The unpleasant mood brought on by the meal had completely vanished, replaced instead by an overwhelming, uncontainable joy.
It seemed that she had casually complained about not having a ticket earlier, yet he had noticed!
Her effort—this, perhaps, was the response she had been waiting for.
“Lu Yunyang!” she called out toward the man’s back.
The man in front of her turned slowly, his expression calm as he looked at her. “Yes?”
His demeanor was composed, his posture upright, and standing in the bright sunlight, a golden glow seemed to halo him, adding a soft mystique to his refined appearance.
Yutao curved her lips into a smile and, with a few quick steps, reached him. She opened her arms and hugged him abruptly.
The sudden embrace in broad daylight startled Lu Yunyang.
He immediately pushed her away and glanced around. Fortunately, everyone seemed to assume they were a couple and merely shot them a brief, amused look.
He bit his lip and pulled her toward a secluded spot, his gaze fixed on her. “Back then, you risked your life to break off our engagement. And now you’re getting hands-on with me—what exactly are you trying to do?”
He had never understood why Su Yutao had been so extreme regarding their engagement, nor why she now displayed such unexpected enthusiasm toward him. And yet… he did not dislike it.
Yutao knew her earlier action had been unacceptable, but she could not help herself—her excitement often led to impulsiveness.
“I’ve explained about the engagement,” she said slowly, looking at him. “Back then, I was naive and was deceived by Wanzhen, which is why I acted that way.”
“You spared no grudge, saved me, helped me so much… the more I know you, the more I feel that you are an exceptionally good person.”
She secretly thought that his figure was also exceedingly appealing.
Lu Yunyang raised an eyebrow.
Yutao, sensing his skepticism, smiled again. “Really. That’s why I can’t help wanting to be close to you.”
Lu Yunyang stared at her solemnly. “So…”
“So I like you now,” Yutao said, gently tugging his hand. “Is that not allowed?”
She fixed her gaze on him, scrutinizing every expression that flickered across his face.
The man seemed unconvinced. After a pause, he said faintly, “If I said it’s not allowed… would you still consider harming yourself?”
Yutao was momentarily taken aback, a laugh threatening to bubble up from within.
It seemed that the events surrounding the previous owner had left a notable psychological shadow on Lu Yunyang.
“No!” she replied firmly. “I would never threaten anyone with my life. I won’t harm myself, but you cannot reject my affection!”
Lu Yunyang lowered his gaze. The dark depths of her eyes shimmered, like embedded gems, radiating brilliance.
A surge of emotion coursed through him. The sweet, soft warmth that had pressed against him moments ago lingered, magnified within his body by the memory of her smile.
His heart pounded violently, his voice hoarse. “Then why are you asking me?”
Yutao smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes as she poked at his chest. “Mostly, I just wanted to officially tell you, so you don’t have to keep asking what I’m up to next time.”
Her slender fingers skimmed across his chest through the thin fabric of his clothes, like a spark of electricity, slowly coiling toward some hidden corner of his body.
Lu Yunyang fled.
By the time he returned to the hospital, he hadn’t even entered the consultation room when Zheng Shaodong pulled him into the break room.
Clutching Lu Yunyang’s hand tightly, Zheng Shaodong’s voice trembled with excitement. “Doctor Lu… I think I’m falling in love!”
Lu Yunyang, still reeling from the previous encounter, did not hear clearly. “What did you say?”
“I’m going to start a romance!” Zheng Shaodong grinned. “Cousin Lu!”
Lu Yunyang furrowed his brows and slowly withdrew his hand, voice cool. “Stop yelling, speak properly.”
Zheng Shaodong composed himself, thinking of the girl’s flushed, delicate face moments ago. A sweet warmth surged within him as he looked at Lu Yunyang expectantly. “She… your cousin, hasn’t gotten engaged, right?”
Lu Yunyang, almost immediately sensing his intention, frowned lightly. “Why are you asking that?”
The two were close, so Zheng Shaodong spoke without hesitation. “You know I’m looking for someone… maybe you could—”
Lu Yunyang cut him off with a shallow glare. “Look at what?”
Zheng Shaodong felt a chill run down his neck. The look was no different from usual, yet somehow unnerving.
“Uh… just… could you introduce your cousin to me? Then we’ll be family, right? Cousin?”
“No,” Lu Yunyang refused almost instantly.
“Why not?” Zheng Shaodong pressed. “You know me. I’m well-established, sincere, and I would treat your cousin well.”
He believed his credentials were solid: good family, supportive parents, a decent upbringing—perfectly worthy of Su Yutao.
Lu Yunyang knew Zheng Shaodong well, aware of his virtues and minor flaws. Yet at the thought of Su Yutao potentially being involved with the Zhengs, an indescribable feeling welled in his chest.
“She seems to be already betrothed,” Lu Yunyang said bluntly. “It’s not a matter of suitability.”
Zheng Shaodong froze. “Already betrothed?”
Lu Yunyang nodded faintly, adopting an indifferent expression. “Her conditions are also good. Many people like her. What’s unusual about an engagement?”
Zheng Shaodong’s heart felt like it shattered. Still, he couldn’t fully believe it. Su Yutao appeared so young. “So… she really is engaged?”
“She should be,” Lu Yunyang confirmed emotionlessly. “Two months ago, the Lu and Su families finalized the engagement. Nothing seems to have changed since.”
He felt he had spoken truthfully. Indeed, the engagement between the Lu and Su families had been formalized two months prior.
“Oh…” Zheng Shaodong’s brows fell in disappointment. “So it’s real?”
Lu Yunyang patted his shoulder. “Your circumstances are good. You’ll find someone suitable eventually. Don’t worry about it.”
With that, he returned to the consultation room, face calm and heart steady.
The hospital had not yet opened, and no patients were present. Yet thoughts of what he had just told Zheng Shaodong unsettled him. He knew that if Zheng ever met Su Yutao, his previous lies would crumble, and then…
He sank into a chair, rubbing his brow. His mind drifted to Su Yutao’s earlier words…
Were they sincere?
He touched his chest, feeling it pound violently.
Whether true or not, he realized he was likely already falling.
Unaware of the turmoil she had caused, Yutao also did not know that Lu Yunyang had just shielded her from a potential romantic complication. Meanwhile, Su Yuqing had finished her last exam, and the two were busy packing their things in the dorm.
Since Su Yuqing had sent some belongings home earlier, there wasn’t much left this time. Once packed, they departed from the school.
Su Yuqing lingered at the old school gate, reluctant to leave. Yutao comforted her: “If you feel attached, when filling in your college applications, write Teacher Training College. You can come back to teach here later.”
Su Yuqing pouted. She didn’t like teaching. She wanted to be a doctor, like Lu Yunyang, though she wasn’t as skilled as him.
“I don’t like being a teacher,” she admitted.
Yutao asked, “Then what do you want to be?”
After a moment of thought, Su Yuqing replied slowly, “Sister, what if I apply to Medical School?”
“Medical School?” Yutao blinked in surprise and then smiled. “Of course! Wearing a white coat, just like Doctor Lu!”
“Doctor Lu?” Su Yuqing hesitated. “Which Doctor Lu?”
Yutao recalled how he had fled earlier and grinned. “Lu Yunyang. If you get into Medical School, he’ll be the one to guide you.”
Su Yuqing remembered that she hadn’t dared mention Lu Yunyang previously, not liking him, yet now her sister fully supported her future studies with him. She found this shift puzzling.
“Sis…” Su Yuqing hesitated. “You don’t dislike Yunyang anymore?”
Yutao paused, understanding her suspicion, and explained, “That was before. But he spared no grudge and saved me—I can’t be ungrateful.”
Su Yuqing reflected, realizing it made sense. Her sister had broken the engagement dramatically, yet Lu Yunyang still saved her. Gratefulness could not be denied.
Satisfied, she accepted the explanation gladly.
With the extra tickets Lu Yunyang had provided earlier, Yutao now helped Su Yuqing buy supplies from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and a food store before returning home.
At the Su residence, the family questioned Su Yuqing about her exam results. Confident in her abilities, Su Yuqing reassured them:
“I’ve discussed it with my sister. Once results come out, I’ll apply to Medical School and become a doctor—like Yunyang!”
If she fell slightly short, being a nurse would also be acceptable.
The family had no objections. If she could get into Medical School, becoming a doctor like Yunyang would be a matter of pride.
At the mention of Lu Yunyang, Grandma Su shot Yutao a disapproving glare. “If you and Yunyang had succeeded, perhaps he could have helped your sister.”
Yutao felt innocent; after all, it wasn’t her who had attempted suicide to break off the engagement.
“Mother, stop,” Su Dahe interjected. “It’s been two months. Constantly bringing this up only embarrasses the Su Family. The Lu Family has already found Yunyang a new match; there’s no point dwelling on the past.”
Yutao was stunned. “The Lu Family already found someone new for Lu Yunyang?”
“Of course,” Grandma Su snapped. “Yunyang is at that age. We broke off the engagement—does that mean he won’t marry anyone?”
Her cheerful mood evaporated. How could the Lu Family be so impatient? Only two months after breaking the engagement, and they were already finding a new bride? Surely that was Lu Yunyang’s intent?
She thought about it and became certain. Given the past extreme engagement incident, Lu Yunyang must have known about this matchmaking. Otherwise, how could the Lu Family risk a second Su Yutao?
He had taken her heart, her flowers, shared a kiss, hugged her, even received her confession… and yet now she learned this news? Furious!
Although they were not officially together, he was already being matched—shouldn’t he have told her?
Yutao’s frustration grew to the point that she even ignored Zheng Chunling while having her measurements taken for clothes.
Zheng Chunling frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Your mind isn’t on Yan?”
“No,” Yutao lowered her head.
Zheng Chunling: “Then why didn’t you respond?”
Yutao smiled faintly. “I didn’t hear you. What did you ask?”
Zheng Chunling: “I asked about your body—why has it changed so much?”
Yutao glanced down casually. “Nothing, really. I’ve been resting so long and eating so well; of course I’m developing!”
Zheng Chunling thought her daughter had not only grown obedient but also become cheeky. “No seriousness at all!”
Yutao said nothing more, then asked after a while: “Has the Lu Family really found Doctor Lu a match?”
“Seems so,” Zheng Chunling replied, busy taking measurements. “The girl is a teacher, well-off family. It should work out.”
Yutao, feeling upset, resolved to go the next day to ask Lu Yunzhao for the truth.
That night, she barely slept and overslept the next morning.
After breakfast, she put on a hat and set out, pondering how to ask Lu Yunzhao without making things awkward. Upon arriving at the Lu residence, Lu Yunzhao was absent, but Lu Yunyang had returned.
It wasn’t the weekend, yet he was home. Yutao’s face paled. So he skipped work just for a matchmaking meeting?
Lu Yunyang looked at her, a faint smile on his lips. “I was just looking for you.”
The hospital’s pharmacy had been counting herbs, including some she needed. He bought them for her and intended to deliver them.
“What do you want with me?” Yutao asked, clearly upset. “You, a man with a matchmaking appointment, want to see me, a single woman?”
Her sudden coldness unsettled Lu Yunyang slightly.
“Matchmaking?”
“Isn’t it?” Yutao’s words were clipped, anger bubbling inside. “I heard the person is a teacher.”
Lu Yunyang immediately understood why his family had called him back last night without explanation—it was for matchmaking.
But today, the house was empty, and she had come.
He looked at her scowling face, feeling a sudden urge to pinch those soft cheeks.
He smiled. “I don’t know about this. I just got home.”
His honesty, combined with the smile, only made Yutao angrier.
She didn’t even know why she was mad—at him for coming back, for her unreciprocated confession, or at herself.
Despite being a millennium-old fox spirit, not even a mortal had taken her heart all this time. Failure and heartbreak swirled within her.
“So, you’re still going to your matchmaking?” she bit her lip, staring him down. “Once I get the ticket, I’ll return it immediately!”
“Su Yutao, I am not going to any matchmaking,” Lu Yunyang said firmly. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but there’s no reason for me to take back what I’ve already given.”
Her spirits lifted slightly. Perhaps he truly didn’t know about the matchmaking. But eventually, he still would have a match.
“Fine, then,” she huffed. “Whether or not, it’s nothing. Go on with your matchmaking.”
As she turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.