Hearing the familiar "tap tap..." of leather shoes clicking on the floor, Zou Manqing quickly closed the computer game, put on a sweet smile, and prepared to get up to greet.

However, as soon as she looked up, she immediately stopped her motion to stand, placed her hands on the keyboard, and pretended to be working attentively.

Zou Manqing did so because, in her quick glance, she noticed An Kexin's expression.

Her face was as dark and ominous as the sky before a storm, oppressively frightening.

She knew clearly that this expression meant An Kexin was very angry.

Greeting her at this time would be like stepping into the line of fire, inviting trouble onto herself...

An Kexin burst into the office, tossing her bag aside in a huff, only to realize that An Weize was sipping tea on the couch in the reception area.

"Dad, are you here because you need something from me?"

An Weize nodded, glanced at An Kexin's face, and asked with a chuckle, "Did your aunt insist on inviting you for a meal and then make some excessive demands?"

An Kexin sat down opposite An Weize, poured herself a cup of tea, sipped it, and said indignantly, "Excessive doesn't even begin to cover it; it's downright delusional."

"Oh, what kind of demands did she make this time that got you so upset?" An Weize asked curiously.

An Kexin snorted, "She was proposing a marriage for her nephew from her maiden family. And the proposed bride?"

"Dad, can you guess who it is?"

An Weize took a sip from his teacup and said, "To get you this angry, it must be someone important to you. Aside from your younger sister-in-law, I can't think of anyone else."

"It's Miaomiao. A girl sought by many families. Although I know her nephew is lazy and aimless, a proposal isn't a big deal, I just refuse."

"But Dad, listen to what she said."

An Kexin said sarcastically, "She actually said that she doesn't mind Miaomiao's low education since she hasn't studied much."

"However, to make this marriage work, Lin Jie needs to give a clear assurance that Miaomiao's past blindness won't recur and won't be passed on to the next generation."

"It sounds like we should be grateful for her proposal, as if Miaomiao should eagerly beg to marry her nephew."

"I was so mad, I snapped at her and left."

An Weize chuckled and said, "You know that your aunt is quite an unreliable person, there's no need to get so worked up. It's likely that your aunt was influenced by her maiden family and came without your uncle's knowledge."

"I'll give your uncle a call and let him know later."

An Kexin, still simmering with anger, said, "Dad, I just don't get it, my uncle's a good man, how did he end up with someone like my aunt?"

An Weize laughed, "Your aunt was quite beautiful back in the day, and although she's unreliable, she's always been wholeheartedly devoted to your uncle. Those two traits were enough."

"Speaking of Miaomiao, does A-Jie have any specific plans for her future?"

An Kexin replied softly, "There's no specific plan. With A-Jie's ability, he can ensure Miaomiao is taken care of for life; he wants her to follow her preferences and wishes."

"As for her love life, A-Jie has made it clear that Miaomiao is not allowed to date until she's twenty-five."

An Weize asked curiously, "Twenty-five? Is there a reason for that?"

"A-Jie explained that the elder of the Zhou family had checked Miaomiao's pulse," An Kexin said compassionately.

According to the old man from the Zhou family, Miaomiao's health suffered significantly from an early age, coping day and night for A-Jie's sake while still having to support their household, leaving her in a prolonged weakened state that requires long-term nursing.

Miaomiao has been taking herbal medicine prescribed by the Zhou family for several years and is advised against romantic involvement before turning twenty-five.

Regarding Miaomiao's future partner, Lin Jie doesn't ask much — just that Miaomiao likes them, they're good, and they treat Miaomiao well, with no demands on material or external conditions.

An Weize nodded and sighed, "Those two siblings didn't have it easy in their early years."

"Ah, A-Jie..."

He realized something and, with a furrowed brow, urgently asked, "Kexin, is A-Jie also taking the Zhou family's herbal medicine?"

An Kexin nodded and said, "Yes, he is. The elder from the Zhou family said A-Jie should take it for another three months, and by the time spring blossoms, he won't need it anymore."

These words did not relax the concern etched between An Weize's brows.

After hesitating for a while, he spoke up, "Kexin, with your mother gone, I'm the one who must ask this question, though it embarrasses me."

"You and A-Jie have been together for quite some time; about A-Jie's health, particularly that aspect..."

"You understand... this is related to your lifetime happiness, how is it exactly?"

Being asked such a question by her father, An Kexin blushed immediately, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, "Dad, this question, this question..."

She thought for a moment and answered bluntly, "Dad, A-Jie's health isn't as frail as outsiders think. Remember those seven to eight, ten-hour surgeries he often performs."

"That aspect of him... he's quite capable, that's the truth..."

Saying this, An Kexin couldn't continue and hurriedly changed the subject, "Dad, is there something you needed from me?"

"Oh, almost forgot the main issue!"

An Weize, who also felt quite embarrassed, hurriedly said, "Although your and Ajie's wedding is settled, the specific date hasn't been confirmed. It's already January in the solar calendar; many things need to start being prepared."

"So about this date..."

An Kexin casually said, "Dad, didn't you plan to take Kemeng to Putuo Mountain to fulfill a vow around March or April?"

"Once we get to Putuo Mountain, we can ask the master there for a specific day."

An Weize angrily said, "Pushed back to March or April again! There are also masters in Binhai."

Saying this, he took out a yellow strip of paper from his pocket, saying, "This is the date the daoist priest from White Cloud Temple recommended based on you and Ajie's birthdates—June 28th."

"June 28th?"

An Kexin quickly refused, saying, "That's not possible! Dad, our hospital's opening is also set for June, everything's bunching up together, it's too rushed, it's not feasible."

An Weize snorted, "The date given by the daoist priest is in the lunar calendar; in the solar calendar, it's late July."

"This time theoretically avoids the hospital opening. If you find it too rushed, the daoist priest provided another date."

"Which day?" An Kexin asked.

"March 26th."

An Kexin's face twisted, saying gloomily, "Then June 28th is better."

An Weize stood up joyfully, saying, "I'll announce this date widely."

"Kexin, it's not that I'm criticizing you. Your procrastination makes it seem like you don't want to marry Ajie."

An Kexin shook her head, saying, "I've long been sure about Ajie, and naturally, I want to be with him. But whenever I think about marriage, I feel scared and reminded of Mom..."

"And I also think that after marriage, it seems like the distance between Dad and Kemeng will grow..."

Lin Jie discussed some detailed issues about water tank equipment with Lei Jun and others, watched the engineers and workers for a while, and then left the comprehensive laboratory building.

Back on his office floor, he saw an unexpected guy pacing back and forth in front of his office door.

Lin Jie instinctively wanted to turn around and leave but then thought, why should he avoid this? This is his territory.

He walked up quickly, saying angrily, "Xie Xingze, why are you here? You should understand that I'm not eager to deal with you again."

Xie Xingze looked at Lin Jie with a complex expression and sighed lightly, saying, "Actually, I don't want to be here either, but for my father, I had to come."

"Please, can you hear me out?"

Lin Jie opened the office door, expressionless, and said, "You have ten minutes."

"Ten minutes is enough."

Xie Xingze followed Lin Jie into the office, saying, "Over the past year, it's been a succession of disasters for my father. Leukemia, Grandpa's passing, a divorce, almost complete loss of family assets."

"This made my father reflect, especially your appearance, which made him deeply regret his past ridiculous actions."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jie interrupted Xie Xingze coldly, "Xie Xingze, if you're trying to say good things for him or attempt to restore relations, I advise you not to waste your breath; it's impossible."

"Lin Jie, don't misunderstand, that's not why I'm here."

Xie Xingze explained, then continued, "After realizing his mistakes, my father decided to find people he wronged early on, hoping to apologize in person and offer some compensation."

He further explained, "Father is aware that you and Lin Miao hold deep resentment against him, and you're doing well now. A mere apology can't heal the harm he caused to you, so he's respecting your wishes by staying away from you."

"The apology and compensation are just for others..."

Lin Jie mockingly said, "The number of people he needs to apologize to should keep him busy for years, right?"

Xie Xingze smiled awkwardly, saying, "It's a good thing that he's able to repent and reflect."

"Father found a few people and expressed his remorse through various means."

"Until he met a woman named Shu Yali."

"This woman's son suffered an accident two years ago, leading to a lack of strength in his left arm, and he hasn't received effective treatment since."

"Father went to apologize, and Shu Yali said, if father truly wished to apologize, he should ensure her son's recovery."

At this, Xie Xingze earnestly said, "Because of this, Father came to Binhai a few days ago."

"He wants to find you, but he's afraid to and has been hesitating."

"Yesterday evening, likely due to some distraction, my father was lightly hit by a car, resulting in some cuts and a concussion. He was treated in the emergency department of this hospital."

"Lin Jie, I know you won't forgive my father."

"But could you help, as a doctor, by seeing this patient and checking if his arm can be treated?"

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