"Mhm, I know, dear."
"It's nice like this between us. When we close our eyes together in the future, in the next life, I'll marry you again, okay?"
The soft words made Fang Zhiyan's heart clench suddenly.
He walked silently down the corridor.
Even as a renowned surgeon in his past life, there had been many he couldn't save.
This life was no different.
A hospital was a place where one could witness all facets of human existence.
Many people might appear normal on the surface, yet their lives could already be at their end.
Not knowing when death would come, all they could do was wait for it.
It was an utterly helpless feeling.
Even something like transmigration or rebirth couldn't solve this problem.
Fang Zhiyan let out a bitter laugh and shook his head slightly. That stretch of corridor had left him feeling suffocated.
But when he returned to his office, he found Zhu Zixiao blinking at him meaningfully.
Fang Zhiyan froze, then followed Zhu Zixiao's gaze in confusion.
There, standing beside the office, was Xu Qiushuang.
"Professor Xu, what are you doing here?"
"Has your brother, Xu Qiuye, been discharged?" Fang Zhiyan asked instinctively.
Xu Qiushuang waved lightly, smiling sweetly before explaining, "He was discharged today."
"I've already completed the discharge procedures."
"Dr. Fang, I came specifically to thank you."
Fang Zhiyan nodded politely. "No need to thank me. I'm a doctor—this is just part of my job."
A hint of admiration flashed in Xu Qiushuang's eyes.
"That's how it is."
"After you finish work tonight, could I treat you to dinner? Just as a small thanks for saving my brother, okay?"
Before Fang Zhiyan could answer, Xu Qiushuang quickly added, "Then it's settled!"
"I'll wait for you after your shift!"
With that, she waved and hurried off.
Her figure was unusually lively, fluttering like a graceful butterfly.
In the emergency department, she stood out like a breath of fresh air.
"You rascal!"
Zhu Zixiao stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder, exclaiming in exaggerated surprise, "No way! You've already charmed a patient's family member this fast?"
Fang Zhiyan's expression darkened as he fixed Zhu Zixiao with a stern look. "Brother Xiao, that's not funny."
"You know me—I'm a man of integrity."
"Pfft!"
Zhu Zixiao waved a hand dismissively in front of his nose. "Sure, sure, you're a man of integrity. I'll take your word for it."
Though he said that, Fang Zhiyan knew Zhu Zixiao didn't believe him.
He couldn't help but sigh. "Xu Qiushuang is my sister's homeroom teacher."
"We know each other, so she came to say hello."
"Ohhh~"
Zhu Zixiao nodded, dragging out the syllable until it lost all meaning.
Fang Zhiyan rolled his eyes and didn't bother explaining further.
The emergency department was as busy as ever.
Originally, the TCM hospital's emergency department hadn't been this crowded.
But after Fang Zhiyan's life-saving act made the news, combined with the hospital's behind-the-scenes efforts, more and more patients were choosing to come here.
It struck Fang Zhiyan as odd.
He hadn't realized the influence of internet fame had started this early.
After finishing his shift, Fang Zhiyan took off his white coat, changed into his own clothes, and left the hospital.
Just outside the entrance, he spotted Xu Qiushuang waiting on a bicycle.
She carried a small white bag and wore a floral top with loose jeans, looking exceptionally fresh and pure.
Fang Zhiyan could tell—she liked him.
And he, admittedly, felt some affection for her too.
But affection was an uncertain thing. It couldn't promise a future.
So Fang Zhiyan felt somewhat lost.
Xu Qiushuang, however, seemed much more resolute. She waved at him and smiled brightly. "Fang Zhiyan, come on! Hop on, and I'll take you to dinner."
Fang Zhiyan hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Where are we going? I can ride and take you instead."
"Sure!"
Xu Qiushuang tilted her head, looking pleasantly surprised.
She quickly got off the bike.
"There's a hot pot place nearby. How about I take you there?"
"Alright."
Fang Zhiyan patted his pocket.
He had wanted to say he'd treat her, but his paycheck hadn't come in yet. He couldn't bring himself to say it.
But suggesting he'd treat her next time felt like setting up another meeting—wasn't that practically asking her out?
If he wasn't particularly interested, he should just refuse outright.
Fang Zhiyan prided himself on understanding emotions clearly.
So he believed he could keep himself in check.
With that, he decisively got on the bike and pedaled off with Xu Qiushuang.
Fang Zhiyan rode steadily, and Xu Qiushuang sat happily on the back.
"Fang Zhiyan, I'm two years older than you. From now on, can I call you Zhiyan?"
"Mhm, sure."
Fang Zhiyan nodded, focusing on the road.
"What kind of person do you think I am?" Xu Qiushuang asked.
She leaned lightly against his back, the solid warmth giving her a sense of security.
Fang Zhiyan didn't answer. Instead, he squeezed the brakes.
The next second, Xu Qiushuang pressed fully against him.
"Hey! What was that for?"
Pressed together, Xu Qiushuang's face flushed as she scolded him playfully.
Fang Zhiyan, however, pointed blankly at the hot pot restaurant ahead.
"Uh… we're here? Shouldn't I brake?"
Xu Qiushuang shot him a look and walked ahead.
"Let's go. My treat."
Inside, the air was thick with the fragrant steam of boiling broth.
Fang Zhiyan observed carefully.
Hot pot restaurants in this era were quite different from those in his past life.
They sat down, and Xu Qiushuang ordered plenty of food.
Fang Zhiyan ate with her, chatting occasionally, and found the atmosphere quite pleasant.
Through their conversation, Xu Qiushuang realized Fang Zhiyan was unexpectedly erudite.
He knew about many things, had insights into various topics, and even held clear views on future developments.
Similarly, through Xu Qiushuang's deliberate sharing, Fang Zhiyan learned about her family.
Her father had passed away, and her mother had divorced him before that.
Now, she lived with her grandparents and had an aunt.
Xu Qiuye, the boy from earlier, was her aunt's son.
Notably, her aunt had married a live-in son-in-law, so the child took her surname.
Hearing about such a family, Fang Zhiyan felt a pang of sympathy.
But he could also sense that, like his own, Xu Qiushuang's family was fractured.
Perhaps that was part of why she felt drawn to him.
They enjoyed the meal, and Xu Qiushuang grew even more relaxed.
Only Fang Zhiyan felt that this situation might not be entirely right.
Just as they were finishing up and preparing to leave, Fang Zhiyan's phone rang.
On the other end was his uncle, Jiang Zhao.
"Zhiyan, your grandmother's here. Come home quickly."