Romantics and Cynics

Long Jie woke up earlier than Song Luli, heading to the washroom to wash up. In the mirror, he saw the marks on his body—mostly over his tattoo and collarbones. Long Jie's face heated. 

He washed up, combining his dark-auburn strands, changing into a fresh pair of clothes. He approached the bed again, sitting on the edge, tucking a piece of Song Luli's hair over the curve of her ear. 

Song Luli stirred, leaning towards his touch. 

"We both have to get to work," he said. 

Song Luli glanced at him with steady eyes. "I know," she said. "Can you take me?" 

Long Jie grinned. "Of course," he responded.

Song Luli rose out of bed happily, heading to her bedroom. Just when she was about to exit, Long Jie said, "Later, we can move most of your clothes in my closet." 

Song Luli froze. She glanced at Long Jie, nodding before she left the room, gritting the blush from her face without him noticing.

She would hate for him to see her bashful expressions.  

...

Su Xiang was reading an article when something clicked in her mind. She abruptly stood up from a chair, picking up a light jacket before running out of the house.

She started the car engine and sped off from the driveway, heading to Su Chen's apartment.

She stumbled with the keys he gave her, entering when she caught sight of Su Chen sitting in the kitchen with another woman. Su Xiang stilled.

The woman stood up, charmingly grinning. "You must be Su Xiang," she said.

Su Xiang smiled briefly. "Yes, and you?"

"My name is Yu Haoran," the woman responded. "I am Su Chen's fiancée."

Su Chen's eyes gaped slightly, unaware that Yu Haoran was going to tell Su Xiang something crucial and so abrupt.

Su Xiang's mouth opened, glancing at Su Chen with a stunned, inconceivable expression.

Su Chen then rose from his seat immediately. "Xiang—" he began, but she stepped away from him, her eyes hollowed out. She took a moment before she smiled subtly. "Congratulations on the engagement to both of you," she said softly, nearly quiet.

Su Chen approached Yu Haoran. "I need to speak with Xiang," he told her.

Yu Haoran smiled politely. "Of course," she said as she took her purse, glancing at the two of them before she left.

They both heard the door shut, and Su Chen approached Su Xiang swiftly. "I only confirmed it today. That's why I didn't tell you,"

Su Xiang smiled grimly, shaking her head. "No, it's okay. I understand," she said bitterly.

Su Chen stayed quiet for a moment. "Is there a reason that you came?" he asked her.

Su Xiang curled her fingers into slight fists. She took a seat on one of chairs in the kitchen. "Yes," she began, "It's about the patient at the hospital."

Su Chen was slightly surprised; he then listened to what she had to say about the symptoms of the patient and a possible diagnosis. He then took his things, and they went to the hospital immediately.

Upon arriving, Su Xiang visited the patient and looked over the results of his blood work, urine sample, and Biopsy again. She collected more information and went to the Pathology and Oncology departments. She spoke with Su Chen and the team, and they knew it was undetectable cancer, but they didn't know which one.

"It's Non-Hodgkin lymphoma," Su Xiang said at the sudden realization.

Su Chen then checked how the patient's organs were functioning. With the team's efforts and confirmation, Su Xiang's diagnosis seemed most probable.

The pathologists looked over the results and confirmed her theory. Su Chen told her she did a good job, but Su Xiang ignored him, focusing on the patient.

Su Chen immediately let the Oncology team take the patient to start treatment. When they took him, Su Xiang approached Su Chen, " I want to be assigned to the patient."

"Why?" Su Chen asked.

"It took long for any of us to detect what he had, and I feel morally obligated to ensure that he's comfortable through his treatment until he's cured," she responded.

"If he gets cured," Su Chen said. "Cancer has already progressed in his body since it took longer to detect than expected."

Su Xiang frowned. "Please," she asked him.

Su Chen wasn't sure how to respond. Su Xiang didn't have the full qualifications to work in the department, but he supposes he could assign her as a student working alongside both the patient and specialists. "All right," he said. "But don't always expect me to allow you to take on cases due to some attachment you feel. You can't get close with the patients."

"I understand," Su Xiang replied.

Su Xiang was determined to help in any way she can, even though she felt as if she had failed because of how late it was.

Just before Su Chen headed towards his office, he asked Su Xiang, "Will you be stopping by for dinner?"

"No," she responded bluntly. She couldn't explain it, but she was too pissed to talk to Su Chen.

"All right, then," he said with a slightly disheartened tone. Why did he seem upset?

Su Xiang felt angry and mortified.

Su Chen had always seemed to be a romantic at heart, and he deserved the best. He deserved happiness. But why was he getting married? Why didn't he tell her he was thinking about it? Was he comparing himself to Song Luli? But she could handle the weight of an arranged marriage. Su Chen was more softer about making connections with people. 

Su Xiang found tears escaping from her eyes at an empty corner of the hospital. She was stunned as they had fallen against her will and command. She composed herself quickly, brushing them from her skin, heading towards the Oncology department.

...

After Long Jie dropped her off, Song Luli visited the marketing department to ensure that the company was running smoothly since her priorities shifted to working on production sites and screenwriting. Everything was fine, and relief washed over her body.

She was grateful for the company's success, and she was thankful that Long Jie had swept in when she needed it most. She already felt confident and bold about how far she's gone, but Long Jie made her want to be better, and not settle for what she is now.

Long Jie made her want to grow, just as she watched him spend nights at home researching and working hard to not only fulfill his role but to improve himself. And that's one of the things she admired most about him. 

After work, Long Jie picked her up since she didn't bring her car. He kissed her after she fastened her seatbelt; his lips gently fused with longing. She really liked his kisses.

But the reason why Song Luli forbade herself from loving him was due to the humiliation of the last man she's almost been with. And the fear of being humiliated again.