Grandpa and Grandma Zeng had retired long ago, yet because of their excellent medical skills and their past positions as professors at the medical university, they had been rehired by a hospital of traditional Chinese medicine after retirement and continued to shine in the medical field.
Her parents did not work in any hospital in Dongguan. They were at a major hospital in the provincial capital and rarely came home.
She also had an older brother who worked at a big hospital in another province and likewise seldom returned.
With her parents and brother away, Uncle Zeng and Aunt Zeng were the closest family she had. Third Uncle and Third Aunt were equally busy and had no time to look after their youngest son’s studies.
Fortunately, all the Zeng children were naturally good at studying and every one of them achieved top grades.
The little cousin had already decided to study medicine. In the second semester of senior high first year, when choosing subjects, he picked physics, chemistry, and biology to prepare for a medical career.
Soon, Uncle Zeng and Aunt Zeng came upstairs for dinner.
Zeng Xiaoya had already served rice for both of them.
Their family ate very lightly. Since everyone was in medicine, they paid great attention to diet and never used too much oil or salt.
“Xiaoya, are you going to work soon?” Uncle Zeng asked while eating.
“Yes, I am on night shift tonight. After dinner I will take a shower and then head to the hospital.”
“How is the new environment? Are you getting along with your colleagues?”
“It is quite good, just very tiring and extremely busy.”
Even in the inpatient department she was rushed off her feet and often had to assist with operations.
Aunt Zeng said, “Dongguan Central Hospital is the best hospital in Dongguan, both in terms of medical skill and equipment. Nowadays everyone heads to the big hospitals when they fall ill, so the medical staff are all very busy.”
“Busy is busy, but Xiaoya, you still need to think about settling down. Your parents are quite anxious. They asked your uncle and me to keep an eye out for any good men and introduce you if we find one.”
Zeng Xiaoya was twenty-seven this year, though many people were fooled by her pure, youthful appearance and thought she was only twenty-three or twenty-four.
At this age it was perfectly normal for the older generation to worry about her marriage.
Especially since, after being hurt by her first boyfriend three years ago, she had declared that men were unreliable, that she would never marry, and that she would live alone and freely.
No need to serve in-laws, no mother-in-law troubles, no childbirth or child-rearing. How wonderful.
At the time she was heartbroken, so the family treated those words as mere venting.
But now she was twenty-seven and still had not started a second relationship. The elders were afraid she really meant to stay single, and naturally they grew anxious.
Her parents and brother were far away and everyone was so busy they rarely even spoke on the phone, so her parents could only ask Uncle and Aunt Zeng to watch out for suitable men and arrange introductions.
“Lin Jian likes you. Have you never considered him at all?” Uncle Zeng picked up where his wife left off, then received two sharp glares from her.
He hurriedly lowered his head and shovelled rice into his mouth.
Zeng Xiaoya said, “I have never had romantic feelings for my senior. I have only ever seen him as an older brother.”
“Besides… I feel his original family is not suitable for me.”
They had known each other for years, after all, so Zeng Xiaoya was aware, to some extent, of Lin Jian’s family circumstances.
Aunt Zeng said, “Indeed it is not suitable. Never mind your uncle. He is just a rough man and sees things differently from us. Listen to your aunt. No matter how Lin Jian pursues you, do not accept him.”
“Let him give up soon. His original family really is not right for you. Marriage is not just about two people, it is about two families. His family background is very important, and it cannot be overlooked.”
