Chapter 111

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Lin Hao took advantage of his free time to pay a visit to Old Master Wang's home.

Arriving at Old Master Wang's doorstep, Lin Hao took out the key Old Master Wang had left for him when he departed and gently unlocked the door.

Stepping inside, a faint medicinal fragrance greeted him. Lin Hao looked at the books filling the room; he walked to the bookshelf and carefully selected the volumes he wanted to read, immersing himself in an ocean of knowledge.

Old Master Wang had already returned to Jingcheng. Before leaving, he had urged Lin Hao not to treat anyone for the time being — after all, he was still a high school student and lacked a medical license. Studying was the most important thing.

He was not to pursue medicated-diet recipes either; Old Master Wang had given him some more commonplace medicated-diet formulas to use at Niu Lingling's restaurant.

Returning to the Hospital, the moment he pushed the door open, that lively scene came into view.

Cheng Miaomiao and the others were keeping Li Si company, playing boisterously; Li Si was laughing so hard he doubled over — being confined to the ward by illness for this period had truly stifled him.

"Haha, watch this move!" Cheng Miaomiao waved a small toy in front of Li Si, teasing him into fits of laughter.

Cheng Yaya clapped and cheered from the side: "Big sister is so amazing!"

Hu Qiumin refused to be outdone, pulling out all the stops to make Li Si happy. The ward was filled with joyous laughter, as if the gloom brought by illness had been completely swept away.

At that moment, Lin Hao walked in. Seeing Lin Hao return, Li Si could not hold back; he frowned and asked anxiously, "Hao Ge, did you know long ago that we were going to Hong Kong, and then report us?"

Lin Hao looked at Li Si's curious yet slightly aggrieved eyes, smiled faintly, and naturally had nothing to hide.

Hearing this, the group immediately surrounded Lin Hao, asking in a babble, "Hao Ge, how did you know? Tell us quickly."

Cheng Miaomiao's eyes went wide: "Yeah, Hao Ge, how did you find out? We thought we were being very discreet."

Cheng Yaya also reddened, saying softly, "We thought no one would discover us."

Hu Qiumin scratched her head and said doubtfully, "Just where did we slip up?"

Lin Hao shook his head helplessly and said, "You lot — Li Si secretly selling Li Shu's cigarettes and alcohol at home, and the few of you plotting the Hong Kong route in the little garden with voices so loud it would be hard for others not to hear. Plus you've been studying Cantonese every day — isn't that an obvious plan? Do you really take everyone else for fools? With such blatant actions, it would be hard for me not to discover them."

Cheng Miaomiao stuck out her tongue embarrassedly and said, "Aiya, we didn't think of that at the time. We still thought we were being very discreet."

Cheng Yaya also said with a red face, "In the future we'll definitely be more careful."

Hu Qiumin scratched her head and said, "Hehe, we were just impulsive for a moment."

Li Si smiled awkwardly and said, "Alright, I admit we were a bit rash. But, Hao Ge, why did you report us?"

Lin Hao looked at them and said earnestly, "Going to Hong Kong is no small matter; you're all still young, and acting rashly without thorough preparation would be very dangerous. Moreover, you didn't get your parents' consent — that's wrong. Don't be so impulsive in the future; you must consider the consequences before doing anything."

Although they all nodded after hearing this, it was obvious Cheng Miaomiao was still unconvinced.

She frowned slightly, arms crossed over her chest, and said indignantly, "Hmph, we can't join the gala, can't go to Hong Kong, and Si Ge is sick too — how are we so unlucky? It's really too unfair!"

She looked just like a child who had suffered a tremendous grievance, making one's heart ache with pity.

Lin Hao smiled faintly, a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes, like a sage who held the secret to a hidden treasure.

He said unhurriedly, "Who told you the gala can't be joined?"

Hearing this, the four of them — Cheng Miaomiao included — instantly widened their eyes, staring at Lin Hao with blazing gazes, as if seeing a beam of hope in the darkness.

Cheng Miaomiao, anxious as an ant on a hot pan, hurriedly asked, "Hao Ge, what exactly is going on? Tell us quickly."

Cheng Yaya also chimed in anxiously from the side: "Yeah, Hao Ge, tell us quickly." Hu Qiumin likewise looked at Lin Hao with a face full of anticipation.

Lin Hao still kept that smile, saying unhurriedly, "The program 'Pearl of the Orient' I signed up for has been selected for the Oilfield gala."

Hearing this, the group first froze, a flash of surprise in their eyes, but then deflated. Cheng Miaomiao said disappointedly, "That's you participating; we still can't join. Alas, what a pity." Her tone was full of dejection.

Lin Hao looked at their downcast appearance and said with a smile, "I'm still short a few chorus members — don't know if anyone's interested?"

Those words were like a bomb, instantly blossoming in the four's hearts.

Hearing this, the four immediately scrambled to raise their hands, crying "Me me me, I'll join," their eager looks making one unable to hold back laughter.

Cheng Miaomiao, beside herself with excitement, patted Li Si and said, "Si Ge, you just sit this out. You're still sick; recovering properly is what matters."

Li Si smiled wryly and said, "Alright then, I'll cheer you on. When you shine at the gala, I'll be proud for you too."

Hu Qiumin said, "Li Si, rest assured, we'll definitely perform well." Cheng Yaya also nodded: "Right, we'll definitely make everyone look at us with new eyes."

The ward was once again filled with joyous laughter, as if the previous gloom had been completely swept away. Every face beamed with anticipation and yearning for the future; they seemed to see themselves shining on the gala stage.

The group found a comfortable place to stay in Qingdao and spent an unforgettable night. Their hearts remained fixed on Li Si, thinking they must keep him good company.

The next day, they accompanied Li Si for a sumptuous dinner in the ward.

Cheng Miaomiao said gently, "Li Si, eat light — that'll help your body recover."

Li Si smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

So the group ordered some light, tasty dishes; though the flavors were light, everyone sitting together made the atmosphere exceptionally warm.

They ate and chatted happily, sharing amusing anecdotes from life. Watching his friends care so much for him, Li Si's heart was full of gratitude.

After the meal came the moment of parting. Cheng Miaomiao's eyes held reluctance as she said to Li Si, "Li Si, you must take good care of yourself and recover; we'll wait for you to get well."

The day after saying goodbye to Li Si, the group returned to the Oilfield with lingering reluctance.