Chen Ke's eyes made a round, sizing up Gu Ran and Su Qing, the man handsome and enigmatic, the woman delicate and stunningly beautiful, very much like a couple.
"Rest for today, and tomorrow I'll take you to pick your career cards," Zhuang Jing said, "By the way, do you all have a place to stay?"
"I do," Chen Ke replied softly, "I have a college bestie who works in Haicheng, she's letting me share an apartment with her."
Gu Ran said, "I've got one too, I contacted the landlord before coming and found a good spot, also arranged to go see the place this afternoon."
"Mhm," Zhuang Jing nodded, her movements graceful, every action exuding charisma, "if you run into any trouble, the sanatorium can still provide a place for you."
As she spoke, she flashed a smile: "As long as you're willing to take night shifts."
Gu Ran and Chen Ke both laughed.
"All right, I've got other matters to attend to, you can go back now, come to Qing if you have any questions," Zhuang Jing said.
After Zhuang Jing left, the three of them added each other on WeChat, and Su Qing created a small group named [Jinghai 2nd Team].
Were the three in white coats from before Team 1? Three members per team? Gu Ran pondered in his heart, feeling it was like the police, something like a special-duty team, bomb squad standing by.
They occasionally did demolition work too, but what they 'blew up' were patients' Mind Worlds.
"Qing, is there anything you want us to do?" Chen Ke took the initiative to ask.
"Yes."
"Please tell, Qing."
"Dismissed." Su Qing walked off first, her legs indeed very long.
Chen Ke was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said to Gu Ran, "The director and Qing seem very easy to get along with."
"Yeah," Gu Ran said, with his true feelings inwardly clashing, not feeling that Su Qing was easy to get along with at all.
"To formally introduce myself, my name is Chen Ke, Chen as in 'vinegar', and Ke as in 'king' plus 'can'."
"Gu Ran..."
"Ran as in 'it stands to reason'?"
Gu Ran paused for a second: "'Ran' as in 'it stands to reason,' and 'Gu' as in 'purposefully.' "
"Sorry, it was subconscious," Chen Ke said with an apologetic smile, flipping her hair.
"No worries, I'm used to it. Besides, 'Gu' is from 'three visits to the thatched cottage,' not 'purposefully.' "
"Are you mocking me?" Chen Ke playfully pointed at him, laughing happily, "Indeed, psychologists do like to joke around."
"Just making the best of a bad situation," Gu Ran laughed too.
He began to like her, as people who laugh carry a special kind of charisma, and besides, Chen Ke herself was very good-looking, with a petite and slender figure.
The two were part of the same new hires group, in this unfamiliar city, people naturally seek a sense of belonging.
"Please give me your guidance in the future," Chen Ke extended her hand.
"Likewise," Gu Ran shook her hand.
The two left the office together, arriving at the first-floor lobby, the man who had been in the rest area quickly stood up, briskly walking towards them.
"Ake, you all set?" The man had delicate features and asked as he approached.
"Yeah," Chen Ke's smile deepened a bit, then she introduced him to Gu Ran, "Gu Ran, this is my boyfriend Qiao Yiming."
"Hello," Gu Ran greeted with a smile.
Chen Ke continued the introductions: "Yiming, this is my colleague Gu Ran, we're both part of the same batch of new hires."
Qiao Yiming said, "Ran as in 'it stands to reason'?"
Gu Ran offered a polite yet awkward smile.
"Haha~" Chen Ke laughed until she bent slightly at the waist, her waist very slim,
She continued, laughing, "It's 'Gu' from 'three visits to the thatched cottage,' and 'Ran' as in 'afterwards,' no, it's 'Ran' as in 'then,' hahaha!"
Qiao Yiming laughed and said, "Sorry, my girlfriend is easily amused."
"Just now when I was introducing myself, Chen Ke also said 'it stands to reason,' no wonder you two are a couple," Gu Ran said with a somewhat speechless admiration.
Actually, most people would say 'it stands to reason' upon hearing his name.
Luckily his name wasn't Gu Yi (meaning 'on purpose'), though it's likely not because his father didn't want to, it could be because Gu Ran's grandfather was named Gu Yi.
Upon hearing Gu Ran's words, Qiao Yiming was very pleased, obviously proud to have such a girlfriend as Chen Ke.
Once Chen Ke finished laughing, she said, "We should get going, Feifei is waiting for me."
"Sure, sure," Qiao Yiming doted in reply, turning to Gu Ran and saying, "Bro, see you next time."
They went ahead, while Gu Ran had to get his luggage, trailing behind a step, and the nurse at the front desk wanted to add him on WeChat, which also took some time.
Qiao Yiming and Chen Ke reached the parking lot.
Chen Ke buckled her seatbelt and began chatting on her phone, while Qiao Yiming started the car and set up the navigation.
As he entered the destination, he commented, "That guy is pretty handsome."
"He's okay."
"Wonder if he has a girlfriend."
The car slowly started up, leaving the parking space.
Suddenly, Qiao Yiming asked with a laugh, "Who are you texting so seriously?"
Chen Ke sighed out of fatigue and didn't respond, just handed her phone screen over to Qiao Yiming to see.
Qiao Yiming quickly glanced at it, saw the contact was 'Feifei' and chuckled, "You haven't eaten since lunch, are you planning on treating your bestie?"
"Even if she treats, it would only be me. Haicheng is expensive to live in, Feifei suggested sharing an apartment to cut down on rent, don't bring up her treating me to a meal," Chen Ke said with a slightly serious tone.
"I was just saying, as if we're short of that one meal? If anyone is treating, it should be me treating her, asking her to help take care of my delicate, capable, and endearing girlfriend," he said.
"Oh stop it," Chen Ke chuckled and continued her chat with Feifei.
The two were college best friends, and being young women, they naturally looked forward to their upcoming shared living space.
Moreover, she had finally made it into her dream job at Jinghai Psychological Sanatorium, becoming a student of Zhuang Jing, and arrived in the longed-for city of Haicheng, feeling completely renewed in spirit.
"Oh?" At that moment, Qiao Yiming suddenly honked the horn.
Chen Ke looked up, seeing Gu Ran in the fierce sun, pulling his luggage.
Qiao Yiming rolled down the window: "Buddy, where to? I'll give you a lift!"
"No need, thanks, the place I rented is nearby!" Gu Ran replied.
Qiao Yiming didn't insist, rolled up the window, and sped off with a press on the accelerator.