Gloves - Chapter 43

“Miss Nurse, excuse me, is there someone named Shang Zhuoxi here?” Wang Shili looked around, this should be the First Hospital, right?

“Shang Zhuo…you mean Director Shang?” the nurse asked.

“The director? Tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, always wearing…” Wang Shili mentioned the first two characteristics and the nurse understood.

“Miss, you should go to that building. This is the internal medicine department. Last month, Director Shang was transferred to the surgery department,” the nurse patiently replied.

“Oh, I see. Thank you,” Wang Shili said, and went to the building the nurse mentioned. She couldn’t quite grasp the difference between internal medicine and surgery, but she felt that in the hospital, everywhere had the same smell.

“Excuse me, handsome, can you tell me which office Director Shang is in?” Wang Shili asked, feeling like a curious little baby, asking everyone she saw.

“Miss, do you have an appointment?” the male doctor asked.

“Huh?” I’m just simply looking for someone, do I need an appointment?

“No…I don’t,” Wang Shili awkwardly smiled.

“So, may I ask what’s bothering you?” The male doctor remembered his hospital director’s teachings – patients are like angels and gods, and they should be treated with patience at all times, even when asking for directions.

“Um…do I have to be uncomfortable somewhere to see your Director Shang?” Wang Shili looked at the male doctor with innocent, wide eyes. “You see, I just wanted…”

As she spoke, the elevator doors in front of her opened, and Wang Shili’s eyes lit up. A familiar blonde woman in a white coat stepped out of the elevator, holding a pen and notebook. It was Shang Zhuoxi, no doubt! She looked so captivating in that white coat, and there were two little nurses following behind her.

“Hey, Shang Zhuoxi!” Wang Shili happily raised her hands and greeted Shang Zhuoxi. But the greeted person glanced at her inexplicably, then turned away without any expression on her face, walking towards the ward as if she had never seen that enthusiastic person before.

“Miss, please don’t speak loudly, so as not to disturb the patients,” the male doctor reminded her apologetically.

“I’m sorry, um…can I say that…my neck is uncomfortable? Is it okay if my spine hurts? And my feet hurt too, what should I do?” Wang Shili spoke in a rush, afraid of missing out on something important.

The male doctor looked at her and thought, Trigeminal neuralgia, whether you’re in pain or not, do you still need my permission?

“Miss, please go to the orthopedic department for your appointment, then go to the fourth floor and wait in the innermost office on the left,” the doctor said helplessly. If it weren’t for Wang Shili being fairly attractive, he probably would have left already.

“Okay, thank you, handsome,” Wang Shili said.

“Next,” Shang Zhuoxi continued writing medical orders while letting the next patient in.

Wang Shili was still accustomed to the orderly rhythm of an airplane. After waiting in a long queue, it was finally her turn. This seemed more mentally exhausting than a day at her work station.

The moment she stepped into the office, Wang Shili became excited and nervous at the same time.

“Go get these two medications. Avoid intense exercise for the next few days, and remember to come back for a follow-up in three days,” Shang Zhuoxi instructed.

“Okay, thank you, doctor,” the patient said and left. Suddenly, the office became quiet. Was no one else coming in?

Shang Zhuoxi looked up and saw Wang Shili standing by the door. It turned out that the person who greeted her earlier was her.

Wang Shili was wearing a floral dress with a small cardigan on top, which was quite different from her appearance in the flight attendant uniform. She looked like a cute, innocent girl.

“I didn’t greet you earlier because I was doing rounds. I’m sorry,” Shang Zhuoxi said apologetically, looking at her.

“Do you remember me?” Wang Shili felt a secret joy in her heart, and the other person smiled.

“Come over here,” Shang Zhuoxi called out to her when she saw Wang Shili standing dumbfounded by the door. There were still many patients waiting behind her, and she didn’t have much time for chatting.

“Oh? Oh,” Wang Shili hurriedly walked over to Shang Zhuoxi, not knowing where to put her hands.

“Wang Shili, right?” Shang Zhuoxi glanced at the name on the registration form and started writing on the paper.

“Yes, that’s me!” Wang Shili stared at Shang Zhuoxi’s head, pouting her lips. She didn’t even remember my name, hmph!

“What seems to be the problem? When did it start? Does anyone else in your family have the same symptoms?” Shang Zhuoxi treated Wang Shili as a pure patient.

“Um, well…” Wang Shili became nervous and forgot where she had said she was feeling uncomfortable when she registered. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Oh, my neck hurts, and my spine is a bit uncomfortable. It started about a year ago, and um, it seems like everyone at home has similar issues.”

Shang Zhuoxi stopped writing, stood up, and pinched Wang Shili’s neck, unaware that such a simple gesture made the person in her grasp blush instantly.

“Does it hurt when I do this?” Shang Zhuoxi stared at her neck, while Wang Shili stared at Shang Zhuoxi’s chin.

“N-No…it doesn’t hurt,” Wang Shili quickly shook her head.

“How about this?” Shang Zhuoxi’s hand moved to a certain position on her shoulder and applied a little more pressure.

“It’s… a bit… sore.”

“…,” Shang Zhuoxi’s hand moved lower, gripping her waist, fingertips pressing against her spine. Wang Shili, who was being ignored, felt her face burning like fire, completely flushed.

“And what about here?” Her voice still devoid of any warmth.

“I… itchy,” Shang Zhuoxi’s face was full of frustration.

“You don’t have any major issues. It’s just a minor discomfort that about ninety percent of people in the world experience. Besides, being flight attendants like you, it’s important to keep your neck active, do some neck stretches or exercises, and make sure your pillow isn’t too high when you sleep,” Shang Zhuoxi said, ready to call the next patient by pressing the bell.

“Wait, wait…” Wang Shili blushed and grabbed onto the sleeve of Shang Zhuoxi’s white coat, quickly dialed the number below her name on the sitting card.

The phone on the table lit up and vibrated.

“Well, this is my number. Remember it,” Wang Shili quickly picked up the phone from the table, typed “wsl” as a note, and handed the phone back to Shang Zhuoxi. Then she hurriedly pressed the bell and called out, “Next, please.”

Wang Shili’s actions were swift and decisive. Shang Zhuoxi stood there, holding the phone, momentarily stunned. She had encountered all sorts of strange people in the hospital, but someone like Wang Shili was truly unprecedented. However, Shang Zhuoxi quickly pushed the incident aside and immersed herself in her busy state once again.

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“Yes, it’s been almost five years since I’ve enjoyed such wonderful music,” the person at the table sighed, reveling in the joy and comfort that art brought them.

“Miss An, your performance of Liszt’s ‘Liebestraum’ as the grand finale in Norway last year left a deep impression on me. I still remember it,” Mr. Essa gestured with his hands and then raised his glass.

“Is that so? If Mr. Essa remembers it so vividly, then Chujie feels a bit guilty,” An Chujie lightly clinked her glass against his, playfully remarking.

“On behalf of the German classical music community, I cordially invite Miss An to participate in the grand music concert commemorating James Leven’s 200th birthday in May. You can be the soloist. What do you think?”

The dining table was always a good place to discuss collaborations and projects. Even the most elegant art seemed to ultimately serve the mundane.

“For Mr. Essa to say that, it is naturally Chujie’s honor. I will adjust my schedule and see if I can make arrangements,” An Chujie replied apologetically.

Receiving such an invitation, no one would refuse it in their heart. However, the trials and tribulations of the past few years had taught An Chujie a lesson: always make others feel that your time is incredibly precious and scarce. Only then would they have the possibility of cherishing and respecting you when you entrust them with your precious time.

“Oh? Is there any other event in the music world that is more important than this in the coming months?” Mr. Essa tightened his grip on the glass, worried that An Chujie might refuse.

“Well, who knows?” An Chujie smiled, her red lips and sparkling teeth making it difficult for Mr. Essa to press her further.

“Very well, Miss An. I look forward to your response.”

Two years ago, An Chujie gained visibility among the European people by playing an adapted version of “Stayawhile” at the Liszt Memorial Event in Italy. She captured people’s attention and dominated their ears. Then, she went on to participate in various events in Norway, Poland, and other places, and even held several solo concerts, accumulating a wealth of experience. Of course, her main focus was still on her development in China. One fact that she herself was unaware of was that her fame in Europe had far surpassed her fame in China. Many musicians under the rlm label had also gained fame abroad before returning to develop in their home country.

“Mr. Li, this drink is for you,” An Chujie said, not one to talk much in general. She wasn’t the type to boast at dinner parties, but she understood everything in her heart. If it weren’t for Mr. Li saying he wanted to meet her, An Chujie wouldn’t have come this far today. At least, it wouldn’t have been so smooth.

The only thing she could do was ignore all the olive branches extended to her and stay peacefully in rlm.

“Chujie,” Mr. Li said with satisfaction as he finished his drink, their understanding unspoken.

After the banquet was over, the hosts of rlm settled their guests, and Mr. Li asked An Chujie to stay behind.

“Chujie, please have a seat,” Mr. Li stood behind the couch, his office not very big but clean, giving off a feeling of a home study.

“It’s alright, I feel uncomfortable sitting right after eating,” An Chujie replied. Even after all this time, her sense of hierarchy had not weakened with the closeness of their relationship.

“Chujie, I asked you to sit, so please sit. Don’t treat me as a leader or a boss. Aren’t we friends? Sit down, I want to chat with you like friends,” Mr. Li’s neatly combed hair rested against the back of his head. Despite the interplay of black and white, it looked particularly sharp.

Respecting his wishes, An Chujie sat down and earnestly looked at the man who seemed preoccupied.

“Chujie, does the company put a lot of pressure on you? Tell me the truth. There’s no one else here, it’s alright,” Mr. Li said as he began to steep the tea.

“The pressure is not too great, Mr. Li,” An Chujie smiled, speaking honestly.

“That’s good. Here, have some tea. This tea has the mildest bitterness and a lovely aroma,” Mr. Li handed her the cup.

“Thank you,” An Chujie lifted the cup to her lips and blew on it gently.

“Just like you,” Mr. Li smiled. “I mean, Chujie, you’re very pure. I’ve never seen any men around you. Is it because you haven’t found the right one, or… I noticed you’ve been quite close to Director Qi,” Mr. Li also sat down, clasping his hands together, resting his elbows on his knees, and focused on An Chujie.

An Chujie moistened her lips and searched through her memory, following Mr. Li’s words. It seemed like she hadn’t had any dealings with men. She smiled and said, “Mr. Li, do you think I should have someone?”

The tea’s fragrance lingered on her tongue, and An Chujie felt completely at ease.

“Chujie, do you know? I have a daughter. She’s about three or four years younger than you…” Mr. Li’s face lost its smile as he continued. The thick frames of his glasses rested on his nose, casting a shadow in his eyes.

“If she were still here, she would probably be dating now. When she grew up to be your age, maybe I would have seen her in a wedding dress. She would have been as beautiful as you, and perhaps I would have become a grandfather…” Mr. Li took off his glasses, his voice choked with emotion. An Chujie sat beside him, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Mr. Li rarely mentioned this matter to anyone. Whenever he saw An Chujie, he would be reminded of his daughter. It was just that today, he was suddenly overwhelmed by his emotions.

“It’s okay, Mr. Li. I haven’t seen my father in a long time either. It’s been seven years now, and I don’t even know if he’s alive or not.”