Chapter 5: Encountering an Accident

"Zhixia." Seeing his younger sister, a smile instantly appeared on Fang Zhiyan’s face.

Who wouldn’t adore a twelve-year-old girl, with her hair tied up, bouncing along, and sporting a bright, healthy smile? Such a lovely child—sensible yet full of life—would earn a thumbs-up from anyone, let alone her own brother.

Fang Zhiyan reached out and took his sister’s hand. The young girl spoke up excitedly, "Big brother, this is our English teacher."

It was not the first time Fang Zhiyan had picked up his sister from school, so he recognized her. Xu Qiushuang was one of the youngest teachers in the school. She was beautiful, highly capable, and rumored to be a graduate of a top-tier normal university. She had only returned to teach because her hometown was in Jiang'an City.

"Teacher Xu." Fang Zhiyan nodded politely. This Xu Qiushuang was only a year or two older than him. In his previous life, that wouldn't have mattered, but nowadays, a twenty-seven-year-old unmarried female teacher often became the subject of gossip.

"You must be Zhixia’s brother," Xu Qiushuang said, nodding in greeting. "Zhixia scored top of the class in her English test again today. Very good, she deserves praise."

After this simple compliment, Zhixia’s eyes narrowed with pride. She lifted her delicate little chin as if to say, "Praise me more, praise me more."

Fang Zhiyan reached out and flicked her nose lightly. "We have Teacher Xu to thank for her education," he said. "Zhixia has a lively personality; I’m afraid she causes you quite a bit of trouble."

As both the English teacher and the homeroom teacher, Xu Qiushuang waved a hand dismissively. "Zhixia is very sensible; I really like her."

After a few more polite exchanges, they parted ways. Fang Zhiyan then took his sister home.

"Zhixia, is your English teacher single?" Lu Mingtao, walking beside them, lowered his voice to ask.

"Yes, she is. Why, Brother Mingtao? Don’t tell me you like Teacher Xu?" Fang Zhixia was precocious for her age. "You’re out of luck, though. Teacher Xu doesn’t want a boyfriend; she’s completely devoted to her career. I want to be just like her when I grow up."

At these words, Lu Mingtao let out a dry laugh, while Fang Zhiyan felt his brow twitch. "What are you babbling about? Be quiet. We’re having braised pork for dinner tonight."

"What? Meat?" Hearing this, Fang Zhixia immediately grew excited. "Oh, oh, that’s wonderful! We’re having meat tonight!"

By the time the group reached home, the meal was almost ready. Fang Zhiyan took the opportunity to announce his new position at the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Hospital. Although he was currently in the probationary period, he firmly believed that with the experience from his past life, he could live a completely different life once given the chance.

After dinner, Lu Mingtao chatted for a while before taking his leave. Fang Zhiyan helped clean up; his younger sister was doing homework nearby, and Jiang Xu was busy with needlework. Watching this scene—so ordinary yet so warm—Fang Zhiyan felt a momentary sense of wonder.

He finally understood why the original owner had fought so hard to bring his mother and sister out. Staying in that place would have been pure misery. By bringing them here, even if things were difficult at first, they could eventually lead a good life.

After tidying the kitchen, Fang Zhiyan began to clean the house. It was a small place with only two rooms—a living room and a bedroom separated by a curtain. His mother and sister slept in the bedroom, while Fang Zhiyan slept on the sofa. They rented in an urban village where a single household partitioned rooms to rent out individually. Consequently, they had to use a dry latrine outside and wash up at an outdoor sink.

When he had finished his chores, Fang Zhiyan looked up to see his sister previewing the content for her next lesson. His mother, Jiang Xu, rubbed her tired eyes but continued her needlework. He told himself he must work hard, earn money soon, and lift them out of this situation. The lights stayed on until late; it wasn't until his sister had fallen asleep that Jiang Xu turned off the light, set down her work, and returned to the bedroom. Fang Zhiyan lay on the sofa, lost in thought.

The next morning, Jiang Xu went back to her work. Fang Zhiyan ate breakfast, walked his sister to school, and then headed toward the TCM hospital. It was his first day; he had to make a good impression.

After dropping his sister off, Fang Zhiyan jogged toward the hospital, which was only a kilometer or two away. As a doctor in his previous life, he knew how important a healthy body was. He had seen too many colleagues pass away young due to constant overwork, late nights, and long surgeries. In this life, he would never let that happen. Fortunately, the original owner was different—perhaps because his grandfather was a TCM practitioner, he had practiced the Five Animal Frolics since childhood, resulting in excellent physical health. Fang Zhiyan intended to keep it that way.

Passing a crowded breakfast shop, Fang Zhiyan slowed his pace. Not far away, a small Audi was parked by the side of the road. A young woman walked toward the shop while talking on her phone.

"Mom, I know. My dad is in a meeting, isn't he? He left ages ago, what am I supposed to report to him? I know, he runs Jiang'an City—can I really be in danger here? Don't worry, I'll be careful. Boss, two buns and a cup of soy milk."

"Alright, Mom, I'm hanging up now."

After ending the call, the girl crossed the non-motorized lane toward her parked Audi. At that exact moment, a large tricycle loaded with glass sped by. The girl didn't react in time; she was about to collide with the tricycle. The driver’s face turned pale as he swerved in a panic. The vehicle lost control and slammed into a utility pole.

"Bang!"

The rear carriage flipped, and the ropes binding the glass snapped instantly. Row after row of glass panes crashed onto the girl.

"Boom!" "Crash!"

The girl didn't even have time to react before she was pinned by the glass, losing consciousness as she fell to the ground. Shards of glass covered her and the pavement.

The scene immediately drew everyone's attention. Gasps, screams, and chaos erupted. Bystanders gathered in a circle. Fang Zhiyan, having witnessed the entire event, felt numb. "Could this accident have been any more sudden?"

But, with a doctor's instincts, he sprinted forward while pulling out his phone to call for an ambulance. "At the corner of Changjiang Road and Huanghai Road, east of the TCM hospital, a girl has been struck by glass and is unconscious."

By the time he finished the call and squeezed through the crowd, a middle-aged man had already rushed in. He appeared to be a doctor as well. After a quick assessment of the girl's injuries, he said, "Her jugular vein is severed. Quick, someone call an ambulance!"

"I’ve already called," Fang Zhiyan said quickly.

The man nodded. "Does anyone have a clean cloth? The jugular vein is severed; we need to apply pressure to stop the bleeding."

A passerby quickly produced a clean cloth. The man took it and pressed it firmly against the girl's jugular. The girl remained unconscious, and they could only wait for the ambulance. Fang Zhiyan watched closely, but his expression suddenly tightened.

The position was wrong! The man was pressing in the wrong place; he seemed to be compressing the girl's trachea, hindering her breathing!