Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 31

Zhang Lehuan stayed for four or five days before returning home to finalize her university applications.

On the way to the airport, Zhang Lehuan asked: “Cousin, do you have any advice about my major?”

“Choose something you like that also has good career prospects,” Lin Ran said casually.

“I don’t really have anything I like. Do you have any careers you recommend?”

“I’m a freelancer; I’ve never entered a proper workplace. I’m afraid I can’t give you suitable advice,” Lin Ran replied.

“Then, going purely by your instinct, what industry seems good right now?” Zhang Lehuan asked again.

“Dentistry,” Lin Ran blurted out.

Zhang Lehuan laughed: “Everyone online says that advising someone to study medicine is inviting divine retribution.”

“Then don’t ask, or I’ll be struck by lightning,” Lin Ran grumbled.

“I’m just kidding. The score line for oral medicine is really high. I couldn’t get in,” Zhang Lehuan said.

Lin Ran’s lips curved up: “See? That just proves how amazing our Dr. Fu is!”

Fu Linling was delayed by a surgery that evening. It was unfortunate; an entire day of highly focused surgery meant she didn’t feel like cooking when she got home. She took Lin Ran out to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

After returning home, she had intended to look up some thesis material, but while reading, she dozed off.

“Go wash up and go to bed. Don’t fall asleep here,” Lin Ran said.

“Mhm.” Fu Linling opened her eyes, took off her glasses, rubbed the bridge of her nose, and then got up to shower.

Lin Ran paced the hallway.

Work had been delayed for four days. She absolutely had to catch up tonight. But Fu Linling was a light sleeper; any minor disturbance could wake her up.

After much thought, she returned to the master bedroom and took her dolls back to her own room.

Fu Linling finished her shower. When she returned to the room and saw the empty bed, she walked to the study door: “Are you… sleeping in your own room tonight?”

“Mhm. I have to rush some work tonight, so I’ll sleep in my own room. It’s more convenient,” Lin Ran said, looking up.

Fu Linling looked at the painting on her computer and nodded: “Alright. Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t.”

Late into the night, Lin Ran yawned and subconsciously walked to the master bedroom door. Just as she was about to push it open, she suddenly became fully awake and stopped.

Inside the room, Fu Linling stared at the pair of feet outside the door. A moment later, the feet moved away.

She turned over and sighed inwardly.

Lin Ran returned to the cafeteria and was warmly welcomed. Qin Shanshan and Wang Ke kept telling her all the funny things that had happened at the hospital recently and scolded her for not eating at the cafeteria for days.

While chatting with them, Lin Ran noticed Feng Ming and called out: “Feng Ming, come sit with us!”

Feng Ming had already noticed their table and had intended to pretend she hadn’t seen them, but since Lin Ran called her over and waved, she had no choice but to walk toward them.

“You two already know each other?” Qin Shanshan asked.

“Yes, Feng Ming has even been to our place for dinner,” Lin Ran said.

“It’s different for people from the same program, huh? I’ve been Fu Linling’s partner for two years, and she’s never invited me home for a meal,” Qin Shanshan pretended to be jealous.

Before Fu Linling could say anything, Feng Ming smoothly interjected: “I was the one who took the initiative to visit.”

Qin Shanshan laughed: “Well, I wouldn’t dare to take the initiative. I’m afraid talking to Dr. Fu privately would be too cold.”

Everyone laughed. Lin Ran said: “It’s not that dramatic. Dr. Fu is a very good conversationalist.”

Qin Shanshan: “That’s just with you. She’s not like that with the rest of us.”

Wang Ke said: “Nonsense! If Dr. Fu were like that with all of us, then Lin Ran wouldn’t be special to her.”

Fu Linling gave Wang Ke an appreciative look.

Lin Ran felt a secret delight. She feigned modesty, turned to Feng Ming, and asked about her work progress.

After showering that evening, Fu Linling was blow-drying her hair when she heard Lin Ran talking on the phone outside. She listened for a few more seconds and realized she was talking to her old friend.

She quietly turned off the hairdryer, then slowly started to apply cream to her face in front of the mirror.

“So the tickets are booked, right? I’ll start packing then. Should we meet directly at the airport, or should you come to my place first?”

The voice on the other end was unclear.

“My snowboard is at the old apartment, and I’m too lazy to take it. I’ll just rent one… Has the hotel been booked?”

After that, they talked about what kind of hotel to choose.

Fu Linling returned to the living room after finishing her skincare.

Lin Ran didn’t avoid her. She continued her call, sitting on the carpet, eating cherry tomatoes one after another from a plate on the small table.

“If not, we can just book the old hotel again,” Lin Ran said.

“I saw a new themed hotel that just opened. Should we try the new one?”

A clear voice came from the other end of the phone. Fu Linling realized Lin Ran had it on speakerphone and could hear very clearly.

“Fine, I’ll book it. Anything else we need to discuss?” Lin Ran asked.

“Not for now. I’ll let you know when I think of something. Oh, wait—are you going alone? Not bringing your wife?”

Fu Linling was startled. Fortunately, Lin Ran didn’t look up at her and just told Liang Qingbo: “She has to work. She can’t take time off.”

“That’s rough. You found yourself an office worker wife. Can’t even go on a trip together.”

“What ‘office worker wife’? Don’t call her that. It sounds so bad.”

“Then what should I call her? City beauty?”

“Mhm. A ‘slave’ woman.” (A pun on the Chinese words for ‘city’ and ‘slave’ with similar pronunciation.)

Liang Qingbo burst into laughter. Fu Linling also let her lips curve into a smile.

After ending the call, Lin Ran turned back and asked again: “Can you really not come along?”

Fu Linling shook her head: “I’ve used up all my annual leave. I can’t take such a long break.”

Lin Ran sighed in disappointment: “You really are a city slave.”

Fu Linling picked up a cherry tomato. It was very sweet, and she couldn’t help but eat a few more before asking: “Does your friend know you’re married?”

“Of course. She’s my best friend. I’ve known her longer than Lian Fang. I would definitely tell her about something as important as getting married. Plus, she and I are two peas in a pod.” Although she and Lian Fang were also close, Lian Fang now had a family and kids, so it was hard for them to travel together.

Liang Qingbo was different. She was single and free, and they went on trips several times a year.

“And she… doesn’t like you?” Fu Linling finally asked the question.

“She doesn’t. If she liked me, we wouldn’t still be friends after all this time.” Lin Ran reached for a cherry tomato, realized the plate was empty, and pulled her hand back.

Fu Linling held out the last one she was holding toward Lin Ran’s mouth.

“You eat it,” Lin Ran said.

“I don’t want it anymore.” Fu Linling moved it slightly closer.

Lin Ran opened her mouth and took the bite, saying: “Qingzi had a crush on someone in high school, liked her for years. Unfortunately, the person was straight. Qingzi even attended her wedding, and after that, she never liked anyone else. She fell in love with travel and adventure and lives a very free and easy life.”

Packing was Lin Ran’s least favorite chore. She always forgot something and never really knew what to pack until the last minute.

It was only the day before the trip that she threw a few sets of ski clothes into a bag.

Fu Linling looked at her conflicted state and asked: “Do you need help?”

Lin Ran’s eyes lit up as she looked at her.

Fu Linling brought out her own suitcase, which contained several organizer bags. She packed the toiletries and underwear separately and handed Lin Ran one bag: “Put the skincare and makeup you want to take in here.”

“Okay!”

Lin Ran packed it and handed the organizer bag back. She watched as Fu Linling re-folded the ski clothes, rolling them up and placing them to save space.

Everything was neatly organized and categorized, and Fu Linling even labeled the organizer bags, making it easy for her to find and put things away.

The single 28-inch suitcase was done—much better than the two suitcases Lin Ran had initially planned for.

“My gosh, what would I do without you!” Lin Ran exclaimed.

“Then don’t leave me.”

Lin Ran was stunned by the sudden straightforwardness. She looked down and scratched her slightly flushed cheek: “Divorce is too much of a hassle.”

Fu Linling let out a soft laugh from her chest: “It is.”

The departure date was drawing closer. Lin Ran’s bag grew fuller with items Fu Linling kept adding.

Every day after work, Fu Linling would bring something back: medicated plasters, bruise remedies, cold medicine, hand warmers, and the like. They filled an entire backpack. Lin Ran had to prepare a separate small bag for her miscellaneous carry-ons.

“Will you video call me?” Fu Linling asked.

“Of course. Skiing without taking videos is like not skiing at all,” Lin Ran laughed.

Fu Linling pulled at the corner of her mouth and asked again: “Is everything packed? Did you forget anything?”

“Pretty much. If I need something, I can just buy it. Too much luggage is also tiring,” Lin Ran said.

Fu Linling agreed and didn’t add any more burden to her luggage. The night before the trip, she gave Lin Ran a herbal sachet and told her to take a bath to relax.

Lin Ran emerged from the bath smelling strongly of traditional medicine.

Fu Linling looked up, her gaze following Lin Ran’s movements.

“Does it smell bad?” Lin Ran stood in front of her, sniffing her own scent.

“Traditional medicine is very fragrant.” Fu Linling had grown up smelling Chinese medicine. The scent was deeply ingrained—it was the smell of home.

She stood up, and under Lin Ran’s surprised gaze, opened her arms and embraced her: “Be safe, and come back soon.”

“I will.”

The day of the departure was a weekday. Lin Ran had an early morning flight. Fu Linling checked the time and realized she still had time to drive her to the airport.

Lin Ran traveled light. She didn’t even put on makeup, just put on a hat and left.

Fu Linling had already put the luggage in the car. As Lin Ran hurriedly sat down, Fu Linling handed her a breakfast—the small, delicate mochi balls Lin Ran had requested last night.

Lin Ran ate one, then casually fed one to Fu Linling. That way, both had breakfast.

When they were nearing the airport, Liang Qingbo called, saying she was already at the gate and that Lin Ran should go directly through security to meet her.

After hanging up, Lin Ran noticed Fu Linling accelerating. She looked at the time and said: “Don’t rush. We won’t be late.”

“Don’t keep your friend waiting.”

“But I want to spend more time with you.”

Fu Linling was taken aback. She couldn’t stop her lips from curving into a smile. She slowed down again, arriving at the airport just in time.

“Make sure to eat well there. If you don’t have to work, get some rest early,” Fu Linling took out the luggage and handed it to her.

“I’ll try my best!” Lin Ran noticed her hesitation and asked: “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

Fu Linling thought for a moment and asked: “Are you and Qingzi getting separate rooms?”

“No.”

Fu Linling maintained her smile: “Oh… staying together is better so you can look out for each other.”

Lin Ran burst into a laugh: “It’s a suite with two rooms, one small and one big.”

Fu Linling let out a relaxed sigh of a smile and couldn’t resist explaining: “I don’t distrust you, I just…”

“I know, you’re jealous,” Lin Ran said with a laugh.

Fu Linling looked away, embarrassed. At that moment, a pair of hands gently turned her face back.

Then, Lin Ran stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss onto her cheek.

“Dr. Fu, are you feeling better now?” Lin Ran asked with a smile.

Fu Linling’s gaze was deep. She swallowed hard: “No… I’m starting to miss you already.”