“Dad, can you walk on your legs?” Jin Jingchen asked in surprise when he saw him.
“Yes. I’ve been practicing at home these past few days, and I was able to walk yesterday afternoon.” Jin Zhanting’s face held a smile, unable to conceal his excitement.
He then noticed Tang Ran’s red eyes and frowned, “Tang Ran, why are you crying?”
“No, I’m not.” Tang Ran immediately put on a smile, rubbing her eyes with her hand. “A small bug flew into my eye when I went out to get food, that’s why they’re red.”
“Oh.” Jin Zhanting replied with a single, thoughtful word, looking at his son with a pensive gaze.
“Dad, why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten?” Jin Jingchen changed the subject nonchalantly.
“No. I was dealing with some matters at the company this morning, and I happened to be passing by, so I came up to see you. You should eat first.” Jin Zhanting then turned to Tang Ran, who was standing, and said,
“Tang Ran, you should eat too, or the food will get cold.”
“Okay.” Tang Ran walked forward, pulled out a chair for him to sit down, and then returned to the sofa, slowly opening her bento box.
The two ate in silence, at a leisurely pace, seeming to have little appetite, as if preoccupied with something.
Jin Zhanting spoke, “Jingchen, with Tang Ran here, there’s something I need to say.
I am very relieved and satisfied with how she has taken care of you in the hospital during this time.
You will be discharged tomorrow, and you will still need someone to care for you at home.
I’ve already had the guest room prepared. Tang Ran will also come with you to continue taking care of you.”
“No. Dad, don’t we have a housekeeper at home? Tang Ran has her own job.” Jin Jingchen glanced at Tang Ran and quickly refused.
Jin Zhanting raised his voice, “How can the housekeeper at home compare to Tang Ran? She is very knowledgeable about medication and also understands some traditional Chinese medicine techniques.”
“I…” Jin Jingchen put down his chopsticks and was about to explain why Tang Ran couldn’t stay when he saw his father turn and ask directly,
“Tang Ran, what are your thoughts? Are you willing to continue taking care of Jingchen at the Jin family’s home?”
“I…” Tang Ran hadn’t expected Jin Zhanting to ask her this question directly. She paused for a moment and replied with neither humility nor arrogance, “I just went to Xinglin Pharmacy. President Yin has already taught me her acupuncture techniques.
She said I only need to practice once more, and I can perform acupuncture independently.
As for whether I will continue to take care of the second young master Jin at the Jin family’s home, that is for him to decide.
Originally, my taking care of him here was based on him hiring me with his money.”
Upon hearing this, Jin Zhanting’s eyes lit up, and he immediately made the decision for Jin Jingchen.
“That’s wonderful. I was just about to look for a TCM practitioner who understands acupuncture at the hospital.
Since you have no objections, then it’s settled. When you are discharged tomorrow, you will return to the Jin family’s home with Jingchen.
You two enjoy your meal. I’ll be going back now.”
“Dad! Wait, listen to me.” Jin Jingchen wanted to call out to him to stop this, but Jin Zhanting seemed not to hear, and with the help of the butler, quickly left the room.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Jin Jingchen retracted his gaze and glared at Tang Ran with a hint of anger.
Tang Ran raised her head stubbornly, “I just explained my situation to Old Master Jin.
If you continue to insist on your decision, then after dinner, I will pack up and leave.”
After staring at each other for seven or eight seconds, Jin Jingchen finally said nothing.
He slowly picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
In the afternoon, Yin Xi performed acupuncture on a scheduled patient at the pharmacy again.
Throughout the day, she received three or four calls from Qin Si Ye.
It was so disruptive that she couldn’t work with peace of mind.
In the evening, upon returning to the Yin family villa and finishing dinner, she had just walked into the bedroom when Qin Si Ye’s video call came in again.
As soon as the call was connected, she saw Qin Si Ye’s slightly sorrowful face appear on the phone screen.
“Xixi, do you miss me?”