Chapter 44 Qingyun's "Wife".
Jiang Mingxue watched Yan Ze leave, then received a phone call from Cheng Ying.
"Director Jiang, are you free to go skydiving tomorrow?"
Jiang Mingxue glanced at the time; Rong Chengzhou would be arriving soon. She answered the phone while packing her things and heading out.
I replied on the phone, "No, I've taken a day off this week, and I have to go to work tomorrow."
"Huh??" Cheng Ying was taken aback. "You have to give a lecture, but you don't use any legitimate reason to ask for leave. You have to switch shifts. Are you a workaholic?!"
Jiang Mingxue closed the door while holding her phone in one hand: "Director Cheng, you should teach me who I can ask for leave from."
"..." Cheng Ying was speechless for a moment. "Fine, the boss is leading the way in working overtime. I can't argue with you. When are you free? I'll see if I can switch shifts."
Jiang Mingxue: "Tuesday, that day is currently free."
Cheng Ying: "Okay, it should be fine. Wait for my news."
Having known each other for so many years, Cheng Ying was already used to Jiang Mingxue's work style. Even the busiest deputy director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine had to accommodate Jiang Mingxue's schedule if she wanted to go out with her.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mingxue locked the clinic door, turned around and got into Rong Chengzhou's car to go back together.
After taking a shower that evening, she revised her lecture PowerPoint presentation, with Rong Chengzhou sitting next to her to review and check for any issues.
"It should be fine now. I can practice a little tomorrow." She clicked save and closed the software.
Rong Chengzhou hummed in agreement and asked her, "What time is it the day after tomorrow? Can I go listen?"
"I think it should be okay?" Jiang Mingxue wasn't quite sure. "I'll ask Principal Sun tomorrow if we can bring family members in."
This was her first time going back since graduation. She only knew that alumni could enter, but she didn't know if alumni's family members could enter the school.
Rong Chengzhou: "Okay."
On Sunday, she received both Principal Sun's positive reply and the news that Cheng Ying had successfully taken time off, which immediately filled her entire week.
September 1st happened to be a Monday, the first day of school for freshmen at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The first day of school consisted of many speeches by leaders and student representatives, as well as a bunch of other lectures.
Jiang Mingxue, as an outstanding graduate representative, was honored to be scheduled for the first session of the morning after the opening ceremony.
That day, she and Rong Chengzhou set off for Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine very early. They swiped their alumni cards to enter the university. Since it was still early before the lecture, she took Rong Chengzhou to attend the opening ceremony first.
Returning to her former university campus after a long absence, Jiang Mingxue saw red banners everywhere welcoming new students. The greenery along the roads had been renovated, but the layout and facilities of the buildings remained largely unchanged. Looking at the familiar teaching buildings along the roadside, Jiang Mingxue felt as if she had returned to seven years ago.
They strolled leisurely through the campus, watching the freshmen heading to the opening ceremony in groups. Their faces, bare-faced yet radiating youthful joy, made them feel younger themselves.
As the new school year begins, people come and go, and cars drive by on the asphalt road in a continuous stream. Rong Chengzhou takes her hand and pulls her onto the steps.
Then it didn't let go.
Jiang Mingxue glanced down at it but didn't say anything.
They usually live separate lives, Jiang Mingxue between the clinic and her home, and Rong Chengzhou between the military compound and Songyunting. They rarely have the opportunity to go out and relax together.
Jiang Mingxue, feeling the tranquil atmosphere of the campus, turned to ask, "Rong Chengzhou, what's it like inside your military academy?"
Rong Chengzhou is an Air Force pilot with dual enrollment under the "3+1" model. He studied at Beijing University for the first three years and then studied at the Air Force Aviation Academy for the last year. Not only did he receive the same benefits as other Air Force pilots, but he also received graduation certificates from both Beijing University and the Air Force Aviation Academy upon graduation.
Rong Chengzhou led her forward with a leisurely pace: "It's similar to a regular university, except there are more training grounds."
Jiang Mingxue nodded: "I visited Jingbei University before, back when Huaijing and Yunshu had just started university. You should have already graduated by then."
Jingbei University built a new campus specifically for the joint training program with the Air Force, but students not in the joint training program cannot enter.
When I first learned that he, his younger brother, and his sister-in-law attended the same university, I felt a little sad.
She once stood at the gate of the Air Force Academy of Beijing University. This misaligned connection in the same space and time but at different times may have been destined long ago.
Rong Chengzhou squeezed her hand: "Next time I'm on vacation, I'll take you inside to see it."
Jiang Mingxue smiled and said, "Okay."
The campus covers a large area. The two of them did not scan the shared bicycles and walked leisurely for more than half an hour before arriving at the playground where the opening ceremony was held.
When they arrived, the lectures had already been held several times, and the front of the room was packed with dozens of rows of students, half of whom were dozing off.
The two stood at the back, just in time for Principal Sun's speech: "Since the founding of our school, many medical companies have supported and helped us cultivate more outstanding talents. Here, I would like to express my special thanks to Mr. Jiang Huaijing, President of Yichen Group, and his wife, Ms. Shi Yunshu. Since last year, the couple has donated 188 million yuan to our school, helping thousands of impoverished students to successfully complete their studies. The Yunhuai Building, which was just completed this year, was built for Mr. Jiang and Ms. Shi. It is a pity that the two are low-key and did not wish to attend. Let us express our most sincere respect with the warmest applause!"
As this speech was being delivered, the large screen displayed the company profile of Yichen Group and a photo of the couple attending the donation ceremony. Applause erupted like thunder, echoing throughout the entire campus.
Jiang Mingxue opened her phone, recorded a video, and sent it to the family group chat. After the applause subsided, Rong Chengzhou said, "I didn't expect to see your brother here."
The video was still loading when Jiang Mingxue put away her phone: "I didn't expect Huaijing to donate so much to Beijing University of Medicine. Ever since he founded Yichen and achieved some success, he's been spending money everywhere. I bet all the famous schools in Beicheng have received his donations. Before, it was in his personal capacity, but after marrying Yunshu, it's been done as husband and wife."
Rong Chengzhou nodded: "Few companies are willing to give back to society after they become successful. Huaijing's kindness is commendable."
Jiang Mingxue laughed: "You're overthinking it. He's not kind-hearted."
Rong Chengzhou turned his head and asked, "Then why?"
Thinking about the real situation behind it, Jiang Mingxue's smile faded a bit: "He wanted to accumulate merit for Yun Shu."
Rong Chengzhou had learned about Shi Yunshu's heart transplant surgery from the Jiang family. The lifespan of heart transplant patients is too uncertain; every year is stolen from the Black and White Impermanence.
He was silent for a few seconds, then tightened his grip on her hand and whispered comfortingly, "Everything will be alright."
Jiang Mingxue nodded: "Yes, they will both live to be a hundred years old."
--
Because they needed to prepare the lecture content in advance, they didn't wait until the opening ceremony ended. They greeted Principal Sun and went to the auditorium first, where several teachers were already preparing the venue.
One of the female teachers, who was about the same age as Jiang Mingxue, greeted her warmly as she entered, saying, "Long time no see, dormitory head."
Jiang Mingxue released Rong Chengzhou's hand and smiled as she hugged her back: "Long time no see, Ruiya."
After hugging for a few seconds, the two separated. He Ruiya was her college roommate and stayed on as a counselor after graduation. She greeted Rong Chengzhou and then took Jiang Mingxue's hand: "I heard that the principal is going to invite you to give a report to the freshmen, so I quickly asked the administrative director to come and help out at the venue."
Jiang Mingxue smiled and said, "I was a little nervous about giving a presentation to so many junior students later, but seeing you here instantly put me at ease."
Jiang Mingxue's emotional intelligence was personally affirmed by the department head, so He Ruiya didn't believe her coaxing words: "You're fooling me again. You've been the student union president for three years and I've never seen you nervous. You've also given lectures in so many provincial museums across the country. Our school is just a small place. Now you have your husband with you. I'd believe anyone else if they said they were nervous, but I can't believe you at all."
"Look at you, you still don't like to hear nice things."
"We're like family, I don't like listening to your empty talk."
"Okay, then I won't say anything more. How about you? Have things been going well with your work these past few years at school?"
"I'm too lazy to work. Apart from the fact that my salary isn't going up, I work from nine to five, have weekends off and winter and summer vacations, so I'm living a pretty comfortable life."
"That's good."
"Don't rush back at noon, I'll treat you to lunch."
"Okay, I'll follow Teacher He's arrangements."
The two walked hand in hand towards the front of the auditorium, chatting as they went. Rong Chengzhou followed silently behind, but he couldn't even touch Jiang Mingxue's clothes.
Fortunately, the new students arrived one after another, and the two of them only chatted for a few minutes before going to the podium to copy documents. Xu Yan was also waiting on the side as an assistant, distributing brochures to students who wanted to learn about Yuanhe Medical Clinic.
Rong Chengzhou found a seat in the last row, directly facing the podium.
At 10:30, the lecture officially began. Jiang Mingxue first stood up and introduced herself, and then began to explain the PPT she had prepared in advance at a leisurely pace.
Aside from the background of her self-introduction on the first page, her presentation contained no promotional content related to Yuanhe Medical Clinic. She began by recounting interesting anecdotes she had recorded during her studies of traditional Chinese medicine, then gradually introduced the topic, narrating them in a gentle and engaging manner.
"I am fortunate to be back at Beijing University of Medicine today, and I would like to talk to you about how Traditional Chinese Medicine is not just the 'Huangdi Neijing' in textbooks, but also the wisdom of 'preventive medicine' hidden in our daily lives..."
Her speaking pace was moderate, and her low volume contained profound emotions. Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain stream. Standing on the podium, she was like a natural teacher, imparting knowledge and skills to students who were about to enter the field of traditional Chinese medicine, guiding them step by step to develop an interest in learning traditional Chinese medicine.
Interest is the best teacher, and teachers who know how to guide students with interest should be respected even more.
Her lecture was so engaging and interesting that none of the freshmen fell asleep; they all listened intently, chins propped up, eager to hear which part of the body this young and beautiful senior would teach them to "look" at next.
Jiang Mingxue speaks eloquently, making even the most basic theoretical concepts easily understandable to laypeople. The lecture was rich in content, covering topics such as interactive sessions, the collision of tradition and technology, and student career planning. It even attracted many in-service teachers who joined the lecture midway through to stand and listen.
In the packed auditorium, she stood at the very front, with spotlights falling from above, landing on her hair and giving it a light golden sheen.
Like her, gentle yet radiant.
She glanced at him briefly, gave him a gentle smile, and then turned to the other students.
Rong Chengzhou sat below the stage, watching her stand in the center of the auditorium, shining brightly, and his throat tightened.
So this is what it feels like to watch someone turn their passion into light and their legacy into a path.
I want to keep this pride close to my heart, but I also want to hold it high so the whole world can see it.
He stared at it for a long time, then took out his phone and took a picture of the center of the podium.
Returning to the photo album, Jiang Mingxue's photo stands out against the screen filled with images of airplane models and actual items from the airshow.
Seemingly feeling that placing Jiang Mingxue and these airplane models together wasn't neat enough, he long-pressed the photo, selected to add it to a new album, and subconsciously typed "Jiang Mingxue" as the name. Then, when he clicked save, his finger suddenly paused.
Then, one by one, they deleted the characters and changed "Jiang Mingxue" to "wife".
There's only this one photo in the separate album right now, but Rong Chengzhou isn't in a hurry; it will fill up eventually.
The lecture was supposed to last one hour, with the second half hour reserved for questions. However, due to the students' overwhelming enthusiasm, Jiang Mingxue was forced to extend the lecture by twenty minutes.
At lunchtime, almost no one went to the cafeteria to eat, while the auditorium was still packed with people, many of whom were waiting to take a photo with Jiang Mingxue or to pick up promotional brochures for Yuanhe Medical Clinic.
With Xu Yan and He Ruiya helping out, he wasn't needed for the time being. While Jiang Mingxue was answering students' questions, Rong Chengzhou went to the auditorium entrance to pick up the bouquet he had ordered in advance the day before.
This time, instead of buying medicinal flowers, I bought a bouquet of pink and purple flowers inspired by Monet's Garden. When I returned to the auditorium, Jiang Mingxue was still there.
It wasn't until almost 12:30 that He Ruiya, seeing that it had been going on for too long, humorously interrupted, "Director Jiang has been talking for two hours, which is already beyond the original time expectation. He hasn't had lunch yet. If you all want to listen again next time, you can't let Director Jiang go hungry today."
The remaining students who had raised their hands had no choice but to lower them regretfully and leave the auditorium in an orderly manner under the guidance of their respective faculty members.
Jiang Mingxue's throat was indeed hoarse from speaking, so she picked up the hot tea prepared by the school and drank half a cup.
There were still some students and teachers from the school who had come to listen on their own initiative in the auditorium. Before Jiang Mingxue could even swallow the water, these people swarmed forward.
"Senior Jiang, I'm interested in studying pharmacy. Could you recommend some books for me?"
"Senior, I'm a sophomore now, and I'd really like to do an internship at Yuanhe Medical Clinic next summer. Could you tell me what specific things they ask about during the interview?"
"Senior, I'm preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam this year, but I haven't decided which school to choose yet. Do you have any good suggestions?"
"Sister, when will you come again next time? I really enjoy listening to your reports."
"......"
Jiang Mingxue, who was petite, was surrounded in the middle and almost couldn't withstand the enthusiasm of the students.
Fortunately, He Ruiya was watching from the side and prevented them from getting too close.
Jiang Mingxue patiently answered her questions. Before the students in front of her could disperse, several young male teachers surrounded her from behind. One of them shouted amidst the noise, "Dr. Jiang, can we add each other on WeChat?"
The sound was drowned out by the chaotic formation; Jiang Mingxue was answering a student's question and didn't hear it.
But Rong Chengzhou, who was standing on the periphery, heard it clearly.
His gaze darkened slightly as he glanced at the group of arrogant young teachers. He had originally planned to wait quietly outside, but suddenly changed his mind and walked forward with the flowers in his arms.
He had only taken two steps when an arm blocked his way.
He paused, glancing slightly to the side.
The newcomer was the male teacher who had just been demanding Jiang Mingxue's WeChat. He turned to her with an unhappy expression and warned her:
"If you want WeChat, go to the back of the line. We haven't been served yet."
Rong Chengzhou: "?"
His deep eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't refute, but instead swept his gaze over the men in front of him and calmly asked:
"All of you asked Dr. Jiang for his WeChat."
“Yes,” the young teacher nodded matter-of-factly, pointing to several colleagues behind her, “We all are.”
The man glanced at the flowers in his hand and scoffed, "You've prepared so much, sending flowers just to ask for someone's WeChat. They might not even add you."
Rong Chengzhou nodded slightly, glancing at him with an indifferent expression, without refuting him.
Then, holding the flowers in one hand, he opened his personal QR code on WeChat on his phone, and with a slight flick of his wrist, unfolded it in front of them.
His position was towards the back, and even though he was standing one step lower than them, his superior stature still made him significantly taller than the others.
The man looked weary, gazing down at them. His voice, with a slight upward inflection at the end, was exceptionally clear amidst the noise.
"How about you guys add me on social media first, and I'll give you my wife's business card when we get back tonight?"
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