Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
During dinner, Joy sat beside Shu Pan, chattering away like a little sparrow.
âMom, try the fish. Itâs so delicious! Grandpa caught it from the pond. Look, eating this fish made me grow so tall!â Joy said, gesturing with her hand while speaking.
âWow, really? Youâve grown so much taller! Thatâs amazing!â Shu Pan exaggeratedly agreed, and Joy giggled in response.
âJoy is such a good child. After dinner, you can go play with your dolls,â Lu Lifen patted Joyâs head.
Shu Pan knew that Auntie Lu probably had something to discuss, so she diverted Joyâs attention.
âAlright, Mom, eat quickly, and then you can play with me later,â Joy pleaded.
âOkay, Iâll play with you after I finish my meal,â Shu Pan promised.
As Joy moved away, Lu Lifen looked at Shu Pan with a serious expression and said, âPanpan, youâve been divorced for almost four years now, and youâre approaching your thirties. You should start thinking about your own life. Tell me, how do you feel about Dr. Wen, who visited our house last time? Do you think heâs interested in you?â
âAuntie Lu, youâre overthinking it. Dr. Wen is just a friend. Besides, I have Joy to take care of, and we need to think about our next meal. I donât think itâs necessary to pursue a relationship right now. Love is also a matter of fate,â Shu Pan replied sincerely.
âAh, my dear, why do you make it so difficult for yourself? Itâs all because of your father.â Shu Laide said, feeling genuinely remorseful. He had always believed that Shu Panâs current situation was partly his fault, as Gu Shaoting had treated his daughter this way because of him.
âDad, youâre talking nonsense again. Itâs an issue between the two of us, and itâs not about anyone else,â Shu Pan hurriedly reassured him.
In recent years, her fatherâs health had declined, and he often felt down because of this matter.
After spending two days in Lotus Town, Shu Pan returned to Bin City and received a call from Dr. Wen. Over the past few years, Dr. Wen had visited Lotus Town twice and had become tamiliar With Shu Panâs tamily.
âShu Pan, where are you?â Dr. Wenâs voice came through the phone.
âI just returned from Lotus Town. Is there something you need?â Shu Pan asked as she entered her house with her belongings.
âWhy didnât you tell me you were going to Lotus Town? I could have driven you there. I havenât seen little Joy in a long time,â Dr. Wen scolded.
âIt was a last-minute decision. Iâll let you know next time,â Shu Pan replied dismissively. In truth, she wanted to maintain some distance from Dr. Wen. It was impossible, and she didnât want to hold him back.
âHow about having dinner together tonight? We havenât seen each other in a long time. Are you free?â Dr. Wen asked Shu Pan.
âI just got back, and Iâm a bit tired. If you donât mind, you can come to my place for dinner tonight. I happen to have brought back some fish that my dad caught,â Shu Pan said, not wanting to disappoint him.
âThatâs great! I donât mind at all. Iâm not picky. Iâll eat anything,â Dr. Wen happily exclaimed.
âOkay, then. Let me freshen up, and you can come over later.â
âSounds good. See you in a bit.â
After hanging up the phone, Dr. Wen prepared to buy two boxes of chocolates to bring to Shu Pan. He had heard from hospital nurses that chocolates were the most romantic gift to give to a loved one.
When Dr. Wen arrived, Shu Pan had already prepared a meal with three dishes and a soup. The braised fish, in particular, looked incredibly appetizing.
Dr. Wen sat at the dining table and, without caring about his appearance, began to eat with his chopsticks. Shu Pan shook her head and smiled.
Finally, Dr. Wen looked up and said, âShu Pan, anyone who marries you is incredibly lucky.â As he spoke, he cast a sideways glance at Shu Pan with his eyes..