Chapter 10.1 Going to His Home

When Min Ting returned home, his sister’s car was already parked in its spot.

The housekeeper was busy in the kitchen, and Min Xi was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. It was rare for her brother to arrive home later than her—he usually waited for her in the yard whenever she came for dinner.

Hearing the door open, Min Xi looked up from her screen. “Working late?”

“No,” Min Ting replied. “I stopped by the hospital for ten minutes.”

“Then why did you say you were free tonight when I called? If I’d known you’d made plans with my sister-in-law, I’d have come another day.”

“I didn’t. Our plans are for tomorrow night. The hospital was just on my way.”

Min Xi thought of their agreement to meet only twice a month. Unable to hold back, she chided him, “You’re so irresponsible, do you even realize that?”

Ignoring her reprimand, Min Ting went to wash his hands, then walked over to the sofa. He picked out a snack from the tray, opened it, and handed it to her.

Min Xi accepted it with one hand while setting her phone aside.

Min Ting then speared a piece of watermelon from the fruit plate and offered it to her. Min Xi waved him off. “I just ate plenty.”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be free until the end of the month? Why are you back early?” she asked while munching on her snack.

“Shi Miao’s birthday is tomorrow,” he replied calmly.

“Oh~,” Min Xi teased, her tone playful as she dragged out the syllable. “Not bad, you actually remembered your wife’s birthday.”

“Isn’t that expected? What do you take me for, Fu Yanzhou?”

“Hey, hey, hey, no need to throw shade. Fu Yanzhou has never forgotten my birthday,” Min Xi retorted, lightly patting her belly. “Brother, you need to watch what you say. Prenatal education is crucial. Don’t let my baby grow up thinking their uncle is always badmouthing their dad.”

Min Xi was nearly three months pregnant. Considering her mood, Min Ting refrained from arguing further.

Min Xi had come back specifically to discuss his wedding. “When are you and Shi Miao planning to hold the ceremony?”

“No plans yet,” Min Ting replied.

Before they got their marriage license, they had only agreed not to meet each other’s families for six months. As for whether they would have a wedding or when they’d move in together, neither had brought it up.

The next morning, Shi Miao woke to find a big red envelope waiting for her.

In the family group chat, both Shi Wenli and Zhao Moyin had sent her birthday blessings along with the envelopes.

Zhao Moyin asked: Does Min Ting know it’s your birthday today?

Shi Miao replied: He knows. He’s coming to celebrate tonight.

This assurance finally put Zhao Moyin’s anxious heart at ease—though her expectations for her daughter and son-in-law’s marriage had dwindled to the point where even sharing a birthday celebration felt like a victory.

Such modest hopes felt absurd even to herself. But raising them any higher would only lead to disappointment, so she persuaded herself to focus on the positive. No love didn’t necessarily mean no longevity.

Zhao Moyin: I’ll have the bakery deliver a cake at noon. Share it with your colleagues.

With Min Ting celebrating in the evening, Zhao Moyin felt no need to intervene further.

Shi Miao accepted the envelopes from her mother and brother and opened the chat with her father. Their last conversation had been in early June, when he’d shared a particularly complex medical case with her.

By noon, the chat was still silent.

Her colleagues remained unaware of her birthday until the cake arrived, sparking a round of cheerful birthday wishes.

Shi Miao cut a slice of cake and brought it to Gu Changshen. “Director, have some cake.”

Gu Changshen was examining a scan. “Whose birthday?”

“Mine.”

“Ah, my memory,” he muttered, taking off his glasses. He immediately took a bite and gestured toward a pile of scans and test results on the desk. “File the reports for Elder Jiang.”

“Got it,” Shi Miao responded. Elder Jiang was the director’s first patient to undergo aortic valve repair. The director had even requested the patient’s follow-up records recently. “Why did he come for a checkup now? Is he feeling unwell?”

“He mentioned chest discomfort recently and decided to get a full-body checkup for peace of mind. There’s a minor tricuspid valve regurgitation, but nothing serious otherwise. He’s probably just worrying too much. His daughter’s troubled marriage is a sore spot for him. The last time we spoke, he also mentioned concerns about his grandson.”

“Weren’t his grandchildren all said to have promising careers?”

“Maybe it’s about their love lives,” the director speculated.

Shi Miao nodded and skimmed through the reports.

Elder Jiang was special not only to the director but to the entire hospital. His successful surgery years ago led his sons to donate 20 million yuan to the hospital for cardiac research. Later, they established the Tongxin Charity Foundation, which annually supported the cardiology department in various ways. The foundation was now managed by his grandchildren, and three years ago, they launched the “United Hearts” public welfare project.

While eating the cake, Gu Changshen remarked, “He Wenqian mentioned you had a flash marriage?”

Shi Miao lowered her voice, “Yes.”

He Wenqian hadn’t initially intended to spread the news about Shi Miao getting married. However, when colleagues from other departments continued pursuing her despite knowing she had a boyfriend, he felt compelled to clarify that she was already married.

Gu Changshen gave her a sidelong glance. “Impressive, you even kept it from me.”

“I didn’t mean to hide it, just didn’t want to get scolded.”

“So you knew I’d scold you, but you still dared to rush into marriage?”

Shi Miao didn’t retort, instead focusing on organizing the scans into their designated folders.

The director had always kept an eye out for suitable matches for her, meticulously considering family background, character, and personal ability. Yet here she was, marrying someone she’d known for only a few days without a word of notice.

“What are you still standing there for?” Gu Changshen waved her off, sparing himself the sight of her.

Shi Miao escaped gratefully, reports in hand.

Her colleagues had saved a slice of cake for her, which she ate while instinctively checking her phone for messages she didn’t see.

Before finishing her cake, a soft knock sounded on her desk. Looking up, she saw the director.

Gu Changshen, still exasperated, said gruffly, “I’ll cover a few hours of your shift tonight.”

Shi Miao was pleasantly surprised. “Director, you’re free tonight?”

“Who can resist free cake?”

Shi Miao grinned. “Thank you, Director.”

With a dismissive wave, he turned to leave but added as he walked away, “Be back by eleven!”

“I’ll be back by ten-thirty, promise!”

With a few hours of free time, Shi Miao texted Min Ting: Let’s celebrate tonight.

Min Ting: You’re not on duty tonight?

Shi Miao: The director’s covering a few hours for me.

Moments later, her phone rang. His clear, magnetic voice came through, sounding so close it was as though he were beside her.

“Where do you want to eat?” he asked.

“You pick the place; it’s my treat,” she replied.

“Does it matter who pays?” he teased lightly. “What do you feel like eating?”

“Somewhere with home-style dishes,” she suggested.

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “How about coming to my place?”

Shi Miao hesitated. “Are we meeting your family?”

“They’re out on a business trip,” he reassured her. “I hardly get to see them myself. They’ve been eager for me to bring you home for a meal.”

Shi Miao had never directly asked how his parents felt about their mismatched marriage. “Do they approve?”

“If I’m willing, they won’t object.”

Returning to the earlier topic, he asked again, “So, do you want to come?”

Shi Miao no longer hesitated. “Alright.”

To avoid a quiet birthday dinner for two, Min Ting added, “I’ll invite Min Xi and Fu Yanzhou to join us.”