CFRFGC Chapter 113

⌈”Building 3, Ward 217…”⌋

“What are you thinking about? Why are you zoning out like that?”

Lu Ran was startled awake by Fang Chen’s voice.

He came back to his senses, lowered his gaze, and replied, “Nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, let’s hurry to the cafeteria. Otherwise, we won’t be able to get in line later!” Fang Chen said cheerfully.

“By the way, don’t you only have two classes this afternoon? Let’s play basketball afterward!”

Lu Ran, however, declined.

“No,” he said. “I have some things to take care of.”

“Alright then,” Fang Chen replied, disappointed.

At noon during his lunch break, Lu Ran made another video call to Ji Min.

This time, it took a while before Ji Min answered.

The man on the other side looked a little surprised and asked, “Why are you calling me now? Did something happen?”

Lu Ran pressed his lips together and asked, “Are you sure there’s nothing you’re hiding from me?”

Ji Min chuckled softly. “What could I possibly be hiding? Don’t worry. In a little while, I’ll be able to leave the hospital.”

Lu Ran said nothing.

Ji Min had been away for more than two months now.

After a long pause, Lu Ran finally said, “Alright, take care and get some rest.”

He ended the video call with Ji Min.

During the second class that afternoon, Lu Ran received a call from an unfamiliar number.

His phone was always on silent during class and he usually didn’t take calls.

But this time, perhaps because of an uneasiness in his heart, he glanced at the teacher at the podium, made an excuse to go to the restroom, and slipped out of the classroom from the back row.

In the corridor, Lu Ran answered the phone. “Hello?”

To his surprise, a familiar female voice came through the line.

“Lu Ran, right?”

It was Ji Yue’s voice.

She let out a mocking laugh and asked, “Did Ji Min recently have surgery? He should be about ready to be discharged by now, right?”

Ji Yue was, after all, a member of the Ji family.

Before she went abroad, she had known that Ji Min had entrusted his assets to a trust company, leaving everything to Lu Ran.

At the time, she simply found Ji Min’s actions baffling.

But after going abroad and thinking it over, she had figured out Ji Min’s intentions.

She was both angry and helpless. “Well, isn’t that something? For you, he even kept something as important as surgery a secret from his own aunt.”

“Do you need something? If not, I’m hanging up,” Lu Ran said coldly. He had no interest in talking to her right now.

“You!”

Ji Yue was still a bit angry but ultimately resigned. Finally, she said, “You don’t need to speak to me like that. Ji Min has left all his assets to you and entrusted them to a trust company. Even if he dies, I can’t do anything to you.”

Lu Ran froze for a moment.

Then his voice quickly turned cold. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Relax, I mean no harm. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll need to rely on you,” Ji Yue sighed. Then she added, “When Ji Min gets discharged, have him give me a call.”

With that, Ji Yue hung up.

Lu Ran clutched his phone tightly as he returned to the classroom.

The teacher was wrapping up the semester’s lessons and highlighting key points for the upcoming final exams.

It was a crucial time.

Yet Lu Ran couldn’t focus during the second half of the class; he was restless.

What did Ji Yue’s words mean?

He recalled the elective finance course he had taken. Didn’t trust companies manage inheritance?

Ji Min, that guy…

When the class ended, Lu Ran stuffed his heavily marked-up textbook into his bag and dashed out of the classroom.

As soon as he exited the teaching building, he saw Shen Xingran walking toward him.

Shen Xingran looked visibly upset.

Recently, the Shen family had made a breakthrough in technology, which had turned the tables in their favor. The previously evenly matched competition with the Lino family—where the Shen family had even been suppressed—had reversed.

The Fang family’s attitude had also shifted noticeably.

They had engaged in multiple discussions with the Shen family regarding the upcoming HZ project.

For the Shen family, this was excellent news.

After hearing it, everyone in the Shen family seemed to be in higher spirits.

Even Shen Hongyuan, despite his displeasure that Shen Xingyu ultimately secured the project, was somewhat cheered by the slight alleviation of their financial crisis.

In the spirit of “reward and punishment”, Shen Hongyuan even praised Shen Xingyu at the dinner table yesterday.

Perhaps trying to show his magnanimity as the head of the family, Shen Hongyuan had specifically asked Shen Xingyu one question.

What kind of “reward” did he want?

Shen Xingran was at the table at the time.

Watching Shen Hongyuan’s performance, Shen Xingran found it both laughable and ridiculous.

And yet, at the same time, it seemed this was exactly how big families were supposed to operate.

However, Shen Xingran soon stopped laughing.

Because this time, Shen Xingyu didn’t decline Shen Hongyuan’s “reward”.

After pondering for a moment, he actually made a request.

He said, “Dad, I hope that after Lu Ran graduates, he can be arranged to join the Shen Corporation, starting at the grassroots level and then gradually moving into management.”

When Shen Xingyu said this, Shen Hongyuan’s reaction went unnoticed by Shen Xingran.

But Shen Xingran’s own expression instantly froze.

Let Lu Ran join the Shen Corporation?

What kind of joke was this?

How could someone studying veterinary medicine enter management?

Besides, the path of rising from grassroots to management was something Shen Hongyuan had promised him.

Even Shen Xingzhuo wanting to join the Shen Corporation and share a piece of the pie was something he couldn’t accept.

What was the meaning of arranging this for Lu Ran?

At the time, Shen Hongyuan’s attitude was also notably poor.

Although he was visibly angered, he suppressed it because of his own prior words.

He simply said that the matter needed further discussion.

But Shen Xingyu insisted, “Having Lu Ran join the Shen Corporation is the best decision for the company.”

The moment Shen Xingyu said this, Shen Hongyuan’s face darkened.

When Shen Xingran saw Lu Ran, he immediately blocked his path.

With a sneer, he said, “How come I didn’t notice you were so capable? After being away from the Shen family for so long, you still managed to get Big Brother to speak up for you?”

“Lu Ran, let me tell you, I…”

Before Shen Xingran could finish his sentence, “Smack!”

Lu Ran raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

“Get lost.”

Lu Ran’s voice was cold, with an undercurrent of deep irritation. “I don’t have time to deal with you right now.”

After delivering the slap, Lu Ran turned on his heel and left, leaving behind a group of stunned classmates.

Exiting the teaching building, Lu Ran headed straight for the neighboring medical school.

On the way, he pulled out his phone and joined several substitute teaching groups.

In each group, he posted the same message: “Is anyone interested in doing an internship at New City Private Hospital, East Wing?”

Upon reaching the medical school, Lu Ran went from classroom to classroom, asking students from various majors for their internship schedules.

Most of the medical school’s internships were at nearby public hospitals, with few opportunities at private hospitals.

After searching through all the schedules, Lu Ran finally found the words “New City Private Hospital, East Wing” on the schedule of a specialized program.

He joined the chat group for that program and changed his nickname in the substitute teaching groups.

After joining several chaotic groups and rejecting a few unrelated people, Lu Ran finally secured an internship opportunity at New City Private Hospital that evening.

The next day, he skipped two classes and arranged to meet the medical school student outside the library.

The person asking for a substitute was a male student.

He wore glasses and looked quite gentle.

It seemed like it was his first time asking someone to substitute for him, as he acted shifty and sneaky from the moment they arranged to meet, almost like he was doing something illegal.

When he saw Lu Ran, he hesitated and said, “It’s my girlfriend’s birthday today, so I can’t make it.”

After providing his name, student ID, and student card, he looked at Lu Ran hesitantly and added, “Medical courses are pretty hard to sub for. Even though this is just an internship, some instructors might ask questions. If they ask you…”

Lu Ran put on the student’s white lab coat, made an “OK” gesture, and replied, “I should be fine with the basic questions.”

“Oh, oh. What’s your major?” the student asked.

Lu Ran: “Veterinary medicine.”

The student: “…Uh.”

Well, technically, the basics seemed somewhat similar.

The student thought for a moment and reminded him, “The East Wing of New City Private Hospital is pretty strict. Make sure to stick with the group.”

Lu Ran didn’t respond to this and only said, “I’ll handle the class well for you.”

After wrapping up the discussion, the student finally asked, “How much do you charge for substituting one class?”

Lu Ran threw out two words: “No charge.”

At this point, the shuttle bus to the internship site arrived.

Lu Ran boarded the bus with the other students.

On the bus, he opened his phone’s map.

Once he confirmed that the route was indeed heading toward the East Wing of New City Private Hospital, he finally relaxed.

When the bus arrived, the strict management was apparent. They only allowed access after verifying the shuttle’s credentials.

Getting off the bus required students to individually swipe their student cards.

After alighting, students weren’t allowed to move around freely. Instead, they were led by an instructor to specific internship classrooms.

The entrance they used this time wasn’t the same one Lu Ran had used when he brought Ji Min here previously.

As they walked, Lu Ran glanced around, mentally mapping out the routes.

Then came the two-hour-long internship session.

Lu Ran kept his head low, following at the back of the group.

When they reached a wall, he glanced up.

Since it was a private hospital, the wall displayed photos of the hospital’s benefactors over the years.

As soon as Lu Ran looked up, he spotted Ji Min’s photo.

He continued walking down the hallway and paused in front of another photo.

The photo showed an elderly man with a stern expression who looked somewhat familiar.

Lu Ran stared at it for a moment before slowly recalling.

This seemed to be the old master of the Shen family.

However, Lu Ran didn’t linger long. He quickly followed the group into another classroom.

After finishing the internship session and preparing to leave, they passed through another hallway.

This one was lined with profiles introducing the doctors from each department.

Lu Ran quickly spotted Dr. Keimler among them.

The teacher leading the group called for everyone to keep up.

Lu Ran memorized the location of Dr. Keimler’s office and hurriedly rejoined the group.

The screening was strict when entering, but much more relaxed when leaving.

The teacher escorted them to the shuttle bus and left.

Lu Ran glanced around, handed his student ID and white lab coat through the bus window to a fellow student, and asked them to take them back for him.

The student, slightly puzzled, asked, “Aren’t you going back to campus?”

“My home is nearby, so I’ll skip the bus,” Lu Ran lied casually.

Hearing this, the student immediately looked envious.

After watching the shuttle bus exit the hospital gates, Lu Ran turned and sprinted back into the outpatient building.

Following the floors, he found Dr. Keimler’s office.

It was now late afternoon, close to the end of work hours.

Seeing the office door ajar, Lu Ran pushed it open and walked in.

Inside, Dr. Keimler was eating from a lunchbox.

Hearing someone enter, he instinctively said, “Just a moment!”

Looking up and seeing Lu Ran, he froze for a second.

“Uh… Ji Min’s kid?”

“What brings you here?” Dr. Keimler asked, puzzled.

After all, this wasn’t a place where just anyone could wander in.

“Oh, internship,” Lu Ran replied coldly.

Dr. Keimler ruffled his thinning hair and nodded, “Oh, right, you’re from Y University…”

Mid-sentence, he abruptly paused, his expression shifting to one of awkward realization.

“If I recall correctly, aren’t you in veterinary medicine?”

Lu Ran didn’t bother explaining. Fixing his gaze on Dr. Keimler, he asked, “Wasn’t Ji Min’s surgery private? Why are you allowed to leave?”

Despite his young age, Lu Ran’s tone was icy and intimidating.

Dr. Keimler, caught between amusement and exasperation, explained, “Because the surgery is already over. Now the rehabilitation team is in charge.”

“Oh.”

Hearing this, Lu Ran’s voice grew even colder.

“If you’re free to leave, why can’t I see him?”

Dr. Keimler: “…”

That tone was ominous, no matter how he heard it.

“Which building and room is Ji Min in?” Lu Ran asked, voice restrained but insistent.

Dr. Keimler immediately shook his head. “No, no, no. I signed a confidentiality agreement!”

“Even for me?” Lu Ran frowned.

Dr. Keimler thought to himself: Who knows what’s going on between you and Ji Min?

“Why do you insist on seeing him? He’s fine and recovering well; there’s nothing to worry about,” Dr. Keimler sighed.

Lu Ran pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

Right now, whoever told Lu Ran that Ji Min was fine, he wouldn’t believe it.

Not even Ji Min himself.

Unless he could see with his own eyes that Ji Min was alive and well.

“Tell me where he is. Don’t push me. I have plenty of ways to make someone talk,” Lu Ran said.

Although the teenager’s words were threatening, they somehow carried an air of vulnerability that evoked pity.

Dr. Keimler shook his head with a wry smile.

Considering Lu Ran had accompanied Ji Min to sign the informed consent forms before surgery, it seemed harmless to tell him.

“Building 3, Room 217…”

Dr. Keimler had barely finished speaking when he saw the boy turn and dash out of the room.

“Hey, hey, hey! If he doesn’t want to see you, knowing the room won’t get you in!” Kemmler shouted after him.

But Lu Ran was already gone.

—

Inside Room 217.

The rehabilitation doctor was examining Ji Min’s right leg.

Ji Min’s pant leg was rolled up, revealing a brace still strapped to his entire right leg.

“When can the brace on my right leg be removed?” Ji Min asked with a frown.

The doctor sighed and replied, “This is the third time you’ve asked me today.”

Ji Min furrowed his brows and said nothing.

The weather was growing warmer. He was wearing short sleeves, exposing bruises on his elbows.

Seeing the marks from his falls, the doctor felt a headache coming on.

“Can you stop rushing your rehabilitation?” the doctor pleaded earnestly.

“The brace on my left leg is already off. Why can’t I start rehab?” Ji Min retorted.

The doctor heaved another heavy sigh. “Be careful. You’ve undergone two high-risk surgeries in a short period. If something goes wrong, are you planning to go through a third?”

After the doctor left, Ji Min leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

His surgeries were far from as smooth as he had told Lu Ran.

After the first surgery, they discovered the nerve connection in his right leg had failed.

Ji Min decisively opted for a second surgery.

The two lengthy operations under general anesthesia had taken a severe toll on his body.

After the second surgery, Ji Min remained unconscious for three days before waking up.

Prolonged bed rest post-surgery had led to significant muscle loss, making rehabilitation even more challenging.

“Dr. Zhang is about to be driven mad by you,” said Butler Chen.

Ji Min didn’t respond directly, only saying, “It’s been nearly three months.”

Butler Chen chuckled and shook his head. “If you’re so anxious, it’s not like you can’t see Young Master Lu Ran now.”

“And why hide all the risks you’ve endured from him?”

Ji Min was silent for a while before replying, “Isn’t it exam season? If he finds out, who knows how much he’d worry.”

Ji Min still remembered the unease Lu Ran had shown the night before he was admitted to the hospital.

At the time, Ji Min had already started to regret telling Lu Ran about the surgery.

If possible, Ji Min wished Lu Ran would never have to experience such anxiety in his lifetime.

“Besides… I want to stand when I see him.”

“I think, sir, this is a foolish move on your part,” Butler Chen remarked.

Ji Min thought about his recent interactions with Lu Ran and fell silent again.

“Recently, he’s been…” Ji Min started but trailed off, glancing toward the window before looking back.

Suddenly, he froze.

His head snapped back toward the half-open window.

There, a familiar figure stood on the window ledge, hands gripping the second-floor security bars, staring straight at him.

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