Volume 1, Chapter 36: If She Wishes for Me to Go, It Is Not Impossible

The nurse at the triage desk checked the records. "It should be Dr. Yang’s clinic."

Yang Zhenyu was a renowned ophthalmologist. Just then, Dr. Yang finished seeing a patient and stepped out of his office for a breath of air. The moment he emerged, he spotted Li Shiyan standing at the triage desk and walked over.

"Well, Shiyan! It really has been a long time, hasn't it? It’s been four years since you returned to the country, right?"

Li Shiyan nodded. "It is I who should have hosted a welcome dinner for you, Professor Yang."

"Oh, nonsense. We’re all doctors; we’re so busy we barely have time to eat. Let’s skip those empty formalities. You’re in the ophthalmology department—is something wrong with your eyes?" Dr. Yang asked with genuine concern.

Dr. Yang had met Li Shiyan while the latter was studying abroad. In a foreign land, sharing the same profession and nationality, the two had developed a bond that transcended their age difference.

Li Shiyan shook his head. "No, I was just passing by. I heard you’ve seen over a dozen patients today. Was there one by the name of Ning?"

Dr. Yang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do you have surveillance on me? But that girl’s condition is much the same as what you asked me about when you were abroad. I can’t say anything more; you know how it is in our line of work—we cannot easily disclose patient privacy."

Li Shiyan smiled and nodded. "I was just asking. Professor Yang, after all these years abroad, has there been any progress on retinitis pigmentosa?"

"Getting there. It’s entering Phase Three." Dr. Yang teased, seeing through him. "What, asking for that little girlfriend of yours again?"

"We broke up eight years ago," Li Shiyan replied.

Dr. Yang’s expression shifted slightly. They chatted for a while longer to catch up before parting ways.

On his way back to his office, Li Shiyan recalled the last time he had asked Dr. Yang about it while abroad—it had only just entered Phase Two. In just four years, it had reached Phase Three; it would soon be ready for clinical trials. He thought back to eight years ago, when Ning Yu first suffered an episode of night blindness. The early sign of her illness had been transient night blindness, and he had dragged her everywhere, seeking medical help in vain.

Eight years... It had been eight years already.

...

Lin Haoyu felt genuinely guilty, and for the next little while, he was exceptionally attentive, running to Ning Yu’s school day after day. He brought flowers and food. Ning Yu didn't know if the flowers were pretty, but the students loved them. As for the food, she had no interest in it and always distributed it among her office colleagues. After a week of this, it was the colleagues and students who were most satisfied with Lin Haoyu. Ning Yu didn't have many thoughts on the matter; she only wanted the engagement to proceed smoothly so she could secure the shares, which would facilitate her next steps.

...

Soon, only three days remained before the engagement banquet. To ensure it went smoothly, the Ning family was invited to the Lin family’s old estate.

Though it was said to be for the sake of getting closer, few in the Lin family thought much of the Nings, and even the servants were distant. Mrs. Ning was smugly pleased; the Ning family’s business projects had not been delayed, and the Lin family showed no signs of holding them accountable.

Ning Yu was once again assigned to the East Courtyard.

Mrs. Lin walked down, arm-in-arm with Lin Haoyu. "Sorry to trouble you all to stay for a few days. We originally intended for you to come just one day early, but as it happens, the old master’s birthday banquet is tomorrow, and it’s the First Branch’s turn to host. Haoyu said we’re practically family now, so we decided to invite you over together. I hope you don't mind."

Mrs. Lin’s attitude was lukewarm on the surface, her gaze fixed entirely on Mrs. Ning and Ning Yunyun, ignoring Ning Yu completely. Ning Yunyun was chatting with Lin Fangfei. Ning Yu was happy to play the ostrich and stay silent, though she could feel Lin Fangfei’s gaze landing on her intentionally or otherwise. Every time she looked up, however, Lin Fangfei would look away. Mrs. Ning, meanwhile, was all smiles, fawning over Mrs. Lin.

The Lin patriarch’s birthday banquet was one of the most prestigious events in the entire capital’s social circle; countless people would break their necks trying to get an invitation. But the old master never liked extravagance, and as he aged, he preferred quiet, usually opting for a simple family dinner. If not for Ning Yu and Lin Haoyu’s engagement, the Ning family’s meager standing wouldn't have even gotten them a place in line.

While Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Ning were talking, Lin Haoyu stepped out to make a phone call. When he returned, his expression was grim.

"What’s wrong?" Mrs. Lin asked.

Lin Haoyu said helplessly, "My uncle says he’s busy and won't make it back for Grandfather’s banquet."

Mrs. Lin frowned. If the old master’s favorite youngest son were absent while the First Branch was hosting, it was hard to say if the family gathering would even feel complete, and nobody could handle the old master’s temper if he flared up. Ning Yunyun and Lin Haoyu looked disappointed.

Only Ning Yu let out a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that the man wasn't there; otherwise, these three days would be far too stressful.

No sooner had she breathed a sigh of relief than she heard Lin Haoyu rise decisively. "I’ll go ask him myself. Even if I have to kneel, I will bring him back."

Ning Yunyun volunteered, "Brother Haoyu, I’ll go with you! I’m an outsider; he shouldn't be embarrassed to scold you in front of me."

Mrs. Ning tugged at Ning Yunyun’s sleeve, trying to stop her. Ning Yu didn't care; if Ning Yunyun wanted to go and embarrass herself or get roasted by that "bioweapon" of a man, she could go right ahead.

Lin Haoyu and Mrs. Lin seemed to tacitly approve. Only Lin Fangfei, for some reason, steered the conversation toward Ning Yu, her tone indifferent. "Brother, Uncle is quite fond of Ning Yu. You should take her with you to ask him."

Lin Haoyu realized she was right. His uncle was the only one in the family who liked Ning Yu. If he brought her along, the chances of success would increase significantly.

Without giving Ning Yu a chance to refuse, Lin Haoyu agreed immediately. No one in the room asked for Ning Yu’s opinion, nor did they give her a moment to speak.

Thinking of Li Shiyan reminded Ning Yu of their argument at the hospital, and her head began to throb. On the way there, her mind was entirely occupied with how to broach the subject.

Halfway there, Ning Yu realized they weren't heading toward the People’s Hospital. "Haoyu, aren't we going to the hospital?"

Lin Haoyu shook his head. "Brother Cheng said Uncle is resting these past two days."

Ning Yu looked out the window; they weren't going toward North Mountain either. "Then where are we..."

"Uncle has a lot of property. He has a villa on North Mountain that cost as much to buy the land and build as the old estate. Unfortunately, he never lets anyone go there, and no one knows what’s hidden inside. Rumor has it he might be keeping a mistress there. But the one he stays in most often is near the hospital," Lin Haoyu explained.

Ning Yu lowered her eyes and stared at her hands, saying nothing.

Lin Haoyu knocked on the door. When they entered, Li Shiyan had just stepped out of the shower, a bath towel wrapped around his waist. Ning Yu’s gaze darted away, not daring to look.

In the study, Lin Haoyu explained their purpose.

Li Shiyan refused. "I’m not going."

Lin Haoyu looked at Ning Yu in distress. Before she could speak, another sharp, piercing gaze landed on her.

The man said with a playful tone, "However, if she wishes for me to go, it is not entirely impossible."