Chapter 108: Find Me Fifty

The sky gradually darkened. Due to missing mosaic tiles, the county hospital building, which resembled a pockmarked face at first glance, now looked much more agreeable—at least it wouldn’t torment those with trypophobia. The once dust-covered, slightly blackened red cross sign lit up, glowing a vivid blood-red under the night’s cover, visible from afar.

Stepping out of the hospital, Xiaocheng felt utterly drained.

Lei Yang and his family had left ahead. When that kid returned to the ward with bruises and a battered face, Lei’s father looked somewhat awkward but gritted his teeth and said, “Well done! I’ve wanted to beat that brat up for a long time!” What else could Xiaocheng say? Just, “You’re welcome.”

Lü Qi’s parents had to stay at the hospital to accompany him. Actually, there was no need for guardians in the postoperative intensive care unit, but their anxiety was understandable, so Xiaocheng didn’t persuade them otherwise. Not wanting the two elders to see him off, as they left, Lü Songyan insisted on slipping a hundred yuan into their hands to take a taxi home. Xiaocheng didn’t refuse; the money stayed firmly in his palm.

Professor Dai had been gone for a while, having fueled up. Not wanting to run into Lü Qi’s relatives, he sent Xiaocheng a text and waited in the parking lot. Ding Sina was covering the bloodstains on her skirt, quick-stepping behind Wen Xiaocheng.

The car was hot inside. Professor Dai squatted by the vehicle, smoking. Seeing the two approach, he stood up.

“Old man, today you performed a great deed!”

Xiaocheng’s informal tone made Ding Sina uncomfortable, but Professor Dai enjoyed this kind of banter. With a chuckle, he said, “If you think of me when you’re in a bind, that means you consider me a brother!” After speaking, the mischievous old man glanced at Ding Sina, then winked at Xiaocheng: “You bring me along even when you’re dating? Didn’t expect you to actually do it! That’s considerate of you!”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Xiaocheng protested softly.

“Still shy? That girl is way more open than you! Get in the car!”

Xiaocheng didn’t get in. Instead, he handed the hundred yuan to Professor Dai. “The family gave this to you. Take it—whether it’s a thank you or just gas money.”

Professor Dai’s face soured. “Is it about the money? You should ask around—how much do they pay me to show up at conferences?”

Xiaocheng shook his head and explained, “Let’s set aside the debt of saving Lü Qi and the favor of helping me. A hero shouldn’t bleed and cry. If you give your time, you shouldn’t have to pay. Take the money—it doesn’t tarnish your noble image of helping others, but refusing money from the family would be awkward.”

Hearing this, Professor Dai didn’t insist further. He took the money, annoyed: “Giving me money is worse than inviting me to dinner, as if this old man is short on cash. Let’s go, get in.”

“You’re not short of money, so why ask for it? I said it’s just gas money. Eight trips from town here wouldn’t cost a hundred yuan in fuel! Hurry up and give me fifty!”

Ding Sina looked bewildered beside them. What’s with this old man and young guy?

At that moment, Professor Dai was reluctant to spend more. “I just spent two hundred on gas!”

“That gas isn’t burned yet; it’s still in your tank! How can that count? You do good deeds without leaving your name but still plan to stiff me fifty? Give me the money!”

Grumbling, the old man tossed back fifty yuan. This little quarrel lifted his spirits. “Alright, get in. You’re quite the flatterer. If you didn’t say it was gas money and favors separately, I might not have agreed. I’m happy to save lives, but when you ask for help, you have to appreciate it. Treat me to dinner someday.”

Xiaocheng laughed. “Definitely dinner! A family feast. Recently, my grandmother has softened about looking for a new partner. Next time you come to my house, I’ll slaughter a hen that lays eggs just for you! As long as my grandmother doesn’t kick you out, your chances with my elders are good!”

Even Professor Dai couldn’t take Xiaocheng’s teasing, pretending to kick him before opening the car door.

“No respect for elders, it’s hard to treat you to a meal. Your school must be about to start holidays? During the break, I’ll take you out for fun. How about a barbecue by the river? I’ve got everything ready. Little lady, you should come too, alright?”

Ding Sina was about to nod but was stopped by Xiaocheng. “That’s for later. Actually, I’ll need your help again in a few days. I have something today, so please take Ding Sina home. I’ll definitely treat you to a meal when I get my math scholarship.”

Professor Dai frowned, a little disappointed that Xiaocheng wasn’t going home with them. Just as he was about to say something, Ding Sina, who had already gotten into the car, opened the door and stepped out. The girl walked over to Xiaocheng and said, “Grandpa Dai, I don’t need you to see me home. Xiaocheng and I are going to stroll around…” Her shy smile dealt a crushing blow to the single Professor Dai.

The old man shook his head with a bitter smile as the car sped away. In recent years, never before had he so desperately wished for a partner.

……

County Red Cross Hospital. Xiaocheng had come here not long ago—not for treatment, but as a landmark. Number 89 Maple Leaf Road, Tiger’s repair shop, or perhaps now it should be called Master’s shop.

The old man left too abruptly. Xiaocheng had wanted to shove Ding Sina into the car, but with this extra passenger in tow, he felt a little annoyed. After today’s events, Xiaocheng still held some resentment toward Ding Sina—after all, Lü Qi’s injury stemmed from her—but the girl was truly hard to hate.

He handed over his phone. “Call home if you’re staying out late.”

Ding Sina didn’t take the phone and shook her head. “No need. He works the night watch and won’t be home.”

……

Tiger’s repair shop was just across the street.

Xiaocheng had been here several times before and knew the route well. This time, however, he didn’t go in but observed from across the road. Ding Sina asked several times what he was doing, but he ignored her.

In the yard, Wang Yang was wiping down a parked Pu Sun. Smoke curled gently from the small kitchen hut—Tiger was probably cooking inside. Xiaocheng walked to the gate, picked up a small stone from the ground, and tossed it near the Santana. Wang Yang looked up and saw Xiaocheng waving at him from the gate.

Putting down the rag, Wang Yang glanced toward the inner room, then quietly walked over and whispered, “Xiaocheng, what are you sneaking around for? You’re here—why not come in?”

Xiaocheng smiled mysteriously. “Don’t let Tiger know. Come on, let’s go for some skewers—I’m treating!”

“Not letting Tiger know about skewers? That’s betraying your master!” Wang Yang was speaking when he spotted Ding Sina beside Xiaocheng. He was momentarily stunned, his smile frozen. Looking first at Xiaocheng, then at Ding Sina, he finally understood why the secret. Damn, he brought his girlfriend!

He pointed across the street. “Wait here. I’ll get the car out.”

“Driving means no drinking. Think it over!”

“No drinking then. Wait for me!”

Wang Yang went inside and spoke with Tai Hu about something. Soon, he drove the Pu Sun out. Xiaocheng climbed into the passenger seat, while Ding Sina had to sit alone in the back.

“Still haven’t introduced me, Xiaocheng. Who’s this girl? Your girlfriend?”

Before Xiaocheng could answer, Ding Sina in the back firmly said, “Yes.”

Wang Yang gave Xiaocheng a look of mock annoyance. “Showing off on purpose? Showing off your love? I get it now—you invited me to dinner just to torment me with PDA.”

——————

There have been many minor characters appearing, but giving Wang Yang a hard time really feels refreshing.