It's hard to quit, but it's the perfect marriage!

Zhou Yinghuai never received an answer.

Zhu Xi, who was waiting in the fire escape, was called away by Director Hao's phone call.

The video call was abruptly disconnected.

Zhou Yinghuai's smile, which started with eager anticipation, eventually turned into a stiff smile, stuck on his face.

Zhu Xi grabbed her phone and rushed to Director Hao's office, the tremor in her heart still not completely dissipated from the words Zhou Yinghuai had spoken.

The water plants in my heart are like the golden-red sunrise that suddenly bursts into flames in the morning; they struggle to restrain themselves, yet remain lush and abundant.

Her face looked like she'd eaten an extremely spicy hot pot.

Half of it turned red and it urgently needed ice to cool down.

Director Hao glanced at her indifferently, then casually took a lollipop from his drawer and tossed it to her.

The ball soared high into the air, landing precisely in her flustered hand.

"T-Teacher," Zhu Xi stammered, twirling the handle of her lollipop, "you were looking for me."

Director Hao sat down, picked up his teacup, but before bringing it to his lips, he glared at her. "Did you call me here for no reason?"

Zhu Xi shook her head.

"Really not?"

Zhu Xi shook her head again.

Director Hao took a sip of tea. "Then you can get out."

Zhu Xi was completely bewildered. Before she even reached the door, she suddenly remembered something.

"No, old man, I have something to do."

The water plants calmed down for the time being. She put the lollipop in her mouth and plopped down in the chair opposite Director Hao.

He leaned forward, a fawning smile on his face, and said, "It's big news!"

Director Hao didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "Get out!"

Zhu Xi was already used to this kind of serious teacher with whom she had a love-hate relationship; the more Director Hao acted this way, the simpler things became.

"I need to ask for leave."

Director Hao lowered his head and ignored him, saying, "You are the chief resident."

"I know," Zhu Xi said coquettishly, "but you're here for me."

Director Hao slammed his teacup down. "Am I here to clean up your mess?"

Zhu Xi was very perceptive. She twirled the lollipop in her mouth, picked up Director Hao's teacup, and filled it to about seven-tenths full.

He placed it respectfully next to Director Hao, saying, "Teacher, my brother is back."

Director Hao scoffed, "Oh, do you need me to lead the welcome?"

Zhu Xi was speechless. "I've only been back for a few days, and he's my only brother."

"Don't you still have a husband?" Director Hao picked up his teacup again. "Let your husband go."

Zhu Xi's face immediately turned sour; her three tricks had exhausted all their options in front of Director Hao.

The old man was clearly unmoved by either soft or hard tactics.

She smiled and remained silent for a long time.

Director Hao remained unmoved. "Get ready for surgery!"

Zhu Xi tucked her tail between her legs and said, "Oh."

-

Today's surgery is putting a lot of pressure on Zhu Xi.

It might also be related to congratulating him on his return, and not wanting to disappoint him.

Her hands were trembling uncontrollably as she washed them.

Compared to Director Hao, who was calm and chatting with the proctologist next to him, Zhu Xi was practically a rookie throwing a bomb for the first time.

The proctologist joked, "Director Hao, a newly admitted intern?"

Zhu Xi, the person who was doing the "brushing" (referring to online scams): "..."

A seven-hour surgery.

The task is arduous.

This surgery was very important for Zhu Xi, as it marked the beginning of the next stage in her medical career, and she had reached a new level.

Director Hao was right across from me, though his tone was still unpleasant.

But as long as Zhu Xi could see Director Hao, her tension would ease.

Even before going on stage, Director Hao disdainfully mocked her in front of everyone in the operating room.

"Let me introduce my beloved student to everyone."

"If I make a fool of myself today, please don't tell anyone. It's okay if the students lose face, but if I lose face too, I'll be left with nothing but my underwear."

The circulating nurses and anesthesiologists were trying not to laugh, and Zhu Xi, dressed in surgical scrubs and gloves, moved more slowly.

Her face was incredibly embarrassed, but thankfully she had a mask on, so she managed to maintain a calm demeanor.

Anesthesiologist, who was two years younger than Zhu Xi, replied after hearing this.

"Director Hao, when you came back to the school to give a lecture last time, you specifically praised the senior student." Anesthesia chuckled, "I still remember your exact words."

Director Hao was all ready to go, and he clenched his hands in the air. "You must have been dreaming back then. It didn't happen."

Anesthesia followed suit, with a commotion: "Really? My senior sister Zhu Xi in my dream was so gentle."

As he spoke, he chatted with the nurses, "President Zhu was a beauty in medical school back then, but unfortunately, she's already taken."

The scrub nurse laughed and said, "Not only that! When Dr. Zhu first came to the hospital, which of our hospital leaders, who has sons or nephews, didn't think about having her as their daughter-in-law?"

Zhu Xi stepped onto the stage, looked around, and decided to go all out.

Anyway, nobody treats her like a human being right now.

But she felt a warm glow inside, because these people, though seemingly making a fuss, were actually relieving her stress.

The surgery was lengthy, and after opening the skull, it was discovered that the tumor was in a worse location than expected.

"Teacher, the seat isn't very good."

Director Hao stared at the equipment. "Hmm, I've got it. I'll enter from here first. Could you help me..."

The plan is finalized.

Director Hao saw right through her. "If you want Zhu He to see this, keep your hands steady."

"If you can't do it, get out of here!"

Zhu Xi took a few deep breaths, her gaze resolute, and said, "I can do it."

When Zhu Xi stepped down from the stage, her legs were numb.

Director Hao was the chief surgeon, and the two of them were taking off their surgical gowns back to back.

"Once the anesthesia wears off, take the patient to the ICU," Director Hao ordered, noticing her pale face. "Your teacher's wife made you some soup; eat it when you get back from the ICU."

Zhu Xi stood respectfully at the door of the operating room, opening the door to let her teacher go first.

He followed like a lackey, "Old man, when did your teacher's wife deliver this?"

"When you're on the phone with your husband in the morning."

"Oh, you heard that?"

Director Hao tapped her forehead, "What's so great about that kid?"

"He's handsome."

"Can being handsome put food on the table?"

"Sure, I can even cook."

"Lust can cloud judgment!" Director Hao pinched her ear. "Bring Zhuhe to my house for dinner tonight."

Zhu Xi pretended to be in pain, groaning louder as she encountered doctors from other departments along the way.

A passing doctor joked, "Director Hao, hitting your daughter again!"

Director Hao: "Hmm, a troublesome daughter is better off without!"

The two left the operating room, talking as they walked.

Zhu Xi chuckled, "I can't go tonight."

"What? Go find your rich husband?"

Zhu Xi shrugged. "No. It's just the two of us tonight, my brother and me. We don't want any outsiders to bother us."

The moment the outsider's name was uttered, Zhu Xi saw Zhou Yinghuai, tall and quietly waiting at the door.

He heard it clearly.