When Shi Wenli entered the cafeteria at noon, the congratulations never stopped. Even the cafeteria auntie knew he had a girlfriend. Every time she cleared a used table, the people at the next table were all discussing Shi Wenli and his girlfriend. Piecing together the bits of gossip heard over lunch, it roughly amounted to: Shi Wenli had a crush on his girlfriend, waited for years, and she finally agreed to go on a blind date with him. The security office knew who his girlfriend was. When he dropped Xu Qinghe off at the emergency room at two in the morning, the two security guards on night shift at the ER found it perfectly normal. After all, when both spouses are doctors at the same hospital, who hasn't driven their partner to the ER in their youth?
Shi Wenli had just sat down with his food when Wu Xiaofeng placed his tray across from him and sat down. Shi Wenli was looking down, texting Xu Qinghe: [What time are you and Song Xintan coming?] Xu Qinghe: [He just called me. He's on his way. About ten minutes.] Shi Wenli picked up his chopsticks and typed as he ate: [That fast?] Xu Qinghe: [Probably in too much pain to eat. He wants to see you right away for some psychological comfort.] Many patients feel better just by seeing a doctor. Song Xintan was that type. Normally, if he had a headache or fever, he'd message her to ask first before feeling at ease. Shi Wenli: "..." Xu Qinghe: [No rush. Take your time eating. I'm eating too.] Shi Wenli: [I'll try to be back in the office within twenty minutes.] He then asked with concern: [Is it okay for you to just eat scallion pancakes for lunch? Have some dishes.] Xu Qinghe: [I still think scallion pancakes are the best.] Shi Wenli: [I'll cook you a few more dishes when we get home tonight.] Xu Qinghe: [Thanks, hubby.] Shi Wenli: [See you soon.]
Wu Xiaofeng had been glancing at him countless times. Shi Wenli only looked up after exiting WeChat. "What's up?" Wu Xiaofeng chewed absentmindedly. "Nothing. Don't worry, I'm not curious about who your girlfriend is." Three things had happened today that left him frustrated. First, when he woke up in the morning, he found a message from the female colleague who had asked him to pass on a message—sent at 1:30 AM, when he was already fast asleep. She must have been drinking because she was upset; otherwise, she wouldn't have sent something like that in the middle of the night: [Wu Xiaofeng, you're a complete moron!] He wasn't really angry—he understood she was heartbroken and figured she'd apologize once she sobered up in the morning. Even if she didn't apologize, an explanation would do. But he'd waited from morning till now, and she hadn't said a word.
Then came the second frustrating thing. Today there was an emergency surgery, and the anesthesiologist on duty was Fang Yu. When he happened to turn his head, he caught Fang Yu rolling her eyes at him. She hadn't expected him to look over at that moment and couldn't retract the eye roll in time. After that, Fang Yu acted as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing with him. The third thing was related to Xu Qinghe. Actually, the second thing was also because of her. In the Anesthesiology Department, Fang Yu and Xu Qinghe were closest. He had never had any conflict with Fang Yu. Her rolling her eyes at him was probably on Xu Qinghe's behalf.
Strictly speaking, the third thing didn't happen today. Yesterday afternoon, Section Chief Wu from the Medical Affairs Office called, saying that with the New Year approaching, whether complaints or conflicts, they should be resolved before the New Year, leaving no lingering troubles for the coming year. He was referring to the conflict between him and Xu Qinghe. Since Section Chief Wu had personally called him, he needed to give some face. The Orthopedics Department's complaint against Xu Qinghe hadn't been withdrawn because they wanted her to provide a written explanation. Since the leadership had stepped in to mediate, his request wasn't high—they could both go before Section Chief Wu, and as long as Xu Qinghe had a good attitude, the complaint would be dropped. But Section Chief Wu had waited from yesterday afternoon until now, and Xu Qinghe still hadn't replied.
Wu Xiaofeng suddenly looked up and asked the person across from him: "Now that you're busy with your love life, you don't have time for your good friend Xu Qinghe, do you?" Shi Wenli said: "I always have time. What's the matter?" Wu Xiaofeng cut straight to the point: "About the complaint—it's not that I'm being aggressive. She's been dragging it out without resolving it, with a negative attitude." Shi Wenli: "Then you take a positive attitude and approach her yourself, won't that work?" "..." Wu Xiaofeng felt a lump in his throat. Shi Wenli continued: "I gave you advice before. Don't argue with her. If you encounter a problem, discuss and solve it together, and things won't escalate to this point. She can apologize to patients and their families, but she will never bow down to a colleague. I know her that much." Wu Xiaofeng remained silent. Was he supposed to go apologize to Xu Qinghe? That day, the patient had already been sent to the operating room, the monitors connected, but Xu Qinghe refused to take the anesthesia form. The patient's family complained not only about Xu Qinghe but also about the Orthopedics Department. Shi Wenli: "Don't expect her to soften up. If you don't want to apologize to her in person, you can apologize to me, and I'll pass it along." "..." Wu Xiaofeng was speechless for a long time. "Fine, fine, fine. Now I know you still have time for her." He shut up. "Let's not talk about this while eating." Things were already frustrating enough; if he kept going, he'd end up with indigestion.
Shi Wenli's phone vibrated. Ding Qihang messaged him: [Chief Shi, where are you? We're waiting for you.] Shi Wenli: [You guys eat. I'm in the cafeteria.] Ding Qihang was puzzled—today was Xu Qing's birthday, and Chief Shi had treated them to several extra dishes, a big feast. Why was he eating in the cafeteria instead? Shi Wenli: [I came to see Dr. Xu.] Ding Qihang: [Okay. Enjoy your meal.] Must be something important. Everyone in the group knew the sister-in-law was the elegant lady who treated them to coffee and liked wearing shawls, so they didn't think much of the chief eating with Dr. Xu. Xu Qing saved a large piece of cake for Shi Wenli and left it directly on his desk.
Over ten minutes later, Shi Wenli returned to the neurosurgery ward. People in the next large office were celebrating Xu Qing's birthday. He didn't go over to disturb them, as his presence would make them uncomfortable. He had just sat down at his computer when a nurse's enthusiastic voice came from the corridor: "Dr. Xu, long time no see!" The nurse's eyes curved into a smile, but her gaze kept flickering to the person beside Xu Qinghe. Was this a sign that their relationship was stable and being made public? Last night, she had seen Xu Qinghe's boyfriend's photo in the group chat and recognized him immediately. He didn't photograph well; in person, his features were more defined. Standing next to Dr. Xu, they were a perfect match.
Xu Qinghe greeted the nurse and led Song Xintan straight to Shi Wenli's office. Song Xintan instinctively put his hand on his shirt collar and smoothed it. Today, he had deliberately avoided flashy colors and put on a white shirt. In a sense, he was also Shi Wenli's brother-in-law. For their first formal meeting, he had to pay attention to his appearance. The office door was open. Xu Qinghe stopped at the door, knocked on the doorframe, and said with a smile, "Chief Shi?" Shi Wenli was pouring tea for Song Xintan. He gave a gentle smile. "That fast?" Song Xintan was quick to get familiar: "Chief Shi, sorry to bother you again." "Don't be so formal. It's my duty." Shi Wenli placed the teacup on the desk. "I didn't know it was you yesterday." They didn't forget the formalities and shook hands. Shi Wenli gestured: "Have a seat." Xu Qinghe pulled up a chair and sat down not far from Shi Wenli, while Song Xintan sat across the desk. There was a piece of cake on the desk. Xu Qinghe knew most of the people in neurosurgery, so she casually asked, "Whose birthday is it today?" Shi Wenli said, "It's Xu Qing's birthday." He pushed the cake toward her. "Try it." Xu Qinghe didn't stand on ceremony. She picked up the cake fork and started eating.
The atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as it had been in the clinic yesterday. Song Xintan tried to make conversation: "Xu? Is it the same 'Xu' as in Wu Zixu?" Xu Qinghe said, "No. It's the 'xu' in 'must'." Song Xintan nodded. "That's a unique name." "Xu Qingri, see the red dress and white fur, exceptionally enchanting." Xu Qinghe said, "I think so too. I really liked it the first time I heard it." While eating the cake, she turned to him. "What are your symptoms? Tell Shi Wenli quickly." Song Xintan found it strange. "Now that I'm sitting here, my headache doesn't feel as bad as before." Shi Wenli: "..." Xu Qinghe had cake in her mouth, so her words were a bit muffled. "I told you it's mostly psychological." "How could a psychological effect cause such pain?" Song Xintan didn't want to recall that intense pain, feeling as if a blood vessel was about to burst. "I really was in pain before I came. I couldn't even eat lunch. But now I suddenly feel starving." He was puzzled himself. Why was that? Xu Qinghe: "You should have said so earlier." If he had, she would have saved the cake for him. Shi Wenli chimed in: "Our hospital also has an external cafeteria that can deliver. I'll order a meal for you." Song Xintan hastily waved his hand, saying it wasn't necessary. "Chief Shi, as soon as I come to the hospital, I'm fine. As soon as I leave, the pain starts. What should I do?" Shi Wenli gave the same advice: "If it's really unbearable, take medication to relieve it. Withdrawal symptoms take time; they won't go away in a day or two. Aside from headaches, you don't have insomnia or irritability..." Song Xintan interrupted him: "I didn't have those symptoms when I came to see you. I started having insomnia last night, and I was pretty irritable before coming." Shi Wenli: "..." He continued asking, "Do you have any palpitations or chest tightness? Or gastrointestinal discomfort?" Song Xintan thought for a moment. "A little palpitation." Xu Qinghe looked at him. "Why are you having palpitations?" "...How would I know? It suddenly started beating faster. It's not like I can make it stop." "..." Shi Wenli suggested sincerely: "How about this: I'll take you to Psychiatry later. For your condition, they have corresponding psychological counseling plans there. I'm quite familiar with several of their directors." Xu Qinghe took a bite of cake and echoed, "He should go to Psychiatry. He insisted on coming to you." Song Xintan frowned: "Psychiatry?" Seeing his strong reaction, Xu Qinghe retorted: "What's wrong? You don't want to go to the smoking cessation clinic—you said it's useless. If not Psychiatry, where else?" Song Xintan resolutely refused. Psychiatry and neurology were worlds apart. His mind was perfectly fine. Why should he go to Psychiatry! "I trust Chief Shi's medical skills. I don't need to go to Psychiatry." Shi Wenli understood. Some people were indeed put off by Psychiatry. Since Song Xintan was already anxious and so opposed, he couldn't force it. He reassured him, "Then I'll look into how to counsel you when I get home tonight." Song Xintan: "You can counsel me." Xu Qinghe: "..."
Not having to go to Psychiatry, Song Xintan felt much better. He didn't forget to thank him. "Thank you. Sorry for the trouble." Shi Wenli: "It's no trouble. It's my duty." Xu Qinghe couldn't finish the half cake and pushed it back to Shi Wenli. Seeing the cake reminded her that she hadn't posted about the crystal swan cake Song Xintan bought her yesterday on Moments. She found Fang Yu's chat and saved the photos one by one. Fang Yu had cut the cake, taking photos and videos before cutting. Fang Yu was a master photographer; no one in the Anesthesiology Department had a better eye for composition. She had sent Xu Qinghe the photos yesterday. At the time, Xu Qinghe had received an emergency consultation call, then busied herself with eating with Song Xintan, and then ran into Wu Xiaofeng at the entrance of her complex. So many things happened at once that she forgot.
Shi Wenli asked her, "Not eating the cake?" Xu Qinghe shook her head. "I ate quite a few scallion pancakes. I can't eat that much." After posting on Moments, she looked at Song Xintan, who was savoring the herbal tea. "Like my post." "What did you post? Why do you need a like?" As he spoke, Song Xintan opened Moments. Hearing this, Shi Wenli couldn't help but pick up his phone, ready to give her a like. The images showed two crystal swan cakes, the angles cleverly chosen, looking like promotional photos from a cake shop. Then he saw the caption: [A blessing from my childhood friend.] Just then, Song Xintan said to Xu Qinghe, "I thought you were just eating and wouldn't give any feedback." Shi Wenli looked at Song Xintan and confirmed, "You ordered the cake?" Song Xintan nodded. "Yes." He turned to check the door—no one was passing by—then lowered his voice: "I specially ordered it to congratulate you two on getting your marriage certificate." "Thanks." Shi Wenli appraised him thoughtfully for a few moments. How could he not know whether a cake was ordered? But then again, if he hadn't ordered it, Song Xintan wouldn't take credit for it. He didn't know where the mix-up had occurred. He kept silent for now.
Song Xintan felt much better after drinking half a cup of herbal tea. He would never have touched such healthy herbal tea before. He secretly planned that if his headache returned after leaving the hospital, he would just hang around Shi Wenli's office during the withdrawal period. Maybe some illnesses are more afraid of doctors. Xu Qinghe, seeing he had finished his tea, suggested leaving: "Let's go. Let Chief Shi rest. He didn't sleep well last night." His sleep had been interrupted by her emergency call, and he had gotten up early to make scallion pancakes. If he didn't take a nap at noon, he wouldn't be able to handle it. She stood up and said softly to Shi Wenli, "See you tonight." Shi Wenli also smiled and said, "See you tonight." Song Xintan found Xu Qinghe hard to watch. He had never seen her speak so gently.
Shi Wenli stood up and saw them to the door. Song Xintan extended his hand again and shook Shi Wenli's lightly: "No need to see us out. I'll have to trouble you with my illness." Shi Wenli: "...It's my duty." He said politely with a gentle expression, "Take care." Xu Qinghe waved. "Go get some rest." She and Song Xintan walked off side by side. Song Xintan glanced sideways at her. "No need to go back to your office?" "No need." "Then I'll take you home to catch up on sleep." As they passed the nurse station, the nurse who happened to look up gave them an extra glance.
Back in the office, Shi Wenli ate the remaining half of the cake. Xu Qing, passing by the door, glanced in, took a step past, then stepped back to double-check. No mistake: Chief Shi was eating her birthday cake. But just a few minutes ago, when she passed by, Dr. Xu had been the one eating it. She had brought the cake herself with only one fork. So, they shared a fork? Who the real blind date was seemed to be an open secret. Xu Qing found it hard to believe. She quickly went through it in her mind. In hindsight, all the little clues pointed to Xu Qinghe. Fang Yu had clarified that the so-called boyfriend was actually a childhood friend. That meant that at noon today, Dr. Xu hadn't brought her boyfriend to meet Chief Shi but had brought her childhood friend to meet her boyfriend.
A figure was lingering at the door. Shi Wenli looked up. "What's the matter?" Xu Qing decided to go in. "Chief Shi," she probed tactfully, "does Dr. Xu especially like scallion pancakes?" "Yes." "Then the scallion pancakes this morning?" "I made them specially for her." Shi Wenli said, "I thought you had guessed it was her." Xu Qing exclaimed excitedly, "We guessed wrong!" She slipped away without even saying goodbye.
Shi Wenli found the order for the previously ordered cake and confirmed that the cake shop had delivered it, and that the staff had called him at noon that day to confirm. If Song Xintan also sent a cake, there should have been two. It couldn't be that Song Xintan's headache caused him to hallucinate that he ordered one when he didn't. Regarding Song Xintan's condition, he decided to consult a professional. He briefly described the situation to the head of Psychiatry and asked for a counseling and treatment plan. The head of Psychiatry: [Who is he to you that you're so concerned?] Shi Wenli said: [Dr. Xu's childhood friend.] He was prepared: if asked whether the childhood friend was Xu Qinghe's boyfriend, he would clarify directly. Head of Psychiatry: [OK] Shi Wenli: [Thanks.] Just as he was about to lock his phone, another message came in. Xu Qinghe: [Song Xintan said his headache seems to be getting a little worse.] "..." Shi Wenli glanced at the time. They probably hadn't even driven out of the hospital gate yet. He replied: [It's psychological.] He paused again. Shi Wenli asked: [Has Song Xintan ever had any delusions or similar issues?] Xu Qinghe laughed: [He's completely normal.] Shi Wenli: [Then it's fine.] He also asked: [How was the crystal cake's flavor?] Xu Qinghe: [Delicious. I like all their flavors.] Shi Wenli planned to order her another one on moving day. As for the earlier cake, he would ask Song Xintan about it when he recovered.
Xu Qinghe: [Hubby, I'm home. I'll take a nap.] Shi Wenli: [Sleep well.] With two days until the move, he pre-booked everything he needed. As the year-end approached, his workload had lightened, allowing him to leave on time. There wasn't much to do before the New Year; all elective surgeries were scheduled after the New Year. He had clinic on the second day of the lunar New Year and would start regular surgeries from the fourth day. Other departments would also gradually resume elective surgeries from the fourth day. By then, the Anesthesiology Department would slowly get busy. He and Xu Qinghe didn't have much time to spend together around the clock during the holiday.
At 5:30 PM, Shi Wenli left the office. The Spring Festival was approaching; even the roads had fewer cars. He drove to the complex in about three or four minutes. After parking, instead of going upstairs, he walked toward the main gate. He had never given Xu Qinghe a proper bouquet, so he first went to a flower shop and chose a bunch of red roses. Today wasn't a special day; he just hoped she could be happy every day—just like the blessing he had attached to the cake. A bouquet, a nutritious breakfast, some companionship—these were all things within his power.
Leaving the flower shop, Shi Wenli went to the courier station. He entered Xu Qinghe's phone number to look up a pickup code, but the result showed none. The owner happened to be nearby and reminded him: "Enter the last four digits, not the entire number." Shi Wenli said, "I entered the last four. Maybe my wife already picked it up." The owner remembered him well—he came every day, always with several parcels. Shi Wenli turned and went to the pharmacy next door. As soon as he entered, he saw a familiar figure standing in front of the condom shelf, holding four or five parcels, her head down, selecting condoms. He approached, but she still didn't look up, focused on studying the sizes and functions. Shi Wenli reached out and ruffled her hair. "What are you looking at?" Xu Qinghe turned around abruptly and gave a shy smile. "Just browsing." Shi Wenli took the packages from her arms and handed her the flowers. Xu Qinghe was pleasantly surprised. Since there was a pharmacy staff member nearby, she didn't say anything and just hugged them. "Thanks, hubby." Shi Wenli looked at the shelf and asked her, "Besides apple and orange, what other flavors do you want?" Xu Qinghe lowered her voice: "Get one box of each other flavor to try." Shi Wenli grabbed large boxes of each. She looked away, pretending not to notice. When they had made love last night, she had still subconsciously turned her face away. Midway, Shi Wenli stopped to comfort her, encouraging her to overcome the psychological barrier and try to meet his eyes. In the dim light, she held his gaze for a few minutes. And in those few minutes, her climax came early.
Exiting the pharmacy, Xu Qinghe finally asked him, "Hubby, why the sudden flowers?" "I've never bought you any." Shi Wenli looked at her. "Think of it as me chasing you, wanting to make up for a romance with you." Xu Qinghe's heart was thumping. "I've always wanted to have a love affair with you. I just never figured out how to bring it up." With that, not knowing what to do with her hands, she lifted her arm and linked it with his. Shi Wenli held the packages with one hand and freed the other to hold her hand. "From now on, whatever you want to do with me, tell me directly. Don't be shy." Xu Qinghe nodded and tightened her grip on his hand. Shi Wenli turned his head and said, "But for the next few months, I can't openly give you things." "It's fine." Xu Qinghe gestured to the flowers in her arms. "This is good enough." Once inside the door, Shi Wenli kissed her before taking off his coat to open the packages for her. Xu Qinghe's phone vibrated. Song Xintan sent a message: [Ask Shi Wenli when he'll call me for counseling. I've been waiting for his call.]
Xu Qinghe: "..."