CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: DIFFERENT WORLDS

PM.

After having lunch, Zhao Heng and the cute junior Shu Xin arrived together at the entrance of the flower exhibition hall that Shu Xin mentioned.

Since he had agreed to answer questions in exchange for accompanying the junior for a walk, Zhao Heng naturally couldn’t go back on his word.

Originally, answering questions was just an excuse for Zhao Heng, but he didn’t expect that the junior was actually a top student, and she answered even the difficult questions.

Since it was already agreed, Zhao Heng had no choice but to come.

No wonder she was happy; she liked flowers and plants since childhood, and now with the perfect senior like Zhao Heng accompanying her, she was naturally overjoyed.

"Senior, this is the place."

Shu Xin said to Zhao Heng.

"Mm."

Zhao Heng nodded, thinking it would only take a while to stroll through, and then he would leave, no big deal.

The two walked side by side into the flower exhibition hall.

Upon entering, the fragrance of various flowers hit them, an intense natural aroma came rushing in.

He quite liked this feeling.

After all, it is human instinct to be close to nature, let alone the fact that humans are born and grow in nature.

"Senior, isn’t this place nice?"

Shu Xin’s voice was sweet and soft, matching her baby-faced appearance and her outfit perfectly.

"It’s not bad."

At this moment, Zhao Heng was looking at the variety of flowers on display, among which he recognized roses, lilies, daisies, and many others he couldn’t name.

"Well, senior, you should really go out more, you’re either working or reading all day, it’s too repressive."

Shu Xin advised.

"You will understand after you graduate."

Looking at Shu Xin’s carefree appearance, Zhao Heng felt more relaxed.

However, even during his studying days, he never had such worry-free times.

When he was in university, apart from studying, he used all his spare time for part-time jobs to support himself.

The lives of college students differ greatly; some enjoy their youth, while others only strive to survive.

"Why did you decide to study medicine? And specifically anesthesiology?"

After pondering, Zhao Heng asked Shu Xin.

Shu Xin seemed like a girl raised in a well-off family, with great memory and intelligence, she could succeed in studying anything.

Yet, she chose medicine, which is both challenging and exhausting.

"My family owns a pharmaceutical company. I originally wanted to study pharmacy, but I was assigned to anesthesiology. I plan to switch to pharmacy for my postgraduate studies."

Shu Xin explained.

Still a family tradition...

Zhao Heng couldn’t help but comment in his heart after looking at Shu Xin.

"What about you, senior? Why did you study medicine?"

Shu Xin asked in return.

"Long-term benefits, it’s the profession where the poor have the best chance to enter the middle class."

Zhao Heng replied calmly.

His choice to study medicine was very pragmatic; partly out of an ideal to save lives, partly because although it takes a long time to train as a doctor and progress can be slow, once accomplished, one reaches at least the middle class.

For the poor, studying medicine, seeking government jobs, or joining the military are among the few paths to change one’s fate and surpass one’s family background.

"Huh? Senior, you’re not poor..."

Upon hearing Zhao Heng’s realistic statement, Shu Xin opened her mouth wide. To her, the demeanor Zhao Heng exhibited couldn’t possibly belong to a poor person.

To be honest, Shu Xin’s family runs a business, and she has always been knowledgeable. At first glance, she had determined from Zhao Heng’s aura that he was definitely from her socioeconomic class.

"I currently live in a village within the city, rent a single room, and earn just over four thousand a month at the Eastern Hospital. Do you think I am poor?"

Zhao Heng stated without any reservations.

He was aware that today’s girls still placed a significant emphasis on material aspects.

He also sensed that this girl had a bit of a crush on him, so he simply laid it all out.

"No way..."

Hearing this, Shu Xin was astounded. She couldn’t imagine how one could live on four thousand a month in a place like North City.

Bear in mind, her family gives her over ten thousand a month for living expenses, and she often feels it’s not enough!

Zhao Heng didn’t respond, and the atmosphere suddenly turned silent.

"Well... Senior, you are so smart, even the professors value you so much. You will become an excellent doctor sooner or later, and won’t be poor for long."

After a while, Shu Xin tentatively said.

This was an outcome she had never considered.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng slightly shook his head.

With different family backgrounds and childhood experiences, it’s challenging to empathize and understand each other on certain issues.

Seeing Zhao Heng shake his head, Shu Xin felt a bit anxious.

How did the conversation come to a dead end?!

Ah, ah, ah, what should I do?!

Shu Xin felt as if she had unwittingly dropped a bomb.

"Senior, you aren’t angry, are you?"

Seeing Zhao Heng silent, Shu Xin cautiously asked, thinking he might be upset.

"Do you think I’m that petty? Poor is poor; there’s nothing wrong with admitting it."

Seeing Shu Xin’s cautious demeanor, Zhao Heng couldn’t help but find it amusing and said.

Being poor isn’t terrible; what’s terrible is the attitude towards being poor.

Zhao Heng’s efforts and struggles were not just for the pursuit of better material life but more as a way to prove himself.

Moreover, one’s background isn’t something they can choose.

To be able to support himself through college and now, through his own abilities, quickly become a formal doctor at Eastern Hospital, Zhao Heng didn’t feel inferior to anyone!

"I knew it; senior, you must be very magnanimous."

Hearing Zhao Heng speak in a tone that didn’t sound angry, Shu Xin breathed a sigh of relief and said relaxedly.

This senior, when he put on a stern face just now, the aura he exuded was quite intimidating.

Zhao Heng glanced at Shu Xin, this naive junior who knew little about the harsh realities of the world, lived in a completely different world compared to him.

"Alright, we’ve walked around, I’m heading back."

Zhao Heng said calmly.

"Ah? Senior, you’re leaving already? Are you thirsty? How about we find a place to have a drink? I still have lots to talk to you about."

Hearing Zhao Heng was about to leave, Shu Xin quickly became a bit anxious.

Zhao Heng absolutely fit her ideal image of the perfect senior. Shu Xin felt that encountering Zhao Heng was like winning the lottery, and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever meet another person that gave her the same feeling.

Just then, suddenly, urgent cries came from a distance.

"Help!"

"Is there a doctor, help!"

Hearing this, Zhao Heng instinctively turned and quickly ran towards the direction of the cries.