206: Uncommon

Jin Chen experienced an unprecedented sense of relief. He felt light and energized, with a heightened clarity of thought. Even his sense of smell seemed more acute, allowing him to detect the faint scent of soap on Su Hanyan and the fragrance of the lotion on her fingertips.

Seeing Jin Chen open his eyes, Su Hanyan knew he must be feeling much better. She stopped her actions and asked with a cheerful smile, "How do you feel? Better?"

"Much better," he replied.

"That's good."

She was about to withdraw her hand, but Jin Chen caught her wrist.

"Hmm?" She was slightly taken aback.

Jin Chen sat up, lowering his eyes to look at her palm. "Every time I have a headache, it feels like my head is splitting. But after you massage it, I feel completely relaxed! I want to see why your hands are so special."

Su Hanyan chuckled and extended her hand for him to see. "Sure, take a look. Can you find anything special about them?"

Of course, he couldn't find anything special. What he really wanted was just to hold her hand.

"Can't see anything special," he said with a smile.

Su Hanyan also smiled, not pulling her hand back, but instead grasping his hand playfully. "Then I want to see if Dr. Jin's hands have any special qualities that can bring the dead back to life!"

"Go ahead, take a good look," Jin Chen laughed.

Su Hanyan earnestly examined his hands. She really liked Jin Chen's hands—long, fair, with well-defined joints. The proportions of his fingers were simply perfect, making them hard to ignore.

Moreover, she had a thing for hands.

While she was engrossed, suddenly, with a loud bang, the door was rudely pushed open from the outside.

Su Hanyan was startled and quickly turned to look at the door.

It was Lu Feifan, who had come up carrying a thermos in one hand and a teacup in the other. Unable to free his hands, he had used his shoulder to push open the ajar door.

Upon entering, he saw the two of them holding hands. After his initial surprise, he looked knowingly amused.

"Hey, Old Jin, you're looking spirited already?" he teased Jin Chen. "Su Girl's influence is really something!"

He nodded suggestively towards their intertwined hands.

Su Hanyan understood and quickly let go of Jin Chen's hand. "Sorry, I was just... curious about the hands of a surgeon."

"No need to explain," Lu Feifan teased as he stepped closer, holding out his hand to Su Hanyan. "Here, take a look at an anesthetist's hand. See if there's anything special about it?"

Jin Chen immediately swatted his hand away. "What does it have to do with you?"

"Just joking."

"What are you doing up here?" Jin Chen glared at him.

Lu Feifan chuckled, knowing that despite Jin Chen's calm exterior, he was probably grinding his teeth in frustration.

"I'm bringing Su Hanyan a cup of water."

"No need," Jin Chen said, getting out of bed and taking the thermos and teacup from Lu Feifan. "I can handle it myself. Feifan, don't you have two surgeries today? Aren't you worried about being late?"

"It's not that urgent," Lu Feifan deliberately teased.

207: Destined

"No way, lives are at stake. As an anesthesiologist, your responsibility is even greater. So, you must leave now!" Jin Chen draped his arm around Lu Feifan's shoulder and forcefully escorted him out.

Once outside the room, Lu Feifan stared at Jin Chen with extreme dissatisfaction. "Do you have any conscience? Do you know I told Su Hanyan you were sick just to create more opportunities for you to gain her favor?"

"Thank you," Jin Chen said nonchalantly.

"Look at you, so stingy. I was just getting some tea for you two, and you can't wait to kick me out! What? Afraid I'll steal your girlfriend?"

"Yes," Jin Chen patted his chest. "You have too many tricks up your sleeve, and Su Hanyan is pure and kind. I'm afraid you'll deceive her."

"Pure... kind? Which eye of yours sees that?"

"Both eyes."

"Cut it out," Lu Feifan rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth. "Were you faking it? You were in so much pain before, and now that Su Hanyan is here, you're completely fine! Tell me, are you trying to provoke me?"

Jin Chen pursed his lips, remained silent for a moment, then spoke with a serious and earnest expression. "No. It's strange. Whenever I'm around her, all my pain disappears. I can't explain why. Maybe... maybe it's destiny?"

"You're kidding me, right? Destiny? You believe in that? I doubt it!" Lu Feifan was skeptical, but Jin Chen's expression didn't seem like he was joking.

"No," Jin Chen's voice was deep and resolute. "You're my brother, I wouldn't lie to you! Feifan, I'm determined to pursue Su Hanyan. I can't let this one go. Do you understand?"

Lu Feifan seemed moved by his emotions. After a moment, he nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"Thank you," Jin Chen said, then returned to the room.

He hadn't exchanged more than a few words with Su Hanyan before there was another knock at the door. Jin Chen got up to open it, only to find Lu Feifan standing there again.

"What are you doing back?" Jin Chen frowned.

"Code red!" Lu Feifan leaned against the door frame, pointing downstairs. "That clingy girl is back. She's downstairs talking to the old lady, but I'm sure she'll be up here soon."

"Clingy girl?" Jin Chen raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't remember."

"Yan family's daughter!"

"Yan Jia?" Jin Chen's impression of the girl was vague. He had left for abroad in 1977 when she was still a young girl with pigtails. By the time he returned in the late '80s, she had already gone to college and left the city.

[i am reading as i translate so im unsure whether Yan Jia means 'Yan Family' or if that's the name of the girl, im leaning more on that's her name lol]

"Yes, her," Lu Feifan sighed. The thought of Yan Jia gave him a headache. She was as noisy as a sparrow and spoiled rotten by her family. "She just got back from the south, heard about Grandma Jin's fracture, and came straight here without even going home."

"Got it," Jin Chen replied softly.

"As long as you're aware," Lu Feifan checked his watch. "I really have to go now. Talk later."

Downstairs in the living room, Yan Jia was placing box after box of high-end pastries in front of Grandma Jin, her voice sweet and sugary. "Grandma Jin, I know you love these, so I had my parents make a special detour to buy you a few boxes. Enjoy them slowly!"

[a wild rival has appeared!]

208: Embarrassed

"Yes," Yan's father continued, "She insisted on coming to see you first as soon as she heard you weren't feeling well!"

"She remembers exactly what you like to eat," Yan's mother added with a gentle smile.

"Oh dear," Jin Yan opened her arms lovingly, "Come, let Grandma hug you! I've watched you all grow up. You were the most spoiled and mischievous as a child, but now you're the closest to Grandma's heart!"

Yan Jia immediately hugged Jin Yan, wrapping her arms around her neck and coquettishly said, "Closer than Brother Jin Chen?"

"Of course!" Jin Yan patted her head and chuckled, "You're much more adorable than those boys! Girls are always more likable, my little darling!"

"Grandma Jin, that's not fair! How come we're not likable?" Lu Feifan came downstairs just in time to hear that, "You're being too biased!"

"Biased? I'm not biased at all! Tell me, how are you likable? You and Jin Chen have never been easy to manage! Let's not even mention the time you lied to me about having a girlfriend and got my hopes up for nothing!" Jin Yan mercilessly exposed his shortcomings.

"Don't even bring that up," Lu Feifan rubbed his back, "That night my grandma kept grilling me about it! When I told her I was joking and didn't have a girlfriend, my parents teamed up to give me a good scolding. My back hurt for days!"

"Hahaha! Serves you right! Feifan, you're as mischievous as ever!" Yan Jia laughed so hard she nearly fell over.

"Jia Jia, don't speak like that about Feifan," Yan's mother gently corrected her, "He's your brother, you must respect him!"

"Oh, I understand," Yan Jia nodded obediently.

Lu Feifan knew her personality well and didn't take it to heart. He joked and chatted with the elders for a while before heading to work.

While the adults chatted, Yan Jia grew restless and shook Grandma Jin's arm, asking, "Grandma Jin, where's Brother Chen? I haven't seen him!"

"Your brother Chen is upstairs," Jin Yan said with a smile, "He's not feeling well today, and his friend came to visit him. They're all upstairs."

"Really? I need to see him then!" Yan Jia stood up and headed upstairs.

On the second floor, she saw a slightly ajar door. With a mischievous smile, she suddenly pushed it open and joyfully called out, "Brother Chen!"

Her sudden entrance didn't startle Jin Chen, but it did surprise Su Hanyan, who was sipping tea. The unexpected shout caused her to choke on her tea, leading to a fit of intense coughing.

"Cough, cough... cough, cough..."

Jin Chen glanced at Yan Jia and then walked over to Su Hanyan. He gently patted her back with a warm hand, helping her to gradually stop coughing.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Yes," Su Hanyan, her face flushed and cheeks tinted with a rosy hue, awkwardly wiped the tea from her chest and said, "Much better, thank you. Sorry for making a fool of myself!"

Jin Chen's lips curled into a slight smile as he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. "It's nothing."

Yan Jia stood in the doorway, scrutinizing Jin Chen and then Su Hanyan. Frowning, she asked, "Brother Chen, who is this woman?"

209: Matters of Politeness

Jin Chen didn't answer her question but instead reproached her, "You're all grown up now, why are you still so impulsive? You should knock before entering. Don't you know that?"

Yan Jia pouted unhappily, "We're so familiar with each other. We used to play together since we were kids. Why does it matter so much?"

"Yan Jia, this is a matter of manners," Jin Chen said calmly.

"I get it," Yan Jia nodded, then smiled again. Excitedly, she moved closer and hugged Jin Chen's arm, "Brother Chen, I've missed you so much! How many years has it been since we last met? After I went to study in the south, we had even fewer chances to meet. It's hard to get together even during Chinese New Year! But now, I've graduated and returned to work in the north, so we can see each other every day in the future."

"Let go of me, Yan Jia! I've never liked being pulled around like this, you know that!" Jin Chen gently separated her fingers and created some distance between them.

Yan Jia pouted again, looking at Jin Chen with an unhappy expression, "Brother, you're hurting my pride!"

Jin Chen smiled, "You're a grown woman now. It's better to keep some distance."

"Hmph," Yan Jia snorted lightly.

"Is this your childhood playmate?" Su Hanyan asked with a gentle smile.

"Yes," Jin Chen nodded, "Let me introduce you. This is Yan Jia, we grew up together in the military compound."

"Hello, Yan Jia," Su Hanyan greeted politely.

After all, she was a guest in someone else's home and it was proper to greet them.

Yan Jia raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.

"Yan Jia, this is..."

Just as Jin Chen was about to introduce Su Hanyan, Yan Jia grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door, "Brother, come downstairs quickly! My parents are here too, and they were just talking about you! Let's go downstairs!"

"Yan Jia!" Jin Chen stood firm and raised his voice, "Let go of me. You know I dislike this."

Yan Jia, feeling ignored, bit her lip, "If you won't come down, then I will. My parents came all the way to see you. If you won't come down, Brother Chen, you're even more impolite than you accuse me of being!"

With that, she turned and stomped downstairs, her footsteps unusually loud.

Su Hanyan realized it was inappropriate to stay any longer. She stood up to take her leave, "Dr. Jin, since you're fine now, I'll be on my way! Next time, I'll treat you to coffee!"

"Stay for lunch," Jin Chen insisted.

"No, thank you. I should leave," Su Hanyan declined politely.

Jin Chen fell silent for a moment before saying, "Hanyan, I sincerely invite you to stay. My grandmother mentioned several times that I should invite you over for a meal. Today's a good opportunity."

"But... is it appropriate?" Su Hanyan hesitated. It wasn't about staying for lunch; she sensed strong hostility from Yan Jia towards her. "I'm afraid I might upset someone with my temper."

"Haha," Jin Chen chuckled softly, "She's immature. Don't mind her. She wouldn't dare to trouble you."

"Alright," Su Hanyan nodded, "In that case..." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm not afraid of her causing trouble. I'm just concerned that my temper might upset her to the point of tears. That wouldn't be appropriate."

"Anyone who can make her cry, I've never seen," Jin Chen laughed, "If you really make her cry, I'll truly admire you!"

210: Friend or Girlfriend?

Su Hanyan grinned, "Alright then, I'll stay and join you for a meal."

"Great."

"There are guests at home, I'll go downstairs to greet them. Would you like to come down with me? Or would you prefer to stay here and read?" He opened the bedside drawer, filled to the brim with books. "Feel free to read whatever you like."

"I'll come down and greet them with you," Su Hanyan thought it would be better this way.

"That's even better."

As Jin Chen and Su Hanyan prepared to go downstairs, they heard Grandma Jin's voice from downstairs.

"Chen Chen, your Uncle Yan and Aunt Zhang are here. Come down and greet them!"

"Coming."

Jin Chen and Su Hanyan arrived on the first floor. He took the initiative to greet Yan's father and mother and introduced Su Hanyan, "This is my friend who came to see me specially because I was ill today."

Su Hanyan smiled and nodded, "Hello, everyone."

Yan's mother looked her up and down with a smile, then asked Jin Chen, "Chen Chen, is she a friend or a girlfriend?"

[damn my bro got into the hotseat]

Before Jin Chen could respond, Yan Jia interjected, "Mom, what kind of question is that? Of course, she's a friend! Brother Chen has high standards! Can any random woman catch his eye? Only I, Yan Yan, am worthy of Brother Chen. Isn't that right, Grandma?"

Jin Chen's grandmother waved her hand with a smile, "I don't understand the affairs of you young people. Don't ask me! If you want to know, ask Chen Chen."

The old lady had her own thoughts.

In matters like this, it all depended on what her eldest grandson said. What others said didn't matter.

"Brother Chen, is she your girlfriend?" Yan Jia frowned tightly, her eyes full of hostility towards Su Hanyan. "I believe she's not. Didn't you promise to wait for Yan Yan to come back so you could be together? You and Yan Yan are destined for each other!"

The Yan Yan she referred to was her cousin, Yan Yi.

Because her name sounded like "Auntie" in a homophonic manner. So, everyone called her Yan Yan.

"Don't speak nonsense, child," Yan's father immediately intervened.

"I'm not talking nonsense."

"Even if you're not talking nonsense, the choice is up to Chen Chen. Don't stir up trouble here," Yan's mother pulled her daughter's arm, feeling her behavior was a bit too much.

"How am I stirring up trouble?" Yan Jia was Yan Yi's most loyal supporter. In her eyes, Jin Chen had long been her brother-in-law. Where could she tolerate others interfering? "Yan Yan and Brother Chen have a good relationship, doesn't everyone know that? Besides, Yan Yan is so outstanding, what kind of person is she?"

Her words were quite rude, causing Su Hanyan to furrow her brows.

As a guest, it wasn't appropriate for her to intervene in other people's family matters. But being dragged into it so abruptly was just too much, wasn't it?

"Yan Jia!" Jin Chen spoke up, his voice tinged with coldness. "Please be more polite to my friend!"

"Jia Jia!" Yan's mother felt her daughter was too naive and reprimanded her, "Is this how Dad and I have taught you? Where is your basic respect for others? You should apologize to this young lady right away."

"Yeah, Jia Jia, this isn't right," Grandma Jin also frowned, "You should apologize to Yan Yan. She's your brother's guest and also someone who's done me a favor."

"Yan Yan?" Yan Jia was taken aback.

"Yes, her name is Yan Yan," Grandma Jin said, "Hanyan, Su Hanyan. It's a very nice name."

"Hanyan? Huh? It sounds similar to my Yan Yan's name, but hers is much better."