Su Yan studied diligently, while Jiang Jingxing picked up the phone, left the study, and went to the balcony.

After closing the balcony door, he called Jue Lao.

The call connected quickly. "Has the sun risen in the west? You actually called me? So, what's up?"

Jiang Jingxing cut to the chase, "When do you plan to let Ayan graduate from her apprenticeship?"

Old Master Jue was silent for a few seconds. "Did she ask you to ask?"

Do you think that's possible?

No matter how hard or tiring the studies were over the years, Su Yan never complained to Elder Jue and Elder He. Sometimes when Elder He and Elder Jue had disagreements and bickered during lectures, she could even prop her head up and fall asleep next to them. She never mentioned any of these hardships.

Her reputation in the medical field is growing, and everyone thinks it's because she has two good mentors. No one knows how much she has sacrificed to get to where she is today.

"Master Jue, don't you think you and Master He are being too strict with Ayan?" Jiang Jingxing couldn't help but rebuke. "Over the years, she's been studying even on her days off. Put yourself in her shoes, could you have worked as hard as she does when you were young? You can't keep putting so much pressure on her just because she's talented and well-behaved. To avoid disappointing you, she hasn't left Beijing for years. As her teacher, you only hope she can make a name for herself in medicine, but have you ever considered her feelings?"

Jiang Jingxing had been holding these words in for a long time. Every time he saw Su Yan trying to memorize her lessons even when she was extremely sleepy, his heart ached terribly.

He knew that she didn't speak because she didn't want to disappoint her masters.

Only when she was extremely tired would she whine to Old Man Jue and Old Man He, asking them to give her a few hours off, but Old Man He would sometimes refuse her.

Jiang Jingxing couldn't help but get angry when he thought about these things.

After hearing these words, Jue Lao was filled with deep remorse. He sighed and said, "We were too selfish and didn't consider A Yan's feelings. If you hadn't said these things, I probably would have continued like this."

Xie Jin and the other two must have known that he and Elder He were putting immense pressure on Su Yan and that their demands were getting higher and higher. However, as disciples, they didn't know how to bring it up with him.

Old Master Jue finally understood why Xie Jin and Guo Ziming would secretly take Su Yan out to play and not bring her back until 11 or 12 at night.

Even Ye Feixu would find excuses to take Su Yan away, saying they were going to do research together.

Actually, the three of them took Su Yan to relax and rest.

Jiang Jingxing couldn't help but complain, "Elder Jue, Ayan's reputation is now greater than Ye Feixu's. Everyone knows she is the most outstanding of your four disciples. I think she is fully capable of standing on her own. When do you plan to let go?"

"I know everything you're saying," said Elder Jue. "Ayan is the most talented person that Elder He and I have ever seen. We have witnessed her growth over the years. But because she has progressed so quickly, Elder He and I are worried that she will become impatient and restless. That's why we have been delaying her graduation and are always thinking of letting her be more stable."

As it turns out, they were worrying for nothing.

In the past few years, whether it was the research Su Yan did herself or the tasks they assigned, she completed them all exceptionally well, without a single flaw.

“These are all secondary. The real reason you’re so reluctant to let go is that you’re worried that if you let go, Ayan won’t continue to develop in the medical field, and all your years of nurturing her will be in vain.” Jiang Jingxing exposed Jue Lao without hesitation.

Old Jue choked abruptly, and after a long pause, he angrily said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I think such a thing..."

He spoke the last sentence in a softer and softer voice.

Jiang Jingxing sneered, "Old Jue, I think you're getting old and your head is getting more and more confused. Have you ever heard the saying 'things reach their extreme and then reverse'? Ayan is first and foremost a free and independent individual. You shouldn't transfer your deep-rooted ideas onto her. You take advantage of her obedience and make her keep contributing to medicine. Do you think you deserve her calling you master? She is your disciple, and you don't care about her at all. It really opens my eyes."

Old Master Jue wasn't like this before; he respected and understood Su Yan.

But now...

Jiang Jingxing saw right through her thoughts, and Jue Lao wished she could dig a hole and bury herself in it, but hiding was useless.

He said helplessly, "Young Jiang, you're right. I really am sorry that Ayan called me master. I was stubborn and went astray, which is why Ayan had to bear so much pressure."

He always knew that if he were younger, he might not have been able to put in the same amount of effort as Su Yan.

The more Jue Lao thought about it, the more guilty he felt. He said, "I've settled this matter. Don't worry. Thank you for reminding me, which prevented me from making the same mistake again."

If Su Yan develops psychological problems due to excessive pressure, he will definitely regret it.

Jiang Jingxing didn't say anything more. He hung up the phone and was about to go back inside when he turned around and saw Su Yan standing in front of the window.

She was wearing pure white loungewear, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and the bright sunlight refracted in from the balcony, bathing her in its glow.

At this moment, half of her small face was bathed in the bright sun, while the other half was shrouded in shadow.

The interplay of light and shadow seemed to reveal to Jiang Jingxing her inner turmoil, causing his heart to ache as if pierced by needles.

He pushed open the French windows, couldn't help but step forward and pull her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his tone calm and gentle, "Why did you suddenly come out?"

Su Yan didn't push him away. After thinking for a few seconds, she said honestly, "Actually, I know what Master and the others have been thinking all these years."

Jiang Jingxing froze, and the smile on his handsome face gradually disappeared.

She continued, "I don't blame them, and I want to see how long I can hold on."

Jiang Jingxing released her, his deep eyes meeting her serious expression. He said helplessly, "Your insistence has caused you to lose yourself for several years, Ayan. I don't want you to continue like this in the future."

Su Yan tilted her head and said with a smile, "I'm finding you understand me more and more, Jiang Jingxing. Are you a tapeworm in my stomach?"

She and Jiang Jingxing didn't meet often; he was almost always the one who came to her.

But this man understands her heart better than ever before.

So much so that sometimes she even had the absurd thought that he might have mind-reading abilities.

"Yes." Jiang Jingxing smiled and hugged her tightly again.

The two embraced in silence for a long while.

Jiang Jingxing then said, "Ayan, let's make up."

"good."

Su Yan answered without the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Jingxing was stunned. When he came to his senses, he immediately grabbed her shoulders and repeated, both surprised and delighted, "You agreed? You forgave me?"

His bloodshot eyes were fixed on her small face, not wanting to miss a single change in her emotions.

We'd talked about getting back together before, but she always avoided the topic.