Chen Zai was very busy. He had to register his household, transfer his grain and oil ration, report to the hospital, and get a marriage introduction letter.

The reason he had agreed to transfer to the Fifth Hospital wasn’t just because of the hardship-based friendship he shared with the director or the vacancy for a chief physician. Another key reason was that the hospital director himself was a specialist in respiratory medicine. He was highly motivated and had a clear plan for the hospital’s development, and he fully supported Chen Zai’s work.

The hospital’s upgrade plan had even gained support from the municipal government. Chen Zai believed that this hospital had once possessed strong overall capabilities, but had been set back during the political campaigns. Compared to other hospitals, it had gradually fallen behind. With backing from the city, it could surely reclaim its rightful position.

He spent two to three hours discussing future department development with the director. He would serve as the head of General Surgery Department One, which would include both cardiothoracic and neurosurgery. In cardiothoracic surgery, he would perform procedures such as ventricular septal defect repair, mitral valve replacement, and surgeries for pulmonary disease and esophageal cancer.

The hospital also planned to bring in new equipment and devices. In the future, it would have the capability to perform surgeries for children with congenital heart defects, such as Tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus. Based on Chen Zai’s optimistic outlook on medical technology, more hospitals would eventually be able to carry out pediatric cardiac surgeries. By joining the Fifth Hospital, he would be in a position to lead the development of this field.

After speaking with the director, he felt even more confident. His future work would surely be smooth and fulfilling.

As he returned from the hospital with the introduction letter in hand, he turned into an alley and saw someone standing there at the corner. It was clear the person had been waiting for him and had spotted him long ago, yet held back from speaking out. As his bicycle approached and his expression remained indifferent, the other party finally forced out a hesitant greeting.

“Chen Zai, I… I’d like to speak with you for a moment, if I may.”

Chen Zai stopped the bike, planting his left foot on the ground while keeping his right foot poised to pedal away at any moment. “Go ahead,” he said.

Tao Leshan lowered her head and eyes. Before Chen Zai’s patience wore thin, she finally gathered enough courage to speak.

“Back then when you were sent down, it was a difficult time for both me and my family. I had no choice but to break off the engagement.”

She deeply regretted it. If only she had waited, waited until Chen Zai was rehabilitated and reunited with his family, then they could have honored their engagement and gotten married. Instead, she ended up in a terrible, broken marriage.

“I understand,” Chen Zai replied, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Tao Leshan was stunned. Those two calm words were like a steel wall, blocking all the carefully prepared explanations she had rehearsed again and again.

She couldn’t accept it. Her hope was slim, but she still wanted to fight for herself. With a strained voice, she asked, “All these years, I’ve never stopped thinking about you. Is there still a chance for us?”

Chen Zai’s tone didn’t waver as he gave a straightforward rejection. “No.”

With that, he said nothing more, got back on his bicycle, and rode away.

Tao Leshan was utterly disappointed. Their families had always been close. He could at least have invited her inside for a visit. But he couldn’t even be bothered to maintain the most basic courtesy.

She was already feeling miserable, spending every single day steeped in regret. Why couldn’t he be a little more forgiving? Why couldn’t he try to understand her?

——

Over the next few days, Shu Yuan worked steadily, but before Chen Zai showed up, an unexpected visitor came looking for her. It was Shen Zhongcheng.

Previously, Dai Shufang had taken home the piece of paper detailing every payment that added up to the 1,600 yuan. Meanwhile, Shen Zhongcheng remained self-assured and unmoved, convinced that Shu Yuan was still deeply in love with him and just playing tricks to get him to marry her. He believed she would soon come to him, admit fault, and plead for reconciliation.

But to his surprise, there had been no movement from Shu Yuan at all. Growing uneasy, he decided to go to the electronics factory to find her.

After learning that Shu Yuan worked at Weimin Photo Studio, he headed straight there.

“Shu Yuan works here? Tell her to come out,” Shen Zhongcheng said to Huang Juan, glancing around as he spoke. Then, pulling out a chair for himself, he propped one leg over the other and sat down leisurely facing the counter, acting completely at ease.

Huang Juan was speechless for two seconds. She gave the man a few assessing glances, then called toward the back room, “Sister Shu Yuan, someone’s here to see you.”

Shu Yuan thought it was Chen Zai and called back, “Tell them to wait a couple of minutes.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Man, who had been quietly and obediently drawing at the small table, glanced at the man’s back. After a few seconds of thought, he put down his pencil and walked over to stand in front of Shen Zhongcheng, lifting his little head and asking, “Who are you? Why are you looking for my mom?”

Shen Zhongcheng looked down and studied the child with great interest. He could tell that this boy was that doctor’s son. The resemblance was unmistakable.

What was she thinking? Was she really planning to keep the child in Lucheng? No way. This kid had to be sent back to the countryside. He wasn’t about to play stepfather and raise someone else’s child.

Seeing that the man didn’t answer, Xiao Man scrutinized him in return. The little guy was extremely perceptive, and from the way the man was sizing him up, he deduced that this was that man’s father.

Could this uncle be here to cause trouble?

Xiao Man, feeling a strong sense of danger, said, “My mom and dad are getting their introduction letters. Once they have them, they’re going to register their marriage.”

Shen Zhongcheng: “…”

In the darkroom, Shu Yuan expertly took the film out of the developing tank, rinsed it repeatedly with clean water, used a clip to scrape off the excess moisture, examined each strip against the light, then hung the long rolls on a string to dry. After finishing, she stepped out into the reception area.

As soon as Xiao Man heard footsteps, he called out, “Mom, there’s a strange uncle.”

What surprised Shu Yuan was that Shen Zhongcheng no longer looked like the refined intellectual type. His slightly curly, tousled hair, jeans, and loose turtleneck sweater gave him a rather artistic appearance.

When she saw his assessing gaze sweep toward her, Shu Yuan smiled and said, “This uncle is here to pay back the money he owes Mom. Did you bring it all? One thousand six hundred.”

Huang Juan instantly understood. No wonder this man had such an arrogant attitude. As the saying goes, the one who owes money acts like the boss, and someone who owes a huge sum like 1,600 yuan is practically the king of all bosses.

Shen Zhongcheng nearly choked with fury. She said it so naturally, did she really dare demand the money from him? A woman full of tricks. This was nothing more than playing hard to get.

Seeing Xiao Man’s high-alert expression, like a little leopard on guard, Shu Yuan reached out and ruffled the soft hair on his head. “Go back to your drawing, Xiao Man. Mom’s going to talk to this uncle about getting the money.”

Then she turned to Shen Zhongcheng. “Let’s go. We’ll talk outside.”

Shen Zhongcheng was already displeased. Every sentence from her mouth had to involve money, which he found so vulgar.

They crossed the street. Diagonally across stood a wall, and the two of them stopped beneath a utility pole to talk. Shu Yuan got straight to the point. “Did you bring the money? One thousand six hundred. Not a single coin less.”

She looked at the fashionably dressed man in front of her and the fine steel Rolex watch on his wrist, mocking, “Living off others suits you well, huh? That watch must’ve cost several hundred yuan. Bought with my money, I bet.”

More precisely, it was bought with that poor fool Chen Zai’s money.

Meanwhile, little Xiao Man, worried about his mom, peeked his small head out from the photo studio doorway. When Shu Yuan looked his way, he quickly shrank back and pressed himself against the wall, standing very still.

Shen Zhongcheng grew annoyed and snapped, “Shu Yuan, can we not talk about such vulgar things?”

Shu Yuan was taken aback. Talking to this man really was exhausting. She said, “Funny how you didn’t find it vulgar when you were spending the money. That money was borrowed, and I have to pay it back. You need to return it to me as soon as possible.”

Shen Zhongcheng clearly noticed the change in her. His brows furrowed slightly. “So tacky. Shu Yuan, let me sing you a song instead.”

He hoped to awaken the love in Shu Yuan’s heart, to make her stop talking about money all the time.

Shu Yuan felt the sharp disconnect in communication. “…”

Before she could process what was happening, his slightly hoarse voice began to sing, “It was you who gave me hope, gave me courage, no longer lost, no longer hesitant…”

Shu Yuan was dumbfounded.

She had thought that if Shen Zhongcheng were going to sing, it’d be one of those popular revolutionary songs like “The setting sun glows over the western hills, the soldier returns to camp after target practice.”

Then she remembered that besides writing poetry and novels, Shen Zhongcheng also played the guitar and sang. He had written poems for the original host, included her in his stories, and sang to her. Now she could somewhat understand why the original host had idolized him.

But she was not the original host. She wasn’t moved at all. She had to interrupt.

Shu Yuan said, “You don’t seriously think that singing a song means you don’t have to pay the money, do you? One thousand six hundred yuan is enough for me to fly abroad and attend a Teresa Teng concert. I’ll say this again, clearly and formally. You have to pay me back.”

Now it was Shen Zhongcheng’s turn to be stunned. He finally realized how serious the situation was. Shu Yuan was dead set on getting that money back?

He frowned tightly. “Shu Yuan, what’s this about? Wouldn’t marrying you solve everything? Over such a small amount of money, you’re really drawing a line between us? But I have one condition, you have to send Xiao Man back to the countryside. I hate other people’s kids and I’m not going to raise someone else’s child. You know what? One thing I really dislike about you is that you have a kid. What I admire is a woman as pure as snow. And you’re not.”

As Shu Yuan listened to this, her brows furrowed slightly. Was this man mentally unwell?

Meanwhile, Xiao Man peeked his little head out again from the doorway, glancing toward the mouth of the alley. Dad was here, standing not far from the utility pole and watching. But Mom hadn’t noticed him yet.

Xiao Man could tell Dad’s handsome face was tense, clearly unhappy with what he was hearing. He wanted to warn Mom, but she wasn’t looking his way.

Shu Yuan was so exasperated by the man in front of her that she let out a laugh. “I brought Xiao Man back because I plan to raise him myself. What makes you think I’d abandon my own son to be someone’s stepmother? All I ever did was lend you some money. Aside from that, we have nothing to do with each other. His father and I are about to register our marriage.”

She even had the urge to grab the man by the shoulders and shake his head, yelling at him, You need to pay me back. You have to pay me back.

Shen Zhongcheng was so shocked he couldn’t close his mouth. “Do you even hear what you’re saying? Shu Yuan, stop playing this little game of hard to get.”

Then he shifted into a tone of generous condescension. “I’ll marry you. I’ll write you into my novel as a beautiful character who dies early. Everyone will remember her fondly. Isn’t that enough to make you happy?”

Shu Yuan stared at him in disbelief. Does this man not understand human language? She emphasized each word clearly and firmly, “Don’t write me into your novel. If you do, I’ll sue you for copyright infringement. I’m about to marry Xiao Man’s father. Pay me back. You must pay me back.”

Pay the money, you freeloading parasite.

Facing someone who clearly didn’t speak the language of reason, Shu Yuan realized that collecting this debt was going to be much harder than she’d thought.

Chen Zai was not far away, sitting on his bicycle, one long leg propped on the ground. The sharp lines of his handsome face gradually softened as he observed Shu Yuan’s stunned and frustrated expression. The corners of his lips curled into a slightly puzzled arc.

At last, Shu Yuan noticed Xiao Man’s hand signal. The little guy was covering his mouth with his left hand while shaking his right index finger toward the alley. Shu Yuan turned her head in that direction and met Chen Zai’s gaze, dark and deep like a still pond, unreadable and piercing.

Faced with his sharp eyes, Shu Yuan suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, like she’d been caught red-handed.

Wait a minute, what was she feeling guilty for? She was collecting a debt, not whispering sweet nothings.

Shen Zhongcheng also turned around, and six lines of sight crossed in midair.

In the background came the faint sound of passing cars and a distant bicycle bell. The atmosphere was thick with awkward tension, a heavy silence hanging over the group.

Shu Yuan was the first to break the awkwardness. “Did you get the marriage introduction letter?”

Chen Zai cast a calm glance at Shen Zhongcheng and asked in return, “You haven’t changed your mind?”

Shu Yuan clenched her back molars tightly. “Change my mind about what? Want to go register the marriage now?”

Chen Zai responded crisply, “Let’s go.”

He waved to Xiao Man, who had been nervously watching them. Seeing no bicycles on the road, the little guy ran over on his short legs.

Shu Yuan stepped forward, bent down to scoop him up from the ground, and walked to the roadside. “Mom and Dad are going to register our marriage now.”

Shen Zhongcheng: “…Shu Yuan, what does that mean?”

Xiao Man was overjoyed. The uncle hadn’t managed to ruin anything. Mom and Dad were still going to register. He spoke up clearly and brightly, “Uncle, let me explain. My mom and dad couldn’t get married back in the countryside, but they truly love each other. Now my dad has been rehabilitated, my mom’s returned to the city, and she brought me back too. So of course they’re getting married.”

This little guy was the first to be thoroughly “brainwashed” by Shu Yuan’s made-up story.

Shu Yuan nodded with certainty. “That’s right. Exactly like that.”

Shen Zhongcheng didn’t bother hiding his sarcasm. “Truly love each other? You two believe that yourselves? What a joke. Who are you trying to fool?”

Shu Yuan felt a headache coming on. Talking to him was just too exhausting. She’d need to seriously think about how to get her money back. So she turned to Chen Zai and said, “Let’s go. No time like the present, let’s register the marriage.”

The three of them ignored Shen Zhongcheng completely. Shu Yuan went back into the studio to inform Huang Juan, then the family of three headed toward the alley entrance together.

Shen Zhongcheng stared blankly at the backs of the three walking side by side. How had things suddenly progressed to Shu Yuan and Chen Zai registering their marriage? He was still waiting for Shu Yuan to come crawling back to him, doing his laundry, cooking his meals, helping him raise a kid, clinging to him and begging to get married.

And just like that, he was left standing alone by the roadside by a family of three.

Was he being abandoned?

A sudden wave of unease and loss surged over Shen Zhongcheng.

Meanwhile, Shu Yuan told Chen Zai and Xiao Man to wait by the roadside while she returned to the staff housing compound to grab her household registration book and the introduction letter. Once she reunited with the father and son, Chen Zai picked Xiao Man up and placed him on the front beam of the bicycle, reminding him, “Hold on tight, Xiao Man.”

“I’m holding on, Dad,” Xiao Man replied happily. It was his first time riding a bicycle, and he was delighted.

They were finally going to register the marriage.

Chen Zai turned to Shu Yuan. “You get on too.”

Shu Yuan didn’t bother playing coy. She hopped onto the rear seat of the old-fashioned black bicycle, and with one long push of his leg, Chen Zai pedaled off from the sidewalk and onto the street.

Chen Zai spoke slowly, “Shu Yuan, does Shen Zhongcheng sing well?”

Ah, so he had arrived while the singing was still going on.

Shu Yuan lifted her chin. “Objectively speaking, his voice is quite distinctive, and his pitch is good. Pretty pleasant to listen to.”

Chen Zai’s voice was as calm and clear as water. “Mm. He can sing White Birch Forest, Blue Street Lamp… Imagine it, on a quiet night, singing to someone.”

Shu Yuan’s eyes widened. “Dr. Chen, what are you trying to say?”

She jumped off the backseat of the bicycle.

The two in front immediately felt the bike lighten significantly.

Xiao Man sensed trouble. Uh-oh, something had definitely gone wrong.

Shu Yuan had thought Chen Zai would either ask her to get back on the bike or slow down to walk alongside her. Who would’ve guessed that his long legs would just keep pedaling, making the bicycle speed up as it moved farther ahead.

Xiao Man turned his little head, stretching his neck to look back, and saw Shu Yuan behind them rolling up her sleeves. He quickly shrank his head down and said, “Dad, maybe you should wait for Mom. You can’t register the marriage by yourself anyway. I think… I think Mom wants to fight you.”

The little guy was worried. Who would win in a fight, Dad or Mom? And how was he supposed to break it up?

Chen Zai, worried Xiao Man might fall, turned off to the side of the road and stopped. His left foot rested on the curb, right foot on the ground, waiting at ease for Shu Yuan to catch up.

Xiao Man turned around and shouted, “Mom, hurry up! Dad’s waiting for you!”

Shu Yuan charged over in long strides. “Dr. Chen, are you trying to run off with the child?”

Chen Zai glanced at her rolled-up sleeves and said unhurriedly, “If you regret it now, there’s still time to back out.”

Shu Yuan pouted, huffing in anger. “Give me Xiao Man. I’ve changed my mind.”

With his right hand still gripping the handlebar, Chen Zai, risking an allergic reaction, wrapped his left arm around Xiao Man. “No.”

Xiao Man twisted his body around, struggling to tilt his head up to look at Chen Zai, then at Shu Yuan. He thought to himself that he’d probably have to worry about his parents a lot in the future. He quickly spoke up, “Getting the marriage certificate is more important. The Civil Affairs Bureau will close soon. How about not arguing for now? Just get the certificate first.”

His little grown-up tone softened the tense atmosphere.

Chen Zai was the first to give in, his voice gentler now. “Get on.”

Shu Yuan let out a snort and hopped back onto the rear seat of the bicycle. The bike rejoined the flow of traffic.

The little guy’s anxious heart finally settled back into place. It looked like there wouldn’t be a fight after all. With his strong sense of crisis, he came up with a brilliant idea. “Dad, Mom, until you get the marriage certificate, neither of you is allowed to talk.”

Shu Yuan held back a laugh. “Alright.”

The two adults said no more. Even Xiao Man stayed quiet, afraid that any word might spark another unexpected twist.

The registration process went smoothly. As they walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau and watched Shu Yuan tuck the marriage certificate into her shoulder bag, Xiao Man finally let out a long breath of relief.

From now on, they were officially and rightfully a family.

“You can talk now,” the little guy said with great satisfaction. “Not speaking forever isn’t going to work.”

“Dr. Chen, please take Xiao Man and me back to the photo studio. Thanks,” Shu Yuan said.

Chen Zai unlocked the bicycle, bent down to lift Xiao Man onto the crossbar, and said, “There’s still something we need to discuss. Are we going to move in together?”