It was quiet at the corridor.
The sudden unexpected sight before them caught everyone off guard.
At this moment, the sun had set and the light rays along the corridor were dim.
Nevertheless, the silhouette of the embracing couple sought to dazzle the eyes of everyone who witnessed the sight.
For a long time, nobody talked.
Xiang Wan buried her face deeply against Bai Muchuan’s chest as she allowed her tears to flow freely.
The sadness, tiredness, sorrow, and bitterness bottled up within her were as though found an exit the moment she saw him. She sobbed like a child who had just met her parents after having suffered hardships and without any inhibition. Both of her hands clasped onto his shirt so tightly that creases were created, and she was still not willing to let go…
Sigh!
That was Bai Muchuan.
“Don’t cry anymore! It’s all my fault.”
“…”
“Little Xiang Wan, stop crying, alright?”
Bai Muchuan patted Xiang Wan’s back gently as if he was comforting a child who was hurt.
The strength of the embrace was enough to let him notice the changes in Xiang Wan’s body.
In just a few days time, her condition was different from the last time he saw her prior to leaving the Capital.
Back then, she liked to complain to him on how she had gained weight after they had become an item and kept rambling on wanting to get rid of the excess fats. Well, there was no need for that now—she had lost so much weight that he felt she was only skin and bones.
Bai Muchuan felt his heart aching for her.
As he comforted Xiang Wan by patting on her back, he looked up and saw the other few people along the corridor—there were Fang Yuanyuan, as well as the two other Tan sisters, which were Xiang Wan’s Eldest aunt and Youngest aunt respectively. At this moment, their gazes were sharp and stern as they scrutinized him.
Eldest aunt, Tan Xichun, was the opposite of Youngest aunt, in terms of character. Youngest aunt was a rather opinionated woman, while Eldest aunt was similar to a yes-woman, with nothing much to say.
Besides thinking her niece’s boyfriend was really a fine, good-looking chap, she had no other thoughts.
Youngest aunt, on the other hand, was frowning but did not say a word.
As a career woman who helped her husband in managing his family business, she had seen many different kinds of people and could clearly sense the unusual aura from Bai Muchuan when he came out of the elevator.
She knew this guy was definitely not the poor chap that made his girlfriend pay for her share of the rent. He was also not a wuss who was afraid of getting involved in this matter she had thought him to be. It was just that, she felt he might be a little too young.
If a man like him in his late twenties did not have a solid family background and could only depend on himself, even if he was a really capable man, there would be a limit as to how influential he could get.
Youngest aunt observed Bai Muchuan quietly.
She knew at this moment, it was not suitable for her to talk yet.
“Erm, Captain Bai…” Fang Yuanyuan was the one to speak up first.
In the stiff atmosphere, she also took the opportunity to clear her throat.
“You’re finally here. Cousin has been talking to me about you…”
Well, it was too obvious she had said that to alleviate the situation. Even Yuanyuan herself felt awkward about it.
Bai Muchuan nodded at her as a form of greeting and did not say anything. He only lowered his head to wipe Xiang Wan’s tears, seemingly only want to focus his attention on her.
“This is not a small matter, why didn’t you tell me earlier about this?
“You’re busy!” Xiang Wan sniffled and tried to argue back like a child.
“No matter how busy I am, how can I let others bully you like this?”
This sounded soft and tender in Xiang Wan’s ears, but it sure didn’t seem to come off the cuff.
Not only that, his words were also loud enough for the rest of them there.
Xiang Wan sighed. “…”
She always knew he was not a compromising person.
Looks like he had seen how stern Youngest aunt was to Xiang Wan earlier.
“…”
There was a sudden silence.
For a good while, nobody spoke a word.
Fang Yuanyuan then realized that Bai Muchuan had also ‘classified’ her into the ‘bullying camp’. No wonder he looked a little unfriendly earlier , she thought.
As for Youngest aunt, she had a complicated look on her face. After contemplating for a while, she finally took the initiative to say something.
“Wanwan, you haven’t introduced him to Youngest aunt?”
Under normal circumstances, Xiang Wan should have introduced him much earlier when he appeared.
However, Bai Muchuan’s sudden appearance at the hospital was too much of a shock to her. At that moment, she felt the whole of her was filled with so much joy she could not think of anything else but to cry…
“Youngest aunt…” Xiang Wan smoothened her hair and took a glance at Bai Muchuan with her red eyes. “This is my boyfriend, Bai Muchuan.”
Then she told Bai Muchuan in her soft voice, “Little Bai, this is my Youngest aunt.”
Bai Muchuan raised an eyebrow as he looked at Xiang Wan.
In his memories, Xiang Wan used many terms to address him, but there was never once she called him “Little Bai”…
His lips formed a smile. “Youngest aunt, nice to meet you. I’m Bai Muchuan. Thank you for helping me take care of Wanwan all these while.”
His smile might have seemed harmless, but Youngest aunt could tell his smile felt like ‘a needle hidden amongst the wool’.
Youngest aunt also returned an appropriate smile. “I should, she is my niece after all. You’ve actually arrived at the right time. We did encounter some problems, but we did not know how to settle them…”
Bai Muchuan asked confidently, “Well?”
Youngest aunt: “Let’s sit down and talk.”
They looked for a lounge and Youngest aunt got Xiang Wan to tell Bai Muchuan about what the attending doctor had told them.
Then she folded her arms and looked at Bai Muchuan quietly as though the matter did not concern her at all.
If he can’t solve this problem, on what basis should Xiang Wan give up the better choice—Cheng Zheng—and choose him instead?
These were her unspoken words.
Although Bai Muchuan could not hear her unspoken words, he could tell she wanted to know how he would handle this matter.
He took Xiang Wan’s hands and squeezed them gently in his palm, his warm hands warming her cold fingers.
“Youngest aunt,” he said very casually, “prior to returning to Jin City, I’ve gotten some details on Aunty’s condition and had gone ahead to contact several neurologists in the Capital. They will reach Jin City a little bit later. I was worried about Wanwan, so I took an earlier flight back.”
Youngest aunt laughed without much emotion. “Neurologist?”
Her words had ended in a higher tone, which indicated disbelief.
She had met a lot of rich men, but she met more people who were boastful and loved to brag. This young man should be one of them too , she thought.
Take it that he did have wide connections, but was a neurologist so easy to find?
What kind of neurologist would make a trip from the Capital to Jin City to attend to a nobody like her second sister?
With regards to the treatment of her second sister, she had really gone all out by asking around for neurologists amongst her contacts…
However, in the healthcare industry, it really was not all about money. There were specialists that even if one were willing to spend, they might still not be willing to make a trip to the hospital. The current condition of Xiang Wan’s mom was not suitable for a transfer to other hospitals as her mom had suffered from acute bleeding in the brain. A transfer might trigger another round of bleeding. The attending doctor had told them truthfully that the chances of survival would be low once that happens again…
As she thought of all these, she started to laugh condescendingly.
“Young man, I’m telling you the truth, we’ve tried to find all the neurologists we can find. Take for example the major hospitals in Jin City, there are actually quite a few famous neurologists, but… Hah, my point is, if it’s some average neurologist, I’m afraid it won’t be of much help.”
Youngest aunt’s disdain and contempt were obvious in her eyes.
If an average guy had eye contact with someone like Youngest aunt, he would get defeated in less than 10 seconds.
Bai Muchuan had a calm look on his face. “Professor Wei Qizheng and Professor Li Yunde. I wonder if these two neurologists are good enough for you?”
Youngest aunt’s expression changed.
Ever since Xiang Wan’s mom got hospitalized, Youngest aunt had also done her homework to understand who were the authoritative experts and professors of neurology in China. The two professors Bai Muchuan named were definitely the names of the bigshots second to none in their respective field. Just a day ago, Youngest aunt’s husband, Xing Yuanhang, had just asked a contact to help ask for a consultation from Professor Wei Qizheng…
However, the other party responded to them in a euphemistic way that because Professor Wei was already quite old and had been unwell, he had been recuperating at home at the Capital.
That was understandable actually. As there were thousands of people who get sick every day, the old professor couldn’t be traveling all around the country just to see patients.
Hence, upon hearing the two names from Bai Muchuan, Youngest aunt could not cover up the excitement and took a deep breath instead to calm down.
“Professor Wei and Professor Li, are they really coming?”
She asked one more time to ascertain this.
Just Professor Wei Qizheng alone was enough for her actually. Not to mention there was also the renowned Neurosurgeon, Li Yunde…
It was simply unbelievable.
Bai Muchuan nodded his head, but there was no trace of any arrogance on his face. It was as though the two names he had mentioned were just the names of the delivery boys in the market.
“Yeah, I had contacted them after I understood the condition of Aunty. How about this? I’ll call them again.”
With Youngest aunt looking, Bai Muchuan called Professor Wei Qizheng.
In the phone, Professor Wei had a loud, clear voice. He said that he and his medical team had rushed to the airport and should arrive in Jin City in another three hours time.
Just before the call ended, he even reminded Bai Muchuan:
“Little Chuan ah, in order to save time, you’d better arrange for transport at the airport so as soon as we touch down, we can come to the hospital at once.”
“Hm,” responded Bai Muchuan, “I’ve done all the necessary arrangements. There will be someone waiting to pick you up at the airport.”
“Alright, good. We’ll see you later. I’m about to board the plane with Old Li now.”
“Alright, Uncle Wei. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. It’s rare for you to owe me one.”
“That’s… you’re too direct, Old Wei.”
“Hahahaha…”
Youngest aunt’s expression changed gradually in the midst of Professor Wei’s hearty laughter.
Her mouth moved but she could only show an unnatural laugh.
“Little Bai, so we’ll be bothering you on this matter.”
“No need to stand on ceremony, Youngest aunt.”
Bai Muchuan did not take credit for his work, nor did he display his tsundere traits. Before the elders, he was responsible and reliable which gave people the impression he had integrity and was a very sincere person.
“I’m Wanwan’s boyfriend. Her problems are my problems.”
Youngest aunt could finally smile more naturally. She narrowed her eyes as she tried to scrutinize him again.
She was brimming with curiosity about this young man whom her niece might end up marrying.
However, with so many people here, she couldn’t bring herself to behave like her silly second sister who directly asked him about his family background and like…
About three and a half hours later, Professor Wei and Professor Li’s plane arrived in Jin City.
Bai Muchuan had sent someone to fetch the professors, and when they reached the hospital, that someone heaved a sigh of relief and smiled awkwardly at Xiang Wan.
“Teacher Xiang, Captain Bai’s the one who got me to tell him all about what happened to you… he had noticed something was amiss. I daren’t keep it from him. Don’t be angry with me, okay?”
Xiang Wan was so full of gratitude to him, why would she be angry at him?
“Thank you so much, Detective Tang…”
“You’re too polite, please call me Little Tang,” said Tang Yuanchu before blinking at her. “How is it? Did I do a good job in currying favor with my boss?”
“…”
“So am I on track for a promotion?”
“…”
Frankly speaking, this fellow really knew how to talk.
He had the ability to discern things and knew how to be likable. He was definitely someone who could work well with others in the workplace.
As he had yet to suffer many hardships in the society with Huang He taking him by hand initially and now under Bai Muchuan’s umbrella, he still had a pure and innocent look on him. Even though he might be currying favor, it was entirely his own style which was very likable.
…
It was quiet at the corridor.
The sudden unexpected sight before them caught everyone off guard.
At this moment, the sun had set and the light rays along the corridor were dim.
Nevertheless, the silhouette of the embracing couple sought to dazzle the eyes of everyone who witnessed the sight.
For a long time, nobody talked.
Xiang Wan buried her face deeply against Bai Muchuan’s chest as she allowed her tears to flow freely.
The sadness, tiredness, sorrow, and bitterness bottled up within her were as though found an exit the moment she saw him. She sobbed like a child who had just met her parents after having suffered hardships and without any inhibition. Both of her hands clasped onto his shirt so tightly that creases were created, and she was still not willing to let go…
Sigh!
That was Bai Muchuan.
“Don’t cry anymore! It’s all my fault.”
“…”
“Little Xiang Wan, stop crying, alright?”
Bai Muchuan patted Xiang Wan’s back gently as if he was comforting a child who was hurt.
The strength of the embrace was enough to let him notice the changes in Xiang Wan’s body.
In just a few days time, her condition was different from the last time he saw her prior to leaving the Capital.
Back then, she liked to complain to him on how she had gained weight after they had become an item and kept rambling on wanting to get rid of the excess fats. Well, there was no need for that now—she had lost so much weight that he felt she was only skin and bones.
Bai Muchuan felt his heart aching for her.
As he comforted Xiang Wan by patting on her back, he looked up and saw the other few people along the corridor—there were Fang Yuanyuan, as well as the two other Tan sisters, which were Xiang Wan’s Eldest aunt and Youngest aunt respectively. At this moment, their gazes were sharp and stern as they scrutinized him.
Eldest aunt, Tan Xichun, was the opposite of Youngest aunt, in terms of character. Youngest aunt was a rather opinionated woman, while Eldest aunt was similar to a yes-woman, with nothing much to say.
Besides thinking her niece’s boyfriend was really a fine, good-looking chap, she had no other thoughts.
Youngest aunt, on the other hand, was frowning but did not say a word.
As a career woman who helped her husband in managing his family business, she had seen many different kinds of people and could clearly sense the unusual aura from Bai Muchuan when he came out of the elevator.
She knew this guy was definitely not the poor chap that made his girlfriend pay for her share of the rent. He was also not a wuss who was afraid of getting involved in this matter she had thought him to be. It was just that, she felt he might be a little too young.
If a man like him in his late twenties did not have a solid family background and could only depend on himself, even if he was a really capable man, there would be a limit as to how influential he could get.
Youngest aunt observed Bai Muchuan quietly.
She knew at this moment, it was not suitable for her to talk yet.
“Erm, Captain Bai…” Fang Yuanyuan was the one to speak up first.
In the stiff atmosphere, she also took the opportunity to clear her throat.
“You’re finally here. Cousin has been talking to me about you…”
Well, it was too obvious she had said that to alleviate the situation. Even Yuanyuan herself felt awkward about it.
Bai Muchuan nodded at her as a form of greeting and did not say anything. He only lowered his head to wipe Xiang Wan’s tears, seemingly only want to focus his attention on her.
“This is not a small matter, why didn’t you tell me earlier about this?
“You’re busy!” Xiang Wan sniffled and tried to argue back like a child.
“No matter how busy I am, how can I let others bully you like this?”
This sounded soft and tender in Xiang Wan’s ears, but it sure didn’t seem to come off the cuff.
Not only that, his words were also loud enough for the rest of them there.
Xiang Wan sighed. “…”
She always knew he was not a compromising person.
Looks like he had seen how stern Youngest aunt was to Xiang Wan earlier.
“…”
There was a sudden silence.
For a good while, nobody spoke a word.
Fang Yuanyuan then realized that Bai Muchuan had also ‘classified’ her into the ‘bullying camp’. No wonder he looked a little unfriendly earlier , she thought.
As for Youngest aunt, she had a complicated look on her face. After contemplating for a while, she finally took the initiative to say something.
“Wanwan, you haven’t introduced him to Youngest aunt?”
Under normal circumstances, Xiang Wan should have introduced him much earlier when he appeared.
However, Bai Muchuan’s sudden appearance at the hospital was too much of a shock to her. At that moment, she felt the whole of her was filled with so much joy she could not think of anything else but to cry…
“Youngest aunt…” Xiang Wan smoothened her hair and took a glance at Bai Muchuan with her red eyes. “This is my boyfriend, Bai Muchuan.”
Then she told Bai Muchuan in her soft voice, “Little Bai, this is my Youngest aunt.”
Bai Muchuan raised an eyebrow as he looked at Xiang Wan.
In his memories, Xiang Wan used many terms to address him, but there was never once she called him “Little Bai”…
His lips formed a smile. “Youngest aunt, nice to meet you. I’m Bai Muchuan. Thank you for helping me take care of Wanwan all these while.”
His smile might have seemed harmless, but Youngest aunt could tell his smile felt like ‘a needle hidden amongst the wool’.
Youngest aunt also returned an appropriate smile. “I should, she is my niece after all. You’ve actually arrived at the right time. We did encounter some problems, but we did not know how to settle them…”
Bai Muchuan asked confidently, “Well?”
Youngest aunt: “Let’s sit down and talk.”
They looked for a lounge and Youngest aunt got Xiang Wan to tell Bai Muchuan about what the attending doctor had told them.
Then she folded her arms and looked at Bai Muchuan quietly as though the matter did not concern her at all.
If he can’t solve this problem, on what basis should Xiang Wan give up the better choice—Cheng Zheng—and choose him instead?
These were her unspoken words.
Although Bai Muchuan could not hear her unspoken words, he could tell she wanted to know how he would handle this matter.
He took Xiang Wan’s hands and squeezed them gently in his palm, his warm hands warming her cold fingers.
“Youngest aunt,” he said very casually, “prior to returning to Jin City, I’ve gotten some details on Aunty’s condition and had gone ahead to contact several neurologists in the Capital. They will reach Jin City a little bit later. I was worried about Wanwan, so I took an earlier flight back.”
Youngest aunt laughed without much emotion. “Neurologist?”
Her words had ended in a higher tone, which indicated disbelief.
She had met a lot of rich men, but she met more people who were boastful and loved to brag. This young man should be one of them too , she thought.
Take it that he did have wide connections, but was a neurologist so easy to find?
What kind of neurologist would make a trip from the Capital to Jin City to attend to a nobody like her second sister?
With regards to the treatment of her second sister, she had really gone all out by asking around for neurologists amongst her contacts…
However, in the healthcare industry, it really was not all about money. There were specialists that even if one were willing to spend, they might still not be willing to make a trip to the hospital. The current condition of Xiang Wan’s mom was not suitable for a transfer to other hospitals as her mom had suffered from acute bleeding in the brain. A transfer might trigger another round of bleeding. The attending doctor had told them truthfully that the chances of survival would be low once that happens again…
As she thought of all these, she started to laugh condescendingly.
“Young man, I’m telling you the truth, we’ve tried to find all the neurologists we can find. Take for example the major hospitals in Jin City, there are actually quite a few famous neurologists, but… Hah, my point is, if it’s some average neurologist, I’m afraid it won’t be of much help.”
Youngest aunt’s disdain and contempt were obvious in her eyes.
If an average guy had eye contact with someone like Youngest aunt, he would get defeated in less than 10 seconds.
Bai Muchuan had a calm look on his face. “Professor Wei Qizheng and Professor Li Yunde. I wonder if these two neurologists are good enough for you?”
Youngest aunt’s expression changed.
Ever since Xiang Wan’s mom got hospitalized, Youngest aunt had also done her homework to understand who were the authoritative experts and professors of neurology in China. The two professors Bai Muchuan named were definitely the names of the bigshots second to none in their respective field. Just a day ago, Youngest aunt’s husband, Xing Yuanhang, had just asked a contact to help ask for a consultation from Professor Wei Qizheng…
However, the other party responded to them in a euphemistic way that because Professor Wei was already quite old and had been unwell, he had been recuperating at home at the Capital.
That was understandable actually. As there were thousands of people who get sick every day, the old professor couldn’t be traveling all around the country just to see patients.
Hence, upon hearing the two names from Bai Muchuan, Youngest aunt could not cover up the excitement and took a deep breath instead to calm down.
“Professor Wei and Professor Li, are they really coming?”
She asked one more time to ascertain this.
Just Professor Wei Qizheng alone was enough for her actually. Not to mention there was also the renowned Neurosurgeon, Li Yunde…
It was simply unbelievable.
Bai Muchuan nodded his head, but there was no trace of any arrogance on his face. It was as though the two names he had mentioned were just the names of the delivery boys in the market.
“Yeah, I had contacted them after I understood the condition of Aunty. How about this? I’ll call them again.”
With Youngest aunt looking, Bai Muchuan called Professor Wei Qizheng.
In the phone, Professor Wei had a loud, clear voice. He said that he and his medical team had rushed to the airport and should arrive in Jin City in another three hours time.
Just before the call ended, he even reminded Bai Muchuan:
“Little Chuan ah, in order to save time, you’d better arrange for transport at the airport so as soon as we touch down, we can come to the hospital at once.”
“Hm,” responded Bai Muchuan, “I’ve done all the necessary arrangements. There will be someone waiting to pick you up at the airport.”
“Alright, good. We’ll see you later. I’m about to board the plane with Old Li now.”
“Alright, Uncle Wei. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. It’s rare for you to owe me one.”
“That’s… you’re too direct, Old Wei.”
“Hahahaha…”
Youngest aunt’s expression changed gradually in the midst of Professor Wei’s hearty laughter.
Her mouth moved but she could only show an unnatural laugh.
“Little Bai, so we’ll be bothering you on this matter.”
“No need to stand on ceremony, Youngest aunt.”
Bai Muchuan did not take credit for his work, nor did he display his tsundere traits. Before the elders, he was responsible and reliable which gave people the impression he had integrity and was a very sincere person.
“I’m Wanwan’s boyfriend. Her problems are my problems.”
Youngest aunt could finally smile more naturally. She narrowed her eyes as she tried to scrutinize him again.
She was brimming with curiosity about this young man whom her niece might end up marrying.
However, with so many people here, she couldn’t bring herself to behave like her silly second sister who directly asked him about his family background and like…
About three and a half hours later, Professor Wei and Professor Li’s plane arrived in Jin City.
Bai Muchuan had sent someone to fetch the professors, and when they reached the hospital, that someone heaved a sigh of relief and smiled awkwardly at Xiang Wan.
“Teacher Xiang, Captain Bai’s the one who got me to tell him all about what happened to you… he had noticed something was amiss. I daren’t keep it from him. Don’t be angry with me, okay?”
Xiang Wan was so full of gratitude to him, why would she be angry at him?
“Thank you so much, Detective Tang…”
“You’re too polite, please call me Little Tang,” said Tang Yuanchu before blinking at her. “How is it? Did I do a good job in currying favor with my boss?”
“…”
“So am I on track for a promotion?”
“…”
Frankly speaking, this fellow really knew how to talk.
He had the ability to discern things and knew how to be likable. He was definitely someone who could work well with others in the workplace.
As he had yet to suffer many hardships in the society with Huang He taking him by hand initially and now under Bai Muchuan’s umbrella, he still had a pure and innocent look on him. Even though he might be currying favor, it was entirely his own style which was very likable.
…
