Regarding Yan Ming’s question, Yu Tian nodded.

Yan Ming paused, his tone becoming somewhat ominous: “You said you wanted to be written into the same household registration book, hoping your mother and my father could succeed, so we could be family?”

Yu Tian nodded again.

Of course.

“So your previous visits bringing me food and constantly inviting me to dinner were also for this reason?”

At this point, Yu Tian no longer held back and honestly said: “Not entirely. You can think of bringing food as one way a fan shows support for their idol. Besides, you so kindly sent me several red envelopes, and I couldn’t just accept them for nothing…”

“…”

Yan Ming pressed his lips tightly together without speaking. The atmosphere became deathly silent, as if the air had frozen.

Had her mention of transferring money back been too abrupt and offensive?

After all, Yan Ming’s family was so wealthy… saying this made it seem like Yan Ming cared about that money…

Did Yan Ming look like someone who lacked money or cared about such small amounts?

Yu Tian was about to explain and make amends when she heard Yan Ming, who had been silent for a long time, look at Yu Tian with deep eyes and speak again—

“Then why did you have Qi Sihao steal my umbrella that rainy day?”

Yan Ming’s voice was cold, like a student trying to catch logical flaws in a math problem setter’s reasoning, to prove that his inability to solve the problem wasn’t his fault, but that the problem setter had made an error.

Yu Tian didn’t know why Yan Ming was so fixated on that broken umbrella, but she still kindly clarified—

“That wasn’t me telling Qi Sihao to steal it. Qi Sihao wanted to do it himself. I tried to stop him, but Qi Sihao wouldn’t listen. He’s not very honorable—he said stealing your umbrella would prevent you from having a chance to see Gao Mei at the hospital entrance, so he could lie and say you still had business and couldn’t leave, then unilaterally lead Gao Mei away.”

Throughout Yu Tian’s explanation, Yan Ming’s brow never relaxed. He said coldly: “What does this have to do with Gao Mei?”

Yu Tian was puzzled: “Didn’t you say last time that you knew Qi Sihao’s intention for stealing the umbrella?”

Had this important person forgotten due to his busy schedule?

Yu Tian thought about it and kindly reminded him again: “Qi Sihao wants to pursue Gao Mei, but unfortunately, his affections fall on deaf ears—Gao Mei has no feelings for him but is deeply devoted to you… To replace you and spend time alone with Gao Mei, Qi Sihao came up with this terrible idea…”

“…”

“So when you badmouthed me in front of Gao Mei just now, was it also for this reason?”

“Mm…” Yu Tian lowered her head. “Mainly, your father’s cheating made me somewhat transfer my anger to you, so I thought about helping Qi Sihao eliminate the competition. Didn’t you already know my intention?”

“…”

“This was wrong of me, and I apologize to you again. I’ll also clarify things with Gao Mei. If you mind, I can find an opportunity to invite you both to dinner and formally clarify this.”

“No need. Don’t clarify—this is good, very good.”

When Yu Tian was speaking, she hadn’t paid attention, but now that she finished and looked up, she was startled by Yan Ming’s stormy expression.

This… was there something wrong with this?

Why did Yan Ming say “no need,” but look at Yu Tian as if she had committed unforgivable crimes?

She had indeed been improper regarding Gao Mei, but given Gao Mei’s rose-colored glasses toward Yan Ming, as long as she clarified properly, eliminating the negative impact wouldn’t be difficult at all!

But Yan Ming’s gaze looked more like he was viewing some… fraud artist?

So, had she been inappropriate and immature by exposing this matter and bringing it to the surface?

But Yu Tian hadn’t expected Yan Ming’s focus to be somewhat off-track.

“‘Unfortunately, his affections fall on deaf ears.'” His voice carried coldness and frost. Yu Tian heard Yan Ming say word by word, “So you mean I’m the deaf ear?”

“…” This was being unreasonably argumentative!

“That was just an inappropriate metaphor!” Yu Tian stammered in explanation. “I’m just clumsy with words, that phrase just popped into my head first…”

“So you were helping Qi Sihao steal my girlfriend?”

Yu Tian was breaking out in cold sweat. She tried to argue: “You can’t put it that way… I could see you had no feelings for Sister Gao Mei, and you even transferred money to me, telling me not to reveal your information anymore, so this could be considered optimal resource allocation… But I had no malicious intent. At most, I was an accomplice under duress—the terrible idea of stealing the umbrella was mainly Qi Sihao’s idea that he carried out himself!”

“If you mind, you can make Qi Sihao work extra night shifts! Just enslave him! His limbs are well-developed anyway! See, I’m not helping him!”

As a seasoned frenemy, Yu Tian immediately wanted to cut ties with Qi Sihao. She solemnly declared, “Qi Sihao’s immoral umbrella-stealing behavior should indeed be condemned! Although the umbrella theft had nothing to do with me, since I’m his neighbor and knew about his behavior, I also wanted to make amends, so I came to return the umbrella!”

Yu Tian felt she had explained very hard, but for some reason, Yan Ming’s expression was like a misdiagnosed patient—though he hadn’t given up treatment, because the treatment was in the wrong direction, the more treatment he received, the worse his condition became…

Yu Tian couldn’t help showing some concern: “Are you in a bad mood? Did something happen?”

But Yan Ming almost immediately denied it: “No.” The man said coldly, “Bad mood? I’m in an excellent mood.”

Though he denied it, Yu Tian felt his tone was somewhat sarcastic.

This didn’t look like being in an excellent mood at all…

“If you’re not in a bad mood, are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Yu Tian was still concerned. “I see your complexion is really bad. Are you overworked from too much overtime…”

But Yan Ming said coldly, “I’m not unwell. I feel great physically—never more comfortable than right now.”

This…

Forget it. Whether mood or physical condition, these probably involved personal privacy. Yan Ming’s tightly pressed lips were full of rejection, clearly not wanting to discuss this topic further. Yu Tian decided to tactfully change the subject.

But change to what?

Yu Tian looked anxiously at Yan Ming’s changeable expression. Though somewhat timid, she bit her lip and tried to make one last attempt: “So, can we still be friends?”

“Although our parents couldn’t be together, I think we get along quite well, and we’re alumni from the same school. Our parents both did wrong things—though both were inappropriate, it could barely be considered mutually offsetting…”

Unfortunately, Yan Ming’s gaze looked like it wanted to devour someone. He directly interrupted Yu Tian, saying somewhat through gritted teeth, word by word: “Didn’t you say that even if we couldn’t be friends, you could accept it?”

“…” Yu Tian was speechless. “I didn’t think that way. You said that if I exposed these things, we couldn’t even be friends anymore. I don’t want it to be this way either…”

“Then you won’t accept it or resist?”

Yu Tian was quite practical: “But forced melons aren’t sweet. After all, we don’t know each other well. Aside from our parents’ relationship, we don’t have any other connection. I’d be embarrassed to force you, since I don’t have the standing or qualification…”

Yu Tian was puzzled, not knowing what had gotten into Yan Ming. She added another item to Yan Ming’s list of flaws in her mind: moody.

But Yu Tian was still quite accommodating. Unable to figure out what Yan Ming meant, she could only probe: “Then how should I resist? If I resist, will you continue being friends with me?”

“Forget it.” Yan Ming sneered, his tone quite sarcastic. “Since you’ve already prepared yourself mentally for not being friends, I’d be embarrassed to waste your psychological preparation. There’s no need to be friends. We don’t know each other well, and aside from our parents’ relationship, we don’t have any other connection. You don’t have the standing or qualification—indeed, no need to force it.”

“…”

For some reason, Yan Ming seemed angry. Yu Tian had never seen him so emotionally intense before, making her somewhat trembling with fear.

She said carefully: “But I’ll still do what I promised to do.”

After Yu Tian finished speaking, she looked around, then looked at Yan Ming solemnly: “Wait here for me a moment. I’ll buy something and be right back.”

Yu Tian almost fled into a roadside dry goods shop.

Yan Ming’s father had also cheated! Why did Yan Ming look at her with such a murderous, gritted-teeth expression after she confessed about her mother’s situation, as if she had done something wrong and had some deep grudge against him?

Yu Tian was somewhat anxious, but she still bit the bullet, bought something, walked out of the shop, and handed it to Yan Ming.

Yan Ming kept a straight face, as if still digesting Yu Tian’s previous words, and also as if still angry.

He pressed his lips together: “What is this?”

“I checked, and the health supplement stores around here are still some distance away. Since we’ve already spoken openly, it would be quite awkward to accompany you to buy health supplements together, plus you don’t want to be friends with me anymore…” Yu Tian chose her words carefully. “But I still want to keep my word as much as possible, so I bought you some walnuts.”

“Walnuts are quite good—they’re good for the brain, and they’re pure and natural, with rich protein and vitamins. They’re both appetizing and nourishing for qi and blood…”

Though much cheaper per unit than health supplements, to express her sincerity, Yu Tian bought a heavy large bag. After finishing her explanation, she stuffed the heavy bag into Yan Ming’s hands.

The sudden weight in Yan Ming’s hands finally gave him some sense of reality.

Yu Tian looked very nervous. Her previous impassioned speech had used up all her courage. Now she looked quite embarrassed and apologetic, her gaze evasive, not even daring to look directly at Yan Ming.

Yu Tian was at a loss, yet very frank.

Her face showed no shyness, disappointment, or grievance.

Yan Ming also snapped out of his great bewilderment.

Yu Tian’s speech just now finally made him realize where the problem lay, and also allowed him to sort out all those details he had previously misread.

It wasn’t Yu Tian who was wrong.

He was wrong.

And ridiculously wrong.

Under the enormous shock, Yan Ming was caught completely off guard. He was somewhat dazed, only passively responding to Yu Tian’s words, not even managing to take the initiative and say something.

Only when this heartless Yu Tian finished buying walnuts and stuffed the heavy bag into Yan Ming’s hands did he snap out of his great bewilderment and realize he should clarify something.

He stared at Yu Tian and said word by word through gritted teeth: “Don’t you know that your mother and my father peacefully broke up several weeks ago?”

“Ah?!”

Yu Tian’s face indeed showed shock and amazement: “What?”

Her reaction successfully made Yan Ming’s expression even darker. He rubbed his brow, showing an “as expected” ugly expression: “You didn’t know?”

Yu Tian’s reaction had explained everything.

She truly didn’t know.

So she was still talking about both parents cheating.

This was exactly the crux of the problem.

Yan Ming’s dulled thinking was forced to operate again in the face of this fact.

That is, according to Yu Tian’s logic, she had always thought their respective parents were still in the passionate romance phase, and had even reached the stage where they might discuss marriage.

And her deliberate attempts to win favor and subtle expressions of wanting to be written into the same household registration book, as well as her current attitude and previous speech…

It was simply unbelievable.

How could he have been so ridiculously wrong?

Yan Ming didn’t give up. As if unable to believe it, he continued to confirm: “So you misunderstood before, didn’t know they had broken up, and still wanted to be step-siblings with me?”

For some reason, Yan Ming’s gaze looked somewhat subtle and aggressive, like an honest man finally exploding and questioning his cheating wife, word by word, gritting his teeth, unable to accept it.

Yu Tian also looked extremely shocked. She didn’t even bother to answer Yan Ming’s question, only exclaiming: “What?! They broke up? When did they break up? My mother never told me! She said she was still dating your father!”

Yan Ming gave a time, again receiving Yu Tian’s earthquake-like expression.

She looked simply stunned, as if her worldview had suddenly shattered, her face also showing a cracked expression.

At this point, Yu Tian reviewed and reflected on her mother’s recent behavior, suddenly realizing the signs of something amiss had been there all along.

Ms. Song Chunxiang had hidden this from her!

Yu Tian’s pupils practically shook: “My mother didn’t tell me. Several times when I saw her not going out on dates, she would blame it on you taking up Uncle Yan’s time, so he had no time, so I just…”

Yan Ming’s gaze was deep. He stared at Yu Tian and said expressionlessly: “So you came to find me every day, thinking that by occupying my time, my father would have time to date your mother?”

Yu Tian coughed and glossed over: “You can’t put it that way. I came to find you every day from the heart, too. Mainly, I wanted to be your sister. You’re my learning idol, beacon of progress, life compass. I especially wanted to become family with you, so I wanted to get familiar with you and experience your personal charm and human brilliance…”

But at this point, Yu Tian didn’t dare hide anything more and could only sheepishly confess everything: “Additionally, of course, there was a little selfishness. I thought that, as an adult man, being such a daddy’s boy wasn’t very good. I felt you might not have much of a social circle or close friends because of work busyness. I happen to be freelance and quite free, so I could pull you along to enrich your leisure life, avoiding being so empty that you’d always hang around with your father…”

She immediately added, “Of course, now I know this was a misunderstanding! According to your timeline, my mother and your father should have already broken up by then! You’re not a daddy’s boy!”

Yan Ming’s gaze was heavy as he stared at her intently.

Under this gaze, Yu Tian also became somewhat embarrassed: “Now I realize this was a misunderstanding, and I occupied quite a bit of your leisure time, which I feel quite sorry about… The money you transferred to me before, every time I cooked for you, I kept track of expenses, and there’s still quite a bit left.”

Yu Tian had a flash of inspiration: “But since you insist on not letting me return the money, how about we use another method? Like in the future I can invite you to dinner again, and you can give me the chance to pay the bill?”

Facing Yan Ming’s stormy expression, Yu Tian was nervous and became increasingly incoherent, while Yan Ming’s expression grew increasingly ugly with her words.

“Invite me to dinner again, heh, I bet it’s to ask me academic and professional questions.”

“…”

Though she did have such a small intention, it wasn’t… wasn’t entirely like that…

“And what about that PS photo from last time?”

Yu Tian was stunned, not knowing why the topic had jumped to this, but she instinctively confessed: “That restaurant had a couple’s meal discount that only required providing a photo together.”

She thought about it and added: “Plus writing some love phrase or something. I randomly thought of one to get by.” Yu Tian explained, “Mainly, I saw many people claiming to be couples who could enjoy this discount. At that time, my self-media wasn’t earning much money, so the discount was very attractive…”

“…”

Probably disgusted by her taking advantage of small benefits and recalling that PS photo with dissatisfaction, Yan Ming’s expression became a bit uglier.

But when Yan Ming brought this up at this time, Yu Tian naturally understood the subtext behind his question.

He must think this restaurant had good food and wanted her to treat him there again next time, but felt embarrassed because of the PS photo incident.

Therefore, Yu Tian accommodatingly explained: “It’s fine. I already explained the situation to the restaurant. They know we’re not a couple, so even if we go next time, they definitely won’t misunderstand. Also, I promise not to ask you academic questions!”

Yan Ming just pressed his lips together and said nothing coldly.

Yu Tian racked her brain. Just as she was about to explain that the PS photo storm had long been cleared up, Yan Ming stopped her: “Don’t talk. I don’t want to go anymore.”

He looked at Yu Tian coldly with warning eyes, as if Yu Tian were a terrifying mage who could cast spells just by opening her mouth.

He glared at Yu Tian: “Let me have some quiet.”

“…”

However, Yan Ming’s series of words made Yu Tian, as her rationality gradually returned, somewhat come to her senses.

Yan Ming’s father and her mother had broken up long ago. Yan Ming knew about this, while her mother had hidden it from her for some reason.

Since Yan Ming had long known about her mother and his father’s breakup, then she had wrongly blamed Yan Ming all along. He didn’t condone cheating—after all, his father was newly single and naturally had the freedom to see anyone, and her mother hadn’t cheated either.

Yu Tian felt relieved about this.

Whether Yan Ming or Yan Wenhua, it seemed neither was a scumbag, and her mother wasn’t a cheater either.

But if her mother and Yan Ming’s father had broken up long ago, and neither had cheated…

Why couldn’t she and Yan Ming be friends?

After all, both sides had no moral flaws or ugly breakup endings!

In modern society, if a blind date doesn’t work out and they break up peacefully, they can still be friends afterward—this is very normal!

Why did Yan Ming have such a strong reaction?

Yu Tian carefully looked at Yan Ming and confirmed again: “Can we not be friends anymore?”

Originally thinking that with the misunderstanding cleared up, Yu Tian felt she and Yan Ming could at least maintain friendly relations in the future, but Yan Ming looked like he was about to explode with anger.

“No.”

He glared at Yu Tian and expressionlessly spat out two words.

Then, before Yu Tian could react, the large bag of walnuts she had just bought was stuffed back into her hands.

“Keep the walnuts for someone who needs them more.”

“…”

Yan Ming’s expression was stern and cold, looking quite unsympathetic. From the lines between his brows, one could see he was obviously in a very bad mood.

Though this ending was somewhat sad, Yu Tian somewhat understood.

Doctors’ time is very busy, especially for excellent ophthalmologists like Yan Ming. He couldn’t possibly be friends with all the family members of everyone his father had been on blind dates with, especially since she had even introduced Ren Yali to see him—this practically violated many doctors’ taboos, as doctors don’t like befriending people who try to use them for medical consultations.

After a failed blind date, to avoid awkwardness, perhaps the best outcome was to return to stranger status. After all, it was originally just a passing connection, and under normal circumstances there wouldn’t be any further intersection.

Or perhaps her badmouthing Yan Ming in front of Gao Mei had touched Yan Ming’s biggest taboo. In any case, men’s hearts also had many twists and turns, very hard to guess, and Yu Tian gave up guessing.

Currently, the ultimatum she received from Yan Ming was that, after speaking so openly, they shouldn’t be friends anymore.

Being friends requires two people, but ending a friendship, like divorce, only needs one party to not want to continue the relationship, and then the relationship cannot be maintained.

At this moment, Yu Tian’s heart was full of mixed feelings.

But Yan Ming’s heart was also not calm.

He stared at Yu Tian’s expression—her anxiety, unease, melancholy, and struggle were all visible.

Yu Tian had never pursued him, so his previous behavior was completely one-sided wishful thinking. His originally self-satisfied mentality suddenly became ridiculous due to the facts.

But even if his previous misunderstanding meant she had no intention of pursuing him, now that she couldn’t be friends with him and he had said such harsh words, Yu Tian must feel bad too.

Yan Ming’s mood was very complex.

Yu Tian was biting her lip so hard that Yan Ming felt that if he didn’t speak up to stop her, her lips would bleed.

Why be angry with her?

Due to some information gaps, such a big misunderstanding occurred, and Yu Tian couldn’t be entirely blamed. At least she recognized his character and abilities, which is why she so desperately hoped he could become her stepbrother.

Yan Ming softened and decided to give Yu Tian a way out.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Yu Tian indeed became bashful: “I…”

Her beautiful face showed an embarrassed expression, as if she had something shameful to say but couldn’t make up her mind.

That made sense. Looking like she did, expecting her to humbly beg others to be friends with her was unrealistic.

Yan Ming’s mood became slightly more peaceful. He glanced at Yu Tian and made a concession: “I’ll give you one chance. You can make one request. I’ll agree to it.”

Though he didn’t lack this one friend, having one more wouldn’t hurt.

Yan Ming decided to give Yu Tian one last chance. If she requested to continue being friends, he’d turn a blind eye and let it go.

“Really?!”

Yu Tian’s face indeed lit up with joy: “Any request is okay?”

“Mm.”

Yu Tian excitedly pulled out her notebook from her bag: “I still have half a notebook of questions I asked you last time that haven’t been resolved.”

She grabbed Yan Ming and randomly walked into a nearby small café: “Then let’s take advantage of tonight—I’ll finish asking all these questions!”

She looked at Yan Ming with a pleading expression: “After this time, I definitely won’t bother you again. Thank you, thank you!”

“…”

Yan Ming could hardly believe his eyes: “Are you sure you want to use this opportunity to ask questions?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Yu Tian nodded while opening her notebook. “Here, in this surgery, I want to ask why you operate this way first…”

“…”

Yan Ming had never experienced anything like this in his life, but reality didn’t allow him to think much, because Yu Tian’s questions were coming one after another.

She asked very professionally and thoroughly, so much so that Yan Ming couldn’t space out and had to focus completely to avoid making mistakes in his answers.

“For the case you asked about, a six-year-old with congenital cataracts, but vision didn’t improve significantly after cataract surgery, at this point, you need to thoroughly examine the fundus. I’ve treated similar cases before and finally discovered optic disc dysplasia, and this dysplasia was consistent with morning glory syndrome, so we had to cooperate and change to a new intervention plan…”

Yu Tian said she would finish asking the remaining half notebook of questions, and she kept her word.

She was almost tireless, like finally catching Yan Ming, this fat sheep, completely unconcerned about being polite and desperately shearing wool. Yan Ming was questioned to the point where he didn’t even have time to drink water.

The randomly chosen small café provided sandwiches and similar light meals. Neither Yu Tian nor Yan Ming paid much attention, both casually eating while continuing to discuss medical issues.

Three hours later, the small café was about to close, and Yu Tian’s remaining half notebook of questions was finally finished.

Her eyes were bright and shining, full of worship for Yan Ming and reluctance to part.

But finally, Yan Ming watched her close the notebook with a solemn expression of having drawn a perfect conclusion.

“Senior Yan Ming, thank you for your answers, thank you for giving me this last opportunity.”

Yu Tian was very polite and respectful, but looked at Yan Ming like looking at a high-end AI learning machine. Even her address had dropped from the intimate “Brother Yan Ming” to “Senior Yan Ming.”

Yan Ming’s face darkened: “I just said this was the last request I’d grant you.”

He harbored thoughts of teasing Yu Tian, not knowing what childish testing and vengeful psychology he was operating under, saying coldly: “Don’t meet again in the future.”

Not being able to become family didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends.

Yu Tian’s medical literacy was high, and her professional abilities were quite good. Though it was regrettable that her hand injury prevented her from performing surgery, the self-media medical science education she was currently doing, if properly planned, would greatly benefit the popularization of medical knowledge.

Good professional medical self-media, besides popularizing medical knowledge, could also bridge the distance between doctors and patients, allowing patients to better understand some basic disease diagnoses and treatment methods that doctors don’t have time to explain thoroughly. In the long run, this would also help improve doctor-patient relationships and enhance mutual understanding.

If Qi Sihao was willing to help her film material, and if she came to ask him, he might not be unwilling to cooperate a bit.

Actually, after saying those words to scare her, Yan Ming immediately regretted it, because Yu Tian’s face showed regret, loss, sadness, and visible reluctance to part.

Quite pitiful.

Just as Yan Ming was about to speak up and say he was only joking, he saw Yu Tian take a deep breath.

When she looked up again, all the regret, loss, and sadness between her brows had been swept away, leaving only determination and resignation.

“Alright then. No matter what, I wish Uncle Yan could find a good partner, and I wish your whole family smooth sailing in the future. Hope we’ll meet again if fate allows.”

She packed up her notebook, stuffed it into her bag, then solemnly waved at Yan Ming: “Then I’m leaving, bye!”

After saying this, the girl turned around and left without any reluctance. When Yan Ming came to his senses, he realized Yu Tian had even forgotten to pay for this cheap sandwich dinner, and had even actually taken away that bag of walnuts supposedly bought to nourish Yan Ming’s brain.

She had just said she would repay previous transfers by treating him to meals and paying bills in the future.

She had just said the walnuts were bought to nourish his brain.

“…”

And wasn’t she the one who just dragged him desperately asking questions and not letting him leave?

Wasn’t she the one who showed enthusiastic favor every day when she didn’t know about their parents’ breakup, to the point where even he misunderstood?

Now that she had learned her father and his mother had broken up, she left so decisively?

Wasn’t this person a bit too realistic?

She talked about being friends, but showed this attitude as soon as their parents broke up?

Not even bothering to pretend?

No wonder she would buy that kind of hair clip.

Seems quite self-aware.

Indeed a complete scumbag.