Chapter 2.2 Meeting

Min Ting removed his suit jacket and took the seat across from her. “How long have you been waiting?”

Shi Miao checked her phone. “Twenty-four minutes.”

If it were a friend or colleague, she might have made a polite remark, saying she’d just arrived.

Min Ting glanced up from the menu and looked at her for a few seconds. “Next time, leave later.”

Shi Miao: “Okay.”

Min Ting asked, “Want me to recommend something, or do you want to choose?”

It was her first time at this Western restaurant. She couldn’t tell much from the names of the dishes and didn’t want to risk ordering poorly. “You’ve been here before—please pick for me. Thank you.”

The server standing nearby couldn’t figure out their relationship.

Min Ting turned to the server. “Bring some bread to start.”

“Of course, sir. One moment.” Clearly, he was worried about her being hungry after the wait.

After ordering, Min Ting picked up his phone to address work messages. He didn’t realize that Shi Miao had asked him to lunch because she had something to discuss, so he didn’t bring it up.

The day they registered their marriage, after leaving the registry office, Shi Miao told him that as a chief resident, her workload was overwhelming. If he sent her messages, there was a good chance she wouldn’t see them for hours, possibly even over ten hours. They agreed that whenever she had time off, she would reach out to have a meal together.

He assumed today was just an ordinary meal between husband and wife, nothing more.

Their table was by the window, bathed in bright natural light.

Shi Miao sipped her water. Earlier, she’d been bored and scanned the restaurant, but now her gaze fell on Min Ting. He was engrossed in his phone, replying to messages with a focused expression. His face, sharp and composed, showed no trace of unnecessary emotion.

The fact that she could marry Min Ting was thanks to a high school classmate’s matchmaking.

The classmate had said, “Min Ting is the hardest man to pursue in the Beijing social circle. Not only is he uninterested in romance, but he also has no plans to start dating. Aside from his emotionally distant nature, there’s hardly a flaw to be found in him.”

But Shi Miao had no romantic expectations of him. Hence, in her eyes, Min Ting as a husband was all advantages.

As he continued working, Shi Miao quietly studied him. Her gaze moved from his face to his hands typing on the phone. His long fingers were elegant, and on his ring finger sat a wedding band.

At that moment, the server brought over a basket of warm bread—both sweet and savory options.

Min Ting finished replying to his messages and looked up, intending to suggest she eat some bread if she was hungry, but noticed she was already eating. He swallowed the words he’d prepared.

Shi Miao picked a savory roll, enjoying its crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. When she noticed Min Ting watching her, she nudged the bread basket toward him.

Min Ting: “…”

“I don’t eat bread,” he said flatly.

Shi Miao asked if he was done with work.

“Mm.” Min Ting set his phone aside and asked, “What’s up?”

Shi Miao nodded, straightforward as always. She told him about Jiang Yang and the situation in detail.

“I can cover for him for one month, but he’s still got six more months to go. If I keep this up every month, I’m afraid I’ll keel over. Since you’re experienced with interpersonal issues, I wanted to ask for your advice.”

Meeting her earnest gaze, Min Ting said simply, “There’s no need for advice. I can handle it with a single phone call.”

Shi Miao took another bite of bread, chewing deliberately. After weighing her options, she finally said, “I’ll try to handle it myself first.”

If Jiang Yang proved immovable, she wouldn’t hesitate to involve Min Ting.

Respecting her decision, Min Ting offered, “Let him handle the night shift scheduling.”

Shi Miao: “…”

It took her a few seconds to process his words. “I’ll give it a try.”

Min Ting asked if there were any other issues.

“Not at the moment. I’ll call you if there’s more.” Shi Miao didn’t hold back at all.

Min Ting nodded and fell silent after that.

The two adhered strictly to the “no talking while eating” rule, finishing their meal with minimal conversation. Only when dessert was done did Shi Miao glance at the wedding band on his finger again and ask, “Do you always wear your ring?”

“Mm.” Min Ting met her gaze, though it was more of a polite acknowledgment than anything.

He said, “Isn’t that the point of buying it—for wearing after marriage?”

The ring on his hand was a match to hers, a pair they’d exchanged the day they registered their marriage.

Shi Miao clarified, “I don’t wear mine because I’m constantly on the operating table.”

Min Ting gave a slight nod, indicating his understanding.

After paying the bill, he instructed the server to pack up the remaining bread.

Since he didn’t eat bread, Shi Miao naturally assumed he was having it packed for her. She casually said, “Perfect for my breakfast tomorrow.” The bread was good; she figured she’d toast it and pair it with a hot cup of milk for a simple morning meal.

But Min Ting looked at her, his tone as calm as ever. “You have such a demanding workload. Make sure you eat a proper breakfast. Don’t eat leftover bread.”

When the server brought over the takeaway box and bag, he added, “It’s not for you.”

Shi Miao threw him a questioning glance, but he didn’t elaborate.

Min Ting carried the paper bag out of the restaurant, walking ahead, with Shi Miao following behind.

In the elevator, with only the two of them inside, she finally voiced her curiosity. “I thought you didn’t like bread?”

Min Ting replied, “It’s for my brother-in-law’s breakfast. Best not to waste food.”

“…But it’s our leftover bread.”

“He’s lucky to have it.”

Shi Miao stared at him, speechless.

Min Ting was known to dote on his younger sister. People said she was the only person he was ever patient and kind toward. Toward others, he was always aloof, yet his attitude toward his brother-in-law clearly went beyond mere detachment—it bordered on disdain.

She glanced sideways at him. “You have issues with your brother-in-law?”

“Nothing serious.”

After a pause, Min Ting added, “He’s an outsider.”

In their family, she was also technically an outsider. With that in mind, Shi Miao said whatever came to her mind. “Do you think I’ll end up being treated like your brother-in-law someday?”

Min Ting replied, “No.”

Through the reflection in the elevator’s mirrored wall, he met her eyes. “Whatever my sister has, you’ll have too.”