"Ruan Lang!" The reprimand came simultaneously from both parents.
Liu Zheng stood frozen, unable to utter a word.
Ruan Lang also felt that he had gone too far and said softly, "Sis, let it go, let the past be the past. I've already signed the contract. If you ask me to break it now, I'll have to pay a penalty. Given my brother-in-law's presence, President Zuo might not pursue it, but wouldn't that just cause more trouble for my brother-in-law?"
Liu Zheng's mind was in turmoil, memories of a long-ago conversation echoed in her ears: "Liuzheng, you want to continue your studies, right?"
"Yes."
"Go ahead, take this money, you can use it to get by until you find a job."
"No need."
"Liuzheng, money is indeed a vulgar thing, but this is the last thing I can do for you. It was I who caused you to interrupt your studies, let me make it up to you. Then I won't owe you anything anymore."
Liu Zheng remembered that at that moment, a tear had rolled down, burning her heart with searing pain.
Ruan Lang was unaware that after the divorce, she hadn't taken a single penny from him. These six years had been very hard for her.
Four years of marriage, to him, could be summed up in two words: a debt, a repayment. But for her, there was only one word: love.
She had truly loved. If she had taken his money, where would she have placed all the emotions she had wholeheartedly committed?
"Sis, I'm sorry." Ruan Lang reached out his hand and gently caressed her face. "Don't cry, sis."
Was she crying? Really? Or was it the her from six years ago who was crying?
Ruan Lang, eight years her junior, was a child born to their parents in their later years and had always been doted on. Naturally, he had grown up a bit reckless, causing trouble continuously from a young age. Later, as his mishaps grew more severe, when his parents thought to discipline him, the only method left was the severe one. But this method didn't solve the root problem, it only made Ruan Lang more cunningly don a cloak of obedience while continuing to wreak havoc unabated.
The next day, Ruan Lang left to return to the film set to chase his dreams. His words lingered, always echoing by her side: "Sis, let it go, let the past be the past."
Two weeks later, she formally received the notice to advance her studies at Beiya.
During the short walk from the elevator to the department office, her legs felt weak, and she was covered in goosebumps. With every step, she looked around; the sight of anyone in a white coat or green surgical scrubs made her heart skip a beat. She felt more like a thief than a visiting scholar...
Finally reaching the office, she quickly glanced inside but didn't spot anyone in particular, which slightly eased her mind. The slight ease was because she had been to this place countless times before—did the doctors and nurses still recognize her?
Taking a closer look, she suddenly felt a strong urge to dive into a ground seam! Several familiar faces! The fact that she could still stand there was not due to bravery, but sheer thickness of skin!
"Excuse me, is Director Xu here?" she continued, thickening her skin to ask.
Everyone looked up at her, and she could feel her skin burning on her face.
"I am," an older doctor replied.
This Director Xu had arrived after she left, and she did not recognize him.
"Hello, Director Xu, my name is Ruan Liuzheng. I'm here for advanced training." She noticed those familiar faces had no different expressions, seemingly not recognizing her, which settled her heart a little more.
"Oh, Dr. Ruan, hello. Dr. Ning worked the night shift last night and has already gone home. You two familiarize yourselves with the environment and prepare for the pre-training before advancing," Director Xu said, looking towards another girl in the office who wasn't wearing a lab coat.