Day 10

Early in the morning.

The hospital was in utter chaos. Wen Congyin had left so abruptly before, and although she had asked someone to help her apply for leave at the hospital, she still had to report back to her supervisor.

She carried some things with her as she went to see Xu Xiang.

Xu Xiang was in the middle of examining a patient. When she saw Wen Congyin return, she paused briefly, finished writing a prescription for the patient, then said in a lukewarm tone, “Xiao Wen, you’re back. I hope nothing serious happened at your relative’s place?”

Wen Congyin sighed. “Director Xu, please don’t mention it. I really arrived just in time. My niece’s uncle’s family is truly inhumane—they tried to let the child freeze to death. It was the dead of winter, and when I got there, the child was only wearing a thin summer shirt…”

“Oh my, that’s just too much!” Xu Xiang, who had initially been displeased about Wen Congyin’s sudden leave, now felt her irritation replaced with anger.

Wen Congyin said, “Exactly. That family simply didn’t want to raise my niece. I couldn’t bear it, so I brought the child back with me. I’d rather endure some hardship myself than watch a little girl suffer like that.”

Xu Xiang looked at Wen Congyin—so decisive yet tender-hearted—no wonder she had worked in pediatrics for so many years.

Hearing Wen Congyin’s words, Xu Xiang truly believed this young woman was kind-hearted despite her youth.

“Oh, Director Xu,” Wen Congyin said, handing over a bottle of Maotai liquor she had bought on the train. “I heard you enjoy a drink now and then. I don’t know if this is any good, but it’s a waste sitting with me, so I thought I’d give it to you.”

Xu Xiang was taken aback, both flattered and a little embarrassed. “Xiao Wen, you’re too polite. This bottle looks expensive—I really can’t accept it.”

“Please, take it,” Wen Congyin insisted, pressing the bottle into Xu Xiang’s hands. “No one in my family drinks, so it’s useless to keep it. Besides, I’ve always admired you. Give me a chance to show my appreciation.”

After some polite back and forth, Xu Xiang reluctantly accepted the gift, mainly because good liquor these days required vouchers, and even those with money found it hard to get quality drinks.

Having given the gift, Wen Congyin then got to the point. “Someone introduced me to a soldier as a potential match recently. He might soon be deployed with the troops, and I won’t be able to keep my post here. Could you perhaps keep an eye out and see if anyone wants to buy it?”

Xu Xiang had just accepted the liquor when she heard this and agreed immediately but with some surprise. “A soldier? Didn’t Director Zhang introduce you to Comrade Zhao before?”

Wen Congyin sighed. “Don’t mention that. I told Director Zhang many times, but she just wouldn’t listen and even got mad at me.”

Though Wen Congyin was vague, Xu Xiang pieced together the story and nodded knowingly. “Well, congratulations then.”

“Thanks. I’d better get back to work now.” Seeing a patient entering, Wen Congyin stood up and headed out.

Xu Xiang noticed her weary, weathered appearance and kindly suggested, “Why don’t you take the day off? You just got back.”

Wen Congyin waved her off. “No need. I’ve already lost two days; no more rest for me.”

After she said that, the nurses outside visibly relaxed.

Wen Congyin changed her clothes and came out. With her helping in pediatrics, the pressure eased considerably.

Director Zhang only heard of Wen Congyin’s return when she came for the night shift that afternoon. Upon learning the news, she immediately came over and saw Wen Congyin chatting and laughing with Xu Xiang and others.

Director Zhang curled her lips and approached with hands in her pockets. “Oh, Xiao Wen is finally back. You took leave on a whim these past few days and left Director Xu and the others exhausted.”

A few days earlier, Xu Xiang and the nurses had indeed complained.

But now that Wen Congyin was back, actively helping and sharing local specialties she’d bought in Shanghai—like White Rabbit candy, apples, and biscuits—the atmosphere softened.

One who gives is always at an advantage.

Naturally, no one dared say anything now.

Besides, she had mentioned it was an emergency.

——

“Director Zhang, it’s not that exaggerated. We managed fine without Xiao Wen before, and besides, she apologized to everyone when she came back,” Xu Xiang said.

Director Zhang paused, glancing at Xu Xiang with suspicion.

Xu Xiang was known for hating laziness the most.

So why didn’t she get angry when Wen Congyin quietly took two days off without reporting?

Lin Hongyin wanted to say something but saw no one else speaking and kept silent.

Seeing this, Director Zhang pursed her lips and looked at Wen Congyin. “Xiao Wen, you might not know, but Comrade Zhao already has a girlfriend.”

Wen Congyin was writing her daily summary. Hearing this, she looked up and smiled, “Congratulations to Comrade Zhao, and to you too, Director Zhang. That must be a relief.”

Her casual tone made it seem as though she didn’t care about Zhao Shirén at all, which annoyed Director Zhang. She rolled her eyes and said with a drawn-out tone, “No, everyone’s happy for you—it’s your family’s joy after all. But I’m telling you, don’t regret it. With Zhao Shirén’s qualifications, you won’t find anyone better in Beijing. Miss this chance, and there won’t be another.”

Xu Xiang looked as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Director Zhang, clearly not wanting to stay, snorted and left.

Wen Congyin quickly finished her summary and glanced at the time. It was time to clock out, so she said goodbye.

Lin Hongyin muttered, “Look at her—acting like she doesn’t care at all. Zhao’s such a good match, and she refuses him. What else could she want?”

Xu Xiang shot her a glance. “Mind your own business. She already has someone.”

“Ah?”

Lin Hongyin and the others were stunned.

This time, when Wen Congyin returned home, even before entering, she could feel the neighbors’ pitying looks.

Aunt Han pulled her aside and whispered, “Xiao Wen, please don’t be sad or do anything foolish.”

“What foolish thing?” Wen Congyin was puzzled.

Aunt Han, seeing her confusion, realized she was being kept in the dark and was about to explain.

At that moment, someone coughed at home. The daughter-in-law lifted the curtain and called out, “Mom, your grandson peed.”

Aunt Han looked awkward, nodded, and went inside, waving to Wen Congyin to follow.

Strange atmosphere.

Wen Congyin muttered to herself and pushed open the door with her suitcase.

Inside were Wen’s father, Zhao Shirén, and Wen Congli with her mother.

Seeing Wen Congyin, Wen’s father snorted, slamming his enamel cup on the table. “So you still know how to come back!”

“Dad, this is my home. Why wouldn’t I come back?” Wen Congyin replied, glancing at Zhao Shirén and Wen Congli sitting close together. Their hands were tightly clasped, and when they noticed her looking, they gripped even tighter.

Wen Congyin vaguely understood what Aunt Han had hinted at earlier.

She raised an eyebrow, looking at the two.

Wen Congli looked a little guilty, but Zhao Shirén was quite confident. “Comrade Wen, your sister Wen Congli and I are together now. We want your blessing.”

Wen’s father’s face darkened.

Wen Congyin’s eyes swept over Zhou Yanhong and her daughter. Those two were even more capable than she’d imagined. She paused, then opened her suitcase just as everyone was puzzled about what she intended.

Wen Congyin pulled out a bag of brown sugar. “Just a small token—no need for formalities.”

Zhao Shirén stared blankly at the brown sugar.

This wasn’t right.

By their logic, Wen Congyin should have been furious or jealous. Zhao Shirén had prepared how to backtrack and comfort her, telling her the marriage was fake to scare her.

But instead, she was presenting a wedding gift.

“Nothing more to say. I wish you both happiness.” Wen Congyin said, then wheeled her suitcase toward the bedroom.

“Stop!”

Wen’s father finally lost his temper, shouting while standing, his face flushed dark red. “What do you take this family for? What do you take me, your father, for? You come and go as you please. You want this marriage, you want it; you don’t, you don’t. I reckon your grandfather spoiled you rotten. No discipline!”

“This Zhao boy is such a good kid. He’s been worried about you these past days, even came to keep me company every day so I wouldn’t get anxious. If you throw a childish tantrum now, last time I let you have your way, but this marriage cannot be undone. You two must marry!”

Wen’s father’s words darkened Wen Congli and her mother’s faces.

Zhou Yanhong, who should have spoken up to support Wen’s father, had been so flattered by the neighbors these days that she was lost and no longer knew which way was up.

Moreover, Wen Congli kept saying how marrying Zhao Shirén would bring all sorts of benefits, so Zhou Yanhong had completely switched sides.

Wen Congyin stopped walking and turned around, but before she could speak, Zhou Yanhong hesitated and said, “Old Wen, this… this isn’t quite appropriate, is it?”

Wen’s father glanced at Zhou Yanhong, stunned. She was usually his echo in the house but now dared to contradict him.

Wen Congli held her stomach and stood shyly, biting her lip. “Father, Zhao and I have done everything we shouldn’t have. Maybe… maybe there’s already a child.”

Wen’s father’s pupils contracted sharply. His gaze immediately turned to Zhao Shirén, who looked embarrassed and flustered. Obviously, he hadn’t expected Wen Congli to say such a thing.

In his view, a woman should keep quiet about losing her virginity before marriage.

Yet Wen Congli spoke so openly.

“Father, with this, do you still want me to marry Zhao Shirén?” Wen Congyin teased, looking at her father.

Wen’s father was so furious veins bulged on his forehead. Pointing at Wen Congyin, he said, “It’s your fault! If you’d behaved and done as I planned, none of this chaos would have happened!”

“There’s no match like Zhao Shirén left. What good do you think you’ll find on your own?”

Wen Congyin was about to reply when the doorbell rang.

She guessed it might be Geng Xu. Glancing at her father, she went to open the door.

Sure enough, it was Geng Xu.