Unexpectedly, Zheng Dingding already had someone she liked.
Zheng Dingding went to the dermatology department for a checkup and learned of the unfortunate fact that she was indeed diagnosed with cicatricial diathesis. The dermatologist gave her medicine and prescribed her a very long list of medicines.
It was indeed worrisome that the location was her chest. In the words of Professor Ning, “scarring in this area would look quite ugly.” So, Zheng Dingding resolved to pay more attention to this issue and made adjustments on her diet according to the doctor’s advice, such as eating more green vegetables, fruits, lily bulbs, green beans, hazelnuts, legumes, chili peppers, lamb, garlic, coffee and basically stay away from all her favorite foods.
Zheng Dingding grasped her detailed list of prescriptions, reading with her head down while heading towards the exit of the hospital. She saw a familiar car in her peripheral vision and looked up to see Professor Ning.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Ning Weijin had turned his head, looked at Zheng Dingding and quickly retracted his gaze, looking straight ahead.
"Senior Ning!”
Zheng Dingding heard an urgent voice, looked back, and saw that a slender, beautiful figure had jogged over to Ning Weijin’s car. The woman leaned down and knocked on his car window. Ning Weijin rolled down his car window and she spoke a few words to him. Ning Weijin nodded and she laughed as she opened the car door, sat shotgun and fastened her seatbelt. After doing so, she tidied her long hair.
Zheng Dingding recognized her as the female doctor who had just delivered the cherries to Professor Ning.
It was the end of the day. Several nurses came out hand in hand and, seeing Professor Ning in his car as well as the person in the passenger seat next to him, sneered, “Doctor Shu is sticking to Professor Ning again.”
“Isn’t she always like this? Always acting as if she’s a goddess, how childish.”
“She’s quite thick-skinned. Everyone knows Professor Ning doesn’t have any feelings for her, yet here she is not letting him off at all.”
“Little Wen shares an office with her; she told me that every time Professor Ning goes on a blind date, her face would go sour for the entire day and she’d throw tantrums at the interns. It’d go on like this until she hears that his blind date failed, then she’d finally smile - quite a scary smile, too.”
......
Turns out there were so much gossip circling the hospital, it was the first time Zheng Dingding had heard of these internal affairs and she felt as if she got her money’s worth.
In the evening after Zheng Dingding took a shower and put on her bra after applying her ointment, she sat cross-legged on the sofa. She browsed leisurely on her laptop, scrolling through the new season catalogue of her favorite toy brand ‘dirtype’, and casually opened QQ. Clicking on the bopping icon of Xiao Qiong’s profile, she received a picture of Xiao Qiong’s travels that she had just delivered.
Then, Zheng Dingding went to her contacts, her mouse freezing instinctively at Chen Xun’s icon. Chen Xun’s ID was Qian Zhou Huan Xing (Slow-travelling Shallow Boat), the profile picture was his own shot of the Aegean Sea. At the moment, Chen's icon was gray. She clicked it and scrolled through their chat history, their last exchange was two months ago.
She couldn’t remember who brought it up, but they had been talking about an emotional topic.
Qian Zhou Huan Xing (QZHX): Which good family’s daughter would be willing to be with me? I work an average of 51.3 hours a week, I wouldn’t even be able to find time to watch a movie with her. On top of that, I have no romantic cell in my body, I have no idea how to sweet-talk. I feel that my life outside of work is on a standstill.
She went to reply, typing and deleting, deleting then typing, it took quite a long time for her to reach a sentence: I think there will be a good family’s daughter who’d be willing to be with you, although unfortunately, she might even be under your nose and you won’t notice her.
He didn’t reply. She knew he understood her meaning, but did not know how to reply; if he rejects her, he’d hurt her self-esteem; if he accepted her, he wouldn’t be entirely willing either.
A few days after that, news of Wen Zixin’s accident arrived. Chen Xun stopped everything he was doing and hurriedly went to N City to find Wen Zixin. He never contacted her again.
Actually, she knew Chen Xun earlier than Wen Zixin did, and she liked Chen Xun more than Wen Zixin did, but what use is that? As we all know, love is never fair.
Zheng Dingding opened her private blog, reading each post.
November 3, 2004:
Today I finally met the popular guy at school, Chen Xun, who was the first place winner of last year’s International Science and Engineering Competition. His topic ‘The Effects of Estrogen on Cartilage” won the $10,000 prize, which he donated a third of to the earthquake-stricken area. Yeah, he’s very tall, thin, has very clear skin and a very gentle laugh. He’s indeed a handsome man who’s very polite to his juniors and doesn’t put on airs at all… But what I’m curious about is, why would he pick estrogen as the topic?
January 6, 2005:
I flunked today’s math test for sure. I’m thinking that I’ll be scoring around 45 *cries*... I was the last to walk out of the examination room, my entire being soulless and had no energy to walk. I didn’t expect to run into Chen Xun. The water bottle in my hand fell to the ground and he helped me pick it up and gave it back to me. Unfortunately I found out, his hands were very beautiful, more beautiful than most girls’ hands. As expected, I was way out of his league.
March 7, 2005:
I went to the office today to help organize the English teacher’s papers. Chen Xun was sitting at the table across from me, helping the physics teacher write something down. I sorted papers while taking peeks at him. He was serious and attentive, not lifting his head once, fortunately, so I was able to peek at him with no worries.
May 11, 2005:
I saw Chen Xun at the English corner today, and was conversing with him in English. His English was really good, with a native-sounding accent. He had good pacing and I felt comfortable listening to him. As we were talking, I found out that his maternal grandmother was British, so he was a quarter British. No wonder his English was so good.
November 10, 2005:
This was probably the last autumn meet of my high school years. Chen Xun was in front of me when we climbed the mountain. I was keeping up with his steps, not stopping even once. It was the first time I had climbed so fast. When we reached the peak, my whole back was drenched in sweat, panting hard, so tired I could break. Later, he came to me and handed me a minty throat lozenge.
April 3, 2006:
Chen Xun attended the competition again, only this time the teachers did not approve of his going. After all, he was going to take the college entrance examination in June and should be wholly focused on preparing for the exam. He shouldn’t be distracted, yet he insisted on going on his own whim. I took a detour to his classroom after school, just as he was coming out with a basketball in hand. I mustered up my courage and wished him good luck. He laughed and thanked me.
September 1, 2006:
I’m a senior now. This year will for sure be difficult. On top of preparing for the college entrance exam, there is another depressing fact: Chen Xun isn’t here anymore. He ranked third in the entire province and was accepted into Z University’s Finance Department. I was happy for him, only, a little depressed, why is he always so outstanding, always out of my league. His college life must be very enriching, with plenty of equally outstanding girls, right? Will he remember me?
June 6, 2007:
The college entrance exam is tomorrow. If I perform really well and get accepted into Z University, I’m for sure pursuing Chen Xun. That’s right, one should set a goal when doing things; that way, they’ll do their best as failing is not an option.
September 1, 2007:
I really got into Z University! Who said that love had no power. Look at me, for a man, I scored a high 267, which is simply a miracle among miracles! But I can’t eat too much this summer. I gained six pounds already. Will Chen Xun recognise me?
February 24, 2008:
“Long-lasting lovesickness, long-lasting lovesickness. Who is willing to hear the tale of this lovesickness, those who are ignorant won’t be able to comprehend.”... Reading poems like these used to raise goosebumps on my skin and make my teeth go sour, but today’s different. Have I become sentimental? Have I entered the ranks of those pretentious literature girls on Douban? Ha! Maybe not, I’ve just had my heart broken… Today was Valentine’s Day. Chen Xun and a girl from the English department just announced they were dating. I admit I’m very depressed and envy the girl very much even though I know it’s wrong to envy people. I have to be magnanimous, be more free and easy, learn to wish them happiness. OK, from now on, I won’t pursue Chen Xun. I don’t want to become the type of people I hate the most, the evil second female lead, that is my bottom line. I want to end this one-sided love and go about my way finding a boyfriend to share a beautiful, grand love.
......
The notification icon on the lower right of the computer suddenly bounced, pulling Zheng Dingding out of her thoughts. She saw that it was “Blue Skies” who had ordered eight body pillows, waist pillows and cushions.
She thought about it, opened “Blue Skies”’s icon and typed, “Darling, you’re buying eight pillows this time?”
It was the biggest order she’s ever received.
“Yeah, my brother told me to buy it, he said your pillows are really comfy~”
Professor Ning?
“I hadn’t even used the hippo pillow that I bought last time before it was taken by my brother. It was so weird, he’s usually not into such childish things. He even brought it to the hospital later. And when he came home, he told me to buy a few for the sofa, study and bedroom.”
“Ah, okay, so do I need to deliver it to your door this time too?”
“Yes, please.”
At the end of the conversation, Zheng Dingding had only one thought in her mind: turns out Professor Ning likes these childish toys of hers, how unexpected.
On Saturday, Zheng Dingding went to the apartment complex for the third time to deliver her goods. This time, there were more things so she had vacuum packed them and placed them inside a red, white and blue plastic bag. Bag in hand, she took a taxi to the apartment complex and once she arrived, she got out of the car to see Ning Weixuan standing not too far away.
Ning Weixuan waved at her and ran over, stuffed her hand with the money and happily took the bag from her.
As Zheng Dingding counted the money, she suddenly heard, “Sorry to ask you this, do you have a boyfriend?”
"Ah?" Zheng Dingding looked up.
Ning Weixuan smiled, “You didn’t hear wrong, I was asking whether you had a boyfriend.
Zheng Dingding shook her head.
"What do you think of my brother, Great Professor Ning, who operated on you?" Ning Weixuan asked, "do you find him charming?"
“Zheng Dingding couldn’t think clearly, not knowing what NIng Weixuan’s intentions were. There’s no way she’s trying to set me up with her own brother, right?
With this in mind, Zheng Dingding chose her words carefully, "Professor Ning is an excellent doctor, he is very attentive towards his patients, very admirable.”
"No, I mean, what do you think of him from a woman’s perspective?" Ning Weixuan’s eyes were bright.
"I don't quite understand what you mean. "
“Fine, I’ll say it out right. This brother of mine has been on so many dates, yet not one has been successful. To be honest, his requirements are really too strict; I’ve considered all my friends and none of them fit his criteria. He likes natural, frank girls, preferably with their own opinions and an independent personality.” Ning Weixuan glanced at Zheng Dingding, "To be honest, the first time I saw you I felt that you are very in line with his requirements. From my understanding of him, you look like the type that would catch his eyes.”
"...” The type that would catch his eyes? Zheng DingDing was speechless.
“Do you think I’m being too abrupt?” Ning Weixuan said, “It’s nothing much, really, we’re living in an era where we have to find our destiny ourselves. Once you meet the one, it’s quite impossible to be wrong. See, isn’t that also the case for those dating apps? You read a stranger’s bio and if you feel like you match well then you talk to that person online, and then meet in real life after chatting for a few days.”
“Ehm, sorry.” Zheng Dingding quickly found an excuse, politely smiling, “I may not have a boyfriend, but I have someone that I like already. So, thank you for your good intentions.”
Goodness, there’s no way she would consider a person like Great Professor Ning. To her, the cold-faced Professor Ning is simply a man from another planet; they’re simply can’t be breathing the same air.
Ning Weixuan’s bright eyes suddenly dimmed, looking very lost, “So that’s the case, what a pity.”
To be honest, the reason why she suddenly asked Zheng Dingding was because, one night, when Ning Weijin had asked her to order more pillows from Zheng Dingding’s store, she had curiously asked, “Right, bro, is she really your patient?”
"Yes."
“Did you personally operate on her?”
"What's the problem?"
"Hehe, such a young-looking girl, beautiful, white and tender, has been seen entirely by you, and felt up, too. You’re so evil.”
Ning Weijin had a subtle glint in his eyes. After a while, his voice was cold, “Say nonsense one more time and I’ll throw you out.”
“Wow, your reaction is quite big. Usually when I joke around, don’t you usually just ignore me? Why are you angry now?”
Ning Weijin ignored her.
A wretched possibility suddenly sprang up in Ning Weixuan’s brain. Fearlessly she said, “No way, you really thought of other things when you operated on her?”
Ning Weijin picked up a magazine and smacked her head with it in response, “Slow down your thoughts.”
Ning Weixuan frowned in pain and shut her mouth, not daring to provoke him again, but in her heart, she decided that what she said had been true otherwise he wouldn’t have reacted as such.
This is a once-in-a-century event.
As such, Ning Weixuan brought up this matter to Zheng Dingding.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Dingding already had someone she liked.
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