Chapter 30: Xu Qiushuang’s Origins

"Yes, I know, my wife."

"Everything is fine just the way it is. When the time comes for us to close our eyes for the last time, I want to marry you again in the next life. How about it?"

These faint words made Fang Zhiyan’s heart ache suddenly. He walked through the hospital corridor in silence. Even as a master surgeon in his previous life, there were many people he could not save. In this life, it was the same.

A hospital is a place where one witnesses the full spectrum of human existence. Many people look perfectly healthy on the surface, but perhaps their time is already running out. They do not know when death will come, and all they can do is wait for it. It is a feeling of utter helplessness—a problem that neither time travel nor reincarnation can solve.

Fang Zhiyan let out a bitter laugh and shook his head slightly; the walk down that hallway had felt suffocating.

When he returned to the office, he found Zhu Zixiao winking at him. Fang Zhiyan paused, confused, and followed Zhu Zixiao’s gaze. Standing by the office door was Xu Qiushuang.

"Teacher Xu, why are you here?" Fang Zhiyan asked instinctively. "Has your brother, Xu Qiuye, been discharged?"

Xu Qiushuang waved her hand gently, smiling sweetly. "He was discharged today. I’ve already finished the paperwork. Dr. Fang, I came specifically to thank you."

Fang Zhiyan nodded politely. "There is no need to thank me. I am a doctor; this is simply my job."

A glint of admiration appeared in Xu Qiushuang's eyes. "Well, that’s fine. But could I invite you to dinner after you finish your shift tonight? Just as a way to thank you for saving my brother, please?"

Before Fang Zhiyan could respond, she added quickly, "It's settled then! I'll wait for you when you get off work!"

With that, she waved and hurried away, her figure lively and graceful, like a dancing butterfly, standing out vividly in the sterile environment of the emergency room.

"You rascal!" Zhu Zixiao stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, exclaiming in wonder, "No way! You’ve hooked a patient's family member this quickly?"

Fang Zhiyan’s face darkened. He looked at Zhu Zixiao seriously. "Brother Xiao, that kind of talk is pointless. You know me—I am a man of integrity."

"Pfft!" Zhu Zixiao waved a hand in front of his nose. "Right, a man of integrity. I’ll take your word for it, for now."

Although he said that, Fang Zhiyan knew Zhu Zixiao didn't believe him. He felt a bit helpless. "Xu Qiushuang is my younger sister’s homeroom teacher. We already knew each other, which is why she came over to say hello."

"Oh~" Zhu Zixiao nodded, though he dragged out the 'oh' for an unnecessarily long time.

Fang Zhiyan rolled his eyes and said nothing more. The emergency department was busy. Previously, the hospital's emergency ward hadn't been this crowded, but after Fang Zhiyan’s recent heroic act made the newspapers—combined with some quiet maneuvering by the hospital administration—more and more people were choosing this hospital for their medical needs. Fang Zhiyan found it quite curious; he hadn't expected the "internet celebrity effect" to have taken root so early.

After a long day, Fang Zhiyan took off his white coat, changed into his own clothes, and stepped out of the hospital. At the gate, he saw Xu Qiushuang waiting on a bicycle. She wore a small white bag, a floral top, and loose jeans, looking exceptionally pure.

Fang Zhiyan knew she liked him, and he had to admit he felt a certain fondness for her as well. But fondness is an uncertain thing, and he couldn't be responsible for the future. This left him feeling somewhat lost.

Xu Qiushuang, however, seemed much more determined. She waved at him and smiled. "Fang Zhiyan, come on! Get on my bike, I'll take you to dinner."

Fang Zhiyan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Where are we going? How about I ride and take you instead?"

"Okay!" Xu Qiushuang tilted her head, appearing pleasantly surprised. She hopped off the bike. "There’s a hotpot restaurant nearby. How about we go there?"

"Sure." Fang Zhiyan touched his pocket. He had wanted to treat her, but he hadn't received his salary yet and felt too embarrassed to suggest it. He also didn't want to say "next time," as that would imply a back-and-forth courtship he wasn't sure he wanted to engage in. He told himself that if he didn't truly like her, he could simply refuse. Fang Zhiyan prided himself on seeing through the nature of emotions and believed he could keep his distance.

He climbed onto the bike and pedaled away with Xu Qiushuang. He rode steadily, and she sat on the back, looking very happy.

"Fang Zhiyan, I’m two years older than you. Can I call you 'Zhiyan' from now on?"

"Yes, that's fine." Fang Zhiyan nodded, focused on the road.

"What kind of person do you think I am?" she asked, leaning slightly against his back, which provided her with a great sense of security.

Fang Zhiyan didn't answer; instead, he tapped the brakes. Xu Qiushuang bumped into his back.

"Hey! What are you doing?" she complained, blushing.

Fang Zhiyan looked blankly at the hotpot restaurant ahead. "It's here. Shouldn't I have braked?"

Xu Qiushuang shot him a glare and walked toward the entrance. "Let's go. I'm treating you."

Inside, the room was filled with swirling steam. Fang Zhiyan observed his surroundings; the hotpot restaurant felt quite different from those in his previous life. They sat down, and Xu Qiushuang ordered plenty of food. Fang Zhiyan joined her, chatting pleasantly. Through their conversation, she realized that he was unexpectedly well-read; he knew a great deal about many things and had insightful opinions on future trends.

In return, Fang Zhiyan learned about her family. Her father had passed away, and her mother had divorced him long ago. She lived with her grandparents and an aunt. The young Xu Qiuye was her aunt's son. It was worth noting that her aunt had married a man who moved into her family's home, which was why the boy shared her surname.

This background made Fang Zhiyan feel a tinge of pity. He could sense that, much like his own, her family was broken. Perhaps that was part of why she felt drawn to him. They enjoyed the meal, and Xu Qiushuang grew increasingly open. Only Fang Zhiyan felt that this situation wasn't quite right.

Just as they were finishing and preparing to leave, Fang Zhiyan’s phone rang. It was his uncle, Jiang Zhao.

"Zhiyan, your grandmother is here. You need to come home and see her."