Wei Xia emerged from the surgery close to six, looking very tired.
"Sister Xia, you've worked hard. How was the surgery?" Yang Jian and Lu Yao asked with concern simultaneously. Jing Yongli brought a basin of clean water.
Wei Xia washed her hands and said, "The bullet was removed. The patient is temporarily stable, but the probability of infection is high under these conditions. Inflammation is inevitable, and if it becomes severe, they'll still need to be sent to the hospital."
A Nan bowed to Wei Xia. "I'm sorry, Doctor Wei. My attitude wasn't good earlier. Please forgive me. But they really cannot go to the hospital. Please take care of them."
"It's alright. I understand your feelings. Don't worry, the bullet has been removed from the big one. He can be admitted to the hospital as a general trauma case without arousing police suspicion."
"Are there any other options?"
"If you really don't want to go to the hospital, then let Xiao Zhan come every day to give injections for inflammation. If the condition worsens, they must be taken to the hospital immediately."
Zhan Ziwen immediately raised her hand. "Doctor Wei, I can come every day and report the patient's condition to you promptly."
"Well, Xiao Zhan, your performance is excellent. Your psychological resilience and basic skills are up to par. If there's an opportunity, I'll recommend you to the People's Hospital. Keep up the good work."
Zhan Ziwen became instantly excited. "Thank you, Doctor Wei. I will work hard."
"Sister Xia, let's eat first. I'll take you back later."
Seeing that it was getting dark, Yang Jian quickly asked his cousin's wife to serve the food. After a simple dinner, Yang Jian drove Wei Xia and Lu Yao back to Chengguan. It was almost eight o'clock when he returned. He checked on the sleeping Afeng and Junjun again before going home to rest.
Zhan Ziwen was indeed diligent. The next morning, at six o'clock, she rode her bicycle to the template factory to check on Afeng and Junjun. Fortunately, Junjun's temperature was normal, while Afeng had a slight fever. After giving them IV drips, she observed them until half-past seven. As Afeng's fever gradually subsided, she prepared to leave for work.
Just then, Yang Jian arrived. "Xiao Zhan, you're here so early. How are Afeng and the others?"
"Good morning, Brother Jian. They are both doing well. Doctor Wei is highly skilled. Apart from Afeng having a slight fever, all other indicators are quite normal. The infection she was worried about hasn't appeared, and Afeng's fever is also gradually subsiding."
Yang Jian breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great. Thank you, Xiao Zhan."
"Brother Jian, why are you thanking me? You should thank Doctor Wei. She's so young, yet her medical skills are renowned in Xinhe. She's truly amazing."
"Really? Did you know Doctor Wei before?"
"I've heard of her. Our dean said she's the youngest surgeon in Xinhe, and in just half a year, she's become the top surgeon. Patients line up to have her perform surgery. I'm so honored to be her assistant."
Zhan Ziwen's praise for Wei Xia made Yang Jian feel a bit incredulous. He had been in the hospital for so long and didn't know Wei Xia was already so famous. He felt truly fortunate to know her.
"Xiao Zhan, you need to go to work now. Is there anything I need to pay attention to here?"
"No, I'll come back this afternoon to give them another injection."
"Then you don't need to ride your bicycle this afternoon. I'll have Yongli pick you up. It's too much of a hardship to travel this far."
After seeing Zhan Ziwen off, Yang Jian went in to check on Afeng and Junjun. They were still asleep. Anan, who shared a room with Afeng, had just returned from his morning exercise.
"Anan, are you getting used to sleeping here?"
"Yes, Brother Jian. The air here is much better than in Hancheng, and it's quiet at night. I don't worry about being chased, so I sleep soundly."
"It's good that you're used to it. I wonder how Brother Fan and the others are doing now, whether they've safely crossed the border."
As soon as Yang Jian finished speaking, Yang Fan's new number called.
"Brother Fan, Anan and I were just worrying about you. How is it? Have you gotten out?"
"Thank you, Xiao Yang. I'm already in Myanmar, and everything is fine. How are Afeng and Junjun?"
"They had surgery yesterday afternoon. Their condition is good now, and there's no danger to their lives. They are also safe in my factory. The surgery was done by my friend, and she will keep it confidential, so you can rest assured."
"That's great. I was worried all night that those two wouldn't make it through this. Xiao Yang, I chose the right brother in you."
"Brother Fan, if you say such formal things again, I'll get angry. By the way, why did you go to Myanmar? I heard it's very chaotic there, with warlords and frequent fighting."
"It's alright. We developed industries here long ago and have good relationships with the local military. It's very safe. When you have time, let Anan bring you over to play. This is a paradise for the rich and a hell for the poor. You should experience it in your lifetime."
"Oh wow, I'm not rich. Will I go to hell then?"
Yang Fan's hearty laughter came through the phone. "Haha, even if you come here penniless, you can enjoy a paradise-like life. You are my brother, Yang Fan. I guarantee you can do whatever you want here and experience what it means to be lawless."
"Brother Fan, what you said is so exciting! Then I must experience it."
"You can come anytime, and I'll help you make big money. The casinos here are beyond your imagination."
Yang Jian was a bit surprised. "Brother Fan, are you also involved in casinos there?"
"Casinos are the pillar industries here. We operate one, and the boss is still Luo Tong. I have some shares, and of course, other industries. You'll know when you come. Alright, I won't chat with you any longer. Take good care of Afeng and the other one for me first."
Yang Fan likely had something to attend to and hung up the phone quickly.
"Anan, have you been to Myanmar?" Yang Jian asked curiously.
"I went once. I didn't like the climate there. I got diarrhea as soon as I arrived due to the change in water and soil. I stayed in the hospital for two days and then returned. I didn't feel much, except that the medical conditions were very poor."
"Is it easy to go there?"
"Yes, it's easy. The border is long, so you can cross illegally or through legal channels. Their currency, communication, language, and even textbooks are the same as in China, making life very convenient."
"Can the money earned there be brought back?"
"Yes, most people who invest in casinos there are from China. The big bosses are protected by the local military, and the gamblers are also Chinese. However, there are many scammers there. People from the mainland who are deceived and taken there end up in tragic situations. After their last bit of value is squeezed out, they are often sold for organs and die miserably. Very few manage to escape back."
"Damn it, how can such a thing happen? It's truly lawless. Don't the local military care?"
"No one cares, which is why it's a hell for the poor. Once you're deceived and taken there, it's worse than death, no different from entering hell. It's better to be in China. As long as you behave yourself and abide by the law, even if you're poor, you're living in paradise. I don't want to go to that place."
"Then are Brother Fan and the others also involved in scams and organ trafficking?"
"No, how could Brother Fan do such heinous things? While running a casino is harmful, it's a matter of willing participation. The prosperity of casinos depends on the number of gamblers."
Hearing this, Yang Jian felt relieved. If Yang Fan were also involved in scams and organ trafficking, there would be no need for him to associate with him anymore.