Chapter 37

Mr. Jiang was helpless. "You don't need any more help now. If you need anything in the future, just let us know. We owe you," he said. Besides self-blame and guilt, his daughter's stubbornness had caused the current situation.

Cheng Yugui nodded politely. "The past is the past. Let's get her to see a doctor soon," he said. He had already come to terms with everything and held no resentment or bitterness.

After Mr. Jiang drove away, Cheng Yugui went into the pharmacy and opened his notebook. It was filled with notes on the medication patients needed. He had prepared the medicine according to the prescription and was waiting for the patients to come and collect it.

By the time he finished all his work, it was almost dark outside. Cheng Yugui checked his watch and realized how late it was. Just then, his phone rang. "Why haven't you come back yet, Cheng Yugui? I've already cooked dinner. If you don't come back, all that's left is soup," Tianxin's soft voice came through the phone, making his heavy heart slightly relax. "I know, I'll be right back," he said. Cheng Yugui took his time to tidy everything up before leaving and locking the door.

Inside the apartment, Tianxin watched as the anxious Yan Heng fidgeted around. She didn't know what to say. "Put down the bowl. I'm afraid you'll drop it. Sit on the couch and play games. I'll be better soon," she said. She couldn't expect someone who wasn't good at anything to help her.

Yan Heng reluctantly left the kitchen. "I'm sorry," he said. He felt so clumsy and was being judged for it.

Tianxin smiled. "If you were perfect at everything, what would I do? After all, you're still a boy," she said. Cheng Yugui had been cooking since he was young, and thinking about his situation made Tianxin's heart ache. If she had come earlier, would it have been better? At least she wouldn't have to run around spending money, feeling overwhelmed.

But then she dismissed the thought. What was the use of coming earlier? She would only have been hurt earlier. Thinking about the disgusted expressions and foul language of those relatives, she knew it wasn't her fault.

"Yan Heng, when are you planning to leave?" Tianxin didn't want him to go. He didn't care about his own illness or anything, he just wanted to see her and the people she cared about. It was like his heart had been soaked in several buckets of lemon juice, admitting that she made him feel sour. "Why don't we leave together? We can take care of each other," he suggested.

Tianxin nodded. She wanted to spend more time with him too. "Have you finished your homework? I don't see you carrying anything with you," she said. He had only brought himself.

Yan Heng's lips twitched. "It's all done, it's as easy as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division," he said, smiling to prove that he wasn't lying. He was afraid that if he didn't write a single word, he would be sent back to finish his homework. Going back to write was as easy for him as eating.

Tianxin didn't say anything. Yan Heng's homework wasn't a problem for him. He had witnessed Yan Heng's amazing speed of doing questions and, most importantly, his accuracy. Comparing himself to Yan Heng, he was far behind.

"So how many more days will you stay here?" Yan Heng texted Qi Yuefa, saying that he wouldn't go back for the next few days, letting him do the problems on his own. In the end, Qi Yuefa sent a message back, prioritizing his relationship with his girlfriend over his friendship with Yan Heng, and stopped chatting with him.

Prioritizing love over friendship, does it happen?

"I wish I could accompany Cheng Yugui more. He's always alone, and it's more lively when the two of us are together," she said. She never had time during normal days, but she cherished every holiday.

Yan Heng was sour again. Why did she ask that question?

Cheng Yugui, who was looking for his keys outside the door, froze when he heard this. If there was someone in this world who understood him the most, it was only Jiang Tianxin. She was the only one who saw through his sadness and sorrow before.

The memory was a bit distant, but he remembered it very clearly. It was his first time going to Jiang's house. As far as he could remember, he had never had a father. When he was young, he would ask his mother, but she always found excuses to evade the question. Later, he slowly understood that he had no father, only himself and his mother. He had fantasized about it when he was a child, but eventually let it go.

His mother needed a lot of medical expenses, and he finally couldn't bear the burden. He had found the man who was supposedly his father. He went to Jiang's house as an illegitimate child. He would never forget their shocked and surprised eyes, but only one person smiled gently at him.

On that day, on the balcony, she followed him all the way and secretly hid behind the curtains. When he found her, she playfully blinked her eyes and asked, "Are you my little uncle?"

He just stiffly nodded. He was nothing, just an illegitimate child. Because of his appearance, their peaceful home had been thrown into turmoil, and he felt guilty. "Do you want some candy? Don't be angry, I know it's not your fault," he said.

ChengYugui was shocked by the girl's knowledge and understanding, despite her young age. She was the first person in many years to tell him that it wasn't his fault that his mother was unwed when she got pregnant, that he didn't have a father, and that he ended up in the Jiang family.

He snapped back to reality and entered the room, where Tianxin knew he had returned. She teased him for still being so busy, even though he was no longer a doctor. He explained that being a doctor is never easy, and even though he no longer practices, he still feels responsible for his patients.

Tianxin offered to let him help with the cooking, but he declined, admitting that he was hungry just from the smell of the food. As they ate, Yanheng browsed on his phone and found articles about Cheng Yugui's achievements in the medical field. Despite being impressed, he couldn't understand why Cheng had quit his job, as he had a good reputation and no known scandals.

After dinner, Cheng washed the dishes, and Yanheng was kicked out by Tianxin to answer a phone call. He watched Cheng's back and admired him as a remarkable man. When Cheng asked why he was staring, Yanheng awkwardly replied that he was actually looking at the wall behind him. Cheng laughed and suggested they share a room for the night, as there were only two rooms available for sleeping.

Yan Heng nodded. After Tianxin finished the phone call, he saw two people in the living room. "Cheng Yugui, I'm going to bed. Goodnight," he said to them. Cheng Yugui waved his hand to let him go. This was the first time Yan Heng slept with someone he wasn't familiar with. Cheng Yugui was wearing pajamas and lying on the bed, reading a book.

Yan Heng felt awkward and a bit uncomfortable, like a little maid. Cheng Yugui put down the book and found an unworn pajama for him. "Take a shower and come to sleep. Everything is ready," he said.

After Yan Heng finished showering, Cheng Yugui was still awake. "Come over. I have something to tell you," Cheng Yugui said. He took off his glasses and looked at Yan Heng. The bed was big enough for three people to sleep in, so Yan Heng crawled under the covers.

Cheng Yugui got straight to the point, "You like Tianxin," he said, not as a question. Yan Heng made a sound of agreement. He thought he had already met Tianxin's parents, so it wasn't a secret.

Cheng Yugui was serious, "I don't agree with you two dating right now. If you can't give her a lifetime, don't go bothering her," he said. Yan Heng didn't plan on starting a relationship right now, especially since he didn't know what Tianxin thought about it. "I understand," he replied. Cheng Yugui was probably worried about his illness, but Yan Heng would try his best to overcome it.

Cheng Yugui thought highly of Yan Heng, believing that he had the ability to protect Tianxin. "Treat her well. She's a good girl," he said, not wanting to say too much.

"Why did you resign?" Yan Heng asked.

"I'm curious, but I'm not telling you. Think about it yourself. Your body is a mess and you're likely to die young," Cheng Yugui said, closing his eyes.

Yan Heng thought that Cheng Yugui had a sharp tongue. He was probably tired from the day and started to feel drowsy without realizing it.