Zhao Shusheng was overjoyed at the news, "Alright, buddy, I’ll tell him in a bit."
Zhao Shusheng had heard it from Secretary Bai himself; he personally called Zhou Wang several times, but Zhou Wang’s attitude was quite ambiguous. Now, after Zhao Shusheng mediated, Zhou Wang immediately gave a definite answer. This difference is the respect Zhao Shusheng earned.
Although Zhao Shusheng was pleased, he knew this respect was granted by Zhou Wang. He immediately said solemnly:
"Buddy, I’ll remember this favor, adding to the last time, I owe you more now. If there’s anything you need from me in the future, don’t hesitate to ask!"
Zhou Wang probably guessed that it was Zhao Shusheng asking Secretary Bai for something, otherwise he wouldn’t abruptly call him like this. But he didn’t delve into it, just laughed and agreed.
They exchanged a few pleasantries, and before hanging up, Zhao Shusheng seemed to remember something.
"By the way, buddy, I heard you say you’re in Magic City now?"
"Yes, how come?"
"Oh, nothing much, it’s about Zhao Yu, the girl who you transferred to Magic City earlier. I was wondering if you’ve visited her recently..."
Zhao Yu?
Zhou Wang thought for a moment and realized Zhao Shusheng was talking about "Sister Xiao Yu," the gentle elder sister from his hometown.
Back when Zhou Wang returned home, he coincidentally encountered Sister Xiao Yu having a seizure. Later she was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. At that time, Zhou Wang had just acquired shares in Jiahui International Hospital, so he asked Jiang Qingkui to help Sister Xiao Yu and her daughter, Linlin, with the hospitalization procedures and transferred them to Magic City.
Afterwards, due to various engagements, Zhou Wang almost forgot about this matter, just like Jiang Qingkui who helped with the procedures. When Zhao Shusheng mentioned it over the phone, Zhou Wang suddenly remembered.
"I just landed yesterday, haven’t had the time yet."
Thinking in his head, Zhou Wang replied.
"Oh, I see..."
"What’s really up, bro, just say it straightforward."
Zhou Wang detected hesitation in Zhao Shusheng’s tone, so he asked curiously.
"It’s like this, a few days ago, police came to the village looking for Zhao Yu, supposedly to bring her back for a statement. I told them Zhao Yu was very ill and receiving treatment out of town. They said they needed a certificate from the hospital, so I wondered if I could trouble you with this to save another trip..."
Zhao Shusheng said with some embarrassment.
"Of course, no problem, it’s a minor thing for me, just..."
Zhou Wang raised an eyebrow, surprised and asked, "Why would the police visit Sister Xiao Yu’s home and be involved in taking statements?"
"It’s all because of Sister Xiao Yu’s husband causing trouble. Heard he escaped from prison; they haven’t found him till now..."
"Prison break?"
Zhou Wang was astounded hearing this.
He remembered his aunt telling him about Sister Xiao Yu’s unreliable man who has been imprisoned thrice and undergoing rehabilitation somewhere, but a prison break?
Zhou Wang suddenly recalled something, "Wasn’t it that big news from Yunan Province some time ago?"
"Yes, you must have paid attention, buddy, given how sensational it was. A total of six escapees, five were either captured or shot dead within a day. The remaining one who slipped through, that’s Zhao Yu’s husband..."
Zhao Shusheng felt a bit emotional too, "I never thought Zhao Yu’s husband would have such abilities, was quite shocked hearing it."
"It’s been over a month, right? Still not caught?"
Zhou Wang recalled hearing the news while in Hang City, feeling it was a long time ago, and considering today’s extensive surveillance systems, it should be difficult for a person to remain hidden.
"That’s the puzzling part, they say that Wang Meng... oh, that’s Zhao Yu’s man, seemed to vanish into thin air. Even if hiding in the mountains, it shouldn’t leave no trace, yet they truly found nothing..."
"Alright, bro, I understand, I’ll get the certificate arranged. Just give me the address to send it."
After listening for a while and understanding the situation, Zhou Wang ended the call.
Returning to the living room, seeing Lin Ran and others waiting for his decision, Zhou Wang pondered and said:
"Let’s visit Jiahui International today, Jiayi, you come along too."
As Qi Jiayi nodded, Xu Wenqian was already standing up.
"I’ll contact the hospital first."
Lin Ran wanted to follow suit but was stopped by Zhou Wang.
"Sister Ran, no need for you to go; take a two-day leave."
"Ah... why?"
Lin Ran heard this and felt disappointed, couldn’t help but ask.
She recalled last night; before sleeping, she wanted to find Zhou Wang, but was intercepted by Qi Jiayi chatting in her room.
"Didn’t you hear Mr. Zhou say he’s going to dine with his assistant today?"
"I heard, but shouldn’t the meal be over by this time?"
At the time, Lin Ran was puzzled.
"Xiao Ran, let me ask you, if you were to dine with Mr. Zhou, would you wait for him to find you?"
"Surely, I’d go find him... uh, Sister Jiayi, you mean?"
Lin Ran realized.
"Exactly, Zhou Wang finding his assistant, without informing beforehand, indicates he’s planning a surprise... Do you think just a meal? Or would you consider Mr. Zhou would acknowledge you if you knocked?"
Qi Jiayi spoke meaningfully.
Back then, Lin Ran held some doubt; she was aware Zhou Wang’s other assistant was also female, but surely no improper relationship again, right?
Until the morning, seeing Xu Wenqian in Zhou Wang’s room, given Xu Wenqian’s exceptional looks, Lin Ran instantly knew Qi Jiayi was right all along.
So now, hearing Zhou Wang "abandoning" her, only taking Xu Wenqian, Lin Ran inevitably felt a bit resentful.
Zhou Wang was about to leave; hearing Lin Ran surprisingly asking "why," he looked at Lin Ran in surprise.
Soon, Zhou Wang caught something from Lin Ran’s expression, couldn’t help but tap Lin Ran’s head.
"What are you thinking? I’m giving you a break, seeing you’ve been busy in Beidou for days. What’s up, don’t want the reimbursed shopping paid leave?"
"Reimbursed... shopping?"
Lin Ran paused for a moment, realized she overthought, then felt ecstatic, nodding like pecking rice, "Of course I do, absolutely!"
"Not unlimited, don’t buy too extravagantly..."
Before Lin Ran left joyfully, Zhou Wang added.
...
At 3 PM, a black Rolls-Royce courtesy car provided by Bulgari Hotel, and two business cars driven by security personnel like Xiao Wang, were smoothly heading to Magic City Jiahui International Hospital.
In mid-way, Zhou Wang received a call from his little uncle Zhao Guilin.
"Wangwang, Boss Zhao came by earlier, delivered lots of furniture to your grandmother’s place; they seem like expensive imports... He mentioned wanting to refurbish the house, send a designer tomorrow."
His little uncle’s tone mixed with urgency and confusion, "He said you asked him to help, what’s this..."
Zhou Wang heard this and felt a bit helpless.
No doubt, it’s because Zhao Shusheng truly doesn’t know how to repay him; in his perspective, what he has, Zhou Wang has too; what he lacks, Zhou Wang also has, can only compensate in such ways.
Yet, what the other party did actually suits just right, initially refurbishing the grandparents’ old house was within Zhou Wang’s plans; he just hadn’t got around to it, can only accept this gesture.
"Yes, I asked him for help. Little uncle, please assist with coordinating, making sure the old folks live comfortably..."
"No problem, leave it to me!"
Ending the call, Zhou Wang thought for a moment, then sent Zhao Shusheng a thank-you message.
"Boss, just turn at the next intersection, and we’ll arrive at Jiahui Hospital."
At this moment, Xu Wenqian turned to Zhou Wang in the back seat, "Dean Qi mentioned having a reception for you in the lobby, should I call him first?"
Zhou Wang was about to nod, suddenly his mind stirred.
"Ying Tao, find a suitable spot to pull over."
Miao Ying obediently parked the car.
"Qianqian, you all come a bit later, I’ll go have a look first."
Zhou Wang instructed, discussed a bit with Xiao Wang and others, then got out of the car, heading independently towards the nearby Jiahui International Hospital.