They got out of the car, and Tang Su's cell phone began to vibrate again.
There were incoming calls and newly received WeChat messages.
The WeChat messages were from Sun Qing, several of them, but Tang Su wasn't in a hurry to check and instead answered the call first, which was from her father, Tang Shengyi.
"Doctor Lu, I need to take a call. If you're in a hurry, you can go upstairs first."
"It's okay, I'll wait for you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Tang Su turned away to answer the call, "Hello, Dad, what's up so late?"
"Tang Bao, you've been busy all day, haven't you? Are you tired?" Tang Shengyi was too excited to sleep at that moment.
He had been waiting for his daughter to call and share her joy. When the wait proved fruitless and he saw no photos of her and Ye Sichen flaunting their newly acquired marriage certificate on their social media, he decided to call himself.
At that moment, Mrs. Tang, Su Ruoan, was leaning against the headboard in the bedroom, pretending to read but actually listening to the father-daughter conversation.
They, as doctors, had to continuously read, learn, and take exams, which is why some say, persuading someone to study medicine is like summoning a thunderstrike.
Those who wish to study medicine must be able to endure hardship and loneliness.
Otherwise, they should never pursue it.
"I'm fine, not tired," Tang Su said.
"Good to hear. How was your day? Did Sichen take you out for a candlelit dinner?" Tang Shengyi asked more directly.
In reality, he just wanted to know whether they had gotten their marriage certificate. If they had, he planned to invite Sichen over for a meal the next day. As parents-in-law, they should cook for their son-in-law themselves.
His cooking might not compete with a five-star chef, but it was still edible.
"Dad, I'll come home after work tomorrow. I'll talk to you then, okay? I'm not home yet, and someone is waiting for me."
"Oh, go ahead then, make sure to get back early and rest. Be safe," he said.
After talking, Tang Shengyi hung up the phone.
Hearing what Tang Su said, her father felt ashamed for his impertinence. He thought by that time, their romantic evening should have ended – little did he know that the young couple's energy kept them going and it hadn't ended yet.
His untimely call was a regrettable intrusion.
"Tang Bao isn't home yet? It's so late; as a girl, she should know to come home early," Su Ruoan said, checking the time on her cellphone. It was almost ten o'clock.
Before she came of age, Su Ruoan insisted on a nine o'clock curfew. After Tang Su became an adult, her suggestion was it would be best if she could be home by ten.
Occasionally staying out past ten was no issue, but it shouldn't happen too often.
Early to bed and early to rise is good for health. Additionally, the night is fraught with safety risks. In a world where we can't foresee others' wrongdoings, we can control our actions to avoid becoming an easy target.
While Su Ruoan never insisted that Tang Su dress conservatively, during heart-to-hearts, she would tell her daughter that while everyone desires to look beautiful, it's not worth it to incur unnecessary harm for the sake of beauty.
She shared her opinions, but regarding Tang Su's choices, she didn't interfere.
"She's an adult now, and moreover, she's someone's wife. From now on, let Sichen look after Tang Bao."
"Did Tang Bao tell you they've received their certificate?" Su Ruoan was relatively calm.
Based on her daughter's personality, if she had obtained the certificate with Sichen that day, she likely would've shared it on social media. Hadn't she seen nothing of the sort in her posts?
"Anyway, Fengfeng mentioned that it was supposed to be today. I think your daughter is holding back to surprise us, the old folks. Maybe we're the only ones not in the loop about their social media updates?" Tang Shengyi laughed heartily.
Tang Su, like him, loved to smile.
"Hey, wife, you don't seem too happy. What's the matter, struggling to let go of our daughter getting married?"
"Did I say I was unhappy? Did I say I couldn't let go? Did she tell you on the phone that they'll be coming over for a meal tomorrow?" Su Ruoan glanced at him.
"Yes, she did; they will come over after work."
"Hmm, then I'll switch shifts with someone tomorrow, and you'll go to the morning market and buy more of what they both like to eat. I'll be at home in the afternoon to help out."
"Alright, wifey, you're the best."
"It's ten o'clock, turn off the lights and go to sleep."
"As you wish, my dear wife."
**
"Ding—"
The elevator doors opened slowly to each side.
Tang Su leaned against the elevator wall, still immersed in the phone call she had received from her dad, who wanted her to bring Ye Sichen home for dinner tomorrow.
When it was time for her to go home alone, how should she explain it to them?
A few hours ago, Ye Sichen had threatened her at the doorstep of the police station, saying she would regret it, and she felt then that the matter was not completely resolved.
Ye Sichen's confidence also stemmed from her family's fondness for him.
No matter, she would go home tomorrow and make it clear to her parents that she and Ye Sichen were over, and then, when time allowed, she would explain things to her older brother.
For their sake, Tang Su had compromised a lot over the past two years, working hard to get along with Ye Sichen.
She had entered the relationship with marriage as the goal.
Unfortunately, he didn't cherish it.
Lu Han, a gentleman, wanted to let Tang Su exit first, but after waiting a while, she remained lost in a daze.
He had to speak up to remind her, "We've arrived."
"Oh, thank you, Doctor Lu."
Snapping back to reality, Tang Su hurried out of the elevator, but because she had been daydreaming for too long, by the time she started walking forward, the elevator doors were already closing slowly...
"Be careful."
Lu Han called out again as a reminder.
Just as Tang Su looked up and felt she was about to hit the elevator doors, a hand reached from behind and pressed the open button again. With the new command, the doors opened to each side, and his hand...
remained on her waist, pulling her slightly towards his chest.
The distance between them, previously separated by another person's space, closed instantaneously, close enough for Tang Su to detect Lu Han's unique scent.
Besides the smell of the hospital's disinfectant, his body exuded a faint scent of pine, seemingly able to dissolve the irritations of the world around and purify the soul.
Tang Su felt her slightly agitated mood from her father's phone call was instantly cleansed by Lu Han.
"Let's go out."
His voice was deep as usual, yet at that moment, it was slightly hoarse.
Tang Su kept her head down, completely unaware that Lu Han's ears had turned red by the time he realized he was holding her waist like that.
The sensation in the palm of his hand was intense—the flesh on Tang Su's waist was incredibly soft.
He wondered what kind of job she did. With her refined demeanor, seductive figure, stunning beauty, soft waist, and long legs, could she be teaching dance?
"Mhmm," Tang Su responded softly.
Lu Han looked down at the much shorter Tang Su in front of him...
The tips of the young girl's ears were as red as his.
"Thank you, Doctor Lu."
After saying that, Tang Su hurried out of the elevator.