CHAPTER 257: 245 A BRANCH OF RED APRICOT

Tian Sangsang held Meng Shuyan’s hand. Before they even reached the house they bought, they saw a long line of patients stretched out ahead.

She discreetly unwrapped a lollipop for her son and put the wrapper in her bag. Meng Shuyan, holding the lollipop, was just about to put it in his mouth when he heard a clear male voice: "Tian Sangsang!"

The lollipop stopped mid-air.

Chun Zisu.

Meng Shuyan’s eyes lit up.

Zhao Chun was dressed smartly in a white shirt and black pants. His jet-black hair, fair skin, and tall, lean figure radiated energy and freshness.

"Shuyan, Uncle meets you again." Zhao Chun grinned cheekily. "I brought you some walnut cookies." For some reason, he had taken quite a liking to this little boy.

Meng Shuyan huffed with a proud air, furrowing his little brows as if deep in thought.

"Haven’t tried them before, have you?" Zhao Chun smiled, observing his expression.

It seemed he hadn’t. The kid maintained a high-and-mighty façade, refusing to admit it.

"Don’t bully my son now," Tian Sangsang shot Zhao Chun a glance, unable to resist joining the teasing. "He might not have had walnut cookies, but we’ve had Marie biscuits."

What? Zhao Chun’s eyes sparkled. "That sounds like some kind of imported treat?" Talking to Tian Sangsang always introduced him to strange new terms, like the last time she mentioned the Five-fingered Girl.

Wait, the Five-fingered Girl!

At the sudden thought of that, Zhao Chun’s face turned a mix of red and pale.

"That’s right. When you have time, I’ll let you try some," Tian Sangsang teased.

"Thank you~ I’ve never had ’Marie biscuits’ before~~" Zhao Chun awkwardly but happily raised the bag. "Shuyan, take it. Uncle brought it for you."

Meng Shuyan glanced at Tian Sangsang, who gave him a small nod.

The little one took the bag and offered up the untouched lollipop: "Here, Round Biscuit! This is an Alpenliebe!"

Zhao Chun was caught off guard by the lollipop gift. He took it, inspecting it with great interest, murmuring, "So this is what they call the world’s tallest candy..."

He popped it into his mouth, then froze for a moment. "It’s... blueberry flavor!"

Imagine a good-looking, twenty-one-year-old young man eating a lollipop... It somehow wasn’t entirely ridiculous?

Tian Sangsang twitched her lips, struggling not to crack up. "Are you here for me?"

Zhao Chun nodded. "I’ve talked to the teacher. How about we find a place to confirm things?" He became serious at this, carrying out his task as a middleman with the utmost care—this was not something to take lightly.

"Sure." Tian Sangsang nodded ahead. "Let’s go to my place to talk."

Zhao Chun followed her gaze, spotting a white figure in the distance. His eyes widened in surprise. "Isn’t that your friend?"

"Yep, she’s seeing patients."

"She’s a doctor too?"

"That’s right." Tian Sangsang nodded with an air of mystery. "She’s not just a doctor—there’s so much more she can do."

Zhao Chun seemed to understand but then suddenly asked, "Are... are you living with her?" Otherwise, why refer to the place as hers?

"Yes."

"But... but..."

"If you’ve got something to say, spit it out."

Zhao Chun gave her a serious look. "I heard you lived in the military family quarters. Why did you move here?"

"Why else? I had a fling," Tian Sangsang joked, raising an eyebrow. "Now I’m curious, who’s been gossiping about me?"

"You, you really..." Zhao Chun grew flustered under her stare, his eyes dropping slightly. "You didn’t have a fling, though. That person’s a woman. Don’t say things like that carelessly." Fortunately, it was him she said it to—he wouldn’t overthink it. But what if someone else did?

His awkwardness suddenly reminded Tian Sangsang of her days in the Tian Family Village.

"Who said that person was a woman? Other than me, my son, and my son’s little dog, who else is left but you?"

Zhao Chun recoiled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Nonsense! Not me!"

"Ha ha." Tian Sangsang chuckled lightly. That laugh swept away all the frustration from her earlier encounters with Shui Lian and the others. "Now, tell me who’s been talking about me."

Zhao Chun glared at her in exasperation. She always teased him to the point where he almost believed her.

"Not talking, huh?" Tian Sangsang grinned, showing off her pearly whites.

"It was Yao’er," Zhao Chun admitted reluctantly.

"So, you’re dating Yao’er?"

"Kind of."

Tian Sangsang nearly fainted. "How can you be unsure about dating someone? As a man, it’s either yes or no. Be clear."

"Yes, we are." Zhao Chun hesitated. "But we’ve only dated once..."

Dated once, twice? Tian Sangsang couldn’t help facepalming.

"You don’t believe me?" Zhao Chun quickly defended himself, his face flushing. "We really have only officially dated once..."

Tian Sangsang silently studied him, her gaze pure but disbelieving. She patted his shoulder solemnly and said slowly, "Young man, if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t believe it. But if it’s you, I believe you."

Wait, why did that sound kind of insulting?

"Are you dating with the intention of getting married?" Tian Sangsang asked again.

Zhao Chun immediately shook his head. "No!" Then he regretted saying it. Why did he always let her get to him? And why did he spill such things to her? Marriage? He’d never even thought about it. Marriage was too much; he hadn’t even achieved his dreams yet. How could he even consider that?

But then again, Tian Sangsang seemed about his age and already had a child. When she had her son, was she even an adult?

She’s still so young...

They stood on a bustling street, surrounded by passersby. A strikingly beautiful young woman and a handsome young man naturally became the center of attention.

"Isn’t that Captain Jiang’s wife?" an aunt from the army canteen whispered curiously.

"It is," Shui Lian replied, watching them chat animatedly, her interest piqued. She felt absurdly lucky to have run into this aunt on her errand—and even luckier to witness this tête-à-tête between Tian Sangsang and a strange man.

**

"What’s the best illness to have in autumn?" Lu Chi’s gaze fixed on the scenery outside the car window.

The driver, knowing his employer’s question was meant for him, responded, "Colds, coughs, fevers, diarrhea, palpitations, headaches..."

"Enough," Lu Chi said, stepping out of the car, his eyes glinting faintly.

"Next one."

"Doctor Guan."

A familiar voice. Guan Kunling lifted her cold, clear eyes. "Lu Chi."

"I’m here to see the doctor," Lu Chi said.

"A disease of secret tears?" Guan Kunling shook her head impassively. "That’s something I can’t cure. A man doesn’t cry easily. Heartaches require heart medicine."

Lu Chi froze for a moment but wasn’t offended. "I have a headache. Just prescribe me something."

"Let me see your hand."

Lu Chi extended his hand for her to check his pulse, casually remarking as he studied her, "It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Kunling, you look great in white."