Xu Huaping was startled. “You really don’t want to go back?”  

Zhang Huashui shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Your identity is sensitive. Staying here might attract unnecessary trouble.”  

The gunshot a few days ago, coupled with Li Dingbang’s discussion that afternoon, hinted at one thing: someone else’s forces were watching them, forcing a slight adjustment in their collaboration methods.  

Guan Yue also found the idea impractical. “Master, once Master Uncle recovers, you should return first. You can come back in a few years.”  

Xu Hua’an wasn’t ready to give up. “You didn’t even ask. How do you know it’s not possible?”  

Guan Yue wasn’t one for politeness and replied bluntly: “Do I really need to say it? You know your level of medical skill, right? Among the Chinese medicine practitioners here, besides me, the others are all at the level of Deng Baishu’s father. How do you compare to him?”  

“Don’t try to fool me.” Xu Hua’an scoffed. “I know Deng Weimin. While his character isn’t great, he’s a leading figure in the Southwest. If the sanatorium’s Chinese medicine practitioners are all at his level, how could that be possible?”  

Xu Huaping intervened. “Hua’an, speak properly. Doctor Deng is a good man.”  

“Hmph, anyone who wants to steal my apprentice is no good in my book.”  

Guan Yue stood up. “In any case, it’s not happening. When the time comes, you’re going back obediently. I’m leaving now.”  

After Guan Yue left, Xu Hua’an stomped his feet in frustration. “Ungrateful apprentice! How did I end up with such an ungrateful apprentice?”  

Cai Jin chuckled. “Don’t be angry. Guan Yue is only looking out for your best interest.”  

Xu Hua’an refused to give up. If Guan Yue wouldn’t ask for him, he’d do it himself. 

---

The next day, he sought help to pass a message to Li Dingbang, asking him to come.  

Li Dingbang, busy as he was, had no time to deal with him and instead sent Xiao Ma to handle it.  

When Xiao Ma arrived and heard Xu Hua’an’s request to stay, he couldn’t help but think about Xu Hua’an’s identity and the troubles brewing outside in recent days. He immediately refused.  

“What? You’re Doctor Guan’s master?”  

“Even if you were Doctor Guan’s father, it’s still a no.”  

Xiao Ma spoke persuasively: “Let’s be honest here, the living conditions in Hong Kong are many times better than here. Why would you want to stay and suffer here?”

“Who says it’s suffering? I used to live in Big Green Mountain. I came here every year, and I’ve gotten used to it. I don’t find it hard.” Xu Hua’an replied.

“Well, you still shouldn’t stay. It’s better if you go back. When the situation improves, the first thing we’ll do is invite you back.”

Xiao Ma’s words were as smooth as silk, speaking all kinds of good words, but he wouldn’t let Xu Hua’an stay.

He kept repeating the same things, turning the conversation around. In the end, Xu Hua’an became tired, found an excuse, and went inside to hide.

Zhang Mingrui and his wife, who had been watching the scene, laughed out loud.

Xu Huaping also chuckled. “Comrade, you can go back now. I will talk to Hua’an properly. We won’t let you guys have any trouble.”

Xiao Ma chuckled and replied: “It’s not really trouble. I’m going back because it’s better for everyone.”

“No need to explain, we understand. Go ahead with your work.”

“Alright then, I’ll be on my way.”