—
Ye Qiu looked up and saw a large crowd gathered outside the airport.
Bai Bing, Sun Shengshou, Old Xiang, Fu Yanjie, Su Xiaoxiao… and directors from other hospital departments.
At least thirty or forty people.
As Ye Qiu approached, he asked, “What are you all doing here?”
Bai Bing smiled. “Everyone heard you’re heading to Jinling to compete against the Great Korean Medical Sage, so we came to see you off.”
Ye Qiu glanced at the group, joking, “With all of you here, isn’t the hospital shutting down for the day?”
Old Xiang laughed. “To send off Director Ye, the hospital specially adjusted today’s work schedule. It won’t affect patient care.”
Fu Yanjie said, “Director, I’m not good with words, but I hope you thrash that Korean Medical Sage until he’s grovelling.”
Ye Qiu replied, “I’m competing in medicine, not fighting.”
The crowd burst into laughter.
Then, Ye Qiu’s expression turned serious. He bowed to everyone and said, “Thank you all for coming to see me off. I’m grateful.”
He knew they were here not just out of deep friendship, but also out of hope.
Hope that he would win.
Or rather, hope that Chinese medicine would win!
“Master!” Sun Shengshou stepped forward. “This battle must be won! Chinese medicine must triumph!”
Eight simple words, heavy as a thousand pounds.
Ye Qiu understood Sun Shengshou’s meaning and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll give it my all and won’t disgrace Chinese medicine.”
“I believe in you, Master,” Sun Shengshou nodded firmly.
Su Xiaoxiao then approached, her rosy face beaming with a smile. “Director Ye, I wish you a resounding victory and glory for our country.”
“Thanks.” Ye Qiu glanced down. It had been a while, and this girl seemed to have… grown a bit.
Was she drinking papaya soup every day?
Su Xiaoxiao added, “Director Ye, before you go, can you grant me a small request?”
Ye Qiu was curious. “What request?”
A shy look crossed Su Xiaoxiao’s face as she whispered, “I’d like to give you a hug.”
“This…”
Ye Qiu hesitated. Not only were many colleagues present, but Bai Bing was watching nearby.
To his surprise, Su Xiaoxiao threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands around his waist.
Instantly, Ye Qiu felt an overwhelming sense of pressure against his chest.
Sure enough, this girl had grown.
Bai Bing, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow.
“Director, do well! There’s a reward when you win and come back!” Su Xiaoxiao said.
“What reward?” Ye Qiu asked.
“I won’t tell you now. You’ll find out when you’re back,” Su Xiaoxiao said mysteriously.
Ye Qiu lowered his voice. “Xiaoxiao, ease up on the papaya soup. Leave the heavy lifting to me.”
Su Xiaoxiao caught the meaning in his words, her ears turning red. She glared at him. “Director, you’re so naughty~”
She let go and quickly returned to her spot, too shy to meet Ye Qiu’s gaze.
Just then, a black Audi A6 pulled up nearby.
The door opened, and Vice Mayor Huang stepped out, smiling. “Looks like I’m not too late. You haven’t left yet, Little Ye.”
Ye Qiu hurried forward, shaking hands with him. “Mayor Huang, what brings you here?”
Vice Mayor Huang said, “I came specifically to see you off.”
Ye Qiu smiled. “It’s just a competition. I’ll be back once it’s over. I wouldn’t dare trouble you to come personally.”
“Little Ye, this competition is no small matter. I had to come.”
Vice Mayor Huang’s tone grew serious. “Little Ye, in this competition, you’re not just representing yourself, but all of Chinese medicine in our country.”
“You must have seen the news these past few days. The contest between Chinese and Korean medicine has sparked heated debate. Though it’s a medical duel, it’s escalated into a matter of national pride.”
“Officially, as a Jiangzhou native, it’s my duty as a local leader to see you off and cheer you on.”
“Personally, as your friend, I should be here to send you off too.”
“Little Ye, I hope you defeat Li Zhengxi soundly, showing those foreigners the power of Chinese medicine.”
“More importantly, let them understand that while our country is a land of etiquette, our dignity is not to be challenged.”
“Anyone who dares challenge our nation will pay a heavy price!”
“Little Ye, do you understand my meaning?”
Ye Qiu nodded. “I understand.”
“Good.” Vice Mayor Huang checked his watch. “Provincial leaders are visiting today, so I need to go greet them.”
“I won’t say more.”
“Little Ye, when you return, I’ll throw you a victory banquet!”
Vice Mayor Huang patted Ye Qiu’s shoulder, got back in the car, and left.
The other department directors watched with envy.
“Director Ye’s got some serious clout. Even Vice Mayor Huang came to see him off.”
“With Director Ye backed by Dean Bai in the hospital and Vice Mayor Huang in official circles, his rise is just a matter of time.”
“Let’s go say hello to Director Ye!”
The directors stepped forward, greeting Ye Qiu and offering words of encouragement.
After a while, Bai Bing said, “Director Ye’s about to board. Everyone, head back.”
The crowd dispersed.
Soon, only Ye Qiu and Bai Bing remained.
Bai Bing handed him a paper bag. “I had a set of clothes tailored for you. You can wear them during the competition.”
Ye Qiu thanked her. “Thanks, Ice Sis.”
“No need to be polite with me,” Bai Bing said. “I was going to go with you to Jinling, but with provincial leaders visiting the hospital today, I can’t leave as the dean.”
“I can’t accompany you to Jinling.”
“Take care of yourself. Eat on time, sleep on time, and don’t touch…”
Bai Bing almost said “don’t flirt,” but worried it might sound petty, she quickly corrected, “…don’t touch cigarettes or alcohol.”
Ye Qiu glanced back, seeing the hospital staff had left. He swiftly pulled Bai Bing into a hug. “Ice Sis, you take care too.”
Bai Bing puffed out her chest and asked, “Whose is comfier?”
“What do you mean?”
Ye Qiu looked baffled.
“Don’t play dumb.” Bai Bing pinched his waist, feigning anger. “A rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow. Stay away from Su Xiaoxiao, or I won’t let you off, hmph!”
“Ice Sis, you’ve got it wrong. Su Xiaoxiao and I…”
“I’m off!”
Bai Bing didn’t give him a chance to explain, turning and leaving.
Ye Qiu stood there, muttering under his breath, “A rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow, but I’m not a rabbit!”
