Possessiveness of childhood sweethearts
Whenever he worked overtime at the research institute, Jiang Lin would personally deliver meals to him. Later, Gu Yansheng stopped working overtime and took his work home. The research institute and Jiang Lin's residential area were not on the same route at all, and he didn't want Jiang Lin to run back and forth.
"Will you come home with me for dinner tomorrow? My mom wants you to come back for dinner."
Gu Yansheng was forced to be pulled away from the computer screen to play with Xiaofei to rest his eyes, while Jiang Lin was looking for a place for their summer vacation trip this year in front of the computer.
"Thank you, Auntie, for me. I probably won't be able to go. I have two surgeries scheduled tomorrow, so I might not be able to get off work by 5:30."
"Okay."
Gu Yansheng understood. They were probably two major operations. His childhood sweetheart would probably have to work overtime again tomorrow.
The warm yellow light cast a particularly cozy glow over the Gu family's dining room. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals—steamed fish, braised spare ribs, and chicken soup simmered for hours over low heat, Gu's mother, Su Wanqing's specialty.
As soon as Gu Yansheng entered the room, he was enveloped by the familiar smell, and his nerves, which had been tense at the institute for days, relaxed involuntarily. This was a haven where he could always let down his guard.
"Yansheng's back!" Zhou Yuan, the eldest sister-in-law, was the first to spot him. She greeted him with a bright smile, holding dishes fresh from the kitchen. Behind her came her eldest brother, Gu Ting, who had just returned from an island vacation. He looked tanned and energetic, clutching several colorful gift bags.
"Mom and Dad, brother and sister-in-law." Gu Yansheng greeted them with a smile, and his voice was filled with the relief of being home.
"Oh, you're finally back. You've lost weight!" His mother, Su Wanqing, peeked out of the kitchen wearing an apron and looked him up and down with concern. "Hurry up and wash your hands. Let's get ready for dinner! Where's Linlin? Isn't she with you?"
"He has a complicated surgery today and can't come." Gu Yansheng explained as he hung up his coat.
"This kid is even busier than you who are doing research." The eldest brother Gu Ting snorted and stuffed the gift bag into Gu Yansheng's arms. "Here, I brought you some handmade wood carvings over there. Don't you like these little gadgets?" Although his tone was a bit harsh, his concern was real.
Gu Yansheng took it with a smile, "Thank you, big brother."
At this moment, sister-in-law Zhou Yuan quietly approached and, like a magician, pulled out another gift bag that was almost identical, but more elegantly packaged. She quickly stuffed it into Gu Yansheng's hand and said in a low voice, with a playful look in her eyes, "It's exactly the same. It's for Linlin. Don't say I gave it to you. Just say you brought it to him."
She blinked, obviously well aware of the subtle relationship between the two brothers.
Gu Yansheng understood and felt a warm feeling in his heart. Sister-in-law Zhou Yuan had been married for many years and had already integrated into the family. She was also keenly aware of Jiang Lin's special place in this family and in his heart.
Her silent consideration is a microcosm of the Gu family treating Jiang Lin as their own child - except for his eldest brother Gu Ting who doesn't like anything about Jiang Lin.
"Thank you, sister-in-law." Gu Yansheng thanked her in a low voice and carefully put the two bags aside.
The dinner table quickly became lively. Gu's father, Gu Zhenhua, didn't say much, but a satisfied smile spread across his face as he watched the family reunion, constantly serving food to Gu Yansheng. Su Wanqing was busy asking about her son's recent work and health, worried that he might be too tired. Gu Ting and Zhou Yuan shared anecdotes from their trip, laughing non-stop.
Gu Yansheng ate quietly, enjoying the long-lost warmth of home. At home, he didn't need to be the ever-stable, all-embracing "Teacher Gu." He could simply be Su Wanqing and Gu Zhenhua's youngest son, Gu Ting's "nerdy little brother," and Zhou Yuan's brother-in-law who needed to be cared for.
This pure relaxation of letting go of all social roles is his precious source of energy.
However, this relaxation was soon broken by the seemingly casual topic raised by her mother Su Wanqing.
"Yansheng," Su Wanqing said as she poured a bowl of soup for her son. Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were inquiring. "Look, your eldest brother and his wife have been married for a few years now, and their lives are so good. You spend every day either at the research institute or at the hospital visiting Linlin. You're not young anymore, and it's time to consider your personal issues. Mom isn't pushing you, but I just think it would be easier for us to have someone to take care of you."
Here it comes. Gu Yansheng's hand, picking up the food, paused imperceptibly. This topic was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, sending tiny ripples through his heart.
He felt helpless and a little guilty for worrying his parents, but deep down, he instinctively avoided the topic. He forced a gentle smile, "Mom, I know. I'm just too busy with work to pay attention. This matter... can't be rushed."
"That's right," Gu Ting immediately interjected, a bit defensive of his brother and dismissive of his mother's "urging to get married." "Why force it if it's not meant to be? Yansheng is so talented, are you afraid she won't find someone good?"
Gu Yansheng didn't respond to his elder brother's words, but just lowered his head and drank a sip of soup.
At this moment, sister-in-law Zhou Yuan seemed to suddenly remember something. Her eyes lit up and she joined the conversation. "Oh, Mom, now that you mention that, I remember it!" She turned to Gu Yansheng and said excitedly, "Yansheng, do you still remember my best friend Xiaoya? She has a sister named Chen Biqing who works in Linlin's hospital. She's also a doctor! She's in cardiac surgery. She's very good, beautiful, and has a good personality!"
Zhou Yuan's voice was clear and melodious, filled with the passion typical of a matchmaker. However, every word she spoke sounded like icy raindrops, crashing down on Gu Yansheng's defenseless heart.
Doctor Shen from the Cardiac Surgery Department. In Jianglin's hospital.
Gu Yansheng stopped chewing completely. The delicious chicken soup in his mouth suddenly became bland, even taking on an indescribable bitterness.
He felt as if his heart was being violently grasped by an invisible hand, then violently released, leaving behind an empty, dull, and weightless feeling. Blood seemed to rush to his head briefly, then recede completely the next second, leaving his fingertips slightly cold.
He almost forced himself to maintain a calm expression on his face, even trying to curl the corners of his mouth upwards, trying to look attentive and interested. But only he knew what kind of turmoil was going on in his mind at that moment.
Jiang Lin... and another woman? An equally talented doctor? Cardiac surgery... Did that mean they were likely on the same floor, perhaps even on the same surgical team? They would discuss complex cases, share professional insights, and pass each other in corridors filled with the smell of disinfectant... Those scenes, unique to the hospital, tense yet full of life, would be filled with the presence of a strange female doctor named "Chen Biqing."
And Jiang Lin, the Jiang Lin who was like a rock, as omnipresent as the air in his life, would he smile at her? Would he talk to her in his deep voice? Would he... care about whether she ate on time, just as he cared about himself?
An intense, unprecedented sourness and panic surged without warning, instantly drowning out Gu Yan's voice. The unfamiliar, sharp sensation nearly stifled his breath. He subconsciously tightened his grip on his chopsticks, his knuckles turning slightly white from the strain. He didn't dare look up, fearing to betray the turmoil in his eyes. He could only stare intently at the few oil droplets floating in the bowl.
He wanted to retort, to say Jiang Lin didn't need him, to say... what? That Jiang Lin was his? The thought itself struck him like a thunderbolt, filling him with a shuddering wave of shame and panic.
What was his position? He and Jiang Lin...were just brothers who grew up together, family. Jiang Lin certainly had the right to meet outstanding women and live a normal life. He should be happy and wish them well...that was the right thing to do.
The voice of reason screamed frantically in his head, trying to suppress the inappropriate, surging possessiveness and stinging feeling. He told himself over and over again that Jiang Lin deserved the best, including a normal, happy family. He couldn't... and shouldn't have any other thoughts.
The possessiveness of the person who grew up with him was too strong, and Gu Yansheng was telling himself not to be like this.
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