My Youth Began With Him

”All I need is a ’yes’ or ’no.’ I want an answer.”

As he spoke, Qin Chu’s expression became frighteningly cold.

”Chu, we did it for your own good. It’s all in the past anyway. Just…” Qin Chu shot up to his feet before Mrs. Qin even had the chance to finish.

”I knew it.”

He had already gotten the answer he needed from his mother’s tone. Having expected this all along, Qin Chu got up. Without another word, he walked upstairs to his room on the second floor.

”Chu, eat before you head upstairs to rest,” Mrs. Qin called out to her son’s retreating figure, concerned for his well-being.

However, instead of a reply, all she got was a chilling view of her son’s back.

”Yumin… Chu… he… could he still be hung up on that damn girl? It’s been so long, and now he’s finally home. Oh, I hope nothing else goes wrong. What do you think?” Mrs. Qin was left somewhat shaken by her son’s attitude.

It had been seven years, and her son was finally back in the country. She really didn’t want things to get as bad between them as it had been before, all because of a woman.

”Never mind it. He’s a grown man now and can make decisions by himself.” With that, Qin Yumin picked up his chopsticks and began to eat angrily.

Qin Chu went back to his room. Picking up his cell phone, he dialed a number.

”Check something out for me as soon as possible,” he said and then promptly hung up.

Then, he slowly unlocked one of the drawers and took out a yellowing photograph.

There was a girl in the picture with a ponytail. She was pretty and had distinct facial features. The pair of dimples that appeared when she smiled were adorable.

The fact that she was wearing a baggy school uniform didn’t make her any less beautiful.

”Mian, I’ve missed you so much.”

He spoke in a low, hoarse voice like a man who was hopelessly in love.

His memories traced back to the scene in the photograph, taken seven years ago.

Blue skies, white clouds, school grounds, and… the girl he loved.

The next morning -

Huo Mian got up early and boarded the bus to the hospital where she worked. After she finished attending to her own duties, she grabbed the pork bone soup she had made that morning and went to find Ning Zhiyuan. She wanted to explain to him what had happened yesterday.

At the Outpatient Ophthalmology Department -

When Huo Mian went in, she found He Man, one of the nurses, carefully bandaging the wound on Ning Zhiyuan’s forehead.

”Geez, how did this happen, Doctor Ning? How can you be so careless?” The female nurse’s voice was artificially high-pitched, in a way that made people uncomfortable.

”Zhiyuan,” Huo Mian called out softly by the door.

Both of them turned around to face her. Ning Zhiyuan’s expression was blank as his gaze fell upon Huo Mian. There was no telling what he was thinking of.

”Ah, Huo Mian, you’re here. You two go on and chat, I’ll leave.”

”Don’t go.” Ning Zhiyuan suddenly reached out and grabbed He Man. ”Finish patching up my wound.”

”Doctor Ning, um… you should really let your girlfriend tend to you,” He Man said as she chuckled awkwardly.

Huo Mian wanted to say something, but before she could, she heard Ning Zhiyuan spat out word by word, ”She is not my girlfriend anymore.”

”What did you say?” Huo Mian’s slightly frowned.

”I said, we broke up yesterday. You’re not my girlfriend anymore, and I’m not worthy of an upper-class girlfriend like you. So why don’t you go find your super rich ex-boyfriend? He has luxury cars and a mansion, and I’m just a poor doctor. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you continued to stay with me!” Ning Zhiyuan’s tone was petulant.

Huo Mian took a deep breath. ”Zhiyuan,” she said, her expression calm, ”I came here today to explain what happened last night.”