In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Yu Qingyu had completed her advanced studies while simultaneously pursuing a doctorate, successfully earning her degree.
Over these three years, she had lived an exceptionally fulfilling life, her days filled with the scent of books and surgical blades. Year-round, she was either at her post or at her desk.
She had grown calmer as a result, the lively sparkle in her eyes from years past replaced with a touch of cool composure.
During these three years, Lou Yunting and Yu Kexin had crossed mountains and seas every year to spend some time with her.
Now back in Beijing, she sat in the car, gazing out the window at the cityscape receding behind the wheels.
The city felt both familiar and unfamiliar, as if everything had remained in place, yet also as if it had long since moved on.
Beside her, Lou Minghe glanced over, his tone probing, “Still planning to stay at Boren? What if I invest and open a hospital for you?”
Yu Qingyu turned to meet his gaze, her tone light, “What, did Xu Borui offend you?”
Lou Minghe chuckled softly, explaining frankly, “I just acquired a piece of land and I’m torn. Should I build a hospital or a commercial district?”
Yu Qingyu also smiled, tapping her fingers lightly against the car window, her tone casual, “Switching from one place to another to work—in the end, there’s not much difference.”
“It’s not the same,” Lou Minghe looked directly at her, enunciating each word, “You could be the director.”
Yu Qingyu shook her head without hesitation, her tone firm, “No need. I just want to focus on what I’m good at and do it well.”
A flicker of understanding passed through Lou Minghe’s eyes as he chuckled in response, “Alright, as you wish. If you’re not interested, we’ll drop the matter.”
Over these three years, Yu Qingyu had severed many ties with the past, rarely inquiring about old acquaintances or old matters.
The catastrophe she once thought would bring the sky crashing down, looking back now, had shaped her into the calm and clear-minded person she had become.
Returning to her residence, Yu Qingyu tidied up briefly and headed straight to Boren Hospital in the afternoon to complete her onboarding, hoping to adjust to the time difference as quickly as possible.
At that moment, Xu Borui happened to be in his office, and coincidentally, Huo Zhili was sitting across from him. The two were discussing funding for a medical research project.
Three years had passed, and Huo Zhili’s demeanor had grown even colder, his presence more imposing than before. His methods had become more decisive and efficient, while he himself had grown increasingly low-profile, almost completely fading from the public eye and never appearing in the media again.
Under his leadership, the Huo Group’s business empire continued to expand. He spent most of the year traveling for work, rarely staying in Beijing.
The office door was gently knocked, and Xu Borui’s warm voice came through the door, “Come in.”
The next moment, a figure pushed the door open.
Yu Qingyu stepped in wearing elegant high heels, a gentle beige midi skirt paired with a simple blue knitted half-sleeve top. Her soft, wavy long hair was neatly tied back, revealing her slender neck.
She held a handbag lightly in one hand and an onboarding document folder in the other, walking in with composed steps. An air of aloof coolness surrounded her, her eyes reflecting the calmness that had settled over time.
Her gaze swept across the room, and when it landed on the other figure at the desk, her expression showed no ripple, as if she were merely looking at an insignificant stranger.
Xu Borui was the first to stand up, a gentle smile on his face as he spoke warmly, “Welcome back, Dr. Yu. Congratulations on completing your studies.”
Huo Zhili was originally looking down, flipping through the research project proposal in his hand. The pressure of his fingertips on the paper paused slightly as he slowly raised his eyes upon hearing the words, his gaze directly falling upon Yu Qingyu.
Three years had passed, and she still possessed an outstanding demeanor, with stunning eyes and brows. Yet those eyes, once filled with his reflection, were now empty, no longer holding even a trace of him.
Yu Qingyu’s expression remained calm as she walked straight forward, gently placing the document folder on Xu Borui’s desk. Her tone was distant yet polite:
“I’m here to complete the onboarding procedures.”
Xu Borui picked up the document folder and greeted her with a smile:
“Please, have a seat. You just returned—why not rest for a few more days? Dr. Yu is truly dedicated.”
“I need to adjust to the time difference, so I came to handle the procedures first. I’ll start work in three days.”
Yu Qingyu gave a slight nod, showing no intention of sitting down.
“You’re busy, so I won’t disturb you further.”
Xu Borui sighed helplessly and glanced at Huo Zhili beside him, who remained cold and silent.
He discreetly nudged him with his leg, signaling him to say something.
But Huo Zhili’s gaze was fixed intently on Yu Qingyu, completely ignoring his hint. The low pressure around him seemed to freeze the air in the room.
“Then let me treat you to dinner tonight to welcome you back. It’s been a while since we all got together—how about a meal?” Xu Borui quickly stepped in to smooth things over, extending an invitation.
Yu Qingyu shook her head gently, her tone unwavering: “Another time. I already have plans for tonight.”
With that, she didn’t linger any longer.
She turned and walked straight out of the office, closing the door softly yet with an undeniable finality, as if she had never cared about the gaze that had been fixed on her all along.
The office door closed gently, separating the inside from the outside.
Xu Borui looked at Huo Zhili, his tone carrying a hint of merciless teasing:
“She’s back, and you didn’t even say hello?”
Huo Zhili’s fingers never stopped, still flipping through the project proposal in his hand. His voice was as cold as ice:
“Isn’t there a saying that a good ex should be like they’re dead?”
Hearing this, Xu Borui silently gave him a thumbs-up, his tone playful, “You’re really something!”
Then he gently nudged the person opposite him with his knee, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes:
“Then what were you doing going to the U.S. every June for the past three years?”
Huo Zhili finally looked up at him, his gaze heavy and carrying an unassailable sharpness.
“Do I need to report to you about what I do?”
“No need to report to me,”
Xu Borui’s smile faded, his tone tinged with regret.
“I just think it’s a pity. Qingyu hasn’t had it easy these past three years—balancing clinical work while pursuing her Ph.D., struggling alone abroad. After all, she’s a woman; it’s been tough.”
“Not alone.”
Huo Zhili tossed out the words casually, then abruptly changed the subject, cutting off Xu Borui’s follow-up questions.
“Take this project proposal back for a meeting decision.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for your update.”
Xu Borui casually opened the document folder Yu Qingyu had left behind, pulling out the advanced training completion certificate and Ph.D. diploma and handing them over.
Huo Zhili glanced at the photo on the certificate.
The person in the photo had cold, distant eyes and brows, perfectly matching her current aura—a stark contrast to the bright, cheerful girl from his memories.
Three years could truly make someone so unrecognizable.
He raised his wrist, glanced at his watch, and stood up. “I’m leaving.”
“Didn’t we agree to have dinner together?” Xu Borui tried to persuade him to stay.
Huo Zhili left only two words as he hurried away: “Something came up.”
Exiting the office building, he headed straight for the parking lot.
Not far away, a familiar figure in blue stood beside a car, talking on the phone, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
His footsteps instinctively paused.
Jiang Zhou, spotting him from a distance, quickly approached and whispered a reminder, “Mr. Huo, Miss Yu…”
Huo Zhili’s eyes darkened, a trace of barely noticeable irritation in his tone. “I’m not blind.”
Jiang Zhou’s heart sank, mentally slapping himself—why did he have to speak so quickly?
Huo Zhili composed himself and continued walking toward his car.
On the other side, Yu Qingyu hung up the phone and glanced up as he approached. Her gaze remained calm and unruffled, shifting away as she continued toward her own car, reaching out to pull open the door.
A low, clear male voice caught up to her from behind, spoken with sincerity across the distance: “Congratulations.”
Yu Qingyu’s fingers paused, but she neither turned around nor responded.
Those three words, light as they were, were enough.
Between them, it should have ended right there—even an extra greeting felt like a luxury.