Chapter 50 The One on the Mountain Top, Really Quite…

A day later, when Bai Yuanzhi went to the hospital, she found Zhou Sier discussing experimental data with Qiao Yusheng while doing rehabilitation.

Seeing Bai Yuanzhi arrive, the two were very happy.

Zhou Sier smiled and said, “Ah Zhi is here? We were just talking about you.”

Qiao Yusheng also smiled, “Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.”

Seeing Zhou Sier in good spirits, Bai Yuanzhi was also pleased and first asked her, “How are you feeling, Sister?”

“Very good,” Zhou Sier wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled, “…I’m getting better and better.”

She told Bai Yuanzhi:

Physically, she could now walk slowly on the ground for about half an hour. Although she couldn’t lift or grasp heavy objects with her hands, she could do simple finger exercises.

Mentally, if she didn’t overexert herself, she could stay awake for about four hours.

As she spoke, Zhou Sier explained further, “See, I was just discussing experimental data with Qiao Sen, and it’s been almost three hours, but I still feel quite alert. Qiao Sen said it would be great if you came now, because if it were any later, I might have fallen asleep again.”

Hearing this, Bai Yuanzhi was delighted, “Then I really came at the right time!”

Qiao Yusheng quickly said, “Ah Zhi, you chat with your sister. I’ll go outside to organize the content we just discussed… Come find me when you’re done talking with your sister. I still have things to discuss with you about the Chen Group project.”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded.

Qiao Yusheng left the room.

Bai Yuanzhi immediately asked Zhou Sier, “Sister, have those two scumbags been bothering you again?”

“Song Junshu and Luo Jiaojiao?”

“Yes, yes!”

Zhou Sier smiled, “No!”

“Your friend Mr. Chen is too impressive. I heard from Qiao Sen that Song Junshu mentioned several times that he hoped to visit me at the hospital with Qiao Sen, but every time he came, he was stopped and not allowed to enter my room.”

As she spoke, Zhou Sier looked at Bai Yuanzhi with concern, “Ah Zhi, how did you meet Mr. Chen? You and him… are you really just friends?”

Not wanting her sister to worry, Bai Yuanzhi glanced at Sister Cai, who was taking care of Zhou Sier during her rehabilitation, and emphasized, “Chen Shuojie and I are just very ordinary friends, not even close friends.”

Zhou Sier: ???

Sister Cai, standing nearby, smiled without speaking.

Her expression, however, showed indulgence: Yes, yes! Right, right! You two are just very ordinary friends!

Since Sister Cai was an outsider present,

Bai Yuanzhi could only discuss matters that could be openly talked about with Zhou Sier.

Bai Yuanzhi carefully asked about Zhou Sier’s relationship with Luo Jiaojiao, as well as her relationships with Song Junshu and other members of her team.

Zhou Sier held nothing back, sharing everything she knew.

However, talking about others was fine.

But when it came to Luo Jiaojiao, Zhou Sier’s eyes reddened repeatedly, choking up several times… to the point where she couldn’t continue speaking at all.

Overall,

what Zhou Sier cared about most was her relationship with Luo Jiaojiao.

As for Song Junshu, Zhou Sier had never thought much of him before and still didn’t now.

Bai Yuanzhi asked in disbelief, “So according to that, your team should be led by you, but why does everyone say it’s led by Song Junshu?”

Zhou Sier thought for a moment. “Usually, I don’t have much time to manage other things… probably most matters are handled by him and Luo Jiaojiao. I really don’t have the energy anymore.”

Bai Yuanzhi asked again, “Is the part Song Junshu is responsible for very important?”

Zhou Sier shook her head firmly. “He mainly handles things like staff scheduling and data integration… Of course, it’s important too, but since I’ve been out of commission for so long, Song Junshu hasn’t been managing team affairs anymore.”

Bai Yuanzhi understood. “Now it’s all handled by Brother Qiao, right?”

Zhou Sier smiled faintly. “Yes! After all, he’s in the same major as me, and he’s more meticulous and rigorous than Song Junshu.”

Bai Yuanzhi said, “Sis, since you’ve been hospitalized for so long, he’s the only one who’s persistently come to visit you!”

“Hey sis, have you checked the visitor registration book?”

“Besides me coming the most often, Brother Qiao is the next most frequent!”

Zhou Sier sighed. “You don’t know, he was originally in the business management department. Later, for some reason, he suddenly decided to change majors… and transferred to the same department as me, but he’s a year below me.”

“Wow!” Bai Yuanzhi exclaimed. “He’s so devoted to you, sis!”

Zhou Sier’s face flushed bright red. “What nonsense are you talking about!”

As she spoke, Zhou Sier couldn’t help but yawn, showing signs of fatigue.

Bai Yuanzhi checked the time. “Sis, you lasted five and a half hours this time! Then you should rest early. I’ll come see you again next time.”

Zhou Sier rubbed her eyes and nodded. “Remember this—if you run into Song Junshu or Luo Jiaojiao outside… actually, forget it, Luo Jiaojiao won’t come looking for you, but Song Junshu might.”

“If Song Junshu really bothers you, you can keep your distance from him!”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled. “I know, sis. You should sleep now!”

After settling Zhou Sier to sleep, Bai Yuanzhi had just left the hospital room when she saw Ah Bin standing outside the door.

“Miss, the young master asked me to take you to the company. He said there’s a meeting to attend,” Ah Bin said, bowing and scraping.

Bai Yuanzhi frowned and asked, “Where is he?”

“The young master is waiting for you in the car.”

Bai Yuanzhi understood.

—Chen Shuojie was afraid that someone else would show up halfway, and she’d run off with them again.

Bai Yuanzhi frowned. “You take him. I’ll go on my own.”

Ah Bin’s face instantly fell, and he said with a worried expression, “Miss, please have mercy and don’t make things difficult for us subordinates. It’s really hard for us to handle things like this.”

Bai Yuanzhi ignored him and turned to leave.

Ah Bin hurriedly chased after her. “Miss! Miss, please don’t be like this, oh dear… oh dear!”

Seeing that Bai Yuanzhi remained unmoved, Ah Bin pleaded pitifully for a while before finally running off.

Probably to report to Chen Shuojie.

Bai Yuanzhi paid no attention, carrying her canvas bag as she left the hospital and headed toward the bus stop.

About a few minutes later, Ah Bin drove up in the car, controlling the speed to match Bai Yuanzhi’s walking pace.

Having been firmly rejected by Bai Yuanzhi, Chen Shuojie, sitting in the back seat, didn’t look pleased.

He rolled down the car window and stared sideways at Bai Yuanzhi walking on the sidewalk.

Bai Yuanzhi ignored him, walking with her head held high and her back straight.

Chen Shuojie was seething with anger, but he still managed to restrain himself and asked her, “Haven’t you ridden in my car before?”

“What are you throwing a tantrum about now?”

“Is it because you hit me yesterday?”

“Bai Yuanzhi! Can you stop being so melodramatic?”

“I’m the one who got hit, and I didn’t say anything… Bai Yuanzhi, get in the car already!” Chen Shuojie grew angrier as he spoke.

Bai Yuanzhi remained unmoved.

Chen Shuojie growled, “…Bai Yuanzhi!!!”

Bai Yuanzhi didn’t even glance at him, turning instead toward the bus stop.

Coincidentally,

a bus slowly pulled into the station.

Bai Yuanzhi nimbly boarded the bus.

Chen Shuojie gritted his teeth in frustration.

Yet, he had no way to deal with this stubborn little ancestor who was being so unreasonable.

In the end, he could only order Ah Bin to follow the bus, leisurely making his way to the vicinity of the Chen Group headquarters.

Bai Yuanzhi might have avoided Chen Shuojie’s car, but she couldn’t avoid Chen Shuojie himself.

As soon as she entered the Chen Group building,

Bai Yuanzhi sensed that the atmosphere was off.

The Chen Group primarily operated in the entertainment and film industries,

and the receptionists were all youthful and beautiful.

They were usually lively, chattering away whether there was something to talk about or not.

But today, they… were all blushing, each one shy and bashful.

What was going on?

Bai Yuanzhi followed their line of sight and spotted Chen Shuojie near the private elevator reserved for the CEO.

Chen Shuojie wasn’t in a wheelchair today.

He stood waiting for her at the entrance of the private elevator.

Today, he wore gold-rimmed glasses,

a three-piece black bespoke suit,

and black leather shoes polished to a shine.

He had black silk gloves on his hands, one holding a cold, gleaming metal cane, while the other adjusted his glasses, quietly watching Bai Yuanzhi.

It had to be said that Chen Shuojie, who was usually a seven out of ten in looks, had dressed up so well that he now rivaled the top-tier superstars in the film industry.

No wonder the young ladies at the reception kept stealing glances at him, their faces flushed.

Seeing Bai Yuanzhi finally look directly at him,

Chen Shuojie smiled and raised his hand, curling his thumb, index, and middle fingers slightly, beckoning her.

It only made him look more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a refined scoundrel.

Bai Yuanzhi: …

At that moment, Bai Yuanzhi wished she could take the staff elevator.

But she had been to the Chen Group many times and had always used the private elevator.

Right now, she didn’t even know where the staff elevator was.

Bai Yuanzhi stood still, staring at Chen Shuojie for a while,

before reluctantly walking toward the private elevator.

Chen Shuojie finally smiled.

His smile was full of affection and helplessness.

However, fearing she might fly into a rage, his smile vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Only when Bai Yuanzhi drew near

did Chen Shuojie signal his assistant to press the elevator button.

After stepping into the elevator with Bai Yuanzhi, he asked her, “Do you really have to be like this?”

Bai Yuanzhi remained silent.

Chen Shuojie sighed, “Little ancestor, what exactly are you angry about?”

The assistant standing nearby, responsible for carrying Chen Shuojie’s bag: ???

He stole a glance at Bai Yuanzhi before quickly lowering his head.

So?

Who exactly was this plainly dressed, makeup-free beauty? Why was the Young Master doting on her like this? He’d even called her “little ancestor”!

Bai Yuanzhi scowled and said, “I’ll ride in your car when I feel like it, and I won’t when I don’t.”

“Alright, alright,” Chen Shuojie patiently reasoned with her, “Then you could at least tell me when you want to take the car and when you don’t.”

Bai Yuanzhi asked in confusion, “Why should I tell you?”

Chen Shuojie replied, “If you want to take the bus, I’ll ride the bus with you. If you want to ride in a Mercedes-Benz, I’ll ride in a Mercedes-Benz with you.”

Bai Yuanzhi shot him a glare and turned her head away.

The assistant nearby wished she could shrink into a quail.

With a “ding,” the elevator arrived at the CEO’s office.

Chen Shuojie slightly turned his body, extending his arm in a very gentlemanly manner to let the lady go first.

Bai Yuanzhi stepped out of the elevator under his escort.

Today’s meeting was relatively important.

However, Bai Yuanzhi was not the main focus.

So she still sat quietly on the side, listening attentively, completely ignoring Chen Shuojie.

As for Chen Shuojie, all his attention was fixed on Bai Yuanzhi.

He stared intently at Bai Yuanzhi,

Kept staring at Bai Yuanzhi…

Until the assistant quietly passed him a note.

Chen Shuojie frowned as he read the note, then stared at Bai Yuanzhi for a long time before finally leaning on his cane and leaving the meeting.

Yes, it was his father, Chen Shen, who had called him out.

“Shuojie, I have good news for you!” Chen Shen said happily. “Uncle Zhao recommended a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the United States who might be able to cure you!”

Chen Shuojie frowned, half-believing, half-doubting. “United States… Ph.D.?”

Chen Shen explained the whole story.

Uncle Zhao was an old friend Chen Shen hadn’t been in touch with for a long time.

Yesterday, the two chatted over the phone,

And Uncle Zhao mentioned the daughter of one of his friends. After marrying far away to the United States, she gave birth to a boy with a defect. When the boy turned seventeen, he underwent an intervention surgery at a certain hospital. Now, two years later, the boy had successfully gotten a girlfriend.

Chen Shen said with a smile, “I’ve already obtained the contact information for this Dr. Mies and have spoken with him. He said this condition can be treated…”

Chen Shuojie looked completely unconvinced.

Chen Shen lowered his voice and said, “Actually, it’s a transplant.”

Chen Shuojie was stunned.

“The process is very long. Just the treatment alone could take two or three years, plus follow-up interventions…” Chen Shen explained. “Dr. Mies said that, theoretically, it can be successful. But he needs to assess your actual condition.”

Chen Shuojie fell into deep thought.

Chen Shen urged him, “Go to the United States! At least meet with Dr. Mies, get the treatment plan, and then we can decide whether to proceed with the surgery.”

Chen Shuojie remained silent.

Chen Shen added, “I know you can’t let go of Ah Zhi right now, but Ah Zhi is still very young. She’s only eighteen. Waiting five or six years for you won’t be a problem! Or, let her accompany you to the United States?”

Chen Shuojie shook his head. “She won’t go.”

Chen Shen said, “Then go alone! Dr. Mies said the treatment takes two or three years, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay there the whole time. You only need to go for the surgery. Once it’s done, you can come back…”

“Alright,” Chen Shuojie suddenly said.

Chen Shen was taken aback, then overjoyed!

After all,

He had brought this up before,

But every time he mentioned treatment, his son would lose control.

This time, he felt confident enough to try bringing it up again.

Who would have thought—

It was the power of love after all!

No sooner had Chen Shen thought this,

than he heard his son say, “If I leave, what about Ah Zhi…”

Chen Shen laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her for you!”

As he spoke, Chen Shen chuckled again and asked, “I heard that girl is quite fierce, she even hits you?”

Chen Shuojie’s face flushed red, “She’s young and doesn’t know any better, and she doesn’t have much strength…”

Chen Shen laughed heartily, “In the future, keep such matters behind closed doors, don’t let others laugh at you.”

—Ever since the annual meeting of Xu’s Enterprise last time, negative rumors about Chen Shuojie had been quietly circulating. He was furious and had already used forceful means to suppress the news.

And such a small scandalous rumor actually helped restore Chen Shuojie’s reputation.

Chen Shen was quite pleased to hear such gossip and teased his son a few more times.

His father’s words made Chen Shuojie’s handsome face turn bright red.

After the father and son agreed on the time for Chen Shuojie to go abroad,

Chen Shuojie hesitantly asked, “That Ph.D. from Columbia University in the United States… is it related to Ming Jiayao?”

—Currently, Ming Jiayao is studying abroad at Columbia University.

Chen Shen waved his hand, “It’s unrelated! Jiayao is studying business and law, while Dr. Meathis is from Columbia’s medical school. Besides, Jiayao hasn’t been there long, how could he possibly have connections to know Dr. Meathis!”

Only then did Chen Shuojie feel relieved.

The father and son went to the meeting venue together.

As it turned out,

they happened to see Bai Yuanzhi curled up in a corner, hugging a folder and dozing off!

Chen Shen glanced at his son.

He noticed his son looking at Bai Yuanzhi with an affectionate and delighted gaze.

Chen Shen smiled and teased, “Anthony, keep your voices down.”

Anthony: ???

Everyone in the meeting: ???

Chen Shen said with a straight face, “…Be careful not to wake up our Miss Bai.”

Everyone’s eyes instantly focused on Bai Yuanzhi.

Afraid that Bai Yuanzhi would be embarrassed, Chen Shuojie quickly shot his father a glare, leaned on his metal cane, walked over, and stood in front of Bai Yuanzhi to shield her.

Just then, Bai Yuanzhi suddenly woke up.

She hadn’t heard Chen Shen’s earlier teasing, didn’t know everyone was staring at her, and had no idea why Chen Shuojie had suddenly blocked her view.

“Chen Shuojie, move aside, don’t block me!” the girl’s clear voice rang out.

Chen Shuojie was extremely embarrassed but had no choice but to shake his head and step aside.

And so—

Bai Yuanzhi was surprised to find that in the large conference room, everyone’s attention was focused on her?

Huh? Chen Shen is here too?!

“Mr. Chen,” Bai Yuanzhi immediately greeted him.

Chen Shen asked with a smile, “Ah Zhi came for the meeting today?”

Bai Yuanzhi gave a soft acknowledgment.

“Tired?” the old fox asked again.

Bai Yuanzhi clearly sensed this wasn’t a good question, so she awkwardly remained silent.

Sure enough, the old fox continued, “Did your hands get too tired last night?”

Bai Yuanzhi: …

She turned to look at Chen Shuojie.

Chen Shuojie’s face was flushed red.

Bai Yuanzhi’s face turned red too.

She thought to herself: So Ah Bin did go and complain to Chen Shen that I hit Chen Shuojie!

But Chen Shen’s words carried a different meaning to everyone else present.

Instantly, the staff curiously glanced at Bai Yuanzhi, then at Chen Shuojie.

Everyone’s eyes sparkled with gossip, speculating what “hands tired all night” meant…

After all, the “domineering, wealthy, and powerful CEO” and the “beautiful, kind-hearted, poor girl” were the most classic pairing.

Bai Yuanzhi’s face grew redder and redder.

Seeing Bai Yuanzhi was about to become angry from embarrassment, Chen Shuojie quickly said, “Ah Zhi, let’s go!”

It was just as well that Bai Yuanzhi couldn’t stay any longer either. After bidding farewell to Chen Shen and Anthony, she hurriedly fled.

On the way to take Bai Yuanzhi to night school,

Chen Shuojie couldn’t help but ask, “Ah Zhi, would you like to go to the United States? Just as… a trip, to see the world?”

The United States?

Of course Bai Yuanzhi wanted to go.

But she had just set her goal to get into Hong Kong University next year, and her current study pressure was immense.

“No,” Bai Yuanzhi firmly refused, clearly stating her reasons.

A look of admiration flashed in Chen Shuojie’s eyes, and he added, “Then… I might have to go for a while.”

Bai Yuanzhi’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, “Really? When?”

Seeing her delighted expression,

Chen Shuojie’s good mood instantly vanished.

Hah, he really wished he could tie her to his waist and take her everywhere he went.

But her? She was overjoyed, her eyes sparkling, just hearing he was leaving Hong Kong City!

“Ah Zhi, come with me!” Chen Shuojie coaxed persuasively, listing all the wonderful things about the United States…

Bai Yuanzhi shook her head firmly, “If I go, it’ll have to be after I finish my exams next year.”

Chen Shuojie was somewhat disappointed, “Then promise me that while I’m abroad, you’ll answer my calls every day. Otherwise, I’ll have someone kidnap you and bring you to the United States with me.”

Bai Yuanzhi glared at him.

But then she thought,

As long as he left, everything would be fine.

Besides, once he went abroad, she would resign immediately and move with her elder sister into her own small home.

What did it matter if Chen Shuojie called the duty room!

So, she might as well agree to him now.

“Alright… fine!” Bai Yuanzhi said with a troubled expression.

Then she asked him, “When are you leaving?”

Chen Shuojie replied, “This Sunday.”

Bai Yuanzhi felt a bit disappointed, thinking it was still so far away.

After arriving at night school, Bai Yuanzhi was in such a cheerful mood

that she couldn’t resist leaving a message on A Yao’s pager:

【That number 1 on the mountaintop really is quite effective, huh】

= =

On the other side,

As soon as Ming Jiayao received Bai Yuanzhi’s page, he immediately called back to check the message.

After hearing the message,

He smiled.

—So Chen Shuojie was actually willing to go abroad for treatment?

He was probably overthinking it.

But,

It wasn’t in vain that Ming Jiayao spent thirty thousand dollars to get Dr. Mies to answer Chen Shen’s call;

Nor was it in vain that he gave one of his grandfather’s Ming Dynasty cloisonné vases to Uncle Zhao and asked Uncle Zhao to call Ah Shen for a chat, finally spreading the news that “Dr. Mies could treat Chen Shuojie’s illness” to the Chen Family.

Of course, whether Dr. Mies could completely cure Chen Shuojie,

Ming Jiayao thought the chances were slim.

But whether it could be cured or not had nothing to do with Ming Jiayao.

As long as it fulfilled Bai Yuanzhi’s wish—to no longer see Chen Shuojie and not be pestered by him—

What did it matter if he spent a little money!