“Yes. Here, when we get married, we emphasize dowry, house, car, three gold pieces... and other things I can’t remember.” Liu Zhi said, “Basically, once a boy is born, all the income in the family is saved up for him.”
"That's a bit feudal."
“There’s nothing we can do about it. No matter where you are, most marriages depend on the man’s financial situation.” Liu Zhi looked into Meng Yang’s eyes. “Most of the male colleagues I’ve met since I started working are also worried about this issue.”
"Your relationship with your brother..."
"I have a pretty good relationship with him."
"Although I knew at the time that the surgery might not be successful," Liu Zhi choked up, "I couldn't get over that mental hurdle."
“At that time, I even felt that my mother was unfilial and selfish,” Liu Zhi said. “From then on, I wanted to study far away from my parents and escape from this family.”
"At the time, I wanted to work in the medical field. First, I thought that if I became a doctor, the probability of such a thing happening would be smaller. Second, I heard that the pay was high."
Meng Yang leaned down and kissed Liu Zhi's forehead.
"If you had told me back then, would I have felt better?"
“Meng Yang,” Liu Zhi called to her, “I have an inferiority complex deep down.”
“I get nervous when I walk into a slightly upscale restaurant, worrying about the finances and my own interests.” Liu Zhi pressed her cheek against Meng Yang’s. “Can you tell?”
"I can't tell." Meng Yang's heart ached slightly.
"Maybe I've learned to pretend, to disguise myself with indifference and aloofness." Liu Zhi forced a smile. "Actually, I'm insecure and timid."
"It's no exaggeration to say that back then, I envied you, but I was also afraid of you."
Why are you afraid?
"I'm afraid you'll see my embarrassment."
"I don't care about anything else." Meng Yang's eyes also stung. "I just want to ask you, did you push me away on purpose?"
"Yes," Liu Zhi answered firmly, "I'm avoiding you."
Meng Yang's tears fell into Liu Zhi's hair.
Liu Zhi held her in his arms.
"sorry."
"Do you know why I studied medicine?" Meng Yang nestled in Liu Zhi's arms. "It's not just because my grandfather and father both worked in this field."
“I was completely lost about my future at the time,” Meng Yang choked up, “because you said you wanted to study medicine…”
"I think the world is so big, we'll meet the people we're meant to meet. If we're in the same industry, won't we have even more opportunities to meet in the future?"
As Meng Yang spoke, tears streamed down his face, each tear feeling like it was hitting Liu Zhi's heart.
Liu Zhi hugged her tighter.
"Thank goodness." Liu Zhi felt the fragrance of Meng Yang's hair lingering around her nose.
Thankfully, Grandma pulled through in the end, and thankfully, after missing so many opportunities, I was still able to meet you.
Liu Zhi thought to herself that saying it aloud would be too mushy and would only make her hug Meng Yang tighter.
...
Because they couldn't book tickets for Sunday night, Mengyang needs to go back on Sunday afternoon.
When Liu's parents arrived, Liu Zhi was pushing Meng Yang's suitcase, escorting her to the exit.
Liu Yi took two Chinese class breaks and came over too.
They all turned around and watched their backs.
The taxi was stopped at the intersection. Unable to wait any longer, Liu's mother hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not call Liu Zhi.
Liu Yi couldn't quite see Meng Yang's face clearly, and the photo Liu Zhi used as her phone wallpaper wasn't very clear either, but his intuition told him that this person was the same one in Liu Zhi's wallpaper.
Liu Yi curled his fingers.
After seeing Meng Yang off, Liu Zhi put his hands in his pockets, turned around, and just then saw the family's figures.
"Little Zhi," Liu's mother beckoned to her.
Liu Zhi walked over, and the family went inside the building.
"A gift for a friend?" Liu's mother asked.
"Mm," Liu Zhi replied.
Liu's mother didn't ask any more questions, and Liu Yi lowered his head and remained silent.
"Your school uniform collar isn't straightened properly." Liu Zhi walked over to her younger brother and straightened his clothes for him.
"We left in too much of a hurry." Liu Yi pressed the elevator up button.
"What class did you skip?" Liu Zhi asked.
"Chinese language class."
They stopped talking; the whole family fell silent. Even in the elevator, all they could hear were strangers chatting.
"What about the hospital?" Liu's mother broke the silence.
"There's no need to worry for now," Liu Zhi said.
"That's good." Liu's mother moved closer to Liu Zhi. "How long will it take for Grandma to be transferred to a regular ward?"
“A week should be about right,” Liu Zhi said after a moment’s thought.
“Work is also very important,” Liu’s mother said. “I will take care of Grandma after she is transferred to a regular ward. You should go back to work as soon as possible.”
Liu Zhi's gaze fell on the changing floors; she had her own thoughts.
“It’s not easy working at your company. If you keep resting at home and taking leave, your boss will definitely not have a good impression of you.” Liu’s mother’s tone became stern. “Don’t joke around with your future.”
"Mom," Liu Zhi said calmly, "I have my own plans."
Liu Zhi had spoken with Meng Yang that morning.
Liu Zhi's maternal grandmother played a significant role in her upbringing; the elderly woman is over eighty years old this year.
Liu Zhi did not believe in the superstition of living to a hundred years old or having a long life like the Southern Mountain.
But she understood the saying, "One may wish to care for one's parents, but they may no longer be there."
Initially, Liu Zhi planned to resign and return to Yancheng from the capital.
Although it was a pity, Liu Zhi felt it was worth it.
Meng Yang interrupted her after he found out.
The affiliated hospital has a counterpart support plan, and Meng Yang suggested that she apply to support township health centers under the jurisdiction of Yancheng.
Liu Zhi wrote an application overnight, which Meng Yang took back to the capital.
Meng Yang didn't tell her that this application form was actually only open to physicians with intermediate or senior professional titles. Liu Zhi was stuck at the hurdle of being promoted to intermediate professional title.
Liu Zhi's journey to this point has been incredibly difficult, and Meng Yang is reluctant to let him go.
Meng Yang thought that rules are made by people, and that fairness should be tempered with compassion. He decided to give it a try. He figured he could resign if he failed.
Liu Zhi's mind was a mess when she wrote, and she made several mistakes. Meng Yang accompanied her, correcting her mistakes again and again, and helping her to organize her thoughts accurately.
Liu Zhi recalled Meng Yang's gentle yet firm gaze, and her heart gradually calmed down.
“I applied for counterpart support,” Liu Zhi said to her mother, “to work at the township health center in Yancheng.”
"If it doesn't work out, I'll resign," Liu Zhi said.
"Xiao Zhi, don't be willful!"
"Sister, don't be impulsive."
Liu Yi and his mother finished speaking almost simultaneously.
“I know what I want and what I’m doing,” Liu Zhi said earnestly.
“I agree to let him come back to help, but I won’t let him resign,” said Liu’s father. “That would be such a pity.”
The elevator doors opened, and Liu Zhi was the first to step out.
"Xiao Zhi, think about it, working in the capital is so great. If you could marry someone from the capital and get a Beijing residency permit..."
"Mom." Liu Zhi stopped and looked at her mother.
From this perspective, Liu Zhi sensed a feeling of being superior.
"I'll say it again, my life is my own," Liu Zhi said. "Whether I resign or get married is my own decision."
"I appreciate your consideration, but sometimes I have my own wishes."
Liu's mother stood there, stunned, not knowing what to say.
“You’re so naive!” said Liu’s mother.
"Mom," Liu Yi pulled his mother back, "This is a hospital, we need to keep quiet. We can talk about it when we get home."
Chapter 49 Application
Meng Yang took the application to the responsible leader and reported the details.
The leader said that the institute needs to study the matter further and they will give a reply as soon as possible.
Meng Yang took the application to his father.
Meng's father stared at her, and she looked at him expectantly.
“Dad, I want to go too,” Meng Yang said.
“Your professional title isn’t high enough,” Meng’s father said. “Xiao Liu has been a chief resident for at least a few months, just one step away from becoming an attending physician.”
“You’re far from it,” Meng’s father said meaningfully. “You’re unwilling to endure hardship.”
“What’s wrong with being a resident physician?” Meng Yang said. “I earned my position through my own hard work.”
“I’m serious. Xiao Liu might succeed, but yours…” Mr. Meng shook his head.
Meng Yang's heart sank.