C10 Family Talk

"What? Mo Qingge got her husband a position at South University Affiliated Hospital?" In the presidential suite of the Grand Imperial Hotel in Changnan City, a dashing man clad in an opulent robe, cradling a blonde, blue-eyed beauty, expressed his astonishment.

"She even had the nerve to throw me out. My friends tell me Mo Qingge is on the verge of becoming an A-grade doctor!" Wang Yan's voice, tinged with bitterness, came through the phone line.

"An A-grade doctor, huh? Impressive, she's definitely the kind of woman I'd go for." Liu Tianming's response betrayed no discomfort; instead, a mischievous smile played at the corners of his mouth.

As the second heir to the Liu Corporation and the de facto emperor of Changnan City, the women he desired were never out of reach.

What did it matter if she was a Class A doctor?

Or that she was a married woman?

All these details merely added spice to the thrill of the chase.

"Young Master Liu, I've lost my job trying to get this information to you. About that position you promised me at the Imperial Hospital... could you..." Wang Yan, picking up on the delight in Liu Tianming's voice, hastily buttered him up.

"Rest assured, once Mo Qingge is within our grasp, you and your nephew will be reporting to the Imperial Hospital in no time," Liu Tianming assured her, swirling his wine glass, his reflection oozing arrogance.

"Thank you, Young Master Liu. It's a privilege to work with someone like you—a privilege that woman doesn't even realize she's had for several lifetimes!" Wang Yan couldn't contain her elation, though a wave of envy washed over her. That woman had the kind of seductive beauty that could attract a man as exceptional as Liu Tianming.

Liu Tianming, the so-called underground emperor of Changnan City, the younger brother poised to take over the Liu Corporation. A mere crumb from his table would be more than enough for her to live lavishly for two lifetimes.

"Here's what you'll do: after your dismissal, stir up the scandal about Mo Qingge's husband's backdoor admission, and organize a few agitators to cause a scene at the hospital," Liu Tianming instructed coolly, unconcerned about the potential repercussions for Mo Qingge.

"I've got it, Young Master Liu. You can count on me to handle it," Wang Yan assured him, quickly nodding in agreement, understanding the gravity of the task at hand.

Liu Tianming ended the call with a sinister chuckle, scooping the foreign beauty into his right arm, and launched into another fierce encounter.

What chance did a mere doctor have to compete with him?

Mo Qingge, just be a good girl and become my canary.

In the Linjiang Villa District, at home, Mo Qingge shrugged off her lab coat to reveal the perfect silhouette hugged by her white blouse. She fanned herself with her delicate hands, her skin glistening with sweat.

"Qingge, how about I make you some mung bean soup? It's sweltering during these dog days of summer," Zhang Zhen suggested, restless as he gazed at his stunning wife.

Despite sharing a bed for three years, they had never really had a heart-to-heart conversation.

They lived like two parallel lines: Zhang Zhen roamed in search of culinary delights, while Mo Qingge was perpetually busy at the South University Affiliated Hospital.

Their rare intersections occurred in the still of the night, with Zhang Zhen falling asleep to the sight of her soft, delicate feet.

"Sit down, we need to talk." Mo Qingge, despite the heat prompting her to undo a couple of buttons and expose swathes of her fair skin and curves, knew they couldn't dodge the serious conversation looming.

"Fine, ask away," Zhang Zhen conceded, bracing himself as if facing his fate.

"Why so tense? I'm not about to kill you," Mo Qingge said, a slight smile playing on her lips at his exaggerated demeanor.

Her smile, rare as the bloom of a snow lotus, was stunningly beautiful.

Zhang Zhen's eyes crinkled with a smile in response.

A smile meant no accusations, and that they could talk things through.

His greatest fear was Mo Qingge confronting him about why he had concealed his medical expertise for three years.

Some women wouldn't stand for even the slightest deceit from their men.

Thankfully, Mo Qingge was understanding.

"I won't press you about your medical skills, your origins, or your past. When you're ready to talk, just tell me," Mo Qingge said softly, her voice steady as she bit her lip and locked eyes with Zhang Zhen.

She spent the entire night pondering.

Should she confront Zhang Zhen and demand he reveal everything?

Ultimately, she craved the truth but knew she couldn't ask.

Mo Qingge felt a premonition that if Zhang Zhen were to confess, their peculiar bond would inevitably transform in some fundamental way.

Whether for better or worse, she wasn't ready to embrace any change.

So, she contented herself with the simple pleasures: savoring the meals he prepared, admiring the trinkets he crafted, enjoying the melodies he hummed, and on occasion, relying on him to perform an urgent surgery.

That was sufficient.

"I... What?" Zhang Zhen's voice faltered. He was about to clarify when he fully grasped Mo Qingge's words, his face registering shock.

"Right, I'm not one to pry. You'll talk when you're ready. Badgering you is pointless," Mo Qingge stated coolly, though a sly twinkle flickered in her eyes.

Others saw her as an ice queen, but who could guess that this man was even more unflappable?

Seeing Zhang Zhen's slight discomfort was a small but satisfying mischief for her.

"Fine, you're an enigma," Zhang Zhen conceded, his posture easing.

"But just because I don't ask doesn't mean I'm not curious. I'll uncover the secrets of your medical expertise on my own," Mo Qingge declared, her index finger playfully tapping Zhang Zhen's nose with determination.

In her life, nothing but the art of medicine merited her full passion and effort; nothing but the act of healing deserved her total dedication.

Indeed, this philosophy, once uttered by the revered "Ning An Yidao" doctor, had become Mo Qingge's personal creed.

"Stop! I've got things to do. Just open up that assistant position for me already; I don't have time to play pretend in the hospital with you," Zhang Zhen protested, his face turning a shade paler.

He was slowly realizing that Mo Qingge might just keep him tethered to the South University Affiliated Hospital.

"What's so important? Cooking, taking a stroll, or charming some glamorous streamer?" Mo Qingge retorted with a touch of irritation upon hearing Zhang Zhen's remark.

If Zhang Zhen wasn't given a firm reminder, he might actually forget that he's a married man.

Even a marriage based on a contract is still a marriage!