The Distant Dr. Shi

Shi Jin's response was well-paced. His gaze was a bit weary. "You're my patient."

When she had first encountered Shi Jin two years ago, he had been as amicable and courteous as he was now. He was graceful, but he always seemed distant—as if a fog separated them, and she couldn't see him clearly.

Two years later, things were still the same.

Tan Guanxi was used to this. She smiled sweetly. "Then, Dr. Shi, do you mind letting me through? My seat is on your right."

Shi Jin rose and gave her some space.

Tan Guanxi dragged her suitcase with her. She raised her head to look at the overhead luggage compartment, then looked at Shi Jin, having been put in a difficult position. "Can you help me?"

Shi Jin nodded. "Sure."

She handed him her suitcase, and he took it. Thanks to his tall stature, he was able to place the suitcase into the overhead luggage compartment easily. It was a very ordinary action, but even his movements were composed and pleasant to watch.

Tan Guanxi's thoughts wandered. Some people are impossible to look away from after just one glance.

"Thank you," she said.

Shi Jin replied, "You're welcome."

He wasn't rude. Rather, he was so courteous that it made others feel weak. Tan Guanxi concealed the disappointment in her eyes without revealing her intentions, removed her outerwear, and took the inside seat. She didn't speak, and Shi Jin maintained his silence. No communication took place between them.

The plane took off, producing a minor sense of weightlessness. After a moment of tinnitus, Tan Guanxi asked the flight attendant for a glass of warm water. When she asked Shi Jin whether he wanted one too, he rejected her politely and went back to focusing on an entertainment magazine provided by the plane.

"Which hotel are you staying at?" Tan Guanxi asked Shi Jin.

Shi Jin lifted his head but did not reply. He had been her primary doctor for the past two years, and he had never shared any personal information. Other than an awareness of his academic background, she knew nothing about him.

"Tan Medical Group is the sponsor of this conference, so I have to attend it as well," Tan Guanxi explained. "My itinerary should be similar to yours, and I was too lazy to find a hotel."

Shi Jin hesitated for a moment before he mumbled the name of a hotel. He said nothing else.

"Why are you late, too?" she suddenly asked. Shi Jin had always been a punctual person.

"Personal matters," he answered.

It was evident that he didn't wish to go into details, so Tan Guanxi stopped pursuing it. After that, he shut his eyes to get some rest and did not speak again for the rest of the journey. She couldn't help but think about how mysterious yet irresistible this man was.

The conference was scheduled to take place over the course of five days. Shi Jin had mentioned over the phone that afterward, there was a possibility that it would drag on even longer. All Jiang Jiusheng had said was that it was okay as she was getting along very well with Bomei. Since all she normally did was shut herself at home to compose songs, she thought it would be a better idea to take Bomei to her apartment. 

Three days later, Jiang Jiusheng realized that Bomei had grown slightly fatter and was starting to resemble a ball. It could even roll about when it curled up.

Bomei and Jiang Jiusheng were becoming very close. The dog followed her wherever she went, and if she went out, Bomei would hug her leg and whine endlessly. Its cute voice was beyond adorable.

Jiang Jiusheng was at a loss. She kneeled to comfort it. "Be good and let me go."

Bomei refused to relent. It feigned a pitiful look with its watery puppy-dog eyes.

Jiang Jiusheng was patient and didn't get frustrated. She poured some dog food into its bowl and continued to comfort it. "Be good and wait at home for me."

Bark! 

Bomei turned its head. It didn't even glance at the dog food. Jiang Bomei was a dog with a practical demeanor! It was not like typical dogs, who would have been seduced by food. It continued hugging its mother's leg, refusing to let go.

Jiang Jiusheng laughed so hard that she began to tear up. "You're so clingy! You're nothing like your father."

Jiang Bomei did not agree. It barked. Its father was even clingier!

"All right, all right." Jiang Jiusheng was helpless. "I'll take you along with me, but you have to be good and listen to me, okay?"

Woof!

Bomei was quite pleased.

Jiang Jiusheng combed through its fur and gave it a smile before taking it out the door with her.

When Mo Bing saw that fat dog, she was shocked.

Woof!

The moment Jiang Bomei entered its dog-sitter's car, it barked at Mo Bing, who was in the passenger's seat, then barked at Xiao Qiao, who was driving. The fat, silly pup was overjoyed.

Considering Jiang Jiusheng's cold personality, Mo Bing found it hard to understand how the celebrity she took care of could have grown so close to this dog.

"How are you going to go for your filming when you've brought this dog along?"