Chapter 250: Steadily Heading Toward the Goal
“Medicine,” Comrade Li said gravely, pointing upward and then making a sealing gesture with his hand. “You just need to know Taotao will definitely get better. That’s all I can tell you.”
He tilted his chin toward the direction Ning Xiyue had gone and patted Mayor Huang on the shoulder. Leaning close to his ear, he whispered: “For the sake of our families’ relationship, one last reminder: regarding that person, be careful with your words and actions. Don’t do anything unnecessary.”
Li Feng’s words sounded like advice but were really a warning. Mayor Huang understood immediately.
“Got it. With you saying that, I feel reassured,” Mayor Huang said, a faint realization of Ning Xiyue’s identity forming in his mind. He relaxed instantly, filled with hope for Taotao’s recovery. “A Feng, thank you for today.”
“Thank the lady herself. Let’s go. You stay here; next time I’ll bring her along.”
Comrade Li spoke without looking back and hurried after Ning Xiyue.
Back in the car, Comrade Li drove Ning Xiyue back to town.
“Comrade Xiyue, don’t worry. I’ve handled everything. Next time you need to go to the hospital, just wait in the yard where we usually meet. I’ll take you there.”
Comrade Li not only handled meeting with Ning Xiyue but was also responsible for her safety. Any time she had business outside, it was part of his duty.
“All right, thank you, Comrade Li,” Ning Xiyue replied.
Her treatment of Taotao had a purpose. She wanted to build a good relationship with the mayor — to be in the right place at the right time. If something favorable came up later, such as job opportunities, the mayor might think of her, his lifesaver, and provide timely information.
Although she worked at the team’s health station and led a relatively easy life, her second brother did not.
He was still doing hard labor. With the college entrance exams resuming next year, he spent all his time working in the fields and had no time to study. She had to plan ahead.
She hoped to find an easier job for her brother. With his abilities, he only needed an opportunity. If the mayor could provide one, she believed her brother could succeed.
From previous conversations with the aunts, she learned that Mayor Huang had visited Daliu and Dahua teams during an inspection and had gone up to Daqishan.
Ning Xiyue knew best what was up there — only the coal mine they had discovered was worth a leader’s special visit.
She guessed that a great opportunity might come this spring.
Hmm… she thought she should take her brother along next time, while things were still quiet, and plan ahead.
Next time, she would go with her brother to make a good impression on the mayor’s family.
After deciding this on the ride back to the team, Ning Xiyue went to tell her brother.
The siblings set a date. Five days later, Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan went into town and, once again, followed Comrade Li to the county hospital.
This time was very different from before.
As soon as they reached Taotao’s ward floor, they saw Mayor Huang waiting in the corridor with a smile, ready to greet them. They didn’t know how long he had been waiting.
When Ning Xiyue stepped onto the corridor, Mayor Huang quickly came over, clasped her hands warmly, released them, and gestured invitingly with a cheerful smile.
“Comrade Xiyue, you’re here. Please come inside.”
“Thank you, Mayor Huang. Let me introduce — this is my second brother. We planned to come to town to buy some things. Brother, this is Mayor Huang of our Yongchuan Commune.”
After shaking hands, Ning Xiyue paused and pulled Ning Qingyuan beside her to properly introduce them. Her main purpose today was to let the mayor meet her brother and make a favorable impression.
Ning Qingyuan extended his hand and smiled, introducing himself: “Hello, Mayor Huang. I’m Xiyue’s second brother and a sent-down youth from Dahua Team.”
“Hello, Comrade Qingyuan,” Mayor Huang said with his usual smile, shaking his hand. “Let’s go inside first; it’s cold out here.”
“All right, let’s go in.”
Comrade Li followed dutifully behind Ning Xiyue, with Ning Qingyuan just behind, flanking her like bodyguards.
Mayor Huang led the way slightly ahead.
As they walked toward the ward, Ning Xiyue asked about Taotao: “How is he? Is he any better?”
In truth, she could judge Taotao’s condition from the mayor’s attitude today, but she asked to show concern.
“He’s much better. He can make bigger movements with his hands, has regained sensation, and his spirits have improved. He’s even willing to engage in simple conversation and smiles a lot more.”
Mayor Huang’s face lit up with joy as he spoke of Taotao.
“The only thing is, Taotao misses you every day. He kept asking his mother and me when you’d come. When he knew you were coming today, he was so excited he ate an extra bowl of rice. All thanks to you.”
“Good. As long as things are moving in the right direction, Taotao will recover even faster,” Ning Xiyue said, satisfied with the expected answer, a small smile on her lips.
The progress of her plan was fifty percent complete — steadily heading toward the goal.
