Fu Qingxuan had heard that only the dead would appear in dreams. Since he never dreamed of his father for the past decade, Fu Qingxuan convinced himself that Dad was alive and well somewhere in the world.
Yet, why did he have to appear today after a ten-year-long absence?
Fu Qingxuan’s mind flashed back to the vague figure through the car window yesterday. He shook his head in an attempt to shake off the fleeting and odd thought.
…
Shen Xi initially came to check out the situation. It never crossed her mind that Madam Fu was in a critical condition. Hence, she had to stay for a week.
Madam Fu regained consciousness by the next morning.
Shen Xi was putting away the needles after the acupuncture therapy when she noticed the conscious lady resting against the headboard. She gave a nod before getting up to leave.
Mama Fu watched the young man take off with probing and disappointed eyes.
This child was around the age of Xuan but had walls built around him. She had tried to talk to him and only received one answer out of ten questions.
Mama Fu had no idea what the child went through in his childhood to be raised into such an aloof and stifling character. Her heart went out to him.
Now that Mama Fu was awake, the Fu family could finally relax.
Fu Qingli always adopted a stiff upper lip towards anyone. No expression could be read from his face and more so when he fronted Shen Xi. He gazed at her and said, “Thank you, Dr. Jiu Zhou.”
Shen Xi nodded in response, and without a word, she was ready to leave.
Least said, soonest mended. Besides Fu Qingli who had already recognized her, Fu Qingye would be quick to catch on if she were to engage too much.
Fu Qingye solemnly gazed at her and expressed his gratitude. “Thank you.”
Shen Xi nodded to return the courtesy.
Fu Qingxuan was the most worked up. With excitement and gratitude bringing his true nature to the open, he looked at the doctor in anticipation. “Dr. Jiu Zhou, I wish to pick your brains on many medical questions. Can I trouble you to stay for a chat?”
Shen Xi merely replied, “Sorry.”
Fu Qingxuan did not deter despite being turned down. As she was leaving, he caught up to her. “I guess you must know my name. We, who are into medicine, should communicate more and share our ideas to bring our skills to greater heights. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take you to our lab for a look around.”
Shen Xi kept to herself. She had always known Fu Qingxuan to be a chatterbox but never to the extreme like having a bee buzzing in her ears.
Fu Qingxuan insisted. “You can’t just remain behind closed doors. We have a medical forum in the lab this afternoon with many famous medical experts attending. Since I live there, I can pick you up before the event.”
Shen Xi wished nothing more than to hit him with a brick for him to pipe down. She coldly declined, “No need.”
Unfazed, Fu Qingxuan continued. “Why? Don’t you want to pursue greater medical achievements?”
He had never faced a flat-out refusal. Fu Qingxuan had always been the one to turn people down, but since Dr. Jiu Zhou was the first person he ever admired, he would rather get all over his face for a chance of an exchange.
Shen Xi blurted, “No.”
Fu Qingxuan had further persuasion in mind. Alas, he was interrupted.
Fu Qingli gazed at him and articulated, “Xuan, don’t bother Dr. Jiu Zhou.”
Could he not tell that Dr. Jiu Zhou wanted nothing to do with him?
Fu Qingli finally understood Shen Xi’s claim about Xuan’s constant bugging coming out of nowhere.
Nevertheless, this was the first time he witnessed Xuan’s interest in a person so much so he could chat for days on end.
Fu Qingxuan intended to refute but was met with a cold threatening look from Fu Qingli, forcing him to put his multiple thoughts and blueprint on hold for now. However, he could not hold himself back when Shen Xi was halfway out the door. “I’ll see Dr. Jiu Zhou off.”
Fu Qingli was one step ahead as he grabbed Fu Qingxuan by the wrist to pull him back.
Fu Qingye never left his seat. He was observing, watching Shen Xi, Fu Qingli, Fu Qingxuan, and their every reaction.
In the end, he could be certain that Qingli knew Dr. Jiu Zhou and vice versa. The doctor appeared to have avoided eye contact with Qingli.
Upset, Fu Qingxuan mumbled in protest.
Fu Qingli’s eyes grew profound as he watched Shen Xi’s receding figure.
For the first time, he verified that Shen Xi was speaking the truth about enrolling in a medical school. In fact, she was capable of thriving in the industry without receiving a formal education.
Moreover, with those skills of hers, there was no telling who would be doing the teaching if she were to enroll in a medical school. Who had better capabilities as a doctor than herself?
Fu Qingli acknowledged her expertise but remained steadfast in his stance to disallow engagement between her and his family. Hesitation was never a good color on him.
The next two days.
Shen Xi would visit Fu’s residence in the morning and night to prepare medicine and carry out acupuncture therapy on Mama Fu. She kept talks to a minimum, exercising silence was golden.
Mama Fu was getting better by the day but never had the chance to know her doctor.
Fu Qingxuan was blown away by Shen Xi’s medical skills. Still, he was given the cold shoulder for seeking guidance, but that did not stop him from chatting and inviting her to the lab every day.
At the same time, he began eagerly flipping through medical books about Chinese medicine. He brought every book, both read or unread, to his study and studied day and night.
Fu Qingye, on the other hand, spotted the growing familiarity in Shen Xi’s minute expressions and behavior during her visitations. Leaving no stones unturned with his observation, he was getting close to the answer.
He was a cautious person and would never act on impulse based on assumption and suspicion until he was sure.
Fu Qingye made a detailed record of Dr. Jiu Zhou’s appearance in China and contact with anyone.
Dr. Jiu Zhou was overly cautious to leave behind any loose ends or clues, which left him suspecting something was amiss. Yet, he could not be certain.
It came to the third morning that Shen Xi was due to visit again.
Fu Qingye waited behind the property’s bushes on the right. The morning dew soaked his hair and clothes.
As 7 o’clock rolled in, a black Maybach stopped in front of the gate on time.
The moment the car door was opened, he had a clear look at the man sitting in the car. The door was shut in a flash, but this time, he could be sure of it.
