It's true that things are different abroad compared to home, and the public order is not the same.
Shi Xinxin's martial arts skills, which she had diligently practiced over the years, were practically useless.
In the car, she gazed at the bustling streets, vibrant avenues, and rows of shops outside.
"Things in my country have changed so much. Just a few years ago, this was all a redevelopment zone. Back then, at the Su family's place, I never had the time to go out and explore."
Wearing sunglasses, her red lips alluring, her slender, fair fingers gripping the steering wheel, a smile played on her lips as she murmured, observing the prosperous scene.
"Life is unpredictable. In just a few short years, my circumstances have changed so drastically. Heaven truly enjoys playing jokes on me."
She had weathered so many storms; nothing could be more heartbreaking than the despair she had experienced before.
This is nothing, Shi Xinxin comforted herself in her mind.
Now that she was back, everything that needed to be settled would be settled by her own hands. What was owed to her would be reclaimed, and she would settle all her accounts with the Su family!
After years of suppression, she finally had the ability to fight back. It was time to settle scores with the past and embrace her future.
Shi Xinxin found the number from Sheng Chenjin's last call and dialed it.
Sheng Chenjin had a sudden and severe relapse last time. By all accounts, he shouldn't be able to see anything yet.
Even though he had undergone surgery and his vision had been restored, the root of the illness remained and would worsen with time.
The body's functions are interconnected. Once the nervous system is damaged, it could potentially spread to other parts of the body. With the accumulation of ailments, he would be brought down before long.
Typical treatments focus on symptom relief and don't dedicate much time to regulating other bodily functions.
Even though his eyes had been treated, the lack of attention to his overall health had burdened his other organs, and the illness continued to spread.
His entire body would never fully recover.
"Hello, Miss Shi."
The voice on the other end was low and devoid of emotion.
"Hello, Mr. Sheng. Do you have some time now?"
Shi Xinxin's tone was polite, maintaining a professional distance.
However, for Sheng Chenjin, who desired to get closer to Shi Xinxin, this distance felt a bit too estranged.
Coupled with their existing relationship as patient and doctor, it was even less likely that he would be content with interacting in this manner.
"Miss Shi, there's no need to be so formal. Since we're already working together, there's no need to stick to the usual protocol. Let's be more casual."
Sheng Chenjin had braced himself for Shi Xinxin to refuse, but she had unexpectedly surprised him.
"Alright, send me your address."
Shi Xinxin had assumed the Sheng family was rigid and adhered to strict protocols. She hadn't expected Sheng Chenjin to be so casual.
She had previously thought this young master was quite particular about rules.
It turned out she had misunderstood. She had always believed that these large families in China, having endured the wash of history, would still retain a certain aristocratic demeanor. From Sheng Chenjin's attitude, this wasn't entirely the case.
Of course, this was good news for her.
"Miss Shi, what is this?"
Sheng Chenjin was momentarily taken aback.
"What do you think?"
Shi Xinxin retorted.
Sheng Chenjin seemed to grasp it immediately, recalling Shi Xinxin's agreement to treat him the previous day.
"My apologies, Miss Shi. I'll send it over right away."
"My assistant sent it."
Sheng Chenjin's attitude was polite; it was indeed his oversight to request Shi Xinxin to treat him and then forget the appointment.
"Miss Shi, I hope you don't misunderstand. I haven't forgotten our arrangement," Sheng Chenjin quickly explained, not wanting Shi Xinxin to think he didn't value her.
Shi Xinxin: ...
"Mr. Sheng, please don't misunderstand either. I'm not blaming you. I'm hanging up now."
"Miss Shi, could you..."
They spoke simultaneously.
Shi Xinxin acted decisively and hung up.
Hearing the dialing tone, Sheng Chenjin felt a sense of bewilderment.
How many years had it been since someone dared to hang up on his call? Aside from his parents and his grandfather.
After hanging up, Shi Xinxin realized Sheng Chenjin had also spoken just then.
She understood that she couldn't completely disregard the young master's feelings.
She called back.
"Hello, what were you saying earlier?"
Shi Xinxin was direct.
"I wanted to ask if Miss Shi has WeChat. For the sake of convenience, it would be best if we had some private means of contact. When tracking project progress, it's inevitable that we'll encounter quite a few tricky issues."
"I've just returned to the country, and I don't always use my private phone."
Admittedly, Sheng Chenjin's last sentence was a bit of a stretch.
"Even if I had one, could you add me now?"
Shi Xinxin was blunt. He probably still couldn't see right now.
"It seems not."
Sheng Chenjin felt a twinge of embarrassment.
He hadn't expected Shi Xinxin to be so direct and suddenly felt that trying to get close to her through this approach might be difficult.
"Let's talk about it when your eyes are better. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
Shi Xinxin hung up again, ending the call first.
Sheng Chenjin clutched his phone, his distinguished features marred by a hint of awkwardness.
It must be that he had lowered his stance too much initially, making this woman think he was easy to deal with!
Sheng Chenjin tried to comfort himself this way, as if the recent events were just an illusion.
He completely forgot that he was the one who had initially asked Shi Xinxin to be more casual.
Our Mr. Sheng, unaccustomed to being rebuffed, frowned, though he couldn't see, his furrowed brows betraying his thoughts.
Sheng Chenjin did nothing for now, only waiting for Shi Xinxin to be brought into the Sheng family's residence.
"President Sheng, Miss Shi has arrived."
Sheng Chenjin raised an eyebrow, but alas, he couldn't see.
A few soft footsteps sounded, and he could sense the thud of thick-soled shoes on the floor.
A faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils, followed by a sensation of warmth different from the surrounding air.
It was Shi Xinxin.
It was quiet around them. She hadn't brought those three children with her.
"Mr. Sheng."
Sheng Chenjin frowned. Hadn't she let down her guard just now? Why was she still so distant upon meeting him?
Sheng Chenjin furrowed his brow.
"I need a relatively quiet environment. I sent the necessary preparations to your assistant earlier; have they all been made?"
Shi Xinxin's words were strictly business. When she saw Sheng Chenjin's assistant nod at her, she was satisfied and took out her medical kit.
The box looked quite weathered.
"Prepare it."
Shi Xinxin turned her gaze to Sheng Chenjin's assistant, who nodded and had everyone else in the room cleared out, closing the door behind them.
Shi Xinxin looked at Sheng Chenjin curiously. Had he arranged this?
She had only asked for a quiet environment, not one devoid of anyone else.
Now, in this vast room, there were only the two of them, their breaths audible.
"Don't you find this a bit strange?"
Shi Xinxin couldn't help but ask.