21 Promotion through the wife route (1/2)

On Friday evening, Zhang Fan visited Superintendent Batu's office after finishing his work shift. ”Superintendent, Politician Kang wants to return home tomorrow. She had Secretary Tang call me to inform me that I should go into the city to treat her.”

”Oh, it seems like your treatment must be greatly effective. When you go, you absolutely need to remember where her home is, got that?”

”Of course.” Zhang Fan chuckled.

”Why are you laughing! I'm different from you. You studied the natural sciences, while I studied humanities. It's completely different.” Batu also chuckled as he handed Zhang Fan a cigarette before lighting one for himself. ”Although we may joke and laugh around, you absolutely need to take this seriously, and remember to not tell anyone that you're treating Politician Kang.”

The roads between Kuake City and other cities were now completely clear of snow. This immediately caused a large drop in the number of patients as many people would choose to go to farther city hospitals. On Saturday afternoon, Zhang Fan headed over to the government office to wait for Tang Jingjing.

”Hey! So today I'm being treated like the leader? I'm being picked up by a Toyota Cruiser Prado? Let's go then!” Since Tang Jingjing was the personal secretary for Kuake City head politician Kang Hua, without regards to anything else, Tang Jingjing's emotional intelligence was more than triple that of Zhang Fan's. Before, when Zhang Fan didn't have his System, he would still try to make efforts at being emotionally intelligent, but he no longer did so as he now purely relied on the skills gained through his System to speak for himself.

Time passed quite swiftly as Zhang Fan and Tang Jingjing chatted and laughed on their way to the bigger city. Tang Jingjing didn't ask a single question about Zhang Fan's personal affairs. She didn't even ask just how Zhang Fan had obtained this car. If this had been Chen Lulu in the car with Zhang Fan instead, she would have asked everything personal she possibly could, down to the color of his underpants. Although Zhang Fan had only recently learned how to drive, he was a skilled driver1.

”When we're almost there, I'll call Leader Kang and see when she's free. If the treatment ends early, I'll treat you to dinner. If not, then forget it,” Tang Jingjing offered.

”Let me treat you instead.”

”No, as I'm older than you. I should be the one treating you. All of this is trifling regardless. The only important thing is to serve our leaders well.” Tang Jingjing had graduated with a master's degree in international finance from one of the better grad schools in the border province.

Kang Hua told Little Tang and Zhang Fan to arrive at 4 pm. Tang Jingjing checked her watch before saying, ”Turn left here and head towards Kaifa District. Leader Kang's house is there.” After entering the big city, Zhang Fan noticed that there were many more cars. Zhang Fan didn't drive very quickly, but he still arrived at 3:40 pm.

”This is a recently constructed district. I need to check in with the gate guard, otherwise they won't even open the gate to let you in.” This district had numerous four-story buildings. Four families would live in each building, one for each floor. Zhang Fan felt that the distance between each building was ridiculously big. The gardens in front of the buildings had been developed for planting some crops. Although it was winter, Zhang Fan could see some racks for green beans.

Kang Hua owned multiple levels. Both the third and fourth floor of her building belonged to her, so she had plentiful living space. When Zhang Fan entered, an auntie handed Zhang Fan a pair of single-use disposable slippers. Tang Jingjing often came here, so she was familiar with Kang Hua's home.

”Doctor Zhang, I'm sorry to trouble you to come all the way here to this city. Please, have some fruits.” Kang Hua wore rather casual attire in her own home and wasn't wearing makeup. She looked gentler and less strict this way.

”It's no trouble at all. Superintendent Batu especially told me that I must make sure to give our leader timely treatments without interruption.” Since Batu treated Zhang Fan quite well, Zhang Fan was quite willing to help Batu whenever he could.

”Is that so? I must thank Superintendent Batu then. Doctor Zhang, your three-week treatment for me is almost over now. I feel much better than before. Would it be more effective if I continue having you do another two or three long-term treatments for me after this one?”

”After this three-week treatment, it's best for you to rest a few months as too many back massages will also cause bone fatigue in your spine. Continuing to massage your back for too many weeks in a row will actually be likely to worsen your back pain.”

”Ah, I understand. Okay then, I'll leave everything up to Doctor Zhang,” Kang Hua said with a bright smile.

Zhang Fan gave Kang Hua a massage in her study, which was even larger than the large bedroom in the hospital's rented house. A single-person bed was also in this study. Rehabilitative back massaging was intensive physical labor that first required Zhang Fan to excite Kang Hua's muscles, followed by using an appropriate amount of force to constantly keep Kang Hua's spine in a special angle.

After approximately 45 minutes, Zhang Fan was covered in sweat. He'd finished the massage. He then washed his hands and rested on a sofa in the living room as Tang Jingjing poured a cup of tea for him.

”Doctor Zhang, try this tea. It's the renowned Tie Guanyin oolong tea from Anxi. Do you have many patients at your hospital?” Kang Hua inquired.

”The number of patients? Just normal.”

”Oh, by the way, Doctor Zhang, can all slipped discs be treated with back massages?”