Before leaving work in the evening, Han Xi called Lu Jinghan to tell him not to pick her up, as she was going to dine with colleagues.
In a private room of a certain club, everyone sat around the dining table chatting enthusiastically. They occasionally toasted Song Yan, expressing admiration for his experience and medical skills, and mentioned they had read many of his reports in the news.
Song Yan chatted happily with everyone, and now and then he served Han Xi, who was sitting beside him, with a natural demeanor that seemed like he was taking care of a family member.
When the meal was almost over, Song Yan went to the restroom. Upon leaving, instead of returning directly to the room, he stood in the corridor smoking a cigarette.
He leaned over to tap the ash into the ashtray, and when he lifted his head, his eyes suddenly turned gloomy, creating a discordant feeling with his otherwise gentle demeanor.
In the distance, Zhang Min, holding Han Guanghong’s arm, was walking out from the room. As they passed by Song Yan, Zhang Min said something to Han Guanghong, and the two exchanged a loving smile like a married couple.
Song Yan turned around, the smoke swirling around him, making his eyes look unreadable. He only stubbed out his cigarette after Han Guanghong and Zhang Min got on the elevator.
Just now, when Song Yan went out, Han Xi was almost pestered to death by a few young nurses, insisting that she immediately ask Song Yan if he was single.
As Song Yan sat down beside her, Han Xi awkwardly spoke up: "Senior, um... do you have a girlfriend now?"
Actually, Han Xi wasn’t familiar with Song Yan at all; it was just that when she was in the United States, Song Yan happened to help her once.
"No, are you planning to introduce me to someone?"
Song Yan smiled gently, a hint of unintentional affection in his eyes.
"Several nurses in our department are single; you might want to consider it."
"Currently, I’m not thinking about that, but have you gotten married?" Song Yan seemingly asked casually.
Han Xi nodded with a light smile: "I’m already married. I’ll introduce you to my husband another day."
"Does he treat you well? Does he bully you since you don’t have any family support?"
"He’s never bullied me; he’s very good to me."
For a moment, Han Xi felt a fleeting, complex expression in Song Yan’s gaze that was hard to decipher.
"That’s good; another day, let’s have a meal together."
The young nurses beside them had been eavesdropping on their conversation. When they heard Song Yan said he wasn’t considering personal matters, each looked as wilting as frost-bitten eggplants, their heads drooping.
When everyone left the club after dinner, Lu Jinghan had already been waiting outside for a while. Seeing Han Xi come out, he stubbed out his cigarette and strode over.
"Jing Han, when did you arrive?"
A gust of cool wind blew by, causing Han Xi to tighten her coat around her.
Lu Jinghan took off his jacket and draped it over Han Xi, then pulled her into his arms: "Just got here a while ago."
Standing on the steps, Song Yan, hands in pockets, looked at Lu Jinghan, his dark eyes holding an indiscernible emotion.
"By the way, Jing Han, this is my senior from Stanford University in the United States, Song Yan. He just returned to the country and is working in our department."
With that, Han Xi looked up at Song Yan: "Senior, this is my husband, Lu Jinghan."