Chapter 71: She Wants to Pursue Lin Shumo
Xiao Yuanming was left baffled by Xie Huaizheng’s words.
It wasn’t like Xie Huaizheng had only just found out he loved to eat.
Usually, if Xie Huaizheng had food, he would toss it to him.
’So why is today different?’
’He even cursed me?’
Xiao Yuanming felt a little wronged, but he couldn’t get a single word out as he watched Brother Zheng walk away.
When Xie Huaizheng returned to his dorm, finished washing up, and lay in bed trying to drift off, he still didn’t quite understand.
’How could I have fallen asleep at Su Zhaozhao’s place?’
’And it seems I was sleeping very soundly. If Su Zhaozhao hadn’t pinched my face, I definitely wouldn’t have woken up.’
Xie Huaizheng turned over. ’Forget it. I’m not going to overthink this.’
The next day, when Su Zhaozhao went to the hospital to continue treating patients, she was told that Wang Dahua had already left.
She had forced her way out the previous night, and neither the doctors nor the nurses could stop her.
Hearing this, Su Zhaozhao shook her head.
’When I used to be a doctor, I encountered many patients like this—they’d leave before they were fully treated.’
’But what can you do?’
’Every adult is responsible for their own actions. All we could do was inform them of the consequences of leaving without being fully treated, but it was impossible to force them to stay.’
’It’s just...’
’Thinking of Li Xiuhong’s harsh demeanor, I’m afraid Wang Dahua will face endless suffering now that she’s gone back.’
’Every era has women who suffer like this, especially in this time period when feminist consciousness hasn’t really awakened for most people.’
’They spend their entire lives working for their families, with no time for themselves.’
’Women like that lead such difficult lives.’
’But I’ve already done all I can to help. I can only wish Wang Dahua the best.’
After she finished treating her patients for the day, their courses of treatment were more or less complete.
Just as she was about to say goodbye to Lin Shumo, Fu Yuling came over and called out to her. "Zhaozhao, let’s get a meal together?"
"Okay."
The hospital cafeteria.
The food in the cafeteria was a little better today. Su Zhaozhao got two dishes and sat with Fu Yuling, with Lin Shumo sitting across from them.
Fu Yuling’s gaze was glued to Lin Shumo, seemingly unable to move.
But when Lin Shumo’s gaze fell on her, she flinched and quickly looked away as if she’d been burned.
Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but smile. ’It looks like Fu Yuling really likes Lin Shumo.’
They chatted as they ate.
It was basically Lin Shumo and Su Zhaozhao talking, while Fu Yuling sat beside them, perfectly quiet.
After they finished eating, Fu Yuling said, "Zhaozhao, let me walk you back. I could use a walk anyway."
Su Zhaozhao knew Fu Yuling had something she wanted to say, so she turned to Lin Shumo and said, "I’ll walk with Yu Ling."
Lin Shumo smiled. "Mm, okay. Be careful on your way."
Already acting quite familiar, Fu Yuling took Su Zhaozhao’s arm. The two of them left the hospital and headed for the guest house.
Fu Yuling said to Su Zhaozhao, "Zhaozhao, you seem to be quite close with Doctor Lin, huh?"
Hearing this, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh. "You really like him, don’t you?"
Caught, Fu Yuling was a bit embarrassed, but she didn’t deny it. "It’s true. Who at the hospital doesn’t like Doctor Lin? But he’s never close to anyone."
After a pause, Fu Yuling carefully added, "Except for you."
"Really?"
"Of course. I heard Doctor Lin has been here for two years already. He has no friends, let alone any female friends."
Su Zhaozhao was rather surprised.
’Lin Shumo has a very gentle personality and treats people with courtesy. That’s how he was written in the novel.’
’I thought someone like him would surely have a lot of friends.’
’I had no idea he wasn’t close to anyone.’
’The novel didn’t describe this aspect of him much, because his appearances were always when the female lead encountered some kind of trouble, like arguing with the male lead, running into danger, or having problems at work.’
’Whenever that happened, Lin Shumo would appear and lend a timely helping hand.’
’Then, when the female lead made up with the male lead, Lin Shumo would fade back into the background.’
’When I was reading the book, I actually felt a bit of pity for Lin Shumo. For being a doomed male supporting character, the author described him as absolutely perfect.’
’After I transmigrated here, I discovered that Lin Shumo is even more approachable than he was described in the novel.’
’He actually greeted me on his own and even invited me to a meal.’
’I thought he was like that with everyone.’
’So, is he only like this with me?’
’Why, though?’
’I’m not the female lead.’
Soon, Fu Yuling interrupted Su Zhaozhao’s thoughts. "Zhaozhao, anyway, do you like Doctor Lin?"
"I don’t," Su Zhaozhao replied quickly.
"Why not?" Fu Yuling frowned. "Doctor Lin is so handsome, young, and exceptional. Very few girls dislike him."
"I have a fiancé. I came here to find my fiancé."
"Oh, I see. In that case, Zhaozhao, I like Doctor Lin. How about you help set us up?"
Fu Yuling’s sudden, bold confession startled Su Zhaozhao.
’In this day and age, few girls are as bold as Fu Yuling. We’ve only known each other for a short while, yet she’s already telling me her feelings for Lin Shumo.’
"But I might stop coming to the hospital in a little while. How can I set you up? You’re colleagues, shouldn’t it be easier for you to get together?"
"Not at all. I rarely interact with Doctor Lin; we only see each other sometimes during meetings. Besides, a lot of people at the hospital like Doctor Lin." At this, Fu Yuling sighed heavily. "And look at me, I’m not pretty. Why would Doctor Lin ever like me?"
"Nonsense, of course you’re pretty!" Su Zhaozhao immediately countered. ’Though Fu Yuling’s looks are indeed plain, her features are well-proportioned. She’s the type who grows on you—the more you look at her, the prettier she seems.’
"But I’ll probably only see him again tomorrow. We can eat together then, but after that, it’s not guaranteed."
"Okay! Then I’ll try to get closer to Doctor Lin tomorrow. Zhaozhao, I’m counting on you!" Fu Yuling hugged Su Zhaozhao.
By this time, they had arrived at the guest house.
Fu Yuling said, "I’m heading off. Zhaozhao, get some rest."
Fu Yuling seemed very happy, even skipping a little as she left, looking exceptionally pleased.
Su Zhaozhao watched Fu Yuling’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but smile.
’It’s great to be young. So full of energy even after such a busy day.’
Su Zhaozhao turned and walked into the guest house just as a young man was walking out.
He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a very refined and handsome appearance.
Unlike Lin Shumo’s otherworldly, almost ethereal handsomeness, this man had a sunny air about him, and his skin was tanned a healthy bronze.
Still, you could tell he was an intellectual.
His gaze landed on her, paused for a moment, and then he smiled at her.
Su Zhaozhao was taken aback for a second. Although she didn’t know him, she gave him a polite smile in return.