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Psst! We're moving!
Under He Ran’s unapologetic gaze, Jian Xi quickly averted her eyes.
Strangely, she wasn’t shocked or repulsed. It was as if some subtle suspicion had been confirmed.
Jian Xi remained calm. She gathered her thoughts and began, “You…”
“Heh? Not scared?” He Ran’s eyes twinkled with amusement, clearly not expecting this reaction. “I thought you’d jump up and call me a pervert.”
Jian Xi stifled a laugh. “I’m twenty-six years old. I think I have enough self-control for this kind of thing.”
He Ran licked his lips slowly, then asked, “How many men chase after you?”
Jian Xi paused to think. “What do you mean by ‘many’?”
“How many this year?”
“Let me count.” Jian Xi extended her right hand, ticking off her fingers one by one. “One invited me to a hot spring during the Lantern Festival, another sent me roses on Valentine’s Day, someone else took me out to dinner on Labor Day… Oh, and there was something on Children’s Day too…”
Her overly serious demeanor made He Ran chuckle. “Stop pretending to count. I already know.”
Jian Xi looked up. “Know what?”
“That quite a few men are after you.” He Ran said matter-of-factly. “A woman like you—how could anyone not want you? Unless they’re blind. Of course, that pretty boy is an exception. His brain must’ve been kicked by a donkey. Ten years of idiocy without improvement.”
Jian Xi couldn’t help but laugh.
Indeed, over the years, quite a few men had pursued her—colleagues from the hospital, relatives introduced by elders, and even a couple of lukewarm blind dates. If anything, He Ran was just one among them.
But his straightforwardness hadn’t made the atmosphere awkward in the slightest.
Lowering her gaze, Jian Xi decided it was necessary to clarify. “I’m sorry, but I’m not considering any romantic relationships right now.”
“No problem,” He Ran replied casually. “Whether you agree or not doesn’t change anything. You live your life, I’ll pursue mine. If you like it, great; if you don’t—still great.”
With that, He Ran grabbed his coat with one hand, the bruise on his right arm clearly visible as he pushed open the car door. “Go back to your colleagues. Since you drove here, no drinking.”
Without looking back, his figure disappeared into the distance.
Only then did Jian Xi snap out of her daze. She stared at the first aid kit, then glanced outside the window, replaying He Ran’s words in her mind. The weight in her chest hadn’t yet lifted.
________________________________________
When she finally returned to the private room, the intern nurse immediately cornered her. “Dr. Jian, where were you all night? You’ve been so busy!”
Jian Xi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling. “Not really, just took a few calls. Looks like you noticed everything.”
“Come on, Xiao Jian, sing us a song! Our department’s golden microphone!” the slightly tipsy director called out.
Jian Xi readily agreed. “Alright, give me thirty seconds to prepare.”
The intern nurse tilted her head, confused. “Prepare what?”
“Cover your ears tightly!” Jian Xi teased playfully.
The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter. By the time they dispersed, it was nearly eleven o’clock. Jian Xi was one of the few who remained sober. After helping her colleagues into their cars, she was the last to leave.
Finally, the chaos of the evening came to an end. Jian Xi yawned, covering her mouth, but her eyes suddenly widened in shock.
It was as if she’d seen a ghost. “You… you’re still here?!”
Next to her white Audi stood a black motorcycle, powerful and wild. He Ran leaned against the wall, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips. Glancing at her, he said nonchalantly, “I’m leaving.”
True to his word, he swiftly mounted the motorcycle, revved the engine, and sped off toward the exit, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Jian Xi sat in the driver’s seat, wondering if it had all been a hallucination. “I didn’t drink, did I?” she muttered to herself before turning the steering wheel and backing out.
As she drove up the slope at the parking lot exit, she picked up speed. The roads were much quieter at this hour. With half the window rolled down for ventilation, she glanced in the rearview mirror while preparing to turn—and almost slammed on the brakes!
Behind her, the black motorcycle weaved through traffic like a shadow, always maintaining a visible distance from Jian Xi’s car.
It was He Ran!
When Jian Xi slowed down, the motorcycle behind her mirrored her pace. When she sped up, it followed suit.
Only then did she realize—he was escorting her home.
Her phone on the dashboard lit up with a new message:
[Keep your eyes on the road, don’t look at me.]
Jian Xi was momentarily speechless, but her palms grew clammy.
Even late at night, the central roads were still busy. He Ran handled the throttle with practiced ease, slowing down at red lights and propping himself up on his long legs. Through his helmet, he watched the white car ahead.
The corners of his lips curled upward. Ever since sending that text, Jian Xi’s speed had noticeably decreased.
________________________________________
After seeing her safely to the entrance of Champs-Élysées Apartments, He Ran silently slipped away into a side street.
By the time he got home, it was past midnight. His grandmother, wrapped in a floral quilted jacket, was sitting on her bed knitting. Hearing the door creak, she hurriedly got up. “Oh my goodness, the little rascal is coming home later and later these days.”
He Ran’s face bore bruises, so to avoid a barrage of questions, he quickly entered his bedroom and shut the door. “I’m taking a shower.”
Even through the closed door, Grandma’s nagging remained relentless.
He Ran stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower. Moments later, as he emerged, his phone began ringing incessantly.
He answered. “Lao Yao.”
Lao Yao wasn’t old at all—just a couple of years younger than He Ran—but he was sharp-witted and well-connected. Many of He Ran’s debt collection jobs came through Lao Yao’s referrals.
“Boss Ran, this job will be easy. The debtor is a small cement factory owner who owes our client 150,000 yuan and hasn’t paid up. He has a house and a car, so he can definitely afford it. A little scare should do the trick. Are you free to take it?”
“I’ll take it,” He Ran replied. His right hand was occupied pulling up his underwear, so he instructed, “Send me the details via text.”
“Got it. But Boss Ran, the creditor is in a hurry. They only gave us three to five days.”
“Understood,” He Ran said.
After finishing the call, He Ran pulled up his underwear and slipped on a T-shirt before flopping onto the bed. He opened his phone and dialed Lin Jia again.
“Boss Ran,” Lin Jia’s voice trembled with apprehension.
“Home already? Have you sorted yourself out?” He Ran’s tone turned stern when he spoke seriously.
Lin Jia murmured, “Yes, Boss. I’m sorry.”
“As long as you feel guilty toward your mother and wife, that’s fine.” He Ran bit down on a cigarette. “Now, answer me one more question.”
“Sure, Boss. What is it?”
“What gift did you buy your wife last time—the one that made her cry?”
Lin Jia tried to defend himself weakly. “She wasn’t scared… she cried because she was moved. I bought her a crystal necklace.”
He Ran straightened his back, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “Women like this kind of thing?”
“They love it,” Lin Jia said confidently. “But make sure it’s imported from Hong Kong—it’s more expensive, so they like it even more. Why are you asking, Boss?”
He Ran cleared his throat. “I’m planning to get something for my grandmother.”
________________________________________
The weather forecast predicted a week of sunny skies. Though it was deep autumn, the sky had already brightened by six o’clock.
The minivan had just left Yati Road when Old Zhao began to wonder aloud, “My wife and child are going for a follow-up checkup. Why are you tagging along?”
The man driving tapped the steering wheel lightly. “Do you want a free chauffeur or not?”
“It’s less than half an hour to the First Municipal Hospital. Besides, I’ve been driving longer than you,” Old Zhao complained.
“Shut up! You talk too much!” From the backseat, Old Zhao’s wife flicked his forehead while cradling their baby. “What’s wrong with you? Do you really think he enjoys being your driver?”
After scolding him, Old Zhao’s wife softened her tone and asked He Ran with a smile, “I wonder if Dr. Jian is working today?”
“She is,” He Ran replied.
“How do you know?” Old Zhao asked.
“Just a guess.”
________________________________________
Jian Xi was indeed on duty in the outpatient clinic today.
Through the half-open door of the consultation room, He Ran caught a glimpse of Jian Xi in her white coat, speaking with a patient.
Her face carried a constant smile—perhaps a professional habit—but He Ran found it oddly restorative.
Gentle, serene, composed.
The nurse called out, “Number 9.”
Old Zhao and his wife handed over their medical records. After verifying the information, the nurse gestured toward the room. “Please go in.”
The door opened fully, and Jian Xi, who had been sipping water during a brief lull, looked up and froze momentarily.
He Ran, hands casually tucked into his pockets, stood at the back, watching her.
“Dr. Jian, sorry to bother you again,” Old Zhao’s wife said cheerfully, cradling her baby as she sat down opposite Jian Xi.
“This isn’t a bother. You waited in line just like everyone else. It’s been 42 days postpartum, right?”
Jian Xi quickly got to work, asking a few questions before handing back the medical card. “Please queue up next. There’s a long wait for the examination downstairs.”
Old Zhao and his wife left with their baby.
Jian Xi looked at He Ran, who hadn’t moved from his spot by the door. His voice was light. “Don’t kick me out—I’m just their chauffeur.”
Right. Like he was trying to hide anything. His gaze was direct, fixed entirely on her.
Jian Xi sighed. “Wait outside. All the patients here are pregnant women. Having a man standing around isn’t convenient.”
He Ran nodded. “Fine. Go about your work—I won’t disturb you.” With that, he stepped back outside.
The air in the office seemed to lighten instantly. Jian Xi felt a wave of relief wash over her. Before she could dwell on it, the next patient knocked on the door.
The ultrasound room had appointments booked until after four in the afternoon, so Old Zhao and his family decided to take the baby home and return later. He Ran didn’t leave with them. Instead, he stood in the hospital corridor, waiting for two hours.
When Jian Xi emerged from her office, she didn’t expect to see He Ran still there. “Why are you…”
“Two hours and twenty minutes,” He Ran interrupted, glancing at his phone. “You haven’t used the restroom this whole time? Holding it in for too long isn’t good for your health.”
Jian Xi: “….”
He Ran chuckled, stepping aside. “Go to the restroom first. We’ll talk afterward.”
Jian Xi took a deep breath, looking at him. “He Ran, wasn’t I clear enough last night? Right now…”
“You were very clear,” He Ran said calmly. “But whether you like it or not is your business. Whether I pursue you is mine.”
Jian Xi found his words frustratingly reasonable. Her usual smooth rejections felt like they were hitting a solid steel wall whenever directed at He Ran.
When she emerged from the restroom, He Ran was standing farther away by the window, biting on an unlit cigarette.
Watching him walk closer, Jian Xi’s heart raced.
What should she say? How should she say it? Should she be more direct?
Before she could gather her thoughts, something cool was pressed into her hand by He Ran.
“It’s a prize from a lottery draw. Take it and play with it,” he said casually.
Jian Xi looked down. It was a small square box. Instinctively, she tried to refuse, but He Ran took a large step back, his hands shoved into his pockets, clearly indicating no returns.
“Take it,” He Ran said firmly. “What’s with all the hesitation?”
Jian Xi: “….”
A hint of smug satisfaction played at the corners of He Ran’s brows. “Dr. Jian, this is imported from Hong Kong.”
Jian Xi: “….”
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