The crisp slap echoed throughout the ward, and Guo Shaocong's left cheek swelled visibly at an alarming rate.

 

"You…how dare you hit me?" Guo Shaocong stared at Ye Qiu in disbelief.

 

For a long time, in his eyes, Ye Qiu was just a useless person, but now…

 

"I endured you, not because I'm afraid of you," Ye Qiu said coldly.

 

"I'll kill you." Guo Shaocong raised his fist, ready to strike.

 

"If you dare touch him, just try it," Lin Jingzhi's icy voice rang out. "If you dare touch Ye Qiu, I'll take your life."

 

Guo Shaocong turned his head, only to see Lin Jingzhi's indifferent eyes, devoid of any emotion, not at all like she was joking.

 

"Who are you?" Guo Shaocong asked in a deep voice.

 

"I'm someone you can never afford to provoke," Lin Jingzhi said with a glare. "Get lost!"

 

So domineering!

 

Guo Shaocong hesitated for a moment, unwillingly released his fist. Before he could figure out Lin Jingzhi's identity, he didn't dare to act rashly. What if he really couldn't afford to provoke her?

 

"Ye Qiu, I won't let this matter go so easily. You just wait," Guo Shaocong said fiercely before quickly leaving the ward.

 

The ward finally quieted down.

 

"Sister Lin, thank you," Ye Qiu said gratefully.

 

Lin Jingzhi had just taken care of him, which moved him deeply.

 

"It's nothing, don't be polite," Lin Jingzhi smiled and asked, "How did it feel to slap Guo Shaocong?"

 

"It felt great!" Ye Qiu felt that the slap just now had vented all the frustration in his heart.

 

Then, Ye Qiu asked Lin Jingzhi, "Sister, do you think I'm weak?"

 

"No, you're not weak, you're just too kind," Lin Jingzhi said. "You've just entered society, unwilling to cause trouble, and afraid of causing trouble because you know you have no money, no power, and no background. So every time something happens, you keep backing down, preferring to endure a bit of grievance rather than offend anyone. I understand your feelings."

 

"But I don't admire it."

 

Lin Jingzhi's tone changed, "As I said before, a kind person is bullied, and a good horse is ridden. Always enduring and retreating actually doesn't solve the problem. Guo Shaocong repeatedly bullying you is the best proof."

 

"Remember this, if a man wants to stand firm, he must have a ruthless heart."

 

Ye Qiu smiled bitterly, "I understand the reasoning, it's just…"

 

"It's just that you feel like you have no background and can't afford to provoke them, right?"

 

"Yeah," Ye Qiu nodded.

 

Lin Jingzhi smiled, "Why don't you try to put yourself in their shoes? You're not afraid lose , so if you were a bit tougher, would they really dare to fight you?"

 

Ye Qiu was taken aback.

 

In this society, the richer and more powerful someone is, the more afraid of death they are. If you really stand up to them, they will definitely back down," Lin Jingzhi said. "Besides, you're not completely without a background."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"From now on, I'm your backer. If anyone dares to bully you, I'll take care of them."

 

Ye Qiu didn't know if Lin Jingzhi's words were true or false, but he felt warm inside.

 

"Thank you, Sister."

 

"I don't like just verbal thanks. Can you do something practical?" Lin Jingzhi squinted her narrow phoenix eyes, looking flirtatiously at Ye Qiu, and said, "Give me a kiss."

 

Ah!

 

That's too direct!

 

Ye Qiu's face blushed uncontrollably.

 

"Haha, you're really cute. I won't tease you anymore. Give me the contract," Lin Jingzhi giggled.

 

Ye Qiu quickly handed her the contract and a pen.

 

Without even looking at the contract, Lin Jingzhi left her signature directly on the dotted line.

 

Done!

 

Ye Qiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

 

This way, the nursing station had no reason to drive him away, which also meant that he could continue working at the hospital. As long as he could stay at the hospital, he would have the opportunity to return to the surgery department.

 

"By the way, can you use the Maoshan Talisman to help heal my leg?" Lin Jingzhi asked.

 

Ye Qiu shook his head and explained, "There is indeed a miraculous bone-setting technique in the Maoshan Talisman, but I haven't learned it yet. Besides, your leg has already undergone surgery, so it just needs rest."

 

"But I don't like lying in bed."

 

"Let me push you down to the garden downstairs later!"

 

"Really? Ye Qiu, I find you so considerate. If only you were my boyfriend," Lin Jingzhi looked at Ye Qiu, her watery eyes blinking flirtatiously.

 

Here we go again.

 

Ye Qiu couldn't stand it.

 

Why does this woman always like to tease him?

 

"Sister Lin, I'll go to the cafeteria to get you something to eat. Just lie down and don't move!" Ye Qiu fled the ward in embarrassment.

 

***

 

Qian Jinglan had been thinking about Ye Qiu's marriage these days. Since she wasn't working today, she finished the housework and came to the hospital to discuss with Zhang Lili. Both sets of parents should meet and finalize the matter between Zhang Lili and Ye Qiu.

 

As she arrived at the entrance to the inpatient department, she saw Zhang Lili walking out with a young male doctor. The male doctor had his arm around Zhang Lili's waist, and they looked very intimate.

 

Qian Jinglan was a very traditional woman, and seeing this scene, she felt a little displeased.

 

Coincidentally, Zhang Lili also saw Qian Jinglan and frowned, asking, "Auntie, why are you here?"

 

"Lili, I came to find you," Qian Jinglan said straightforwardly. "I want to discuss with you and set a date for both sets of parents to meet and finalize the matter between you and Ye Qiu."

 

"Find me? What for?" Zhang Lili's frown deepened as she asked.

 

"I want to talk to you about setting a date for both sets of parents to meet and finalize the matter between you and Ye Qiu."

 

Zhang Lili's frown tightened even more as she asked, "Auntie, did Ye Qiu not tell you?"

 

"Tell me what?" Qian Jinglan was puzzled.

 

"It looks like Ye Qiu really didn't tell you," Zhang Lili said. "Ye Qiu and I have already broken up."

 

"You've broken up?" Qian Jinglan looked bewildered. "When did this happen? Why have I never heard Ye Qiu mention it?""Ye Qiu must not have told you that he was caught plagiarizing Dr. Guo's medical record, and now he has been sent to work as a nurse's aide."

 

What?

 

Qian Jinglan's face turned ashen. As a mother, her greatest concern was Ye Qiu's future.

 

"Can Ye Qiu still complete his probationary period?" Qian Jinglan asked anxiously.

 

"About to lose his job and still thinking about completing his probation? Dream on!" Guo Shaocong sneered from the side, "Old woman, you've raised a fine son indeed. Not only did he copy my medical record, but he also hit me. Outrageous!"

 

"You're saying Ye Qiu hit you? That's impossible." Qian Jinglan didn't believe it and said, "Ye Qiu has always been kind to others and has never hit anyone. Could there be some misunderstanding between you two?"

 

"What damn misunderstanding ." Guo Shaocong pointed to his swollen left cheek and said, "Old woman, open your eyes and look. This is what your son did."

 

Zhang Lili also chimed in, "Auntie, I can testify that it was indeed Ye Qiu who hit him. Shaocong's father is the Vice President of the hospital, so Ye Qiu will never be able to complete his probation in this lifetime."

 

Qian Jinglan's face drained of color. Ye Qiu was her greatest hope, but now…

 

No! She couldn't let her son lose his job!

 

Bending over, Qian Jinglan tried to squeeze a smile onto her face and said to Guo Shaocong, "Dr. Guo, this is all Ye Qiu's fault. When he comes home, I will definitely educate him properly. You are a magnanimous person; could you please give Ye Qiu another chance for my sake?"

 

"For your sake?" Guo Shaocong spat on Qian Jinglan's face and cursed, "What are you worth? Is your face worth anything?"

 

"Dr. Guo, please be more forgiving. It's all Ye Qiu's fault. I apologize to you on his behalf…"

 

Slap!

 

Before Qian Jinglan could finish her sentence, Guo Shaocong slapped her across the face and cursed, "A lowly person like you also deserves my forgiveness?"

 

Qian Jinglan covered her face and looked at Zhang Lili with pleading eyes, saying, "Li Li, after all, you and Ye Qiu were close. Please help me beg Dr. Guo."

 

Zhang Lili said coldly, "I've already cut all ties with Ye Qiu. Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me."

 

Qian Jinglan looked at Zhang Lili in disbelief.

 

At that moment, Guo Shaocong said with a sinister smile, "Old woman, as long as you kneel and apologize to me, I'll give Ye Qiu a chance."

 

"Thump!"

 

Without hesitation, Qian Jinglan knelt on the ground. For her son's future, her own dignity meant nothing.

 

Unexpectedly, Ye Qiu came out from the inpatient department and saw this scene, his eyes instantly reddening.