After wandering around the hospital for a while, Li Chu returned to his ward.

“Uncle Li, a man who claimed to be Dean Shan came by earlier. When he saw you weren’t there, he walked around for a bit and then left.”

"Okay, I got it. Jianshe, there's nothing to do here tonight, so you might as well go back and stay here. I'll be fine here."

Zhang Jianshe should have been happy to finally be able to go home, but he was a little afraid to go back today. He had just been beaten by his father, and if he went back now, he would probably be met with a storm.

But after careful consideration, Zhang Jianshe decided to go home.

I did make a mistake. Regardless of whether I get beaten again when I get back, I still need to ask him for advice.

The next morning, Uncle Wang was discharged from the hospital and went home. The following days were peaceful. A week later, Li Chu was in his office making the final arrangements for the fourth medical record when someone he didn't expect came to his door.

"Squad leader, please come in. What brings you here today?"

Song Tangyuan smiled and shook hands with Li Chu: "Old classmate, I don't come here unless I need something, but I have to ask you for help today."

"Please sit down," Li Chu said, pouring a glass of water from the thermos and placing it in front of Song Tangyuan. "Don't ask for anything. As long as I can help, here, have some water."

“Then I’ll be frank. Here’s the thing: I have a cousin named Song Mingyuan. He was recommended to Peking University in 1974 to study biology. After graduating last year, he joined our research institute.”

A hint of doubt arose in Li Chu's mind. Why bring this up? But he didn't interrupt Song Tangyuan and listened patiently.

“My cousin has a girlfriend, and they’ve reached the point of discussing marriage. You know her too, her name is Xu Ying.”

Only then did Li Chu understand, but he hadn't expected that Beijing was actually so small!

"so what?"

He still didn't quite understand why Song Tangyuan had come to see him today.

"Old classmate, my cousin has made a foolish mistake; he did something wrong."

He had overheard Xu Ying say that the medicine she prescribed for the leaders was very effective, significantly improving their physical condition and boosting their immunity, making them less susceptible to minor illnesses. Therefore, he was very interested in the medicine and wanted to study it.

He urged Xu Ying to get him a few pills, but they were discovered. Investigators suspected they had ulterior motives, and now my cousin has been arrested as well.

Li Chu really didn't know about this. Ever since Xu Ying was taken away, there had been no news of her at all.

That organization will not inform him of the final outcome of the matter.

Uncle Wang will definitely know the result, but he hasn't asked him about it in the past week.

He didn't care about anything else as long as it didn't affect Uncle Wang's health or safety.

"So, class monitor, why did you come to see me today...?"

"I came to find you at the request of my uncle. Mingyuan is my uncle's only son. My uncle had him late in life and spoiled him terribly. He does things without thinking. This time, he was just curious about the effects of the medicine and wanted to study it. He didn't expect it to cause such serious consequences."

I came to you hoping you could see if you could be lenient and let him off this time.

After listening to Song Tangyuan's explanation, Li Chu leaned back in his chair and looked at him, saying, "Squad leader, I don't care what your cousin is trying to do by having Xu Ying steal the medicine."

"He really just wanted to do some research..."

Before Li Chu could finish speaking, Song Tangyuan hurriedly explained.

Li Chu raised his hand and made a downward pressing motion towards him, indicating that he should calm down.

Seeing Li Chu's hand gesture, Song Tangyuan did not continue to explain.

"Squad leader, I've already said I'm not interested in what he wants to do. Whether he wants to do research or just wants to eat, what does it have to do with me?"

After pausing, Li Chu continued, "Furthermore, you've truly come to the wrong temple by coming to me. Which department is investigating this matter now? Your family and your uncle, surely they know?"

"Squad leader, do you think I, a mere school nurse, have the right to interfere?"

"I...I...I'm not..." Song Tangyuan was so speechless when asked the question.

“Squad leader, lastly, and most importantly, you said your cousin did it for research. If it's for research, it's official business, so why didn't you ask me for it or go directly to the bureau? Why did you resort to stealing?”

"this……"

Yes, that doesn't make any sense at all.

As a member of the health care team, every prescription Li Chu made was on file, including the pills that Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang took; they were all on file with the bureau.

As a researcher at the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, if you want to study the properties of medicinal herbs, you don't even need to tell Li Chu. You can just go to the Health Bureau to retrieve the data. They not only have paper records and prescriptions, but also keep physical copies of the finished products. Why would you need to steal them?

"Squad leader, Song Mingyuan is your cousin, but he's just your cousin. You've finally been promoted to deputy director, and your future is bright, so don't ruin it for yourself!"

Li Chu's words struck Song Tangyuan like a thunderclap, jolting him awake from his daze.

Last night, his uncle and aunt came to his house and cried. In a moment of impulsiveness, he agreed to come and find Li Chu, ignoring his wife's objections.

He really messed things up; he didn't even realize it was such an obvious lie—that it was for researching the medicinal properties.

Song Tangyuan now wished he could slap himself a few times.

"I'm so sorry, old classmate, I was out of my mind." He hurriedly apologized to Li Chu.

"There's no need for that, class monitor. We're family, and I understand your thoughts. However, it's best if you don't get involved in this matter anymore."

"No, no, I absolutely won't get involved anymore. My institute just happened to have arranged a business trip to Shanghai, so I'll leave tonight."

As he spoke, Song Tangyuan stood up and said, "Old classmate, I won't bother you any longer. I'll go back and pack my bags now. When I get back from my business trip, let's get together. I'll treat you."

"Okay, have a safe trip. When you come back, bring back some local specialties from there." Li Chu also stood up and shook hands with Song Tangyuan.

After escorting the dazed class monitor downstairs and watching him ride away on his bicycle, Li Chu shook his head with amusement.

A brain is a good thing, but unfortunately this guy didn't bring it with him today.

They dare to stand up for anything; it's like an old man eating poison, they're tired of living.

I was about to go upstairs, but then I thought about it and turned back towards the special needs ward.

Another elderly man checked in last night. Li Chu wasn't very familiar with him. The man requested Western medical treatment, so it wasn't really his responsibility. However, he still had to go and see him.