Chapter 25 From Far to Near

After finishing his weekend outpatient clinic shift on Saturday, He Dongli took the time to return to Yu Xiaohan.

Now, when she goes to her mother's house, she has a very relaxed attitude towards her visit.

When Xixi walked in, Aunt Lu quickly brought her a change of slippers. She told her, "Your mom has been waiting for you for so long she's practically dying. She's just worried you'll call back at the end of the day and say you can't come back from surgery."

While changing his shoes, He Dongli heard the sizzling sound of vegetables being put into the frying pan in the kitchen.

Aunt Lu went in and changed Yu Xiaohan out. She took off her apron and asked He Dongli the first time she saw him. "What's wrong? Is there something wrong at the hospital? You look so worried!"

He Dongli took off his coat. His hair was a little messy from the subway ride. He took off his hairband and combed it with his fingers. He said to his mother, "What's the matter? Don't overthink it. It's too cold outside. I'm also hungry."

Yu Xiaohan finally smiled and urged her to go wash her hands. "It's all ready. The toppings will be waiting for you when you come back. You can enjoy it right away. I want the aroma you want, you're quite picky."

As she spoke, she followed Xixi to the bathroom. While she was washing her hands, Yu Xiaohan whispered to her daughter, "Xu Xize is back to see Xu Maosen. He might stay for dinner later."

He Dongli washed her hands calmly. When she came out, she kicked the door with her foot, which was a professional habit. Yu Xiaohan saw it and scolded her for being so sneaky. He Dongli smiled mischievously. The mother and daughter had a rare moment of understanding. Yu Xiaohan pointed upstairs and muttered softly, "You haven't come here for eight hundred years. When you come, you just lock yourself in the study and smoke."

He Dongli sensed something very sensitively, "What happened to Uncle Xu?"

"It's an old problem. I can't lie down at night because of the cough. My back pain has come back. I'm taking Chinese medicine."

He Dongli was about to go over to greet them, but Yu Xiaohan stopped him, "They are talking about something, don't be in a hurry, let's talk about it at the dinner table."

He Dongli could see that her mother was deliberately trying to keep her away from the Xu children. Xu Xize had previously offered her a better-paying private hospital, but she had declined. Yu Xiaohan knew this, and since she supported Xixi in not going, she privately didn't appreciate Xu's kindness. They say it's difficult for couples to marry later in life, and Yu Xiaohan felt she had a clear conscience. But she'd been satiated by the barrage of insults over the years, led by the Xu children. The siblings ganged up on Xixi, and Yu Xiaohan described it as a grudge a woman harbors during postpartum confinement, something she'd never forget.

Back then, she was so resentful that she couldn't come or go. It's not that she didn't think about giving up, but she just wouldn't accept it. At that stage, if she gave up, she would really be in the eyes of those people. She insisted on living a good life. In addition, Xixi had decided to study medicine, majoring in surgery before her sophomore year of high school. Xu Maosen wanted to ease the relationship and specially asked someone to find a professional teacher for consultation and guidance. Yu Xiaohan only wanted to provide for her daughter in a glorious way. Whether it was a school quota, the direction of the major exams, or even the future employment opportunities and connections, Xu Maosen was her best choice. So she was not afraid of what outsiders said, even if she relied on Xu Maosen's influence. Could it be that she had served him all these years without asking for food and clothing?

At the beginning, for the sake of the two children of the Xu family, Xu Maosen and his lawyers had firmly sealed the loopholes in the marriage. In the end, it was just this one house, and she had to endure the bullying of his children. Yu Xiaohan could not tell her daughter about the pain. It is said that there are only wrong purchases but no wrong sales in this world. Yu Xiaohan felt that women are always the ones who buy things, and men are the most shrewd sellers. She is now a monk who lives day by day, half of her body is buried in the ground, what is the use of those principles. It is better to save some hard currency for herself and keep it for her daughter, whether it is a dowry or a living thing. In short, she has long seen clearly that in this world, except for money and power, everything else is bullshit.

At the Xu family's dinner table in the evening, He Dongli met Xu Xize. The last time they met was during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

He Dongli asked about Xu Maosen's health and reviewed his recent films and medications. As always, he needed to quit drinking, smoking, and controlling his blood sugar.

In front of her mother, she said half-truthfully, "Next time Uncle Xu can't help smoking, call me and I'll talk to him. If that doesn't work, I'll take him to our hospital."

"What are you looking at? I'm fine." Xu Maosen didn't dare to frown at Xixi easily. Every time she came, Xu Maosen would act like a child.

He Dongli corrected him, "I'm not asking you to see a doctor, I'm asking you to immerse yourself in what it's like for other patients who have reached the final stage of their illness."

Before Xu Maosen and Yu Xiaohan could say anything, Xu Xize beside them laughed out loud. "They're just getting hospice care, and you're just giving them the finishing touch."

He Dongli held two chopsticks, one in each hand, and mixed the freshly fried toppings into the noodles. After mixing, she casually handed it to her left hand. She was very good with both hands. While eating noodles, she responded to the teasing people without looking up, "It's better to open up than to block."

Xu Xize laughed again. Aunt Lu gave Xu Maosen some pickled garlic. In front of Xixi, Xu Maosen became cautious. After all, there was sugar in the pickled garlic, so could it not be eaten?

He Dongli said that a small amount was fine, not to the point of being inedible. Xu Maosen nodded quickly and said to Yu Xiaohan, "You allowed her to study medicine, and now everyone has to follow the doctor's orders."

Aunt Lu has been helping out at the Xu family for many years. Ever since she followed Yu Xiaohan's new employer, she has expressed deep sympathy for Xixi's situation. Firstly, Xiaohan and Xu Maosen do not have a proper marriage relationship. Secondly, Xu Maosen talks nicely, but he is biased towards his biological child. Anyway, she has never seen Xu Maosen waving his hand and telling Xixi to buy anything. It was Xiaohan who secretly saved up furniture for his daughter. Aunt Lu privately likes Xixi more. She is good at studying, good-looking, and has a good temperament. Some time ago, her niece had scar hyperplasia after thyroid surgery, so Aunt Lu asked Xixi for help. She went to her tutor and finally got an appointment with a specialist through favors. Later, she heard from her niece that when Dr. He asked for help, he was talking about the relative aunt at home, not the nanny at home. Aunt Lu was very touched. She wanted to return the favor and say a few words, "What's wrong with following the doctor's advice. Don't be too greedy for free medical advice."

Yu Xiaohan was naturally relieved to hear this. Xu Xize, who had barely touched his chopsticks at the table, seemed uninterested in the women's gossip and couldn't help but scoff at He Dongli's assertion of a permanent boundary between the two. "Have you been busy at the hospital lately?" he suddenly asked He Dongli.

He Dongli finished a bowl of noodles with shredded eel and kidney, then picked up another bowl of stir-fried vegetables and replied with a nonchalant smile, "Same old as always. Surgery, ward, outpatient clinic."

"No social engagements, no meeting with anyone?"

Aunt Lu didn't know what tempura was, but her fried vegetable platter coated with starch was especially delicious. He Dongli finished a piece of pumpkin and had another one. While eating, he looked at Xu Xize calmly, "Who is it?"

Xu Xize met her gaze; it was the first time she had looked him in the eye that night. He couldn't find any flaws, so he shrugged and let it go. After all, she had hurt the young master of the Zong family quite badly back then. Xu Xize sometimes regretted it and wondered if he had known she could connect with Zong Chi, would he have been more open to accepting this sister. After all, throughout history, the family of a man's wife's in-laws was always a place of blessing and support that men tacitly accepted. The fact that they, mother and daughter, could eat on the Xu family's turf was the most indisputable fact.

Before Xu Xize finally put down his chopsticks, he glanced at He Dongli again. She wasn't particularly elegant while eating, more pragmatic than a so-called lady, yet still beautiful. At least she had a lively presence. Xu Xize wondered if she was also so withdrawn and indifferent in front of Zong.

After dinner, He Dongli helped his mother check her blood glucose meter and also helped her to recharge her membership on the video website. Then he packed up and prepared to leave.

Yu Xiaohan asked Xixi to take the remaining eel ribbons away, "You can eat it tomorrow. You can stir-fry it with leeks or onions."

He Dongli refused, "I won't eat at home tomorrow."

"Who are you going out to eat with, Xingyuan?"

"Zou Yan. His friend asked me out."

"Oh." Yu Xiaohan still asked her to take it back, saying that these were killed and shredded with great difficulty, and it would be fine to take them home and eat them for the next one or two days.

He Dongli couldn't resist and had to leave with the food container. Before leaving, she went to greet Xu Maosen and asked him to take care of his health. She used a polite and aggressive approach, saying that if he still didn't obey, she would still implement her plan.

Xu Maosen listened with a smile and nodded sincerely. After that, Xu Xize was about to leave. Xu Maosen decided to ask Aze to send Xixi off.

He Dongli didn't say anything good or bad in the villa. As soon as she walked out of the door, she immediately said goodbye to him.

Xu Xize rarely obeyed his father's orders, "Old Xu asked me to give it to you."

"No need, I've already called a taxi."

"It's the same if you give me the money for the taxi."

He Dongli turned her head halfway and gave Xu Xize a ruthless look of contempt. The latter asked her with a smile what was wrong?

He Dongli said nothing, nor did he respond to his offer to drive her there.

Xu Xize saw that she had completely declined. Finally, standing by his car, he asked again, not giving up, "Zong Chi is back, didn't you know?"

He Dongli stopped, turned around, and asked coldly, "Is this the real reason why you came to your father today?"

Xu Xize felt the need to remind her, "This place has long been under your mother's name. Also, you acted so calm at the table tonight, but you exposed yourself immediately. Do you know why? You only looked up at people properly when you mentioned him."

"Then what?" He Dongli wanted to hear Xu Xize's real purpose.

"Nothing, I just can't quite figure out this prince's behavior. If he keeps a low profile, he can disappear for years, but if he's high-profile, he won't hesitate to lose his official title."

"Well, that's his business." After He Dongli had said this with such deliberate care, she realized that when she had said this to Zong Chi, he might have really thought she was choking him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so resentful after all these years. He was the worst at holding a grudge!

"Back then, he was in his old man's villa in the blockade area of ​​City A, and he did that to you..."

"Is this related to what you want to ask me?" He Dongli couldn't stand the man's nagging.

"To be honest, he didn't seem to be here to discuss business since he suddenly showed up this time." Xu Xize said with a discerning tone.

Although He Dongli held a lot of grudges against that man, there was one thing about Zong Chi that she always agreed with, which was, "With his unruly personality, is there any set way for him to do business? Hasn't he always been setting examples for others?" After saying that, she said goodbye.

Since Xu Xize was so vague and unwilling to speak frankly, He Dongli might as well give in. Even if he did, she wouldn't offer any messages or so-called introductions. Firstly, they didn't have that much friendship, and secondly, Zong Chi's temper wouldn't allow her to beg him for the Xu family. She wouldn't be so foolish as to bring it up; if she did, he would definitely strangle her to death!

*

He Dongli took a taxi back to her residence. When she got out of the car, she almost forgot her lunch box bag.

Only after the master reminded her to take it did she run back and take it.

As she was rummaging through her bag for her keys at a red-walled, black-painted doorway, someone across the street shone what looked like a flashlight at her. At first, she ignored it, thinking it was the high beams of a passing car. But the light flashed a few times before finally tracking her head.

Only then did she turn around, covering her eyes because she was afraid of the light.

The beam of light came from far away and finally crossed the road and went out in front of He Dongli.

Zong Chi turned off the flashlight on her phone and looked at He Dongli who had returned. He looked more like a master than she did. "You're back."

"..." He Dongli looked at him coming out of the convenience store and couldn't help feeling a little curious.

Zong Chi understood and said, "I knew you went to your mother's today. I drove by here and thought I would wait for forty minutes to see if you would come back. But in less than half an hour, the store owner said you were back."

"I remember our dinner date is tomorrow," He Dongli said, but his tone didn't sound so bad. He had the satisfaction and joy of a mama's girl eating and taking things from her mother.

Zong Chi had seen Ms. Yu's cooking skills. Even though he had eaten at famous chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, when it came to Chinese cuisine, the masters were always the common people.

"It's tomorrow, so I want to make sure whether you want me to go with you." Zong Chi was dressed in formal clothes. From the time he was in school to the time he was rotated and then to the time he was negotiating projects independently, he traveled either by car or by plane. To describe the behavior of waiting for idle people on the roadside with his unethical and venomous words, it was probably no different from shitting in the street.

He Dongli was stunned for a moment. The person opposite her stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her sight, calling her, "Hey. You ate too much and you feel dizzy."

He Dongli finally nodded, her tone resigned, "I admit you're naturally gifted at this aspect of socializing and fame." In reality, she felt a bit embarrassed to meet Zou Yan and his friends alone, especially after Zong Chi mentioned that kissing photo. If they were truly that level of relationship, it would be incredibly awkward for her to be alone with two of them.

As she spoke, she opened the door. She had installed a solar sensor light at the door last night. At the sound of two people's footsteps, the door suddenly lit up brightly. Zong Chi was startled and forgot what he was about to say.

It was He Dongli who reminded him, "You've come just in time. Take your coat with you."

Zong Chi followed her in and found that the two meeting minutes were still on the wall of the corridor. He seriously suspected that she was too busy to see the message he left on it.

After a while, He Dongli took out his clothes and put them in a paper bag of another brand.

Zong Chi didn't reach out to take it. He just pointed to the Chinese message on the meeting minutes and asked her, "Have you read it?"

He Dongli didn't say anything.

Zong Chi said, "I didn't see it," and he pointed to her, "I said Sunday means I'll pick you up tomorrow night."

"I can go with Zou Yan."

"I said I'd pick you up."

"Zou and I..."

"If you keep mentioning his name, I guarantee you won't be able to eat tomorrow night."

What did He Dongli say? Was it a piece of cake for someone like him to parachute in to discuss business? Was he just here to set an example? She said nothing, but she no longer looked at him.

Zong Chi finally withdrew his expression, put one hand in his pocket, and with the other hand he peeled off the meeting paper on the wall, crumpled it into a ball, and tilted his head towards her, "You owe me a meal, and I'm accompanying you to the social event. Doctor He, Miss, I came to pick you up, and you still don't agree. Is there any law in this!"

He Dongli stared at the crumpled paper in his hand, seeming to be trapped in the moral vortex of the king's law.

She tried to hand his clothes back to him, but Zong Chi not only refused to take them, but also complained that he was hungry. "I haven't had dinner yet. Are you willing to share half of your sandwich with me tonight?"