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Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Mr. Zhao, I have discretion
"Mr. Zhao." Si Chen greeted Zhao Dongqing in a low voice, his tone as calm and respectful as ever.
Zhao Dongqing was the doctor he respected most in the hospital, impeccable in both his medical skills and his professional ethics. He prescribed only necessary medications for his patients to save them unnecessary expenditure and remained humble. In short, there was much about Zhao Dongqing that Si Chen admired and hoped to learn from.
Zhao Dongqing chuckled, causing the wrinkles on his face to deepen. He gave Si Chen a friendly pat on the arm and said seriously, "Don’t worry about what others say. Do what you want to do. Having mutual understanding and helping each other in a marriage isn’t something to be ashamed of. That’s how you maintain a good family. There’s nothing wrong with a man being more understanding and tolerant. I believe you genuinely want to do these things because you’ve found the right person. Don’t let others’ opinions affect your relationship with your spouse. It’s not worth it."
Though Zhao Dongqing hadn’t raised his voice, he hadn’t tried to lower it either. Some of the others in the room heard his words. They felt Zhao Dongqing was biased towards Si Chen, as the rumours suggested, and it caused them to blush in embarrassment. They weren’t fools—they knew Zhao Dongqing’s words were not only meant for Si Chen, but also for those who had been gossiping about him.
Si Chen nodded humbly, "Mr. Zhao, I will keep that in mind."
"That’s good," Zhao Dongqing waved his hand, "Now go take a shower!"
Without further ado, Si Chen walked straight into the bathroom.
As soon as they left, the group of women washing clothes started whispering again, "Why do you think Mr. Zhao is so protective of Dr. Si?"
"I think he wants to make Dr. Si his successor. He wants to teach him everything he’s learned over the years."
"Really?" Someone asked skeptically, "Dr. Si seems rather aloof towards Mr. Zhao. He’s not one to flatter or curry favour. Besides, even if Mr. Zhao decided to take on an apprentice, I don’t think it would be him!"
"Well, who knows? Maybe Mr. Zhao just doesn’t like people who flatter and curry favour."
They say that those with talent often have eccentric temperaments, and Mr. Zhao was no exception. Several younger doctors at the hospital had tried to ingratiate themselves with Zhao, but he had simply ignored them. He was as proud as a peacock. Even the dean had failed to convince him to teach his daughter. It was clear what kind of character Mr. Zhao was.
To put it bluntly, no one could persuade him to do anything he didn’t want to do.
When Yu Shiya came back downstairs, she overheard the women’s conversation. She was a little annoyed. She was convinced that Si Chen’s kindness towards Tong Yao came from a sense of duty and obligation. She admired Si Chen’s character and thought marrying a man like that would mean a life of comfort. However, she also wished Si Chen was a little more selfish. If he was, he might divorce Tong Yao for the sake of his career.
"Yu, where are you going so late at night?" Guo Nan asked, surprised to see Shiya, all dressed up, standing at the top of the stairs.
"I’m going home tonight," Shiya replied with a smile before leaving. With the recent development of Li City, street lamps had been installed near the hospital, and the city’s security was better than many others. Shiya wouldn’t have dared to venture out alone at night a few years ago.
She hailed a cab at the roadside. After giving the driver her address, she closed her eyes for a brief rest. About fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the city’s most expensive residential complex. She paid the fare before returning home. She sank down on the sofa and fell silent.
"What were you thinking, listening to your father and becoming a doctor? It’s nerve-wracking. You’ve lost weight," Cheng Yu was distressed as he watched his exhausted daughter. He quickly brought out a big bowl of bone soup. "Come on, drink some. I just made it."
Shiya’s parents, being affluent and having only one daughter they adored, wanted nothing more than for her to find a suitable man to marry and have children with. They were opposed to her becoming a doctor. They considered it unnecessary and a thankless task.
Shiya didn’t want to drink the soup, but she knew her mother wouldn’t relent until she did. So she took the bowl reluctantly, took a sip and put it down on the table.
Cheng Yu, worried, asked, "Why aren’t you drinking more? We have plenty of soup in the pot."
"I’ll drink more later," Shiya replied, not in the best of moods.
"What’s wrong?" Cheng Yu stroked Shiya’s head, viewing her as if she were still a toddler. "Are you unhappy?"
"Why wouldn’t she be?" said Yu Zhengxiong, walking out of his study. When he heard his daughter was upset, he was concerned and came to sit next to her.
Yu Zhengxiong, though only in his fifties, looked several years older due to his age and the toll of his hard work over the years. His temples were full of white hair. One might mistake him for Shiya’s grandfather.
Cheng Yu gave him a reproachful look. "It’s all your fault. You supported her decision to become a doctor."
Cheng Yu, only a year older than her husband, had a charm and gentle demeanour characteristic of a pampered wife. Her life was comfortable, and her marriage was filled with love. That made her look seven or eight years younger, more like a forty-year-old.
Even when she argued with her husband, her voice was soft and sweet, more like she was fondly teasing him.
Yu Zhengxiong frowned at his wife’s words, "Not everything has to involve her becoming a doctor."
Yu Zhengxiong was aware of aspects of his daughter’s personal life. Si Chen was already married, and that was a fact. Shiya was at the age where she should get married too. It was time for them to find potential suitors for her.
After thinking for a while, he said solemnly, "Shiya, your Uncle Chen’s son is a year older than you. He runs a clothing factory and employs dozens of people. He’s handsome and also educated. You’re of the same age, and you both are cultured individuals. You must have a lot to talk about. Come home again tomorrow, and I’ll introduce you two. You can go out to watch a movie and become friends."
What he meant by ’friends’ was nothing but a blind date, and Shiya objected, "Dad, the hospital is busy. I don’t even have the time to meet friends. I won’t go."
Yu Zhengxiong’s face hardened, "Shiya, I used to let you have your way. But now he’s married. You can’t chase after him anymore."
Seeing that Yu Zhengxiong was about to lose his patience, Cheng Yu, ever the doting mother, glared at him, "What are you getting angry for? Can’t you talk nicely?"
Yu Zhengxiong loved his only daughter, even though he was in his fifties. He took a deep breath, calming himself, and relaxed his face and tone. He patiently advised, "Shiya, we are wealthy. You can find any man you want. There are plenty of eligible bachelors in Li City. I don’t want you to make a quick and mistaken decision by fixating on just one man."
