C29

When they were comfortably settled in Xue said, "Now it is your turn. So, start spilling."

Yang Li shook his head and said, "No Madame, today is about you. Please continue, I can't wait to hear the rest of it."

Xue whined and grumbled for a bit, before finally giving in.

She had always been very aloof, independent, and unwavering. However, since she met Yang Li, she had changed. She would easily give in to him whenever she was with him.

She realized this and she felt nervous. She thought - 'Why does his presence affect me so much? Is it because I've fallen for him deeply that I lose all rationality in his presence? If this continues, will I lose my individuality?'

Such thoughts made her a little restless. But her inner voice would tell her to trust Yang Li. Her instincts told her that Yang Li would never hurt her and he also liked her as much as she liked him.

It was around 10 p.m. when Bing Xue started talking again.

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FLASHBACK CONTINUED

Three months went by and the date of the exam had finally arrived. Xue gave the exam and was happy with her performance.

A month later the results were announced. Xue was first on the merit list. The person in the second position was a couple of marks behind her. She was a girl named Yang Ruowei. She belonged to the famous Yang family of Cinea. She was also one of the 4 princesses of the Great Families.

When Qin Ran heard the result, she was conflicted. Although she felt happy for her 'sister', she was sad as they were soon going to be separated. Xue had to report to SMC a month later for her registration to SMC.

A month later she informed her family. She then bade farewell to Qin Ran and started a new chapter of her life.

Four years later-

Bing Xue was now 21. She was about to complete her graduation and start her one-year residency.

In the past 4 years, Bing Xue had matured a lot both physically and emotionally. Although she was still cold and distant, she looked ethereal. She was approached by boys all the time. However, she turned down each and every one of them. She would not easily mingle with people, especially boys.

Another notable instance of her college life in the past 4 years had been her rivalry with Yang Ruowei. In the entrance exam, she was placed 1st and Ruowei was 2nd, however, the difference was only a couple of marks. Since Xue's arrival at SMC, Yang Ruowei had treated her as a rival.

However, for the next 4 years, Xue was always placed first in the class. Xue had unknowingly become a part of a rivalry. However, she didn't pay any attention to Ruowei or to this so-called rivalry. On the other hand, Ruowei was very fixated on competing with Xue. However, Xue's nonchalant attitude towards her made her irritated and even more competitive.

Qin Ran had gone to GVSU after completing high school. Both of them had kept in touch. They would call each other regularly. They even visited each other on holidays in the past 4 years.

Xue had always been a good cook. Since she was young, she had cooked for herself. It was one of her hobbies. However, since she switched schools, she only cooked occasionally. After coming to SMC, she started cooking again. In fact, in her spare time, she would learn all kinds of new recipes. She had become proficient in many cuisines.

Xue had also started playing the violin again. She had first started learning violin when she was 5. However, 2 years later when her mother died, she gave it up.

A year later Xue had completed her residency in a nearby hospital. Now she was preparing for her PG exam. She had decided to become a surgeon and then super specialise as a cardio-thoracic surgeon.

Qin Ran had also completed her graduation from GVSU. She had 3 months before her PG classes begin. She decided to stay together with Xue during this period. They decided to rent an apartment in Cinea.

They did this for 2 reasons. First, for Xue, it would be the same but for Qin Ran, Cinea would be closer to GVSU than Zijin. Secondly, they both had never been to Cinea. This would be a good opportunity to explore the capital city.

For the next 3 months, they had a blast. They explored the various scenic spots in the capital. They went to the poshest restaurants and clubs. They also interacted with the locals and learned about the culture of the capital. They also understood the structure of various elite families.

Soon three months passed and the day of the exam arrived. Qin Ran had already left for GVSU. The exam went smoothly and there were no surprises. A month later the results were declared. Xue had again aced the examination.

When she started her PG, Bing Xue was 23. She found out that Yang Ruowei was in the same specialization as her, she felt annoyed. Soon after the classes started the talks about their rivalry re-emerged.

Although it annoyed, Xue decided to ignore it.

In this manner, 8 months passed.

Xue had gone to the nearby hospital where she had done her internship. She wanted to consult one of the senior doctors. Early that morning there was a hit and run near the hospital. The perpetrator was also injured and admitted to the hospital.

Song Jue- a rookie reporter was sent to this area. She was researching the hit-and-run story. Apparently, the perpetrator of the hit and run was from the Xi family in Cinea. She had been sent by her boss to cover the story.

The area where the perpetrator was admitted was guarded by the police. It was here that Song Jue met Bing Xue for the first time. Xue was also near the perpetrator's room. She saw that Song Jue was trying to find the details of the accident. She was also trying to find a way to reach the perpetrator.

On a whim, Xue helped her out. With her help, Song Jue was able to talk to the perpetrator and get the required intel. Before leaving she thanked Xue and they exchanged numbers.

After a few days, Jue contacted Xue for a meal. They had a meal in SMC's canteen. Song Jue had been assigned to the area near SMC. For the next few months, they had frequent interactions and they became good friends. Generally, it was Jue who visited Xue in SMC.

The second year of PG passed without any incidents. Xue's friendship with Song Jue deepened further. They had become very good friends in the past year. She could now be considered Bing Xue's second real friend after Qin Ran.

She would finish her PG in a couple of weeks. Xue was going to do her super specialization as a cardiothoracic surgeon from SMC.

A week before the completion of their graduation, a piece of news spread throughout the campus. It stated that Yang Ruowei would be going to Westphalia for her super specialization. She had been accepted to the top medical college of Westphalia, which was ranked 1st globally.

When Xue stayed in the capital for 3 months, she became informed about the elite families in the capital. From then on, she had further distanced herself from Yang Ruowei. They would walk very different paths.

Ruowei's path was already destined whereas hers was unknown. Although she belonged to a tier 1 family, her mother was dead and her relationship with her father was non-existent. Due to this, she didn't have any strong backing. Her stepmother suppressed her and her father allowed her to do so. Although she was named Bing, she didn't have any influence. Therefore, after her super specialization, she could only rely on her talents to get a job in a good hospital.

After their PG was completed, Ruowei departed for Westphalia. At the same time, Xue cleared the super specialization exam and started her classes in SMC.

Two years later, she completed her studies. She was now 27 and a cardiothoracic surgeon. She started looking for a job in Cinea.

END OF FLASHBACK

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"So, that was my story. After that, I signed a one-year contract with YGH and for the past year, I have been working there, being tormented by your younger cousin. The rest, you already know.", said Bing Xue as she emptied the glass of water.

Yang Li was sitting next to her lost in his thoughts. He was processing all the information she had told him.

"YAH…YAAAHH are you listening to me??" She then held his shoulder and shook him. Yang Li suddenly snapped out of his thoughts.

Xue asked, "What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Li replied, "Nothing I was just processing what you said and visualizing all of it."

Xue said, "It's not that interesting!!!"

Yang Li replied, "Everything connected to you is interesting to me."

Xue blushed and said, "Don't act in a cringe manner okay!!!! Be your usual stoic self."

Yang Li said with a straight face, "I'm not. I'm just telling you the truth."

"How do you say such things with a straight face. Either you are completely oblivious or you are a true expert. I cannot really tell!"

"So, now you've heard my story. Now, tell me yours." Said Xue.

"Not today. It's already very late. You should go to bed now and have a good sleep."

Xue started grumbling and whining when Li suddenly held her hands and stared into her eyes.

She was shocked and her heart started racing as he continued to stare at her. He then came closer to her. He leaned in and whispered in her ear- "Tomorrow I will take you on a date. It will be our first official date. We'll talk after that."

He then looked at her and said, "Now go to sleep, Goodnight."

He then directed her to her room. Xue was still in a daze as Li guided her to the room. After Li left her in the room, she finally let out a deep breath. She laid down on the bed and started recalling the recent events.

She would turn red whenever she remembered the feeling she got when he held her hands.

She gradually drifted off to sleep.