Chapter 70: Nightmare

Today is Lin You’s exam day at the Third Municipal Hospital. Qin Lang drives her there, and since Lu Li is off duty, he comes along as well.

On the road, Lu Li and Qin Lang exchange a glance.

Lu Li speaks first “Sister, do you really have to go to this class?”

Lin You doesn’t understand why Lu Li would suddenly ask this. Why wouldn’t she go to work? She can’t just stay home all day doing nothing.

Lu Li again inquires “Sister, do you have any other hobbies?”

“Hobbies?”

Lin You thinks for a moment. Since childhood, she has been tone deaf, uncoordinated in her movements, and has little sensitivity to color combinations. She doesn’t really have any hobbies. Even when Qin’s mother first met her, she thought Lin You was talented in singing and dancing.

The only thing she could claim to be decent at is calligraphy, which she learned from her grandfather as a child.

But even then, she only knows the basics and has not reached an advanced level.

It seems her only real interest is medicine. When she first arrived at the Qin family, Qin’s mother worked overtime every day, sometimes returning home to study for various exams. Occasionally, Lin You would keep her company for a bit.

Once, when Qin’s mother forgot her notebook, Lin You took it to her while she was teaching and sat in the corner to listen. She realized it wasn’t as complicated as everyone said, in fact, it was quite easy to understand. From that day on, Qin’s mother recognized Lin You’s talent for medicine and began to nurture it.

Lu Li didn’t hear her response and asked again, “Sister, what are you thinking? Why aren’t you answering my question?”

Lin You shakes her head and shares funny stories about her mother’s attempts to send her to art classes as a child.

The three of them laugh heartily.

After hearing her, Lu Li unabashedly says, “Sister, it’s not your fault, our family has no artistic genes.”

Lin You smiles and asks Lu Li, “What made you bring this up all of a sudden?”

Lu Li glances at Qin Lang and replies, “I just think being a doctor is too hard. Although working in our health team might not be good for your professional development, it is more relaxed.”

“Working in a hospital is tiring, and overtime is the norm. The Qin family isn’t lacking money, and neither is the Lu family. Why do you want to make yourself so tired?”

Lin You doesn’t respond, she just looks at Qin Lang beside her and realizes he doesn’t plan to speak up, understanding that this is Qin Lang’s suggestion to Lu Li.

Because just a few days ago, he said the same thing, and she doesn’t understand why he suddenly changed his mind about wanting her to go to the Third Municipal Hospital.

She understands that both of them don’t want her to overwork herself, but since the last time she saw Senior Brother Wang skillfully performing surgery, her heart has been restless, unwilling to settle for the status quo.

Lu Li’s voice comes again

“I think it’s unnecessary. Your brother in law’s job is already busy enough. Do you need to be so busy too?”

“Besides, this isn’t City C, the relationships in hospitals are complicated. Without Aunt Song to look after you, it’s hard to handle.”

“I think you should just do something you enjoy.”

Lin You thinks about it carefully and feels that no matter what, she wants to try. She doesn’t want to give up on her dream after so many years.

So she reminds the two of them “Aren’t you both overthinking this? Today is just the written exam, there’s also an interview and a probation period. If the probation period is too tiring, I can just not go.”

Qin Lang nods and says, “Yes, you’re right. You have to give it a try.”

Lu Li glares at Qin Lang from the back “You said all the good things, you got to be the good guy, while I’m the bad guy. Next time you need something, don’t come to me, I’ll definitely make you pay back.”

When Lin You goes in for the exam, Lu Li and Qin Lang stay in the car.

Lu Li complains to Qin Lang “You’re so shameless. It was clearly you who asked me to say that, but in the end, you got to be the good guy.”

Qin Lang glances at him without saying anything, just lights a cigarette and rolls down all the car windows to smoke.

Lu Li looks at him, noticing his pensive expression, and sighs, saying nothing more.

When Lin You comes out, Qin Lang immediately gets out of the car, goes up to her, and wraps an arm around her as they walk back to the car.

He opens the car door for her, and Lin You sits down.

Lu Li hurriedly asks, “Sister, you must have done well on the exam, right?”

“It was okay.”

The three of them go out to eat, shop, and buy a lot of things before returning to the base.

After that, Qin Lang gets busy again, while Lin You continues her routine between the health team and the family quarters. Recently, the work at the health team hasn’t been busy, so she has had more time to chat with Xiao Nan and the others.

Lin You feels that one day she will leave this place and cherishes the time they spend together even more.

Yang Pan stands by the window, watching his comrades in the training field, looking melancholy.

Qin Lang sits in a chair smoking, gazing thoughtfully at Yang Pan’s back.

Finally, he sighs and asks, “Are you ready?”

Yang Pan turns around, salutes Qin Lang, and firmly replies, “Always ready.”

Qin Lang stands up and salutes back.

The two of them walk into the captain’s office together.

Lin You prepares dinner and waits for Qin Lang to return, but after waiting for a long time, he still hasn’t come back. Just as she picks up her bowl and chopsticks to eat first, there’s a knock at the door.

She hurries to the door, wondering who is knocking. Qin Lang has a key.

Opening the door, she finds it’s Dan Ye.

Confused, she asks, “Dan Ye? What are you doing here?”

“Sister in law, the captain and the others are still in a meeting and won’t be back for a while. The captain asked me to tell you he won’t be coming back tonight.”

Lin You feels strange and blurts out, “Did something happen?”

“I don’t know the details.”

“Sister in law, I have things to do, so I’ll head back first.”

Hearing him say this, Lin You doesn’t press further and replies, “Okay, goodbye.”

“Sister in law, goodbye.”

Lin You thinks there must be some urgent situation, but it shouldn’t be anything serious at the base.

Without Qin Lang, Lin You doesn’t eat much for dinner.

Sometimes, it’s like this for people. Once a habit forms, it’s hard to change. Just like Qin Lang and Lin You, they became accustomed to each other’s company, and when one person is absent, it feels uncomfortable all over.

After washing up, Lin You lies in bed, closes her eyes, and tosses and turns, unable to fall asleep. Her mind is filled with various unpleasant speculations.

She wonders if Qin Lang might be in danger and then reassures herself that he is very capable and nothing will happen.

After tossing and turning until the early hours, she finally falls asleep.

In her dreams, she remains restless, with various scenes flashing in her mind her parents, her uncle and aunt, Qin’s parents, the people at the base yet she cannot find Qin Lang.

She begins to frown and murmur, “Qin Lang… Qin Lang… where are you?”

But he still doesn’t appear. Suddenly, she wakes up, sitting up in bed, realizing it was just a dream.

Looking at the smooth sheets beside her, she remembers that Qin Lang didn’t come home last night and sees it’s only 5 AM according to the wall clock.

Lin You leans against the headboard, adjusting her breathing, feeling a cold sweat break out over her body. Uncomfortable and unable to sleep anymore, she decides to get up and heads into the bathroom for a shower.

As she comes out, she hears the sound of the door opening.