Upon hearing that Mei Ran had come again, Old Madam nearly snapped the vegetable heart in her hand. She wiped her palms on her apron and called out to Old Yang in a flurry, "You’re sure you saw correctly?"
Old Yang grinned broadly, the wrinkles folding into creases on his face, "Of course I’m sure. She’s waiting in the living room right now."
Throwing her apron aside, the old lady asked, "Where’s Shijin?"
"He probably doesn’t know Dr. Mei has come. He’s still swimming in the backyard, said something about taking part in some sea swimming competition in half a month."
Old Madam had no time for his long-windedness. Huffing and puffing, she scurried out, "Dr. Mei!"
"Granny," Mei Ran quickly stood up, "Sorry to trouble you again."
"Not at all," the old lady warmly pulled her to sit down, "I’m delighted you’ve come! Hmm…" Her gaze was drawn to the bag Mei Ran carried, "What’s this?"
As if responding to her, a small gray head peeked out of the bag, letting out a soft, "Meow."
Old Madam felt her heart melt on the spot, eagerly reaching out to stroke it, "What a sweet kitten!"
Mei Ran relaxed a little and briefly explained the cat’s situation.
"Poor little thing!" Old Madam’s eyes filled with pity and affection, "Little one, from now on, you’ll keep us two old folks company!"
The kitten was still timid around strangers. It gave her a shy glance and retreated back into the pet carrier.
"Dr. Mei," Old Madam turned to her, "How is Shijin’s condition now?"
Hearing this form of address, Mei Ran understood that the old lady probably wasn’t aware of their relationship yet. But of course, it had only been decided yesterday. She smiled, "Granny, you can just call me Mei Ran."
The old lady affectionately called her "Ran Ran," then asked, "I see him swimming a few laps every evening lately. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?"
"It’s fine," Mei Ran said, "Moderate exercise helps relax both body and mind, and is beneficial for treating migraines."
She then inquired about Old Madam’s recent sleep quality. Thinking her purpose here had been served and she should take her leave, she had just stood up when Old Yang cheerfully appeared.
"Miss Mei, the young master requests your presence."
"Has his migraine acted up again?" Old Madam asked worriedly.
"No, no," Old Yang hurriedly waved his hands, winking exaggeratedly at the old lady, his thick eyebrows curving upward with mirth.
Once only the two of them remained in the living room, Old Yang pulled Old Madam aside and said, "I just asked the young master. Guess what? He and Dr. Mei…"
Mei Ran walked to the backyard swimming pool, feeling a mix of emotions along the way—a bit happy, a bit expectant, yet also slightly nervous.
It was all because of him.
The sound of gentle splashing interrupted her reverie. Mei Ran looked up. Under the moonlight, a tall, handsome man was cleaving through the water. His robust and fluid form rose and submerged intermittently in the blue glimmer. She widened her eyes to look, only to find he had already reached the pool’s edge and suddenly surged out of the water.
The hem of Mei Ran’s skirt was slightly dampened by the splash. She looked down at the man in the water, her shy gaze sliding from his bare shoulders to his elegantly shaped collarbones, his smooth and undulating chest—she had once leaned against it and felt how firm those muscles were…
From the living room came Old Madam’s high-pitched, clear exclamation, "WHAT?!" startling Mei Ran back to her senses. Only then did she realize the man’s beautiful eyes were also fixed intently on her.
"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?" He didn’t climb out, just stood in the water speaking to her.
"I called you, but no one answered," Mei Ran averted her gaze, letting it fall somewhat unnaturally on the blue water surface, "It just so happened I had something come up tonight, so I brought the cat over first."
Tonight wasn’t originally her night shift, but a colleague’s mother-in-law had arrived unannounced from the countryside, catching her completely off guard. Mei Ran had no choice but to swap shifts.
"Why… aren’t you coming up?"
Fu Shijin gave a light chuckle upon hearing this, extending two hands still shimmering with water toward her. Mei Ran thought he wanted her to pull him up, and blankly bent over, reaching out her hand as well. Unexpectedly, he suddenly changed direction and propped himself up on the pool edge, half his body emerging from the water. Their lips were now less than five centimeters apart.
"I usually prefer…"
Their scalding breaths engaged in a delicate, intimate kiss before their lips even met.
Mei Ran’s face flushed crimson in an instant, "Prefer what?"
"Skinny-dipping."
The words had barely left his mouth when, accompanied by a great splash of water, the man’s entire body emerged from the water. Mei Ran let out a gasp and immediately covered her eyes.
A low, amused chuckle reached her ears; he sounded like he was in a very good mood.
Mei Ran lowered her hands and sighed softly.
He was clearly wearing swimming trunks! This man! Who would have thought someone with his cool temperament would joke like that.
The man was drying himself with a bath towel. His straight, broad back faintly exuded the unique charm of masculinity. He dried himself meticulously, as if not leaving a single droplet behind. After his back, he bent over, the lines of his back suddenly tensing in a way that quickened one’s pulse, and water droplets trailed slowly down his two long legs… Mei Ran instinctively swallowed.
"I… I should go."
She turned to leave, but before she had taken a few steps, a hand pulled hers, "Are you upset? I was just joking."
It wasn’t hard to hear a thread of uncertainty in his tone.
Perhaps men possess an innate "enlightenment" towards the women they like. Even someone like Fu Shijin, who had never been in a relationship, constantly yearned to be close to her.
Closer still, intimately connected, would be best.
"No," Mei Ran shook her head. The hard, warm surface touching her back made her ears burn, "I was just…"
Just what? She couldn’t answer.
Just not yet able to adapt so quickly to the change in their relationship? Or embarrassed by her own "inappropriate thoughts" just now? Or both?
"I’ll drive you back after dinner, okay?"
Mei Ran: "…Okay."
"Where are you taking me?"
"You’ll know in a moment."
Fu Shijin led her to the study, said "wait a moment," and went out. When he returned, he had changed into a fresh set of clothes.
"What’s this?" Mei Ran curiously examined the item he had just handed her, "A Lamborghini car key? What are you giving me this for?"
The man stood beside her, raising an eyebrow slightly, "At your place last time, that game of Thirteen Wonders where you lost. Remember?"
"This…" Mei Ran refused without hesitation, "I can’t accept it."
He repeated what he’d said then, "A loss is a loss."
"I really can’t take it," Mei Ran pushed the key back into his hand, her gaze dimming slightly, "I can’t drive anymore."
She explained softly, "My right hand was injured. I can’t drive."
"What happened?" The man’s voice suddenly tightened, his brow full of concern.
Mei Ran lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiling the faint sorrow rising in their depths, "Six years ago, I was involved in a kidnapping. My hand was injured then…"
She couldn’t continue, as the man pulled her tightly into his embrace. The concern in his chest transmitted itself to her, warm and stirring.
"Was it bad?"
"Very bad," Mei Ran also gently wrapped her arms around his waist, rubbing her nose against the hollow of his neck, "Later, I couldn’t even play the piano anymore."
She was explaining to him the reason for her broken promise back then. Those carefully sealed memories, those lightly brushed pasts, her sorrow, her helplessness, her vulnerability—she was recounting them to him piece by piece.
And she believed he would understand.
Fu Shijin hugged the fragile figure in his arms even tighter, as if wishing to fuse her into his very bones, "It’s alright. From now on, I can play for you."
Mei Ran gave a low "Mmm," a drop of scalding tear sliding off the button of his shirt.
She felt as if a great weight pressing on her heart had suddenly been lifted, leaving her with an indescribable sense of relief.
During dinner, Old Madam showed unprecedented enthusiasm. The way she looked at Mei Ran was full of affection, no different from looking at a future granddaughter-in-law.
Mei Ran felt a bit overwhelmed by the favor.
After the meal, seeing that her shift was about to start—it took nearly forty minutes to get from here to the hospital—Old Madam, though reluctant, finally let her go.
Despite spending only half a day together, even the kitten seemed attached to Mei Ran. Seeing her about to leave, it dragged its injured leg over and circled her feet.
Mei Ran crouched down and stroked its head, "Be good. You’ll be fine here."
"Meow~" The kitten licked her palm in a pitiful manner.
"I’ll come see you whenever I have time, alright?"
It looked up at her and finally obediently released the paw clutching her skirt hem, "Meow!"
The moonlight tonight was splendid. The black car moved steadily and unhurriedly through the night, traversing from the quiet mountains into the brilliant clamor of the city, finally coming to a stop by the roadside.
"Well then… I’ll get out."
But the man was slow to unlock the doors. After a long while, she only heard him give a soft sigh.
"Ran Ran." He deliberately lowered his voice to call her.
The moment his warm breath leaned in, Mei Ran instinctively closed her eyes. Her first thought was: Fortunately, I didn’t wear lipstick.
It was a very tender kiss.
Like a dragonfly skimming water, it lingered on her lips, infinitely gentle, carrying an indescribable sense of doting and affection.
Their breaths slowly merged, fervent and scalding.
Finally, he gave her lower lip a light nip, his cool breath whispering by her lips, "Goodnight."
"Drive safely."
Mei Ran returned from her rounds and sat in the office for a long while, yet the restless warmth within her didn’t subside. She wanted a sip of ice water to calm down, but although the coolness filled her body, the heat remained undiminished.
Even without looking in a mirror, she could imagine what she must look like right now.
Needing an outlet for her swirling emotions, she opened WeChat and sent a flurry of messages to Yu Sheng.
Exiting the chat page, Mei Ran saw a system notification: ansel has invited you to a group chat.
She tapped into this newly emerged group chat and was astonished to find only two members total: herself and him.
The words "Goodnight" softly slipped from her fingertips.
Right then, a new Weibo notification appeared on the screen. Mei Ran tapped it open; it was a private message from someone she didn’t follow.
"You Hao Hao Xiang Xiang… If interested in cooperation, please contact 189***2367, Ms. Cen. Thank you!"
Mei Ran finally couldn’t hold back a laugh by the end of the message.
Someone wanted to spend 100,000 to buy her Weibo account?
"Senior Sister! Senior Sister!" At that moment, her assistant suddenly burst into the office in a flurry, gasping for breath, "Have you heard? Dr. Zhou accidentally had an occupational exposure during surgery this afternoon…"
Mei Ran sprang to her feet. With her movement came a loud clatter; the cup on the table crashed to the floor and shattered.