System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

Lu Cheng is considered a bit of a local big shot in the State, and as long as he’s in the research group, the State People’s Hospital still has some reputation.

When you can’t make a name for yourself, it’s nice to have at least a backup.

While everyone was exchanging pleasantries, the food was served, and then they enjoyed a little drink to warm up.

...

When Lu Cheng returned, he wasn’t even tipsy, let alone drunk.

A small amount like three-quarters of a cup is just for rinsing the mouth for most people in the department.

But after drinking, he felt warm all over.

Lu Cheng called a designated driver to take him back to his community, and after going upstairs, his parents still hadn’t returned. Even so, Lu Cheng took the initiative to call them.

Very soon, Lu Nanjia came home with Tian Hui.

Lu Cheng hadn’t had a chance to go out to shop for groceries yet, so they brought some back along the way.

Lu Cheng was in charge of washing the vegetables, and after Lu Nanjia finished cutting them, the kitchen was temporarily left to Ms. Tian Hui.

There was still plenty of time, so before long, Lu Cheng pulled Tian Hui out and said, ”Mom, no need to rush cooking. Let’s go watch a movie together?”

”What movie? Watching at home is just fine,” Tian Hui refused instinctively.

”Come on, come on... I’ve already bought the tickets. Dad wants to watch it; did you forget his birthday is coming up?” Lu Cheng had his ways with his mom.

Tian Hui shot a glance at Lu Nanjia: ”Look at him, daring to watch a movie for his birthday now!”

”Mom, I’ll give you a shoulder massage later.”

”We’re just saying, are we only allowing ourselves to eat meat and letting Dad only have soup? On your birthday, Dad and I accompany you, too.” Lu Cheng said with a smile.

Tian Hui’s birthday was in April, and during that time, Lu Cheng, who wasn’t busy with orthopedics, took Tian Hui camping and picnicking in the town with his own car.

”I think it’s all a waste of money,” Tian Hui insisted stubbornly.

Lu Cheng responded, ”Your son can earn money, I don’t mind wasting some. Let’s go.”

”Did Xiao Shu come back with you?” Tian Hui inquired.

Mu Nanshu, during elementary and middle school, was like half a family member; Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue were often not at home, while Mu Nanshu was a day student. So whenever there was a midnight snack or breakfast, there was a share for Mu Nanshu.

”No, she’s busy. I came down here to prepare for surgery, but it’s scheduled for tomorrow.”

”Let’s take a taxi; I drank at noon.”

...

At 4:30 PM, as they were leaving the cinema, Lu Cheng asked, ”Mom, so how was it? Watching a movie in the cinema is better than on TV, right?”

His parents loved watching war and period films, so the movie Lu Cheng chose was this kind of period film.

”It’s much better. Let me tell you, when we were little, there really wasn’t enough to eat.”

”Where was the money for movies? We’ve seen many people starve to death...” Tian Hui started to chatter again.

Lu Cheng: ”...”

Before entering the cinema, Tian Hui talked about wasting money; how come she’s still talking about wasting money after leaving?

However, before Lu Cheng could speak, a shout from Lu Nanjia made him perk up his ears: ”Hey, Hong Zhifei? When did you come back?”

Lu Nanjia casually passed over a cigarette.

Lu Cheng looked over and found someone his age selling balloons at the cinema entrance.

”Just returned a week ago. Uncle Lu, Auntie.”

When Lu Cheng looked at Hong Zhifei, Hong Zhifei saw Lu Cheng too and smiled, ”Uncle Lu, this must be your son?”

”Bro, hello, I’m Hong Zhifei.” Hong Zhifei, with a cigarette in his mouth, confidently shook hands with Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng: ”Hello, I’m Lu Cheng!”

”Dad? Who’s this?” Lu Cheng really didn’t recognize this person.

When Lu Cheng learned his name, thanks to his good memory, wasn’t this the guy Mu Nanshu said made him cry in kindergarten?

How did he bump into him in Long County?

”You haven’t met, so you probably don’t know each other. I used to see him often when I was doing business with your Uncle Mu Leng, he’s Uncle Mu Leng’s nephew.”

”Zhifei, Mu Leng and your mom are cousins, right?” Maybe the memory was too long ago, and Lu Nanjia wasn’t very sure.

With a round head and an honest look, Hong Zhifei said, ”Yes, Mu Leng is my uncle! ~”

Just then, a little kid asked him how much a balloon cost: ”Five yuan each. If you buy many, I’ll sell them for three yuan each.”

”How many count as many?” a child in a school uniform asked.

”Hmm, at least one,” Hong Zhifei pondered for a moment.

The kid gave him five yuan, and Hong Zhifei returned two yuan, and the kid happily ran away.

”Uncle Lu, are you here to watch a movie?” Hong Zhifei asked, seeing that Lu Nanjia hadn’t left yet.

”Yes, came to join the fun. I haven’t been to the cinema before,” Lu Nanjia replied. ”Zhifei, you keep busy; business comes first.”

Hong Zhifei chuckled, ”Uncle, no worries, I’m just keeping busy for no reason. Next time you come to watch a movie, find me.”

”The price here is cheaper than group purchase prices.”

”Of course, if Uncle Lu, you bring people, then it’s definitely free.”

”...”

After Lu Nanjia and the others said goodbye to Hong Zhifei and walked away, they could still hear Hong Zhifei’s voice: ”Hey handsome, hey pretty, watching a movie? Tickets here are cheap.”

”Cheaper than group buy prices.”

Listening to Hong Zhifei’s voice echoing, Lu Cheng was sure that if you set aside the fact that he made his wife cry, this is someone capable of handling ups and downs.

Just heard from Lu Nanjia that this Hong Zhifei used to do pretty well out there, but after failing in business, he’s now back home doing this kind of ’entrepreneurship.’

Lu Cheng and the others took a taxi back.

Sitting in the front seat, Lu Cheng shared today’s encounters with Mu Nanshu.

Mu Nanshu said, ”This Hong Zhifei was quite annoying when we were kids, always snatching my toys.”

”He’s also younger than me, always beaten by me.”

”But after going to kindergarten, I couldn’t beat him anymore,” Mu Nanshu said dreamily.

”I thought you really held a grudge. Turns out you knew each other long ago,” Lu Cheng joked.

”??? You’re jealous about this kind of thing?” Mu Nanshu asked.

”I’m afraid my wife has a little notebook for grudges. Imagine how good your memory looks from my perspective,” Lu Cheng said with a smile.

Mu Nanshu said, ”You better be careful then, don’t upset me.”

”What counts as upsetting you? Does what happened the night before count? I’m seriously asking,” Lu Cheng replied earnestly.

”You... it does!”