"I had a surgery this morning and just finished—haven't had time yet." Meng Shang stood up and walked out of the office. It was lunch break, and some colleagues were resting in the office, so even at a normal volume, he didn't want to disturb them. His office was at the end of the corridor, with windows and greenery outside. The weather was nice today; the afternoon sun shone brightly, brightening the yellowish walls and the whole environment.
"Then I won't keep you from eating. We can talk about other things when you're free."
"It's fine. A colleague bought me lunch." Meng Shang paused, then added, "I'm free now. Later... it's hard to say."
Jiang Ruoqi laughed on the other end, the sound traveling through the airwaves, making Meng Shang's ear tingle inexplicably. It was like something had stirred his heart, making him want to catch it and hold it tight.
"What a busy Dr. Meng. Then I'd feel even worse for taking up your time." Jiang Ruoqi didn't stand on ceremony. "I have an urgent project—just confirmed an ad shoot for Sunday. Since it's my first task in my new role, I'd feel better overseeing it in person. So if you're busy, don't bother coming to pick me up. I don't have much stuff—I can take a taxi..."
"It's fine. I'm off on Sunday and have no other plans." Meng Shang fiddled with the slightly tarnished alloy window frame and added, "Let me know when you're done. I'll come get you."
"Uh-oh." Jiang Ruoqi stopped mid-sentence.
"Hmm?" Meng Shang hummed a questioning note.
"Dr. Meng's great kindness—I'll never be able to repay it."
Meng Shang could hear the teasing hidden in her gratitude. "Dr. Meng is just a driver."
The statement was ambiguous. Jiang Ruoqi thought of that classic viral meme and almost asked, "Master, what exactly is your job?" No, that answer wasn't good, she decided. It was like fishing without a hook, just throwing a line into the lake. Even worse, it was like setting a trap and hoping a wooden fish would jump in voluntarily. Her new nails sparkled in the sunlight. She flexed her fingers to admire them and, with a smile in her voice, quickly came up with a new answer:
"But hiring the famous Director Meng from City First's cardiothoracic surgery as a driver—that seems even worse."
"Don't listen to Su Yansheng's nonsense. After work hours, I'm not Dr. Meng."
Meng Shang had heard flattery before, but from Jiang Ruoqi's lips, it took on a different flavor. He couldn't refute it, though; a lapse in skill made him the real fish.
"Ah~" Jiang Ruoqi's tone rose and fell. "So it's Mr. Meng Shang who's coming to pick me up, not Dr. Meng."
Meng Shang wanted to ask what the difference was, but afraid she'd find another chance to tease him, he just hummed in agreement.
"I'll be waiting for Master Meng to pick me up on Sunday. I'll treat him to a big meal then—gotta repay somehow, even if I can't fully. Also... to butter up the new neighbor."
"Okay..."
Meng Shang wanted to say more, but a sudden knock on the other end drowned him out. Jiang Ruoqi covered the receiver, said something, and turned back to him: "Something's come up—I have to go. Remember to eat, Master Meng. Bye~"
"I will. Go ahead, President Jiang."
As soon as the call ended, a flurry of activity resumed on Jiang Ruoqi's end. She was dealing with the unrecovered young master, the smiling CEO overhead, and endless deadlines chasing her. In work mode, three cups of coffee a day was the bare minimum. She felt she'd lost at least five pounds, enough to save room for the weekend feast.
Meng Shang, of course, didn't know that. He slipped the phone back into his white coat and turned around. As he looked up, he saw Gu Huai not far behind him, one foot about to step into the office door.
Gu Huai opened his mouth awkwardly. "Teach... Teacher..."
Judging by his expression, he'd heard quite a bit.
"You're back," Meng Shang said as he walked toward him. "Thanks. Give it to me."
He took the packed plastic container from Gu Huai and inspected it—a bowl of wontons, slightly mushy from being steamed. Gu Huai followed Meng Shang into the office, scratching his head. "The cafeteria's self-serve has closed. There were only a few wontons left. When the auntie heard they were for Dr. Meng from cardiothoracic surgery, she cooked them all."
Meng Shang wasn't hungry anymore, but he had another surgery in the afternoon and needed to eat at least a bit. "Want some?"
Gu Huai waved dismissively. "I had a big lunch. You eat, Teacher."
"Alright."
As Meng Shang carried the wontons into the office, Gu Huai turned and dashed to the nurses' station. Catching his breath, he shared the news with his gossip buddies: "Director Meng seems to have really found love!"