Shen Congyun, almost sixty years old, was considered elderly in an era when the average life expectancy barely reached forty. Though he had taken care of himself reasonably well, age had still caught up with him. After covering just half the distance, he was already gasping for air and on the verge of collapse.
Bent over with his hands on his knees, Shen Congyun panted heavily. Every fibre of his being screamed for him to stop and rest. But he couldn’t afford to stop—not when an automobile, of all things, had come to their remote village to pick someone up.
An automobile! That had never happened before.
He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether the Shen family could be revitalised under his stewardship hinged on this moment. How could he rest? How could he stop?
For Shen Congyun, nothing was more important than the resurgence of his family.
This thought alone reignited his weary body with determination. Step by arduous step, he pressed on, shouting with resolve, “An old horse in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles!”
Though his lips muttered ceaselessly, his legs didn’t falter.
By the time he reached the county hospital in the dead of night, Shen Congyun was running on pure willpower.
“I... I’ve made it.” His lips quivered as he dragged his leaden feet up the stairs, moving towards the single illuminated ward.
Carefully, he tidied his dishevelled hair but then paused, realising that looking too composed might not fully convey his struggle. Hastily, he ruffled his hair, popped a button off his shirt, and even rubbed his clothes against the wall for added effect. Limping dramatically, he staggered into the ward.
“Hold on! I’m here!” Shen Congyun howled, bursting into the room.
All eyes turned to him.
“What are you doing here?” Li Shengli asked, startled.
Even Gao Yuan seemed taken aback, though understanding dawned quickly. A mix of amusement and exasperation crossed his face.
“Of course I had to come,” Shen Congyun declared tearfully as his gaze fell on the patient. His face froze in astonishment at the sight of Su Pingchuan casually sipping porridge in bed.
Su Pingchuan, equally puzzled, stared back at the emotional newcomer.
Pointing at Su, Shen Congyun stammered, “He... he...”
Gao Yuan replied calmly, “He’s out of danger now.”
“You!” Shen Congyun’s trembling finger pointed at Gao Yuan before the world spun around him. With a gasp, he collapsed in a heap on the floor.
“Hey!” Li Shengli exclaimed, rushing to lift Shen Congyun. “Dr. Gao, looks like you’ll have another patient to rescue!”
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Gao Yuan instructed, “Quick, bring him over here.”
The onlookers exchanged baffled glances.
The commander turned to Su Pingchuan, puzzled. “Is he a relative of yours?”
Su Pingchuan shook his head, equally mystified. “I don’t know him.”
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The commander pressed on, “Then why would he faint from excitement after seeing you recover?”
Su Pingchuan scratched his head. “Even if he were a relative, it’s hard to imagine someone reacting this strongly.”
From the corner, Wang Hanzhang clarified, “That’s Shen Congyun, a doctor from Zhangzhuang Clinic.”
“A doctor?” Su Pingchuan’s confusion deepened. “Why would a doctor be this emotional?”
The commander, with his sharper political instincts, concluded, “This is the true bond between soldiers and civilians.”
Gao Yuan, busy examining Shen Congyun, couldn’t help but glance back at the commander.
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THE NEXT MORNING
Shen Congyun groaned as he regained consciousness, looking utterly dejected.
Meanwhile, Su Pingchuan had taken his third dose of medicine, with only one more to go.
Unable to suppress their curiosity, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu returned to observe him. Yet no matter how they scrutinised Su Pingchuan, they found no signs of poisoning.
Li Shengli muttered to the commander, “See? I told you those two elders always end up embarrassing themselves.”
The commander was left speechless.
Blushing, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu made a hasty exit. Once outside, they exchanged a troubled look.
Yan Qiao frowned deeply. “It doesn’t make sense. How could such a high dose of aconite not result in poisoning? I’ve practiced medicine for over fifty years and never encountered this.”
Li Runyu pondered briefly before asking, “Could Gao Yuan have mastered a technique for safely administering high doses of aconite?”
Yan Qiao spun to face her, startled. “If that’s true, the implications would be monumental. Do you think we can get hold of the prescription from yesterday?”
Li Runyu shot him a withering look. “Do you honestly believe he’d disclose a trade secret of that magnitude in a prescription? If it were you, would you?”
Yan Qiao hesitated briefly before sighing. He wouldn’t.
The two left the hospital silently.
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IN THE WARD
The commander, after confirming Su Pingchuan’s full recovery, was elated.
With pressing matters awaiting him, he prepared to leave that afternoon. Before departing, he gave Su Pingchuan instructions to focus on his recovery.
Turning to Gao Yuan, the commander hesitated briefly before speaking to Wang Hanzhang. “Comrade Hanzhang, accompany me. I’d like to hear more about Dr. Gao Yuan.”
“Yes, sir.” Wang Hanzhang agreed promptly.
Feeling afraid, Gao Yuan watched them leave.
Li Shengli, sensing Gao Yuan’s concern, gave him an encouraging nod. “Relax. I’ll go too. I’ve got plenty to say about him.”
“Alright,” the commander agreed.
Gao Yuan let out a long sigh, turning his gaze to the window.
Meanwhile, Shen Congyun had switched to pestering Su Pingchuan to try the Shen family’s massage therapy.
But Su Pingchuan adamantly refused. “Only landlords make people massage them. I won’t do it!”
Despite exhausting all his arguments, Shen Congyun failed to sway the stubborn man.
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IN THE ADJACENT ROOM
Wang Hanzhang explained, “That’s the gist of it. Based on Dr. Gao’s behaviour, I can’t believe he would betray anyone. Honestly, I’m ashamed because I doubt I could do what he’s done.”
Li Shengli added, “I think Dr. Gao was framed back then. He’s a good person. Sure, some spies hide behind a façade of enthusiasm, but once exposed, they don’t keep acting that way. Despite all the injustice he’s suffered, Dr. Gao continues to love this country and its people.”
The commander nodded, visibly moved by Gao Yuan’s story.
Wang Hanzhang elaborated, “Dr. Gao is incredibly talented. Even in university, he was already researching disease prevention for the country. The sanitation plan he submitted recently has received significant attention and is being prepared for nationwide implementation.”
Li Shengli chimed in, “Dr. Gao even knows how to prepare for nuclear attacks. He’s helped our militia develop strategies for handling new weapons.”
The commander was surprised. “He wrote that?”
Li Shengli nodded. “Yes. He studied these topics during university.”
“I see,” the commander murmured thoughtfully.
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Later, the commander summoned Gao Yuan, his expression complicated.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Dr. Gao,” he began. “Frankly, I’m deeply moved. But regarding your past, I can’t make judgements or draw conclusions lightly.”
Gao Yuan remained silent.
The commander continued, “However, I will report your actions here to the higher authorities. The truth can’t be hidden. Personally, I hope they’ll reconsider your case.”
“Thank you,” Gao Yuan replied quietly.
“No, it’s we who should thank you. Thank you for saving Su Pingchuan and preserving a war hero’s life.” The commander saluted him.
Gao Yuan straightened his posture in response.
After a moment’s hesitation, the commander added, “Dr. Gao, we still have many soldiers like Su Pingchuan suffering from frostbite and related illnesses.”
Without hesitation, Gao Yuan replied, “Whether or not you consider me a comrade, I’ll always be a doctor. If a patient needs me, I’ll be here.”
The commander regarded Gao Yuan with respect, saluting once more. “Thank you, Comrade Gao Yuan.”