Chapter 71: Chapter 70: Not Quite Proper
The director, though unaware of what Zhao Qing had done, could clearly see that something was off with her expression.
He quickly asked, "What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?"
Zhao Qing shook her head in a hurry, "Director, I’m fine."
Relieved to hear she was alright, the director eventually calmed down.
"Good, then focus on your work, and try not to be too distracted."
It was the first time Zhao Qing had been reprimanded by the director, yet rather than being angry, she felt a bit of secret joy.
That day, a patient was transferred from a superior hospital to the surgical ward. The surgery was already done, but beds were so scarce at the higher-level hospital.
The daily caregiving costs were also expensive, and after discussions between the doctors and the family, they decided to move the recovery here, saving two-thirds of the costs.
The patient was greeted by Zhang Hao, a man in his forties.
He appeared dark and sturdy, with hair that should have been black but had gone white due to overwork.
One leg was encased in plaster, and his head was wrapped in gauze, letting one imagine how he must have looked when first admitted to the hospital.
"Dad, I’ve taken care of the hospital admissions, just concentrate on getting better here, and as soon as the doctor says you can leave, we’ll go home," said a girl who suddenly ran in.
With a ponytail and carrying a hot water flask, it seemed she had just gone to fetch hot water.
"Are you my dad’s attending physician?" the girl asked.
"I suppose so, I will keep a close watch on his recovery," replied Zhang Hao.
The girl, smiling warmly, said, "Oh, then I’m relying on you. My name is Ma Ling."
Ma Ling extended her hand, as did Zhang Hao, and they shook hands.
"I’ve already reviewed his medical records, and the situation is okay for now. I estimate he could go home in two to three weeks."
Ma Ling nodded emphatically, but her eyes were still filled with worry—her father was the pillar of the family.
The accident had everyone on edge, but fortunately, it wasn’t life-threatening. After a significant operation, he was now out of danger.
Now he just needed proper rest. With a year or half a year’s time, he would surely be able to walk again.
"If there’s anything, come find me anytime. I’m in the office. Take good rest, and make sure your diet is light," Zhang Hao said.
Just as Zhang Hao was about to turn away, Ma Ling called out softly, "Doctor, could I... could I get a way to contact you? I have to go to work tonight."
Seeing Ma Ling’s careful demeanor, Zhang Hao couldn’t bring himself to refuse and gave her his phone number before leaving hastily.
After saving the number, Ma Ling made a call home, "Everything is settled at the hospital; I need to go to work, you come take care of dad."
Once the call ended, Ma Ling approached the hospital bed, "Dad, mom will be here in a bit. We can’t afford for anyone to stop making money; we had to borrow for the surgery."
Ma Jun, immobilized, nodded, "Don’t worry too much. Once your dad is a bit better, he can earn money too. You’ve been working hard during this period."
Ma Ling shook her head, thinking that hardship didn’t apply when it came to family.
After waiting for half an hour, a middle-aged woman arrived at the ward. Ma Ling grabbed her bag, ready to leave.
Before leaving, she handed her mom several hundred yuan, reminding her that it was for this week’s food expenses.
Ma Ling’s mother, looking at the money in her hand, only kept two bills, returning the rest to her daughter.
"We won’t need that much for a week; take the rest back with you."
Ma Ling refused, swiftly exiting the ward and glancing towards the office as she stood in the corridor.
After hesitating, she still walked over.
"Doctor Zhang!"
Zhang Hao was reviewing medical records when he suddenly heard someone calling him. He looked up toward the office door.
He realized that the person calling him was Ma Ling!
"It’s you, what’s up?"
Ma Ling casually approached and said, "My mother came to take care of my father, but she’s just a rural woman. I’m still hoping Doctor Zhang can keep an eye on him."
Ma Jun’s condition wasn’t too serious; he just needed proper rest and care.
Having someone to look after him was really just about helping with going to the bathroom and eating and drinking.
"Okay, as long as I’m here, I’ll keep an eye out."
With Zhang Hao’s promise, Ma Ling went to work with her mind at ease, but her heart was incredibly heavy.
In order to pay off her family’s debt as soon as possible, Ma Ling had taken up a somewhat disreputable job.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen to work at night.
Having arrived at the place, she sighed at the sight of the glittering neon lights.
A punk, from who knows where, came running up and put his hand directly on Ma Ling’s shoulder.
"Little Ling, I thought you wouldn’t come today. Heard about your family emergency, need us brothers to lend a hand?"
Ma Ling smiled and said, "No need, I can work and pay off the debts myself."
The punk hooked his finger under Ma Ling’s chin: "Sister, if you have any trouble, just tell your brother here, and I’ll find a way to sort it out for you. The only condition is that you have to spend some time with brother here."
Ma Ling broke free from the punk’s hold and maintained a distance from him.
"I have to work now, if you need anything, you can come to the bar ’Little Universe’."
Without waiting for the punk to respond, Ma Ling walked straight into the bar in front of her, which looked quite decent.
Once inside, she went to the restroom to change her clothes.
During the day in the hospital, she dressed very simply, even appearing like a college student who had not long graduated.
But here, she wore heavy makeup and skimpy clothing.
Parts of her body that should be covered were exposed as much as possible.
There were many others like her here, all too eager for patrons to order a few more rounds.
Naturally, Ma Ling was the same since the more clients she entertained, the more money she earned.
Her parents didn’t know about this job; it was a bold choice Ma Ling had made after her father was injured and hospitalized.
At first, she thought she would leave this place once she had paid off the debt and find a respectable job.
Right now, the family’s debt seemed like a bottomless pit, and when she could leave this quagmire was an unknown.
Standing in front of the mirror, Ma Ling looked at herself, hoping that under such heavy makeup, she wouldn’t be recognized.
"So annoying, that client today was handsy, kept touching my thigh."
"He even asked how much it would cost to take me out. Do I look like that type of person? Having a drink is fine, but he looks like a pig head, and still wants to take advantage, not in a million years."
Ma Ling eavesdropped on two colleagues chatting, thinking that if she could meet a good client tonight, she might just have some ideas.
Too much had happened at home recently, and she needed to find someone to really relax with.
After tidying up her dress, Ma Ling took her bag and stepped out, the first thing hitting her ears being the thunderous music.
However, having worked here for a while, she was already used to it.
She wasn’t like how she was at the beginning when she needed to cover her ears.
Just as she stepped out, she encountered several people reeking of alcohol, staggering past her.
One of them even looked back, whistling at Ma Ling.
