Chapter 13 (2/2)
Part 2: The Matchmaker and The Jealous Cat
Stepping out of the operating room, Liu Qianxiu pulled off his mask. As a young nurse helped him untie his surgical gown, she said, “Dr. Liu, the Director is looking for you. He’s waiting in your office.”
Taking off his gloves, Liu Qianxiu gave a faint acknowledgement. “Alright.”
He finished changing and headed over.
Xiao Tan, the Director of Tang’er Hospital, was Liu Qianxiu’s senior from Imperial College London. Tang’er was part of the Xiao family’s medical group. Xiao Tan had worked there since graduation and became Director last year; in fact, he was the one who had recruited Liu Qianxiu.
Most of the department knew about their senior-junior relationship, and Xiao Tan occasionally dropped by his office. When Liu Qianxiu pushed the door open, Xiao Tan was sitting on the sofa, reviewing his recent surgical logs.
Seeing him enter, Xiao Tan looked up with a smile. “Surgery finished?”
Xiao Tan was thirty-seven this year. He had a handsome,端正 (proper) face, a well-groomed appearance, and an elegant, scholarly aura. Despite being the Director, he was usually very mild-mannered and not overly strict.
Liu Qianxiu acknowledged him and sat in the chair behind his desk. The chair creaked slightly as he leaned back, tilting his head to stretch his neck and pinch the bridge of his nose.
Three hours of surgery was exhausting.
“No more surgeries today?” Xiao Tan asked.
Knowing Xiao Tan’s habits after years of acquaintance, Liu Qianxiu leaned forward, opened his eyes, and looked at him directly. “What is it?” he asked, his voice deep and steady.
Liu Qianxiu was direct, so Xiao Tan didn’t beat around the bush. He gave a light smile. “You helped Dr. Xiao’s grandfather with his surgery the other day. She wants to treat you to a meal to say thank you.”
Xiao Tan and Xiao Yun were distant relatives. Xiao Tan’s father valued family ties deeply; before Xiao Yun joined the hospital, he had instructed Xiao Tan to look out for her.
Xiao Tan was young but held a high position, and he dealt with all kinds of people daily. When Xiao Yun mentioned wanting to thank Liu Qianxiu, Xiao Tan could easily read the underlying intentions in her expression.
Liu Qianxiu was outstanding, and Xiao Yun was elegant. Both were brilliant surgeons with a lot in common. The only problem was that one was cold and taciturn, while the other was shy and reserved. They were always missing that final spark.
After Xiao Tan finished speaking, Liu Qianxiu’s gaze drifted to the orchid on the windowsill. Pale green leaves, light blue flowers—delicate and full of spirit.
“Qianxiu?” Xiao Tan called his name.
“Mm.” Liu Qianxiu’s expression didn’t change. He turned his gaze back to Xiao Tan. “It was my duty. There’s no need.”
“Do you have plans tonight?” Xiao Tan asked.
Liu Qianxiu denied it. “No.”
“Then it’s settled.” Xiao Tan ignored his refusal and accepted on his behalf. “You’re a doctor. Besides saving lives, you need a social life. You never attend hospital gatherings. You can’t just know me in this entire hospital. Consider this a favor to me. I’ll be there too.”
Patting his shoulder, Xiao Tan stood up. “See you tonight at seven at Masyale Western Restaurant.”
Xiao Tan opened the door and left.
The final scene of the day was incredibly tedious. By the time they wrapped, it was past six. Mu Wan called Liu Qianxiu to ask if he was off work.
The man picked up almost immediately. A simple “Hello,” and Mu Wan’s heart melted. She smiled.
“Are you off work?” she asked.
“Just got off.” The line was incredibly quiet on his end, making his voice sound even richer and more pleasant.
“Ah~” Mu Wan sounded a bit disappointed. She hurried to the edge of the studio lot, looking at the cabs on the roadside. It was too hot, and six-something was shift-change time; cabs were hard to catch.
“Then I can’t wait for you today,” she said. “Should I just go straight to your place?”
Liu Qianxiu didn’t agree. “Dr. Xiao is treating me to dinner tonight. I’ll be home a bit late.”
Dr. Xiao?
Mu Wan stopped in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed as she remembered the female doctor from a few days ago, and that disdainful look she had given her. Weren’t you supposed to be reserved and dignified? Why are you taking the initiative now?
Now wasn’t the time to overthink it.
A layer of dry heat rose in Mu Wan’s chest. Whether it was from a sense of crisis or something else, she dropped her hand from hailing a cab and asked Liu Qianxiu:
“Don’t you usually refuse to eat out?” The last time she invited him, he had used that exact excuse. So why was he willing to go just because Dr Xiao invited him?
Mu Wan pressed on, “When will you be done? Can I still come see the cats?”
Over the phone, she sounded like an anxious cat, swiping her little claws at a dried fish that was about to be snatched away by someone else. When she couldn’t reach it, her scolding turned into a pitiful, aggrieved whine.
Liu Qianxiu asked calmly, “Are you eating alone?”
“Mm,” Mu Wan hummed, frowning. “You haven’t answered my question yet…”
“Want to come together?” Liu Qianxiu asked.
Mu Wan’s pupils dilated slightly.
The hot, prickly frustration inside her had puffed up like a massive cloud of cotton candy. But with just one gentle offer from Liu Qianxiu, it melted instantly on her tongue, leaving nothing but a sweet, dizzying warmth.
“I can come?” she asked.
Her tone over the phone had already turned soft.
Liu Qianxiu gave a faint acknowledgement. “I’ll pick you up.”
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