Chapter 9.2 Spending Your Birthday Together Tomorrow Night

An hour later, Uncle Chen and his workers delivered a set of furniture: a desk, chairs, and bookshelves.

The workers quickly assembled everything. As they left, they also cleared away all the packaging materials.

Her colleagues, eating dinner during their night shift, gathered around to admire the transformation.

Shi Miao’s once-cramped and worn-out on-call room had undergone a complete makeover.

The old, scratched-up desk had been replaced with a sleek, light walnut desk with an integrated two-tier bookshelf. The shelves were positioned to one side, leaving the window unobstructed.

Books and other items that used to clutter the desk now had a proper place.

The rickety wooden chair she used every day had been swapped for an ergonomic chair.

The narrow, 50-centimeter-wide folding table was replaced by a sturdy, 70-centimeter-square one, paired with two perfectly sized dining chairs.

Her outdated desk was repurposed at the foot of the bed for holding keys and bags.

Every piece had been thoughtfully chosen and placed.

“President Shi, this boyfriend of yours is so reliable!”

“Mr. Shi’s boyfriend is reliable!”

“Dr. Shi, how about this—could you ask your boyfriend to sponsor me one of those chairs? Consider it compensation for the regret of never getting to eat those buns again. If that’s too much, at least lend us your new desk to eat on!”

The crowd burst into laughter, and someone playfully kicked the jokester.

He Wenqian, eating stir-fried rice cakes, examined the new desk. “Is this custom-made? The dimensions fit perfectly.” He then added with a smile, “The next resident director is going to benefit from this.”

A colleague who loved buns had already taken a seat at the new dining table, setting their lunchbox on it as they continued eating. “Dr. Shi, since we’re celebrating your ‘housewarming,’ got anything good to share?”

“Actually, I do.” Shi Miao retrieved a box of braised pork and another of savory ribs from the fridge, placing them in the microwave to heat.

Although her mother had been busy with Ye Xicun’s wedding preparations, she hadn’t neglected Shi Miao’s meals, often sending over delicious dishes prepared by the housekeeper.

The aroma wafted to the neighboring duty room, prompting some colleagues to wander in with their lunchboxes.

The bun-loving colleague quipped, “Are you guys dogs, sniffing this out?”

“Sniff your own!”

With chairs in short supply, two colleagues shared one, while others crouched near the table to grab a chance at the savory ribs.

Shi Miao opened her own meal and joined them.

“Dr. Shi, we heard some young guy came to the office chasing after you today.”

“I know; I even saw him. He looked decent and waited hours for you.”

Shi Miao replied, “That’s my brother. Same mother.”

“Ohhh, no wonder.”

It was the first time Shi Miao had talked about her family in front of them. Normally, when others shared stories about their families, she would avoid joining in.

“Dr. Shi, my paper is finally translated! It took almost a month. Could you take a look when you have time?” Shi Miao’s proficiency in English, especially in medical translations, was the best in their department. The topic quickly shifted to academic discussions.

While they chatted, a tall figure appeared at the doorway. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and left quietly.

They were too engrossed in eating and chatting to notice someone had been there.

Shi Miao’s phone vibrated in her pocket. It was Min Ting: Let me know when you’re done eating.

Her reflexes kicked in, and she instinctively looked toward the door. It was empty.

Setting down her chopsticks, she stepped outside, but the hallway was also deserted.

Shi Miao: Where are you?
Min Ting: Went to the car to grab some water.
Shi Miao: You sent the desk and chairs. My colleagues weren’t busy and joined the fun. I didn’t expect you to stop by.
Min Ting: It’s fine. Enjoy your meal.

Shi Miao: Almost done.
Min Ting: No rush.

He waited downstairs for another ten minutes, finishing half a bottle of water, before heading back up.

By then, the lively duty room had quieted, leaving only Shi Miao inside. She was unpacking a final item: a transparent glass vase.

Last time he visited, she had used a plastic water bottle to hold fresh flowers on her desk. Apparently, he thought it was unworthy of the flowers and had brought her a proper vase instead.

Hearing footsteps at the door, Shi Miao didn’t bother closing it. Min Ting lightly knocked on the doorframe before stepping inside.

Shi Miao glanced over her shoulder to see him entering, already closing the door behind him. He wore a grey suit with a sleek black shirt underneath, exuding a composed aura that suggested he had just wrapped up a business meeting.

It had been nearly two months since they last met—not exactly a long time, yet it felt like a year or two had passed.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll order something for you.”

“No need. I’ll eat at home. Min Xi is coming back.”

Shi Miao nodded and let it drop.

Min Ting took off his suit jacket and draped it over a nearby chair. His secretary had informed him that the desk and chairs were delivered and assembled, so he’d stopped by the hospital while in the area to take a look.

Shi Miao placed the vase near the window. “Thanks. These birthday gifts are all really practical.”

“They’re not birthday gifts, just happened to arrive before your birthday.”

Min Ting walked over to the bunk bed, picking up several stacks of books from the top bunk and moving them to the new desk.

Shi Miao stood by the desk, less than half a meter away. When he wore his suit, the chill in his demeanor was softened by the grey tones. But now, in just a black shirt, the sharpness of his presence was almost overwhelming.

Instinctively, she shifted half a step to the side, increasing the distance slightly.

Looking up at him from her lower vantage point, she asked, “When did you get back?”

“This afternoon.”

After a meeting to finalize a partnership, he was supposed to attend a dinner engagement that evening. However, Min Xi had called to say she’d be coming home later for a late-night snack and a chat, so he had his secretary cancel the dinner.

The medical books were thick and heavy. He moved them in several trips.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the rumpled bedding on the bunk bed. Suppressing the urge to straighten it out in front of her, he let it be to avoid making her uncomfortable.

Standing beside him, Shi Miao watched as he methodically arranged her books on the side shelf and moved her gym bag from the bunk to the old desk at the foot of the bed.

With everything tidied, the top bunk finally looked neat and spacious.

Glancing at his watch, Min Ting said, “I’ll head out now. Tomorrow night, I’ll come over to celebrate your birthday.”