He Yuehua smiled and said, “That is only what I ought to do.”
She stood up to welcome Lin Jian, asking with concern, “Dr. Lin, why are you back so late? How did your chat with Dr. Zeng go?”
“Are you hungry? Shall I make you some supper?”
“No need.”
Dr. Lin replied coolly, “There is nothing more to do. You can go home now.”
“Oh, please have this cup of milk tea.”
He handed her the packed milk tea he had brought back.
He Yuehua knew perfectly well that he had not packed this milk tea for her, yet she accepted it, looking delighted. “It is the flavour I like. Thank you, Dr. Lin.”
She turned back to the sofa, set the milk tea down, then went to pour him a cup of warm water.
Lin Jian walked over and saw an elegant fruit platter on the coffee table, containing several kinds of neatly cut fruit. He did not need to ask to know that He Yuehua had prepared it to entertain his parents.
She often came to tidy his flat and do some housework. She was very familiar with his home and with his parents.
When he was not there, she acted just like the lady of the house.
This irritated Lin Jian, yet he could not say anything about it.
He was afraid she might mention last night’s events to his parents.
“Uncle, Auntie, now that Dr. Lin is back, I shall head home.”
He Yuehua could tell that Dr. Lin was in a bad mood, so she did not stay any longer.
After bidding Lin’s father and mother goodbye, she picked up the milk tea and left with a smile.
Lin’s father and mother rose to see her off a couple of steps. His mother smiled and said to her, “Yuehua, come over for dinner tomorrow.”
“Auntie, you have a hospital check-up tomorrow, so it will not be convenient. If you do not mind, I can buy groceries and cook, so that when Uncle and Auntie return from the hospital, there will be hot food ready.”
“How could we mind? We are just worried the clinic might be busy. We shall see tomorrow.”
Lin’s father was concerned that if He Yuehua left, the other nurse would be overwhelmed. Moreover, that nurse was not as careful, considerate, or quick as He Yuehua.
Sometimes there was only He Yuehua as the nurse, yet no matter how many patients there were, she could manage them all.
Although He Yuehua’s family background was ordinary, Lin’s father still liked the girl very much and hoped his son would end up with her.
After He Yuehua left, the elderly couple’s smiles faded. They both sat back down on the sofa.
“A-Jian, did you go to see that Dr. Zeng again?”
His mother asked, “You say you have loved her for so many years, waited for her for so many years, yet she has never responded. I am afraid she looks down on our family. Stop throwing yourself at someone who treats you coldly.”
“Even though her family is well-off, if she looks down on you, she will certainly look down on us too. Mum would never like a daughter-in-law like that. If she came into our home, there would be no end of arguments.”
His father also said, “It has been so many years already with no result. Stop clinging to this. You are not young anymore. Get married soon and have a few children, so your mum and I can hold grandchildren.”
Previously, when Lin Jian said he had someone he liked but had not yet won her over and needed time, his father and mother had supported him.
They believed their son was outstanding and that few girls could resist his pursuit. They were also very satisfied with Zeng Xiaoya’s family background, fully expecting a wedding within a year.
Who could have known that several years later, their son would still be marking time, growing older all the while.
In the village, people of A-Jian’s age had long since become fathers. Some already had two children, yet A-Jian was still single.
Those who envied A-Jian’s excellence had plenty to say behind his back: what use is earning money if you cannot find a wife? He will end up a bachelor.
