Chapter 52: The Female Teacher Falls Ill

After arranging matters with Yang Juncai, Wang Jian thought about giving Jie Lianbing a call. Her image had been haunting his mind these past few days, and he didn't know why. He had ignored the beautiful and affectionate Du Xiaobei, yet he had developed feelings for a rural female teacher. Could this be fate?

The call was quickly connected, but a weak voice came through: "Hello, Deputy Township Chief Wang!"

Hearing the voice, Wang Jian hurriedly asked, "Teacher Jie, what's wrong?"

A few coughs came from the phone, and Jie Lianbing said, "Deputy Township Chief Wang, I'm sick and in the hospital."

"What? You're sick? Which hospital are you in?" Wang Jian's expression changed as he asked.

"I'm at the township health center," Jie Lianbing replied.

"I'll be right over!"

Wang Jian hung up the phone and asked Lu Jun to drive him to the health center. Du Xiaobei, seeing his urgent manner in the office, didn't know what had happened and watched him from a distance as he got into the car and drove out of the township government gate.

It took only a few minutes to reach the health center. Someone with a keen eye immediately recognized the car as the Deputy Township Chief's and informed the director, Zhang Aimin.

Wang Jian hurriedly got out of the car and was about to step up the stairs of the health center when Zhang Aimin came out with a smile, saying, "Deputy Township Chief Wang, why didn't you inform me in advance if you were coming to inspect the work? I would have welcomed you formally!"

Wang Jian smiled and shook Zhang Aimin's hand, saying, "Director Zhang, I'm not here to inspect the work; I'm here to visit a patient."

The patient the Deputy Township Chief wanted to see must be very important, but why hadn't he heard of any important patients being admitted? Zhang Aimin was puzzled and asked, "Deputy Township Chief Wang, which patient are you visiting? I'll arrange for the best doctor to see them."

"Her name is Jie Lianbing, a teacher at a school. Could you tell me which room she's in?" Wang Jian smiled naturally.

Zhang Aimin turned to the outpatient area and asked the doctor to check Jie Lianbing's room. While checking, he was pondering who Jie Lianbing was and what her relationship with Wang Jian was. From the name, she seemed to be a woman, but what could her relationship with Wang Jian be?

The doctor quickly found Jie Lianbing's room, and Zhang Aimin led Wang Jian inside. Inside, Jie Lianbing was lying on a simple bed, receiving an IV drip. Seeing Wang Jian, she tried to sit up.

Wang Jian quickly walked over and held her down, saying, "Teacher Jie, don't get up. Just lie down."

Seeing Jie Lianbing's delicate face, Zhang Aimin, standing behind Wang Jian, was guessing their relationship. Wang Jian seemed very polite and concerned about her. It didn't seem like they were a couple, but perhaps she was someone important, and even Wang Jian had to show extra care. But why would she come to a poorly equipped township health center? Or perhaps she was just a regular teacher, and Wang Jian had taken a liking to her and was pursuing her?

However, given Wang Jian's status, what kind of woman couldn't he find? Why would he like a rural female teacher? Zhang Aimin couldn't help but continue observing them.

"Director Zhang, doesn't the hospital have a better room? Let Teacher Jie rest better," Wang Jian said, looking at Jie Lianbing and then turning to Zhang Aimin.

"The conditions here are poor, but we do have a few relatively better rooms. I'll arrange for Teacher Jie to move into one of them right away," Zhang Aimin immediately agreed.

"Go ahead and arrange it," Wang Jian instructed.

Zhang Aimin turned and left. Wang Jian then asked with concern, "Teacher Jie, how did you get sick?"

"I caught a cold by accident. I didn't take it seriously at first, but it got worse, and I had to come to the hospital for an IV drip," Jie Lianbing replied, her face pale.

"In the countryside, you must take care of your health. The conditions are poor, damp, and prone to illness. I think you should work at the central primary school," Wang Jian suddenly thought of transferring Jie Lianbing to the central primary school.

Jie Lianbing was unsure what he meant. She wanted to work at the central primary school, but it wasn't that easy. How could she get there if Wang Jian suggested it? Did Wang Jian want to transfer her? But why? Why would he help her transfer to the central primary school? They weren't related, and she didn't dare think that Wang Jian had any romantic intentions.

"Deputy Township Chief Wang, the Education Committee won't agree to me working at the central primary school," Jie Lianbing said frankly.

Wang Jian smiled. The Education Committee was now under his control, and transferring someone was very simple.

"Teacher Jie, you don't need to worry about that. I'll talk to the Education Committee and get you transferred," Wang Jian said with a smile.

Jie Lianbing's pale face turned red, like a streak of sunset. Wang Jian liked her even more and asked, "Teacher Jie, have you eaten? If not, I'll buy you something."

"Thank you, Deputy Township Chief Wang, I'm not hungry," Jie Lianbing said, feeling her face turn red.

"You must eat when you're sick," Wang Jian called over Lu Jun and asked him to buy some food for Jie Lianbing from a restaurant.

Seeing Wang Jian's enthusiasm, Jie Lianbing couldn't help but think about his intentions, but she didn't know if he was just playing with her feelings. So she kept her emotions suppressed and didn't show them.

"Deputy Township Chief Wang, you're too kind. I can't bear it," Jie Lianbing said.

Wang Jian sat on the edge of the bed and smiled, "Teacher Jie, don't be so formal. I've told you not to call me Deputy Township Chief. Just call me by my name. I won't call you Teacher Jie either. How about calling you Lianbing?"

This was too much for Jie Lianbing. Her heart was racing. Wang Jian was lowering his status, clearly wanting to interact with her on equal terms. If this wasn't romantic, then Wang Jian must be very good at pretending.

"How can I do that? You're the Deputy Township Chief, and I'm just a regular teacher. Calling you by your name would cause talk," Jie Lianbing said, her face turning red.

"Ha, there's no need to worry so much. Names are meant to be called. Just because someone becomes an official, does that mean no one can call their name? Don't worry, as long as I don't mind, others won't either," Wang Jian reassured her with a smile.

Jie Lianbing couldn't say anything more. Her face turned red, and she smiled. Seeing that the IV drip was almost finished, she got up and said to Wang Jian, "Wang, Wang Jian, can you call the doctor for me?"

"That's better. Call me that from now on," Wang Jian smiled and got up to call the doctor.

Outside, he met Zhang Aimin, who hadn't come back in. He knew Wang Jian had asked him to leave. When he saw Wang Jian again, he asked, "Deputy Township Chief Wang, I've made the arrangements. Is there anything else you need?"

"Teacher Jie's IV drip is finished. Please have the doctor come," Wang Jian said.

Zhang Aimin chuckled, "Why look for a doctor? I can change the IV bottle myself."

The two walked back into the room, and Zhang Aimin changed Jie Lianbing's IV bottle. After finishing, he was about to leave when Wang Jian called him back, "Director Zhang, I'm leaving Teacher Jie's care to you. Take good care of her. I have to go now."

At that moment, Lu Jun arrived with the food. Wang Jian placed it on Jie Lianbing's bedside table, and Zhang Aimin quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Deputy Township Chief Wang. I'll take good care of her."

Wang Jian said goodbye to Jie Lianbing and left. Jie Lianbing watched his back, feeling a mix of emotions. If others knew about her and the Deputy Township Chief, what would they think? Would they say she was deliberately seducing Wang Jian? Would they secretly envy her and hope that Wang Jian was just playing with her feelings?

"Teacher Jie, we're moving you to a different room," a doctor said, interrupting her thoughts.

Jie Lianbing waved her hand, "No need, doctor. I can stay here for the IV drip."

"This is the director's arrangement. We have no choice. Let's go," the doctor, not wanting to cause trouble, was annoyed by the room change but had no choice.

Jie Lianbing had no choice either. As she got up, she asked, "Doctor, will changing rooms cost more?"

"Hmph, the director has arranged it. Do you think you'll have to pay more? Don't worry about it. Let's go," the doctor said coldly.

Feeling the doctor's unfriendly attitude, Jie Lianbing didn't dare say more and followed the doctor to the new room. The conditions were indeed much better, far superior to the ordinary rooms, and it was specifically for hosting township leaders.

After returning to the township, Wang Jian called Li Xiangshan. Li Xiangshan happily came over. Ma Zenggong had been successfully removed, and although Lu Yongqiang hadn't become the Education Committee director, the committee was now under his control.

"Deputy Township Chief Wang, what do you need?" Li Xiangshan asked with a smile after entering.

Seeing his happy expression, Wang Jian felt better. When good things happen, people feel more spirited. He should be even happier than Li Xiangshan.

"Here's the thing, Deputy Township Chief Li. There's a female teacher named Jie Lianbing at Xinhewan Village Primary School. She's the one who came to petition last time. You've met her. I think she's very talented, and it's a waste to have her teach in a remote area. Can you arrange for her to work at the central primary school?" Wang Jian smiled and explained his request tactfully, showing his growing skill in making subordinates accept his ideas.

Wang Jian was very polite, and Li Xiangshan understood. The Deputy Township Chief must have some story with this female teacher. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known her from last time and now be helping her transfer schools, especially since she was a petitioner!

"No problem, Deputy Township Chief Wang. Whatever she wants to do at the central primary school, I'll arrange it," Li Xiangshan said with a sly smile.

Wang Jian thought there was nothing to hide and smiled, "Let's transfer her first and then ask for her opinion."

"Alright, Deputy Township Chief Wang. If you need any other help, just let me know. I have some experience in these matters," Li Xiangshan laughed understandingly.

"Ha, Deputy Township Chief Li, you're overthinking it. It's not what you think. Let's not talk about that. Regarding the Youth Poverty Alleviation Fund from the County Youth League, contact Yang Juncai again and ask how it's going. I've asked him to handle it again. I wonder if he can get the funds this time," Wang Jian changed the subject to business.

"Ha, alright, I'll go find him."

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