Chapter 82: The Most Perfect

Afternoon classes at the school began at 2:40 p.m., and when Zhang Wenhao finished his lunch, it was not yet half past twelve. He told his parents he had something to do and needed to go to school early. They didn’t ask further. Zhang Wenhao changed out of yesterday’s clothes, slung his backpack over his shoulder, left home, picked up his car, and headed straight to the downtown Walmart.

Zhang Wenhao was thoroughly familiar with the lay of the land in Jiangcheng; the traffic police wouldn’t bother to stop cars and check licenses on a whim. They only set up checkpoints for drunk driving at major intersections after nine at night during holidays. In Jiangcheng, having a driver’s license wasn’t crucial; what mattered was not breaking the rules. As long as you didn’t violate regulations, the traffic police wouldn’t trouble you.

So Zhang Wenhao drove to the city center without a worry. Walmart had an underground parking lot, so he parked in the basement garage, took the elevator upstairs, and began his grand shopping spree with a cart.

His purchases fell into three categories: food, daily necessities, and small appliances. It was mid-to-late March, and Jiangcheng’s weather was still chilly. Qian Ning was injured, and if he only bought her low-nutrition foods like biscuits and packaged snacks, they would hardly help her recover; they might even slow her healing. So Zhang Wenhao bought a rice cooker, an electric kettle, an egg boiler, and other small appliances, along with polished rice, eggs, and other simple foods—these would be beneficial for Qian Ning.

As for daily necessities, toothpaste, toothbrush, facial cleanser, shampoo—these were essential for a month’s supply. Beyond these, Zhang Wenhao thoughtfully bought her some feminine products, stocking up on sanitary pads in abundance, just in case.

Many health supplement counters lined Walmart. Zhang Wenhao chose a reputable international brand, buying adult protein powder, calcium tablets, and vitamin capsules to balance Qian Ning’s nutritional needs. By the time he’d finished, he had filled an entire shopping cart.

He also happened upon a kind of walking stick favored by the elderly and outdoor enthusiasts. Not as convenient as a cane, but for someone like Qian Ning, professionally trained and with greater upper body strength, one walking stick should suffice.

He pushed several large bags to the basement garage, loaded them into the car, and then drove toward Jiangquan Road.

The sentries on Jiangquan Road hadn’t been withdrawn; in fact, to Zhang Wenhao’s surprise, the men in black had begun asking around in nearby shops, with people specially stationed outside pharmacy entrances. Clearly, they didn’t believe Qian Ning had left safely, and assumed she was hiding in the neighborhood. Judging by their posture, they intended to wait it out.

Fortunately, Qian Ning’s apartment was independent and served as a supply point for her organization. She should be safe there. Though the place looked ordinary, the doors and windows were reinforced; breaking in would be difficult, and the iron front door alone would be hard to breach even with a car.

Zhang Wenhao drove into the yard, carried the bags inside, and found Qian Ning lying on the bed, browsing online. Seeing him enter, she smiled faintly and said, “I’m sorry to trouble you so much.”

Zhang Wenhao shook his head and set down the bags. Qian Ning closed her laptop and said, “The situation isn’t good. My informant says they’ve sealed off all bus stations, train stations, and the airport in Jiangcheng. They even have people posted at the highway entrances to the airport. They must know I’m still here, and won’t relax their efforts anytime soon.”

Zhang Wenhao smiled and said, “You have informants?”

Qian Ning nodded slightly. “We have informants in almost every major city and provincial capital nationwide. They gather information for us, but don’t know our specifics. Communication and payment are handled through dedicated channels, so informants don’t know the locations of our supply points or our movements. It’s very safe.”

Zhang Wenhao smacked his lips. “The more I hear, the more you sound like an assassin organization.”

“No need to guess,” Qian Ning replied with a wry smile. “We are, but not the kind depicted on TV—heinous and ruthless. We have principles: wherever we take assignments, the target must have no connection to government personnel or ordinary civilians.”

Zhang Wenhao nodded; he understood these weren’t real secrets. As for the true identity and nature of her organization, she wouldn’t disclose, nor was he particularly interested. With such matters, the less one knows, the better.

Zhang Wenhao took out the egg boiler, filled it with water in the bathroom, and said to Qian Ning, “From now on, your meals might be simple, but you need four eggs a day. If I can’t come, boil them yourself. You can skip two yolks, but eat the whites. Also, I bought some supplements—take them daily as directed.”

Qian Ning couldn’t help but ask, “I’m especially curious—how do you know so much about medicine? Your wound treatment is better than most doctors, but you’re still a student. It’s unimaginable.”

Zhang Wenhao smiled. “Are you the only one allowed to have secrets?”

Qian Ning smiled helplessly. “Fair enough; everyone has secrets they can’t share. You understand me, and I understand you.”

Zhang Wenhao unpacked his purchases, neatly arranging them on the floor and explaining their uses to Qian Ning, especially the rice and other foods, detailing how to prepare them so she’d understand.

When he took out the sanitary pads, Qian Ning blushed fiercely. She’d wanted to mention them but felt embarrassed. According to her cycle, her period would arrive in three to five days, and without these, she’d be miserable. Thankfully, Zhang Wenhao was thoughtful and had bought several types, enough for two months, day and night.

Qian Ning looked at Zhang Wenhao gratefully. He, sensing her embarrassment, simply set the items aside without a word.

After everything was unpacked, Zhang Wenhao asked, “Are your wounds hurting badly? Should I get you some painkillers?”

“Thank you, but I’m fine,” Qian Ning smiled. “It’s bearable.”

Zhang Wenhao nodded. “I’ll fix you something to eat—you must be starving. After you eat, I’ll set up your IV. I have class this afternoon, so I won’t come back today.”

With that, Zhang Wenhao rinsed some rice in the bathroom and set it to cook. As the rice neared readiness, he added a sausage. Before the rice finished, he boiled a kettle of water and warmed a carton of milk for Qian Ning.

Her leg injury hadn’t begun to heal; not only could she not help, but she had to avoid moving altogether, so she lay in bed watching Zhang Wenhao take care of everything. Her heart was deeply moved. Since childhood, she’d never known comfort in the orphanage—those years, the orphanage was rudimentary, and the children barely had enough to eat. After being chosen by the organization, she was forced to learn countless skills, her material needs met but never her emotional ones. Until now, she’d never had anyone truly care about her—until this stranger appeared in her life.

When Zhang Wenhao brought her the fragrant rice and sausage, she felt tears welling in her eyes. He then opened a can of yellow peaches, setting it on the bedside table. “Eat this after your meal. I bought instant soup—I'll make you a bowl soon.”

Qian Ning’s hunger was acute, made worse by her depleted strength—it felt as though she hadn’t eaten in days. The aroma of rice mixed with sausage was irresistible, and even if she wanted to be reserved, she couldn’t resist.

As she devoured the food, Zhang Wenhao reminded her, “Eat a little slower, so your stomach won’t be upset. Hiccups can strain your muscles and nerves.”

Qian Ning could no longer hold back her tears. She lowered her head, letting them fall onto the rice, not daring to let Zhang Wenhao see.

In just one day, Qian Ning had marveled countless times at her fortune and the care fate had shown her. What luck brought her Zhang Wenhao at her moment of crisis? He not only saved her life, but had uncanny medical skills to treat her wounds, and cared for her so thoroughly. Within these limited conditions, he had done everything perfectly.

In a life colored only by blood and hardship, a touch of unbelievable warmth had suddenly appeared—so real, yet its very reality lent it an air of unreality.

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