The Lost Good Man

Gu Yansheng was awakened by a sharp pain in his left arm. He gasped and opened his eyes abruptly, squinting uncomfortably in the glaring sunlight.

An unfamiliar ceiling... No, it was the familiar ceiling of Jiang Lin's guest room. The dull ache from his hangover washed over his temples like a tide, his throat dry and smoking, and the wound on his left arm clearly declared its presence.

He lay in the soft bedding, his body heavy as if filled with lead. The hustle and bustle of the banquet hall last night, the harsh discussions, and... Jiang Lin's profile, which was clearly outlined in the dim carriage, were all blurred as if through a layer of frosted glass.

My memory was completely fragmented after the issue of "Yunjian Villa".

He struggled to turn sideways and groped for his phone on the bedside table with his uninjured right hand. The screen lit up, stinging his eyes. The time read a little after ten in the morning. Several unread messages lay on the screen.

Wang Bo: [Xiao Gu, how's your injury? I'll allow you to rest for three days. Rest well and heal your injury. I'll be keeping an eye on the project, so don't push yourself. If you need a sick leave note, let me know.]

Lin Yang: [Brother Gu, are you awake? Does your wound still hurt? How are you feeling? Do you need me to bring you something to eat? [Concerned]]

Lin Yang: [Brother Gu, take a good rest. Don't worry about the team. I will work harder! [Keep going]]

Brother Xiao Hu: [I'm sorry, Xiao Gu, I didn't expect that crazy woman would bring a knife... I will take full responsibility for your injuries. Please give me the cost. I'm really sorry~]

Seeing Wang Bo and Lin Yang's concern, Gu Yansheng felt a warmth in his heart. He typed a reply to them with one hand?

At the same time, he also comforted Brother Hu. After all, he was the one who rushed forward yesterday, but he could not agree with his personal style.

After doing all this, he rubbed his swollen forehead and tried to recall what happened after leaving the banquet last night, but there was only a blur of light and shadow and Jiang Lin's plain words, "I've seen it. The environment is nice."

He tried to move his left arm, trying to find a more comfortable position, but it pulled on the wound, causing another piercing pain. He couldn't help but let out a hiss, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

Just then, two restrained but clear knocks were heard from outside the door.

"Awake?" It was Jiang Lin's voice, coming through the door, and no emotion could be heard.

Gu Yansheng cleared his dry throat and replied, "Yeah... I'm awake."

The door was pushed open and Jiang Lin walked in. He was wearing simple gray home clothes and his hair was slightly wet, as if he had just taken a shower. The refreshing smell of shower gel on his body covered the faint smell of disinfectant.

He was holding a medicine tray with iodine cotton balls, gauze, tape and other dressing supplies.

"How do you feel?" Jiang Lin walked to the bedside, his eyes sweeping over his pale face and brows furrowed in pain, and finally fell on the gauze on his arm.

"My head hurts a bit...and my hands hurt too."

Gu Yansheng's voice was hoarse from a hangover and a hint of unconscious grievance. In front of Jiang Lin, he always seemed to be able to easily let down his guard and reveal his true feelings.

Jiang Lin said nothing, simply placing the medicine tray on the bedside table and skillfully preparing to change the dressing. He gestured for Gu Yansheng to sit up a little, then carefully unwrapped the gauze bandage he had applied to his arm in the emergency room yesterday.

The wound was exposed to the air, its edges slightly red and swollen, and the stitches clearly visible. Jiang Lin's expression remained unchanged, his professional and calm demeanor unchanged. He picked up the iodine cotton ball, but his movements were much gentler than they had been in the emergency room yesterday, carefully disinfecting the area around the wound.

"Xiaoyou called me yesterday afternoon." Jiang Lin suddenly spoke while disinfecting, his voice calm.

Gu Yansheng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly and he looked up at him.

"She said you went to ask her about Fan Zhong." Jiang Lin's eyes were focused on the wound, not looking at Gu Yansheng's face. "She also wanted to ask for the hospital number and planned to pay the fee."

Gu Yansheng's heart sank, and his cheeks felt hot, a mixture of shame and fear. He opened his mouth to explain, but was interrupted by Jiang Lin.

"That's not necessary." Jiang Lin's tone was calm, yet it carried a force that brooked no argument. "The hospital's legal department isn't just for show. The preoperative conversation video, surgical records, and informed consent forms for complications—all the procedures can withstand scrutiny. If he refuses to pay the bill, there are legal procedures to pursue him. His slander won't affect me in the slightest."

He changed to a clean cotton ball and continued wiping: "This matter ends here. Don't look for him again, and don't try to fill any holes for him."

Jiang Lin paused and raised his eyes, his deep gaze finally meeting Gu Yansheng's eyes, which contained clear disapproval and a hint of imperceptible helplessness.

"It's not worth it. People like this will only waste your time and emotions, understand?"

That look seemed to have real power, making all of Gu Yansheng's words of defense get stuck in his throat.

He thought of the discussions about Jiang Lin's wealth that he heard at the banquet last night, and of Yunjian Villa. Comparing it with his previous ridiculous worries and self-assertion, he felt ashamed. He lowered his eyelashes and hummed softly.

Jiang Lin seemed satisfied with his reaction and stopped talking about Fan Zhong. He quickly covered the wound with a clean dressing and secured it with tape.

"Also," Jiang Lin said as he packed up the medicine tray, his tone returning to his usual calm when discussing official business, "The hospital has decided that starting next month, I will be going to the Shilong Town Health Center to provide support for three months."

Gu Yansheng suddenly raised his head, and the confusion brought by the hangover seemed to be instantly dispelled by this news. "Shilong Town? Going to the countryside? Three months?"

His voice was filled with obvious surprise and... a hint of panic he wasn't even aware of. Jiang Lin was going to be away for three months? Jiang Lin, the man who had always seemed to be there for him, no matter what trouble or injury he encountered, was going to be away from this city for three months?

They had never been apart for more than a month in different cities. From junior high school to college, they were in the same school. Although they were in different majors in college, they were in the same school and could see each other...

"Um."

Jiang Lin put the medicine tray aside, picked up a glass of water and a small medicine box on the bedside table and handed them to him.

"These are anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers. Take them after meals. Shilong Town is one of the health centers that the hospital has designated for assistance. This time it's our department's turn, and it's time for me to go."

His explanation was very official, without any extra emotion, as if he was just stating an established fact.

Gu Yansheng took the water and medicine, and his fingertips touched Jiang Lin's slightly cool fingertips, but his heart was in a mess.

Supporting the countryside... Three months... He tried to recall what happened in the car last night, but there was only a blur of darkness and the hum of the engine. Did Jiang Lin say anything? What did he say? He had no recollection of it.

He looked at Jiang Lin's calm face and wanted to ask, "Did I say anything in the car last night?", but it seemed awkward.

In the end, he just silently put the pill into his mouth and swallowed it with warm water. The bitter taste spread in his mouth, but it was not as clear as the sudden feeling of emptiness in his heart.

Jiang Lin watched him finish the medicine, without saying anything else, picked up the medicine tray and turned to leave the room. "Sleep a little longer, I'll call you when lunch is ready."

The door closed gently, and Gu Yansheng was the only one left in the room. He leaned against the headboard, his left arm properly bandaged, and the pain seemed to have eased a little.

But the emptiness and indescribable loss that suddenly rose in his heart because of Jiang Lin's impending departure surged up like a tide, leaving him more at a loss than the hangover and the wounds. Perhaps, they would eventually encounter a brief separation in their lives... Living independently is a compulsory course in life...

But at the same time, he thought about why the notice to go to the countryside was so sudden?

After Fan Zhong filed a complaint, he was sent to the countryside... Isn't this a normal procedure... but rather exile to the frontier? ? ?

He was shocked by this idea...