Chapter 45

"I found that you were sent by the heavens to annoy me. Can you have a little awareness as a patient? If you want to die faster, go ahead and try harder," Jiang Ting was his classmate, studying the same major, living in the same dormitory, and also one of his few friends.

"What can you say about yourself?" Jiang Ting was both angry and annoyed, but had no way to deal with him.

Cheng Yanzhi sat obediently as if he was a student being scolded for making a mistake, without saying a word to refute. Jiang Ting had nothing to say, no matter what he said, it was useless.

Suddenly, Cheng Yanzhi's phone rang. Jiang Ting shut up, and Cheng Yanzhi looked at his phone. It was a call from Tianxin. He answered, and a cheerful voice came from the other end, "Uncle, come to my house for Chinese New Year. Don't refuse me. My dad suggested it."

Facing Tianxin's coquetry, Cheng Yanzhi was helpless. "Okay, then you buy more delicious food. Have you finished your homework?" Jiang Ting saw the sunny expression on his face and knew it was a call from his precious niece. Someone who didn't know would have thought it was his daughter.

"Of course, I finished it. Uncle, are you busy? Is the clinic busy? Don't work too hard. Anyway, you don't lack money. And come over quickly. I miss you."

"I'll listen to you. The clinic is not too busy." The two talked for a while, and the call ended.

"Your niece cares about you a lot. I remember she is a cute and obedient girl. Do you want me to introduce her to my nephew? My nephew is handsome, has good grades, and playing the piano is a piece of cake. What do you think?" Jiang Ting gave Cheng Yanzhi a glance. "She has someone she likes, and that person is quite outstanding."

Jiang Ting laughed. "Your niece is only in her first year of high school. She can't have a crush yet. As for you, your niece is in love. Can you still be single? Can you afford to be alone for the rest of your life?" Cheng Yanzhi pinched his forehead.

"I'm just a burden to others. Being alone is fine." Jiang Ting wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by his phone ringing.

"I have to go now. There is something at home. Let's make an appointment another day. And take care of yourself. I believe I will find a way."

Cheng Yuguidian nodded his head. Many of his former college classmates had gotten married and had children, while he was still single and free from any constraints. He sat there for a long time, and the glass of water on the table had grown cold. Snowflakes were falling gently outside, and Cheng Yuguidian wrapped his scarf tightly around his neck, leaving a trail of footprints as he disappeared into the winter snow.

Tianxin didn't expect her uncle to agree so quickly. "Dad, Uncle Cheng agreed," she said.

"Look how happy you are. Be sure to show your uncle respect and don't be too casual with him. He's your elder," said Aunt Jiang.

Tianxin nodded in agreement, but she didn't really feel that way. Cheng Yuguidian was her elder, but he was also her good friend. She wondered how they should behave around each other in private.

These days, Tianxin and Yan Heng didn't video chat because there were always people around. They could only exchange messages secretly, and Yan Heng had no other choice.

"New Year's is coming. What are your family's plans?" Yan Heng asked.

"We don't have anything special planned. It's the same every year," Tianxin replied. New Year's was supposed to be a time for family reunions, but her family was often absent. She was used to it, and there was nothing to look forward to except for a perfunctory phone call.

"Uncle Cheng will be spending New Year's with us this year. It's the first time we'll be celebrating together," Tianxin said.

"That's great," Yan Heng said, feeling a twinge of envy. He wanted to go see her, but he had no right to. What was he thinking? He was just jealous of her uncle.

"Okay, I have to go. Bye," Tianxin said.

"Bye," Yan Heng exhaled a sigh of relief. Maybe he could go see her for a little while. He didn't have to go to her house. Thinking this way made him feel a little better.

On the thirtieth day of the lunar new year, the Jiang family woke up early. Jiang Yizhou yawned and said, "Why did we have to wake up so early?" "Look at you, can't you be as hardworking as your sister? She stays up all night playing games and doesn't rest properly," complained Jiang's mother. Jiang Yizhou conceded, "I know, I will sleep earlier." He couldn't help but rub his head while looking at Tianxin's smug expression. "It's because you don't sleep early," his mother scolded. "Do you believe that I'll tell Mom about who you were chatting with and video calling last night?" Jiang Yizhou threatened Tianxin. "Don't make things up. If Mom finds out, I won't let you off," Tianxin was frustrated that her brother had found out. Jiang Yizhou smiled, "Call me 'brother' and I won't tell Mom. Otherwise, it's up to you. Don't blame me if Mom checks your phone." The little girl still had a lot to learn. "Brother," Tianxin whispered. "Speak louder. I can't hear you. Hurry up, I want to hear something sweet," Jiang Yizhou urged her. "Brother, you're such a big-headed ghost," Tianxin teased. Jiang Yizhou was satisfied with her answer, "Good girl. Listen to your brother from now on and respect him, okay?" He patted Tianxin's head. "I understand," she replied. "What are you two doing? Come over and help me peel these bean sprouts," Jiang's mother came out of the kitchen with a basin of bean sprouts. "Okay, let's do it together," Jiang Yizhou signaled Tianxin to come with him. They sat on the sofa and worked together. Jiang's mother was surprised that the two siblings weren't arguing, and it seemed they had really grown up. "Brother, have you contacted that girl yet?" Tianxin was curious about her brother's love life.

Jiang Yizhou sighed, "It's just like that, plain and simple. I ask her something, she answers, and she won't ask more. If I don't contact her, she won't contact me at all," full of helplessness.

"Brother, are you serious?" It can't be just a momentary novelty, and then you let go when you have it.

Jiang Yizhou was a little confused when asked. His brain kept asking himself, and the conclusion he came to made him suddenly clear, "Of course, I'm sincere. If I weren't sincere, I wouldn't have spent so much effort pursuing her for so long. Besides, your brother is not a scumbag. He just had a few more girlfriends. I didn't do anything wrong to anyone."

"Oh, if it's sincere, you will always see it. You go for it," speaking of this, she really admires that girl.

"Then tell me, who is the person you were video chatting with? What's your relationship now? How far have you developed?" But no matter how Jiang Yizhou asked, Tianxin wouldn't say, making Jiang Yizhou's curiosity overflow.

She's not stupid. If she reveals everything to Jiang Yizhou, she'll be squeezed to the point where she can't turn over. "Brother, hurry up and work. Don't be too curious," seeing that Tianxin wouldn't budge, Jiang Yizhou gave up, and the two of them focused on peeling the skin.

They occasionally chat about Jiang Yizhou's college life, and Tianxin will also share some happy things at school.

It was snowing outside, and after eating, Tianxin went downstairs to make a snowman with a group of children. "Tianxin sister, do you still have candy?" A chubby boy looked at Tianxin.

Tianxin had just given candy to each child, but she didn't expect them to finish it so quickly. "There is still some left. Which kind do you want to eat?" Tianxin took out a handful of candy from her pocket, and the chubby boy picked out two he liked.

Other buddies saw that there was still candy to eat and immediately surrounded Tianxin. Tianxin looked at this cute group of little angels and her heart softened. "Okay, okay, two candies per person. Too much is bad for your teeth," Tianxin distributed the candy and looked at the remaining candy in her hand, feeling quite greedy.

"Is there a piece for me?" Tianxin heard the voice and was surprised to look up. "Uncle, " she saw Cheng Yugui standing there, with a tall figure under his gray windbreaker, black scarf, and eyes shining.

Tianxin quickly walked over and said, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have come to pick you up. And you brought so much stuff. Aren't you tired?" Tianxin took the things from Cheng Yugui's hand.

Cheng Yugui smiled, "I am not a child. I know how to get here. It's cold outside, I didn't want you to come."

"We were supposed to eat candy, right? Here you go," Tianxin handed Cheng Yugui a candy. Cheng Yugui put it in his pocket, and they entered the residential area.

"Is everything okay at home?" Cheng Yugui asked nervously. Apart from Tianxin, he was not familiar with the other people and he wasn't the type to be outgoing.

"Everything is good. We are all healthy, and work is going well," Tianxin replied.

"That's good, that's good," Cheng Yugui said, relieved.

"Tianxin, are you nervous?" Tianxin turned to look at Cheng Yugui. Cheng Yugui coughed and said, "No, why would I be nervous? I never get nervous, not even when I'm on the operating table."

Tianxin didn't believe him, but she didn't want to embarrass him. She knocked on the door, and Jiang Yizhou opened it. He looked at the person behind Tianxin and said, "Uncle, come in quickly." He was a bit confused as to why she didn't mention anything before.

"Mum, my uncle is here," Jiang Yizhou shouted. Jiang's mother and father came out of the room.

Cheng Yugui was a bit at a loss standing in the living room. "Sit down and treat this place like your own home," Tianxin whispered to him, tugging at his sleeve. Maybe it wasn't going to be so awkward. Cheng Yugui sat down, and he relaxed a little.

Jiang's father had no expression on his face, but Jiang's mother looked very happy. "You're here. What did you bring? We don't need anything. It just so happens that we're about to have dinner. Yizhou, go get some fruits and pastries."

Jiang Yizhou answered and Ceng Yugui didn't expect such a warm welcome, feeling a bit overwhelmed, "No need, Sister-in-law. The gift is just a small token of my appreciation. No need to be polite."

Jiang's mother went to the kitchen, and Jiang's father sat across from Ceng Yugui, "I heard that you quit your job at the hospital. You were doing well there. Why did you quit?"

Ceng Yugui paused for a moment, "I got a bit tired of working at the hospital and wanted to take a break. So I quit and opened a clinic."

Jiang's father nodded, "That's also good, but it's a bit of a pity." Although Jiang's father and Ceng Yugui haven't had a close relationship for many years, they are still related by blood. Their past grievances and misunderstandings have passed, and Ceng Yugui is his half-brother after all. Thinking of this, he felt closer to him, and the two had a pleasant conversation.

Tianxin listened quietly on the side, thinking that her uncle must also be happy.