Chapter 6

After the leaders left, the interns gradually dispersed. Zhang Yang's miraculous actions tonight were known only to Zuo Xiaoqing, who was clearly very curious about him. She walked with him, always wanting to ask about the bone-setting technique, but Zhang Yang seemed to have even more questions. Most of their conversation was a question-and-answer format, with Zhang Yang often asking the questions and Zuo Xiaoqing providing the answers.

It was already ten o'clock at night. The interns gathered in small groups outside the gate, enthusiastically discussing their unprecedented emergency experience.

"Xiaoqing!" Hong Ling skipped over to Zuo Xiaoqing, but upon seeing Zhang Yang beside her, her joyful smile instantly turned cold and hostile. "Why are you here too?"

Zhang Yang had no particular fondness for this chatty little girl. Just as he was about to take his leave, he saw Gao Wei, who had finished his shift, come out. He warmly greeted the interns, "You all did a great job tonight!"

Hong Ling smiled and said, "Teacher Gao, we helped you so much, you should at least show some appreciation!" The surrounding students joined in the teasing.

Gao Wei nodded with a smile, "Alright, I'll treat everyone to dinner at the night market on Second Street!" His gaze inadvertently fell on Zuo Xiaoqing, whose long, black lashes gently drooped, as if avoiding Gao Wei's gaze. Zhang Yang, with his keen eyes, immediately realized that this Teacher Gao probably had some improper thoughts about the beautiful Zuo Xiaoqing. What a beast! In Zhang Yang's mind, teachers should not have any romantic thoughts about their students.

Zhang Yang didn't really want to go, but Zuo Xiaoqing quietly invited him to join. Zhang Yang, who had no resistance to beautiful women, and who was indeed quite hungry after a busy night, decided to go along with the others to the night market on Second Street, just to get a free meal.

In the early 1990s, bicycles were the common mode of transportation. Surgeon Gao Wei already owned a Jin Cheng Suzuki 125, and with his handsome appearance, he had become the dream prince in the hearts of the unmarried nurses at the hospital. His charm also extended to the inexperienced female interns who had just entered the hospital.

The night market on Second Street was not far, about 500 meters from the county people's hospital. The seven invited interns all walked, while Gao Wei drove his royal blue Jin Cheng Suzuki alongside them. Zuo Xiaoqing and Zhang Yang walked side by side, which not only surprised the other interns but also made Gao Wei feel frustrated. Who was this guy, and why did he have no sense of propriety? Although he was angry, as a teacher, he should maintain a certain level of dignity, especially in front of Zuo Xiaoqing. His interest in Zuo Xiaoqing was not just because of her outstanding appearance but also because of her superior family background. Zuo Xiaoqing's father, Zuo Yongjun, was the director and party secretary of the Jiangcheng City First People's Hospital, and her uncle, Zuo Yuanchao, was the director of the Jiangcheng City Finance Bureau, both high-ranking officials. If he could connect with the Zuo family, transferring to a city-level hospital would be a breeze, and his future career path would be smooth.

Zuo Xiaoqing was unaware of Gao Wei's ulterior motives. She was low-key and chose to intern at the county hospital to avoid unnecessary disturbances. She also wanted to stay away from her family's influence, so few of her classmates knew about her background.

Gao Wei smiled and said, "Xiaoqing, why don't I take you there first? We can order the food, and when the others arrive, we can eat right away!"

Although the interns had just graduated, they could see through some things. Many of the male interns felt a bit resentful. The flowers in their own garden were being picked by others, and no one would feel balanced about that. But Gao Wei was a teacher, and how could these poor students compare?

Zuo Xiaoqing smiled faintly, "I prefer to walk. Teacher Gao, you can take Hong Ling first." Her subtle refusal made Gao Wei somewhat awkward.

Hong Ling jumped onto the back of the motorcycle without hesitation, grabbing Gao Wei's waist. "I don't want to walk. If you don't sit, I will!" Zhang Yang watched coldly, realizing that this girl was actively helping Gao Wei out of his awkward situation. There was probably some secret deal between her and Gao Wei. Zhang Yizhen, before his death, often visited the palace and brothels, places where intrigue was rife. Even the slightest hint of something could help him deduce the underlying dynamics.

Among the invited interns, only Zhang Yang, a nursing school student, was walking with Zuo Xiaoqing. This naturally formed three groups: Gao Wei and Hong Ling went ahead to order the food, three male interns led by Chen Guowei walked in front, and Zuo Xiaoqing and Zhang Yang followed behind. Zhang Yang whispered to Zuo Xiaoqing, "I don't know if I should say this."

Zuo Xiaoqing was already accustomed to Zhang Yang's half-formal, half-casual way of speaking. She smiled, "Go ahead, or you might burst!"

Zhang Yang whispered, "Hong Ling's behavior is a bit strange. You should be careful."

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't help but laugh. She knew Hong Ling's usual behavior. Her closeness to Zuo Xiaoqing was partly because she wanted help with her placement. As for Gao Wei knowing about her background, it was probably due to Hong Ling's revelations. Zuo Xiaoqing had long understood this, but pointing it out would be pointless. There were many types of friends, and growing up in an official family, she had learned from her relatives the principles of social interaction: maintaining a proper distance was the right way to handle friendships. If someone had spoken ill of Hong Ling to her in the past, she would have suspected them of stirring up trouble. But after witnessing Zhang Yang's miraculous actions tonight, she didn't think much of it, interpreting his warning as a kind gesture. "Thank you!" Zuo Xiaoqing's expression was calm, and her demeanor seemed more mature than her 22 years.

Zhang Yang's immediate impression was that this girl was very shrewd, and perhaps she didn't need his warning at all.