Chapter 255: Social Etiquette

Chapter 255: The Ways of the World

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded at the director. "General Chen's condition has stabilized for the time being. I’ll go check the treatment plan."

The director suddenly remembered that Ye Xiaoxiao had just returned from abroad.

"Dr. Ye, you should rest first. We really owe you one—truly, you live up to being Mr. Song’s student, your medical skills are extraordinary."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. Luckily, she had a place here and could stay directly.

She hadn’t even unpacked after landing, and after that emergency procedure, she was exhausted.

"I’ll head home then."

She gave the director her home phone number so he could contact her anytime if needed.

Then, Ye Xiaoxiao found Song Xiaoguang and Song Guangjing.

The two accompanied her home.

"No one cleaned the place beforehand, but at least it’s clean."

Once inside, Song Guangjing pitched in to help Ye Xiaoxiao tidy up.

Song Xiaoguang quickly took the feather duster. "Sir, I’ve got this."

Just Miao Cuifang and a few others had stayed here for a few days, and before leaving, they had covered the bed and sofa with dust cloths.

Ye Xiaoxiao yanked them off—the inside was clean.

"Master, take a seat and relax. I’ll open the windows to air the place out."

With her and Song Xiaoguang working together, they had the place spotless in under half an hour.

Song Guangjing said, "Xiao Xiao, go get some rest. I’ll call home and ask Aunt Xu to whip up something tasty."

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t particularly hungry yet, but she was quite sleepy.

"Alright, Master, you and Brother Xiaoguang make yourselves at home. I need to beat this jet lag."

Without fuss, she went into her room.

Meanwhile, Song Guangjing had Song Xiaoguang take the keys and run out for a bit.

When Ye Xiaoxiao woke up, she found the house now filled with many more things.

Aunt Xu had also brought over plenty of groceries.

The kitchen was buzzing—they were clearly cooking up a storm.

After waking, Ye Xiaoxiao actually felt even more exhausted. Fortunately, she was young, and the smell of food dragged her out of bed.

"Aunt Xu, thanks for going out of your way to come here and cook for me."

Aunt Xu looked at the freshly awakened Xiao Xiao and smiled. "Don’t mention it! Xiao Xiao, you’ve grown even more beautiful—you’ve got a whole new vibe since going abroad."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "Auntie, I’ve just matured."

Not from being abroad.

Aunt Xu nodded, "Yes, yes, girls grow more beautiful with age."

After just a few words, Aunt Xu urged Ye Xiaoxiao to step back, as the kitchen was filled with cooking smoke, so she wouldn't breathe it in.

Ye Xiaoxiao went to the living room to wait for the meal, talking with Song Guangjing.

The living room was filled with various fruits, all bought by Song Guangjing and Song Xiaoguang.

"Your place isn't fully set up yet. It would be more convenient to stay at home."

Song Guangjing still hoped Ye Xiaoxiao would return to the courtyard house.

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn't particular about it either way. After all, she only needed a place to sleep, as she would be at the hospital during the day and eating out.

As long as the utilities worked, it was fine.

"I’ll stay here for a few days first. If General Chen's condition stabilizes, I’ll move out later."

"You’re only assisting. In the early stage, acupuncture for about half a month should be enough. The surgery later will depend on the hospital’s arrangements."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded knowingly.

Then she talked about what she had learned abroad over the past two years. "I’ve become really good at surgery now, and I’ve also mastered dissection techniques."

Traditional Chinese medicine also covered these areas, but she hadn’t delved as deeply before.

During her years abroad, besides studying traditional Chinese medicine, she had also learned many other medical theories.

Song Guangjing threw her some questions casually, and Ye Xiaoxiao answered fluently, showing deep understanding.

"Good. It seems sending you abroad was the right decision. At least now you can think independently."

She had always had this ability, but with her master and teachers around, she tended to hold back. On her own, she could truly flourish.

After the meal, Song Guangjing and Song Xiaoguang left first.

Before leaving, Aunt Xu cleared and washed all the dishes.

"Master, I’ll head straight to the hospital tomorrow morning after breakfast."

Song Guangjing nodded. "See you at the hospital tomorrow."

Song Xiaoguang likely wouldn’t be going to the hospital—he was very busy too.

Huaron Company had expanded rapidly in just two years, thanks to the new products developed by Ye Xiaoxiao, becoming the leading cosmetics manufacturing company in the capital. Now, Song Xiaoguang was the CEO.

Of course, Ye Xiaoxiao owned half of the company.

The initial investment from Song Guangjing had been paid back in full.

The master hadn’t lost out.

And the student had done even better.

Apart from handling new product development, Ye Xiaoxiao left the day-to-day operations to Song Xiaoguang.

Once everyone had gone, Ye Xiaoxiao did some reading.

She wasn't ready to tell her friends that she had returned.

For the next two weeks, she probably wouldn’t have time to attend other events.

Ye Xiaoxiao knew Lu Hanchuan was on a mission, but she wasn’t sure if he had returned yet.

This mission was taking unusually long.

The monthly allowance always arrived on time, though.

But there'd been no word from Lu Hanchuan at all.

She planned to finish her own tasks first before visiting the Lu family.

The next morning, Ye Xiaoxiao went to the hospital early.

General Chen’s son and daughter-in-law were waiting there and thanked her profusely.

Without ceremony, Ye Xiaoxiao took out her small medical kit and administered the first proper acupuncture treatment on General Chen.

She performed the procedure while the old general was fully conscious, and he could clearly feel the changes in his body.

Half an hour later, General Chen managed his first words that day.

“You...thank you.”

Chen Junrui was seventy-something, and his body had grown weak from pushing himself too hard in his younger years.

The once powerhouse of a general, who had been a formidable figure in his day, was now just skin and bones.

“You’re welcome. It’s my duty as a doctor.”

General Chen’s son, Chen Fengtai, came closer. “Dad, you're talking again!”

The old general looked at his son with firmness in his eyes. “I’m old. If anything happens, don’t blame anyone. I’ve had my fill of life.”

Chen Fengtai, now in his forties, broke down crying like a kid in front of his dad.

“Dad, you’ll be fine. You still have to watch the 50th anniversary parade of our country.”

Chen Junrui smiled, his expression warm and affectionate. “What year is this?”

“Dad, it’s 1987!”

Chen Junrui: “Then I likely won’t see it. But… your generation's got better days ahead.”

Ye Xiaoxiao did a double take when she heard the year.

Wait—had it really been four years?

Hell...she was a senior already. Time really flew.

Were it not for that extra med school year, she would have graduated by now.

Ye Xiaoxiao put away her needles and left the room to give the father and son some privacy.

A woman—Mrs. Wu—was waiting outside the ward.

“Dr. Ye, I heard you flew back from overseas yesterday just for my father-in-law’s condition. And it was you who saved him yesterday. I can't thank you enough.

Here’s my home phone number. Just call, anytime.”