A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding could there be?

It was time to remove the needles. Song Ning reined in her wandering thoughts and deftly removed Elder Zhou's needles.

Sure enough, Elder Zhou had fallen asleep, just as he had yesterday.

Professor Yang was delighted, but he sighed again. "It's a shame he can only have acupuncture once a day. Once he wakes up, the pain will come back."

As he saw Song Ning out, Professor Yang pressed a thick stack of banknotes into her hand.

"Song! Thank you for helping Zhou! This is your fee from us! You must take it!"

Song Ning was a little startled. "Professor Yang! There's no need to give me so much!"

She had not counted them, but there had to be at least several dozen ten-yuan notes in the stack.

Although she had not been here long, she still knew what things cost in this era.

Professor Yang clasped her hand in both of his, refusing to let her turn him down.

"The army takes care of the two of us, and we hardly have any expenses. Zhou's back has hurt for almost half his life. Just easing his pain a little is already an enormous help. Please don't turn down this fee!"

Song Ning could see that Professor Yang sincerely wanted her to have it, so she could hardly refuse again.

He was treating her with genuine sincerity, so she stopped agonizing over it and said to Professor Yang:

"Professor Yang! Could you step outside with me for a moment?"

Only after they had moved some distance from the ward did Song Ning speak solemnly:

"Professor Yang, thank you both for trusting me. I'll be frank with you. Elder Zhou's worsening pain is partly related to his age and changes in the weather, but the more likely reason... is that the tissue around the shrapnel has developed pathological changes. If this is allowed to progress, it won't just affect his mobility. It could even... threaten his life."

Professor Yang's expression changed drastically. "Is-is it really that serious?"

Song Ning nodded.

"Over the past two years, have Elder Zhou's bouts of pain been lasting longer and longer? Does he sometimes suffer unbearable pain even when the weather isn't changing? Does he often feel as if he can't straighten his back or put any strain on it?"

Professor Yang's eyes had already reddened, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Yes! It's exactly as you said! He used to insist on walking everywhere himself. Since last year, we've had to keep a wheelchair at home!"

"Elder Zhou's shrapnel must be removed, and the sooner, the better!"

Tears immediately welled up in Professor Yang's eyes.

"Some doctors have said similar things before, but none of them were as certain as you! Nor did they say it was this serious! We kept clinging to the hope that he'd be all right, since he'd managed all these years!"

Professor Yang seized Song Ning's hand. "Song! Do you have any ideas? Could you help us think of a way?"

They trusted Song Ning's skill in traditional Chinese medicine. After all, it had thousands of years of history in China and placed great emphasis on passing down knowledge, so even a young practitioner could possess extraordinary skills.

But Zhou had actual pieces of shrapnel inside his body, and that was beyond the scope of traditional Chinese medicine.

He had never thought Song Ning could solve this problem. Still, since this young woman could identify it, perhaps she knew of some approach others did not!

Song Ning thought for a moment, then told him, "If you have the right contacts, you could ask around in Shanghai and see whether any hospitals are planning to bring in CT equipment. If Elder Zhou could have a CT scan to locate the shrapnel in his body, it would greatly improve the chances of a successful operation!"

Song Ning had only offered the suggestion on the off chance it might help. To her surprise, Professor Yang's eyes lit up as soon as she finished speaking.

"Shanghai? Good! Good! It's called... CT, right? I'll ask right away!"

Then he waved to Song Ning. "Song! I won't see you out any farther! I'm going to make some calls!"

Watching Professor Yang hurry away, Song Ning felt a little moved.

Right now, she was merely a young practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine with no credentials or influential background, yet Professor Yang had listened to her without the slightest disdain or resistance.

That alone deserved her respect.

She could not help beginning to consider it...

If they could get a CT scan, this operation would not be difficult for her.

Of course, even without a CT scan, she could still perform it with more research and preparation. But in that case, she would need a capable assistant to ensure nothing went wrong.

If only Qi Rui were here!

Qi Rui was one of the four deputy directors of her hospital and specialized in neurosurgery.

He had extensive experience in neurosurgical operations, could handle all sorts of emergencies, and was one of her best surgical partners.

Together, they had tackled many highly challenging operations and even caused a small stir internationally.

Ah! But that was all in the past!

Now, she could not obtain a CT scan, nor did she have an assistant of Qi Rui's caliber. And she herself-

She was not even qualified to practice medicine...

Letting her perform acupuncture was already remarkably open-minded of Elder Zhou and his partner. No one would believe she could perform surgery as well.

Song Ning narrowed her eyes. She needed to settle things with Lu Changqing quickly!

She still had so much to do. She could not keep wasting time going back and forth with him over this little matter.

As she left the courtyard, Wang Ze happened to be hurrying toward her.

He spotted Song Ning, waved from a distance, then ran over, slightly out of breath.

"Song! I figured you must be finished by now! The chief of staff insisted I ask whether you're short of anything for daily life. If anything's inconvenient, just say the word!"

Song Ning smiled. "I was short of a few things, but Professor Yang paid me a consultation fee today, so I'm all set now!"

She had taken a rough look earlier. Professor Yang had given her around three hundred yuan, more than half a year's income for an ordinary household.

Wang Ze smiled. "Since Professor Yang gave it to you as a consultation fee, you can accept it without worrying! Elder Zhou is fairly well-off, so don't feel bad about it! Being able to help them matters more than anything!"

Song Ning said, "I did feel a little bad, but hearing you say that puts my mind at ease!"

They both laughed.

Only then did Song Ning ask, "Officer Wang, your regimental headquarters isn't around here, is it?"

"It's more than thirty kilometers away! I've been here these past few days helping settle the wounded soldiers as they're evacuated. Once I'm finished, I'll head back."

"Well, I'd like to pick up a few changes of clothes for Lu Changqing. Do you know when a vehicle will be going to regimental headquarters? Could I catch a ride?"

Wang Ze paused, then caught on and burst out laughing.

"Yes! Absolutely! That's no problem at all! I was just about to head back to regimental headquarters to report on my work!"

He raised his wrist to check the time. It was already five in the afternoon.

"But it's a little late today. Tomorrow-I'll arrange it tomorrow!"

Song Ning said, "Would it be inconvenient if I went with you right now?"

Wang Ze paused again, then hurriedly replied, "Not at all! Why would it be inconvenient? If you want to go now, I'll bring you straight back once I've finished my report! I was going to come here again tomorrow anyway!"

Song Ning simply wanted to find out what was in Lu Changqing's drawer as soon as possible and see what he was really up to.

Wang Ze, however, interpreted it differently.

He thought Song Ning was in such a hurry because she wanted to bring Lu Changqing his clothes sooner.

He was also surprised that the engaged couple had resolved their disagreement so quickly. It seemed Chief of Staff Xu's earlier worries had been unnecessary.

Once the vehicle left the hospital, he began speaking wistfully. "Chief of Staff Xu has always thought highly of you. Deep down, he's been hoping you and Comrade Lu Changqing could clear up your misunderstanding soon, so you could stay with the army and build a good life together!"

"A misunderstanding?"

Song Ning said, "What misunderstanding could there possibly be between Lu Changqing and me?"

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