CHAPTER 167: 167 POVERTY LIMITS IMAGINATION

Authentic street food coupled with traditional alcohol, despite a little hiccup, made today’s meal quite enjoyable for this crowd.

However, it did produce a serious aftermath. Qing Kewa failed to hold her alcohol and drank a bit too much. Even though she wasn’t totally drunk, she was quite tipsy and found everything amusing.

The problem was, she switched to speaking Russian. Who could understand her now?

"What should we do? Do you know where she lives?" Liu Banxia asked with a bitter smile.

"I have no idea. Exchange students usually live in apartments. But if we send her home like this, people might talk," said Liang Xiaolin hesitantly.

"How about taking her to a hotel?" Liu Banxia made a constructive suggestion.

"You wish! Just come to my place; we have enough room," said Qiaoqiao, waving her small hand dismissively.

"Don’t talk nonsense. There are so many people. How will we all fit?" Liu Banxia said helplessly.

"Actually, Qiaoqiao’s house is quite spacious; it’s in Linyu Villa. More than enough space. But what about you, Liu Banxia? Won’t we be letting the fox into the henhouse?" teased Wang Xiaoyan with a grin.

Liu Banxia rolled his eyes at these girls. He decided they should never be allowed to drink again. Where had all their ladylike qualities gone once they started drinking? They were totally transformed.

Poverty indeed limits one’s imagination, he sighed inwardly.

He had thought that even though Qiaoqiao’s family was rich, they would live in a large city apartment at best. A four-bedroom unit was already quite impressive, maybe a duplex or something.

But Linyu Villa was no ordinary place. It was a high-end villa community developed some years ago, truly verdant with trees. Each villa was surrounded by greenery, which is how it got its name.

"Sister Qiaoqiao, you live in Linyu Villa too? My house is in Building Six. Brother Liu, let’s go. It’s not too late; you could even stay at my place for a while," said Qiu Mingyuan eagerly.

"You live in Building Six? Oh, I remember now. You’re President Qiu’s son! Bring your friends to my club, Lao Tao Sha, sometime; it’ll be on the house," said Qiaoqiao, somewhat surprised.

Sleeping over at Qiaoqiao’s house was quite an unconventional proposition. But Liang Xiaolin had also been drinking a little and was a bit excited. She was greatly impressed by Qiaoqiao’s display of smashing a wine glass earlier and agreed without much thought.

And Liu Banxia? No one bothered to ask his opinion. Once the girls made up their minds, it was settled.

As for the bill for tonight’s dinner, Wang Dashan absolutely refused to let Liu Banxia pay, vowing he never would. It was a matter of principle; he’d get angry if Liu Banxia even mentioned it.

The matter was settled. Qiu Mingyuan made another call to his dad, who arranged for another car and a driver to take Xiao Yue home and to drive Qiaoqiao’s car.

The girls piled into the Toyota van, leaving Liu Banxia, Qiu Mingyuan, and Tang Dou to be herded into Qiaoqiao’s car. Tang Dou, however, was quite happy, lying on the backseat with her head on Liu Banxia’s thigh, looking utterly content.

"Brother Liu, you have to stop by my house today, no matter what. As soon as my dad heard you were coming, he gave me strict orders," said Qiu Mingyuan.

"Alright, but I’m dressed very casually. I hope he won’t mind," Liu Banxia joked.

"That’s not a problem. My dad has wanted to thank you for a while now. He just wasn’t sure if there were any taboos for doctors and didn’t want to cause you any trouble," said Qiu Mingyuan.

"Actually, a simple thank you is enough for us doctors," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"We do this because it’s our job; it’s not as bad as some people make it out to be. Not every doctor is just chasing money. Making a living is simply a means to an end; most doctors just want to treat more patients."

"Brother Liu, if someone else said this, I would really have to think twice. But since it’s you saying it, I believe you," said Qiu Mingyuan.

"Setting other things aside, my dad is fairly well-known in Binhai City, yet you treated him with such nonchalance. Why else do you think he’s so resistant to physicals? Sometimes, even when there’s nothing wrong, the rumors can affect the company. There’s just too much gossip."

"Um, if I told you I had no idea about your dad’s status, would you understand?" Liu Banxia asked seriously.

The driver chuckled. For President Qiu to personally arrange a car and driver, and for our young master to be so familiar with him, this person is truly extraordinary, he thought.

Liu Banxia and Qiu Mingyuan continued to chat and laugh, and Liu Banxia found himself reflecting again.

If he weren’t in a school uniform, you’d never imagine such eloquence came from a student about to enter his senior year of high school. Once again, poverty limits imagination.

Different family backgrounds shape different worldviews. The eloquence and competence Qiu Mingyuan displayed made even Liu Banxia quite envious.

This was another side of Qiu Mingyuan, Liu Banxia thought. When Xiao Yue was around, he acted like a mischievous youngster. Without her, Liu Banxia felt that he himself lagged behind this kid by at least a whole tier in terms of competence.

Who said all rich second-generation kids are arrogant and annoying? That’s just bias, Liu Banxia mused. Qiu Mingyuan was very measured and polite. Upon arrival at Qiaoqiao’s villa, he even thanked the driver profusely.

"Dr. Liu, I finally have a chance to talk with you," said Qiu Huaili, Qiu Mingyuan’s father, who was waiting for them.

"President Qiu, you’re making me blush. I’ve been really busy recently. It’s been almost ten days since my last day off," said Liu Banxia hurriedly.

"Dad, some thugs tried to cause trouble for Brother Liu today, but Sister Qiaoqiao was incredibly righteous and smashed a glass at them!" Qiu Mingyuan cheerfully reported.

"Hello, President Qiu. Don’t listen to Mingyuan’s nonsense; I don’t usually behave like this," Qiaoqiao, who had just walked over, said somewhat reservedly.

"Hello, hello. That Old Qiao of yours, really... leaving you alone to manage so many things while he’s off enjoying himself in the woods," Qiu Huaili laughed as he nodded.

Qiaoqiao was stunned; she hadn’t expected her family’s Comrade Old Qiao to know Qiu Huaili personally.

"You, show some respect. From now on, call Dr. Liu ’Uncle’," Qiu Huaili instructed, looking at his son.

"Dad, don’t meddle. Brother Liu and I already agreed on the way here to keep things casual. Look at all the ’uncles’ I have; which of them is as young as he is?" Qiu Mingyuan responded.

"Exactly, President Qiu, let’s keep it casual. I’m still young and don’t want to age prematurely," Liu Banxia added.

"Dr. Liu, can you carry Qing Kewa upstairs? She won’t wake up," Liang Xiaolin called out, popping her head out from the car.

"President Qiu, I’ll take my friend upstairs first, then Mingyuan and I will come over to chat with you," Liu Banxia said.

"Haha, you’re so familiar with Mingyuan, yet so formal with me. Call me ’Big Brother’ and let me feel young too," Qiu Huaili said with a jovial laugh.

"Alright. You head back first; Mingyuan and I will be over shortly," Liu Banxia agreed with a smiling nod.

He found Qiu Huaili quite agreeable as well.

Back at the hospital, I could afford to be more assertive, Liu Banxia mused. It was my turf, and I didn’t know President Qiu’s status then. Even someone as usually defiant and formidable as Qiaoqiao greets him so respectfully. His position must be truly exceptional.

It’s not that I’m a pushover, Liu Banxia thought. Naturally, one is a bit more subdued in an ’away game’ situation.

However, he encountered some difficulties while carrying Qing Kewa. Normally, he easily moved patients from gurneys to emergency beds. But with Qing Kewa, he was unsure how to get a good grip on her.

He had no idea what the girls were thinking; they just stood by and watched, no one offering to help.

They’re all bad people, Liu Banxia decided.

He couldn’t just stand there; he had to do something. Finally, he resorted to a princess carry. It was exhausting because he struggled to find a proper hold, and carrying her upstairs was strenuous.

Carrying someone in your arms versus on your back requires different kinds of strength. If he hadn’t enhanced his own strength, he really wouldn’t have been able to manage this.

"Tsk, tsk, I didn’t expect you to have such strength," Qiaoqiao, who had followed him in, said with a grin after he laid Qing Kewa on the bed.

"I’m exhausted. Good grief, what are you wealthy people thinking? So many rooms on the second floor, yet you choose to live on the third floor," Liu Banxia said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"The rooms on the second floor are guest rooms. Only Yanzi and I usually live here, and Tang Dou. Speaking of which, Tang Dou is still downstairs waiting for you. Carry her up too," Qiaoqiao commented nonchalantly.

Liu Banxia grimaced. Tang Dou, although a dog, probably weighed almost as much as Qing Kewa.

When he arrived in the first-floor lobby, Tang Dou was obediently sprawled there. For an injured dog, climbing stairs was indeed a great difficulty.

Liu Banxia decided to carry Tang Dou on his back. This made the dog extremely happy, and she licked Liu Banxia all over his head.

"Tang Dou is so good! Usually, it takes Yanzi and me so much effort to get her upstairs," Qiaoqiao said with a giggle, following behind him.

"Sister Qiaoqiao, can I come and play with Tang Dou when I have time? I wanted to get a dog too, but I’m busy with school and don’t have time to take care of one," Qiu Mingyuan asked, petting Tang Dou.

"We’d be delighted! Otherwise, we’re always worn out from taking care of her. Once she grows up and has puppies, we’ll give you one. Speaking of which, Liu Banxia, could you check on Tang Dou’s leg again?" Qiaoqiao said.

Liu Banxia nodded, and they arrived at Tang Dou’s room. Human life is less privileged than a dog’s, Liu Banxia thought. Compared to Tang Dou’s room, neither the room Liu Banxia previously rented nor his current dormitory could even compare.

After placing Tang Dou on her doggy bed and undoing the leg splint, Liu Banxia examined her leg carefully.

"There’s no problem now; the swelling has gone down, and the bone is mending. Just don’t let her run around too wildly. In about twenty more days, she should be almost fully recovered," Liu Banxia said as he reattached the splint.

Ding! Gained 50 experience points, orthopedic skills proficiency +30 points.

It seemed Tang Dou understood what Liu Banxia said, as she licked his hand a couple more times. This made Liu Banxia very happy, and he started massaging her.

Even though a dog’s body structure differs from a human’s, Liu Banxia had a good sense of touch; he simply massaged along the lines of her muscles.

As for Tang Dou? She surrendered completely, grunting contentedly, her tongue lolling out.