Chapter 64
Yu Qingci stared at that last sentence for a long time. She had forgotten how long it had been since a patient’s family member had shown her such concern and affirmation. Ever since the doctor-patient relationship began to deteriorate, trust had slowly turned into defensiveness.
In the past, patients doubted a doctor’s skill; now, it had evolved to a point where patients questioned everything a doctor said, choosing to believe only after confirming there was no ulterior motive.
The most fundamental bond of trust was teetering. Yu Qingci’s mental fatigue was becoming increasingly apparent. As more and more colleagues submitted their resignations, the thought of leaving began to stir in her mind once again.
The telephone on her desk rang, interrupting her thoughts.
“Xiao Yu, if you’re not busy, come over for a moment.”
When Hu Lejiu called her personally, she had to make time. Before leaving her office, Yu Qingci remembered she hadn’t replied to the message.
[Thank you for your encouragement. I have to get to work, let’s talk later.]
After replying, she exited the forum and went to the Dean’s office.
Hu Lejiu was looking at a list again, but this time he looked deeply puzzled.
“Dean, you wanted to see me?”
Hu Lejiu tucked the list away, not showing it to Yu Qingci. He clasped his hands on the desk, looking quite solemn.
“Xiao Yu, you refused so decisively last time. Was there another reason?”
“Which time?”
“Tsk, don’t play dumb with me.” Hu Lejiu had a high tolerance for Yu Qingci; after all, she was a professional backbone of the hospital. “The rehabilitation team. Such good conditions didn’t move you.”
“I explained my reasons clearly last time.”
Hu Lejiu’s expression became meaningful, clearly unconvinced. After pondering for a bit, he asked circuitously, “Is there some unpleasantness between you and the Jian family?”
Yu Qingci raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never had contact with them. I don’t know them.”
Hu Lejiu still looked skeptical. “Then why, after I submitted the list, was your name specifically crossed out?”
Yu Qingci froze, her indifferent expression instantly turning serious. “My name?”
Hu Lejiu coughed twice and explained, “Even though you said you weren’t interested, I felt a talent like you shouldn’t miss such a great opportunity. Many young doctors feel the pay is too low and they can’t see a future, so they choose private hospitals. Since you could earn so much so easily, it’s a real pity if you don’t go!”
Hu Lejiu felt Yu Qingci was capable, but he also feared she might jump ship over compensation issues. In his eyes, this opportunity was tailor-made for her; giving it up was a waste. He viewed her previous refusal as mere loftiness, which fit her usual style. But the world had changed; what was the use of being lofty without money?
After careful consideration, he had kept her on the list anyway. It’s easy to say no when you haven’t seen the money, but once actually selected, she might change her mind.
However, Hu Lejiu hadn’t expected Yu Qingci to be rejected.
The person ultimately selected was Dr. Qiu from Tianhe Hospital. Her skill was decent, but certainly no better than Yu Qingci’s. Hu Lejiu couldn’t figure it out, so he used various connections to inquire privately. He finally found out who had filtered Yu Qingci out.
Supposedly, it was Jian Shenyao who personally crossed out her name.
He had thought there might be some backroom deal, but upon hearing it was Jian Shenyao’s decision, Hu Lejiu gave up on pushing further. Now, he felt he had to know: when did Yu Qingci offend the Jian family? If she had caused major trouble, he would have to be cautious; even a top professional couldn’t be protected at any cost.
Yu Qingci’s face darkened. “Dean, didn’t I clearly refuse? Why was I on the list?”
What bothered her most wasn’t being rejected, but that Hu Lejiu had disregarded her wishes and submitted her name anyway.
Hu Lejiu sighed helplessly. “Your ability deserves this chance. Don’t always think we leaders are trying to suppress you; we work hard to find ways out for you as well.”
Perhaps because those young doctors complained a lot before leaving, Hu Lejiu wanted to justify himself.
Yu Qingci didn’t appreciate it. “I never asked for extra terms, so this was purely your wishful thinking, Dean.”
“Xiao Yu! Watch your tone. I am still your leader, look at your attitude.”
Yu Qingci fell silent, the desire to quit resurfacing. She wouldn’t leave over pay, but that didn’t mean she was satisfied with the status quo.
Hu Lejiu softened his tone slightly. “I heard a member of the Jian family personally excluded you, so I wanted to understand the situation. As your leader, it’s normal for me to ask, isn’t it?”
The first person Yu Qingci thought of was Lin Feiruo, but she didn’t say it.
“I’m not sure.” She smiled faintly and said offhandedly, “Maybe they felt our ‘horoscopes’ didn’t match. Unsuitable.”
Hu Lejiu made a hissing sound, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Businessmen indeed cared about such things; he had seen many wealthy families schedule C-sections specifically for an auspicious hour.
“If that’s the reason, then it’s a real shame.”
Yu Qingci didn’t care. She had never planned on making that money anyway.
“Then there’s nothing else. Go back to work.”
Yu Qingci didn’t move. “Dean, I think you owe me a formal explanation.”
“What?”
“Why did you change my mind for me on something I clearly refused?” She took a breath. “What would have happened if I had been chosen?”
“You’d go, of course. What a great opportunity.” Hu Lejiu felt a bit indignant on her behalf. “This time, Qiu Mingying got lucky and snatched it up.”
Yu Qingci was utterly disappointed and chilled to the bone. She couldn’t be bothered to argue; she felt there was nothing left to say.
She stood up resolutely. “Then I should just leave.”
Hu Lejiu didn’t catch the double meaning in her words. Unwilling to face her sharp gaze, he pretended to be busy with files. “Mm, hurry back to work.”
Returning to her office, Yu Qingci was still enveloped in disappointment.
A member of the Jian family personally crossed off her name?
Could it be Lin Feiruo?
Yu Qingci found it hard to associate that action with the shy, serious young face in her memory, even though they hadn’t been in touch lately. During their few encounters, Lin Feiruo had left a good impression on her. She had a genuine love for wellness, was very polite, and was reliable. If she really wanted to avoid suspicion and not choose her, Lin Feiruo would at least have given her a heads-up, wouldn’t she?
Yu Qingci was certain she didn’t know anyone else in the Jian family. Aside from Lin Feiruo, she couldn’t think of anyone. But she couldn’t convince herself of that, eventually leaning toward the idea that Hu Lejiu was bluffing her.
Thinking of the Dean’s little tricks, her disappointment surged, and she began to seriously consider resigning.
Jian Xiyan’s eyes, swollen from crying, finally subsided by evening. Though a trace remained, it wasn’t obvious. Lin Feiruo asked if she wanted to go downstairs for dinner.
Jian Xiyan was still considering it. In her mind, it would be best not to see anyone today, ensuring all clues of her breakdown had vanished. But she asked for Lin Feiruo’s opinion first: “What do you think?”
“Let’s go down.” Lin Feiruo pouted. “When Aunt Shu was delivering lunch at the door earlier, she nearly pierced through me with her gaze.”
She clutched her chest, recalling the scene at lunch. She had deliberately blocked the doorway so people couldn’t see into the room, let alone Jian Xiyan’s tear-stained face. Shu Wanxia’s concern was written all over her face, and Lin Feiruo couldn’t bear to brush her off coldly, so she ended up chatting aimlessly with her.
“The autumn air is dry; eating things that reduce ‘internal heat’ is good,” Shu Wanxia had said.
Lin Feiruo nodded. “Okay, I’ll make sure Xiyan eats more later.”
Hearing her call her “Xiyan” as usual, Shu Wanxia’s heart settled slightly, but not completely. “The Young Mistress’s tastes have changed lately, so I had Xiao Xuan prepare extra. Have her pick what she likes so we can make more of it.”
Lin Feiruo thought about how those “changing tastes” were just Jian Xiyan’s tricks, and how they’d been led around by the nose. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Xiyan was just doing that on a whim. It’s better to stick to her old habits.”
Shu Wanxia thought she was being impatient and finding it a hassle, but she couldn’t say anything. Caring for a patient required a strong heart and endless patience; Lin Feiruo had been quite good so far.
“The Young Mistress’s moods are erratic now; it’s bound to be different from before.” Shu Wanxia gave her a deep look. “We should yield to her more.”
Lin Feiruo said helplessly, “Alright.” She figured most of that food would end up in her own stomach anyway.
Shu Wanxia never got a chance to enter the room, but she had heard Jian Xiyan’s voice. There was nothing unusual, and Xiyan clearly didn’t want her in the room, showing a tacit understanding with Lin Feiruo to keep others out. It was better than she expected, but she still wasn’t entirely at ease. She decided to wait and see. If they were still like this by dinner, then there was definitely a problem.
Lin Feiruo finished her recollection and noticed Jian Xiyan’s eyes were lowered, but the corners of her mouth were upturned.
“If you want to laugh, just laugh. It’s tiring to hold it in.”
Jian Xiyan looked up after a moment, the curve of her mouth less obvious. “I’ve noticed you have quite a talent for imitation.”
Earlier, Lin Feiruo had captured Aunt Shu’s fretting, worried tone perfectly, instantly transporting her back to noon.
Lin Feiruo pulled a face. “I don’t think that was meant as a compliment.”
Jian Xiyan smiled. “I think it’s quite good.”
Lin Feiruo ultimately used Aunt Shu’s worry to persuade Jian Xiyan, and they decided to eat in the dining room. To ensure no one saw anything amiss, Xiyan applied two more compresses to her eyes in the afternoon.
“How is it?” Before leaving the room, Jian Xiyan was still a bit concerned. “No problem.”
In the dining room, Shu Wanxia indeed stole several glances. The Young Mistress’s eyes were indeed a bit red, but her overall spirit was good—even better than a few days ago. And her interaction with Lin Feiruo was perfectly normal, not at all like after their argument at Pear Orchard.
Xiao Xuan brought out Dandan noodles—something Lin Feiruo ate every few days. Everyone was used to it. She ate with satisfaction, her cheeks puffed out; though she had lost weight, it didn’t stop her from looking like a hardworking little hamster.
Sensing someone watching her, Lin Feiruo turned and saw Jian Xiyan gazing at her with interest. She isn’t looking away today? Looking so blatantly?
And… smiling?
Lin Feiruo licked her glistening lips. “Want a bowl too?”
Jian Xiyan shook her head. “Too oily. I don’t eat that at night.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that? Want me to help you enjoy it vicariously?”
Jian Xiyan smiled and withdrew her gaze. Lin Feiruo thought the matter was over, but not long after, she heard Jian Xiyan ask: “Just looking doesn’t seem to be enough. Can I use my hands?”
What?
Lin Feiruo turned her head in a daze again, the noodles she’d just stuffed into her mouth not yet chewed.
Jian Xiyan had wanted to poke that “hamster face” more than once; she felt it would be very stress-relieving. Ever since she’d cried like that in front of Lin Feiruo, she didn’t feel the need to maintain that distance at every moment. So, she proposed an idea she previously thought was entirely unreliable.
“Can I poke your cheek?”
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