After preparing for the unexpected situation in Chapter 862, Lu Qingyang and Zhou Fang parted ways.
Zhou Fang was going to Guangzhou, while Lu Qingyang was returning to Beijing.
However, this time Zhou Fang did not go directly back to the Suicheng Textile Factory, but went directly to Shanghai University.
He secretly went to see Ji Qiuhe, that innocent female college student.
At the time, Lu Qingyang wasn't interested in her, but Qiu He reminded him of his white moonlight when he was in school, so he couldn't help but come here under the guise of work.
When Qiuhe was leaving school, she saw a somewhat familiar person standing at the school gate.
Although she wasn't the one he longed to see, she was a friend of his.
She subconsciously tidied the stray hairs on her forehead before stepping forward.
"Manager Zhou, are you the only one here? Why didn't Boss Lu come?"
Her voice was clear and bright, with the innocent frankness typical of female students, but her gaze couldn't help but dart behind Zhou Fang.
Zhou Fang maintained a smile on her face, but inside she felt a slight sting from the expectation in those words.
He waved the paper bag with the words "Nanjing Specialty Products" printed on it, deliberately putting on a relaxed tone: "What? Can't I come to see you? I was passing by and thought you were going to school here, so I brought you some Nanjing snacks, and some treats that girls might like."
Qiuhe's gaze fell on the paper bag, her eyelashes fluttering twice.
She looked up, her eyes gleaming with hope, her voice tinged with an urgency she herself didn't realize: "Was it...did Boss Lu send you to bring this?"
Zhou Fang almost lost his smile, and his throat tightened.
Sure enough, she kept repeating "뀞뀞" to Lu Qingyang.
He paused for a moment before casually saying, "Oh, no, Qingyang went straight back to the capital. He's very busy. This is just something I bought on the way, a little something."
"Ah...I see."
The light in Qiu He's eyes visibly dimmed, but she quickly adjusted her expression, revealing a perfectly timed grateful smile. "Thank you so much, Manager Zhou, for making the special trip. How has Boss Lu been lately?"
She took the paper bag, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rough paper surface, her attention clearly no longer on the gift itself, nor on Zhou Fang.
Zhou Fang looked at her lowered eyes, her absent-minded yet forcedly natural expression, and felt an even stronger, indescribable feeling in her.
The female student before him had two jet-black braids, a smooth face, and clear eyes, which overlapped with a vague yet beautiful image deep in his memory.
But that shadow is just a shadow, while the autumn harvest before my eyes contains someone else.
"He's doing well, busy with business, and everything's fine at home," Zhou Fang replied briefly, not wanting to talk about Lu Qingyang any further.
He tried to steer the conversation back to himself, "And you? How's school? Are you busy with your studies? Are you having any difficulties in life?"
"It's all good, thank you for your concern, Manager Zhou." Qiu He replied politely but distantly, with a clear sense of formality.
She seemed to feel that it wasn't appropriate to talk while standing, so she suggested, "Manager Zhou, how about... we go sit in our cafeteria? Although there's nothing much to offer."
This suggestion is more like a way to get rid of someone.
Zhou Fang could tell.
He glanced at the energetic young faces coming and going on campus and suddenly felt that his business trip attire was somewhat out of place, even somewhat... ridiculous.
“If you don’t want to go in, then you won’t go in.” He waved his hand. “I just stopped by on my way. Just deliver the things. You should focus on your studies. If you need anything… you can write to the factory.”
He spoke his last sentence with some hesitation, knowing that it was likely a futile attempt.
"Yes, thank you, Manager Zhou." Qiu He nodded, clutching the paper bag tightly, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end she just pursed her lips, "Then... take your journey."
"Okay, goodbye."
After leaving Haishi University, Zhou Fang went to visit several textile factories as planned to learn about the market situation, and met with Bao Xiangxiang to discuss the company's recent business arrangements.
Bao Xiangxiang remained capable and efficient, clearly distinguishing between public and private matters, and she sorted things out clearly in just a few words.
Looking at this capable partner, the inexplicable ripples in Zhou Fang's heart caused by Qiu He gradually faded away with the practicality of her work.
The night before he packed his bags to head to Guangzhou, the phone in his hotel room suddenly rang.
Zhou Fang answered the phone, and Qiu He's voice came through the receiver, sounding sob and panicked.
“Manager Zhou… Yes, yes, Qiuhe… I’m sorry to bother you… I don’t know who to ask…” The girl’s voice was broken and choked with sobs.
Zhou Fang tensed up and sat up straight: "Qiu He? Don't rush, tell me slowly, what happened?"
“Mom…Mom suddenly fainted at home…I just rushed back from school and asked a neighbor to help take her to the district clinic. The doctor said she needs to be observed and may need to be transferred to another hospital for further examination…Mom…”
Qiuhe seemed completely lost, devoid of her usual student-like aloofness and restraint, replaced only by helplessness and fear. "Who in Shanghai doesn't know her... how are we going to pay the medical bills?"
She spoke incoherently, and when she mentioned her father, she seemed to hesitate, as if she had something difficult to say.
Zhou Fang immediately said, "Don't panic, which health center? We'll be right there."
After getting the address, Zhou Fang grabbed her coat and went out the door.
He knew that Qiuhe's family was poor and that her mother's sudden illness was undoubtedly a devastating blow to a girl who was still in school.
No matter how inappropriate his previous thoughts were, he could not sit idly by now.
It was already evening when we arrived at the district health center.
The hospital corridor was dimly lit and smelled strongly of disinfectant.
Qiuhe squatted alone in the corner by the door of the observation room, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She looked up, her face still wet with tears, her eyes red and swollen. Seeing Zhou Fang was like seeing a lifeline.
"Manager Zhou!" She stood up, her legs feeling a little weak.
"How is the situation?" Zhou Fang tried to keep his voice calm.
"The doctor said it was a sudden onset of illness, possibly a problem with the heart or brain. The local clinic has limited resources, so they suggested I go to a large hospital in the city for a thorough examination tomorrow morning... But, but..."
Qiuhe's tears welled up, "Transferring to another hospital costs money, examinations cost money, and... I only have this month's living expenses on me..."
Zhou Fang glanced through the glass on the door of the observation room and saw a middle-aged woman lying there with her face pale and her eyes closed. She must be Qiu He's mother.
"Don't worry about the money for now," Zhou Fang said decisively. "The most important thing right now is your mother's health. We'll figure out how to transfer her to another hospital and cover the costs. You stay with her tonight and do whatever she needs. You can stay here and watch over her or run errands."
Qiu He was stunned, staring blankly at Zhou Fang, seemingly not expecting that this man, whom she had only met twice, would so readily offer his help.
Under immense pressure and feeling helpless, this timely act of kindness completely broke down her defenses. She covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably, "Thank you... thank you so much, Manager Zhou... I really don't know what to do..."
Zhou Fang sighed and handed over her handkerchief: "Don't cry. Crying won't solve anything. Calm down first, then go find a doctor to ask about the situation in more detail and see what the safest way to arrange is to transfer to another hospital."
He found the doctor on duty, explained his condition and the necessity of transferring to another hospital in detail, and asked for recommended hospitals and approximate costs.
That evening, Zhou Fang helped Qiu He contact a hospital in the city that specializes in vascular surgery, prepaid part of the fees, and ran around to complete the preliminary procedures required for the transfer.
Qiuhe stayed by his side the whole time. Apart from crying and saying thank you, she could hardly say anything else, but her dependence and gratitude were obvious in her eyes.
Working until midnight, the initial arrangements were made, and Qiuhe's mother's condition stabilized for the time being. All that was needed was to transfer her to a major hospital tomorrow.
"Manager Zhou." Qiu He walked over at some point and sat down next to him, her voice hoarse.
"Thank you so much, I will definitely pay you back as soon as possible."
"Let's not talk about that. Saving lives is the priority. Do you have any other relatives at home? Where is your father?"
Qiuhe's eyes dimmed, she lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers. After a long silence, she whispered, "My father... he passed away a few years ago. My mother's health has always been poor. To support my studies, she worked odd jobs and scrimped and saved... that's why our family is in such a predicament..."
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