Thanks to the valuable case studies Yan Ming provided, Yu Tian has been extremely busy recently. Besides thoroughly understanding these cases and selecting the most suitable educational angles, she also needed to oversee the orthopedic health educational videos that Jiang Yuming and Ren Yali were producing. She wished she could grow four hands to work with.

And perhaps good fortune was contagious—besides her own social media career flourishing, Ms. Song Chunxiang’s romantic path was also very smooth.

That evening, Yu Tian was editing videos when Ms. Song Chunxiang knocked and entered, her cheeks flushed as she told Yu Tian some surprising news—

“Old Dai proposed to me.”

Ms. Song Chunxiang rarely became somewhat bashful and embarrassed: “I said I needed to come back and ask my daughter’s opinion. Is this too fast…”

But Yu Tian couldn’t wait to hug her mother: “Mom, you don’t need to ask my opinion. Whatever decision you make, I’ll support you.”

She was genuinely happy for her mother: “What’s fast about this? You’re both at this age—are you going to have a ten-year courtship like young people? Every minute is precious. If you’ve thought it through and want to be together, then be together!”

With Yu Tian’s repeated comfort and assurance, Ms. Song Chunxiang finally set aside her worries, her expression relaxing.

“After living alone for so many years, I’m also afraid of not adapting. I was thinking of not getting the marriage certificate first, living together for a while as a trial marriage to see how it goes…”

Yu Tian naturally gave her mother’s idea one hundred percent support.

But plans couldn’t keep up with changes. Old Dai seemed more anxious than they were. Yu Tian’s mother had just started packing to move in with him for their trial marriage when he designed several more elaborate proposals, wholeheartedly hoping Ms. Song Chunxiang would give him proper status.

“He also said he’s planning to buy a house, hoping to give me security. After we get our marriage certificate, he’ll buy another house. He’ll handle the down payment and mortgage, but both our names will be on the deed.”

Yu Tian’s mother naturally wasn’t greedy for this money, but her inner hesitation and uncertainty were somewhat moved by Old Dai’s sincere and unreserved attitude. She felt her insistence on living together before getting married was perhaps too cautious.

Ms. Song Chunxiang was prudent—she ultimately still insisted on trial marriage and cohabitation before making further plans.

Soon, with Yu Tian and Dai Xin’s help, Yu Tian’s mother officially moved into Old Dai’s downtown house.

It was then that Yu Tian learned that Dai Xin had moved out to rent his place since the age of eighteen. Therefore, Old Dai’s house originally had only Old Dai living there. Now with Song Chunxiang’s management, it was much livelier. Old Dai constantly wore a smile and was completely accommodating to Yu Tian’s mother.

After Ms. Song Chunxiang moved in with Old Dai, Yu Tian visited several times and saw that the two got along well and lived quite enjoyably, which finally put Yu Tian at ease.

She also had her plans. Her social media educational content’s recently released videos had all achieved very good results, especially a short ophthalmology knowledge video she had just filmed with Yan Ming as a test. Almost as soon as Yu Tian edited and released the episode featuring Yan Ming, just based on Yan Ming’s face alone, the traffic exploded. Her social media account suddenly gained a small breakthrough.

Faced with such good traffic and exposure, the right approach now was to take advantage of the momentum and produce more educational videos. But Yu Tian’s original small-workshop operation process—relying entirely on herself and a few friends for everything from planning to filming to editing and post-production—soon couldn’t keep up with her account’s development pace.

“Xiao Yu, you need to rent a studio, then properly hire some assistants, build your team, and systematize the entire planning, filming, and post-production process. You control quality and overall direction—that’s how you can quickly capture the traffic dividend period and build your educational social media brand.”

Based on Dai Xin’s suggestions and Yu Tian’s research, Yu Tian ultimately decided to take the plunge and manage this new career well.

But startup funding became a problem.

Fortunately, when Yu Tian’s mother heard about this, she immediately came up with a solution: “Rent out the house we’re living in. Our house is in a school district, so the price won’t be bad. Now that Mom is living with Old Dai, and it’s a bit big for you alone, why not rent a small place in the city center yourself, like your brother Dai Xin—use it as a studio during the day and live there at night. The rental income from our house can leave some extra, which you can use for your business.”

This was indeed a solution.

Yu Tian had originally hesitated, but seeing that Mom and Old Dai indeed got along harmoniously, and her mother’s words were full of happiness—

“Old Dai is just too good to me. Wherever I go, he wants to know immediately. When I go out to buy groceries, if he can’t accompany me due to other matters, he asks where I am every five minutes. I haven’t even checked up on him, but he’s very active in checking up on me.”

Although Yu Tian’s mother spoke in a complaining tone, the blush on her face was unstoppable: “Really, we’re not young people anymore—do we need to be so inseparable? He hardly lets me do anything, saying he’ll handle everything and just wants me to stay home and enjoy myself.”

A week later, Ms. Song Chunxiang even showed Yu Tian her hand wearing an engagement ring and brought the good news that they had decided to find an auspicious day next month for their remarriage.

Although the timeline was fast, Yu Tian also knew that middle-aged remarriage wasn’t like young people falling in everlasting love. When everyone was older, they wanted to cherish the time they could still spend together. Once they decided to be together, the process was usually quick.

Just like some people in their thirties who go on blind dates with the belief of starting a family—sometimes from meeting to marriage only takes a few months or half a year.

Fortunately, Old Dai and Mom indeed got along well, appearing very sweet and harmonious.

At this point, Yu Tian finally felt at ease, sincerely blessed her mother and Old Dai, then stopped hesitating and quickly rented out their house while renting a small storefront for herself to use as both studio and residence.

Meanwhile, Dai Xin also provided substantial help.

“I’ll lend you a few people from my team for free first. I’ll pay their salaries anyway. They’re all experienced in this field. While you’re in the startup phase and before you find suitable people, they can help you through the emergency and gradually get you up to speed.”

Yu Tian had originally refused, but Dai Xin was very insistent: “Your mom and my dad are getting married—we’ll be family from now on. I’m your brother, so what’s wrong with me helping my sister? Isn’t this natural?”

Dai Xin had always been friendly to Yu Tian, but Yu Tian still keenly noticed that since Yu Tian’s mother moved in with Old Dai, Dai Xin had been even better to her, almost ridiculously so.

When Yu Tian was establishing her studio, Dai Xin almost set aside his affairs, contributing money, effort, and people, bustling about. When Yu Tian wanted to pay him market rates for wages, he firmly refused.

“Even boyfriends and girlfriends wouldn’t go this far!”

Thanks to Dai Xin’s help, Yu Tian was able to spare time to continue discussing the ophthalmology educational series with Yan Ming. After finishing business with Yan Ming, she couldn’t help sharing her family’s recent happy events and unconsciously started praising Dai Xin.

“I feel like he treats me wholeheartedly as a sister. Being able to become family with them is too lucky.”

However, perhaps because Yu Tian’s mother had quickly found a partner and settled things after their breakup, while Yan Ming’s father’s blind dating path didn’t seem as smooth, at least not progressing this fast. Although Yan Ming generously congratulated Yu Tian’s family’s happy events, his expression was indifferent regarding Yu Tian’s various praises of Old Dai’s family.

Perhaps jealousy does change people beyond recognition. Yu Tian had only praised Dai Xin a few times when Yan Ming snorted coldly—

“Showing excessive courtesy without reason—who knows if he has ulterior motives?”

He elegantly cut the steak in front of him with his knife, glancing at Yu Tian: “Don’t think too well of men. Even real siblings wouldn’t be so intimate after reaching adulthood. Do you think any man wants to find a sister? How old are you? You’re not a cute three or four-year-old child. Who would bother finding an adult sister who costs money? Does he enjoy charity work and giving love?”

Having just received Yan Ming’s favor in helping with the series, Yu Tian didn’t feel comfortable refuting him to his face, only daring to complain internally.

You don’t want a sister like me, but plenty of people do.

Besides, people need compatible energy and affinity—maybe Dai Xin just gets along particularly well with her!

But when Yu Tian didn’t refute, Yan Ming seemed less calm instead.

Even though the topic had already shifted to ophthalmology cases, near the time to part, Yan Ming brought the topic back—

“Did you not seriously listen to what I said?”

Yan Ming pulled back Yu Tian, who wanted to leave: “Be careful yourself. That Dai Xin—how long have you known him? Just because he’s nice to you, you trust him this much?”

“…” Yu Tian was somewhat speechless. “I haven’t known you for long either. Why should I trust you…”

“I’m different from him.” Yan Ming looked somewhat sullen. “I don’t say so many sweet, flattering words.”

Dai Xin hadn’t just talked—he had worked hard for Yu Tian’s studio opening…

Yu Tian was about to defend Dai Xin when Yan Ming didn’t want to continue this topic.

He pressed his lips together and looked at Yu Tian reservedly: “Forget it, I won’t say more. It has nothing to do with me—you’re family with them.”

“…”

What had triggered this reaction?

He must have encountered difficult patients during today’s clinic and was in a bad mood, so he wanted to “pick a fight”!

Yu Tian didn’t take Yan Ming’s words to heart. She had recently hired assistants and was extremely busy expanding her business, extremely busy, but seeing her studio gradually taking shape gave her quite a sense of achievement.

Yu Tian felt like showing off and called several times asking her mother to visit, but Mom was probably busy with her upcoming wedding, being lovey-dovey with Old Dai. She said she was preparing for remarriage matters and was busy with shopping, really having no time, only calling Yu Tian a few times.

Instead, Qi Sihao said he had seen Yu Tian’s mother once at the hospital—

“I saw your mom today. Auntie said she sprained her wrist and came to get some ointment.”

Yu Tian was somewhat nervous: “Is it serious? Did she come alone?”

“I asked her, and she said it was nothing. Your mom’s new boyfriend accompanied her. I saw he was quite concerned about her, not leaving her side the entire time, constantly supporting her. I was busy later, so I didn’t chat with Auntie.”

Yu Tian immediately called her mother, wanting to visit, but was refused by Ms. Song Chunxiang—

“I’m fine, just a sprain. You’re busy with your startup—don’t get distracted by me. I’m doing well. These days, Old Dai and I are mostly out shopping for wedding things, so you’d come for nothing anyway.”

Although somewhat worried, hearing that Mom had Old Dai with her, and according to Qi Sihao, Old Dai had accompanied her to the doctor, Yu Tian felt somewhat reassured. After chatting with her mother a bit more, she hung up.

Yan Ming had been very busy recently. Besides normal work, Yu Tian’s active visits to film educational videos also took up most of his free time.

But near the end of clinic hours, he encountered a special patient.

The person came wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a scarf, accompanied by a middle-aged man who looked quite affectionate toward her.

“Doctor, my wife has been staying up late these past few days. This morning when she woke up, her eyes suddenly became bloodshot, and she was uncomfortable. Can you prescribe some eye drops?”

Yan Ming routinely said, “I need to examine the eyes, preferably with a fundoscopy.”

He hadn’t paid much attention originally, thinking it just required routine examination. However, when he saw the patient’s name in the computer system, Yan Ming was somewhat shocked.

Song Chunxiang.

Wasn’t this the same name as Yu Tian’s mother?

Looking up at the patient again, after she removed her sunglasses, both eyes were completely red, and she looked very haggard, diluting her originally sharp and capable appearance so much that Yan Ming didn’t recognize her at first glance.

But it wasn’t just the same name—the person was indeed Yu Tian’s mother, Song Chunxiang herself.

“Are you…”

Just as Yan Ming was about to speak, Song Chunxiang interrupted him first: “Doctor, my eyes are so red with bloodshot veins like this, and they’re uncomfortable.”

Perhaps due to a cold, Song Chunxiang’s voice had become somewhat sharp. Soon, she uncomfortably cleared her throat and stopped speaking.

Today’s weather was very humid, and the sun was harsh. Yan Ming could understand wearing a hat and sunglasses for sun protection, but Song Chunxiang was also wearing a scarf. Even now in the consultation room, she had no intention of removing the scarf. She wasn’t cold, as Yan Ming could already see sweat beading on her forehead and nose tip, her cheeks also red from the heat of the scarf around her neck.

He examined Song Chunxiang’s face—besides the red, bloodshot sclera of her right eye, there were no other abnormalities.

Song Chunxiang had recognized Yan Ming, but when Yan Ming’s gaze fell on her, Song Chunxiang kept her eyes down, appearing very nervous. For some unknown reason, she didn’t acknowledge Yan Ming.

Yan Ming wasn’t stupid. Glancing at the man beside Song Chunxiang, he knew this was probably Yu Tian’s new boyfriend and remarriage partner. As the son of her former blind date, acknowledging each other in front of the man would perhaps only create unnecessary awkwardness.

But Yan Ming still felt something was off. He stared at Song Chunxiang, trying to soften his tone: “How did your eyes become so red? Did something happen?”

But Song Chunxiang didn’t speak. Instead, the man proactively and concernedly answered for her: “Doctor, she’s been staying up late these past few days, playing on her phone during the day too, overusing her eyes, plus eating hot pot and other spicy foods that cause internal heat. That’s why her eyes are like this. It’s not serious, just uncomfortable. I’m worried about her, so I thought we’d come to the hospital for a look. No need to trouble you too much, doctor. The problem shouldn’t be big. Could you see if you can prescribe some eye drops? The kind that reduces red bloodshot eyes.”

The man appeared very concerned about Song Chunxiang, his identity clear—he should be her remarriage partner. But no matter how Yan Ming looked at it, something felt wrong.

Staying up late and overusing eyes could indeed cause eye congestion, as could conjunctivitis and other eye infections. Scleral redness was very common, with milder cases showing red bloodshot eyes. But the degree of congestion in Song Chunxiang’s eyes was quite severe, and there was another reason that could cause this.

“Let me do a simple examination.” Yan Ming raised his flashlight, indicating to Song Chunxiang, “Please lift your head a bit.”

The man accompanying Song Chunxiang watched Yan Ming’s every move, as if afraid of any mishap.

Fortunately, Yan Ming quickly finished the examination: “Alright, it should indeed be from staying up too much. No big problem. I’ll prescribe eye drops.” He looked at Song Chunxiang and the accompanying man. “Please wait here for a moment.”

Yan Ming smiled apologetically: “The printer is out of paper. I’ll go get some paper to replace it, then print the diagnosis and prescription for you.”

After speaking, Yan Ming calmly walked out of the consultation room.

However, once outside, his previously natural expression completely disappeared.

Yu Tian’s mother’s scleral bleeding wasn’t caused by staying up late, allergies, or inflammation, but by external trauma!

After pretending to examine her eyes and asking her to lift her head slightly, Yan Ming had glimpsed faint bruises on Song Chunxiang’s neck beneath the scarf that had slipped down slightly due to her head movement.

Those were marks from someone strangling her neck.

The scleral redness and sharp voice were both common aftereffects of strangulation.

Her eye condition was exactly what Yan Ming had suspected as the final cause—external trauma.

If one knew nothing about this, the male accompanying Song Chunxiang for examination could be considered caring. However, once Yan Ming saw the marks on Song Chunxiang’s neck, all this concern and answering questions for the doctor became terrifying and frightening.

Yan Ming used the excuse of no printer paper to temporarily keep the man stable, then began calling Yu Tian and reporting to police.

But it was still a step too late.

When Yan Ming returned to the consultation room trying to continue stalling, he found no one there—the next numbered patient was already seated.

The next patient was quite enthusiastic: “Doctor, are you looking for the previous patient? They said they were in a hurry and couldn’t wait. Since it was just getting eye drops anyway, they said they’d just buy them at a pharmacy. That man pulled his wife and left in a hurry.”

Yan Ming asked the next patient to wait and chased out of the consultation room, but the hospital lobby was crowded with people coming and going—Song Chunxiang and that man were long gone.

Song Chunxiang had come during the last few appointments of the clinic. Yan Ming finished seeing the remaining clinic patients, explained the situation to the arriving police, and the timing worked out well—Yu Tian had also rushed over from her studio after receiving Yan Ming’s call.

Yan Ming briefly told her what he had observed.

Yu Tian’s expression gradually became serious: “So you suspect my mother’s scleral congestion was due to strangulation?”

“Yes.”

Yu Tian hadn’t been able to see Ms. Song Chunxiang for a while—partly because she was very busy in her startup phase, and partly because Ms. Song Chunxiang had repeatedly said she was busy preparing for the wedding and their schedules didn’t match, preventing them from meeting.

This was indeed something that had never happened before.

The more Yu Tian thought about it, the more ominous it felt.

She remembered Qi Sihao seeing her mother with injuries a few days ago, and after hearing what Yan Ming said, she really couldn’t feel at ease.

“I’m going to find my mom right now!”

But just as Yu Tian turned around, Yan Ming grabbed her. He pressed his lips together, looking somewhat troubled: “Wait for me.”

“Huh?”

“Are you planning to go alone?” Yan Ming showed an exasperated expression. “If I’m not wrong, your mother’s fiancé might have violent tendencies. You alone—are you planning to reason with him?”

“…”

Having finished his afternoon clinic, Yan Ming could indeed get off work, but if Yu Tian remembered correctly…

“But didn’t you say you had plans tonight a few days ago? Weren’t you supposed to have dinner with your dad’s girlfriend’s family?”

Yan Ming paused, as if just remembering, then looked away and said calmly: “Oh, that was canceled. I’m free tonight.”