Chapter 10

Even though Tang Feiwan had worked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m a total of 13 hours with only a 1.5-hour meal break and a half-hour meeting with Chief Gao she still seemed full of energy. She remained calm and methodical while treating critical patients, patient and gentle when speaking with their families, and thorough in discussions with colleagues about treatment plans. Now that she had a moment to rest, while the others slumped in their chairs, exhausted and expressionless, she was the only one still smiling.

“Anyone want bubble tea? My treat.” Since her colleagues were still working in the wards, she sent the message to their group chat.

A resident doctor asked, “Dr. Tang, did you win the lottery? You’re in such a good mood.”

Tang Feiwan typed back: “Found the perfect apartment! Moving in after my night shift tomorrow.”

The chief resident responded, “Of course! Thanks, Dr. Tang.”

Gu Yan added, “Thanks, Dr. Tang! Count me in. (hugging thigh emoji)”

Lifting her gaze, Tang Feiwan saw Lin Ye scrolling through documents with her mouse, not looking at her phone, nor acknowledging the flashing WeChat notifications in the bottom-right corner of her screen. She sent the group order link: “Go ahead and place your orders. I’ll finalize it after you’re done.”

As the others quietly selected their drinks, Tang Feiwan’s eyes lingered on Lin Ye’s back, her heart softening over and over. Just like ten years ago on a late night before final exams when she sat in the front row of a lecture hall, afraid to disturb her. Whenever she lifted her tired eyes, she felt as if a warm hand had gently touched her weary heart, instantly spreading warmth through her entire body.

She couldn’t help herself. Standing up, she moved behind Lin Ye and, afraid of startling her, cleared her throat softly to get her attention.

Lin Ye finally turned around, her tone unreadable. “What is it?”

Tang Feiwan hesitated, pressing her lips together. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, as if she had done something wrong and was seeking forgiveness. “Um… Dr. Lin, do you… do you want bubble tea?”

“No, thanks, Dr. Tang.” Lin Ye declined politely, without a trace of hesitation, then turned back to her work.

Standing beside her, Tang Feiwan felt her previously bubbling heart doused in cold water. But in the next second, she noticed the untouched coffee cup at Lin Ye’s right hand. Finding comfort in that small detail, she gave herself an excuse and felt slightly better.

Back at her seat, her colleagues had all placed their orders, so she completed the transaction and paid.

As she waited for the delivery, she started planning her next step convincing Tang Anhua.

She sent a WeChat message: “Mr. Tang, I’m moving tomorrow.”

Tang Anhua happened to be reading news on his phone and replied quickly: “Moving? Why? Is something wrong with your place? You have someone cooking for you, doing your laundry, even walking your dog.”

Knowing he wouldn’t agree easily, Tang Feiwan reasoned with him: “Dad, my commute is too long. I want to sleep in a little in the mornings.”

“You can get to the hospital in half an hour by bike, how is that long? Many people commute for at least an hour.”

“The new house I found is only a 15-minute bike ride to work.”

“How big is the house? How much is the rent?”

“It’s an old house in the Shujiang University family housing area, three bedrooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms, 125 square meters, 3500 yuan, fully furnished, move-in ready.”

Tang Anhua didn’t understand and asked her, “Why are you renting such a big house? Wouldn’t it be better to find a single apartment near the hospital?”

“Single apartments near the hospital also cost 2500 a month, it’s not worth it.”

“Who’s going to cook for you? Also, Tomato, are you taking him?”

“Dad, you can buy whatever you want to eat near the university, are you worried I’ll starve? As for Tomato, he’s used to being with me.”

“Who will take Tomato for a walk when you’re on a 24-hour shift like today? Besides, how can things outside be as clean as at home? If you eat them often, you’ll have problems sooner or later.”

Tomato goes for a walk twice a day, morning and evening. Tang Feiwai was in a dilemma, she tried to overcome it, “I’ll take him in the morning when I’m on duty, and at night, Lao Tang, you can help out when you get off work.” Tang Anhua is a teacher at Shatan District Experimental Middle School, the school is right across from Shujiang University, a 12-minute walk or a 4-minute drive to the family housing area.

Tang Anhua didn’t nod, nor did he directly refuse, he replied, “You come home tomorrow, and we’ll discuss it then.”

Tang Feiwai had made up her mind, she had already acted first and then reported, “Dad, I’ve already paid the deposit.”

“So you’re just informing me?” Tang Anhua mocked her, “When are you going to be so decisive about finding a partner? Your mom and I will go to the temple to burn incense.”

Tang Feiwai sent a string of ellipses.

Tang Anhua seized the opportunity, “Every time I mention this, you avoid it, but you’re 30 years old, you should…”

Fortunately, the nurse came to find her just in time. Tang Feiwai recorded it and sent it as evidence, and added, “Teacher Tang, I’ll go ahead and get busy, we’ll talk later.”

The busy 24 hours finally ended, Tang Feiwai finished her shift and it was almost noon, she rode her bike home without stopping. During dinner, Tang Anhua nagged her for a while, and finally, unable to shake her resolve, he reluctantly agreed.

“Move yourself, don’t think about asking me to help.” Tang Anhua said this, but he actually acted as the driver, making two trips back and forth before he finished moving her luggage.

Professor Zheng was old, she didn’t come to the old house, her daughter came to negotiate, “Doctor Tang, I’ve already had someone clean it this morning, here are the keys, water card, electricity card, and gas card, the card numbers are on them, you can pay directly through WeChat.”

Tang Feiwai took them, “Thank you.”

“Our family hasn’t lived here for six years, so the decoration style is a bit outdated. Doctor Tang, as long as you don’t touch the main structure, you can change it however you want.” Six years ago, Professor Zheng and Professor Zhong moved to a nursing home in the west district, this house has been vacant ever since, fortunately, they regularly hired someone to clean it every month.

Tang Feiwai walked into the study, a smile blooming on her lips, “I really like this study.”

Tang Anhua said proudly, “She loves books, she always has.”

Professor Zheng’s daughter stroked the bookcase, recalling, “My father and mother also loved books, so they customized two solid wood bookcases 15 years ago, and they haven’t changed color until now.”

Tang Feiwai returned to the master bedroom and politely said, “Teacher Zhong, I’ll move this big bed to the small room and then buy a new bed.” The bed at home was also an old-fashioned bed from many years ago, and Tang Feiwai had been planning to change it anyway.

Professor Zheng’s daughter naturally agreed, “No problem, Doctor Tang, feel free to decorate it, you can put any furniture you don’t need in the other two rooms.” She even enthusiastically wanted to help Tang Feiwai move the bed.

“No, no, you rest, I’ll pay for some workers to move it.” Professor Zheng’s daughter was also 50 years old, how could Tang Feiwai let her exert herself.

In the afternoon, around four o’clock, after signing the contract, Professor Zheng’s daughter left the old house. Tang Anhua was ready to cook, he asked her to tidy up, go home to stay tonight, and come back here tomorrow.

“Dad, I’ve made an appointment with the furniture store for 5 pm to install, you can go back, I’ll just eat something casually.” Tang Feiwai opened her suitcase, found a cloth, and prepared to wipe the bookcase first and put the books in.

Tang Anhua admired his daughter’s execution ability, “You’re just like your mom, if you want to do something, you’ll do it right away.” He casually took the car keys that were on the coffee table in the living room, waved his hand, “Remember to eat on time, don’t learn that from your mom, her stomach problems have been with her for decades.”

Tang Feiwai agreed, she sent him downstairs before returning to continue cleaning.

In the evening, as dusk fell, Lin Ye, who had finished a half-day medical conference and then picked up Lin Yangyang from kindergarten, opened the door to her house. Lin Wenhui, with an apron tied around her waist, came out of the kitchen when she heard the sound, her eyes glanced at the door and said, “It seems like a new tenant has moved in next door, they’re making a lot of noise.”

Lin Ye was exhausted, she pulled at the corners of her lips and said softly, “Yeah.”

“Xiao Ye, you and Yangyang go wash your hands first, dinner will be ready soon.” Lin Wenhui glanced at the trash bag next to the shoe cabinet and blamed herself, “Look at my memory, I said I would take out the trash in the morning, and I’ve been putting it off until now.”

“Aunt Hui, I’ll go.” Lin Ye took off her backpack, which was hanging on her arm, and placed it on the cabinet on the right. She gently touched the back of the little girl’s head with her left hand and said softly, “Yangyang, go wash your hands.”

Lin Yangyang nodded, “Okay!”

Lin Ye took the two bags of trash, closed the security door, and had just taken two steps when she bumped into Tang Feiwai, who was coming back from taking out the trash.

“You?”

Tang Feiwai clearly saw the ripples in Lin Ye’s eyes, so the corners of her mouth curled up in a triumphant smile. Afraid that the other party would notice, she quickly returned to normal and said seriously, “Director Lin, we’ll be not only colleagues but also neighbors from now on, please give me some guidance.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Her tone was even, polite enough, but also distant enough. Before she could speak again, Lin Ye stepped aside slightly and walked straight downstairs.

Tang Feiwai’s joyful mood just now sank to the bottom like mud in water, in the blink of an eye. She suddenly felt that Lin Ye was like a lily, before it was pink, sweet and gentle; now it was white, with a touch of coldness.

However, was all of this coldness reserved just for her?