"Chengzi, I know I can’t dissuade you this time, nor do I intend to. You’re already an adult, and I believe you’ve given every decision thoughtful consideration. All I want to say is, take good care of your brother and look after yourself,"
The weighty words of the dean, like a boulder bearing down on Shen Cheng’s chest, made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Six years, a full six years.
If it weren’t for the dean, she and her brother might have entered Hell long ago.
Sometimes reality is more melodramatically cruel than any drama!
The events of those days, still vivid in her memory.
A once-happy home shattered in an instant, her brother severely injured and comatose, Dad taken away and his legs broken.
And her, poisoned and having nearly passed through the gates of death herself.
She didn’t know how many rainy nights they spent playing hide and seek.
Hiding in places where ordinary people dare not go: wastelands, graveyards, crematoria—
Later, they escaped their enemies’ pursuit, but they couldn’t afford medical treatment.
With nowhere else to turn, they sought out an old acquaintance of their mother, who is now the dean of Jiangcheng Hospital.
It was she who saved them from peril, without whom they wouldn’t have today.
After what seemed like ages of silence, Shen Cheng snapped back to reality and nodded lightly, "I know."
The dean walked over, holding her hand, "Chengzi, if you can’t hold on any longer, come find me in Jiang City, I will help you."
Feeling the calluses in the dean’s palm, Shen Cheng spoke with difficulty, "Thank you for these six years of hardship."
"Silly child, it was no hardship. I’ve always treated you and Shen Mu as my own, and whatever I have done for you is just as it should be."
Shen Cheng was not one for sentimental words, but these two simple ones were sufficient to express her gratitude to the dean.
"I’ll accept your thanks," the dean said. "But the money you’ve transferred to me over the years, I’m returning to you in full."
As she spoke, the dean took out a bank card from the drawer and handed it to her, "I’ve deposited all the money in this card, the PIN is six zeros."
Shen Cheng didn’t take it, but the dean insisted, pushing the bank card into her hands, "If I keep this money, I’m accepting a bribe. It won’t just cost me my job, but my reputation will also be ruined."
Shen Cheng placed the bank card on the table, "What if I use your name to this money to the hospital? Will anyone dare gossip then?"
In this society, many partake in corruption and accept bribes, but how many are actually brought down and have their reputations smeared?
For a doctor, taking money is corruption; for a hospital, it’s expected.
This unfair society elicited from her only a bitter laugh.
Unable to find a rebuttal, the dean reluctantly took back the bank card, on the condition that she only accepted the donation made in Shen Cheng’s own name.
After handing over all affairs, Shen Cheng left the dean’s office and went to handle the discharge procedures with the certificate.
After finishing the procedures, she stood waiting for the elevator at the elevator bank.
The elevator doors slowly opened, and Shen Cheng instinctively moved to one side, letting the people inside exit.
But as she lifted her gaze, she caught sight of that familiar figure inside the elevator.
Instinctively, she turned to avoid him.
However, to her surprise, Mu Bai had also spotted her and hurriedly pushed through the crowd, rushing out of the elevator.
Even though she heard his voice, Shen Cheng intentionally quickened her pace.
She had just rounded a corner when she saw another elevator door open. She planned to squeeze in before the doors closed.
But before she could enter, Mu Bai caught up and grabbed her.
The elevator doors closed, leaving both of them outside.