Ling Chengyan didn’t dwell much on the matchmaking affair, casually tossing it to the advisor, Xu Dong, to handle.
She took a day off and went to the provincial city early on the second day of the lunar new year to visit the professor recomnded by Wang Liansheng in advance.
The professor wasn’t very old, only in his early fifties, not tall, lean, but full of vigor. Upon seeing Ling Chengyan, he nodded, gestured for her to sit, and the two began discussing Ling father’s condition.
The old professor said this illness isn’t rare. Previously, it was difficult to treat due to limited dical facilities. In recent years, with advancents in dostic dical levels, if diagnosed correctly, and if the condition and patient’s physical state allow, surgery can be perford, and the recovery rate is quite high.
Seeing the professor’s calm and confident deanor when discussing this, Ling Chengyan found it quite convincing.
Thinking of Wang Liansheng ntioning Ling father’s severe weight loss, Ling Chengyan inquired whether traditional dicine could be used to nourish the body.
After all, the Ling Family is a family with a century-old legacy, having accumulated nurous formulas for strengthening the body, naturally not lacking in the common nourishing recipes for affluent families. From frail children to won with blood deficiencies, and those needing nourishnt due to serious physical depletion from old injuries...
The professor was slightly surprised but quickly composed himself, saying, "Of course, it’s possible. But be mindful of the patient’s condition, and be cautious of the body being too weak to handle it."
Ling Chengyan thanked the old professor, bid farewell, and headed to a large pharmacy in the provincial city on her way. She gathered so mild-nourishing herbs according to the recipe, then had an experienced pharmacist process them. It wasn’t until after three in the afternoon that she was ready to head ho.
She had taken a train to the provincial city and still needed to switch transportation to get back, with ti being a bit tight. Ling Chengyan hurriedly left the pharmacy with several packages of herbs, keeping her head down as she headed towards the bus stop.
She hadn’t gone far when soone brushed past her and called out, "Ling Chengyan?"
Ling Chengyan turned to look and saw a young man wearing a gray woolen coat standing a few steps behind her.
Before Ling Chengyan could speak, the man bead, "Is it really you? Are you in the provincial city... on a business trip?"
Ling Chengyan rembered who he was; a forr opponent from an all-district competition when he worked at the regional agricultural machinery factory, Zhang Yuanhong.
"Your factory isn’t open yet, are you here in the provincial city for fun?" Instead of answering his question, Ling Chengyan smiled and asked back.
"Ha, you didn’t know? I’ve already left Huicheng. I returned to the provincial city more than a year ago," Zhang Yuanhong chuckled, "Did you drive here? Where did you park?"
Given that the provincial city restricts large trucks during the day, that’s why Zhang Yuanhong asked.
Ling Chengyan shook her head, "I took a bus here and was just about to head to the train station."
Zhang Yuanhong imdiately smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I’m also headed to the train station to pick soone up. Want a ride?"
Ling Chengyan checked the ti on her wrist, and without hesitation, agreed, "Thank you then."
Zhang Yuanhong was driving a jeep, which, despite the increase in cars in the provincial city, was still a popular and widespread type of car compared to more modern sedans.
As soon as she got into the car, Ling Chengyan naturally started talking about the people they both knew from the previous big competition, exchanging so casual small talk. Zhang Yuanhong asked, "I saw you bought so dicine. Is soone in your family ill?"
Ling Chengyan didn’t refuse to answer and nodded, "My father is ill. The doctor says he’s weak and needs nourishnt before surgery."
Concerned, Zhang Yuanhong asked, "Did you find a doctor at the provincial hospital?"
Ling Chengyan ntioned the professor’s na, to which Zhang Yuanhong surprisingly nodded, "This one’s quite skilled—a top surgeon. He once had the chance to go to Beijing but turned it down."
The train station wasn’t far away. While they talked, the car parked in the station square.
Thanking him, Ling Chengyan got out of the car. Zhang Yuanhong stopped her and handed over a small piece of paper with a number written on it, "This is my phone number. If you ever need any help, don’t hesitate to call."
Ling Chengyan took it, waved goodbye, and marched into the station without looking back.
Zhang Yuanhong didn’t get out of the car but kept watching her until her figure vanished into the bustling crowd at the train station.
He took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a deep drag.
Tap, tap, tap, soone knocked on the car window.
Zhang Yuanhong lowered the window and lifted a docunt up for the other person to see.
"...Sorry, my mistake." The person sheepishly waved and turned away.
By the ti Ling Chengyan arrived ho, the night had already fallen.
Xiaoyu had taken Xiao Xing and Shi Tou to the canteen for dinner and now had co back. Xiaoyu helped Xiao Xing with her howork, while young Shi Tou obediently lay drawing at his small desk.
The main door made noise, but Ah Huang didn’t bark.
Xiao Xing darted out, with Shi Tou following closely, not even caring about the sketchbooks and pencils that fell to the floor.
Ling Chengyan held out the package of herbs, allowing Xiao Xing and Shi Tou to each cling to her side as they rushed towards her.
"Mom, did you go see the big tiger?" Shi Tou asked, looking up at her.
He had once gone to the provincial city with Ling Chengyan and visited the zoo. Being so young, the only thing he rembered was the big tiger; everything else was forgotten.
Xiao Xing was older, more understanding than Shi Tou, and mildly reprimanded her brother, "Mom went to the provincial city on business, not to see so big tiger."
"Mom, can you take to see the big tiger?" Shi Tou disregarded his sister and looked up at Ling Chengyan, eagerly making his request.
Xiaoyu ca over, taking the package of herbs from Ling Chengyan, finally freeing her hands to pull the two kids off her legs and lead them inside.
"Alright, when the weather warms up, I’ll find the ti to take you guys."
She used to work in the Automobile Company and had many opportunities to go out, making it convenient to take the kids out for experiences. But now that she’s joined the Special Service Company as a captain, it’s no longer as convenient.
Xiaoyu brought hot water for Ling Chengyan to wash up and hurriedly went to the kitchen to reheat the dinner that had been set aside, bringing it over.
In the box, there was half of braised pork, half stir-fried cabbage, and three stead buns. She called the kids over to join her for dinner.
Besides the dishes saved by the kids, there were also snacks she bought near the large pharmacy in the provincial city.
The provincial city is rich in history, having been prosperous several hundred years ago. With personal comrce now permitted, many experienced artisans have reacquainted themselves with old trades, either setting up stalls or opening small shops. Notably, snacks and pastries are ubiquitous, offering delightful surprises for anyone with ti to explore.
Ling Chengyan, in her rush, didn’t have ti to browse but hurriedly picked up a few packages of pastries the kids loved. There were Xiao Xing’s favorite glutinous rice sticks, Shi Tou’s beloved honey twists, and Xiao Yu’s favorite shrimp crisps.
"You shouldn’t eat too many sweets at night; just a little for each of you," Xiao Xing said, taking a few glutinous rice sticks for herself, three honey twists for Shi Tou. As for her aunt, she didn’t need to worry about her since she was an adult.
Reviews
All reviews (0)