Chapter 256: Where is Lu Hanchuan?

Chapter 256 Where’s Lu Hanchuan?

Mrs. Wu, General Chen’s daughter-in-law, was also a smart woman.

She knew that Xiao Xiao wouldn’t accept gifts, so giving her the phone number was a friendly move that could strengthen ties between their families.

With a medical genius like Xiao Xiao, who knew when they might need her help again?

Xiao Xiao got the hint and accepted the number.

Mrs. Wu made small talk for a bit longer, insisting that she visit their home when she had time.

Xiao Xiao agreed with a smile.

“I’ll let you get back to work, Dr. Ye.”

Truthfully, Xiao Xiao didn’t have much on her plate. When free, she went to the Traditional Chinese Medicine department to find Sun Zhengyao.

“Xiao Xiao, how was life abroad? Is everyone else doing well?”

Professor Sun was genuinely concerned about his students.

Xiao Xiao paused to think and only mentioned the few she was close with.

The others were pretty much strangers to her.

Even though the exchange students organized monthly gatherings, Xiao Xiao wasn’t the type to make friends easily.

She didn’t click with just anyone.

So she stuck with the same three or four people.

After hearing about their lives abroad, Sun Zhengyao said, “As long as you’re all safe, that’s what matters. It’s probably a mess over there—nowhere near as safe as Beijing.”

Even though China has its rough spots too, security in the capital was strictly maintained.

Xiao Xiao nodded. “We barely went out solo.”

Apart from attending classes, she usually stayed home to study. She had visited shopping malls a few times, but only with friends.

Everything there was ridiculously overpriced. Not that Xiao Xiao couldn’t afford it—she just wasn’t into shopping.

“At least you guys stuck together.”

Hearing that the others were fine, Sun Zhengyao felt relieved.

In another month, those students would all return.

No doubt they’d matured too, just like Xiao Xiao.

Sun Zhengyao waved Xiao Xiao into his office. “Now that you’re back, let’s see how much you’ve learned.”

So Xiao Xiao stayed to help him with patient diagnoses.

Then Song Guangjing showed up.

“Professor Sun, hijacking my apprentice like this—that’s low.”

Sun Zhengyao scratched his nose. “No hard feelings, Mr. Song. Just putting her skills to the test. And she aced it—Xiao Xiao’s expertise is bulletproof.”

Song Guangjing: "Tch! Xiao Xiao, go back and rest."

Ye Xiaoxiao watched the two old men bickering and shook her head helplessly.

"I haven't even graduated yet, and I already have a chance to intern. I'm getting the better deal here."

Song Guangjing sighed in frustration. "Xiao Xiao, you're too much of a pushover. You'll get taken advantage of in the future. If you really start working, won’t anyone be able to boss you around?"

Sun Zhengyao seized the opportunity to say, "Why not come intern with me directly? We're shorthanded at our hospital right now."

Song Guangjing: "Don’t even think about it. Even though yours is a big hospital, my prized student has her pick of places."

Besides, Rende Pharmacy is still waiting for Ye Xiaoxiao to take over.

Xiao Xiao hardly lacks for internship opportunities.

Sun Zhengyao was very confident in his workplace. "Our premier hospital with top-notch benefits would be great for Xiao Xiao to cut her teeth here."

Ye Xiaoxiao hadn’t given internships a thought yet.

Based on her original plan, she would definitely prefer going to Rende Pharmacy.

After all, she chose to study medicine with the goal of promoting traditional Chinese medicine and making amends for her past life's regrets.

But coming here wouldn’t be the worst thing either.

It was the first time she’d seen hospitals fighting over her before the internship period even started.

Ye Xiaoxiao decided to make a quiet exit and let the two elders continue their discussion.

Well...

Ye Xiaoxiao stayed at First Hospital for a full two weeks. General Chen Junrui’s condition had stabilized, and the subsequent surgery was handed over to the hospital’s specialists.

Ye Xiaoxiao also participated in the case consultation.

Director Zhen actually incorporated some of her treatment suggestions.

He realized that this young woman not only had a solid foundation in traditional Chinese medicine but also a working knowledge of Western medicine.

She was truly a talent.

They had to pull out all the stops to recruit her to their hospital.

"Director, since there’s nothing else for me to do here, I’ll be on my way. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."

Ye Xiaoxiao was referring to how Director Zhen had even taken her to the hospital cafeteria for lunch every noon—which was really something.

In truth, Director Zhen had just wanted to get closer to the young talent and maybe pick her brain along the way.

But Ye Xiaoxiao simply saw him as a free lunch buddy, leaving the poor director coming up short.

Director Zhen: "Since school hasn’t started yet, if you're so inclined, you’re welcome to come anytime. Also, once the semester begins, the school will arrange internships, right?

We have a partnership with your university. When choosing your internship, please keep us in mind."

Director Zhen’s tone was very earnest.

Ye Xiaoxiao replied somewhat puzzled, "But internship placements are decided by the school. Some upperclassmen before me were even assigned out-of-state." "Well..."

Director Zhen's expression was hard to describe.

While the rules were indeed as stated, high-achieving students were always assigned to better places.

Even if their hospital had no prior collaboration with Jing University, he would open up a spot just for Ye Xiaoxiao.

"It’s too early to discuss this now. We’ll talk more when it’s time for internships," Director Zhen said cheerfully as he saw Ye Xiaoxiao off.

He had already made up his mind—Director Sun was still at their hospital, and he was Ye Xiaoxiao’s mentor. With that kind of inside track, how could they lose her?

Clueless about the director’s scheming, Ye Xiaoxiao left the hospital feeling puzzled.

In her hand was the paycheck Director Zhen gave her.

This time, she had been hired as a guest expert, and she got paid well.

The director didn’t mind paying—after all, she was the one who had successfully saved the old general.

Both thought they’d come out on top.

…

Ye Xiaoxiao needed to pick up her car.

Before leaving, she had handed it over to Lu Hanchuan, who then had Shang Qing take care of it.

So aside from the Songs, Shang Qing was actually the first to learn about Ye Xiaoxiao’s return.

"Sis, you’re back—Lu’s got no clue, right?"

When Shang Qing saw Ye Xiaoxiao appear in his shop, he almost thought he was seeing things.

Though he had only met her a few times, there was no forgetting her.

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "He doesn’t. I came back early for some matters."

Shang Qing handed her the keys. "I’ve kept up with your car’s maintenance—runs like new."

Then, dropping his voice, he added, "Brother Lu’s still in the northwest. He was supposed to be done in less than two years, but something unexpected happened. He’ll probably have to stay another year."

Shang Qing was dying laughing on the inside.

Brother Lu had originally dove into work because his wife went abroad.

Now the kicker—she’s back, and he’s stuck.

Ye Xiaoxiao blinked. "Is his mission dangerous?"