While I waited for Dr. Lu at the restaurant, I was there sharp at 5 p.m. Just five minutes later, he walked in—like a fairy. I melted on the spot. Whenever he dressed in normal clothes, he looked even younger than me. I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Dr. Lu sat opposite me and waved, bringing me back to my senses. Without thinking, I blurted, "You look beautiful, Lu."
His eyes widened slightly before he chuckled. "You also look beautiful, Qin."
I blushed hard.
When it was time to order, I craved hotpot—but Lu immediately said, "No hotpot. You should take care of your health." Instead, he ordered food full of veggies. Well, he is a doctor after all—of course he eats healthy.
Then the waiter asked about dessert. I looked at Lu with my best pitiful eyes. He laughed and finally gave in. "Go ahead and order."
So I happily ordered two ice creams and two Cokes.
After the order, he asked gently, "How's your health?"
I smiled. "I'm doing fine now. I feel like I'm slowly overcoming my PTSD. It's all thanks to you, Dr. Lu."
He smiled. "It's thanks to your own cooperation, Qin. Also... don't call me Dr. Lu. Just call me Lu, or Zheng—whichever you like."
Blushing, I said, "Then I'll call you Lu. It's easier."
Our food arrived, and we started eating. As I chewed, I asked, "Lu, can I ask you something?"
He nodded while eating.
"Do you feel stressed being a doctor?"
He gave a small laugh and said, "Yeah. Studying medicine is really exhausting. But when I save a patient, I feel like all those years of study were worth it. It's like my heart feels heaven. But... when we fail to save someone... that pain doesn't leave us. The sadness of the family stays with us for a long time."
I regretted asking. Reaching across the table, I gently patted his hand. "But Lu, you've saved so many people. That's something to be proud of. You should be happy—you bring people back to life. Don't let the darkness drown you."
He chuckled. "When you speak like that, you sound like a very mature woman."
Flicking my hair dramatically, I said, "Excuse me? I am a mature woman."
He laughed again. Then he asked about me.
I nodded. "You know my background. When I was in college, I saw so many parents working hard for their children but never having time for them. It reminded me of myself. That's why I chose to become a kindergarten teacher. I wanted to be the person who hugs a lonely child and says, 'You're not alone. There are people who love you, even if you don't know it yet.' Saying that helps me heal... and it helps them feel safe."
Lu looked at me with admiration and gave a thumbs-up. "I'm sure you've done that for many children. You've created a safe space for them."
I smiled brightly.
When we walked out of the restaurant, the cool night air wrapped around us. The moon hung above like a quiet witness. I was admiring the sky when suddenly, Lu reached out and gently grabbed my hand.
"Qin," he said, "when I first saw you, I knew you were different. And when I saw you talking with a child at the hospital, I fell for you right there. Then when we met again at the school, I fell for you a second time."
My heart pounded.
"This is my first time saying this," he continued. "But I want to be a responsible man. I want to care for you, cook for you... Qin, will you be my girlfriend? Not just as my patient—but because I truly fell in love with you. You cured me. I became the patient."
He proposed to me in the middle of the road. The moon felt like an elder blessing our moment.
I laughed, threw my arms around him, and whispered, "Then I'll take care of you, my patient boyfriend."
His eyes lit up, and he hugged me tightly.