Chapter 22 "Lin Che, are you doing okay?"
Lu Yu put down his chopsticks and glanced at the row of old residential buildings across the street. "Where did you live in high school?"
This place is still far from the Lin family. If no one comes to pick me up after class at 10 o'clock, I will definitely not be able to go back.
Lin Che followed his gaze and pointed to a gray six-story building across the street. "Over there, on the top floor, on the far right. It's a shared room for a hundred yuan a month, squeezed in with three other art students."
His tone was very calm, as if he was talking about an ordinary matter.
Lu Yu's brows furrowed slightly, "Lin Zhenbang didn't give you living expenses?"
Lin Che smiled and said, "I gave it to you, but it wasn't enough."
He counted on his fingers, "Rent is 100, materials are 200, and uniforms and class fees are extra. He works 500 a month, which is just enough for food and transportation. He has to figure out the rest himself."
The dim light of the noodle shop reflected on Lin Che's profile, outlining his clear outline.
"So you're going to work?" Lu Yu looked around at the dilapidated houses on the opposite side and could imagine Lin Che's hard work.
"Yeah, I work at a convenience store on weekends and tutor during summer and winter vacations." Lin Che took a sip of noodle soup. "Luckily, my grades are good and I got a national scholarship. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't even be able to afford college."
When he said this, his tone was relaxed, even a little teasing, and he spoke of those difficult days as a matter of course and without any concern.
Lu Yu was silent for a while, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and suddenly asked: "Is studying medicine tiring?"
Lin Che lowered his head and smiled. He picked up his chopsticks and stirred the cold noodles in the bowl. He said calmly, "I originally chose this major because I heard that doctors have high salaries."
He paused, looked up at Lu Yu, and said, "Later, I realized that it was too tiring, and the medical study period was too long."
His voice was calm, as if he was stating a very ordinary fact, but Lu Yu could see a hint of fatigue from his slightly tense jawline.
"It takes five years to get an undergraduate degree, three years of regular training, and another two to three years of specialized training. By the time you're able to truly practice independently, your peers will likely already have successful careers." Lin Che let out a soft breath. "And, a high salary? You'd have to work your way up to associate professor or above to get one. A few years ago, I could barely even afford the rent."
The light from the noodle shop reflected in his eyes, as if there was a faint layer of self-mockery floating in them.
Lu Yu suddenly remembered that Lin Che had excellent grades in high school. If he had chosen another major, he might have had a much easier life.
"Do you regret it?" Lu Yu asked.
Lin Che shook her head, the corners of her mouth slightly raised: "It's tiring, but at least..."
He paused, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "At least now, I can support myself."
His tone was very soft, but Lu Yu felt as if something had gently hit his chest.
"When I moved, I stumbled across your undergraduate and graduate theses. Both were in general surgery... Why are you in pediatrics now?"
Lu Yu's question made Lin Che's chopsticks pause slightly. He put down his bowl, took a tissue, and slowly wiped the corner of his mouth before speaking, "I joined the hospital at the same time as Zhou Xuran. I spent a year in the general surgery department, earning only half the salary of others."
His tone was as calm as if he was discussing today's weather, but Lu Yu keenly noticed that his fingertips were unconsciously stroking the edge of the tissue.
"Then one day while on night shift, I rescued Qin Yize in the underground parking lot."
Lin Che twitched the corner of his mouth. "He's the dean's son."
The chandelier in the noodle shop cast a swaying shadow on his face, and his eyes suddenly became a little vague.
"After that, he often came to the hospital, bringing flowers and food."
Lin Che chuckled, "Until one night during the night shift, he came to me with roses and confessed his love."
Lu Yu's brows furrowed unconsciously. He saw Lin Che's right hand clench into a fist, then slowly unclench it.
"I refused."
Lin Che's voice grew colder. "Then this young master felt humiliated and pushed me into the locker room, attempting to force himself on me."
At this point, Lin Che suddenly laughed, a smile that held a hint of ruthlessness. "Unfortunately, he doesn't know that when I was working the night shift at a convenience store in high school, I fought robbers more than once."
His knuckles tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp sound.
"So he was about 1.8 meters tall, and I threw him over my shoulder, breaking his nose into three pieces."
Lin Che looked up at Lu Yu, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "The surveillance footage shows it was self-defense, but do you think the dean will keep me in the general surgery department?"
The noisy voices in the noodle shop suddenly became very far away.
Lu Yu looked at Lin Che's calm expression and suddenly realized that behind those casual words was his unbreakable pride.
"There was a shortage of pediatricians, and no one wanted to go. My mentor worked really hard to get me hired."
Lin Che took a sip of the now-cold noodle soup. "The pediatric department is short on staff, and no one wants to go. My advisor put in a lot of effort to keep me here."
His Adam's apple rolled up and down as he swallowed the last bit of noodle soup.
Under the light, Lu Yu saw a faded scar on his collarbone exposed by the collar of his white coat.
The glass windows of the noodle shop were covered with a layer of fog and it started raining outside.
Lu Yu's eyes fell on the scar, his expression darkening. His voice tightened as he pointed at the scar on Lin Che's collarbone. "Is this why you always button your shirt to the top button?"
Lin Che was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing: "You are quite observant."
He raised his hand and touched his collar. "It was scratched by Qin Yize's engagement ring. He tried to grab my collar before he fell, and ended up scratching the ring with his nails."
He said it lightly, but Lu Yu could imagine the chaos at that time.
"What happened next?" Lu Yu heard his voice become hoarse.
"What happened next?" Lin Che tilted her head. "Later, I was retained. But the price I paid was being relegated to the pediatric department. From then on, I might not even be able to get a promotion."
The fine raindrops outside hit the window, like countless tiny fingers tapping on it.
"You know what's the funniest thing?"
Lin Che suddenly leaned in closer, and the faint minty scent of his body, mixed with the dampness of the rain, hit her face. "Qin Yize is getting married in three months. His partner is the daughter of a pharmaceutical group."
"So now," Lin Che leaned back in his chair, the sound of rain making his voice particularly clear, "I make sure my collar is buttoned tightly every day when I see children."
He blinked. "After all, it's pediatrics, so it has to look more approachable."
The boss behind the counter began to clear the dishes from the next table, and the porcelain spoon made a crisp sound when it hit the edge of the bowl.
Lu Yu watched as Lin Che used the tip of his chopsticks to push the last piece of chopped green onion to the edge of the bowl.
This person always uses the calmest tone to say the most painful things.
"Lin Che." Lu Yu called his name.
"How are you doing?"
The last time Lu Yu asked in the rental house, "Lin Che, are you having a hard time?"
The understated words always left Lin Che with a lump in his throat.
He was always afraid of other people's concern, but Lu Yu was different. There was sincerity in his eyes.
"I'm used to it." Lin Che put down his chopsticks, his words mixed with the unpleasant friction sound of the chair against the ground when he stood up.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com