Chapter 3 Dr. Gao, It's You

The rare quiet was soon interrupted by several young nurses who had just followed in the resuscitation. As they settled the patient, they walked towards the break room, chatting leisurely.

"Come on, come on, taste this. The girl from bed number three is really sensible!"

"Yeah, yeah, she's so pretty and can cook so well, and I heard she's from A University. It's so frustrating how some people have it all!"

Two of them carrying boxes walked in and noticed Gao Chuan sitting on a chair. Lowering their voices self-consciously, one of the young nurses hesitated for a moment, then blushed and walked over to him, whispering, "Dr. Gao, a patient's family brought us some food, would you like to try some?"

"No thanks, you go ahead," Gao Chuan flatly refused and turned to walk towards his office.

Upon entering, he saw the half-eaten instant noodles on his desk. Gao Chuan picked it up and filled it with hot water again, the smell of instant noodles soon filled the office.

He walked to the small balcony inside, pulled out a cigarette, and slowly lit it with his lighter. The faint spark threw a pale smoke that rose from his fingertips, shrouding his refined profile.

A gentle evening breeze brushed his forehead as Gao Chuan stood against the wind. Underneath his slightly drooping eyelashes were faint shadows, his entire figure swallowed by the darkness as he stared at the city's nightscape lit by thousands of homes.

Before he could finish his cigarette, Gao Chuan heard a rustling sound of light footsteps from the office.

Snapping back to reality, he stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette and turned back into the office, touching the light switch on the wall as he stepped out from the balcony. The light illuminated another person in the room.

"Dr. Gao..." Jiang An turned around in surprise, seeing Gao Chuan standing by the window, and let out a long breath.

"I thought you weren't here. I made some food, and I heard you haven't eaten yet. Please, have a taste!" Jiang An gestured towards several light green meal boxes on the desk and explained with a smile.

Gao Chuan hadn't even agreed before Jiang An walked over and opened the lids for him. The simple dishes from Jiangnan were aromatic, instantly tantalizing.

"It might be a bit cold now. Just make do, my mother mentioned that you guys on the night shift are so busy you can't even have dinner on time..."

Jiang An handed the chopsticks to Gao Chuan. Suddenly noticing the instant noodles on the other side of the desk, she frowned.

Gao Chuan, watching Jiang An busily moving around, reluctantly sat down and took the chopsticks to taste.

Sweet and sour fish, unexpectedly delicious with a sweet and tangy flavor.

"Jiangnan cuisine, did you study it before?" Gao Chuan couldn't help trying a few more bites, asking.

Jiang An shook her head and replied, "Learned it from my mother when I was young. How's the taste? Alright? My mom wanted to eat this yesterday, so I tried making it. Is it too bland?"

Gao Chuan tried a few more dishes, their flavors not at all inferior to the famous restaurants he had visited.

"No, it's just right."

"That's good then." Jiang An smiled, a glint in her dark eyes.

"What major are you in at A University?" Gao Chuan asked casually.

"Oncology surgery."

"Oh, then I guess I'm kind of your senior," Gao Chuan, hearing her answer, felt a twinge in his heart.

"Hello, Senior," Jiang An earnestly greeted.

Gao Chuan, without thinking, raised his eyes and fully took in the girl's obedient appearance, his lips curving into a slight smile.

Saturday.

For the rare chance Gao Chuan had a day off, he was rudely awakened early in the morning by Shen Mei's phone call. The buzz of the electric current near his ear instantly swept away any trace of sleepiness as he listened to his mother's relentless nagging.

"Remember to dress up nicely; the girl is a high-ranking executive in a private company, beautiful and graceful. Make sure you perform well there! I'm telling you, you promised me you would get married by the end of this year…"

Gao Chuan lazily got out of bed and went into the bathroom, staring calmly at himself in the mirror, his thoughts flying wildly.

Earlier this year, his grandmother had become critically ill, and in a fit of urgency, he had promised his family that he would definitely find a girlfriend and get married today. Now that it was already June, not to mention a girlfriend, he hadn't even made a single female friend.

"Gao Chuan, oh Gao Chuan..." he stared at his own frowning reflection, his voice hoarse.

After a simple breakfast, he took a taxi to Song Li's car repair shop to pick up his car, flipping through the boring magazines in the waiting room while still worrying about the blind date in the afternoon.

As he was drifting off, Song Li approached with quick steps, slapping him on the shoulder from behind, "What kind of wind blew Dr. Gao all the way here?"

There was a sour note in his words.

Gao Chuan didn't want to engage with him on that, casting a stern gaze that sent a chill through Song Li.

"Alright, alright, you're really no fun. Your car has been fixed a long time ago." Song Li turned and instructed a staff member to bring out the car and sat down next to Gao Chuan, sizing him up in his suit and leather shoes and making a "tch tch tch" noise.

What a waste of good looks, having a face that attracts both men and women, yet being so wooden when it comes to romance.

"You tell me, you wear such stiff suits even when you're not working and always carry that scowl around, which girl would fall for you!" Song Li stretched his legs out on the couch, scrutinizing him before drawing his conclusion.

Gao Chuan listened to his sermon expressionlessly, slowly stood up and buttoned up his suit, speaking in a mocking tone, "Not as flashy as yours."

Watching Gao Chuan leave, Song Li called out, "Leaving just like that? Next time there's a storm, I won't care!"

It wasn't until three in the afternoon that Gao Chuan, driving the recently repaired car, leisurely arrived at the café Shen Mei had helped arrange. Perhaps due to the rain, the café was rather quiet, with hardly anyone around when Gao Chuan walked in with a clear umbrella.

He straightened his clothes and chose a seat near the window. Not long after, a waitress approached, her voice as clear as water mingling with the pattering rain outside. As Gao Chuan looked up, several strands of hair, wet from the rain, hung over his forehead, dripping clear droplets.

"Dr. Gao, it's you!" Jiang An recognized Gao Chuan sitting there and showed a surprised expression.

"You're working part-time here?" Gao Chuan guessed, looking at Jiang An dressed in a work uniform.

"Yeah, earning some extra money," Jiang An nodded with a smile.

"Would Dr. Gao like something to drink?" Jiang An relaxed immediately upon recognizing the acquaintance.

"A cup of Americano!"