?Chapter 288: Chapter 288: They All Know Each Other   Chapter 288: Chapter 288: They All Know Each Other                                   “I’m Bai Xiao’s brother-inw. I’ll go call her right now; she’s upstairs, please wait a moment!” Wang Yan hurriedly sent someone to call Bai Xiao down.


    Li Haian quietly went up to Bai Xiao’s side, “Auntie, someone is looking for you downstairs!”


    An Zhiyuan looked calmly at Li Haian, “Who is it? Can you tell?”


    Bai Xiao had just had a disagreement with Shang Kaijie, and she couldn’t help worrying that the brat might be up to some mischief.


    “It looks like some big chief or something? Quite old, saying that my aunt is their life-saving benefactor.” Li Haian was fairly urate at recalling details, and besides, there were only a few tables of people, so it was easy to remember everyone clearly.


    Bai Xiao suddenly realized who fit the description, but who else could it be?


    “It’s Li Dongliang. When I first arrived, they happened to have a car ident, and by a stroke of luck, I saved him. It was also he who dug me out and got me to the hospital,” Bai Xiao said with a smile, not expecting Li Dongliang toe. He was the biggest support she had obtained so far by her own efforts.


    He should be more important than Dean Zhang. Ever since theirst acupuncture session, they hadn’t met again. After all, he was a leader, a chief; why would he have frequent meetings with her? This unexpected visit was quite a surprise!


    An Zhiyuan’s heart stirred, “Li Dongliang?”


    Bai Xiao nodded, “Do you know him?” After all, the current An Zhiyuan was not on the same level as the An Zhiyuan she remembered. Zhiyuan’s own father was also at that rank, so it was quite possible they knew each other. Usually, people in such circles have some connections with each other.


    “I’ll apany you. It might be the Uncle Li I know!” An Zhiyuan did not pretend to be unfamiliar with him. If he wasn’t mistaken, this Li Dongliang was an old friend of his father’s. His transfer to a certain province was facilitated through a call from Li Dongliang, but Li Dongliang was not someone to pull strings through backdoors; he truly valued people for their talents.


    “I’ming too!” Jiang Shaoqing picked up his coat and put it on. His own grandfather used to be Li Dongliang’s superior. That meant both of them were considered Li Dongliang’s juniors and had met him before. They were truly acquainted, and knowing that he was here for dinner, it would seem improper not to meet him.


    It seemed she had no ce to object here. Compared to them, everyone here had a stronger connection with Li Dongliang than she did.


    As Bai Xiao descended the stairs, she suddenly felt an illusion, as if the staircase she was walking on was a path leading to the future. This path waspletely different from her previous life; it was strewn with flowers and fragrances, perhaps the thorns and traps had not yet shown their fierce faces.


    Her life waspletely different from her previous one.


    An Zhiyuan had no idea what Bai Xiao was thinking, but looking at the girl’s solemn and sacred gaze, he felt a tremor in his heart. If he encountered Bai Xiao in this lifetime, he would definitely protect her well. Who made her fall from the dam that day, crashing straight into his heart, making it impossible for him to look away since then? His heart and eyes were full of her. As a man, if he couldn’t protect his woman well, he would feel he had failed the iron-blooded duty ced upon him.


    To protect one’s family and country was what they stood for.


    Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Bai Xiao headed straight for Li Dongliang, “Leader, your esteemed presence graces us. I apologize for not weing you from afar!”


    Li Dongliang burst intoughter upon seeing Bai Xiao. “So it’s this little girl, all smooth talk and charm. Her family is opening a new store, and she didn’t even send me an invitation. Should I punish you for that?” He genuinely liked this girl down to his core! She wasn’t pretentious or coy, and shecked those annoying airs of affectation. She reminded him of the kind of child everyone likes just by looking at her—full of virtues from head to toe.


    “Uncle Li!”


    “Uncle Li!”


    Only then did Li Dongliang notice two additional people had arrived.


    “Goodness, what are you two doing here? Is the world really this small? It’s understandable for An Zhiyuan to be here since he’s a local, but what about you, Jiang Shaoqing? Is the old Chief’s health okay? It’s been a while since I visited him. Last time I went to the Capital City, I really couldn’t make it in time and had to send that good-for-nothing son of mine to pay New Year respects to the Chief on my behalf. What brings you to our remote neck of the woods?” Li Dongliang was delighted; both young men were juniors to him.


    Yet, each of their families was more illustrious than the next. He wasn’t one to curry favor, but these two were different. One was the old Chief who had personally promoted him and to whom he owed a debt of gratitude, as well as his mentor. Many of his technical medical skills were taught by the Chief himself.


    The other was the son of a brother with whom he had faced life and death, fighting side by side. He and An Cheng shared a bond as strong as blood—An Cheng had saved his life, and he had saved An Cheng’s. Back in the day, when they fought shoulder to shoulder in a life-and-death battle, they were the final two standing.


    Bai Xiao added three chairs, and Jiang Shaoqing, An Zhiyuan, and Bai Xiao all sat down.


    “Uncle Li, I came specifically to congratte Doctor Bai on the opening of her restaurant. My grandfather was close to not waking up a while ago, and it’s all thanks to Doctor Bai’s Acupuncture that he recovered. I came here expressly to show my gratitude. I didn’t expect to run into Uncle Li here.”


    Li Dongliang couldn’t help but nce at Bai Xiao, who sat unppable as Mount Tai, as if the incredible feat that Jiang Shaoqing spoke of had been aplished by someone else, not her—a testament to her remarkableposure. She didn’t seem like a typical neen-year-old girl at all, too calm and unassuming.


    “Doctor Bai indeed has formidable medical skills. Your Uncle Li also owes her a life debt. Now, it seems we’re all in Doctor Bai’s debt. If this continues, Doctor Bai, you could swagger all you want. Look at Mr. Jiang, he’s a major backer for you. At best, I’m just a little mound. Now tell me, who would dare to offend you?” Li Dongliang joked. The girl was too good at saving people, and those she saved were always high-profile, influential figures.


    “Chief, I’ve always been low-key and never bullied others with my power. Whoever bes my backer doesn’t have to face troubles, and they get to enjoy the benefits of the Qihuang Technique from a national medical master. I’d say it’s all advantages and no disadvantages.”


    Li Dongliang was stunned, and Han Weiguo burst into heartyughter.


    Everyone pointed at Bai Xiao and startedughing.


    “You cheeky girl! But your boldness is what I like—in fact, that’s how one should be, confident through and through,” Li Dongliangmented, noticing the seating arrangement. An Zhiyuan was sitting between him and Bai Xiao, which he found odd.


    “Kid An, don’t you know how to give way a bit? Doctor Bai is my lifesaver; she should be sitting next to me. Otherwise, we have to talk through you, which is inconvenient. Have you taken a liking to this little girl?” It was unusual for Li Dongliang to think An Zhiyuancked awareness.


    He had thought An Zhiyuan hade with Jiang Shaoqing since they both grew up in the samepound and had a good rtionship. A meal shared among a few buddies, while also supporting Bai Xiao’s new venture, seemed perfectly reasonable.