C13 Sad Photo

Driving a hundred kilometers with few cars on the road, Xue Lang made it back home in just over forty minutes.

The young nurse set aside her x-rays and casually followed Xue Lang to the Food City, sans bodyguard.

Meanwhile, Fatty Shao, Liu Zhong, Guo Loong, and Zhang Baozi were at the same spot playing poker, waiting. The moment Xue Lang walked into the private room, before the guys could utter a word, they caught sight of the stunning woman behind him.

At the sight of the beauty, Fatty Shao and Liu Zhong exchanged looks, both silently relieved they hadn't invited Cui Ying. Wouldn't that have been awkward?

Liu Zhong blinked theatrically and exclaimed, "Wow! A trip to the county and he comes back with a female secretary. Xue Lang, you're quite the wild card!"

Xue Lang playfully retorted, "Cut it out, Fatty Shao. Your car's tank is full." Tossing the keys, he watched Fatty Shao catch them with a hearty laugh. "That's classy! Had I known, I would've siphoned some off for my motorcycle."

"Look at you, always scheming," Xue Lang chuckled, stepping aside to let the nurse through.

Before he could introduce her, Liu Zhong stepped forward, "Hello, beautiful. My name is Liu..."

He was cut off as Fatty Shao grabbed him, interjecting, "He's Liu Daxuan, a bit of a wild one—pay him no mind." Turning to Xue Lang, he asked, "Aren't you going to introduce your friend?"

Xue Lang started, "You all know her, she's..." but stopped, suddenly realizing he hadn't asked the nurse her name during the drive.

Unfazed, the nurse stepped up, "Hi everyone, I'm Bai Xiaogui, a surgical nurse. We've met at the hospital. I had some errands in the county today and hitched a ride back with Xue Lang. I'm also here to snag a free lunch."

Fatty Shao noticed Xue Lang's momentary discomfort and quickly pieced it together—this kid wasn't a heartbreaker; it was just a fortuitous encounter.

Fatty Shao mulled things over before enthusiastically greeting everyone and introducing Guo Loong and Zhang Baozi one by one.

Thanks to the seasonings and recipe provided by Xue Lang, the rabbit meat was a revelation; none of the guests had ever tasted anything quite like it. The cold dish made with pickled mountain chili and wild garlic in vinegar was particularly outstanding.

The conversation during the meal was lively, especially when Daxuan's backstory had Bai Xiaogui laughing uncontrollably. Liu Zhong, not one for formalities, promptly nicknamed her "Turtlet," which added to the convivial atmosphere. Bai Xiaogui was a hit with everyone, blending the poise of a well-bred lady with an incredibly friendly demeanor.

At dinner, Bai Xiaogui was the only one who kept Xue Lang from drinking, reminding him of his afternoon injections, but that didn't stop the rest from enjoying a hearty feast.

After the meal, Fatty Shao drove Xue Lang and Bai Xiaogui back to the hospital, and they all got to work preparing for the next day.

Xue Lang, having taken care of the essential gifts, decided to make the most of his unsupervised time at the hospital by gathering more mountain goods. He also made sure to prepare Lunar New Year gifts for Fatty Shao, Liu Zhong, and the families of Zhang Baozi and Guo Loong, making his acquaintance with them all the more worthwhile.

For five straight days, Xue Lang and his companions roamed the mountains, sometimes returning after dark.

Their efforts paid off handsomely. They trapped two roe deer with cabbage leaf snares, caught hares, pheasants, and even six hazel grouses. The biggest haul was a 300-catty wild boar lured into a trap with roasted corn beans. With the jeep packed to the brim with rabbits and other assorted game, Liu Zhong and Zhang Baozi ended up walking part of the way home, only to be picked up by a returning vehicle, sparing them the last four kilometers on foot.

It took two days of hard work for Xue Lang and the team to sort through the bounty at Liu Zhong's house. They managed to deliver all the intended gifts, including to Cui Ying, Zhang Yuhong, and the girls at the gas station, as per Fatty Shao's instructions. This gesture ensured that nearly everyone at the grain depot got to know Xue Lang.

Lee Chunjiang was thrilled beyond measure when Xue Lang provided a variety of game meats like wild pork, roe deer, and rabbit, even though Xue Lang hadn't accompanied him up the mountain. Yet, none were the wiser that Xue Lang was the source of these generous offerings, except for Fatty Shao, Lee Wenming, and three others—certainly not the convoy captain.

With discharge planned for the next day, Xue Lang handed the remaining share to Fatty Shao's group and brought it to the hospital, summoning the on-duty Bai Xiaogui.

Upon opening the urea bag in the ward and discovering the vibrant hazel grouse among the pheasants, Bai Xiaogui questioned with a hint of skepticism, "Xue Lang, what's this for? Are you giving it as a gift?"

Xue Lang chuckled, "No, I didn't buy it. Just take it home and enjoy it—I found it in the mountains."

"You hunted these yourself?!" Bai Xiaogui was astounded, hardly able to reconcile the image of Xue Lang as a hunter with the hunters of film lore.

Affirming with a nod, Xue Lang watched as Bai Xiaogui secured the bag, remarking, "I can't afford such luxuries. They're pricey, especially the hazel grouse—a pair could cost me half a month's wages."

Xue Lang was taken aback by her quick identification of the hazel grouse but simply smiled and reassured her, "They're a gift. They didn't cost me anything."

Liu Zhong chimed in with a grin, "Turtlet, if you're feeling indebted, treat us to a meal. Zhang Baozi, Guo Loong, and I lugged these back. Without us, Xue Lang here, injured as he is, couldn't have managed it."

Injured? Bai Xiaogui thought to herself, skeptical of the notion given Xue Lang's prowess in both hunting and fighting.

After a brief contemplation, she declared, "Fine, I'll treat you all to a feast. You pick the place." Without further ado, she hoisted the heavy bag, ready to take it with her.

Just then, Cui Ying arrived at the entrance of the ward. Thanks to Xue Lang, everyone had become quite familiar with each other. Upon hearing the mention of a treat, she stepped in and announced, "Xiaogui, you can't be the one treating today. It's my turn to celebrate finally getting discharged from the hospital tomorrow."

Before Bai Xiaogui could respond, Xue Lang chimed in with a chuckle, "No way, we can't let a beauty like you pick up the tab. That'd be a blow to our pride."

Liu Zhong bristled at that comment, "What's this about losing pride? Just kidding around. How could I possibly let Turtlet foot the bill?"

"You and your big mouth, we'll have you for dinner tonight," came the teasing retort.

"Exactly, we'll have you for dinner. Better clean up nicely," Zhang Baozi and Guo Loong joined in the banter.

All young men around the same age, with the exception of Fatty Shao who was married, none had significant others, so a meal with the company of a lady was certainly welcome.

Yet, the idea of letting a lady pay was out of the question for them. Ultimately, Fatty Shao took charge and decided the four guys would treat Cui Ying, Xue Lang, and Bai Xiaogui, which finally brought some peace to the ward.

At the dinner, aside from the carefree Liu Zhong, Fatty Shao, and Guo Loong, Zhang Baozi couldn't discern if Xue Lang favored one beauty over the other. Uncertain of the dynamics, they all held back a bit, not wanting to intrude too much, though the meal itself was a lively affair.

Cui Ying and Bai Xiaogui, both undeniably stunning, got along harmoniously, showing no signs of jealousy or overly affectionate gestures towards Xue Lang. This camaraderie added to the festive spirit of the meal.

The following day, Xue Lang left the dormitory bright and early, stepping into the convoy with a sense of anticipation for his new life and a fresh outlook.

No sooner had he walked through the door than Sun Zhongliang, who had arrived earlier, greeted him.

"Xue Lang, there's nothing pressing before the New Year. The convoy's giving you a long break. Come back after the holidays and take some time to rest up."

Vacation time...

Xue Lang was puzzled by the comment and couldn't hide his surprise.

Sun Zhongliang sensed the confusion and elaborated, "You'll be on leave for work-related injuries during the holidays. Your attendance will remain unchanged, and you'll receive a work injury allowance. If you'd like to stick around and enjoy yourself until the New Year's break, feel free. Or you can head home—it's up to you to decide."

Hearing about the holiday, Xue Lang felt a surge of happiness. It was a chance to spend time with his grandfather and perhaps coax out some secret skills from his three grandfathers, not to mention finally figuring out what the eight grandfathers were all about.

While his mind was busy with these thoughts, he expressed his gratitude, "Thanks, Brother Liang. I think I'll go visit my grandfather."

"Sure, head on back," Sun Zhongliang replied.

He then opened his office door and mumbled to himself, "Tree chicken soup is truly exceptional."

Xue Lang, who hadn't had a chance to respond, realized as the office door closed that it was the wild game that had earned him this favor.

Understanding the hint, and having savored the Hazel Grouse, Xue Lang smiled and nodded to the two men who seemed to be colleagues as he left the motor pool.

Stepping outside, he ran into Fatty Shao and Liu Zhong, who had just arrived on their motorcycles. After sharing the news about his leave, he didn't linger. He went back to his dorm, packed up quickly, and sent a mass text to Bai Xiaogui, Cui Ying, Zhang Baozi, and Guo Loong, informing them he was heading to his family home in Gangzi Forest and wouldn't return before the New Year.

Settled in the coach seat, Xue Lang watched the poplars whizz by and felt a momentary daze as painful memories from deep within threatened to surface.

Shaking his head to clear the impending thoughts, he pulled out his phone and opened the search engine, ready to catch up on the latest news and developments he had missed.

Before long, with each new image that flashed across the screen, Xue Lang managed to extricate himself from the mire of his painful past.

As the bus made its way, the interior remained surprisingly quiet. Xue Lang found himself gradually getting absorbed in flipping through a slew of unremarkable news articles.

Suddenly, a series of photos halted him mid-flip, causing his eyes to widen in shock.

The photos depicted a woman whose attire, though not tattered, was visibly worn. She was gaunt, her complexion pallid and sickly, clutching a woven bag. On her back, she carried a child, no more than three or four years old.

The post was titled "The Dignity of Vulnerable Groups."

It told the story of a woman who scavenged for scraps, accompanied by a toddler. She was plagued by a severe cough that sometimes brought up blood, yet she steadfastly refused the assistance of well-meaning strangers. She insisted that she had the means to work and wouldn't pass her hardships onto society.

Xue Lang recognized the woman; she was the wife of his fellow soldier. His comrade would gaze at their wedding photo daily. Xue Lang's memory—or rather, Shanan's memory—was extraordinarily sharp. He was certain he could not be mistaken about her identity.

How could this have happened...

A heavy feeling constricted Xue Lang's chest.

The next photo, showing a dilapidated shack so cramped it barely allowed for movement, twisted his heart with sorrow.

He couldn't stand to look anymore. He knew he had to act.

But what could he do? What was within his power? He didn't have the answers.

Amidst the turmoil of his emotions, the woman's declaration—that she wouldn't offload her struggles onto society—brought a sudden calm over him.

He knew what he could do, what he must do.

With a composed resolve, Xue Lang grabbed his sole piece of luggage, a camping bag, rose to his feet, and called out, "Driver, please stop the bus!"