She looked after Kang Kang more than anyone else. Countless times, she had seen the longing in his eyes as he watched the other children run and play. Now, with the hope of recovery so close, Dean Fan could not help feeling that their hardships were finally giving way to better days.
Jiang Chan gently pinched Kang Kang’s sallow little cheek. “Yes. After your surgery tomorrow, you’ll need some time to recover. Then you’ll be able to run and jump like An An, instead of being unable to do anything as you are now.”
“Alright, it’s getting late. Go to bed with Grandma Fan. Tomorrow, Grandma Fan and I will go with you for your surgery.”
An An stroked Kang Kang’s hair too. “Don’t worry, Kang Kang. When you’re better, we’ll play ball and draw pictures with you. We can do anything you want.”
The girls all nodded. Eight-year-old Niu Niu said, “When you’re better, we’ll play Eagle Catches Chicks with you. You’ll love it, Kang Kang.”
Seeing Jiang Chan cover her mouth to yawn, Dean Fan stood up with Kang Kang in her arms. “Alright, your Sister Xiao Chan is tired after her exam today. Everyone go back to bed. Things will keep getting better for us. They certainly won’t stay like this forever!”
The children left, laughing and chattering. As Dean Fan carried Kang Kang back to their room, she even switched off Jiang Chan’s light, hoping to make her rest early instead of staying up again.
Jiang Chan lay on her back in bed. While holding Kang Kang earlier, she had discreetly checked his pulse.
Qingyuan had been right. In the cultivation world, a single Rejuvenation Pill would have had Kang Kang running and jumping again.
But in this world, where spiritual energy was scarce and many medicinal herbs had all but vanished, Jiang Chan really could do nothing about his heart condition.
For now, she could only hope tomorrow’s surgery went well. Afterward, she had the skills to nurse him back to full health.
A good alchemist was bound to be an excellent practitioner of Chinese medicine, and Jiang Chan was living proof. In the cultivation world, she had been a great alchemist in every sense. She simply kept a low profile, so her reputation had remained within the Sword Sect.
Sword cultivators were formidable. If they were injured, their wounds were unlikely to be minor. Yet with Jiang Chan there, almost any injury, no matter how serious, could be cured by her medicine.
The Jiang Chan of today truly possessed an extraordinary wealth of skills. She simply had to keep them hidden. If anyone asked where she had learned them, she would have no explanation.
If she wanted to treat patients in the future, she would probably have to obtain a medical license. That could wait. The immediate priority was taking Kang Kang for surgery and reviewing her high school subjects again over the next two days.
Kang Kang woke before five the next morning. He made no fuss, simply lying with his eyes open, watching the ceiling and quietly waiting for Dean Fan to get up.
Dean Fan had already packed their luggage and Kang Kang’s medical records. She had also cashed the check Jiang Chan had given her. Everything was ready.
After saying goodbye to the children, who were reluctant to see them go, Dean Fan and Jiang Chan set out for the provincial capital with Kang Kang.
In an office at a hospital, Director Wang made a note on his calendar. Wang Runhui glanced at it. “What’s special about today? You haven’t scheduled anything else.”
Looking at his lively son, Director Wang adjusted his glasses. “A little patient is coming in for surgery today. I cleared my other appointments especially. Things haven’t been easy for them.”
Jiang Chan and the others had set out early and reached the hospital at around ten. Just as she was about to knock, Wang Runhui opened the door to leave, bringing them face-to-face.
“Well, a familiar face! Jiang Chan! You must be the little patient my dad mentioned.” With his hands in his pockets, Wang Runhui gave her a sunny smile.
When he saw Kang Kang in Dean Fan’s arms, his smile grew even warmer, like a friendly older brother from next door.
Jiang Chan was a little surprised to see him too. Hadn’t they attended the training camp together? No wonder he had encouraged her at the end. He probably knew something about her circumstances.
Doctor Wang pushed aside Wang Runhui, who was blocking the doorway. “Let the patient in. What are you standing there for? You must be Jiang Chan. You’re an outstanding student. Congratulations on your excellent results in the international competitions!”
Jiang Chan blinked. Seeing Wang Runhui rub his nose, she understood what had happened. Now that her life was going smoothly, her expressions had softened considerably too.
Her lips curved slightly. “Thank you, Doctor Wang. This is my little brother, Kang Kang. Would it be possible to arrange his surgery today?”
At the mention of the condition, Doctor Wang grew serious. He quickly wrote out the forms and took Kang Kang for examinations. Jiang Chan asked Dean Fan to pay the fees while she followed Director Wang to learn exactly how Kang Kang was doing.
The examinations took three hours altogether. After carefully reviewing the results, Doctor Wang adjusted his glasses. “He’s been very well cared for. Let him settle in today. We’ll operate tomorrow morning.”
Jiang Chan felt reassured. Doctor Wang had just explained that Kang Kang’s heart condition was not too severe yet, making this the best time to operate.
He would recover faster afterward as well. The success rate for this type of operation was very high. Once he had the surgery, Kang Kang would be able to run and jump.
After arranging for Kang Kang to be admitted to a ward, Jiang Chan gave him and Dean Fan a few reminders, then prepared to go out and buy some things. The hospital provided meals, but the food really was not very good. She intended to get something for the two of them to eat.
If they did not eat properly, how would they have the strength to get through tomorrow’s surgery? Thinking over what tasty dishes she could make, Jiang Chan walked out. After a few steps, she realized someone was trailing behind her.
When she turned to look at him, Wang Runhui grinned. “You finally noticed me! I thought you hadn’t seen me at all.”
Jiang Chan stopped, and Wang Runhui winked at her. “Ah, now that I’ve seen you today, my parents are definitely going to lecture me when I get home. I can’t even measure up to a little first-year high school girl.”
Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. “Not first year. I skipped a grade. I’m in second year now.”
Wang Runhui’s mouth fell open. A moment later, deciding that did nothing for his image, he snapped it shut. He blinked in disbelief. “You really are something! Your school actually lets people skip grades?”
Jiang Chan raised her eyebrows too. “Good students do get certain privileges.”
Wang Runhui looked dejected. “Don’t tell my dad you skipped a grade, or I’ll get another lecture. How can there be such a huge difference between people? I’m not stupid, so why do I feel like my brain stops working whenever I’m around you?”
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