The impact on Liu Banxia was quite significant, and he was listless all morning. My professional experience is still too short, and I’ve seen too little, he concluded.
The medical reports for Liu Qingdong and Peng Xiuqin were also compiled and given to him; there weren’t any major issues. Their cholesterol levels were a bit high, which was considered normal these days as long as they weren’t excessively high.
The only minor problem was that Peng Xiuqin had an intestinal polyp. This wasn’t a serious problem. After discussing it with Liu Banxia, it was removed right away, sparing her from undergoing the ordeal twice.
For lunch today, Liang Xiaolin and her group didn’t join Liu Banxia. Not just them, even Qiaoqiao, who was their dedicated guide, didn’t come along.
"Our cafeteria is pretty good, right?" Liu Banxia said with a smile. "I definitely don’t get the short end of the stick eating here. However, Mom will need to stick to a light diet today, and she’ll have to keep it up for two or three days."
"Banxia, is everything really okay?" Peng Xiuqin asked with some worry. "My stomach still hurts a bit. Will it bleed or anything?"
"That’s normal," Liu Banxia replied. "It’s common to experience some abdominal pain after an intestinal polyp removal. It’ll only last for a day or two, and then you won’t feel anything."
"It’s a good thing we did the colonoscopy. Otherwise, this polyp could have easily become cancerous later on. It wouldn’t have been so easy to treat then. Things are fine now."
"Also, Dad needs to drink less alcohol from now on. He’s getting older; it’s not like when he was young. If he’s craving it, just a little will be enough. He shouldn’t have too much."
"Him? Control that mouth of his?" Peng Xiuqin said irritably. "If there’s any gathering at someone else’s place, he’s the first one there and guaranteed to be the last one to leave the table."
"You can’t manage everything just because your son is a doctor," Liu Qingdong said while munching on sweet and sour pork ribs. "You can’t go scaring your own family like that."
"The other doctors all said I’m in pretty good health. I didn’t understand everything they said, but basically, they said I’m doing great, better than others my age."
"Good health can turn bad pretty quickly too," Liu Banxia remarked. "Try this crispy sweet and sour pork. It’s one of the cafeteria chef’s specialties, just as good as what you’d get in a restaurant."
"Did you get some for the ’kids’?" Peng Xiuqin asked. "They keep calling me ’Auntie’; they can’t call me that for nothing."
"Mom, don’t worry about it," Liu Banxia said, laughing. "This bunch has certainly gotten their share of perks from me. I often treat them to extra meals."
"They all call you ’Teacher,’ so it’s only right for you to treat them, isn’t it?" Peng Xiuqin said. "Do you have enough money? Now that you’re in a leadership position, your expenses must be higher. Later, have your dad transfer another twenty thousand to you. You shouldn’t shortchange yourself."
"Also, tell Mom the truth, are you seeing someone or not? Dating costs more money. If you need it, have your dad set aside more for you. Anyway, we don’t have many expenses at home."
"Fifty thousand then," Liu Qingdong added. "For social obligations, expenses in this big city are much higher than back home."
"Mom, Dad, I can make over ten thousand a month now. It’s enough for me," Liu Banxia said, feeling quite helpless.
"As for finding a partner, I’ll have to wait a bit longer. At the very least, I need to get through this year as chief resident. Right now, I’m on call 24/7. Even with you guys visiting, I still have to eat with you in the hospital cafeteria."
"You really don’t need to rush the dating thing, don’t worry. Your son is so outstanding, it won’t be an issue. It’s not that I can’t find someone; I just don’t have the time right now."
Liu Qingdong’s expression remained unchanged, but under the table, he lightly kicked Peng Xiuqin.
Worrying about Liu Banxia’s marriage prospects wasn’t just Peng Xiuqin’s concern; he was even more anxious. It’s just that fathers and sons sometimes don’t communicate that well, so the heavy responsibility of prying for information had to fall on Peng Xiuqin.
"Banxia, tell Mom the truth. Are you seeing someone now? Is it Doctor Liang? Or that Qing Kewa? Or Qiaoqiao?" Peng Xiuqin asked in a low voice, ignoring the pain in her abdomen.
"Mom, there’s nothing like that," Liu Banxia said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "One is a friend, and the other two are my interns who are also friends. You’re making it complicated with all these thoughts. It’s not happening."
"Actually, I think all three girls are quite good," Peng Xiuqin said, glancing at him.
"Doctor Liang is gentle and well-mannered. She’s a doctor, just like you, which is great. I asked her, and she isn’t seeing anyone either. Mom’s just a bit worried that we might be punching above our weight. Isn’t she the Chief Director’s granddaughter?"
"As for Qiaoqiao, although she hasn’t gone to college, that doesn’t really matter much. We’re not after her family’s money anyway; you’ll definitely be able to earn well in the future. Qiaoqiao has a good personality. Although she seems carefree, you two probably wouldn’t argue much if you were together."
"With Qing Kewa, the only slight drawback is that she’s a foreigner. How would you manage your lives together in the future? Food and drink wouldn’t be an issue, but what if she gets homesick?"
"But no matter who you choose, your dad and I have no objections. Things are different now from how they used to be. Our family will support your choice; you can be with whoever you want."
"Oh, and Dandan, the girl who was with us for the check-up today, she’s nice too. She has such a sweet way of talking. She’s just a bit young; the age gap with you is too big. Banxia, what’s wrong?"
Seeing Liu Banxia holding a piece of rib with his chopsticks, motionless for a long moment, Peng Xiuqin pressed.
"Mom, nothing’s wrong," Liu Banxia said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "You just... surprised me. When did you even think about all this?"
It seems Mom is now operating on a ’better to cast a wide net and risk a mistake than to miss a single possibility’ principle. Anyone she’s met who’s single is probably on her list of candidates, he thought.
"What’s there to think so hard about?" Peng Xiuqin said. "I started mulling it over the day before yesterday when I saw those girls."
"Honestly, all these girls are great. You’re not getting any younger; you need to hurry up. You already spent more years in school than others. How much later will you end up getting married because of that?" Updates are released by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Mom, haven’t I made it through the tough part now?" Liu Banxia said helplessly. "Next year, when I’m no longer chief resident, I’ll start looking for a partner, okay?"
"Who says you can’t look for someone while you’re working? You all work together every day, isn’t that perfect?" Peng Xiuqin shot him a look.
"You think I don’t know what you’re really thinking? You’re just trying to fob me off. Listen to Mom, don’t set your sights too high. The family still has some money; we can cover the down payment for a house when the time comes."
"Mom, I really don’t have time right now. Can we eat first, please?" Liu Banxia had truly surrendered.
I never expected this ’marriage pressure’ drama to land on me, Liu Banxia thought. I truly haven’t had any time these past few years, and now is my busiest period. How could I possibly date? It’s a struggle to even go out and relax once a month. I might even get called back to the hospital halfway through an outing. That just wouldn’t work. It would be a waste of energy and money. Better to wait until things settle down a bit.
"Anyway, you need to get a move on with this. You can’t delay it; the longer you wait, the later it’ll be," Peng Xiuqin added as a final reminder.
What else could Liu Banxia say? He could only agree with a sincere expression. Otherwise, he was afraid his mom wouldn’t let the matter rest and would continue lecturing him.
"Oh, right, Banxia, we’re heading back tomorrow," Liu Qingdong said.
"Why not stay a couple more days? It’s not often you get to come out," Liu Banxia said.
"The shop back home needs to be open," Liu Qingdong said. "Besides, you don’t get any days off. We can’t keep making Qiaoqiao waste her time accompanying us."
"Let’s wait for Spring Festival. Your mom and I will come and spend the New Year with you. The chickens in town were raised well this year, and I even considered raising some myself. But then I thought it would be too much trouble, so I didn’t go through with it."
"Dad, please don’t worry about such things," Liu Banxia said. "Things are good now, and I can earn money too."
"My position is still junior, but next year when I get promoted to attending physician, I can get a new contract, and I’ll earn enough to live comfortably. Although it’ll be more tiring, a monthly income of over twenty thousand is pretty much guaranteed."
"If I’m lucky and get to do some freelance surgeries, it’s possible to make over thirty or even forty thousand a month. So, don’t worry about me. You and Mom should just enjoy life at home, eat what you want. When you’re older and your teeth are gone, you won’t be able to enjoy delicious food even if you want to."
"You can earn that much?" Liu Qingdong was a bit surprised.
"More or less," Liu Banxia said. "Freelance surgeries pay more. It’s just that I’m busy now, and my reputation isn’t quite there yet, so only one other hospital invites me. It’ll get better in the future."
"So, you two should save your money and spend it on yourselves. If you want to travel sometime, go ahead and explore. Seriously, you don’t need to worry about me anymore. I’m saving up money myself now."
"You should still save some, of course," Peng Xiuqin said. "If you want to buy a house, tell the family. And pay attention to what Mom told you earlier; they’re all very nice girls."
"I will, I will, I definitely will," Liu Banxia hurriedly said. "But we should also eat quickly and not just keep chatting. It’s the lunch rush; some doctors are waiting for tables."
I have to say this, he thought. Mom just picked up the topic again after it had just died down.
Previously, the family was probably worried about my job, so they didn’t say much about this, Liu Banxia mused. Now that my job is stable, getting married has become the next major family concern. Even if I can muddle through this year, the days ahead won’t be easy.
Liu Banxia had briefly updated his parents on his financial situation, and the old couple were very pleased. Money is a measure of one’s standard of living, after all. If you don’t have strong earning power, how can you live a good life?
After the meal, Liu Banxia pulled Qiaoqiao aside. "Qiaoqiao, just help me take them to the hotel. My mom just had a procedure, after all, so they won’t be going out this afternoon."
"Okay," Qiaoqiao asked curiously. "But what were you all talking about? It looked like they were giving you a hard time."
"They’re heading home tomorrow, so they were just giving me a few reminders," Liu Banxia said. "I’ll have to trouble you to take them to the station tomorrow. Thanks for your help."
I’d love to say, ’My mom wants you as her daughter-in-law,’ he thought, but I wouldn’t dare. I’m afraid Qiaoqiao would fly off the handle and give me a thrashing right here in the cafeteria.