About an hour later,

The bodies of Deputy Director Gao Sheng and the soldier were sent to the township government and temporarily placed in a room.

Later, arrangements would be made for a vehicle to follow the convoy and leave here, returning to the county to handle them properly.

Qin Feng, stepping out of the room where the bodies were kept, took out his phone and called Yuan Bin.

"Principal, Director Gao’s body has been found and has been sent to the township."

"...Alright."

On the phone, after a moment of silence, Yuan Bin only said one word,

"You all must stay safe, I am waiting for you in the county."

"I understand."

After speaking, Qin Feng hung up the phone, walked out of the courtyard, and returned to the temporary medical aid point.

Some of the medical staff from their hospital had already taken over and were resting, waiting to return to the city.

They were exhausted from three sleepless days and the harsh medical conditions.

Looking at them before him, Qin Feng seemed to return to the times in Jiangcheng when they went to the countryside for support, tirelessly saving lives day and night.

However, the conditions in Su Province were much better than here, with no mudslides or landslides, and fewer obstacles on the plains.

Now, severely injured patients couldn’t even survive until surgery.

One could only say that amidst disaster, life is not valued.

"We will gather for departure at 5 PM."

After telling them this, Qin Feng returned to the hospital to continue his work.

No one spoke; each did their own work. They drank when thirsty, nibbled on some bread or canned food when hungry, and continued working.

...

At 5 PM,

Qin Feng stood on the open space of the township government, with 30 medical staff from Peking Union Medical College Hospital behind him.

"On behalf of the township government and 30,000 residents, I extend my sincerest gratitude to you!"

The leader took the lead and bowed deeply,

"And I express my condolences for the doctor who sacrificed, for the suffering you endured."

After speaking, he held Qin Feng’s hand firmly.

If it weren’t for them, more people would have died.

After all, Qin Feng’s team was the first medical rescue team to penetrate the township, the value and role of which are self-evident.

"You’re welcome, we’ll be leaving then."

Qin Feng nodded and, after speaking, looked at Squad Leader Deng beside him.

Squad Leader Deng instantly understood, turned, and led people into a room, then carried out a stretcher with a person covered by a white cloth lying on it.

"Attention! Salute!"

Shua~

At the command, dozens of soldiers stood as straight as pine trees, raising their hands in a standard military salute.

Several leaders of the township also stood on either side, performing a salute of respect as they watched the fallen Gao Sheng being loaded onto the vehicle.

Behind Qin Feng, there were also sounds of sobbing, and for a moment, the air was filled with sadness.

"Board the vehicle."

Qin Feng said softly, lifting his feet to follow the others outside the gate.

But as soon as they stepped out of the township government gates, the scene before them stunned everyone.

Somehow, the news had spread, and hundreds of villagers spontaneously came outside the township government to see them off.

They knew that on the first day of the disaster, it was these doctors who treated and saved the lives of their relatives and friends.

Among them were also relatives of patients Gao Sheng had helped, who came to see them off as soon as they heard.

"Safe travels!"

No one knew who led the shout.

Instantly, the crowd erupted in unison calling out.

"Safe travels~"

At that moment, everyone felt a pang in their nose, and even the male doctors couldn’t help their eyes from watering. They hurried onto the vehicle, holding back their tears.

....

The convoy left, traveling along the mountain road, returning to the county.

Just as they reached the gate of Mao County People’s Hospital, they saw many reporters with cameras outside the gate. When they noticed the convoy arriving, they quickly surrounded them.

"What’s going on?"

"No idea, where did all these reporters come from?"

"Could they be here for Director Gao?"

"It’s possible, but how did they know?"

...

Everyone in the vehicle was puzzled, and Qin Feng felt his phone vibrate and quickly answered it.

"Qin Feng, you have arrived?"

"Yes, Principal, we are being blocked by reporters at the hospital gate."

Qin Feng glanced at the situation outside and said.

"Don’t worry, arrangements have been made; I’ve sent people to clear the way. Make sure no one gets off the vehicle."

"Principal, is it because of Director Gao?"

Qin Feng asked in confusion.

"Yes, the news of Deputy Director Gao Sheng’s sacrifice has already spread. Videos of your return have been posted online.

So they want to interview right away, but there are too many patients in the hospital and not enough staff to deal with them."

Yuan Bin explained the situation briefly.

"Alright, I understand now."

Only then did Qin Feng realize that someone had captured the scene and uploaded it online.

After power and communication systems were restored, naturally, people used their phones.

He opened Weibo and saw a few striking titles already on the trending list.

[Deputy Director of Emergency Department of Beijing Peking Union Medical College Hospital Sacrificed]

[Tragic death of doctor aiding disaster areas, painful loss!]

[Heartfelt condolences, gratitude for Director Gao Sheng’s contribution, a sacrifice heavier than a mountain!]

...

Clicking on the content, the videos showed the farewell at the township government gates and the voices of the people present.

Comments were continually increasing, and the topic’s popularity was still soaring.

’Safe travels (candle)’

’Safe travels (candle)’

’May there be no disasters in heaven, safe travels.’

’A healer’s heart, boundless love, hoping for no more incidents.’

’Wuwu~ I didn’t expect the doctors to sacrifice too, disasters are ruthless but people have compassion.’

....

Each warm comment made people tear up.

After waiting for a few minutes, people from the hospital finally came out, guiding the reporters inside and clearing the way.

Only then did the vehicles carrying Qin Feng and others drive in and park in the lot.

"We’re back."

As soon as they got off, they saw Yuan Bin and a few others waiting nearby.

"Principal."

"Principal."

Everyone got off the vehicle and greeted, lining up neatly.

"Everyone, I know you are filled with grief right now, but you have completed the aid mission excellently and fulfilled the duties and responsibilities of a doctor!

I won’t say much else; you’ve worked hard!

Arrangements have been made for a nearby hotel to rest, and once things here settle, we will return home together."

After Yuan Bin said these simple words, everyone was led away by the county hospital staff, but Qin Feng was asked to stay behind as Gao Sheng’s body was brought to the hospital’s morgue for temporary storage.

On one hand, he was the person in charge after Gao Sheng’s accidental death, and on the other, his assistance was still needed here.

"How were the past three days?"

Yuan Bin asked.

"It went alright."

Qin Feng smiled and noticed Yuan Bin sizing him up. He looked down and saw that his white coat had turned yellow and black.

"Everyone worked hard; they are the ones toiled."

"Alright, I know you were the first to arrive in the disaster area and organized and settled the wounded, laying a good foundation for their treatment."

Yuan Bin nodded faintly, patting his back with a smile,

"Well done!"

"It’s what I should do." Qin Feng shook his head.

"But the difficulties here are not small either."

Yuan Bin sighed before finishing his sentence.

"Principal, tell me what I can do to help."

Qin Feng heard the implication and immediately asked.

"Currently, all severe cases from various affected towns and villages in Mao County are concentrated in a few hospitals here.

Although support has been arranged, the medical equipment and doctors are somewhat falling short, and there is a critical shortage of main surgeons for operations.

Your surgical skills even surpass those of Meng Dawei. Can I count on you to help me?"

Yuan Bin, looking slightly tired, asked.

He hadn’t been idle these days either, allocating manpower, ensuring on-site security, and even squeezing time to assist with surgeries.

After all, he is a leading figure in critical medicine, and some surgeries could only be discussed with or partly handled by him.

He had completed two complex level-four medical and neurosurgeries today, barely holding on to finish.

Any more would be unbearable!

Therefore, he urgently transferred Qin Feng back, as other aid groups could not withdraw until tomorrow.

"Alright, I have no problem with this."

Qin Feng readily agreed; three sleepless nights hadn’t made him feel fatigued at all.

"Great!" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Seeing his agreement, Yuan Bin’s face showed a relieved smile,

"Follow me, let’s go now!

Some critically ill patients can hardly hang on, save as many as you can!"

...