Chapter Four: Nothing but Awkwardness

The events of last night were still vivid in Yinuo’s mind. She didn’t know how to walk out or what mindset to adopt when facing him. All she felt was awkwardness, nothing but awkwardness. Nervously, she twisted the hem of her clothes, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

“Sigh! I’m exhausted!” Lin Xi said in a low voice. “I don’t know why, but there were more patients today than usual.”

She sat down in front of the computer and casually tossed the medical records onto the desk. Raising her hand, she rubbed the back of her neck. “I really want to get a massage after work. Staring at the screen for so long has made my head stiff.”

Yan Ze stood behind Lin Xi, placing his hands on her shoulders. “How about I give you a massage?”

His ten fingers found the acupressure points on her shoulders with precision and began to knead gently. Lin Xi softly hummed with relief.

“It’s truly my blessing to have President Yan help with a massage,” she smiled, picking up the medical record and starting to enter the patient’s information into the computer.

Yan Ze’s gaze softened as it fell on her fair shoulders. Hearing her praise, a satisfied smile curved his lips. Lin Xi was a match arranged between families; whether he liked it or not didn’t matter, as long as his mother approved. Marriage was just that—what mattered between families was mutual benefit. He understood his role clearly and agreed to try dating her. Although they had only met three times, their interactions were easygoing.

Leaning closer to her ear, Yan Ze intended to ask if his pressure was too hard but unintentionally noticed the name in the patient’s record—Yinuo.

Yinuo?

Was she the young girl he had drugged and slept with last night?

He instinctively glanced toward the inner room, but no one came out.

As if by some telepathic connection, Lin Xi also looked up, glanced toward the inner room, then at the computer clock. It was almost time to leave. Why hadn’t that person come out yet?

Growing impatient, she called out toward the inner room, “Yinuo, come out quickly. I’ve prepared your medicine.”

Yinuo sat on the bed, listening intently to the sounds outside. Suddenly startled by Lin Xi’s call, she stiffly got up. What needed to be faced must be faced; hiding wouldn’t solve anything.

She glanced around quietly and saw Yan Ze sitting on the sofa nearby, absorbed in the day’s newspaper, unaware of the situation here.

After all, they were just a one-night stand. Under these circumstances, it was better for him to pretend he didn’t know her in front of his girlfriend, sparing both of them awkwardness.

Lin Xi was entering data into the computer when Yinuo appeared. She said, “I’m prescribing you some anti-inflammatory and painkillers, three times a day after meals. Remember to take them with food.”

Yinuo nodded, face flushed.

Lin Xi pressed enter on the computer, and soon the printer whirred softly. Within a second, the prescription was printed. She checked its contents and added, “Remember, no sexual activity for one week.”

Yinuo nodded awkwardly again. “Got it.”

Yan Ze pretended to read the newspaper but felt a pang when he heard Lin Xi say no sex for a week. Could it be that last night he was too rough and Yinuo, being inexperienced, came to see the doctor because she was uncomfortable? Raising the paper slightly to hide his face, he peeked through his fingers and saw Yinuo frowning, her face flushed, restless as she sat opposite Lin Xi.

Embarrassed, Yinuo looked at Lin Xi, fearing what she might say next. At this moment, she just wanted to take the prescription and leave immediately. But fate had other plans. Lin Xi suddenly added, “Next time you have sex, tell your husband to be gentle. Don’t let him take advantage of being young and get his way all the time. In the end, it’s you who suffers. Understand?”

Hearing this, Yinuo’s face turned purple, feeling as if her earlobes were bleeding. She wished she could crawl into a hole and disappear. In her heart, she cursed Yan Ze and Yixin Yan—if not for them, how would she have ended up like this?

She didn’t even remember how she staggered out with the prescription, feeling like she was drunk with each unsteady step. Her heart pounded wildly, like a joyful little rabbit ready to leap out of her chest. She pressed her hand to her chest, afraid it might burst forth.

Yinuo quickly rented an apartment near the school—a one-bedroom with a living room, rent affordable. She was pleased. She made a special trip to the supermarket, bought a new set of bedding, made the bed, and tidied the room a little before returning to the Y family villa for her luggage.

She deliberately chose a time when no one was home, fearing she might run into her foster mother, Zhang Juan. If Zhang saw her hauling large bags out, wouldn’t she insist on opening the cases for inspection? Although Yinuo didn’t take anything valuable, such an act would be humiliating.

Her luggage wasn’t much: a few sets of clothes for all seasons and some books, filling two large suitcases.

The clothes were light, but the books were heavy. Yinuo huffed and puffed carrying the suitcases, alarming the housekeeper, Aunt Zhang.

Aunt Zhang hurried over when she saw Yinuo struggling. “Second Miss, where are you moving to?”

Yinuo put down the cases, leaning on the stair railing, catching her breath.

Although Aunt Zhang was kind, she was originally brought from their hometown by Zhang Juan, so Yinuo treated her with respect but remained cautious. “Aunt Zhang, I told Dad I’m moving to the school dorm for a few months. The academic load is heavy, so it’s more convenient. This suitcase,” she smiled, pointing at one, “is full of my books. They’re heavy.”

She said this deliberately, hoping Aunt Zhang would relay the message to Zhang Juan: she only took her own belongings, not anything from the Y family.

Seeing Yinuo’s unsteady steps with the heavy suitcase, Aunt Zhang guessed it was heavy but didn’t think much of it. She lifted the suitcase and headed downstairs. “You young girls aren’t used to heavy work. Let me help you. You can take a taxi after.”

Yinuo grabbed the other suitcase and followed Aunt Zhang. “Thank you so much, Aunt Zhang. If I moved these alone, I wouldn’t know when I’d finish.”

Back at the rental, she reorganized her luggage. The small apartment finally felt a little like home.

Exhausted, Yinuo collapsed onto the bed, gazing around the space she had tidied with satisfaction. Here, no one looked down on her or suppressed her or schemed against her. She could do whatever she wanted. Thinking this way, hope for the future blossomed again.

She suddenly recalled something and picked up her phone beside the pillow to send a message to Yilei Jun: “Dad, I moved my luggage to the dorm today. I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

To her surprise, Yilei Jun called immediately.

Answering, she heard his reproach: “Nuo’er, why didn’t you tell your father when you moved? I could have driven you.”

Yilei Jun truly cared for her, but since the incident two nights ago, she had begun to doubt everything—how much of this kindness was genuine and how much was false?

“I know you’re busy with work, Dad, so I didn’t tell you. I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“You’re my child; how could I not worry?” Yilei Jun sighed softly, his throat a bit hoarse. “I never thought my little Nuo’er would grow up, spread her wings, and fly out. Good, good, good... Just don’t find your old man annoying. Nuo’er, don’t let yourself suffer out there. If you’re short on money, ask Dad, okay?”

Listening to her father’s voice filled with emotion, Yinuo felt a wave of dizziness. She thought she heard him choke up. Was he sad because of her? She couldn’t help but call out, “Dad.”

She wanted to tell him she didn’t need money and had enough for now, but in her current state, she didn’t know how to say it.