Chapter 327: Chapter 326

Ling Chengyan also only saw Wang Lianxiang clearly at this moment, and upon seeing her, was not surprised.

The Wang Lianxiang in her impression, though somewhat sharp and harsh, was after all a young girl in her twenties. Her appearance wasn’t outstanding, but could be considered delicate, and her skin was quite fine. But now lying on the hospital bed, Wang Lianxiang’s face was coarse and sallow, not to mention her hollow cheeks from being so thin. Anyone who didn’t know would definitely think she was a middle-aged woman in her forties or fifties. It’s hard to believe she was only in her twenties.

The doctor said: “The patient is severely malnourished, has signs of dehydration, and frostbite is quite serious… It’s no major issue as long as she doesn’t develop a high fever. Just keep her in hospital for observation and recover slowly.”

Hearing the doctor say this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Having missed the family reunion lunch at noon, it was already evening, so seeing Wang Lianxiang was okay, Aunt Qu Cui suggested staying with Zhou Xiuying to take care of her, letting everyone else go home.

She specially said: “… Liansheng and Yan need to rush back to the provincial city after dinner, as they have to work tomorrow. Can’t delay it.”

Though Wang Liansheng and Ling Chengyan had stopped interacting with the second family, Aunt was still speaking for them to avoid gossip.

Wang Liansheng didn’t say much at this time and went along with Aunt’s words, preparing to go home with his brothers.

There were his two brothers and a few cousins helping out. They had been busy half the day. It’s not about thanks or not; they should at least have a meal together when they get home.

Ling Chengyan said: “You go ahead, I still have a bit to do, I’ll be back shortly.”

Wang Liansheng glanced at her, saw his wife nod, and then left with them.

Ling Chengyan didn’t go to the ward but drove herself to find Liu San, Gouzi, and the others. In less than an hour, Ling Chengyan brought a sturdy woman in her thirties back to the hospital.

She led the person into the ward, and said to Aunt Qu Cui: “I’ve found a nurse to help take care of things. This Xiao Sun has been working in care for years, familiar with the people and things in the hospital. With her around, nothing will be delayed.”

With this nurse, Aunt Qu Cui didn’t have to stay up overnight at the bedside. Ling Chengyan directly took Aunt home with her.

Once they left, Zhou Xiuying was somewhat angry that Ling Chengyan only called Aunt away, leaving her to stay up overnight and get tired, her face not looking pleased. However, with the burly nurse Xiao Sun there, she pursed her lips and said nothing.

This Xiao Sun seemed like a difficult person to deal with. With just her, an old woman here, she better not provoke her; if she suffers losses, no one would help her.

On the other side, Wang Liansheng and Ling Chengyan had dinner at Uncle’s and were going back at around eight in the evening.

Considering the kids’ winter vacation homework wasn’t done, they decided to take Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing Shi Tou back to the provincial city.

The compound had a cafeteria, with Xiaoyu at home, and Xiao Xing Shi Tou was mature enough, so the couple didn’t worry much about home.

Chinese New Year emphasizes auspiciousness.

As the year was drawing to a close, the first day of work after the holiday in Huicheng brought shocking news: the person in charge of logistics at a certain unit was arrested on multiple charges: embezzlement, accepting gifts, and improper relationships… Oh, especially the tabloid news spread so fast. It was said to be hooliganism in the morning, and before noon, it had spread to having several illegitimate children.

Anyway, this person was likely going to spend several years in prison.

On the thirteenth of the first month, Ling family’s eldest brother and second brother drove with a few kids to the provincial city. The brothers had transport orders to the provincial city, and the kids were on winter break, so they hadn’t started school. They went along to play, conveniently visiting their aunt, uncle, and cousins.

As the Lantern Festival approached, the provincial city was set to host a lantern fair.

Ling Chengyan, as a special training team leader, had taken on the collaborative security work, and had been quite busy these days, with night patrols and shifts that kept her out till after midnight every day.

Wang Liansheng, there were two Hong Kong businessmen visiting whom he had to host, and he was also extremely busy.

Neither of the couple had time for Ling family kids, so they tasked Xiaoyu with overseeing this important assignment. Ling Chengyan specially approved fifty yuan for Xiaoyu, having her take Xiao Xing Shi Tou and a few nieces and nephews for outings. At this time, department stores, supply and marketing malls, zoos, and museums were all open; the kids could wander around as they wished.

However, they were not allowed out at night. There were too many people watching the lanterns, and the kids risked getting separated or hurt.

Ling Chengyan specifically made an appointment with the children, promising to personally take them to the lantern market on the night of the fifteenth.

With this promise, the children settled down to wait patiently.

The lanterns lit up from the evening of the thirteenth, attracting people from surrounding counties to watch.

With further economic revival, individual businesses were no longer a shameful term. More and more people were even giving up secure jobs to start their own businesses, opening workshops… Social consciousness gradually changed, resulting in an ’everything looking towards money’ mentality.

After three years of severe crackdown, social security improved significantly, but many gray areas stubbornly rooted themselves in certain corners of the city.

On the fourteenth of the first month, Ling Chengyan was on duty. Dressed in her special training uniform, she, along with Fu Qiang and another, casually strolled through bustling streets of the lantern market.

Due to the lanterns, many small vendors gathered, selling knick-knacks, snacks, and various types of food stalls. People held lanterns, candy apples, or clouds of cotton candy, and some children held long sticks, carried on a parent’s shoulder, looking like Sun Wukong from a distance, but in fact, it was puffed food: sugar stick!

Playing and snacking, a bite would produce a crunching sound, costing five cents a sugar stick, which could keep children happy all night without crying.

Seeing the bustling street life and myriad lights, Ling Chengyan’s eyes couldn’t help but soften.

Seeing this, blood and sweat shed in the frontline battles were worthwhile.

Light often implies the presence of shadows; behind the prosperity, shades of darkness often lurk.

After patrolling for most of the night, they felt hungry, gazing at endless food stalls, Fu Qiang couldn’t resist looking a few more times, and his stomach very cooperatively made a rumbling sound.

Ling Chengyan looked back at him, smiled and said: “Hungry? What do you want to eat? Tonight, I’ll treat you.”

Fu Qiang hurriedly said: “Not hungry, I’m not hungry.”

Ling Chengyan shook her head, just in time to catch a tempting aroma wafting over. She followed the scent, spotting a small vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes near a sparsely crowded area.

She went straight over, picking sweet potatoes while chatting with the vendor: “How’s business tonight? Selling more than usual?”

The vendor, a lady in her forties, served sweet potatoes while cheerfully responding: “I came late, didn’t get a good spot. It’s less crowded here, but still more than usual sales.”

Just as she spoke, a couple looking about thirty hurried over, the man holding a two to three-year-old child in his arms horizontally.

This setup instantly identified a family of three out for a lantern viewing.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep