Chapter 75: Chapter 75: A Million-Dollar Fortune?

The days trickled by, unhurried.

Although Zhang Cui hadn’t yet relented, the next time Su Tang dropped by for a visit, she noticed the deep sorrow etched on her brow had faded some.

Whenever the cafeteria or Li Haixin came up in conversation, she no longer shied away as she used to. Instead, a thoughtful look would appear in her eyes.

Su Tang understood. ’This might actually work out.’

After a little nudge from Su Tang, Li Haixin stopped fretting anxiously and started taking real action.

If he saw Zhang Cui carrying something heavy, he would take it from her without a word. Whenever Mai Sui was playing outside the cafeteria, he’d always “happen” to have an extra snack for her. Even the firewood piled by Zhang Cui’s door was found secretly and neatly stacked.

The idle gossip around the compound also started to die down, especially after people saw that neither of the two involved seemed to care.

After all, Master Li’s earnest efforts were there for all to see, and life certainly wasn’t easy for a widow like Zhang Cui and her daughter.

As time went on, people started to think that it might not be such a bad thing if someone was genuinely willing to look after the mother and daughter.

Just when Su Tang thought the waters of her life might stay calm for a while, the inevitable storm came churning in.

One afternoon, Su Tang had just finished stitching up an emergency case and was washing her hands.

The head nurse burst in, flushed with excitement. “Doctor Su! Doctor Su! Hurry! The new Director Su is here! The hospital director wants everyone in the conference room for an introduction!”

Su Tang’s heart dropped. Water gushed from the faucet, but as the icy stream ran over her hands, she felt none of its chill.

’Su Xinyao… So she came after all.’

She took a deep breath, dried her hands, and tried her best to appear calm.

’What must be faced cannot be avoided.’

The conference room was already filled with people.

The hospital director was beaming as he spoke with someone beside him.

The moment Su Tang walked in, her eyes were instinctively drawn to the figure standing beside the director.

A single glance was all it took for Su Tang to sigh to herself. ’As expected of the novel’s original heroine!’

Su Xinyao stood there, her posture as poised and elegant as a newly sprouted bamboo stalk.

She wore a tailored, light-gray Lenin suit that accentuated her fair, delicate skin. Her features were as exquisite as a painting, her eyes crinkling at the corners, radiating an air of both gentle grace and sharp competence.

Her glossy black hair was pulled back simply, revealing a smooth, high forehead.

Her smile was perfectly calibrated—not overly effusive, but with a warmth that was as pleasant as a spring breeze.

Her entire presence made it clear she was not from some provincial town.

Sophisticated, beautiful, and effortlessly poised, she instantly drew the eyes of everyone in the room.

“Alright, everyone, let me make an introduction.”

The director announced with great enthusiasm, “This is our hospital’s newly appointed Chief of Surgery, Comrade Su Xinyao!

Director Su is a top graduate from a big city medical school, with extensive clinical experience and superb skills! From now on, I expect all of you to learn from Director Su and seek her guidance!”

The room erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Su Xinyao gave a slight bow, her smile gentle. “You flatter me, Director. We are all colleagues now. I hope we can work hard together to provide the best possible medical care for the soldiers and families on this base.

If I fall short in any way, please don’t hesitate to offer your criticism and guidance.”

Her voice was clear and soft, very pleasant to listen to.

The director then went on to introduce the department staff one by one.

When it was Su Tang’s turn, the director smiled and said, “This is Doctor Su Tang, from our surgery department. She’s young and very promising, with excellent, solid skills.

Come to think of it, you both share the surname Su. You must have been from the same family five hundred years ago!”

Su Tang quickly stepped forward and extended her hand, a professional smile on her face. “Director Su, welcome.”

Su Xinyao’s eyes landed on Su Tang’s face, and the look in them… made Su Tang’s heart give a sudden lurch.

’That was definitely not the way you look at a colleague you’re meeting for the first time.’

Su Xinyao’s gaze held scrutiny, inquiry, and… a kind of indescribable, knowing clarity.

It was as if she already knew Su Tang—knew exactly who she was and all her secrets.

The look was fleeting, so quick it could have been an illusion, and was instantly replaced by a gentler smile. But Su Tang had caught it.

“Doctor Su Tang, hello.”

Su Xinyao extended her hand and shook Su Tang’s lightly.

Her hand was warm and dry, her grip perfectly measured.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Your work is outstanding.”

Her tone was natural, like a senior praising a junior.

They both pretended not to know each other, and neither said anything more.

For the remainder of the welcome meeting, Su Tang was somewhat distracted.

She sat in a corner, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from following Su Xinyao.

Su Xinyao handled herself with grace and spoke eloquently. She casually dropped professional knowledge, citing various sources, and won the unanimous goodwill and admiration of everyone present.

She also seemed quite familiar with the situation on the base. The questions she asked were incisive and hit right at the heart of the matter, earning repeated nods even from some of the senior doctors.

’It’s all going too smoothly… suspiciously so.’

The suspicion in Su Tang’s heart snowballed.

She forced herself to calm down and carefully observed every one of Su Xinyao’s subtle expressions and movements.

Finally, her chance came.

After the meeting ended, people began to file out.

Su Tang deliberately lingered, taking her time gathering her things.

Su Xinyao was speaking in a low voice with the hospital director, apparently inquiring about the hospital’s equipment and pharmaceutical stock.

“…Director, we handle a lot of trauma here. Our reserves of sulfa powder and bandages need to be increased, especially with the high intensity of summer training.”

Su Xinyao’s voice carried clearly.

The director nodded. “Yes, of course. That’s very thoughtful of you, Director Su. We’ll restock as soon as we can.”

After speaking with the director, Su Xinyao turned and walked straight toward Su Tang without another word.

“Cousin.”

Su Tang’s eyes dropped slightly at the address.

She waited until Su Xinyao was standing in front of her before looking up. “Director Su.”

“I know. It’s better if we maintain some distance at the hospital.”

Hearing this, Su Xinyao tilted her head and smiled. “You’re right. By the way, it’s been years since I’ve seen my aunt. How are they?”

The greeting should have sounded warm, but to Su Tang, it was laced with probing questions.

Su Tang leaned against the table, fiddling with a pen in her hand.

“They’re doing well. I must say, I’m quite surprised to see you here, Cousin.”

’The Northwest is hardly a desirable post. And besides, the book said Su Xinyao was supposed to go to Xiangjiang.’

’But here she was, in the Northwest.’

“Good to hear. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving.”

Su Xinyao didn’t say anything more, turned, and left.

The smile vanished from Su Tang’s lips, leaving her looking thoughtful.

’Maybe I should have someone look into Su Xinyao?’

’I have a feeling her arrival here isn’t so simple.’

’It’s a big world. Why did we have to run into each other here, of all places?’

The hospital had arranged a private dormitory room for Su Xinyao. The moment she returned to it, she was pulled into an embrace.

“Did you see her?”

The man’s voice was heavy with the reek of alcohol.

Su Xinyao gave him a push. “What’s the big rush?”

“We’re talking about a family fortune worth millions. You’re telling me you’re not in a hurry?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep