Dr. Lu continued, "After returning to the country, I would attend every performance by your ballet company. That's when I fell in love with ballet. Later, during one performance, I noticed the lead dancer had changed. I went backstage to inquire and learned that you were married, and to a wealthy family. I've regretted ever since why I didn't get to know you sooner, why I didn't confess my feelings earlier..."
"Dr. Lu, thank you for enjoying my ballet performances," Lan Yu interrupted him. "What you've said makes me feel like a lifetime has passed. Fate is a strange thing. However, meeting such a responsible doctor like you when I was taking my mother to see a doctor during the most difficult times was truly fortunate, and I am very grateful to you. If you don't mind the current me, we could actually become very good friends."
"Friends? But I hope we can be more than just friends. Besides a doctor's duty, I can also help you in other ways," Dr. Lu tried to persuade her. "How much does that Xiao fellow owe you? I have some savings too. And what he said about finding foreign experts is not reliable, don't believe him..."
"I'm sorry, but I appreciate your kindness. I'm afraid I can never repay what I owe Mr. Xiao. I need to go back to the ward to look after my mother." With that, Lan Yu turned and returned to the ward with an apologetic expression.
Dr. Lu remained where he was, not expecting to have missed another opportunity. When he encountered her again, knowing she was divorced, why had he hesitated and not confessed his feelings directly? He felt an indescribable discomfort and regret.
At that moment, a duty nurse called him, saying a patient in another ward had rung the bell. He had no time to dwell in his sorrow of missing another chance and immediately rushed to the other room.
Lan Yu returned to the ward and looked at her mother, who was sleeping relatively peacefully. She rubbed her temples, wondering why, when Dr. Lu tried to confess his feelings, she had thought of Xiao Anjing, who was hostile towards Dr. Lu.
He had a sense of smell more acute than a dog's. Had he seen at a glance that Dr. Lu had other intentions towards her?
To be honest, she had been thinking about Xiao Anjing for no reason lately, wondering what he was doing, and when he would suddenly appear to collect his debt.
He had, unknowingly, intruded into her life, occupying her thoughts, making it impossible for her to ignore him.
...
As soon as Xiao Anjing returned home, he began contacting some authoritative foreign experts in cancer research online.
After a while, only one or two had replied. He sent Lan Yu's mother's medical records to their email addresses. They all said they needed to review and study them before replying.
He would have to wait at least a day or two. It seemed he couldn't give Lan Yu an accurate answer immediately.
He took a can of beer from the refrigerator and drank it alone, feeling bored. Thinking about the scene of meeting Lan Yu again today, his mood became chaotic and restless.
Standing on the balcony, looking at the night scenery, he sighed. Was his brain malfunctioning? Why would he think about marrying Lan Yu, asking her to be loyal to him, and to repay his debt for life?
Did he really want to give up a forest for one tree? Couldn't he find other women for casual encounters? Why did he have to be so serious and make himself so tired?
At that moment, his phone rang, disrupting his thoughts. He went back to the living room and picked up his phone from the sofa. Qin Tianyi's voice came through.
"Where are you? Is it convenient to talk? If not, I'll find another time to call you."
He said wearily, "I'm home alone, there's nothing inconvenient about it."
The other party laughed and said, "You're not at a nightclub, nor did you bring a beautiful woman home. You left the group early today and are staying home alone. This isn't like you."
"I heard you were going to obediently get treatment for your facial injury, so I felt happy and wanted to give myself a holiday," Xiao Anjing teased him. "It's so late, aren't you with your beloved, whispering sweet nothings? Why are you bothering with me?"
"She's going back to the villa tonight to prepare some things and wants to spend more time with the children. I'm also alone in the apartment." Qin Tianyi sensed something was off from his voice. "Why do you sound so weak? Have you just had strenuous exercise?"
"I think you've completely recovered. There are still many unhandled documents in the group. How about I send some to you tonight? You've had enough of a holiday, don't be a hands-off boss..."
"Send them over, I won't look at them," Qin Tianyi said with a smile on the other end of the phone. "My wife said I should rest more before going for cosmetic treatment, and take good care of myself so I can undergo the treatment properly."
"Showing off, flaunting your affection!" Xiao Anjing scoffed at his lazy approach.
Qin Tianyi stopped joking and got down to business. "By the way, after Su Su and I leave, you should still send people to keep an eye on Jia Nanfang's former residence. I'm afraid she won't be able to stay in Southeast Asia and might return to Lancheng. Also, at the villa, the three children need more bodyguards just in case."
"Alright." Xiao Anjing asked, "Has Jia Nanfang been caught yet? This woman is quite capable."
"I just heard from Su Kangxi that the Southeast Asian police successfully apprehended Kun Sang, but Jia Nanfang wasn't with Kun Sang, so she escaped again."
Xiao Anjing said seriously, "You and Su Su can go for treatment with peace of mind, I'll keep an eye on things for you. However, once your facial injury is healed, you'll have to give me a long holiday."
"No problem, will half a year's leave be enough?" Qin Tianyi said in a teasing tone. "It should be enough for your mother to introduce you to all her potential dates."
Qin Tianyi's words reminded him of Lan Yu again. He asked in a seemingly casual, yet joking tone, "Tell me, why did you decide on Su Su back then and insist on marrying her? Are you really that happy after finding a wife?"
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Qin Tianyi suddenly asked, "What, have you found someone you want to marry?"
Xiao Anjing was so choked up he couldn't speak.
Qin Tianyi burst out laughing and said, "You're a seasoned player in the dating game. Asking me for advice on a woman you can't handle is useless. Don't you remember you taught me many ways to please women back then? Just use those methods and you'll have her."
"What are you talking about? How could I have a woman I can't handle?" Xiao Anjing gave a dry laugh. "I'm just curious about married life."
"What's there to be curious about? Just get married to someone and you'll know." Qin Tianyi stopped teasing him and said, "You ask me why I chose Su Su, but in matters of the heart, there's no reason. If you can explain why, then it's not pure liking. Perhaps it was the feeling I had the first time I saw her. There's something about her that I like, and her every smile and frown is more beautiful in my eyes than others. She always makes me yearn for her..."