Chapter 84: Returning the Item to Its Rightful Owner

Geng Wenxiu originally intended to take the opportunity to recommend Huang Lide as the head of the medical department, but to her surprise, Zhao Feiyang cut off her words before she could even speak. Geng Wenxiu realized that Zhao Feiyang had likely seen through her intentions and deliberately set a trap for her. She also understood that Huang Lide would not meet Zhao Feiyang's standards and had no hope of the position.

Geng Wenxiu naturally did not dare to contradict her superior's judgment: "I also think that Xiao Xu is good, but he is too young and lacks some composure."

"Good steel must be used on the cutting edge," Zhao Feiyang said, without indicating whether he would promote Xu Chunliang to the head of the medical department. This statement made it clear to Geng Wenxiu that Xu Chunliang would definitely be given an important role.

##

After returning, Xu Chunliang briefly flipped through Bai Moshan's academic work. He had to admit that Bai Moshan was indeed one of the leading figures in the study of oracle bone script in China, with deep expertise in the field. However, he also found a few errors in the book. Bai Moshan's mistakes were purely due to the limitations of his time. Given the current era, his research on oracle bone script was already quite impressive.

Xu Chunliang's purpose in studying this book, "Modern Examination of Oracle Bone Script," was to determine whether Bai Moshan had lied. The piece of dragon bone and some rubbings found at Huichuntang contained many obscure characters, some of which were used only in medical contexts.

If multiple such characters appeared in "Modern Examination of Oracle Bone Script," it would almost certainly mean that Bai Moshan had lied to him and was hiding more dragon bones. However, after reading the entire book, Xu Chunliang found no inconsistencies. Perhaps the batch of dragon bones that his grandfather had donated had indeed been destroyed in the fire, or Bai Moshan was hiding his knowledge very deeply.

On the day of his return, Xu Chunliang specially bought salted duck for Cheng Xiaohong. While waiting in line, Cheng Xiaohong called to ask if he could return to work on Monday.

Xu Chunliang gave a positive response. Cheng Xiaohong asked him to accompany her to meet Zhao Xiaohui on Monday morning, as this was a task assigned by the hospital leadership.

Xu Chunliang didn't need to ask to guess that no progress had been made in his absence. Cheng Xiaohong wanted to discuss the situation in detail, but Xu Chunliang wasn't interested and said they could talk more on Monday.

Shortly after hanging up, another call came in. It was Xue Anliang, Bai Moshan's student. Xue Anliang told him that Bai Moshan was hospitalized. After Xu Chunliang left, Bai Moshan became anxious due to their conversation and went to the provincial people's hospital for a full-body checkup the next day, where he was diagnosed with liver cancer.

Xue Anliang was calling on Bai Moshan's behalf. Bai Moshan wanted to meet Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang asked for the ward number and, as it was still early, decided to visit Bai Moshan.

Bai Moshan was in the hepatobiliary surgery department of the provincial people's hospital. The examination results showed that he had primary liver cancer. Since it was detected early, the tumor was less than two centimeters in diameter. The hospital recommended surgery, but he had not yet decided whether to undergo it in China.

When Xu Chunliang met Bai Moshan, he was wearing a hospital gown and sitting by the window reading a book. Bai Moshan was in a VIP ward with excellent conditions. He was a man who valued the quality of life and had not informed his family about his illness. Currently, he was being cared for by his student, Xue Anliang.

Xu Chunliang handed the fruit basket to Xue Anliang. Bai Moshan put down his book and stood up to greet him: "I'm sorry to trouble you to come all the way here."

Xu Chunliang replied, "It's my duty." He noticed that Bai Moshan was very calm, showing no signs of depression despite the cancer diagnosis.

Bai Moshan invited him to sit down. Xue Anliang handed Xu Chunliang a bottle of mineral water and then left, giving them a private space to talk.

Xu Chunliang asked about Bai Moshan's examination results.

Bai Moshan handed him his medical report. He had intended to have a full checkup but did not expect to find a problem. It seemed fate had played a cruel trick on him.

Xu Chunliang looked at the CT and ultrasound reports, which both indicated a liver mass. No biopsy had been done yet, but based on Bai Moshan's medical history and imaging characteristics, it was almost certain that it was liver cancer. Fortunately, it was a single primary tumor, and there were no signs of metastasis.

Bai Moshan said, "I didn't want to tell you this, but if it weren't for you, I might not have discovered my cancer so early. The doctor told me that the prognosis after surgery should be very optimistic. You have saved my life, and I wanted to thank you in person."

"Professor Bai, you're too kind. It's your good fortune, not my doing," Xu Chunliang said, puzzled as to why Bai Moshan had specifically invited him for this.

Bai Moshan noticed Xu Chunliang's suitcase and realized he was returning today. He apologized, "After you left, I felt more and more guilty towards Mr. Xu. Perhaps this is my retribution."

"Don't say that. No one wanted that to happen. The destruction of those oracle bones must have pained you more than us."

Bai Moshan nodded. He took out a scroll from under the bed and handed it to Xu Chunliang. "I didn't tell you the truth that day. Before the fire, I had deciphered nine pieces of dragon bone. I have compiled the content, and it's time to return it to its rightful owner."

Xu Chunliang took the scroll but did not open it in front of him. He comforted Bai Moshan a few times and then left.

As he entered the elevator, he happened to meet the head of the cardiology department, Su Yunquan. Xu Chunliang greeted him, but Su Yunquan did not recognize him and walked past, probably mistaking him for a patient's family member.

Recalling Su Yunquan's jovial conversation at Wangjiang Tower, Xu Chunliang realized that the man had two faces in public.

Xu Chunliang's mood was not affected. They were not the same kind of people and might never meet again.

##

Xu Chunliang returned to Dongzhou at 7 PM. Xu Changshan had prepared a meal and was waiting at home. Seeing his beloved grandson after a week, the old man was overjoyed.

Xu Chunliang first took out the gifts he had brought. The old man told him to take a shower and come down for dinner.

After Xu Chunliang showered and changed, he came downstairs to find his grandfather already wearing the new cloth shoes he had bought. The old man was happily walking around the room.

Xu Chunliang teased his grandfather for being vain.

Xu Changshan told his grandson that the shoes were very comfortable and that he had checked the price tag, which was over 800 yuan. He thought it was too expensive, as his old cloth shoes had never cost more than 100 yuan.

Xu Chunliang told his grandfather that money couldn't buy happiness, and that compared to happiness, money was insignificant. This made the old man very happy.

They sat down, and Xu Chunliang remembered the salted duck he had bought. He placed it on the table and had a few drinks with his grandfather.

Xu Changshan asked about his trip to Nanjiang. Xu Chunliang gave a brief account, mentioning his meeting with Bai Moshan but not his illness. His grandfather was old and easily affected by such news. Moreover, he had not been in touch with Bai Moshan for years and might never see him again. Telling him would only add to his sadness.

Xu Chunliang also did not mention saving someone on the high-speed train. If his grandfather knew, he might doubt his medical skills. He raised a glass to his grandfather and said, "You shouldn't just ask me. Shouldn't I ask you something too?"

Xu Changshan smiled at his grandson. "Ask away!"

"Did you flirt with any pretty old ladies while I was away?"

Xu Changshan laughed. "You rascal, making jokes like that. Pretty old ladies? Have you ever seen one?"

"Maybe you're still thinking about young and beautiful ones?"

"Nonsense, I'll have to beat you to keep you in line." Despite the scolding, the old man was delighted.

Xu Chunliang then asked about the recent business at Huichuntang. Mentioning this, Xu Changshan became unhappy. Since the opening of Tingmei Breast Enhancement, business at Huichuntang had been declining. Tingmei had many young and attractive employees who dressed provocatively in high-slit cheongsams, often loitering at the entrance. The old man, being traditional, found this distasteful.

However, regardless of his feelings, Tingmei was always bustling with customers, many of whom parked their cars in front of Huichuntang. If it happened once or twice, it would be fine, but it was happening every day, which was annoying.

The old man used to sit at a table outside his shop, chatting and playing cards with neighbors, but the constant disturbance from the cars made it impossible for him to stay.

Xu Chunliang told his grandfather not to worry and promised to talk to them and resolve the issue.

Xu Changshan felt genuinely relieved. His grandson was growing up, and he no longer needed to handle such matters himself. In the past, he had taken care of his grandson, but now it was the other way around.

As they were chatting, Cheng Xiaohong called to ask if Xu Chunliang had returned to Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang told her he was having dinner at home. Cheng Xiaohong said she had just passed by Huichuntang and saw the lights on the second floor, guessing he had returned.

Xu Chunliang immediately understood that Cheng Xiaohong wanted to pick up the salted duck he had bought for her. He looked out the window and saw her Polo car waiting below.

Xu Chunliang took the salted duck to her. Cheng Xiaohong got out of the car as soon as she saw him.

Xu Chunliang noticed a young man in the passenger seat, likely Cheng Xiaohong's boyfriend, and did not chat much with her.

Cheng Xiaohong tried to pay him, but Xu Chunliang refused and told her to go back quickly.

As Cheng Xiaohong drove away, Xu Chunliang waved to the man in the car, who smiled back but did not say anything.

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