Chapter 18: Completely Letting Go of Oneself: Gu Yan’an

Jingshi Railway Bureau Compound

Pan Huijuan took the briefcase from Gu Wenlin’s hands and said, “Old Gu, Yan’an is having surgery at Second Sister’s hospital. Should we find some time to visit him?”

“Haishi is so far away—where would we get that much leave? Sigh, I never thought our Yan’an would end up leaving the army too.”

Of the three Gu brothers, two had enlisted. Only the youngest, Gu Yanbei, had failed the physical exam and couldn’t join. The second son, Gu Yannan, was demobilized the year before last and entered their railway bureau.

The eldest, Gu Yan’an, had already reached the rank of deputy regiment commander. This time, after earning merits, he could have been promoted to full regiment commander, but in the end, he still had to leave the army due to injury.

Thinking of her eldest son, Pan Huijuan grew worried. “Old Gu, don’t worry! As long as Yan’an is safe and sound, that’s what matters most. So what if he left the army? Now that he’s back after demobilization, I can finally see him more often.

By the end of the year, he’ll be twenty-five. It’s time for him to find a partner and settle down. Old Bai’s eldest daughter has been coming over every day lately to play with our Tingting. I think she has her eye on our Yan’an.”

“Juanzi, don’t go playing matchmaker recklessly! That silly younger daughter of Old Bai’s is quite decent, but forget about the eldest one!

Bai Wei may seem gentle and delicate, but who knows how many schemes she has up her sleeve? You have no idea how many young men in this compound sing her praises.

They say she’s beautiful, kind-hearted, and dedicated to saving lives… Hah, as a medical worker, isn’t that what she’s supposed to do? Working a few days and already being glorified—what a joke!

Me, Gu Wenlin, I’ve devoted most of my life to serving the people. Have I ever said a word about it?”

In one’s position, one should fulfill one’s duties, exercise one’s authority, and bear one’s responsibilities. Isn’t serving the people what she ought to do?

He, Gu Wenlin, had worked hard at the railway bureau for over twenty years. Had he ever complained once about the hardship? Had he ever asked anyone to go around singing his praises?

Pan Huijuan felt a bit awkward at Gu Wenlin’s words. Bai Wei was someone she had watched grow up—refined and delicate in appearance, seemingly well-behaved, sensible, and likable.

She never expected her husband to actually favor Bai Zhi, that carefree little girl.

Pan Huijuan glanced at Gu Wenlin and said uneasily, “Old Gu, Cui Li came by a couple of days ago specifically to ask about Yan’an’s demobilization. She asked if Yan’an was also being assigned to work at the railway bureau.”

This Cui Li, really—even Yan’an’s job assignment she’s keeping an eye on. Does she already think of their Yan’an as her son-in-law? Dream on!

Anyway, he had no regard for that Bai Wei. As for Bai Zhi, she might barely be a match for their third son.

Gu Wenlin picked up the water glass on the table, took a big gulp, and set the enamel cup down slowly. “The year before last, Yannan was assigned to our railway bureau by his superiors. If Yan’an were also assigned here, people would think I’m using my position for personal gain and bending the rules.

Just don’t worry about this. No matter which unit Yan’an ends up in, his position won’t be low. This path was his own choice, and whatever he does, he has his own reasons.

Let’s not worry too much. If you have the time, go check on the old man at the siheyuan. Ever since the old lady passed, his spirit has completely faded. He hopes Yan’an will move back in with him after returning this time.”

“If Yan’an moves into the siheyuan, won’t your two younger brothers be furious? They’ve had their eyes on that courtyard all along. Back then, to avoid conflict, your father waited until Xiuhé and Xiu’e were married, then kicked all three of you brothers out.”

“My father raised the five of us siblings, which was already very difficult. It’s not like they have nowhere to live, always eyeing Dad’s old house.

No matter who ends up getting it, we shouldn’t make too big a deal about it. But judging by Dad’s attitude, it’s most likely going to Yan’an.”

Their Yan’an was the eldest grandson of the eldest branch, and he was also the favorite of both grandparents. When his mother passed away, she kept muttering, saying she regretted not seeing Yan’an get married.

It was very likely that the old man would leave the house to their Yan’an in the end. Even if the house were sold and the money divided equally among the brothers, he wouldn’t have much to say about it.

His parents’ belongings were always theirs to decide. They could give them to whomever they wanted. If the kids liked it, they could squeeze in at home after getting married; if not, they could go rent a place themselves.

He certainly wouldn’t spoil them. If they had the ability, they should work hard and strive to get their own house as soon as possible.

“Alright, we’ll wait at home for a month. With Huiqiao keeping an eye on things, Yan’an should be fine.”

Pan Huijuan comforted herself with these words and got up to go to the kitchen.

…

Early the next morning, Lan Mo arrived at the hospital bright and early. Seeing the eggs and meat buns on her desk, she was taken aback!

“Good morning, everyone. Who put breakfast on my desk?”

The attending physician across from her, Deng Yongkang, said with a smile, “Comrade Xiao Lan, these were brought by the family of patient number one in Ward Two. They said you look too thin and wanted you to eat well and get plump and fair.”

Did Gu Yan’an send his cousin Yang Wei to deliver them?

Was she thin? She weighed at least 106 pounds, but relative to her height of 5’7″, she wasn’t exactly fat.

No matter how thin she was, she couldn’t accept even a needle or thread from the people.

“I’ll go return the buns and eggs to them!”

Lan Mo hadn’t even had time to change into her White Coat yet. Grabbing the breakfast, she headed straight for Ward Two.

Gu Yan’an was sitting on the bed reading a book, while Yang Wei was chatting with the patient in the next bed.

Seeing Lan Mo walk in, Gu Yan’an immediately put down the book in his hand.

He smiled and said to Lan Mo, “Doctor Lan, good morning!”

Lan Mo placed the breakfast on his bedside table. “Comrade Gu Yan’an, thank you for the breakfast. As you know, we can’t accept even a needle or thread from the people, so I’m returning this to you.”

“Doctor Lan, you also know I’m having surgery later and can’t eat breakfast. Please take the buns and eggs and eat them.”

“You can give them to your cousin.”

Give them to Yang Wei?

Yang Wei had already eaten breakfast at home. When he came, he bought two portions—one for Lan Mo and the other, which he had already given to Yang Wei to eat, because he suddenly remembered Director Qin’s reminder last night not to eat breakfast before the surgery.

“Doctor Lan, my cousin already ate two breakfasts this morning. Please do me a favor.”

A favor to eat breakfast? Lan Mo laughed. This Gu Yan’an seemed so serious, but he was actually quite amusing.

Lan Mo said with a smile, “It’s fine. You can eat after the surgery. I’ll head back to the doctor’s office now. You should rest.”

Leg surgery wasn’t like other surgeries. You could actually eat right after the operation.

As soon as Lan Mo left, Yang Wei went up to Gu Yan’an and mimicked his tone, “Doctor Lan, please do me a favor…”

Gu Yan’an glared at him. “You brat, do you want a beating? Hmm…?”

Yang Wei immediately behaved. “Cousin, should we send breakfast again tomorrow?”

“Send it. Just say it’s from a friend of Doctor Lan’s.”

Not taking a single needle or thread from the masses, but taking from friends should be fine, right?

“Cousin, what if the breakfast gets sent back again? If it gets returned again, can I eat it then?”

“Are you stupid? Can’t you think of a way to make sure she doesn’t send it back?”

Yang Wei chuckled. “Cousin, Doctor Lan definitely won’t eat the breakfast you bought. This trick of yours won’t work.”

Gu Yan’an thought about it and realized it was true. If that girl accepted his breakfast, she would surely become the subject of gossip. But if she became his partner, accepting anything from him would only make others envious.

“Forget about sending breakfast then. Tomorrow, help me get some foxtail flowers.”

“Cousin, what do you need foxtail flowers for? Any random wildflower by the roadside looks better than foxtail flowers. There’s a ginkgo tree behind the inpatient building—its leaves are golden yellow and absolutely beautiful.”

“Alright, then get me all three of those things.”

“What? All of them? What are you planning to do?”

What am I planning to do?

Foxtail flowers can be made into all sorts of cute little animals, ginkgo leaves can be rolled together to make roses, and wildflowers are naturally beautiful.

This cousin of mine, Yang Wei, is a bit clueless. He’ll never understand the little things women like—flowers, plants, and such.

“Don’t worry about it. Just get them for me. After all, lying in bed after surgery is boring…”

Yang Wei was utterly confused. Why had his older cousin’s personality changed so much since coming to Haishi?

Could it be that after retiring from the military, without any restraints, he had completely let himself go?