Yipin took her leave. Back at the apartment, the moment she opened the door she knew Erjing had been there — books and magazines scattered across the floor, a handbag tossed aside. This time, at least, there were no birds or beasts.

Erjing, hair disheveled, had just come out of the bathroom, leaning against the doorframe, wanting to speak but holding back.

Yipin was puzzled. Erjing’s face was puffy — she’d clearly been crying. The sisters hadn’t cried properly in a long time. Crying actually had its benefits — toxins could be released through tears, and it eased the emotions — but as adults, one couldn’t just cry on command.

Yipin walked over slowly. “Come, sit down, tell me slowly what’s going on.”

“Give me a drink.”

“What you need is a cup of hot tea.”

Yipin brewed rose-scented pu’er for her sister.

Erjing took a sip. “Good tea — the fragrance goes straight to the heart, warm from the throat down to the stomach. Where did you get this?”

Yipin smiled — of course, brought by Lu Yongzhong; she herself knew nothing about tea.

She asked her sister, “Remember, when you were little and upset, you’d come to my little bed in the middle of the night, and we’d talk until dawn started breaking?”

“You’d stay with me no matter how tired you were.”

“You’re my sister.”

“Yipin, have I ever disappointed you?”

“I’ve always been proud of you.”

“When we were girls and you’d cover for me sneaking out to go dancing—”

Yipin laughed. “Dancing was fun.”

“But you never learned how yourself.”

“I wasn’t as talented as you — I had to stay home and study instead.”

“To keep Mom company, more like.”

“Half and half.”

Erjing finally said what was really on her mind: “Xiong Zaihao and I — we’ve broken up completely.”

Yipin was startled — that name, hearing it today, felt strangely unfamiliar. She felt a little embarrassed at her own forgetfulness, and said nothing. She only heard Erjing continue: “Dragging it out any longer wasn’t going to lead anywhere bigger.” Yipin couldn’t help asking, “What did you want from it?”

“Marriage, family, children.”

“He was never ready — his heart’s still back with the prehistoric reptiles.”

Erjing laughed bitterly. “You understand him so well.”

“Erjing, knowing when to step back isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“I’d already invested so much into it…”

“Life has its gains and losses — you get some things and lose others. It’s clear you gave it your all, you even went all the way to Hebei to be with him for months. If it were me, I’d be moved to tears by that kind of devotion.” Yet somehow, Xiong Zaihao hadn’t been won over.

“This kind of setback really wears a person down.” But it would pass, in time.

“At the very beginning, I even had to push my own sister aside to get first dibs…”

Yipin was startled, and quickly corrected her. “There was never anything like that.”

Hurriedly, she found an excuse. “I met Yongzhong and felt he suited me better — I only wanted to date Yongzhong.”

Erjing fell silent.

“I really am lucky, to have found someone as wonderful as Yongzhong — generous, sincere, full of zest for life, always putting me first. It’s just my health problems that kept me from accepting his proposal right away.”

Erjing looked at her older sister. “Nothing in life is ever perfect.”

“That’s right.” Yipin smiled. “That’s exactly why life still has something to hope for — if everything were already perfect, what would be left to want?”

“Big sister really is optimistic.”

“You were young then, you didn’t see Mother’s tears — that really changed how I see life. Getting even a little happiness is enough to satisfy me.”

“Thank you for the perspective.”

“Come now, I’m your sister.”

“Mom wants us to bring our boyfriends home for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t have a partner right now.” Erjing looked dejected.

Yipin laughed. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out — you’d never let Mom down.”

“Only twenty-four hours left, where am I supposed to find someone.”

Yipin secretly felt relieved — at last she could report back to her mother with something to show, after years of coming up empty-handed, today she could finally hold her head high.

Erjing said, “Too bad Mom isn’t too fond of Lu Yongzhong.”

Yipin wasn’t worried, though. “She’ll come around.”

Erjing looked at her sister. “You took a while to warm up to him yourself, didn’t you?”

“No,” Yipin said honestly, “I felt comfortable with him from the very first meeting. Like I said, it was only from the way you two talked that I even realized people thought his looks fell a bit short.”

Erjing was quite touched. “Maybe it’s because a reconstructive surgeon believes looks fundamentally don’t matter.”

“That’s right — a pair of scissors and a needle, stitch here, mend there, turning ugly into beautiful, how simple it all is.”

The sisters both laughed.

The day Yipin went back to her mother’s house, Lu Yongzhong made a solemn occasion of it — he personally bought groceries, brought pastries, prepared gifts, and arrived at the Yang household early. His gifts were thoughtfully chosen and finely made, not to be measured by money alone; among them, a pair of satin slippers embroidered with plum blossoms delighted Mrs. Yang so much she couldn’t put them down.

Mrs. Yang suddenly grew talkative, bringing out a porcelain jar of preserved black walnuts and peach preserves for him to try. Lu Yongzhong, well-read as he was, knew this was a snack that Jiangzhe-region families traditionally served to a prospective son-in-law, and he was overjoyed.

With him there, the Yang household suddenly came alive.

Mrs. Yang casually brought up a topic — how to arrange the indoor potted plants — and Lu Yongzhong offered sound, sensible opinions, leaving Mrs. Yang thoroughly satisfied with the conversation.

Even before dinner was served, Mrs. Yang had already felt the need to revise her opinion of Lu Yongzhong: was this future son-in-law really so plain-looking? Not really — and any grandsons who took after him wouldn’t turn out badly either. A boy’s worth lay in his talent, not his looks.

She told her daughter, “What’s remarkable is that he does quite substantial business, yet he’s not vulgar at all.”

Yipin smiled.

Erjing arrived with her date around seven that evening.

True to her taste as always: this young man was as handsome as a movie star, tall and sturdy, well-educated, a true professional.

With such excellent qualifications, of course many women competed for him, and he’d been spoiled quickly as a result — Xiong Zaihao had been just such a case. But Erjing wasn’t afraid.

This young man was named Ou Tailai. Though handsome, he was also quite steady, and quickly grew familiar with the rest of the Yang family. His work was interior design, and he soon found himself in animated conversation with Lu Yongzhong.

Yipin whispered to her sister, “I always knew you had ways.”

Erjing laughed wryly. “He brought a giant lizard in for a consultation. I asked if he wanted to have dinner.”

“A lizard?”

“It was his nephew’s pet.”

“You really can’t imagine how much affection people have for their animals.”

“Sis, I’m starting to understand why you’re drawn to Lu Yongzhong.”

“Tell me more.” Yipin smiled.

“He’s humble and courteous, always puts others first — his heart is beautiful.”

Yipin thought a moment. “No, that’s not his only good quality.”

“Now you’re making me jealous.”

Yipin walked over, smiling, and sat down beside Lu Yongzhong.

The cook brought out three light, delicious dishes and a soup; by the end, they’d run out of rice, which showed just how much everyone had enjoyed the meal — the cook couldn’t stop grinning.

Lu Yongzhong peeled an orange for Yipin.

Yipin offered the first piece to her mother; Mrs. Yang thought to herself: if this young man treated Yipin this well for the rest of his life, everything about him would be worth it.

The dinner was a great success; everyone sat around a little longer before taking their leave.

Erjing went off to a movie with her date; Yipin felt there was no point sitting in the dark, and Lu Yongzhong said, “I’d rather just talk.”

Yipin naturally slipped her arm through his.

He asked her, “Did I pass muster with your aunt — I mean, your mother?”

“With flying colors.”

“I’ll take good care of her — she’s been widowed for many years, we need to make up for that.”

Yipin said nothing.

By the time you’ve found the right person, they’ve found you too — and then some other worry comes along to dim the happiness just a little.

The next day, Yipin went back to the clinic to work; after seeing two patients, she used a free moment to call her sister.

“What movie did you see last night?”

Erjing answered frankly, “I came home early.”

“Why?”

“The moment we left, Ou started asking me to bring him business: ‘Doesn’t your sister and future brother-in-law’s home need renovating? Your mother’s kitchen and bathroom could use an update too.'”

“That’s not entirely unreasonable — it’s the off-season, drumming up business through connections.”

“It just left a bad taste. Good thing Lu Yongzhong never tried to sell you clothes from his own line.”

Yipin laughed. “You’re too picky.”

“So we parted on bad terms.”

“Find someone else, then.”

“I’m a little tired of it all — I want to take him, our five dogs, and retreat to a house by the sea, walking and chatting with the person I love, enjoying good food every day.”

Yipin suddenly asked, “Would you want children?”

“Not for now — maybe in ten years.”

Yipin said, “By then you’d have to move back to the city from the seaside, pick up all the worldly hustle again, drop the kids off at school every day, get worked up over their grades, deal with teachers and other parents…”

“That’s right, each stage of life has its own different flavor.”

“Most people probably long for children though.”

“Some people also feel that having the next generation is a waste of time and effort — the earth’s already worn thin, hardly fit for humans anymore, and life is full of suffering from birth to death — the more you think about it, the more discouraging it gets.”

“But at least Mom still has you and me.”

Erjing laughed. “We’re decent children, I suppose.”

“Is the clinic busy?”

“Fairly quiet this stretch. Around Christmas it’ll pick up again — first we have to beg parents not to give small animals as gifts, then convince kids not to just dump their pets on the street like trash.”

“Still mostly cats and dogs?”

“All sorts — rabbits, guinea pigs, monkeys.”

“Erjing, have you ever thought about working at a zoo?”

“I just want to retreat to that house by the sea.”

She was in a poor mood at the moment, of course she’d think that way. Nurse Peng brought over a newspaper.

“Dr. Yang, look at this.”

Yipin saw a news item: “Aslanda Cosmetics Appoints Ms. Hu Kexin as Southeast Asia Research Manager” — the photo showed her looking full of vitality.

Nurse Peng said, “Good news.”

“Yes, she’s back on her feet.”

“I wonder if that man ever saw this piece — Miss Hu’s finally regained her footing.”

“No, no,” Yipin said. “She doesn’t care what that man thinks anymore. She’s doing this for herself now.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, but she still hasn’t forgotten what happened — thinking of it, there’s only a sigh left.”

“Miss Hu really has transformed herself.”

Yipin nodded. “Being reborn — that’s worth celebrating. Nurse Peng, send her a big basket of flowers.”

“A woman whose face was disfigured, working at a cosmetics company — how strange.”

“She studied chemical engineering, and she’s found her place behind the scenes. Great prospects ahead.” They put the newspaper down.

In early winter, Yipin and Lu Yongzhong flew across the Pacific for a vacation. On the plane they chatted and laughed the whole time, getting along wonderfully.

Yipin said, “Guess where cosmetic surgery is most popular?” Lu Yongzhong guessed, “Japan, America, Taiwan.”

“No, it’s Brazil,” Yipin said.

Lu Yongzhong was surprised.

“Yes, the whole nation is obsessed with beauty — women all want to look like Barbie dolls, half-naked on the beach, no matter how the economy’s doing.”

Lu Yongzhong smiled. “I’ve also heard the women most eager for breast implants aren’t the flatter-figured Asian women, but North American women.”

“Surprising, isn’t it — considering implants were even invented by them.”

Lu Yongzhong asked, “Yipin, if you were to do cosmetic surgery on yourself, where would you start?”

Yipin answered without hesitation, “My stomach.”

She was consistent — she truly didn’t care about appearances.

“And if I asked you to work on me, what would you do?”

Yipin looked at him gently. “You’re already perfect — I’d have no use for my skills on you.”

“Shh, not so loud, someone might hear and get a fright.”

“Who cares what other people think.”

The drive from the airport to the house by the sea took about an hour; Lu Yongzhong drove himself. Yipin had napped a little on the plane and was in good spirits, quietly admiring the scenery along the way.

Yipin asked, “Do you hold a Canadian passport?”

“No, I’m just a visitor — I’ve invested in a property in this scenic area, that’s all.”

When they arrived, Yipin stood stunned. Wasn’t this exactly the beach house Erjing had once dreamed of? The house perched high like an eagle’s nest, built on a cliff, made of granite and timber; the moment you stepped through the door, you looked through a glass wall out onto the entire ocean, white-capped waves crashing against the shore, an overwhelming sight.

Yipin gasped softly.

“Do you like it?”

Yipin nodded.

“In summer you can see whales returning in groups.”

She sat on the large white sofa, gazing at the ocean — she really was lucky, unwittingly living out Erjing’s dream.

Lu Yongzhong poured her a cup of pu’er tea.

“No need, I can get it myself.”

He answered, “These few days I’ll wait on you. I can wash, iron, cook — I can do it all.”

Yipin couldn’t help but laugh.

He crouched beside her. “Yipin, I’ve been thinking — I’ve spent twenty years chasing after business in the marketplace, toiling away, fighting like ants over drops of blood. What for? Why don’t we retire here, and enjoy life together.”

Yipin took his hand, smiling. “Lazybones.”

“Yes — how much can we eat, how much can we wear, working ourselves to the bone any longer would just be wasting our lives. Before I knew you I had no choice but to work to pass the time; now that I have you, I don’t want to keep toiling anymore.”

“So I’ve had a bad influence on you.”

“The wine cellar under this house has enough to last us ten years.”

“This truly is a paradise on earth.”

They sat on the sofa watching the sun go down; Lu Yongzhong lit the fireplace and showed Yipin around the master bedroom.

“The room’s too big — is there something smaller?”

“Then you can sleep in the guest room.” The guest room also had its own private balcony, smaller and cozier.

“I’ll make you a bowl of congee,” Lu Yongzhong said.

Yipin nodded. She showered and went to the kitchen to watch Mr. Lu cook, never expecting his house would have thousand-year eggs with runny yolks in stock.

On the wall of the side parlor hung a calligraphy scroll reading “The moon is brightest over the hometown” in five bold characters.

“You wrote that, didn’t you — your handwriting’s quite strong.”

“Yipin, nothing escapes your keen eye.”

“Yongzhong, you’re a man of many talents.”

Somehow she felt tired, and dozed off on the large sofa. Lu Yongzhong brought out the chicken congee to find Yipin already asleep; he quickly fetched a down comforter to cover her. Alone and with nothing to do, he made a long-distance call to the office to check in, then, not wanting to go to his room by himself, pulled over a blanket and simply lay down on the floor near the sofa.

The next morning, Yipin woke to find the whole house strangely bright, and assumed the sun had come out — it seemed like a beautiful clear day.

Looking closer, she realized it had snowed — all through the night, the accumulation now over a foot deep, glowing white, reflecting through the glass wall so it seemed like daylight. Just then, up in the sky, cotton-like clouds unraveled, and goose-feather snow began falling in thick flurries; Yipin stared, entranced.

Having grown up in the south, she’d seen snow before, had even had snowball fights with classmates on the sports field, but never had she watched snow fall with such rapt attention as this. She sat up from the sofa and, stepping down, kicked something — looking down, she discovered it was Lu Yongzhong, sleeping soundly on the floor, unaware he’d just taken a kick to the head.

Yipin gazed at him — for him to have spent the whole night on the floor like this, what a strange man he was — or perhaps, a deeply devoted one.

She reached out and took his hand. Lu Yongzhong woke, smiled, and suddenly pulled Yipin close, drawing her into his arms.

Yipin said softly, “It’s snowing heavily.”

“Cold?”

“The fire’s still going, it’s warm.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Very soundly — I dreamed I didn’t know whose guest I was.”

“Yipin, you’re the mistress of this place.”

Yipin sighed. “No, what I meant was, we’re all just temporary lodgers in this world.”

“Too sentimental.”

Yipin said nothing more, just held him tightly.

“If you’re feeling up to it, later we could go out to admire the snow, or maybe go down to the basement to swim in the heated pool.”

“Shh.”

They lay side by side, watching the flurries scatter down from the pale blue sky.

Later, Yipin bundled up in thick winter clothing and went down the mountain with Lu Yongzhong for lunch; the waiter at a nearby French restaurant greeted them warmly the moment they arrived. “Mr. Lu, good to see you — ah, and finally your wife has come along.”

Yipin was a little surprised but didn’t correct him.

After the meal they wandered through the tourist district, browsing an antique shop full of old porcelain and silverware. The shopkeeper asked, “Are you two visitors?”

Lu Yongzhong answered, “We come here every year for vacation.”

Yipin didn’t like accumulating possessions and bought nothing. When they came out of the antique shop, the snow had already stopped. A yellow school bus was parked along the road, and a large group of six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds crowded on board, chattering noisily as their teacher led them along. Yipin stood still, gazing at their round apple-cheeked faces, captivated by the sound of their bright, clear laughter.

Lu Yongzhong smiled too. “So annoying, all that noise.”

After some commotion, the teacher finished counting heads, and the bus finally closed its doors and drove off. Yipin still lingered, reluctant to look away.

“The hardest job must be an elementary school teacher — how do they manage a whole class of little ones.”

Yipin said nothing, just took Lu Yongzhong’s hand and walked on.

Yongzhong kept on with the topic: “Would you have the patience to raise children? Would you read them stories? Would you push them on the swings? Hiring a nanny for it seems pointless, but doing it yourself — who knows if you’d be up to it.”

Yipin stayed silent the whole time. She was willing to do everything with her own hands — sleepless nights, worrying over fevers — she wouldn’t hesitate at any of it. Women were naturally gifted with this kind of patience and perseverance. But though Yipin’s spirit was willing, her body was too weak, unable to keep up.

All around her that day echoed the sounds of children’s laughter drifting through the crisp winter air.

That afternoon she spoke with her mother on the phone. Mrs. Yang said, “Staying at Yongzhong’s vacation house? Oh — so you’re already living together. What will the relatives and friends think when they find out?”

Yipin didn’t deny it. “We don’t have that many relatives and friends.”

“Have a good time, then.”

“Yes, Mom.”

In the evening, they planned to go skiing.

“I could teach you.”

“No, that’s a good way to ruin a relationship.”

“Then let’s find an instructor.”

There was always something to discuss, endless things to talk about, endless things to do. Lu Yongzhong followed through on his word to wash, iron, and cook — doing it all quickly and competently, pulling a whole basket of clothes from the dryer and folding each piece by category.

He’d be the type of man who, after signing a multi-million-dollar contract at the office, would come home and let the kids ride him like a horse.

Yipin thought, once we’re back, I’ll announce the engagement.

After marriage she could cut her workload in half, spend as much time with him as possible, or, as Lu Yongzhong put it: retire completely.

But Yang Yipin didn’t know it yet — heaven had other plans.

That night, she woke with a start from her sleep, feeling as if a hand had reached into her chest and was forcibly trying to pull her stomach out. The pain was so intense her whole face broke out in a cold sweat, and her limbs went completely limp.

Then something surged violently up from her throat; afraid of soiling the bedding, she forced herself up and staggered toward the bathroom.

She was already too late.

Completely beyond her control, she vomited everywhere; she crouched down, gasping for breath, her mind painfully clear. Ah, Yipin thought, this is what it means to have no control over your own body — such an undignified state, thank goodness Lu Yongzhong would accept her regardless.

Sure enough, the light came on, and he came over from the next room. “Yipin, I heard a noise, what’s wrong?”

He saw her crouched in the bathroom and was startled, but composed himself quickly, hurrying to wrap a robe around her. “I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

Yipin, still dazed, said, “Why the hospital?”

Yongzhong had already lifted her into his arms and was rushing toward the door.

Only then did Yipin notice the blood on her body and hands. She looked up blankly, said nothing, only let out a sigh.

She was still fully conscious at that point. She saw Lu Yongzhong’s tears fall. He called the hospital’s emergency room with one hand while asking a trusted doctor to rush over as well. Then Yipin felt an overwhelming exhaustion; she let herself relax completely, willingly, and slipped into unconsciousness.

When she woke, she heard someone beside her say, “She’s a doctor herself, you know.”

Yipin felt a small flicker of joy — ah, back in this world again, more suffering to endure.

“The patient needs to begin the radiation treatment protocol right away.”

“Perhaps she’d rather go back to receive treatment there.”

“Then there’s no time to lose.”

Yipin opened her mouth. “Yongzhong, Yongzhong.”

“She’s awake.”

“Yipin,” Lu Yongzhong leaned in close, “I’m right here.”

Yipin’s heart ached; she buried her face in his hands. “Take me home.”

“There are excellent doctors in North America — if you’re willing, I can take care of you here.”

Yipin shook her head. “Your time is precious, you shouldn’t spend it nursing a patient.”

“I can have Dr. Li come over to treat you.”

“No!” Yipin was quite firm. “I don’t want to burden anyone.”

Lu Yongzhong nodded. “Alright then, I’ll follow you back.”

The attending doctor smiled, saying with feeling, “True love.”

The next day, they left the hillside house and headed home. It was the most grueling journey of Yipin’s life; she didn’t want to remember the details, forcing her mind to drift toward unrelated topics.

“When I was young I wanted to be a writer, but I heard the income was too unstable.”

“There are some very wealthy writers too.”

“I wasn’t confident I could do that well — I only knew an ordinary doctor could make a decent living too.”

“That’s why art is precious.”

“Last week a Cézanne painting, The Apples, sold at auction for over sixty million dollars.”

Somehow between the two of them they found no end of topics, chattering on without pause. Dr. Li met her at the airport, and without a word, pulled her into an embrace.

Yipin wept softly.

She began the arduous treatment process right away. As for everything that followed — if it were all described in detail, it truly wouldn’t be worth the telling. Yipin spent most of her time exhausted, sleeping over ten hours a day but in scattered stretches; she couldn’t leave the house, and after even two or three hours of activity she’d feel as beaten as if she’d been struck all over, and would collapse into bed.

Perhaps it was only in her mind, but she gradually began to notice a faint stale smell to the bedding, and had it changed and aired out often, the windows kept open for sleeping.

When Erjing visited, she complained the room felt like an icebox.

Yipin, wrapped in a thick coat, laughed and scolded her, with no intention of closing the window.

Books, magazines, and all kinds of music boxes were piled at her bedside.

“Yongzhong sent these?”

“Yes, to keep me from being bored.”

“He really is something.”

“He truly is a rose in my life.” Erjing asked, “Has he not had a change of heart?”

Yipin laughed. “Look at you, such a jinx.”

“What do the doctors say?”

Yipin answered, “Yongzhong and I agreed — once we leave the clinic, we don’t talk about my condition.”

Erjing nodded. “That’s exactly right. And besides, I’m certain you’ll recover.”

“Thank you.”

“Does Lu Yongzhong come every day?”

“He comes to have dinner with me, then borrows my study to work, and heads home around ten.”

“Every single day?”

Yipin laughed. “You have some kind of objection?”

“I’ve only just realized — a person’s inner beauty really does matter enormously. Yipin, this is exactly the time you need him most.”

Yipin thought a moment. “I need him at every moment, really.”

Erjing said, “I thought that kind of dialogue only existed in fiction — no wonder romance novels sell so well.”

Yipin said, “Right, and there’s something important I want to tell you.”

Erjing was startled. “Please, if you have something to say, just say it — don’t ever open with a line like that again.”

“I’ve sold the clinic.”

“What? That’s your life’s work, built up over years.”

“I know, but at this stage I’m not able to work.”

“You’re willing to let it go?”

“Every stage of life requires some kind of sacrifice. Mother’s favorite book was always Dream of the Red Chamber, but after having the two of us, she never again had the time, energy, or peace of mind to reread it. What else could she do?”

“That’s not the same as reading a book for leisure.”

“Yongzhong introduced me to a woman doctor who’s just returned from California — she’s willing to buy the clinic and its equipment. I’ve already gotten Nurse Peng’s agreement, and she’ll go along with the sale too.”

“What?!” Erjing gasped, half-laughing.

“The handover’s tomorrow morning, you can come see.”

“Just like that — Dr. Yang Yipin’s decided to close up shop?”

“Once my health improves, I’ll start something new.”

Erjing could only nod.

“As for Mother—”

“It’s only now I realize how easy it can be to keep something hidden from someone. We used to wonder — how could a wife not notice her husband had another woman on the side, even a child already born, and remain completely oblivious? Turns out it’s not hard at all.” Yipin felt reassured.

“Next month Mom’s setting off on a cruise around the world — gone a whole month, so you won’t have to worry about her at all.”

Yipin asked, “Who’s she going with?”

“A group of old lady friends, eight of them altogether.”

“No male company at all?” Yipin felt a small pang.

“She’s happy to be carefree — who knows, she might have some unexpected adventures on the ship.”

Just then, the phone began ringing insistently for Erjing. She hurried off to grab it, and Yipin smiled, watching her sister rush away — it felt just like yesterday, when a teenage Erjing would sneak out at night to go dancing, always relying on Yipin to distract their mother or claim she was looking for something.

Time really did move too quickly.

Whether their mother truly knew, or truly didn’t — someday, Yipin would ask her plainly.

The next day, when Erjing arrived at the clinic, Yipin wasn’t there yet; only Lu Yongzhong sat drinking coffee. He rose at once to greet Erjing. “Little sister, you’re here, and early too.”

“Where’s my sister?”

“On her way, she’ll be here in ten minutes.”

Nurse Peng heard the voices and came out, eyes red. “I really can’t bear to see her go.”

Erjing quickly reassured her. “Nurse Peng, retiring at home with nothing to do would be even more boring. Working with the new doctor, everything stays the same — isn’t that even better?”

Nurse Peng said, “I wonder if this Dr. Bu Jiayi will be difficult to get along with.”

“You two will surely hit it off.”

Lu Yongzhong put in, “I hear Bu Jiayi is quite easygoing.”

Erjing turned to him. “She’s a friend of yours?”

“No, she’s engaged to a friend of my cousin’s. She used to practice in Beverly Hills, but since her fiancé was transferred here to Southeast Asia, she followed him and specially obtained her license to practice in this city.”

Erjing nodded.

Someone pushed the door open; Yipin had arrived, wearing a gray-purple casual outfit and a low hat, looking in fairly good spirits — anyone who didn’t know the situation wouldn’t notice anything unusual at all.

“Dr. Bu hasn’t arrived yet?”

“Five minutes till ten.”

Nurse Peng was the most anxious, glancing repeatedly at the clock. At just past ten, someone pushed the clinic door open; Nurse Peng was heard saying, “The clinic is closed for the day.”

The woman visitor laughed. “I’m Dr. Bu Jiayi, I have an appointment with Dr. Yang.”

Everyone was taken aback — no one had ever met Dr. Bu, and none of them were prepared for her to look like a supermodel: long hair, red lips, a graceful figure, a charming, lively expression.

The moment she stepped into the clinic she said, smiling, “This must be Dr. Yang.” All four of them stared, momentarily speechless with astonishment.

It was Yipin who spoke first. “Dr. Bu, please sit. I really didn’t expect there could be such a beautiful doctor in the world.”

Bu Jiayi demurred at once. “Oh no, a doctor shouldn’t be judged by looks — but I hadn’t expected Dr. Yang to be this elegant, either.”

Seeing that Dr. Bu really was easygoing, Nurse Peng relaxed and said with a laugh, “You two could both be walking advertisements.”

Dr. Bu turned. “And this must be Nurse Peng.”

Nurse Peng laughed at herself. “Old and worn, that’s me.”

Everyone laughed. As they got down to business, the two lovely doctors were both meticulous, not overlooking a single detail.

Taking a free moment, Erjing whispered to Lu Yongzhong with a smile, “This was your scheme, wasn’t it.”

“How do you mean?”

“From now on, Yipin can be with you twenty-four hours a day.”

“That truly is my dream — but let’s let her recover her health first.”

“Between career and family, women always have to make trade-offs — men are different, they can charge straight ahead.”

“But men face the pressure of having to succeed.”

Erjing laughed. “You’re a good man, that’s why you’d think of it that way — one in ten thousand. Yipin’s lucky.” Lu Yongzhong was baffled. “Being a man — is there any other option?”

“You’re better off not knowing.”

A while later, the two reconstructive surgeons came out of the office; Yipin said, “Dr. Bu, you can go ahead and sign at the lawyer’s office.”

Erjing felt a pang of nostalgia — who knew how many beauties had passed through this clinic over the years; now, with new ownership, it was bound to feel a little sad. Yipin told Dr. Bu, “Women in this city love beauty — you’ll surely do great things here.”

Bu Jiayi suddenly said, “Dr. Yang, forgive my boldness, but there’s a new drug called Binfulaisi, without the side effects of traditional medications.”

Yipin smiled. “Already using it, thanks for your concern.”

Bu Jiayi nodded. “Then I’ll be on my way.” Nurse Peng saw the new owner out.

Erjing said, “I’ve never seen such a stunning doctor before.”

Yipin laughed. “Those two words suit her perfectly.”

“It really is rare — to be that beautiful and still push through all those distractions to finish her studies, that can’t have been easy.”

Lu Yongzhong laughed. “I hear that even now, walking down the street, talent scouts still approach her: ‘Miss, would you like to be a model?'”

Yipin stared at him. “How do you know that?”

“I—”

“Who told you? Did you two have a long conversation, or is this just something you heard secondhand?”

Lu Yongzhong said weakly, “Help.”

Yipin’s eyes widened. “Why do you know so much about someone else’s business?”

Lu Yongzhong raised both hands. “I surrender, I surrender.” Erjing shook her head. “Honestly, you two are too much.”

To be this happy about closing a clinic she’d poured years of effort into — it showed Yipin had gained something even better. Human nature really was like that; give people something better in exchange, and they’ll let go of anything.

Yipin sat down. “Ah, suddenly I’m exhausted.”

Nurse Peng came back and said, “Dr. Bu is putting out ads tomorrow announcing the opening, free consultations.”

“Wow, she really knows how to run a business, she’ll have customers streaming in.”

Nurse Peng laughed. “The American way, very results-oriented — she can do at least ten pairs of double eyelids in a day.”

“Shh, Nurse Peng, don’t go giving away the new boss’s trade secrets.”

“Right, right, right.”

Yipin said, “Let’s go, Nurse Peng still has plenty to do.”

The moment they left the clinic, Nurse Peng had already quietly taken down the “Dr. Yang Yipin” sign. Yipin really was tough — she walked away without a backward glance.

Erjing said, “You really are brave — only looking forward, never dwelling on the past.”

But Yipin said, “I only want to hold onto my health, everything else I can let go.”

Lu Yongzhong reminded her from the side, “Health and Lu Yongzhong — neither one is optional.”

Erjing said, “I can’t handle you two, I’ll just call my own car, no need to see me off.”

“Little sister, wherever you’re headed, I still want to introduce you to someone.” Erjing waved a hand and left.

Back home, Yipin stretched. “What a relief.”

“I really didn’t think you’d be willing to step back from the front lines.”

“I’ll probably gain weight fast, being lazy at home from now on.”

“You won’t — just look at your mother.”

“She’s busy nonstop, appointments around the clock.”

“You don’t have the mindset for gaining weight.” Yipin laughed. “Oh, so putting on fat is a matter of attitude?”

Lu Yongzhong’s expression turned serious. “Yipin, now that your condition’s under control, I’d like to hold a simple wedding.”

Yipin looked at him and scratched her head.

“Yipin, why so reluctant?”

“Things are good as they are now, there’s no need to make it formal. Please don’t push me on this — promise me you won’t bring it up again.”

Lu Yongzhong had no choice but to accept it.

“Just imagine — how could a patient have the energy to handle the pressures of marriage.”

“I’m not putting any pressure on you.”

“The institution of marriage itself carries enormous pressure.”

“Yipin, whatever you want is fine with me.”

After he left, the apartment felt suddenly empty with just her alone, and her expression drooped, a look of loneliness on her face. Fortunately, Lawyer Lu called. “Yipin, Jiayi’s finished all the paperwork, there’s a cashier’s check waiting for you at my office.”

“Please donate it to a charity on my behalf.”

“Yipin, I’d advise you to wait three months before deciding where the money goes. It doesn’t hurt to keep some for yourself.”

Yipin said nothing.

“Your odds of pulling through are quite good — when the time comes, you’ll need living expenses, you can’t rely on a man forever.” Lawyer Lu said this in his usual wry manner.

There was a certain dark humor to it, and some truth too.

“I’ll hold onto it for you in the meantime, deposit it in the bank, earn a bit of interest at least.”

“Thank you, Uncle Lu.”

“No need for thanks, Yipin, just focus on getting well.”

So many friends looking out for her — Yipin felt fortunate. Then Professor Huo called to ask after her: “Yipin, Little Zhang’s gone back to her village, she can live a normal life now. She said she’ll never forget your candy and the novel.”

Yipin smiled.

“You’re retiring in your prime, and I’ve lost one of my best hands, feel like I’ve lost my right arm.”

“Professor, you flatter me.”

“I mean every word — a new generation of reconstructive surgeons, who else would be willing to serve the poor for free like you did — removing blemishes and moles alone brings in millions a year for some.”

“There must be someone even better than me out there.”

“I’m searching with an eagle eye for a successor right now.”

Yipin hung up the phone and leaned back on the sofa. Ah — we ought to treat every day the way Little Zhang treasured that candy wrapper, holding it dear. Her whole body felt at ease. Lu Yongzhong didn’t let her rest for long. “Yipin, get some sleep first, I have plans for us at dinnertime.”

Between the two of them, it was hard to say who was really taking care of whom.

Meanwhile, Erjing returned to her mother’s house and saw the aunts and family friends dispersing after their gathering, realizing her mother had once again held a family prayer session for Yipin.

She went over and took her mother’s hand. Mrs. Yang asked, “What did the doctor say?”

Erjing answered, “Thankfully, her condition’s under control again, all thanks to the new medication. Ten years earlier, we would have already lost her.”

Mrs. Yang’s tears fell. Erjing sighed. “So many times, my heart’s felt like it dropped into an ice pit — waking up in the middle of the night in terror, sobbing.”

“She doesn’t know how we feel, I suppose — I’ve been cutting myself apart inside every single day, unable to eat or sleep properly.”

Erjing shook her head. “If a patient still has to worry about her family’s feelings on top of everything, that’s just adding insult to injury.”

“That’s exactly why she mustn’t know — I have to pretend I don’t know either.”

“That’s been so hard on you too, Mom.”

Mrs. Yang asked, “She’s always thought I had no idea?”

Erjing smiled. “We’re good actresses, and besides, she has no energy left to notice the little details.”

“Poor Yipin.”

Mrs. Yang covered her face and wept.

“If Yipin saw you like this, it would break her heart.”

“Yongzhong says the same thing.”

Erjing said, “Lu Yongzhong really is like an angel.”

Mrs. Yang managed a faint smile. “Whatever happens in the future, he’s already been good enough, today.”

“So many men, the moment their girlfriend falls ill, immediately abandon her and look for someone new — Yongzhong really is rare.”

Mrs. Yang said, “I’m truly grateful to Yongzhong.”

Erjing said, “It’s remarkable, him coming every week to give you a detailed report.” Mrs. Yang nodded.

Erjing said, “Fate is really just timing lining up right — if Lu Yongzhong had come along three years earlier, Yipin surely would have missed him entirely.” She stood up.

Mrs. Yang asked, “Are you heading back to the clinic?”

“I want to retire like Yipin too, have my time be my own — but I’ve spent so long mastering this trade, it feels wasteful not to use it.”

Mrs. Yang said, “The clinic’s already called looking for you.” Erjing gasped, grabbed her coat, and hurried off.

Yipin had just finished showering at home when Lu Yongzhong came up. “Huh, showering again?”

Yipin smiled. “Hey, stop fussing over every little thing.”

“Showering three times a day will dry out your skin — you’ll develop a needless obsession with cleanliness.”

“Keep fussing like this every day and soon I’ll turn into your clueless little housewife.”

“I won’t stop, alright? You don’t even know how to take care of yourself.”

Yipin felt a small pang of tenderness, and admitted the truth. “I worry there’s a certain smell that comes with being a patient.”

“That’s not it at all — it’s just the city air, not great. Why not move out to the suburbs instead.” True enough — in the past, for the sake of convenience getting to work, she’d had no choice but to live downtown; now she was free to choose.

Yongzhong said, “I have a house out in the suburbs — well, I hope you don’t think it’s too vulgar of me! I’m not one for property speculation, it was just an investment, ugh, the more I explain the worse it sounds — but the place is decent, you should take a look.”

Yipin laughed. So this was the “plan” he’d mentioned earlier — he’d already been thinking of having her move.

Yipin said, “Alright, take me to see it.”

She half-guessed it might be on a cliff again, and she was half right — the whole world’s ideal homes seemed to be built up in the hills, with wider views. This time, what she saw was the calm South China Sea.

“I looked for a long time before deciding on this place — the air’s drier here, and it’s close to neighbors, there’s a market nearby too.”

It really was an ideal place to recuperate — Lu Yongzhong had thought of everything for her. She sat down gently on the white leather sofa.

“What do you think?” Yipin said, “I really don’t know how to thank you enough — so thorough, even the soap and towels in the bathroom are already set up…”

“As long as you’re happy, Yipin.” He took her hand.

“Sit down too, I have something to say to you.”

“Ah, let me pour a cup of tea first.”

Wherever Yongzhong went, he never forgot to make a good pot of tea. He let something slip without meaning to: “Your mother wants you to move to the suburbs too.” Fortunately Yipin hadn’t caught it; he quickly changed the subject. “I had Zhu Hengma’s company handle the interior design — does it look tasteful?”

“Yongzhong,” Yipin began, “twice now, I’ve circled at death’s door and come back — it’s changed my entire outlook on life.”

Yongzhong nodded eagerly. “Of course — many people stop chasing fame and fortune after that, and live a much simpler kind of life.”

Yipin was pleased. “Yongzhong, you understand me best.”

Lu Yongzhong smiled. “So you’ve finally accepted my proposal.”

Yipin looked surprised. “Proposal — what?”

Seeing her eyes widen in surprise, Yongzhong felt a chill run through him. “What were you going to say?”

“Yongzhong, I’ve finally figured out what I want to do.”

Yongzhong asked, alarmed, “Isn’t it marriage?”

Yipin laughed. “Of course not. Yongzhong, my junior schoolmate is a member of Doctors Without Borders through the International Red Cross — she’s invited me to join their team many times. I could never quite let go of worldly attachments before, caught up in the noise of everyday life, but now I feel I’m finally ready—”

Hearing this, Lu Yongzhong let out an anguished cry: “No, no!”

“Yongzhong, Yongzhong, stop joking around.”

He held his head in both hands, sweat beading on his brow — ah, worse than a girlfriend running off with someone else was a girlfriend harboring grand ambitions. He groaned aloud.

“Yongzhong, sit down.”

“Your health isn’t good, how can you go running off like that?”

“Everything’s already arranged — I’ll be seeing patients at a fixed clinic.”

“No, you shouldn’t go near any epidemic zones.”

“It’s not an epidemic zone, I’d just be the attending physician at an ordinary clinic.”

“I can’t accept this.”

“I thought you wanted me to be happy.”

“I thought after this illness, you’d have settled down.”

“Yongzhong, when things in life go the way we hope, that’s good fortune; when they don’t, we treat it as experience.”

Lu Yongzhong took off his jacket — the back was soaked through with sweat. He poured himself half a glass of brandy and drank it in one gulp. He sank down, defeated. “If I can’t keep you here, I can’t keep your heart either.”

Hearing such a dramatic, poetic line, Yipin tilted her head back and burst out laughing.

Lu Yongzhong stared at her blankly. “At least,” he said, mocking himself, “I always make you laugh.”

“Yes, Yongzhong, you’ve given me so many wonderful times, I’ll never forget them.”

“Where will you go, and for how long?”

“The mountains of Guizhou — I’m willing to give a year of my time.”

Lu Yongzhong’s spirits lifted a little. “Just a year?”

“Can you wait?”

“Of course I can,” he steadied his breath, “I could even come and stay with you.”

Yipin smiled. “You’re wealthy and powerful, there’s nothing you can’t do — well, we do have something to ask of you!”

“What is it?”

“The village clinic will handle obstetrics and pediatrics, but we’re short one digital ultrasound scanner — we’re hoping a generous benefactor might donate one.”

“Ah, it would be my honor. Consider it done.”

“Well then, you tell me the total budget, and I’ll find a way to raise it.”

Yipin smiled. “Yongzhong, I’m proud of you.”

Lu Yongzhong sighed. “A middle-aged friend of mine once said, it’s frightening enough when your children turn out to be delinquents — but even more sleep-depriving is when they turn out to have too much ambition, like running off to Madagascar to study lemurs or something.”

Yipin laughed again.

“One of my managers has a daughter studying geology — five foot one, ninety-five pounds, yet she spends every day crawling through tunnels with burly men, dangerous tunnel-digging work, her parents worried themselves gray.”

Yipin clapped him hard on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“Your mind’s made up?”

Yipin nodded. “Yongzhong, thank you — being loved really does feel wonderful.”

“Being able to love you, that makes me happy enough too.”

“That feeling, I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”

“Hey now, you’re only going for a year, I still have hope — I’ll remind you constantly that I love you.”

Yipin let out a breath of relief. She’d finally spoken her mind, and hadn’t expected Yongzhong to take it so well.

“When do you leave?”

“I still need to formally apply — I can’t just barge into someone else’s territory and set up a sign to start treating patients, it needs proper approval.”

“Is the place remote?”

“You can get there by jeep — the village is near a tea plantation, the British used to frequent the area in the old days, not just searching for good tea, but also discovering rose varieties there.”

“I’ll have to study up on this place properly, find reference books to read in detail right away.”

Yipin laughed.

“You plan to get up in the middle of the night to see patients?”

“That’s certainly a possibility.”

“Can your body handle it?”

“The Bible says: as your days, so shall your strength be.”

Lu Yongzhong looked downcast, his heart aching. “If only I could tie you down here.”

“Yongzhong, a life like mine won’t be satisfied just shopping for clothes and going to parties for empty show — I need to put in real effort, break a real sweat, only then does it feel like I’ve accomplished something, only then can I sleep soundly at night.”

“I understand.” He felt quite wronged by it all.

Yipin felt some regret too. “I’m sorry — I’ve never been the type of bird who depends on someone else.”

Yongzhong said, “Yipin, you’re my beloved.” He gripped her hand tightly.

Yipin walked out onto the balcony. Many women would trade a leg and an arm for a house like this — but not Yang Yipin. She had the ability to earn a respectable home of her own; she loved a person without any conditions attached, purely because she truly loved that person.

Some days later, Yang Yipin, through the relevant channels, obtained approval to practice medicine inland. Li Benling was the most excited of all, offering plenty of valuable advice. “Sister Yipin, the more equipment the better, and the medical supplies need to be complete — just make a list, Zhou Yan and I will come help you get set up.” Yipin nodded.

Li Benling suddenly looked a bit apologetic. “Sister Yipin, there’s no hot water plumbing there, you’ll need to boil water in a big copper kettle — I’ll arrange for someone to look after your daily needs.”

“No problem, if you can manage, so can I.”

“Oh, and Sister Yipin, the dormitory has no air conditioning either.”

“I’ll bring my own little fan.”

“In summer it gets so hot that you’ll wake up with a sweat-stain outline of your whole body on the straw mat.”

“I understand it’s not exactly a five-star hotel.”

“Sister Yipin, you really are wonderful.”

Yipin smiled. “If it really becomes unbearable, I won’t force myself through it — I’ll retreat.”

“The good news is the scenery really is beautiful, flowers everywhere — it’s a kind of spiritual encouragement in itself.”

Yipin nodded.

Benling said, “The villagers are simple and sincere, they revere doctors almost like gods. Sister Yipin, I admit I’m a bit vain, but even I have no desire to go back to practicing in the city.”

“You’ll have Zhou Yan with you too, of course you won’t miss the city.”

Benling smiled sweetly. “Zhou Yan has already reconciled with his family, we’ve met each other’s parents.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“We’ve agreed — next year I’ll accompany him while he finishes his architecture degree.”

Dr. Li Guihui said to Yipin, “You’ll manage fine as a village doctor — the villagers are sturdy, they don’t get serious illnesses.”

“You don’t object to me going?”

“It’ll be good for your health — people like us, sitting idle at home enjoying comfort, we’re just not used to it.” Yipin laughed.

“Don’t push yourself too hard, and no matter how busy you get, come see me for a checkup every two months.”

“I know.”

“Yipin, you were born in the city, yet somehow your temperament has always been drawn to nature — the pleasures of the busy city never appealed to you.”

“You’re making me sound too good.”

“It’s true — all these years, I’ve never once seen you go to a ball in brand-name clothes and jewelry, or play mahjong, or trade stocks. Going back to the countryside might feel like coming home to you.”

Yipin laughed too. She bought a batch of pop-up picture books, a huge amount of candy, and small plastic toys to prepare for her young patients. Lu Yongzhong went along with her — he nearly had to hire porters, more than a dozen pieces of luggage, including sound equipment and electronics, bringing along whatever he could think of. Two assistants accompanied them as well, carrying satellite phones and laptops, and off they went in grand procession.

Yipin watched, shaking her head and laughing. Businessmen really had their ways — he contacted friends right away and secured all sorts of conveniences, including having an extra electrical line run straight to the doctor’s dormitory. All this left Li Benling laughing in disbelief.

The villagers had already whitewashed the doctor’s dormitory; the place was reasonably tidy, and there was a new mosquito net on the bed. Lu Yongzhong immediately had people install air conditioning and bring in a small refrigerator.

Benling said happily, “Sister Yipin, this fridge should really go to the clinic to store needles and medicine.” Before Yipin could say anything, Lu Yongzhong quickly answered, “I’ll buy another one for the clinic — your sister needs cold water to drink.” Everyone laughed.

Pushing open the window, they saw lush green mountain scenery, the air thick with the fragrance of tea leaves and roses. Some villager had found a string of firecrackers and set them off, the crackling sound announcing to the village: the doctor has arrived, no more need for the long trek into the city to see a doctor. Yipin felt her heart swell with an indescribable happiness and satisfaction. Lu Yongzhong, who had been frowning slightly, broke into a smile too, seeing how happy Yipin was.

The first patient was an elderly man suffering from conjunctivitis, who complained to the doctor about the old days, grumbling that his daughter-in-law wasn’t filial. A dab of antibiotic eye ointment, and he already said he felt better.

Yongzhong smiled. “Talk about overqualified for the job.”

Yipin answered seriously, “No — every patient has their own worries, and if a doctor can help ease them, that’s already fulfilling the mission.”

“Yipin, I suspect you’re a saint reborn into this world, it’s almost too much.”

“Boring, isn’t it.”

“When a person is too sharp, too fashionable, this kind of plainness becomes its own kind of distinctive character.”

Three days later, once all the equipment had been properly installed, Benling and Zhou Yan took their leave. Lu Yongzhong, unused to the local climate, developed a skin allergy and broke out in hives — even Yipin was at a loss for what to do. Yongzhong, unbearably itchy, said, “Quick, get me some steroid cream.”

“Why don’t you head back to the city — this mountain climate doesn’t agree with you.”

“Fine, I’ll come visit you often anyway.”

Lu Yongzhong took his leave; all ten crates of his luggage were left for Yipin’s use, and patients coming in for treatment could hear Tchaikovsky’s piano concertos playing in the background.

One morning, a villager brought in a pregnant woman for a checkup; the young woman, her belly heavily swollen, said in a low voice, “Doctor, it really hurts, I think I’m about to give birth.”

Yipin quickly put on her white coat and examined her. “Ah, it’s twins — both boys.”

The husband grinned from ear to ear. “The doctor really is like a living immortal.”

“No, look at the scan — two baby boys, this is their hearts.”

The pregnant woman stared, then suddenly burst into tears of joy.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”

That morning, Yipin delivered the babies herself, and two plump infants came into the world — remarkably, each weighing seven pounds. Later, the newborns’ grandmother brought over a large bowl of red-dyed eggs, and Yipin instructed the mother and babies to come back for a follow-up.

Patients came from morning till night without pause; some minor ailments had lingered for years, causing great distress, though they were actually easy to treat — a single dose of the right medicine, and the effect was immediate. Despite the exhausting work, Yipin instead felt refreshed and clear-headed.

The clinic had one small table, and every morning villagers would spontaneously bring fresh flowers and fruit, offering them as if to a deity. People from neighboring villages heard the news and came too, sometimes carrying children and lining up all morning; Yipin always kept them for something to eat before they left. The clinic’s facilities were still lacking, and Yipin kept working to secure more.

Once Yongzhong’s skin allergy healed, he came back to visit Yipin, but within three days it flared up again, worse than before, spreading in patches. “I’ve already gotten the anti-allergy shot,” he complained. A villager, unable to bear watching, brought over a packet of herbal medicine and told Yipin, “Doctor, boil this into a bowl, then use the hot water for bathing — it works.”

Yipin decided to try it anyway; after one bath, Yongzhong’s hives gradually subsided. Yongzhong said, “Well! Folk remedies do have their uses.”

Once he recovered, he grew lively again, following the villagers to pick tea leaves, studying rose varieties — never bored in the slightest. Anyone who’s always complaining of boredom is probably a boring person themselves. Yang Yipin and Lu Yongzhong were never bored.

One afternoon, a young girl lingered around the clinic for a long while. Yipin noticed and waved her over. “Are you waiting for someone?” She shook her head.

“Are you sick?”

She mumbled, “It’s my little sister, she’s ten, everyone calls her ‘pig girl.'”

Yipin was surprised. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Doctor, if you’re willing to see her — she has a birthmark on her face, the size of a palm…”

Yipin smiled. “That’s exactly my specialty.”

The girl burst into tears of joy. “I’ll bring my sister right away.”

The little girl had large, dark, sparkling eyes, but on both cheeks there was a patch of dark, blackish skin, and hair growing on the birthmark — it truly looked unusual.

“Doctor—” the older sister still looked anxious. Yipin smiled. “You love your sister this much, she’s sure to be healed.”

Yipin knew that with three rounds of laser treatment, the pigment could certainly be faded away. She said gently to the little patient, “Trust Dr. Yang, Dr. Yang knows what she’s doing — I promise, you’ll be as beautiful as can be.” Having said this, she laughed, and the little patient laughed too.

Yipin felt, completely, that she had found where she belonged.

(End)