146. My current girlfriend wants to be a bridesmaid
Mingtong left, but Lingling couldn't sleep again. She anxiously awaited his news, each long wait rewarded with a brief message: "I'm at the station," "The train's leaving, go to sleep," "I'm home," "My dad's out of danger, don't worry." Lingling finally breathed a sigh of relief when he told her that they would take a local ambulance to Beijing for hospitalization and surgery the next day, once his condition stabilized. Lingling figured she hadn't slept all night and wouldn't have much energy the next day, so she decided to catch up in the morning and spend the afternoon at the hospital with Mingtong and his parents. So she asked Wen Ruier for a day off, but he was unpredictable, suggesting that the market would rise just because he'd won an award. Lingling didn't resist, but simply swallowed her anger and humbly asked for the day off. Human lives were at stake here, so who cared about the bloodshed of the workplace? Lingling visited Mingtong's parents at the hospital that afternoon. They beamed at her, and even the father, who had just survived a life-or-death race, perked up. Mingtong's mother held her hand and chatted in a chair beside the bed, but Lingling could tell that every word was a clear inquiry. "Lingling, I can see that Mingtong has never been so fond of a girl before. He's so obedient to you! You and our Mingtong look so perfect together. When are you two planning to get married?" Mingtong's mother asked. Lingling remained alert to this question. She smiled apologetically and said, "Auntie, I don't have any plans to get married in the next few years." "Not in the next few years?" Mingtong's mother's face suddenly changed. Ling Ling nodded hesitantly, "Ah, yes. Besides, Ming Tong and I haven't been together long." Ming Tong's mother realized she had lost her composure and tried to make amends, "Yes, you two haven't been together long. But, I'm the one who's been through it all and have the most experience. If two people make a concerted effort, they'll get married, and they'll grow old together, and that's for sure. But if they drag their feet and refuse to get married, saying that love is everything, they won't last long and will eventually break up. It's not easy to find someone you like in this life. If you get married and have children, we'll help you take care of them. It won't affect your work." Ling Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "Auntie, I haven't even thought about getting married, let alone having children. I'm not mentally prepared to take on the lifelong responsibility of another life." "What kind of preparation do you need for that?" Ming Tong's mother said anxiously. Halfway through their conversation, Ming Tong took some medicine and walked out of the ward door...
Mingtong left, but Lingling could no longer sleep. She waited anxiously for news from him, and every long wait would be replaced by a short message: "I'm at the station", "The train is leaving, go to sleep", "I'm home", "My dad is out of danger, don't worry".
Ling Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief when he told her that when his father's condition stabilized the next day, they would take a local ambulance to Beijing for hospitalization and surgery.
Ling Ling thought that since she hadn't slept all night and didn't have much energy the next day, she might as well catch up on some sleep in the morning and go to the hospital to accompany Ming Tong and his parents in the afternoon. So she asked Wen Ruier for a day off, but he was a bit sarcastic, saying that the market would rise just because she had won an award.
Ling Ling didn't resist, but simply swallowed her anger and pretended to be humble, asking for a day off. Human lives were at stake here, so who cared about the bloodshed in the workplace?
Ling Ling went to the hospital to visit Mingtong's parents in the afternoon. The two old people smiled when they saw her. Even the old father who had just experienced a life-and-death race seemed to be in high spirits.
Mingtong's mother held her hand and chatted with her on a chair next to the bed, but Lingling could tell that every word she said was a clear investigation.
"Lingling, I can see that Mingtong has never liked a girl so much. He is really obedient to you! I think you and our Mingtong are a perfect match. When are you two planning to get married?" Mingtong's mother asked.
When faced with this question, Ling Ling was still very alert. She smiled apologetically and said, "Auntie, I have no plans to get married in the next few years."
"You haven't gotten married in recent years?" Mingtong's mother's face suddenly changed.
Ling Ling nodded hesitantly and said, "Ah, yes. Besides, Ming Tong and I haven't been together for long."
Mingtong's mother realized she had lost her composure a bit, and tried to make amends, saying, "Yes, you two haven't been together for long. But, I'm the most experienced. If two people are determined to get married, they can get married, and they can grow old together. But if they keep dragging their feet and refuse to get married, saying that love is the most important thing, they won't last long and will eventually break up. It's not easy to meet someone you like in this life. When you get married and have children, we will help you take care of them. It won't affect your work."
Ling Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "Auntie, I haven't even thought about getting married, let alone having children. I'm not mentally prepared to take lifelong responsibility for another life."
"What kind of preparation does this require?!" Mingtong's mother was a little anxious.
When their conversation was halfway through, Mingtong came in from outside the ward with medicine. He interrupted his mother and said, "Mom, let me tell you how to take my dad's medicine. I have surgery soon. Also, how to eat in the hospital. I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you at night."
Ling Ling quickly stood up and said, "Let me listen too. I can help you take care of your uncle and aunt later."
But Ling Ling's attentiveness at this moment could no longer please Mingtong's mother.
Mingtong found an opportunity to call Lingling out and chat with her alone in the corridor.
"My mother just asked you about marriage. You can be more vague about it. There's no need to refuse it outright." There was a hint of blame in Mingtong's tone.
Ling Ling, however, couldn't understand his instructions: "She asked me if I was getting married and when I was getting married. It was very clear, with only YES or NO answers. How could I get away with it vaguely?"
"But my dad is going to have surgery this afternoon. Wouldn't it be nice to give the two old people some peace of mind?"
"Then I can't give them unrealistic hope! I really don't want to get married. I don't want to lie to them, and there's no need to do so." This topic made Ling Ling a little annoyed.
Mingtong adjusted her mood and then said, "Do you not want to get married, or do you not want to marry me?"
Ling Ling remained unmoved by his cold questioning. Instead, she calmed down and replied firmly, "Yu Chuanbei once asked me the same question. I told him clearly at the time that I simply didn't want to get married, and it had nothing to do with anyone else. Your family is going through a difficult time right now, and I didn't give in when they urged me to get married. I admit I was selfish; but before I was forced into the quagmire of marriage, I still wanted to seriously protect my right to choose. I'm grateful that I still have this freedom."
Mingtong was about to retort when he saw her speak so decisively, but was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. It was a call from the department urging him to go back and prepare for surgery.
Ling Ling waited until he hung up the phone and then said, "You go and do your work. I will help take care of your father's surgery this afternoon." After that, she turned and left. She didn't want to argue with him about such unsolvable problems anymore, and didn't want to get entangled in things that would not change.
When she returned to the ward, the first thing Ling Ling heard was laughter and joy that was completely different from when she first came out.
Lu Yan came to visit the two old people. Ling Ling could hear her silvery bell-like voice and the perfect flattery through the door.
"Uncle and aunt, the person I admire most at work is Dr. Zhong. He's kind and capable. It's a rare opportunity for me to help you this time, so please don't hesitate to ask me. Aunt, is the food delicious? It's from our hospital cafeteria. I've been trying different dishes for you these past few days. Dr. Zhong is usually too introverted, and I'm a perfect complement to him. I'm very familiar with the chefs in the cafeteria. I asked the head nurse for half a day off so I can accompany you throughout your surgery this afternoon. Without Dr. Zhong, I'll definitely take good care of you two."
Lu Yan's clever words delighted the elders, and she began to be questioned about her family and marriage. Ling Ling thought that before she knew it, she had been put in the window for comparison.
Lu Yan's performance in the afternoon did not disappoint. She was very familiar with the hospital's situation, accompanied Mingtong throughout the whole process, and kept asking for new information, which made Mingtong's mother feel relieved and felt that her taking the position of mistress was what everyone expected.
As if to die, Wen Ruier called, sarcastically accusing her of poor cooperation with him on the Oje case and insufficient responsibility. It was almost the final stages, and she was unexpectedly absent. She apologized profusely and promised to participate in Group A's final presentation to Wen Ruier online.
Outside the operating room, two stark contrasts emerged: Lu Yan held Mingtong's mother's arm throughout the entire process, caring and attentive; while Ling Ling, wearing headphones, crisscrossed the hallways and corridors, searching for an internet signal to participate in the video conference. Wen Rui'er, however, was always cueing her, handing her the microphone for everything. And whenever she spoke a little louder, Mingtong's mother rolled her eyes.
In the end, Ling Ling even thought, "Let's destroy this love and the entire earth!" Let Zhong Mingtong and Lu Yan get married. She could even be a bridesmaid for free, plus a gift.
Lu Yan took the lead in taking care of lunch, and Ling Ling arranged dinner in advance, ordering Quanjude roast duck takeout. Since the bed next to her in the ward had not been assigned yet, she wanted Mingtong's mother to have a good meal.
Ling Ling brought him to the ward and said to Ming Tong's mother with a smile, "Auntie, Ming Tong told me that you like Beijing roast duck, so I ordered takeout for you. You can eat some to calm your nerves today. When your uncle is fully recovered, we can go to the Qianmen main store to eat together."
Unexpectedly, Mingtong's mother directly refused: "I've been worried all day, how can I eat such greasy food now! Lu Yan has already helped me get the food, you don't have to worry about it."
Ling Ling felt like a stock that opened high and closed low, with a bearish trend all the way. Lu Yan was the "corpse collector", waiting with her feet on end to buy her abandoned shares at the rock-bottom price.
When Lu Yan returned with the food, the three of them were so happy that Ling Ling felt completely unnecessary. She carried the cooling roast duck takeout and retreated to the hallway, finding a bench in the corner to sit down. She figured she'd wait until she saw Ming Tong and said hello before leaving; at least she'd completed the main quest.
Mingtong appeared at the other end of the ward corridor. Lingling stood up happily, but he didn't see her. Instead, he rushed to his father's ward anxiously. Lingling had no choice but to sit down again dejectedly.
Mingtong walked into the ward and saw that his father had regained consciousness and Lu Yan was chatting animatedly with his mother. He looked around but didn't see Ling Ling.
"Where is Lingling?" he asked.
Mingtong's mother replied unhappily, "I don't know where she's been busy again. Your dad was in serious surgery for several hours, and she couldn't help at all. She said she was with us, but she was actually on some video conference the whole time. You finally made it here, and your dad is still lying in bed, and the first thing you ask is where she is!"
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