Chapter 2: Tears at the corners of the eyes
After parting ways with Tan Zhengjin that night, Zong Chi went to the bar that Chen Xiangyang often went to. They only had one drink before going back to the hotel.
Before leaving, Zong Chi didn't want Chen Xiangyang to drive him back, saying that walking back would be a good way to sober up.
Chen Xiangyang cursed, "What's the use of just one cup to wake you up? You still want to go back on your own." "If the time comes and you're kidnapped, your old man will ask me for you, but I won't have the ransom to get you back." This was not an exaggeration. When he was in college, Zong Chi flew back to see his girlfriend. It was during the turmoil of an acquisition case involving his father. The layoffs of middle-level managers triggered an employee's suicide. The family of an employee sought revenge, and Zong Chi was targeted as soon as he came out of the airport.
The kidnapping case was solved in less than 24 hours. Zong Chi suffered a lot because of his father. For the next two years, his mother strictly arranged for bodyguards to accompany Zong Chi whenever he traveled.
On the way back to the hotel, Zong Chi naturally didn't walk back as he had hoped; Chen Xiangyang drove him back. In the darkness of the back seat, the brown glass blocked out the bright and dark outside.
This trip started and ended in Shanghai. As planned, we will fly to Singapore tomorrow.
While waiting for the red light, rain was rustling on the front windshield. The driver turned on the wipers and chatted with Mr. Zong in the back seat. It was raining.
Zong Chi responded and then asked about their plans for the evening and whether Chen Xiangyang would return to S City.
Chen Xiangyang was still meeting friends at the bar. The driver said he was probably going back on his own. Mr. Chen wasn't going back; he had a client to meet tomorrow. Speaking of Chen Xiangyang's move from his S City headquarters to a new building, the company was having a formal housewarming reception, inviting many friends and partners. Zong Chi was Chen Xiangyang's original shareholder, and the driver had known Mr. Zong for years. He asked politely, "Will Mr. Zong be there? Mr. Chen said your mother is from S City."
Zong Chi nodded, but said he couldn't go.
The driver didn't respond.
The car moved forward slowly, and Zong Chi found a pack of cigarettes in the armrest box on the back seat of Chen Xiangyang's car. He had quit smoking for almost five years. He had argued with that man many times about smoking.
He Dongli was not a possessive person. On the contrary, she was indifferent to everything. The only thing she couldn't stand was him smoking.
When they were in school, he threw away his cigarette butt in front of her while on duty in their class's weekly area. When he formally confessed his love to her, he promised her, "Don't worry, I will never smoke again. I will definitely live longer than you, and I will never follow your father's example and leave your mother alone."
He had known her for sixteen years, and they had been in a formal relationship for seven years, but He Dongli had cried only a few times.
During the kidnapping case, Zong Chi insisted that He Dongli sew him up, "I'm not afraid, so why are you afraid?"
"Why did you come back? What should I do if something happens to you?"
"What are you going to do? Don't you think it doesn't matter? Didn't you say breaking up won't kill anyone?"
"I mean, what should I do if your parents pursue me?"
"Hey, do you have a heart? I'm in this state, and you're still only thinking about yourself."
He Dongli cried at that time, and cried very ugly. She wiped her tears with her fingers. She didn't know if her hands were dirty or if they had run out of some pile of ashes, but her eyes were all black from her eyelids to the corners of her eyes.
"Zong Chi, I don't want anything to happen to you. If something happens to you, how can I compensate your parents? I'm scared of you doing this."
"This matter has nothing to do with you. If I don't come back this time, I will come back next time. I just want to ask you, are you still breaking up?"
"..." He Dongli, a medical student with dark circles under her eyes, looked at her successful boyfriend with a scarred face and a soft and compassionate heart like a doctor and a parent. "Don't be like this, your mother is still out there."
"He Dongli, you kind of like the way I look, okay?"
"What should I like about you?"
"At least he should be like my mother, arguing with Lao Zong all the time, always watching for any clues of him and other women, and always asking the old man to come back to me when he's not satisfied."
At least he should be like Zong Chi, who can fly back to see her at any time for her.
While He Dongli was disinfecting and cleaning his wound, he said objectively and realistically, "I don't have the money to spend 70,000 or 80,000 yuan on a plane ticket."
Zong Chi laughed and scolded him, saying, "You have no money, but you have skills." He insisted that his girlfriend sew the stitch between his eyebrows, and Zong's mother scolded him for being ridiculous.
The victim made a perverse request, I am happy with my face, I believe in her skills, it would be better if the sewing was broken, she will be responsible for me for the rest of my life.
Facts have proved that He Dongli was born to be a surgeon.
Less than a year after they broke up, there was no trace of the scar between his eyebrows.
Before he passed away, Tan Zhengjin never told Zong Chi about the patient's privacy. This was against his professional ethics and was meaningless to Zong Chi.
Tan had known Dongli's name for years. The Zong family was able to reconnect with the Tan family because Zong Chi had called Tan Zhengjin to seek help.
Zong Chi stayed in China to attend high school, a decision he stubbornly insisted on. The Zong family moved to Singapore and Zurich, reducing contact with the mainland. Zong Chi's mother still brought gifts for him during the holidays, but the lack of physical contact weakened their friendship. Over time, the Tan family became hesitant to associate with the Zong family.
Three years ago, Tan Zhengjin ran into Zong Chi in the lounge of a business flight. Zong Chi had returned to attend a meeting on behalf of his father, and the two men chatted and laughed for a while, drawing on the friendship they had shared during their childhood Spring Festival gatherings. Tan Zhengjin praised Zong Chi, though now he hardly recognized him. Who would have believed that Zong Chi, who had argued with his father at the beginning of the Lunar New Year and had gone out to greet the God of Wealth with his thunderous firecrackers, was now a well-behaved servant of his father.
Zong Chi remained calm and accepted the advice readily.
Tan Zhengjin had heard a bit about it. Even among the rich and powerful, there were always romantic men. If it was the father, it would be the son's turn. Zong Chi had been obsessed with a young girlfriend for so long, and despite their supposedly amicable relationship, he'd caused such a scene that the girl's mother had to ask Zong Jingzhou for her hand.
Zong Jingzhou personally returned to China and got the brat, which put an end to this love affair.
That day, before flying, Zong Chi asked Tan Zhengjin what he was doing now.
When he learned about his profession and the specific hospital, he was stunned for a moment and just said what a coincidence. He mentioned a person's name, He Dongli, and said that he and his second brother would work in the same industry in the future.
Not long after he landed, he called Tan Zhengjin and said nothing else except that if he had the chance, he asked his second brother to take care of her.
Tan Zhengjin, also a man, simply asked Zong Chi why he didn't go find her if he couldn't let go.
Zongchi: “…I won’t look for it anymore.”
"Yet you are still willing to help her solve her problems?"
"She and I have been together for a while, but it seems like she got nothing. She didn't want the shares that Chen Xiangyang was originally going to give her. Forget it. I'm not here to help her out. I'm here to pay her back. It's best to even things out. She shouldn't owe me anything."
From the time He Dongli officially graduated and joined the First Affiliated Hospital of S University, her achievements were obvious to all. When Tan Zhengjin greeted Teacher Zhao privately, he also told Teacher Zhao not to mention his name, saying that he was loyal to the person who entrusted him with the task.
This was the first time that Tan Zhengjin received a call from He Dongli in recent years. Coincidentally, Zong Chi had just returned to China for work, and on the other hand, he was asked by his mother to come and congratulate the Tan family on the addition of their child.
Tan Zhengjin specifically called Dongli over to perform the surgery together. Even though she wore no makeup that day, her calm and meticulous demeanor, well-proportioned yet not overly slender figure, and healthy physique were the hallmarks of a surgeon.
When Tan Zhengjin was in regular training, a senior student who was rotating with him was the dean's closed disciple. A rumor had surfaced out of nowhere, and the dean's wife personally met with the female student. The senior student's words, while defending herself and calmly confronting the dean's wife, remain a common refrain among the female students in the operating room to this day:
"You have to believe that I would rather be the dean's wife than the dean's wife."
After returning from the operation that day, Tan Zhengjin teased Zong Chi’s ex-lover: He Dongli has the appearance of a dean’s wife, but she has more skills to be a dean.
No wonder Zong Chi has been thinking about it all these years.
Tan Zhengjin refused to tell Zong Chi about his patient's private affairs. As a brother who had experienced this, he offered a sincere warning to Zong Chi: "If you eliminate one wrong answer, can you choose the right one? Zong Chi, a high-level spiritual and civilized love is unrivaled."
During the college entrance examination, He Dongli gave Zong Chi a similar lesson: If you don’t understand C, what will you do if it’s not on C next time?
He took two puffs of a cigarette, neither of which reached his lungs. The man finally put it out in the ashtray on impulse.
He hadn't smoked for a long time and had become rusty at it, even a little disgusted.
The car stopped and the driver got out to open the door for Mr. Zong. The person inside got out and unconsciously took Chen Xiangyang's pack of cigarettes.
That night, he had a rough dream.
In the dream, the pink rabbit suddenly came to life and stepped on his chest.
Blame him for taking her away, she was given to Senior Brother Tan’s daughter.
The rabbit thief didn't take it seriously. He just asked her who she was asking for the surgery for.
You don't have any relatives in the countryside, and you don't have any close friends who are worth your going to so much trouble to ask your boss, colleagues, and go there in person to help.
The rabbit's mouth couldn't move, but she did speak, saying what she knew best: That's my business.
Zong Chi didn't care and asked: Boyfriend, right?
The rabbit nodded, but she didn't say "yes" out loud.
Because Zong Chi didn't want her to say anything, he just cursed, "After so many years, you still know how to easily irritate me."
The high-level spiritual and civilized love that Tan Zhengjin had been trying to persuade her about did not exist. Zong Chi was not high-level and civilized in his dream. Rabbit smelled the smoke on him and frowned violently. Zong Chi wanted to prove something to himself, and when he lowered his eyes slightly, he caught a glimpse of the pain between her eyebrows.
The more intense the pain became, the more frantic he became.
The rabbit's eyes were red, and there were traces of tears at the corners of his eyes during the bumpy ride.
Zong Chi wanted to wipe it with his hand, but she turned her head away sharply.
The instigator used one hand to turn her face away and the other to guide her towards the connection. His dignity was completely entangled by desire. Zong Chi sighed and spoke in a rapid and thick voice, "You have never asked me for anything, and I will not allow you to ask anyone for anything."
"Break up with him, okay?"
"You've been like this with me, how can you still be like this with others..."
The rabbit suddenly transformed into He Dongli's appearance. She still looked twenty-four, unchanged. Zong Chi was interrupted by a slap from her before he could finish his words. However, the desire to cling to her could not be broken.
Hugging each other face to face, and tossing and turning a few times, the soul went up to the clouds and the bones hit the end of the earth.
The end is not over yet, the obsessed person wants to kiss her tear. The pragmatic person suddenly becomes vain, shadowy, like a cluster of signals that are about to disappear. Zong Chi's arms tightened a little. He Dongli couldn't break free from him, and said in a discouraged voice: "You really haven't changed at all, Zong..."
She didn't even get to call out his full name before she was completely annihilated.
…
Secretary Huang's travel routine was always to contact her boss after 10 a.m. She'd been with Zong Chi for three years, traveling extensively. Technically, Zong Chi was a complete workaholic; jet lag or not, his daily routine was swimming. Zong Chi's mother, Yu Weishi, had told him that Zong Chi had won a medal in a provincial youth swimming competition during his school days.
Secretary Huang agreed with Ms. Yu, and it was obvious that with Mr. Zong's height and physique, it would be a pity if he didn't receive professional training.
Ms. Yu was trying to discredit her son, saying, "There are always people who are better than you." "You think he's a good swimmer? A medal means he's never won a gold medal." She also mentioned how short he was as a child, saying, "Why would they force him to swim?"
Secretary Huang was introduced to Ms. Yu by the wife of a former employer. She listened more than she spoke, reporting to Zong Chi throughout the company. However, she was worldly-wise enough to understand that it was better to cling to Ms. Yu than to the two men in the Zong family. Women help women when they want a bright future. Therefore, she was always just a listener. Even when she talked about her own son's dark past, Secretary Huang never agreed, not even a smile. She stayed out of the matter, and besides, she truly had no interest in the upbringings of these wealthy young men. Ms. Yu seemed pleased with her attitude.
Early in the morning, Ms. Yu posted a photo of a freshly trimmed flower arrangement on her WeChat Moments, and Secretary Huang liked it.
The other party called her shortly after and asked if there were any changes to her itinerary and whether she would return on time.
Secretary Huang readily agreed and said that she would go up and tell Mr. Zong to get ready to leave.
Ms. Yu said they were back just in time for the Zhou family banquet. Mrs. Zhou had ordered the same wine your girlfriend, Mabel, liked last time as an aperitif, and I'd also saved two cases for you.
Secretary Huang thanked him on behalf of his girlfriend, and the call was hung up without a fuss.
Calculating the time, Secretary Huang went upstairs with her laptop. However, the boss seemed to have woken up late or exceeded his scheduled exercise time, so he wasn't in the room. She also didn't see Zong Chi's half-packed luggage as planned. He always packed his underwear himself, making a few dust bags, and Secretary Huang would help him put it together.
The flight is at 2pm, and the boss who stayed in bed and stayed late today seems to be giving up.
Secretary Huang frowned instinctively until he saw a wet and obviously washed rabbit doll in the corner of the coat rack.
She was a little confused. What was this fetish of Zong Chi's? A pink bunny, a comforting doll. What had happened overnight? It had been washed all over by this master, and now it was hanging here in the damp place, soaking a large area of the carpet...
Before Secretary Huang could retract her adult divergent thoughts, someone who had returned slowly saw her and said, "You've come just in time. Please help me draft an email notification about the acquisition of the Jiada project. I promised Lao Zong that I would personally follow up."
Secretary Huang just sent out last night’s agenda early in the morning, and the personnel arrangements have been made. With only one night left, they need to change it again?
Zong Chi was a little unhappy when he saw his secretary's undecided look, and asked her with a questioning look, "If you have any questions, write them down now." If not, he said, "Write them down now."
"Now?" Secretary Huang thought it wouldn't be too late to discuss it on the way back, so she helped him pack his luggage first.
Unexpectedly, Zong Chi stopped her and said, "I will stay in China temporarily until the Jiada project is handed over. All office work will also be temporarily in China."
Secretary Huang didn't know whether to be surprised or happy, "Huh?"
"Oh, what? Writing an email."
"But Mrs. Zong is still waiting for you to go back and attend the Zhou family's dinner..."
"Well, whoever promised her will go."
Secretary Huang was speechless. She could only open her computer and prepare an email. Zong Chi went to his bedroom and then added, "Send a copy to Chen Xiangyang."
*
He Dongli is in the outpatient clinic today, and three things are not going well for her.
The glass I usually use in the mornings broke due to inexplicable expansion and contraction;
I received a complaint at the outpatient clinic because the doctor had a bad attitude and wrote a bunch of test reports. I paid her to see the reports, but she kept making excuses. As expected, female surgeons are not good.
He Dongli's reply to the outpatient department included a child with a deep second-degree burn from a hot water bottle and a subcutaneous swelling from a facial injury. The latter patient, who had returned for a follow-up appointment to review his report, had not re-scanned the QR code and signed in as required. The patient's family brought their father into the clinic. He Dongli reminded them to sign in again, but the family refused, saying they had already reviewed the report and didn't have time to argue with him. He Dongli patiently advised them not to interfere with others' treatment time and rights, and again asked the patient and their family to leave and wait patiently for their number to be called.
The doctor, who looked at her young, cold and unforgiving face, suddenly flew into a rage, cursing profusely. He Dongli displayed her work ID, indicating that if she was dissatisfied with anything, she could file a complaint at their clinic. She still had dozens of appointments lined up.
The family member of the patient with the facial swelling had no choice but to leave. After their follow-up consultation was over and He Dongli arranged a time for their outpatient surgery, the family member left without saying a word and turned around to complain to the doctor. The reason was, "This female doctor is obviously not very good. I'm not confident in letting her operate on me."
In the convenience store, Zou Yan laughed after hearing this, comforting her while also scolding her: "Doctors are either born in the Year of the Ox or the Year of the Horse, so they are bound to get scolded."
Then he learned what his department director said when he was scolding him: humanistic care, care. You have a stern face every day, so which patient wouldn't be afraid of you?
When Zou Yan went to the ward with a smile on his face, the patient's family members disagreed again, saying, "As an attending physician, why are you so happy with your patients every day?"
He Dongli took a sip of hot American coffee. He didn't know if it was because he was burned or if the words sounded familiar to him. He covered his mouth and swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. Then he said, "Master just said that I should be good at turning the contradictions between us and the enemy into internal contradictions."
Zou Yan nodded in agreement. But unfortunately, He Dongli was such a straightforward person, she would never shift the blame.
This week, their schedules rarely align. Zou Yan calls her after work, and they arrange to meet at the convenience store in the maternity and child health ward. He Dongli has her usual hot American coffee morning and night. Zou Yan sometimes truly admires her iron stomach.
"You're such a coffee lover, how about I give you a coffee machine?"
He Dongli held a paper cup in one hand and a piece of red bean bread in the other. Without waiting for her to respond, Zou Yan took the initiative to take a piece from her bag and ate it. Then he said, "It's just to repay the favor you did me."
He Dongli chewed and chewed, feeling a bit confused as to whether he should speak or not. In the end, he swallowed it down and said, "Forget it." Then he spoke frankly like an old friend, not afraid of being laughed at. "I just received the offer letter, and I don't want to give anyone a handle."
Zou Yan smiled brightly, "It's not my friend who gave it to you as a gift from Dr. He, it's me who gave it to you personally as a gift from He Dongli."
"reason?"
Zou Yan asked in return: "There must be a reason for giving you a gift?"
"ah."
"You're such a boring person."
He Dongli paused for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking about. Then he continued to chew on the hot American bread.
Zou Yan finally thought of a reason for her, "Half of this is a gift for you, and the other half is with you. Bring me a cup of coffee every day."
He Dongli: "Stop it now. Some money should be earned by others. I still have to bring you a cup every day. Do you think my 24 hours of life is not long enough?"
Zou Yan laughed heartily again, and he gave in. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. It's just a gift for you, no reason. Just buy me a drink next time I go over there."
He Dongli actually knew that Zou Yan was returning the favor for his friend's grandmother. She wasn't that petty, and she wasn't afraid of what others would say about her social interactions.
So, when Zou Yan asked her not to reject him for the third time, He Dongli remained silent as a sign of agreement.
There was a light barrier outside the glass curtain wall. The two of them walked out of the store together. Zou Yan asked He Dongli why she came today. Since she didn't ride her electric scooter, he offered to give her a ride.
He Dongli said that he would have to go upstairs to fill in the discharge record later, and take a walk around the ward to digest the food. After that, he would go for a night run twice, and then go back to read some literature to help him sleep.
Zou Yan teased her again, "Honestly, with your energy, I'll be the first to disagree if you don't become the dean in the future."
He Dongli was unusually bureaucratic, "Well, I'd like to thank Dean Zou for his good words."
Zou Yan rolled his eyes at her unhappily.
The sensor door closed again, and he remembered what He Dongli said about the third bad luck.
The original owner himself had forgotten what it was, "What is it? It's a blind date."
She was going on a blind date with the youngest son of their medical department leader...
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