Chapter 13: Visiting in the Hospital

Tu Shan went to the North City Criminal Police Brigade, arriving just as the workday began.

However, there were few people in the office.

Tu Shan walked over to the logistics clerk, whom she knew.

"Comrade Tu is here?" the clerk asked, still full of energy.

Tu Shan nodded. "Where is Captain He and the others?"

The clerk wilted slightly. "They had a raid last night. Captain He got a bit hurt and is in the hospital, and the others are at home resting."

Tu Shan frowned. Injured?

Sure enough, beneath the surface of peace, there were people carrying the burden forward. She had slept quite well last night.

"Is it serious?"

The clerk shook her head. "It shouldn't be. The wound is just quite large, so the doctor recommended staying for observation to avoid infection."

Tu Shan felt relieved. "Do you have a bag?"

The clerk didn't ask why she needed a bag and found an oil-paper bag. "Will this do?"

"Yes, thank you." The oil-paper bag was quite large; it could hold four or five jin of peanuts.

Tu Shan filled it with four or five jin and handed the rest to the clerk. "This is a treat for everyone. There’s enough for all, so please keep it for them. I’m taking this one to visit the patient. Which hospital is he at?" Tu Shan held up the oil-paper bag.

"The Military District Hospital."

Tu Shan waved and left.

The clerk came to her senses and chased after her. "Wait, Comrade Tu, we can't accept things from the masses. Wait a moment!"

Tu Shan was already gone.

The Military District Hospital, huh? She was familiar with it; after all, Tu Sanmei had been there three times.

Located in the North District, it primarily served the military, but ordinary citizens could also seek treatment there. Many public officials also liked to come here for care, as the medical standards were very high.

It had to be said that Tu Sanmei had become a celebrity at this hospital.

As soon as she appeared, all the medical staff acted as if they were facing a great enemy, running to spread the news.

Tu Shan... there was no need to be so enthusiastic.

She headed straight for the inpatient department.

Well, Zhang Limei was working as a temporary nursing assistant in the inpatient department, which made everyone even more nervous.

Tu Shan walked to the inpatient department with a blank expression, ignoring the strange looks from the medical staff around her. Her appearance made her look difficult to deal with, which only made everyone more tense.

Just as she entered the inpatient building, she heard a conversation that caught her attention.

"Did you ask?"

"Not yet. You know how tight-lipped those people are."

"Hurry it up." The owner of the voice sounded impatient and angry.

"I know." This voice sounded aggrieved and dissatisfied.

Tu Shan followed the sound and saw a man and a woman standing face-to-face in a corner.

The woman had her back to her, so her face was hidden, but the man was facing her, and his features were clearly visible.

He had a plain face, a short, stocky build, and slightly bowed legs.

The man saw Tu Shan, his eyebrows twitched, and he hurriedly said "hurry up" before walking away.

His gait made Tu Shan raise an eyebrow.

The woman also realized someone had arrived and turned around quickly. Seeing it was Tu Shan, her face filled with disgust.

"What are you here for again?"

Tu Shan didn't pay attention to the woman's reaction and asked, "Who was that?" The tone sounded like a jealous spouse catching an adulterer.

A flash of panic crossed Zhang Limei's eyes, which quickly turned into shame and indignation.

"Tu Sanmei, will you never be finished? Do you have to force me to my death before you're satisfied? What kind of label are you trying to pin on me this time?

What have I ever done to you that you want to drive me to my grave? I just want to work hard, live a good life, and survive. What did I do wrong?

Why do you keep pestering me? I only feel gratitude toward Ling Yang.

I beg you, let me go. Please, let me go."

Her shrill, desperate wailing left Tu Shan stunned.

No, is this person sick? She only asked one question; was that necessary?

She hadn't even voiced her suspicion that the woman was cheating.

Tu Shan felt she was more wronged than Dou E.

As it turned out, a crowd had already gathered, pointing at her and hurling insults.

Tu Shan felt a headache coming on. Is this person really Zhang Limei?

If she said she wasn't here to find Zhang Limei, would anyone believe her?

Whether they believed her or not, no one cared.

Once these people had finished venting, they surrounded Zhang Limei and quickly left, not giving Tu Shan a chance to speak.

Tu Shan really thanked their whole family.

She turned to find the nurses' station. "Excuse me, which room is He Jiahuan in, who was admitted last night?"

The nurse acted deaf and didn't hear her.

Tu Shan...

Forget it, she’d find him herself.

"He Jiahuan, where are you?" Her booming, full-chested shout echoed throughout the entire inpatient building.

Everyone stopped in their tracks, looking horrified. Who had such a loud voice? It felt like the building was shaking.

The nurse’s "deafness" was suddenly cured. "You, you, you... what are you doing? This is a hospital! Who told you to shout like that?"

Tu Shan smiled. "I'm looking for someone."

Messy footsteps came from upstairs. "Who? Who is looking for He Jiahuan?"

The voice arrived before the person.

It was Xu Zhi.

"Me." Seeing him, Tu Shan waved.

Xu Zhi felt a toothache. "Sister Liu Hai?" What are you doing, tearing down the hospital?

Tu Shan: "...Call me Third Sister."

Xu Zhi...

"Third Sister, why are you here?" And with such a loud voice, they almost thought the sky had fallen.

"I heard Captain He was injured, so I came to see him."

Xu Zhi was silent. Your way of visiting a patient is more like picking a fight.

Shouting like that—who wouldn't be startled? Even a healthy person would be scared sick.

He now felt that Tu Sanmei was somewhat similar to the rumors; at least her mental state was very similar.

"He's upstairs. Let's go up first."

In He Jiahuan's room, his wife, his mother, and Li Hao were present.

He Jiahuan had likely injured his back; he was shirtless, bandaged, and lying half-prone with his head toward the door.

He was surprised to see Tu Shan arrive. After a second of hesitation, he introduced her to his mother and wife.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn't know Tu Shan's reputation, and seeing that there was nothing to do and no way to join the conversation, they exchanged a few polite words and left.

Only the four of them remained in the room.

He Jiahuan asked, "Why did you come, Comrade Tu?"

Tu Shan put down the oil-paper bag. "Didn't I say yesterday that I wanted to treat you to peanuts? I went to your unit today to deliver them, and the clerk said Captain He was injured and hospitalized, so I came to take a look.

Captain He, you should eat more peanuts when you're injured. My peanuts are better than medicine, especially for replenishing qi and blood."

Tu Shan wasn't bragging. The peanuts she grew had their various elemental substances multiplied, and their nutritional value was boosted, making them more effective than similar tonics.

The three men didn't believe a word of it. "Thank you for the trouble, Comrade Tu." They didn't know Tu Shan had delivered half a sack, so they accepted it without much burden.

However, while others visited patients with fruit or eggs, her bringing peanuts was certainly a unique approach.

"You're welcome. How is your injury?"

He Jiahuan moved carelessly. "A small injury. I can be discharged today."

Xu Zhi cried out, "That is not a small injury! The wound goes across your entire back, the skin is torn open, and you needed dozens of stitches.

The doctor said to stay for three days. It's hot, and wounds like that are prone to infection and inflammation.

But he insists on being discharged. Third Sister, please help me persuade him."

Tu Shan... what was there to persuade? As long as you aren't dead, keep working until you are.

Tu Shan looked at He Jiahuan.

He Jiahuan looked at Tu Shan.

Awkwardness spread between them.

The other two???

Tu Shan advised, "When you feel like you're about to die, don't tough it out. Get back to the hospital immediately."

The three men...

Tu Shan didn't have a deep friendship with them; she just wanted to come by and see them to return the favor of the peanuts.

Now that she had seen him and delivered the goods, she didn't want to engage in awkward small talk.

"Captain He, take good care of your injury. Goodbye."

She turned and left as if being chased by ghosts, leaving the three men to watch her go in silence.

Tu Shan went back down from the ward and went to the nurses' station again.

"Where is Zhang Limei?"

The nurse, fearing she would shout again, didn't dare to act deaf.

"She took leave. If she can't afford to offend you, can't she at least hide from you?" Her attitude wasn't just bad; it was hostile.

She even rolled her eyes while speaking.

Tu Shan rubbed her nose and rolled her eyes back as she walked away. She couldn't afford to offend them either, so was it okay if she hid?

(End of chapter)