Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 34

The call was from Feng Ming. She was asking about the notes, as some of the handwriting for a case was illegible. She also asked if there was a better and faster method, and then proposed a feasible suggestion.

It was, of course, feasible.

Materials and equipment were constantly being updated, and both experience and skill were growing. What was once considered a complex, difficult problem was now, from a modern perspective, only a general one.

Fu Linling admired this quality in Feng Ming: she was able to make inferences, apply knowledge flexibly, had a non-rigid mindset, and was very steady. Though she hadn’t been formally working for long, she could already complete several projects independently.

Restorative and cosmetic work was a tedious and laborious job, requiring both the doctor’s patience and a good sense of aesthetics.

The day before yesterday, an entire morning was spent on just one surgery. The patient’s oral condition was complex, and although the procedure took over four hours, the patient was very satisfied with the post-operative results and grateful to the doctor for her meticulous care.

Fu Linling discussed the case with Feng Ming for a while before hanging up and going to look for Lin Ran.

Lin Ran was painting in the study.

Fu Linling poured a glass of milk and stood beside her, watching.

Lin Ran noticed her unspoken expectation and hesitation, looked up, and said earnestly: “I need to rush to finish this painting now.”

Fu Linling’s eyelashes fluttered. She reached out and rubbed Lin Ran’s head, saying softly but clearly before leaving the room: “Naughty girl.”

Lin Ran turned to watch her retreating back, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.

The next day, when they went to the park, Lian Fang also brought her husband and child.

Weekends were their dedicated family time, and they always took their child out. Once they arrived at the park, Lian Fang called Lin Ran and asked her to join them.

“We’re at the park now. Where are you?”

“We’re by the pavilion.”

“We’ll be right over.”

Lian Fang fanned herself for a moment with a small fan. When she saw the couple walking toward her hand-in-hand, a smile instantly appeared on her face. Only when they got closer did she pretend not to notice and said: “Was New Zealand fun?”

“It was alright. I brought you some lanolin cream and honey. You can stop by and pick them up later. Where’s your child?” Lin Ran sat down next to her, and Fu Linling sat down as well.

“Over there.” Lian Fang pointed in a certain direction.

The two followed her gaze and saw the child’s father lying on the lawn with the child, observing the grass grow.

Lin Ran laughed: “Want to eat together tonight?”

“Sure.”

“Did you check out the lotus pond?”

“I did.”

“We haven’t yet.”

“Then you two should go quickly. It’s scorching hot.”

“You’re right. Or, should we hang out here until the sun sets, and then go see it?” Lin Ran asked Fu Linling, turning her head.

“Okay.”

Lian Fang smiled.

Lin Ran fanned herself quickly with a hand fan: “It’s so hot. I really want ice cream.”

Lian Fang: “They sell mung bean popsicles by the main gate.”

“I’ll go,” Fu Linling stood up and walked towards the main gate.

Lian Fang poked Lin Ran: “Aren’t you loving this?”

Despite the seemingly casual remark, Lin Ran understood exactly what she meant and smiled: “I certainly am.”

“I can see your relationship is developing quite smoothly.”

“It is.” Lin Ran nodded. “My charm is simply unstoppable.”

Lian Fang burst out laughing: “You really are something.”

A moment later, Fu Linling quickly walked back, holding three popsicles. One for Lin Ran, and one each for Lian Fang and her husband.

Even in that short time, the popsicles were already starting to melt. Lin Ran quickly ate hers.

“Fu Linling, don’t you want a bite?” Lian Fang asked.

“She’s a health nut. She doesn’t eat these kinds of things,” Lin Ran said.

“Truly admirable,” Lian Fang gave a thumbs-up. Hearing her son call her, she got up and walked over.

“Are you sure you don’t want a taste?” Lin Ran asked.

Fu Linling shook her head: “Your constitution is naturally cold, so you should eat fewer of these icy things.”

“I’ll take the herbal medicine later,” Lin Ran said, fully embracing the philosophy of eat what you want, then supplement what you need.

She finished the last bite and exhaled a puff of cold air.

“The mung bean flavor does smell good,” Fu Linling said.

“Doesn’t it? Whose fault is it that you didn’t eat one?” Lin Ran turned to look at her, swiftly opened her fan, blocking their faces, and quickly leaned in, leaving a slight taste of mung bean in Fu Linling’s mouth. She laughed and said, “But I’m good to you. I let you have a taste.”

Not far away, Lian Fang noticed the commotion and quickly covered her son’s eyes.

Fu Linling’s eyes were filled with mirth: “The flavor is too faint.”

As she leaned in again for another taste, the fan was held horizontally between their lips.

“There are a lot of people in the park,” Lin Ran said, batting her innocent large eyes.

“You’re just being naughty,” Fu Linling said.

Lin Ran’s eyes crinkled with laughter.

A few days later, Liang Qingbo was looking at potential sites and called Lin Ran out.

“We can use this space as the reception area. Inside, there are three workspaces. If we hire two more artists, what do you think?” Liang Qingbo asked.

“It’s okay, but the location is a bit too remote, isn’t it? The rooms are also a bit narrow, the lighting is mediocre, and the dropped ceiling feels a little suffocating,” Lin Ran said.

“I can’t help it. With the money I have, this is the best location I could find,” Liang Qingbo looked at her pleadingly.

Lin Ran suddenly smiled: “You’re trying to play me, aren’t you? Let’s go. Let’s look at your real target location.”

The next location was in the city center, in an office building next to a large mall. The view was open, and the space was large enough to immediately improve one’s mood.

This place was already a tattoo studio, so they wouldn’t need to spend much on renovations. They could also take over the equipment. Virtually nothing inside needed to be changed.

It was practically a turnkey business.

Everything about it was great, except for the exorbitantly high rent, which was locked into a three-year contract.

This investment would be significant. Lin Ran said weakly: “I think… the quality of a tattoo business isn’t determined solely by foot traffic. Those who are interested will travel a long way, and those who aren’t won’t come in even if you open the door for free. Is it really necessary to rent such an expensive place?”

“You’re right. So, I have one more alternative.”

The final location was in a neighboring district, in a creative arts block filled with various shops. The main clientele were young people, and many tourists came there to take photos and check-in.

This space used to be a coffee shop. It was spacious and decorated in a fresh and elegant style. They both agreed that this style was actually quite good. Many people associate tattoo parlors with a cool, over-the-top vibe, but modern tattoo shops are becoming increasingly diverse.

After briefly discussing renovations and the layout of the workspaces, Liang Qingbo smiled and asked: “Boss Lin, how about this one?”

Lin Ran had been subtly led along all day. She found herself instinctively filtering, considering, and planning. The general outline of the studio was already taking shape in her mind.

She chuckled, pulled over a chair, and said seriously: “I can invest, but you have to write me a written agreement. You can’t just quit whenever you feel like it. At least, you can’t just walk away before I withdraw my shares.”

“I give you my word, my character is your guarantee. I will definitely run this shop well,” Liang Qingbo vowed.

“Your character is useless. I want a written agreement.”

Liang Qingbo conceded. “Fine, fine, I’ll write it. I’ll write it.”

Lin Ran didn’t understand the business side of things. She left all the remaining miscellaneous tasks to Liang Qingbo and was only responsible for contributing the capital.

As soon as the funds were in place, Liang Qingbo went to negotiate the rent and get the license. She updated Lin Ran with every step she completed.

Lin Ran looked at the large sum of money deducted from her account, feeling a pang of heartache: “I hope Qingzi can earn my principal back!”

Fu Linling picked up some food for her: “Eating is important. Deal with problems as they come.”

Lin Ran looked at her calm demeanor, and her confidence slowly returned: “Dr. Fu, you wouldn’t let me starve, would you?”

“Mhm.”

Lin Ran was happy. It felt so good to have someone to rely on.

As Fu Linling said, she could completely rely on her own hands to create success again, but she couldn’t help but feel joy.

Reliance brought a sense of security, like when she was a child, drenched in the rain, falling, or lost, there was always someone there to hold an umbrella for her, help her up, and take her home.

When she was little, that person was Zhang Wu.

Now, that person’s image seemed to be slowly morphing into Fu Linling.

After working in the study for a while, Lin Ran went out to the restroom and saw Fu Linling writing her thesis in the living room. Her playful mood returned. She walked up to her and tilted her head.

Fu Linling met her gaze for a moment.

The next second, a soft pair of lips pressed against hers.

A moment later, Lin Ran stood up, ready to escape, but Fu Linling caught her by the wrist.

Lin Ran looked back at Fu Linling, full of playful interest, but Fu Linling simply said: “It’s time to take your medicine.”

“…” Lin Ran pouted and went to drink the herbal medicine.

Since returning from New Zealand, Fu Linling had calculated that Lin Ran’s menstrual cycle was approaching again, so she had started brewing the medicine.

Lin Ran finished the medicine and immediately looked for candy, but Fu Linling stopped her.

“You need to slowly get used to not having sugar. The medicine will be more effective,” Fu Linling said.

“But it’s so bitter.”

“If the effect is weakened, you’ll have to drink it more often. Do you want prolonged pain or short-term pain?”

Lin Ran was conflicted. Lin Ran wanted candy.

“Eating candy also has side effects,” Fu Linling said.

“What side effects?!” Lin Ran exclaimed.

“It will cause dental caries.”

Lin Ran complained: “But I really feel so bitter right now! Other than candy, I can’t think of anything to get rid of this taste!”

“You can kiss me,” Fu Linling suggested earnestly.

Lin Ran was instantly silenced.

In the end, she couldn’t overcome the bitterness in her mouth, nor could she resist the temptation before her. Her little tricks dissolved. Lin Ran reached out, looped her arms around Fu Linling’s neck, and made her share the taste.