Just like her feelings towards Dr Lin. She knew perfectly well that the person Dr Lin truly loved was not her, but she simply refused to let go.
She had poured too much effort into Dr Lin and his family. After giving so much, how could there be no reward?
Now, she saw hope.
Although she had used their night together to demand that Dr Lin take responsibility for her, the best outcome would be for him to marry her willingly. Only then could she be truly happy.
A melon twisted off the vine by force is never sweet. He Yuehua understood this clearly, so after Dr Lin had not explicitly agreed to take responsibility, she stopped pressing him about their shared night.
Lin’s father and mother preferred her. That was her hope. Dr Lin was a dutiful son. He would listen to his parents’ persuasion.
Lin’s mother took He Yuehua’s hand. She said softly, “Yuehua, in Auntie’s eyes, you are far better than Dr Zeng.”
The old lady sitting nearby overheard Lin’s mother and realised this was the family of her grandson’s romantic rival. She turned her head, looked at Lin’s mother, and smiled as she joined the conversation. “You have booked Dr Zeng’s slot too, have you?”
Lin’s mother gave a soft hum of agreement. Seeing the old lady’s kind, benevolent features and the air of refined elegance she exuded, she sensed this was no ordinary elderly woman.
She asked, “Are you here alone? None of your children or grandchildren came with you to see the doctor?”
Could a lady of such distinguished bearing have a less fortunate life than her own?
“One of my grandsons came with me. I am not here for treatment. I had a health check yesterday, and today some of the results are ready. I wanted Dr Zeng to look them over once I have them. My grandson has gone to collect them for me.”
Lin’s mother smiled. “I see. I am here for a check-up too. Dr Zeng was my son’s junior at university. They are senior and junior from the same school.”
She was proudly showing off that her son knew Zeng Xiaoya.
The old lady said, “Oh,” then asked, “So your son works in this hospital too?”
“He does not work here. He has his own private clinic.”
The old lady praised her. “That is impressive. Running his own clinic and building a reputation brings in more than working in a hospital. Is that your son over there?”
She glanced towards Dr Lin.
Lin’s mother nodded. “Yes, that is my son.”
The old lady then turned to He Yuehua, looked her up and down, and asked Lin’s mother, “This is your daughter-in-law, is she not? She has a certain married resemblance to your son.”
“Yuehua is not my daughter-in-law yet. It is not certain for the future. Do they really look like a married couple? I had not noticed properly, but I do like Yuehua very much.”
Lin’s mother kept hold of He Yuehua’s hand. “Yuehua is wonderful to me. Every time I come for a check-up, she always accompanies me to the hospital.”
He Yuehua smiled. “Auntie, it is only what I should do.”
She was also very polite towards the old lady, because the old lady had said she and Dr Lin looked like a married couple.
“You said earlier that your son’s girlfriend is better than Dr Zeng?”
The old lady wore a gossipy expression.
Lin’s mother’s face grew slightly awkward, but soon she replied, “In my eyes, Yuehua is outstanding. As for Dr Zeng, old lady, I will be honest. My son likes his junior, Dr Zeng.”
The last few words were whispered close to the old lady’s ear so no one else would hear.
She murmured, “Dr Zeng has an excellent family background, but I feel she would not manage a household well. Running a home, she could not compare to Yuehua. My husband and I much prefer Yuehua. Unfortunately, my son is still fixated on Dr Zeng.”
The old lady whispered back, “Dr Zeng is extremely busy with her work. She probably has little time to look after a family.”
“That is exactly what I think. My son is a doctor himself and very busy too. If he marries a wife who is just as busy, what will happen to their little home? I do not mean to disparage Dr Zeng, but unless she marries into a wealthy family and becomes a young madam, when she goes on blind dates in future, many people will hold it against her.”
“Hold against her that she has no time to care for a family.”
“It is just uncertain whether Dr Zeng has the fate to marry into a wealthy family and become a young madam. If she chose my son, it would suit her perfectly.”
The old lady smiled to herself. Lin’s mother was playing both sides. She wanted He Yuehua as a daughter-in-law and Zeng Xiaoya too. She valued He Yuehua for her homemaking skills and Zeng Xiaoya for her family background.
