Chapter 94: Today She Wants to Be the One Who Pays
It took them about ten minutes to reach the hospital. The hospital at this time was quite run-down—just a small, two-story building. The paint on the outer walls was peeling in large patches, revealing its age.
Even though Yun Qinghuan found the hospital rather shabby, there was still a steady flow of people coming and going.
No matter the era, hospitals always seemed to be overcrowded.
Since it was a follow-up visit, the man’s registration process was much simpler. Yun Qinghuan held An’an’s hand and obediently accompanied him in the queue.
They waited for about half an hour before it was their turn. When the nurse saw the ID the man handed over, her initially impatient expression paused, and her whole demeanor shifted to respectful. She quickly said, “Are you Comrade Bai? The higher-ups already informed us that if you come, you can go straight to the doctor. No need to register.”
As she spoke, she tried to guide Bai Naihan toward the medical office.
Bai Naihan waved his hand and glanced at the people waiting in line behind him, many of whom were still sick, with pale and unhealthy complexions. He told the nurse directly, “We’re not in a rush. Just follow the regular procedure.”
After they finally completed the registration, the three of them waited outside the chief doctor’s office for their number to be called.
Everything was done by the book. Bai Naihan didn’t feel that being discharged from the military due to injury entitled him to special treatment.
It was only during this follow-up visit that Yun Qinghuan learned all his medical expenses were reimbursable. He didn’t need to pay for his treatment—it was provided for free.
When he decided to return, his direct superior had already informed the leadership at this local hospital.
When it was time for the checkup, Yun Qinghuan went in with him. The doctor inside was a middle-aged man, probably in his forties or fifties. He clearly recognized Bai Naihan and teased him upon seeing him, “Commander Bai, you look like you’re recovering very well.”
Bai Naihan smiled. “Dr. Zhao, just call me by my name. I’ve already retired from the military.”
“The recovery really is going well.”
During this time, he had been eating and drinking well, and he followed the doctor’s advice to train daily.
Dr. Zhao nodded in agreement. “Alright then, Comrade Bai.”
But he still didn’t call him by name.
When Dr. Zhao saw Yun Qinghuan and Bai Jin’an, he was surprised. “Comrade Bai, I didn’t hear you got married. And the child is already so big?”
Yun Qinghuan felt awkward. Before she could explain, Bai Naihan quickly said, “Dr. Zhao, please don’t joke like that. This is my sister-in-law and my nephew.”
“I’m sorry, my mistake,” Dr. Zhao apologized sincerely. He had heard some things about Bai Naihan’s family situation. Everyone had said Bai Naihan wouldn’t wake up, but against all odds, he did—clinging to his last breath. And when he finally did wake up, he was hit with devastating news: His older brother had passed away.
Dr. Zhao had heard about it. Otherwise, Bai Naihan wouldn’t have been transferred from the military hospital to this remote county hospital. Just now, seeing the three of them walk in with such a harmonious atmosphere, and considering how much the little boy resembled Bai Naihan—and the young woman being so beautiful and youthful—he simply assumed she wasn’t the sister-in-law.
Seeing Dr. Zhao’s guilty look, Yun Qinghuan quickly waved her hand. “It’s fine.”
She instinctively created a bit of distance between herself and Bai Naihan, taking a few steps back and sitting down on a chair by the door.
This was already the second time today someone had misunderstood their relationship. Yun Qinghuan thought she should keep a bit more distance from him.
The man noticed her action and pressed his lips together.
Dr. Zhao didn’t catch on to the subtle shift in atmosphere between the two and carefully examined Bai Naihan. He even took an X-ray. After confirming everything was progressing well, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Comrade Bai, your leg is healing very well. Though it won’t return to its pre-injury condition, normal walking won’t be a problem. But once it’s fully healed, you’ll likely have to avoid intense physical activity.”
The man nodded and listened attentively to the doctor’s instructions.
Although he had expected this—surviving such a serious injury was already a miracle, and being able to walk again was a stroke of incredible luck—it still made his eyes dim slightly to know he could never return to the military.
Yun Qinghuan also listened seriously. Hearing this, she looked at Bai Naihan, saw the expression on his face, and pursed her lips, understanding how he must feel inside.
Once the checkup ended, Yun Qinghuan lightened the mood deliberately, saying, “This is great news! In two or three more months, you’ll be able to stand and walk. If Mom hears this, she’ll be so happy. And guess what? I got paid for a manuscript today too. It’s a double celebration! Come on, let’s go to the mall—today I’m footing the bill, and I’m buying each of you a new outfit!”
She waved her hand grandly.
Today, she was going to play the generous one.
“Wow! New clothes!” An’an shouted excitedly, giving her plenty of face.
Yun Qinghuan’s smile grew even brighter.
Seeing her like this, even Bai Naihan finally cracked a smile.
The county town was indeed livelier than the town they came from. At the very least, the roads were better, paved with fine gravel that didn’t hurt the feet when walking.
When they got to the road where the department store was located, it was a cement road. Though a bit narrow, it was cleaner and less dusty.
Every now and then, someone would ride by on a bicycle.
The department store here was bigger than the one in town, with two full floors, each spacious and well-stocked.
Fortunately, the clothing section was on the first floor. Otherwise, without elevators in this era, taking Bai Naihan upstairs via stairs wouldn’t have been easy.
She went straight to the clothing area. The sales assistant greeted her politely and asked what she needed. Yun Qinghuan said she was just browsing, so the clerk left her alone to do her own thing.
She wasn’t overly warm or cold, just the right amount of attentiveness.
The clothes in the store had a distinct retro feel, mostly in colors like blue, white, gray, and black. Yun Qinghuan wasn’t a fan of the styles.
The saleswoman noticed she wasn’t too fond of the clothes and pointed to some garments hanging on the wall. “Comrade, you could take a look at these. They’re in-stock items from Hong Kong, very fashionable and made from Dacron. People over there love wearing these.”
Yun Qinghuan looked at the Dacron clothes and twitched her lips. Dacron seemed popular in this era, but she didn’t like the fabric at all. It wasn’t breathable and felt stuffy.
She politely declined and began searching through the stack of domestic cotton clothing for something nice.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She found a pair of military green trousers for men and a white short-sleeved shirt that matched perfectly. She could already imagine how good Bai Naihan would look in that outfit.
Happily, she grabbed them and held them up in front of him. “Naihan, you’d look great in this outfit!”
The sales clerk nearby immediately chimed in, “Comrade, you have a great eye. That outfit would definitely look good on your man.”
Once again mistaken as a couple, Yun Qinghuan had already grown used to it.
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