When Wu Xiaofeng heard Shi Wenli call out "Honey," he could hardly believe it. He had known Shi Wenli since college and was all too familiar with his personality. Calling someone "honey" after just a few days together was not something as reserved as Shi Wenli would do. There were plenty of single female doctors in the hospital, some of whom he didn't know well or didn't know at all. Before seeing who it was, Wu Xiaofeng had decided not to guess. No matter who it was or what they looked like, one thing was certain: someone who could capture Shi Wenli's heart must be emotionally stable and easygoing. Xu Qinghe hadn't even come out of the kitchen yet, but she responded to Shi Wenli: "Coming." Wu Xiaofeng was stunned on the spot. He would recognize that voice even if it were reduced to ashes! How could it be Xu Qinghe?! How could it possibly be Xu Qinghe? He stared straight at Shi Wenli, unable to speak for a long time. "Fine, fine, fine!" Wu Xiaofeng's language system was completely scrambled. The next second, he laughed at himself in anger. "You... what the hell—" Wu Xiaofeng eventually swallowed the words. Since they were already together, he couldn't very well ask, "How did you two end up together?" He put one hand on his hip and slapped his forehead twice with the other, trying to wake himself up. No wonder Shi Wenli had reacted so strongly that day at his rental when he mentioned Yu Jianing. What had he said at the time? "Anyway, your partner isn't here." The female colleague who had asked him to inquire about things was absolutely right: "Wu Xiaofeng, you're a total dumbass!" But he couldn't be blamed for not making the connection to Xu Qinghe. A few years ago, many people had teased Shi Wenli and Xu Qinghe, and Shi Wenli had spoken seriously, asking everyone to respect Xu Qinghe. He still had a vague memory of what he had said. "Just because Dr. Xu and I have work contacts and she asked me a few more questions, you arbitrarily pair us up? How am I supposed to get along with her in the future?" Everyone knew their limits. Since the person involved said that, no one made any more jokes. In the years that followed, the entire hospital saw that Shi Wenli and Xu Qinghe's relationship was all about work, with not a hint of ambiguity. It was no exaggeration to say that the purity of their relationship was like distilled water. He wasn't very familiar with Xu Qinghe, but he played ball with Shi Wenli almost every week. They would sweat for an hour or two, take a shower, and then head straight to the hospital lab to work on their own experiments. That was how he and Shi Wenli had spent these years. Life was monotonous and busy. The reason he and Shi Wenli had gotten promoted so quickly was that they had sacrificed all their personal time. Playing ball was their only form of rest and release. He knew Shi Wenli's relationship status best. Then suddenly the two got together—who could have guessed? It had been more than half a minute since Xu Qinghe's "Coming," but she still hadn't appeared. Even a little snail should have shown its head by now. Shi Wenli beckoned him to the living room: "Dr. Xu is afraid of scaring you." Wu Xiaofeng was so angry he started raving: "What is she afraid of? I'm not afraid. Even if I get scared unconscious and roll my eyes, I won't worry—emergency treatment is exactly her specialty, she can handle it with ease. Even if I call 120, they're all acquaintances." Shi Wenli laughed helplessly. It was obvious he was seriously shaken. No one could understand how Wu Xiaofeng felt at that moment. Shi Wenli told him to make himself at home: "Qinghe hasn't had breakfast yet. I'll make her something." Wu Xiaofeng: "..." He waved his hand: "Go ahead, go ahead." He couldn't just turn around and leave just because Shi Wenli's partner was Xu Qinghe. He walked straight to the living room sofa, resisting the urge to glance toward the kitchen. If he and Shi Wenli were just ordinary colleagues, his reaction wouldn't have been so strong. Footsteps sounded behind him. Wu Xiaofeng thought it was Shi Wenli and turned around instinctively, only to meet Xu Qinghe's eyes. Xu Qinghe held a plate of freshly washed fruit in one hand and a cup of black tea in the other. Since he was a guest here to celebrate the housewarming, she could at least follow basic hospitality etiquette. "Thank you," Wu Xiaofeng replied politely as well. Xu Qinghe set down the fruit plate and teacup, but didn't leave. Instead, she sat down on the sofa opposite him. "..." Wu Xiaofeng glanced at her. She really didn't need to be so courteous with him. "You and Shi Wenli go ahead and eat. We're old colleagues—no need to stand on ceremony." Xu Qinghe said, "The food isn't ready yet." "..." Xu Qinghe didn't like awkward small talk, but since Shi Wenli was busy, she had to entertain him. She asked casually, "Director Wu, how many days off do you get for Spring Festival?" It was a perfectly normal conversation, but Wu Xiaofeng felt extremely uncomfortable. He answered, "Five or six days." "That's not bad." "Yes." Wu Xiaofeng replied dryly. The atmosphere was awkward, so he picked up his teacup, pretending to be thirsty. Xu Qinghe continued searching for topics: "Were you startled just now when you found out it was me?" "..." Wu Xiaofeng took a sip of the black tea. It was scalding. He looked up at her: "I really didn't expect it to be you. It's a coincidence—that night you went out to dinner with your childhood friend, everyone was saying he was your boyfriend." Now it was clear he really was just a childhood friend. "The point is, there was not a single sign between you and Shi Wenli all these years. Probably even you two never thought you'd end up together, let alone us outsiders." Who would easily get together with their own friend? That would be so awkward. The tea was too hot to drink. Wu Xiaofeng had to put down the teacup and casually picked up some fruit to eat. Eating something would at least reduce the number of words he had to say. "That day at the rental, I was rude. Sorry." Xu Qinghe understood what he meant. He had been regretting that Shi Wenli and Yu Jianing hadn't ended up together. "It's okay. Ignorance is bliss." Wu Xiaofeng: "If you have any questions about Yu Jianing, feel free to ask me. I don't want that careless remark to cause any rift between you and Shi Wenli. One thing I can guarantee: Shi Wenli has never had any romantic feelings for Yu Jianing." "As for Yu Jianing," Wu Xiaofeng said, "if you're too embarrassed to ask, I'll just tell you directly." Xu Qinghe: "..." "If you've ever interacted with her, you'd know that she really only has eyes for her patients." "At the time, I felt sorry for them because I thought it was rare for two people in the same field to know each other so well and have similar personalities. I said it purely from a friend's perspective, just a casual remark." "That day, Shi Wenli's classmates were so excited, hoping they'd get together, more because they were happy for Yu Jianing, hoping she could meet a partner who supported and understood her." "Just like now that you and Shi Wenli are together, isn't your childhood friend happy for you too?" After saying all that in one breath, Wu Xiaofeng stuffed another piece of fruit into his mouth. Xu Qinghe had long stopped caring about that incident. Wu Xiaofeng suddenly remembered something very important. He looked up at her: "About the complaint—how do you want to resolve it?" In the end, he compromised a step and asked for her opinion. Xu Qinghe: "Today is a day of celebration. Let's talk about something happy." "...Fine. When do you and Shi Wenli plan to get married?" Was that happy enough? Shi Wenli happened to come over with breakfast: "Qinghe, come eat breakfast." Xu Qinghe stood up: "Director Wu is asking when we're getting married." Shi Wenli set the tray on the table and arranged the chopsticks: "You eat first. I'll tell him." Wu Xiaofeng watched the approaching man, who kept looking down at his phone. He thought he was checking which month was suitable. Shi Wenli handed his phone over: "You're the first to see this." Wu Xiaofeng took the phone suspiciously. What was he the first to see? A glance at the screen revealed—it was a marriage certificate. They had already registered their marriage?! Shi Wenli took the phone back from his hand: "If I hadn't told you, you'd think I wasn't considerate. Now that I've told you, you'll think I'm deliberately targeting you and not letting you off easy." Wu Xiaofeng: "..." He pressed his temple and rubbed it hard. After a long moment, he remembered that he hadn't offered his congratulations: "Congratulations! Happy newlywed." "Thanks." Shi Wenli locked his phone and asked him, "Do you still want to grab a bite here at noon?" "...I'll come back in the evening." Wu Xiaofeng was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he might have an acute heart attack. He forced himself to sit for a few more minutes, then took his leave. Xu Qinghe also stood up to see him out, walking him all the way to the door. Regarding the complaint, she finally spoke: "Director Wu, you don't need to go to Section Chief Wu's office this afternoon. I'll go." For Shi Wenli's sake, Wu Xiaofeng said, "I'll go too. Let's resolve this before the New Year." Xu Qinghe paused for half a second before replying: "Even if you go, it won't be resolved." She stated bluntly: "Because you can't apologize to me." Wu Xiaofeng: "..." It was better to put the conflict out in the open. That fake harmony just now was truly uncomfortable. Shi Wenli asked her: "What time are you going? I'll drive you." Wu Xiaofeng: "..." Shi Wenli was worried he wasn't dead enough and was adding another stab. -- At noon, two more groups of guests arrived. Xu Qinghe didn't let Shi Wenli drive her. At two in the afternoon, she arrived at Section Chief Wu's office on time. Section Chief Wu thought she had come to reconcile and personally made tea for her. "Section Chief Wu, you don't need to go to the trouble. Please listen to me first before deciding whether to make tea." "..." Judging by that, the outcome wasn't looking too optimistic. But he had already started making the tea; he couldn't just stop. The only person in the entire hospital who gave Section Chief Wu a headache was Xu Qinghe. Everyone else would give him some face. Only Xu Qinghe was the exception. But he was completely helpless. "Qinghe, I've talked to the orthopedics department. Not just Wu Xiaofeng, but I also called Section Chief Liao specifically. They've backed down and said let's stop here. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Let's have a good mood for the new year." Section Chief Wu pleaded earnestly, hoping to persuade Xu Qinghe. Xu Qinghe said calmly: "They don't need to force themselves to back down. Section Chief Wu, after the New Year when work resumes, I request the hospital to conduct a detailed investigation into all the surgeries I stopped and the anesthesia forms I refused. If it was without reason or non-compliant, I am willing to accept any punishment, even suspension. If the results prove that I was compliant and reasonable, then I ask the hospital to handle it fairly and impartially." Section Chief Wu's head ached. Sure enough, he no longer had the mood to make tea. Not only was she not reconciling, she was making things more complicated. "Qinghe, you're still young. Take my advice: harmony is precious." Xu Qinghe didn't respond. Section Chief Wu forced himself to finish making the tea. "Tell you what, Qinghe, do me a favor and have a good New Year. After the New Year, for the orthopedics surgeries you're missing, I'll instruct them to try to schedule you to work with Wu Xiaofeng. Since he has a bias against you, we'll have to break his bias through strength. Let him slap his own face." Xu Qinghe laughed. It seemed Section Chief Wu was truly out of options. Caught between the assertive department head and Dean Jiang, he was indeed in a difficult position. Section Chief Wu struck while the iron was hot: "I think you're not actually interested in anyone's apology. You should only be interested in learning and accumulating experience in nerve blocks." And nerve blocks were one of the preferred anesthesia methods in orthopedics. Xu Qinghe didn't deny it. Even though she had issues with Section Chief Liao and Wu Xiaofeng in orthopedics, it didn't mean she didn't want to do surgeries with them. Section Chief Wu saw her tacit agreement: "Then I'll call Dean Jiang back in a moment and tell him your conflict has been resolved." Dean Jiang had personally inquired about this matter, and he hadn't yet replied. He couldn't not handle a task assigned by the dean. But the orthopedics department heads had always been assertive. This matter was like a hot potato—he couldn't hold it, yet he couldn't drop it. Xu Qinghe wasn't the type to be unforgiving: "I've caused you trouble, Section Chief Wu." Section Chief Wu took all the blame: "It's my fault for not handling it properly earlier." Xu Qinghe didn't stay long. After finishing the tea, she took her leave. After the New Year, as soon as work resumed, she might be scheduled to do surgeries with Wu Xiaofeng. Leaving the hospital, she sent a message to Shi Wenli: [Hubby, it's resolved.] Shi Wenli asked with concern: [Is it the result you wanted?] Xu Qinghe: [More or less.] Shi Wenli: [Good. Come back quick. I've prepared snacks for you.] Xu Qinghe replied with a smile: [Okay.] When she got home, the neurosurgery team and a few friends of Min Ting had set up two tables for cards, with lively chatter and laughter in the living room. After greeting them, she went to the kitchen to help Shi Wenli. The apron she had bought earlier finally came in handy. Shi Wenli wouldn't let her help: "Go play cards with them." "I don't know how," Xu Qinghe said. She preferred to chat with him in the kitchen. She found the apron and put it on. She noticed the plate of spicy and sour cucumbers on the center island, with so many small red chili peppers it was a bit alarming. "Who ordered this dish? Can their stomach handle it?" Shi Wenli said: "Shi Miao ordered it. She must be pregnant." Xu Qinghe grabbed Shi Wenli's arm excitedly and lowered her voice: "Min Ting must be over the moon!" "Min Ting doesn't seem to know yet." Shi Wenli guessed his sister was pregnant but didn't say anything, waiting for her to come back and tell Min Ting herself. Xu Qinghe kept holding his arm and didn't let go even after she finished speaking. During the time she was at the hospital, Shi Wenli had almost finished preparing. Being held by her didn't affect his work much, so he let her. Several people came over to ask if they needed help, but seeing the two glued together, they turned around and went back to the living room. Shi Wenli picked a piece from a plate of cut carrots and handed it to her. Xu Qinghe didn't understand at first. She took it and looked at him: "Is it good raw?" Shi Wenli asked back: "Don't you like raw carrots?" Xu Qinghe had no memory of it: "Did I say that?" As she spoke, she took a bite of the carrot piece. This time, it was Shi Wenli who stared at her: "Not long after we got together, on a Saturday noon you ate at my place. I made Western food for you. Remember?" Xu Qinghe certainly remembered. That day he had a clinic and had run into his middle school classmate Tao Han. Shi Wenli: "After I came back, I first baked potato wedges and carrot sticks for you. You grabbed several raw carrots and said they tasted better raw." Xu Qinghe had a vague memory of it. She explained why she had eaten the raw carrots then: "We had just gotten together. I didn't know how to be alone with you, so I just grabbed a piece of carrot to eat. Otherwise, I felt my hands had nowhere to go." Hearing that, Shi Wenli took the already-bitten carrot from her hand and put it into his own mouth. He said: "In the future, if there's something you don't like, just give it to me. I have no dietary restrictions." Xu Qinghe took the opportunity to stand on her toes and kiss him on the lips. She didn't say thank you. She just suddenly wanted to kiss him. After the kiss, she didn't forget to turn around and check if anyone had come. Shi Wenli smiled: "You don't need to worry about whether they saw. I'm your husband. Even if you kiss me in public, it's fine." He casually mentioned, "After the New Year, if we run into each other in the cafeteria, are you going to have to avoid me?" Xu Qinghe said: "My schedule for surgeries after the New Year will be very full. I might not even have time to eat in the cafeteria at noon. I won't even have a chance to run into you." Shi Wenli turned his head to look at her: "Aren't you planning to schedule more neurosurgery surgeries after the New Year?" "I will. The chief wants me to schedule them every day. Plus the surgeries from the basic departments, I might be too busy to get away." "If you schedule more, then I can work with you in the OR." Shi Wenli had always wanted to work with her more in surgeries. Not just because she was his wife. Xu Qinghe then mentioned that she would be working with Wu Xiaofeng after the New Year: "Section Chief Wu has already arranged it." Wu Xiaofeng's professional skills were undeniable. Shi Wenli also hoped Xu Qinghe could partner with him more: "That's good." Xu Qinghe: "I think it's good too. But I'm afraid Wu Xiaofeng might not be too happy." Shi Wenli smiled: "It's okay. I'll play a few more rounds of ball with him then." "Ding-dong—" The doorbell rang again. Shi Wenli glanced at the clock on the wall: "It should be Shi Miao and Jiang Yang." Xu Qinghe let go of his arm: "I'll get the door." "Sis, open the door!" Jiang Yang rang the doorbell and then knocked on the door. "Coming." Xu Qinghe quickly walked to the entrance and opened the door. Jiang Yang stood at the door holding a yoga mat. "Why did you bring a mat?" "It's for President Shang." Jiang Yang couldn't wait to see Shang Yun's expression. Long story short: on Shi Miao's wedding day, Shang Yun, as Min Ting's best man, failed to complete the challenge of 150 push-ups before picking up the bride. Today he would continue. The blind date he had previously wanted to set up for Sister Qinghe was none other than Shang Yun. He had originally planned to let Shang Yun off the hook, because if he couldn't do 150 push-ups, it would affect Shang Yun's image in Sister Qinghe's eyes. Now that Sister Qinghe was with Brother Shi, he no longer needed to worry about that. Jiang Yang put on shoe covers, carried the mat, and strode in: "President Shang?" Outside the door, Shi Miao had just changed into slippers. Xu Qinghe hugged Shi Miao and whispered in her ear: "Should I congratulate you?" Shi Miao smiled: "You and my brother both guessed?" "You specially ordered that dish—sour enough, spicy enough. How could your brother not guess?" "Min Ting hasn't guessed yet, has he?" "No." Shi Miao asked Xu Qinghe to borrow a stethoscope. She planned to put the stethoscope on Min Ting, place the diaphragm on her own lower abdomen, and tell him in that way that he was going to be a father. Xu Qinghe: "I don't know where the stethoscope is. Ask your brother." "Okay." In the living room, Shang Yun was surrounded by a crowd doing push-ups. Shi Miao asked her brother for the stethoscope, pulled Min Ting to sit at the dining table, and put the stethoscope earpieces on him. On the sofa, Wu Xiaofeng's phone rang. It was a call from Section Chief Wu. Section Chief Wu got straight to the point: "The complaint matter has been resolved satisfactorily. Dr. Xu has forgiven you. After the New Year, you'll continue to work together in surgeries." Wu Xiaofeng: "..." He didn't want to be forgiven. Amidst laughter and noise, Shang Yun finally completed 150 push-ups. Min Ting found out he was going to be a father. Even though the stethoscope diaphragm was placed on Shi Miao's abdomen, he heard his own wildly beating heart through the earpieces. In the kitchen, Xu Qinghe held up her phone to record Shi Wenli cooking. Only Wu Xiaofeng, thinking about working with Xu Qinghe after the New Year, felt like the sky was falling. The new house was filled with laughter. Tonight, some were happy, some were worried. Before the housewarming banquet began, Shi Wenli asked Jiang Yang to say a few words: "All the ingredients tonight were purchased by Jiang Yang. Yesterday he selected ingredients until two or three in the morning. He noted down everyone's preferences and dietary restrictions one by one, more carefully than writing a thesis." Warm applause rang out. Jiang Yang was embarrassed by the praise. Called upon, he stood up and cleared his throat: "First, I wish Brother Shi and Sister Qinghe a happy housewarming and a blissful life. Second, I wish everyone good health. Health is more important than anything. Finally, I wish all of us doctors won't be called in for emergency duty this Spring Festival. As for my own wish—may everyone be free of illness and disaster, whether rich or poor, and may all be happy." "Of course, if everyone is free of illness and disaster, I'll be the first to lose my job." Everyone laughed. "But if everyone could truly be free of illness and disaster, with no more pain in the world, no more gray-haired people sending off the young, then what does it matter if I lose my job?" Everyone present raised their glasses and clinked them with Jiang Yang's. Jiang Yang said repeatedly, "Thank you, thank you." Shi Wenli took a sip of juice and said to Jiang Yang, "You can have a separate toast with Dr. Xu. She shares the same wish as you." Xu Qinghe looked at Shi Wenli. He still remembered those casual chats from before. Jiang Yang stood up: "Sis, let's have a drink. Every time I made a wish like this before, my dad said I was childish. You're truly my sister." Someone teased him: "How many sisters and brothers do you actually have?" Shi Miao chimed in: "Probably over a thousand. Yesterday he even told Section Chief Wu, 'You are my brother.'" At the thought that Section Chief Wu was nearly fifty, everyone burst into laughter. Jiang Yang himself almost burst out laughing. After clinking glasses with Jiang Yang, Xu Qinghe made a separate toast to Wu Xiaofeng: "Director Wu, please take care of me after the New Year." Wu Xiaofeng: "...Likewise." He never drank alcohol, so he downed the entire glass of juice in one go. Tonight, everyone planned to play cards all night at Shi Wenli's place and head home directly for New Year's Eve tomorrow. Xu Qinghe didn't know how to play, so she just wandered around the tables to watch. Shi Wenli had her sit next to him: "If you don't know how, I'll teach you. You'll get it after watching a few rounds." Xu Qinghe sat down beside him with a drink. Her card skills were about the same as her ball skills—no amount of watching would help. Later, she simply stopped watching and took out her phone to select photos. She had taken over a hundred photos today, and more than half were of Shi Wenli alone. After selecting the photos for her Moments post, at exactly eleven o'clock, she posted a nine-grid photo layout with the caption: [Wishing Chief Shi a happy housewarming. I also got to eat the swan cake today.] The nine-grid included a back view of Shi Wenli and Shi Miao busy in the kitchen, a snapshot of Shi Miao and Min Ting laughing, a scene of the neurosurgery team's push-up competition, and a lively shot of everyone clinking glasses with Jiang Yang. There was also a table full of delicious food and the crystal swan cake. No matter which one you looked at, it was all about celebrating a friend's housewarming—nothing suspicious. Twenty minutes later, Shi Wenli also posted on Moments, thanking colleagues and friends for coming. He only included three photos: one of the housewarming flowers everyone had given, one of everyone clinking glasses, and the last one a close-up of the crystal swan cake.