Gu Cheng'an's promotion came even faster than Shen Nanxing had imagined.
He had always been intelligent, hardworking, and willing to study deeply. His surgeries were steady, his medical records were polished, and whenever the department director called on him during ward rounds, he could always get straight to the key point. After several years, quite a few people in the department knew that the surgical department had a Doctor Gu—young, but reliable.
Whenever Gu Cheng'an was mentioned at the hospital, it was usually in praise.
“Your husband is impressive. The director really values him now.”
“Doctor Gu will definitely have a bright future.”
“Nanxing, you have a good eye. You married a promising investment.”
Every time she heard these words, Shen Nanxing would smile. She was genuinely happy for Gu Cheng'an. The man who had once pored over his books in their rented apartment and calculated discounts with meal coupons had made it to where he was today step by step. It truly had not been easy.
Yet beneath her happiness, there was also an emptiness she could not put into words.
Gu Cheng'an was becoming busier and increasingly like the Doctor Gu in other people's eyes. His shirts were always neatly pressed, his speech restrained and composed, and he was occasionally invited to other hospitals for exchanges. When he returned, he would bring professional books and conference materials. His world was beginning to grow larger, filled with surgeries, papers, directors, and thank-you banners from patients' families.
Meanwhile, Shen Nanxing's world seemed to be continuously cut smaller.
By day, there was the nurses' station; by night, there were the child's diapers, baby bottle, and cries. She had also once had an opportunity for further training, but that program required her to be away for two weeks. Her mother-in-law was the first to object: “The child is so young. If you leave for two weeks, who will take care of him? Cheng'an is busy with work. You definitely can't count on him.”
Gu Cheng'an had also said, “There will be other opportunities later. Let's pass on this one for now.”
Shen Nanxing stared at the training notice in silence for a long time. In the end, she replied to the head nurse: Due to family reasons, I will not be participating for the time being.
That night, she placed her phone by the bed and heard Gu Cheng'an taking a call in the living room. The department director had asked him to prepare a case presentation, and there was unmistakable excitement in his voice.
“All right, director. I'll organize it tonight.”
Shen Nanxing carried Gu Yiming out of the bedroom after he had just fallen asleep, wanting Gu Cheng'an to lower his voice. When Gu Cheng'an saw her, he immediately lowered his voice and gestured an apology toward her.
She nodded and returned to the bedroom.
The child slept in the crook of her arm, his tiny hand clutching her collar. Shen Nanxing looked down at him, suddenly feeling a little lost. Of course she loved her child, and she was willing to care for him. But why could everyone's future be discussed seriously, while her concessions were treated as though they were only natural?
On the day Gu Cheng'an spoke at the hospital-wide meeting for the first time, his mother-in-law had specially prepared a table full of dishes.
“Cheng'an is truly bringing honor to The Gu Family.” His mother-in-law smiled so broadly that even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes spread open. “If your father were still here, he would definitely be happy.”
Gu Cheng'an looked a little embarrassed. “It's not that exaggerated. It was just a presentation.”
“Even so, not just anyone can take the stage.” His mother-in-law placed food in his bowl. “Eat more. You've been worn out lately.”
Shen Nanxing sat beside them, holding Gu Yiming, who refused to sit in the high chair. The child reached for a bowl on the table, and she quickly blocked him. Gu Cheng'an glanced over and said, “Let him sit in the stroller. You should eat too.”
His mother-in-law immediately said, “It's normal for a young child to cling to his mother. Nanxing is young; holding him for a while is nothing.”
Shen Nanxing smiled and said nothing about how her arm was already aching and numb.
During the meal, his mother-in-law talked at length about how intelligent and well-behaved Gu Cheng'an had been as a child, and how he had never caused the family any worry. Gu Cheng'an rarely relaxed like this, and he also shared some amusing stories from the department colleagues. Shen Nanxing listened, occasionally adding a remark, but most of the time she was wiping the child's mouth, feeding him, and cleaning up the soup he had spilled.
After the meal, Gu Cheng'an went to the study to organize the case materials. His mother-in-law played with the child for a while, then said her back hurt and returned to her room to rest.
Shen Nanxing washed the dishes alone in the kitchen.
As the water rushed noisily, she lowered her head and watched the foam slide between her fingers. She suddenly remembered how, when she had first entered the hospital, the head nurse had also praised her for her quick reactions and willingness to learn. Back then, she had believed she would keep moving upward, becoming more professional and more confident.
It was just that afterward, every step she took was diverted by life.
Gu Cheng'an's road grew wider and wider.
Her road, meanwhile, gradually narrowed through many seemingly insignificant choices.