Chapter 35: As Long As He’s Alive

Su Miaomiao checked the medicine the shopkeeper had gathered for her.

It was exactly as listed on her note—even thoughtfully packed.

“Thank you,” Su Miaomiao said with genuine gratitude.

The medicines might not be worth much on the market, but they weren’t always easy for ordinary people to obtain.

“No need for thanks between us,” the shopkeeper grinned broadly. “If anything, I should be the one thanking you—for giving me such a great prescription.”

“Oh right, Shopkeeper, let’s name the ointment Miaomiao Pain Relief Balm, and on the label, it should say it’s produced in Shimatuo Village, Mò City,” Su Miaomiao added after a moment’s thought.

“Shimatuo Village? Is that your hometown?” the shopkeeper asked.

“I live there now,” Su Miaomiao nodded.

“Alright, that’s no problem. I’ll make sure it’s included,” the shopkeeper agreed easily.

After all, since he had already agreed to have her name on it, including an origin address didn’t matter. He could even claim it was his hometown.

“Alright, I’ll be heading off then.” Su Miaomiao picked up the bag of medicines and got ready to leave.

The shopkeeper walked her to the door with a wide smile.

But just as Su Miaomiao stepped outside, he couldn’t help but call out again.

“Young friend, if you ever have any other prescriptions to sell, be sure to come to me first!”

“Will do.” Su Miaomiao nodded and walked off with long strides.

—

After leaving the pharmacy, Su Miaomiao headed straight to the bus station.

Fortunately, there was still one last bus heading back to the county. She bought a ticket and got on.

—

Meanwhile…

The phone in Ling Liangxue’s office suddenly rang.

“Hello, this is Ling Liangxue,” he answered calmly.

“You said what? He’s been found? He’s still alive?”

“He’s alive, good, good… Where is he now? Alright, I’ll be right there.”

Ling Liangxue hung up the phone and rushed out of the office.

By the time he arrived at the city hospital, Lu Xiuyuan had just been brought out of surgery.

He looked terribly emaciated—so much so that, if not for the monitoring equipment still showing vital signs, Ling Liangxue would’ve thought he hadn’t made it.

Once the doctors had settled Lu Xiuyuan into a room, Ling Liangxue couldn’t suppress his emotions any longer and asked urgently:

“Doctor, how is he?”

“Thanks to our efforts, the patient’s condition has been temporarily stabilized,” the doctor said carefully. “But the injuries are extremely severe. We’ll have to wait until he regains consciousness to know more about recovery.”

The doctor didn’t make any guarantees.

“As long as he’s alive… That’s all that matters,” Ling Liangxue breathed a sigh of relief.

Because Lu Xiuyuan wasn’t just anyone—his status was far from ordinary. As long as he was alive, better treatment options would be available.

“The patient was very lucky,” the doctor added. “He had a piece of century-old ginseng on him that sustained his life. Without that, I’m afraid he wouldn’t have survived…”

Century-old ginseng?

Ling Liangxue was stunned, then quickly regained his composure.

Considering Lu Xiuyuan’s identity, it wasn’t surprising for him to carry something so valuable.

“Doctor, this man is a national hero who’s rendered outstanding service. Please do everything you can to save him!” Ling Liangxue said seriously.

“Rest assured, we’ll do our absolute best.”

—

After the doctor left, Ling Liangxue glanced at the unconscious Lu Xiuyuan in the hospital bed, then turned to have someone notify the capital.

—

Su Miaomiao had been on the move all day. By the time she reached the county town, night had already fallen completely.

She had thought she might have to stay overnight in town, but as she stepped out of the station, she spotted Shanya Zi driving a donkey cart nearby. She quickly called out to him.

“Su… Comrade Su? What are you doing here?” Shanya Zi looked at her in shock, his face full of surprise.

“I made a trip to the city and just got back. What are you doing in the county so late?” Su Miaomiao asked as she quickly walked over, carrying her things.

Shanya Zi, quick to catch on, took the items from her hands and placed them on the donkey cart.

“I’m here to pick up Goudan from the hospital,” Shanya Zi replied.

“Goudan? He’s ready to be discharged?” Su Miaomiao finally remembered the little boy she had saved on her first day in Shimatuo Village.

“Yeah, the doctor said he’s mostly fine now. He can recover at home. So I rushed over right after work to bring him back,” Shanya Zi nodded.

But Su Miaomiao didn’t believe Goudan was truly fully healed.

Most likely, it just wasn’t life-threatening anymore, so they decided to have him rest at home. After all, staying in the hospital costs money—where would villagers get that kind of money?

“Since you’re on a mission, wouldn’t bringing me along be a bit inconvenient?” Su Miaomiao asked tactfully.

“No, not at all! It’s just Goudan and his mother in the hospital. Even with three more people, there’s still space. Hop on, we’ll go pick them up now.” Shanya Zi was eager to leave a good impression now that he’d run into Su Miaomiao.

He knew a guy like him didn’t deserve such a pretty girl, but still, he just wanted to spend a little more time around her.

“Alright then, thank you.” Su Miaomiao didn’t pretend to be modest and got into the cart directly.

After another ten-plus minutes, the hospital came into view.

When they arrived, they saw Goudan and his mother already waiting outside the hospital.

Shanya Zi parked the cart and immediately went to help.

Su Miaomiao also jumped off to help them carry the luggage.

“Comrade Su? It’s you? What are you doing here?” Goudan’s mother asked, her face full of surprise and joy.

“I just got back from the city and happened to run into Shanya Zi, so I shamelessly hitched a ride back with you all—hope you don’t mind,” Su Miaomiao said as she took a bag from her.

“Mind? Even if we gave you the entire donkey cart to yourself, we wouldn’t mind!” Goudan’s mother said repeatedly.

That day when Goudan was injured, she had been in a state of panic. She remembered bits and pieces of what had happened, but in the chaos, she didn’t fully register who helped.

It wasn’t until later, when Goudan gradually recovered, that she recalled it was Su Miaomiao who had saved her son.

She had planned to thank her properly after they were discharged—but unexpectedly, they ran into her right here.

“Comrade Su, I really, really thank you. If it weren’t for you, my Goudan wouldn’t be alive today.” As she spoke, she pulled Goudan over, preparing to kneel. “Goudan, this is your lifesaver! Hurry and kowtow to your benefactor!”

Seeing this, Su Miaomiao quickly stepped forward to stop them.

“Goudan’s still injured—he can’t make big movements. Let’s get on the cart first and head home.”

Goudan’s mother held onto Su Miaomiao’s hand and continued to express her heartfelt gratitude.

Su Miaomiao could be ruthless when facing malice, but she was helpless in the face of genuine kindness.

“Goudan’s injury probably isn’t fully healed yet. Why didn’t you let him stay in the hospital a few more days to rest?” Su Miaomiao asked, shifting the focus to the quiet Goudan, hoping to divert his mother’s endless stream of thanks.