Chapter 023　 If she can eat, she's fine.

  *

  The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively. Everyone was sharing their travel experiences from the past few days, uploading various photos and videos to the company group chat. Lao Zhang projected them onto the TV screen, and everyone watched as they ate.

  Some colleagues who were still out traveling that evening, unaware that Su Xian and Li Chengshi had broken up, sent over the photo of the two of them making a heart sign in front of the Former Sapporo Government Building. The atmosphere instantly became awkward. Lao Zhang quickly swiped past it, but the next picture was another version of the same photo taken by someone else. Now, everyone fell silent.

  Li Chengshi quickly stood up and said, "It's okay, it's okay. It's not like we've become enemies, right, Team Leader?"

  "Of course not." Su Xian didn't dare say anything before his statement, but seeing his reaction, she quickly chimed in, "We are still good colleagues in the future. Come on, everyone, let's have a drink."

  *

  After dinner, Lao Li took charge of helping Su Xian and the others tidy up. Li Chengshi tried to help but was stopped by Xu Shu-yi again.

  The leftover food was divided among everyone to take back for breakfast the next day. Most of the utensils used were disposable, so there wasn't much washing up to do. Su Xian breathed a sigh of relief, otherwise, all the washing would surely have fallen to her. Finally, after directing everyone to return the borrowed tables and chairs, restoring the living room furniture, and seeing off the colleagues, she locked the door. She looked up, and it was already past 11 PM.

  Liang Wenya and Wang Jing had both returned to their rooms to wash up. Su Xian looked around. Li Chengshi's apron was still hanging in the kitchen, with a stain on it, a smear of some kind of sauce.

  I should wash it for him, as a small apology.

  That apron must have been handmade by his mother; it even had his name embroidered on it. This reminded Su Xian of the Li Chengshi doll at home. Should I finally throw that away when I get back?

  **

  A leisurely vacation is only an exception in life, and soon Su Xian returned to her busy work routine. Construction resumed on site, and she would be busy until the end of May. Her life was a simple line between two points: leaving home at 7 AM and returning at 9 PM. After washing up, she still spent two hours studying Japanese. Although Zhao Nanfeng hadn't required her to pass the N1 exam, she set that standard for herself.

  Lao Zhang told her when dropping off documents that Li Chengshi was also diligently studying Japanese in his spare time.

  That’s good. He hadn't given up striving for his own opportunities just because he was angry with her. The young man has a future.

  "Xiao Huang sometimes comes to find him after work to study with him at the library. I heard her company has opportunities to send people to Japan every year, and knowing Xiao Li might go, she wants to compete for a spot too."

  "That's great. Studying needs mutual encouragement. If both of them can go, they can also look out for each other over there."

  "You're not bothered by this?"

  "If I were bothered, would you treat me to a meal?"

  "Yes."

  "But I'm not bothered."

  The project was progressing smoothly, and she would receive a bonus upon completion. The savings in her account provided her with ample sense of security. Zhao Nanfeng was still working hard to advance the collaboration project with Heidi Group, and she might be facing a leap in her career.

  Who would be bothered at a time like this?

  However, when studying Japanese in the evening, she couldn't help but walk over to the Li Chengshi doll in the corner and slap it twice.

  **

  In late March, strong winds blew for several consecutive days, severely impacting exterior wall construction and forcing a temporary halt to work. However, Su Xian and her construction drawing team continued to work normally. She hoped to complete the bulk of the drawing work by the end of April, leaving only three or four people there to handle later inspections and rectifications. She herself could then return to Anliang to hand over her work. Liang Wenya was already interviewing new candidates but hadn't found a suitable one yet.

  Around 10 AM, Su Xian went to the on-site office for a regular meeting with Project Manager Lao Yang and other management personnel. After the meeting, she left with her documents, walked out of the site gate, and proceeded along the footpath. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept up, blowing down a roadside billboard that struck her, knocking her to the ground.

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  **

  Liang Wenya and Lao Zhang rushed to the hospital crazily, asking Lao Yang about Su Xian's condition.

  Lao Yang assured her, saying the billboard had directly hit her safety helmet, bounced off, and sliced through the muscle on her left shoulder, but had not injured the bone.

  Looking at the dented safety helmet, Liang Wenya was shaken. She immediately told Lao Yang to rush back to the site, as the surrounding environment posed a risk to other employees and required immediate notification and appropriate action.

  Lao Zhang instantly sent a message to the company group chat to reassure everyone.

  *

  Su Xian had been placed in a private room. Her left shoulder and arm were heavily bandaged, and she had several abrasions on her nose and cheeks, lying motionless on the hospital bed.

  Liang Wenya whispered to the nurse, "Is she still unconscious? Is it a concussion?"

  "No, Auntie," the nurse smiled and said, "She's already been examined. No concussion, she's just asleep. You don't need to worry. She even ate a bowl of patient meal earlier."

  If she can eat, she's fine, Liang Wenya breathed a long sigh of relief.

  *

  Su Xian opened her eyes and tried to lift her arm, but the pain made her hiss sharply. Liang Wenya quickly stepped forward to help her. Her left arm was completely immobilized, and the patient gown couldn't be properly worn, tied haphazardly around her body, looking somewhat comical. Lao Zhang couldn't help but let out a laugh.

  Su Xian glared at him, then turned and saw Liang Wenya's eyes were red. She said with feigned drama, "I didn't expect General Manager Liang to care so much about me."

  Liang Wenya flicked her on the head and scolded, "Who cares about you? I'm just relieved you weren't hit inside the construction site! Otherwise, we'd be in serious trouble!"

  "See? The ugly face of the capitalist is revealed so quickly."

  "This ugly capitalist is going to stay the night here. Be careful, I won't help you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night."

  "Who are you trying to scare? My legs aren't broken."

  Seeing that she was still so loquacious, Liang Wenya figured it wasn't a major issue and told her, "Don't worry about anything else. I'll get a lawyer to handle the compensation. The advertising company should at least pay you 150,000 to 200,000 Yuan."

  Lao Zhang stepped forward and said, "General Manager Liang, you should go back. I'll stay here for a while, and Wang Jing will replace me after work. She'll accompany her tonight."

  "No, I will definitely stay tonight, but you stay here for now. I have some work to go back and handle, and I'll come back around six or seven to relieve you. Wang Jing can come tomorrow night. We'll take turns. I estimate she'll be discharged in about three or four days."

  Su Xian vigorously waved her right hand to get attention. "I'm so touched, but who needs you to stay? The nurse in the private room is taking very good care of me."

  "What the hell do you know?" Liang Wenya swore. "Give me your house keys. I'll get some change of clothes for you."

  "The keys are in my bag, and the bag is in the office drawer. When you go to my place, also bring my Japanese language books from the study."

  "Okay."

  "Remember to tell everyone not to visit. I don't want anyone to see me looking like this."

  *

  In the afternoon, Xu Shu-yi brought Su Xian's laptop to the hospital room as requested. Although she sighed with sympathy, she discussed work issues with her for over an hour. Unfortunately, there were many things only Su Xian could make decisions on.

  After Xu Shu-yi left, Su Xian lay resting, but the pain from her injury became sharp and distinct. She asked Lao Zhang to find something for her to do to distract herself. Lao Zhang found a simple mobile game that could be played with one hand, and within ten minutes, he successfully managed to put her to sleep.

  **