Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Shen Qingyuan had composed herself, her facial expression returning to calm, though her eyes were still slightly red.

"Professor Dai, I'm doing quite well now. I haven't given up being a doctor; I found a job as a private physician, although I only serve one patient."

He even managed a forced smile after saying that.

Dai Ying was slightly surprised and repeated incredulously, "Private doctor? What does that do? Give patients massages and physical therapy?"

Shen Qingyuan nodded, "Yeah, more or less. I wasn't used to it at first, but as I did it, I found meaning in this job." She tried to sound relaxed and cheerful, "I might switch careers to become a rehabilitation therapist in the future."

The old lady was so excited she almost jumped up. "Xiao Shen, you're a surgeon, or you should continue your studies, go back to university to get a doctorate and do research. How could you possibly be satisfied with this job as a rehabilitation therapist?"

Although her tone revealed arrogance, the pillars of medicine of her generation were mostly one in a million talents, and they had some reason to look down on others. They were used to being excellent themselves and couldn't stand seeing talented people doing simple work.

To let a cow chew on a peony is a terrible waste.

Shen Qingyuan remained silent, her heart filled with indescribable emotions.

Dai Ying sighed and said, "That's true, it's difficult for you to practice medicine again... But as long as you want to come back to be a doctor or study, I will definitely help you. Let them not underestimate Dai Ying from Jicheng University. My students are naturally the best!"

Professor Dai spoke with an imposing air, each word carrying weight and conviction.

Teacher, please help me!

These words lingered in my mind, echoing endlessly, yet I couldn't utter them.

Driven by fear, despair, and a lingering sense of isolation and helplessness, I am still deeply shaken.

-

When Ye Chuyang entered the coffee shop, he looked around.

Each booth has a perforated partition, so although it's a public space, it's not easy to see other guests' faces clearly, and there aren't many people. The privacy is indeed quite good.

He sat down in a corner near the entrance, ordered two coffees, but no dessert. He took off his mask and hat.

Ning Xin arrived shortly after. She quickly found Ye Chuyang, sat down opposite her, and took off her mask.

At this moment, the waitress brought over the coffee: a black coffee and a latte.

Ning Xin naturally took the latte to her side, saying, "You still remember my coffee preferences."

Her expression was gentle, with a slight smile, but there was a faint sense of loneliness in her eyes and brows.

"Ning Xin," Ye Chuyang said calmly, his expression unchanged, "What do you want to see me about? Speak."

He picked up his water glass, took a sip of coffee, and frowned as if it was too hot. Despite being a familiar face, his habitual little expressions still bore a resemblance to those from a few years ago.

After several years apart, she felt like a stranger. Ning Xin was slightly dazed, her mind a jumble of thoughts, and for a moment she didn't know how to begin.

Ye Chuyang put the coffee back on the table and suddenly remembered that yesterday, in order to have some time alone with Shen Qingyuan, she had specifically asked Xiao Chao to buy coffee. After buying it, she didn't want to drink it anymore, so she secretly poured it away when Xiao Chao wasn't looking.

Yes, wasting food is a bad habit; I'll be more careful next time.

His expression softened, a faint smile appeared on his lips, and his shoulders relaxed.

Ning Xin has achieved some success as an actress. She is extremely sensitive to body language and facial expressions. She was able to capture this subtle change and felt encouraged.

"I just wanted to thank you in person for what happened last time. I didn't expect you to be the first to come to my rescue."

Ye Chuyang said casually, "You're welcome. You've already thanked me and given me quite a few valuable gifts. It's nothing big; anyone would lend a hand if they were around."

“It’s a big deal for me,” Ning Xin said softly, then suddenly smiled self-deprecatingly as if she had just thought of something. “I’m surrounded by people who say nice things and pledge their loyalty every day. But when danger comes, they’ll probably run away faster than anyone else.”

Ning Xin looked up at him, her gaze fixed on him, with a hint of affection in her eyes. "You are different, A-Yang."

Ye Chuyang's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at Ning Xin before looking away. "Just call me Su Liao."

"About the past..." Ning Xin was moved, and it was extremely difficult for her to express herself. "I still owe you an 'I'm sorry'."

Ye Chuyang, with eyes half-closed and an expression as usual, said slowly, "No one owes anyone anything. Life is long. Some people's relationships last longer, some shorter. Meeting and parting are both normal."

"You...don't hate me anymore, don't dislike me anymore?"

The breakup wasn't exactly peaceful; Ye Chuyang had even forgotten saying those kinds of things. It seems he was young and impetuous, always feeling like he was a character in a play and had to perform well.

If this were today, he would just break up. If he said even a single word to try and keep him, it would be considered that he hasn't made any progress over the years.

However, these "lines" do have a bit of a Qiong Yao (a famous Chinese romance novelist) feel to them.

Ye Chuyang smiled, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Ning Xin, I'm quite busy, I'm always on the go, and I finally have a little time to myself. I may not have handled the past things very elegantly, please forgive me and let it go."

He actually asked her to forgive him.

“Anyway, we’ll still be working together,” Ye Chuyang continued. “You don’t need to be so worried. Everyone should relax, otherwise if we don’t perform well, our work will be affected, and we’ll all be in trouble.”

Perhaps people are really different. Ye Chuyang suddenly remembered that when he "acted bravely" at the opening ceremony, the first thing Shen Qingyuan asked him when she came on stage was about his health.

Ning Xin's concern extended to matters from several years ago. It would have been better if she hadn't brought it up; after a few years apart, everyone had grown and improved, wasn't that good enough? Why dredge up unpleasant memories?

Ning Xin was slightly taken aback, as if an unspeakable grievance welled up in her heart. This nonchalant advice to let bygones be bygones made it seem as if only she was unable to let go.

She was the one who initiated the breakup, so why does that lingering resentment and regret remain so deeply within her now?

It seems like ex-lovers can never quite get things right. Being too enthusiastic and passionate is clinging to the past. But when that person is no longer there, they become cold, heartless, and hard as iron.

In short, a decent ex-lover should disappear; any contact with them again would be awkward no matter what.

However, she adjusted quickly and stopped dwelling on the past sorrows. Instead, she echoed, "You're right, Su Liao. The most important thing now is to act well. Don't worry, I've memorized the script very well. I've also found an acting coach for guidance. Putting everything else aside for now, the most important thing is to do the job well."

Ye Chuyang had always admired Ning Xin's decisiveness. Even when she broke up with him, she did so with no room for negotiation.

During that time, while Ye Chuyang was immersed in various emotions, a clear voice in her mind was still commenting detachedly:

Her choice is understandable. What do you have? You're penniless, with no future in sight. You want to get ahead? You have ambition? Please, there are 100,000 people in this circle who think the same way, scrambling to squeeze through the narrow gate of fame and fortune.

Putting aside past emotions and preparing mentally for future cooperation is beneficial for both parties. Ye Chuyang felt the conversation went quite well and his mood unexpectedly lightened.

"So, that's it?" he said, taking a sip of coffee as a gesture. Then he stood up.

Ye Chuyang glanced casually and saw someone walking towards the exit from the 10 o'clock direction. The person looked all too familiar.

The other person noticed him too, and their eyes met, both of them momentarily stunned.

"Dr. Shen?"

After Shen Qingyuan finished talking with Professor Dai, the two walked towards the exit together. She had mixed feelings and felt somewhat heavy-hearted. In a quick glance, she saw Ye Chuyang and Ning Xin opposite him.

The coincidences were astounding. Ye Chuyang ran into Ning Xinqiao at the Xie family's house, Shen Qingyuan bumped into Professor Dai at the hotel entrance, and then the two groups met again in the coffee shop on the 5th floor. A triple coincidence. The odds were practically astronomical.

Ye Chuyang preemptively said, "Dr. Chen, I have some work-related matters to discuss with Miss Ning." Indeed, it was about work. Although it involved some past issues, it was mainly for the purpose of preparing for future work.

"Of course they're talking about work." Shen Qingyuan blinked, imagining some details. When popular male and female celebrities meet privately, they can only say they're talking about work to the public.

What if they cause a scandal? Their fandom is always crazy.

Shen Qingyuan and Ning Xin exchanged glances and smiled and nodded as a greeting.

"I didn't expect to run into you here. And who is this?" Ye Chuyang asked again.

There's really no need for an introduction. Professor Dai and Ye Chuyang are from completely different worlds.

Thinking this through, Shen Qingyuan still politely said, "This is Professor Dai, my mentor."

"Hello Professor Dai, I am Ye Chuyang, you can just call me Xiao Ye."

Professor Dai nodded politely. He suddenly remembered that his beloved student was on a business trip with his employer. Could this handsome young man in front of him be him?

Professor Dai turned his head and asked, "Xiao Shen, who is this?"

“He is my employer, Professor Dai.”

"So young, yet he can afford a private doctor and stay in such a nice hotel." Professor Dai thought for a moment, "Young man, what's wrong?"

Those who work in medicine are very direct.

He's a very energetic young man; at first glance, you really can't tell that any of his bones are weak.

Ye Chuyang gave an awkward smile, his hand instinctively resting on his waist. Before he could speak, Professor Dai said, "Your back isn't good, is it? Okay, I understand. I wish you a speedy recovery!"

The old lady had said and talked about everything she needed to say.

"Xiao Shen, think carefully about what I'm telling you. Alright, you young people can chat, I'm leaving now."

Shen Qingyuan nodded, pursed her lips, and said, "Yes, Professor Dai, I will seriously consider your suggestion."

When Ye Chuyang introduced himself to Professor Dai, Ning Xin had a subtle curiosity: how familiar would two people have to be before they would take the initiative to get to know each other's teachers?

Her behavior today was too casual and too unusual, and it had already exhausted a lot of her energy. Ning Xin had no energy left to continue investigating.

After Professor Dai left, Ning Xin also took her leave.

Soon only Shen Qingyuan and Ye Chuyang were left. Ye Chuyang asked, "Dr. Shen, are you going up?"

He made an upward gesture.

At this moment, Shen Qingyuan had already forgotten why she had come downstairs. Thinking that she should go back, she nodded and said, "Okay."

Shen Qingyuan seemed preoccupied and remained silent the entire way. Seeing her expression, Ye Chuyang also wisely kept quiet. As for his meeting with Ning Xin here, it was ultimately his private matter, and trying to explain it would only make things worse.

-

The event in Shanghai came to an end, and everyone headed home.

Eight or nine days after the opening ceremony, the schedule for the official filming was set.

Xiao Chao also gave Shen Qingyuan a copy.

Ye Chuyang's scenes were packed with filming, and for half the month, they had to shoot until around midnight. Physical therapy could only be squeezed in whenever possible.

Because it's a period drama, Ye Chuyang spends a lot of time getting ready each day, which allows her to use that time to give him physical therapy.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Shen. I'll have to trouble you these days." He was giving her a heads-up in advance.

"I will do my best." There's nothing to complain about. Shen Qingyuan takes people's money to solve their problems.

The workload was heavy, and the team atmosphere was a bit tense. Fortunately, everyone was experienced, so they quickly got along. Shen Qingyuan, by staying by the employer's side, also gained a complete understanding of their film crew's workflow.

It was anything but easy.

It's common knowledge that doctors have demanding jobs and often work overtime. They generally have fixed work schedules. But Shen Qingyuan herself probably couldn't handle working long hours, from early morning to late at night, like Ye Chuyang.

Looking at Ye Chuyang, he seemed to be adapting well. Actually, when people don't get enough rest, they tend to have negative energy and low spirits, especially since his back injury wasn't fully healed yet.

Ye Chuyang was always gentle and approachable on set. Sometimes she would chat with the makeup artists and crew members about everyday things.

Once, while Shen Qingyuan was adjusting the physiotherapy equipment in the rest room, a friendly-looking makeup artist started chatting with her.

"Dr. Shen must be very happy to be working with Professor Su, right?"

Shen Qingyuan raised her eyebrows slightly, looking somewhat puzzled.