One thump after another, erratic, tugging at his heart in tandem.
They were too close; a fresh, clean fragrance had nowhere to escape, burrowing straight into his nose.
Lu Jin’an instinctively stepped back. Only when the scent and whisper faded did he realize she was giving him a heads-up—afraid he might get startled?
Instead, he reassured her. “It’s fine. I’ll be there.”
Gu Nianyi smiled faintly. “I’m not scared.”
“You can be.” Lu Jin’an picked up the space capsule and changed the subject. “Is Nian Gao a stray?”
Gu Nianyi shook her head. “Not really. She belonged to a couple who lived next door to me before. They broke up and caused a huge scene, so no one was left to feed Nian Gao. I spotted her after work and brought her home.”
Just like a little kid whose parents had divorced, turning into a hot potato no one wanted.
Lu Jin’an picked up the bag from the table, his expression perfectly composed. “She’s very lucky to have met you.”
Both his hands were full now, while hers felt inexplicably empty.
Gu Nianyi took a quick jog step to catch up with his stride. “Any plans for the Mid-Autumn Festival with Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma? I’d like to get things ready in advance.”
Lu Jin’an pondered for a couple of seconds. “Probably just dinner. I’ll check with Mom later. Want to head back to your hometown?”
In past years, he’d pulled duty at the hospital and rushed home midday for a quick meal.
Gu Nianyi waved her hand. “No need for that—just a phone call will do. I’ll ship the gifts.”
They were mainly for Grandpa and Grandma anyway. Mom and Dad wouldn’t even remember her.
Their conversation flowed more easily along the way now, back-and-forth instead of just silence.
They soon arrived at the pet hospital.
Shang Jinxuan greeted Gu Nianyi. “Yi Yi, you’re here. Dr. Liang will be right out.”
Her attention snagged on the man standing beside Gu Nianyi—a stranger with refined features and an air of refined elegance. He wore a impeccably tailored white shirt that accentuated his extraordinary presence.
“Who’s this gentleman?” She directed the question at Gu Nianyi but couldn’t stop stealing glances at Lu Jin’an.
As Gu Nianyi hesitated over her answer, Lu Jin’an spoke up first to introduce himself. “I’m Yi Yi’s husband.”
Last time it had been “I’m her husband.” When had he picked up such an intimate pet name?
“Yi Yi, you’re married?” Shang Rumei’s eyes bounced between the two of them. Their matching white shirts made them look perfectly paired.
No surprise there—Yi Yi was beautiful with a great personality. Plenty of guys must have chased her.
Shen Yanzhi approached from the far end of the room. Spotting Gu Nianyi, he hurried over with an enthusiastic greeting. “Nianyi, you made it.”
“Dr. Shen’s working today too?” Gu Nianyi had never known a shareholder to clock in every single weekend.
She could read his real intentions plain as day.
Shen Yanzhi scanned the area around her for someone else, but aside from Lu Jin’an, there was no one.
Disappointment crashed over him. “Yeah, I’m pitching in today.”
The moment he’d said “Nianyi,” Lu Jin’an’s brows had furrowed ever so slightly—barely noticeable, leaving him looking just as usual.
Gu Nianyi tilted her head, pretending it was offhand. “He’s into Ming Yue.”
Lu Jin’an pulled out his phone, snapped a shot of Shen Yanzhi’s retreating back, and fired it off to Xie Yunting. 【Your love rival. Not bad.】
Teasing among brothers was par for the course.
Xie Yunting was too busy to reply just then.
Yan Siyuan had brought his girlfriend in to treat their dog. As they emerged, he caught sight of Lu Jin’an at the front desk. Coming face-to-face, he mustered his nerve and called out, “Senior Brother.”
He flicked a glance at the woman beside him, figuring she must be Lu Jin’an’s wife. What to call her? Senior Sister? No—Sister-in-Law? That didn’t fit either.
After racking his brain, he blurted, “Hello, Sister-in-Law.”
Gu Nianyi gave a small smile. “Hello.” She felt flustered too, running into a stranger like this.
Lu Jin’an’s voice was grave. “Perfect timing. Let’s go over the revisions.”
The young man before him stood bolt upright, his face a mask of impending doom. Gu Nianyi clapped a hand over her mouth and leaned toward Lu Jin’an. “Dr. Lu, this isn’t Municipal Hospital. It’s rest time—no work talk.”
At her words, Lu Jin’an’s tone warmed noticeably. “We’ll handle it tomorrow at work. Get some proper rest.”
“Senior Brother, Sister-in-Law, I’ll head back and revise the report.” Yan Siyuan bolted like a man escaping disaster, but not before dropping some gossip in the group chat.
【Live long enough, you see it all—Dr. Lu at a pet hospital.】
【Once-in-a-century rarity: Dr. Lu escorting his wife to the pet hospital.】
【Major scoop: Dr. Lu wouldn’t let Sister-in-Law carry a thing, but he’s hounding me to fix my report. What fresh hell is this?】
The messages exploded the group, dragging all the lurkers to the surface. They stared at the attached photos: Lu Jin’an cradling a cat—he was holding a cat!
Was this really Lu Jin’an? A total stranger in his place.
They all remembered the stray cats that wandered into the hospital now and then. Dr. Lu always gave them a wide berth—not because they were dirty, but because he despised anything that shed fur.
Even in winter, he steered clear of colleagues in wool sweaters.
So what was he up to today?
Cuddling a cat. A shedding calico cat, no less!
No wonder Dr. Zhou had been muttering “terrifying” lately. It really was.
Registration wrapped up, preliminary exam clear—no issues. Dr. Liang administered anesthesia to Nian Gao.
Through the glass, before the scalpel even touched down, Gu Nianyi imagined what was coming and turned away, unable to watch.
Lu Jin’an patted her shoulder, his voice a soft reassurance. “I’ll go in after it’s over. She’ll just blame me when she wakes up from surgery.”
Gu Nianyi pressed her forehead to the glass. “No, let’s go together. She’ll feel better seeing me when she wakes.”
The hospital let you watch the procedures. Once Dr. Liang made the first incision, Gu Nianyi fixed her gaze on the operating table.
All at once, a broad palm descended over her eyes, blotting out her view entirely.
“Don’t look,” he murmured. “I’ll let you know when it’s done.”
Lu Jin’an’s warm palm blanketed most of her face, right up to the bridge of her nose. She held her breath lighter, not wanting to disturb the hand so close.
Her focus sharpened on it—long fingers, palm lines etching into her vision: the love line, career line, life line. She had no idea what they meant.
Twenty endless minutes later, the surgery ended.
“All done.”
Nian Gao lay on the table amid traces of blood. Her eyes blinked open wide, searching, trying to rise but too weak. Gu Nianyi whipped her head away, her nose prickling sourly.
She commanded herself not to cry. Nian Gao was still watching her.
Lu Jin’an clasped her shoulders and turned her fully away. “If you want to cry, cry. Adults have the right to tears.”
He offered her a pack of tissues, already opened.
Just like he had in the car.
Gu Nianyi plucked one out and dabbed her eye corners. In that single minute, Lu Jin’an had already slipped into the operating room.
He stooped to soothe Nian Gao. “Nian Gao, Mom’s tied up for a bit. She’ll be right here.”
His head pat was clumsy, but his tone managed a rare gentleness.
Seeing a familiar face after surgery brought comfort. Nian Gao let out a feeble mew. Gu Nianyi covered her face with her palm, then dropped it in mock surprise. “Nian Gao baby, Mom’s here!”
The nurse watched from nearby, the scene warm and touching. Raising a kitten like a daughter had to bring so much joy.
Nian Gao would stay at the pet hospital another day for observation.
By the next day, the ordeal was forgotten. She’d regained some pep, holding no grudges.
She even grew clingier with Lu Jin’an—the first face she’d seen on waking.
For the entire week, Lu Jin’an handled her post-op care: applying ointment, doling out meds, all with meticulous professionalism.
A natural with both people and cats.
Gu Nianyi watched the man carefully feeding Nian Gao her medicine. She recalled their early marriage days, when she’d broached bringing the cat over. He’d shot it down without mercy. “No.”
Zero hesitation, utterly heartless.
Now he was the one invested in Nian Gao’s well-being, tending to her days. “Dr. Lu, thank you for looking after Nian Gao.”
Nian Gao perked at her name and rolled playfully on the floor.
Lu Jin’an inspected the wound—stitches out in a few days. He gave the cat’s head a pat. “She’s an important part of our family.”
Our family. Yes.
With their schedules usually apart, Nian Gao had drawn them closer.
Every Monday, Lu Jin’an ate at the cafeteria. Some colleagues were feeding strays, on the verge of pouring pure milk. He spoke up. “Cats can’t have pure milk. Most are lactose intolerant.”
“Got it, thanks, Dr. Lu.”
“Tsk tsk tsk.” Zhou Ziyu ribbed him. “Well, well, Dr. Lu. Quite the expert, huh?”
Married men were different—more human, wiser in the ways of the world.
He pressed further. “How’s married life treating you?”
Lu Jin’an shot him a look. “Not bad. You ought to give it a shot.”
Zhou Ziyu: “…”
Pushing marriage was low!
Mid-Autumn was nearly upon them, and shift scheduling had everyone tearing their hair out. A nurse stopped by the office to poll the doctors. “Dr. Lu, time for Mid-Autumn shifts. Same as always—no preference?”
“Yeah.” Lu Jin’an paused, then amended. “Put me on the first day. I’ll take the next two off.”
Zhou Ziyu’s curiosity piqued. “What’s up? Got plans? Some event? Mind if I tag along?”
Something was off—he fired off three questions in a row.
Lu Jin’an didn’t look up, scribbling notes on Yan Siyuan’s report.
Unable to distinguish proper use of “de,” “di,” or “dei”;
This section would make a fine horror novel;
What is this? An alien whispering in your dreams?;
This data—you actually dared fabricate it?;
“Special basic patient”? I know every word, but strung together, my cerebellum’s shrinking;
Illegible scrawl about “half a lifetime”—does that mean I’m half in the grave?;
Where’s the conclusion? Holding out for me to write it?
Notes finished, Lu Jin’an answered Zhou Ziyu at his leisure.
“Accompanying my wife.”
What was he doing?
Accompanying his wife!