"Getting antsy? Not much going on right now anyway. Why don’t you head out?" Shi Lei said with a smile, seeing Liu Banxia frequently checking the ti.
"No can do. The director was already generous enough to give the afternoon and evening off. It’d be too much if I just bolted now," Liu Banxia shook his head, replying.
"Sigh... watching you fidget is stressing out," Shi Lei said helplessly.
"Heh heh, it’s a once-in-a-lifeti thing, you know? I’m actually a little nervous," Liu Banxia admitted sheepishly.
The people listening nearby all chuckled. Seeing a nervous expression on Liu Banxia’s face was truly a rare sight.
Unless it was an ergency case or a patient with an undiagnosed infection, Liu Banxia was usually full of fighting spirit.
"Stop fidgeting. The director’s calling for you," Shi Lei said.
Liu Banxia turned his head and, sure enough, Zhou Shuwen was beckoning to him from the office doorway.
"Director, what is it?" Liu Banxia hurried over.
"Your ntor’s wife said that next ti you’re off, you should bring Qiaoqiao over for dinner," Zhou Shuwen stated. "You’re about to start a family, so you need to be more mature. Put more thought into your work as well. We’ll be adding so doctors to the inpatient departnt soon, and our other departnts will be able to get up and running quickly."
"Teacher, that’s great news! Will the ICU and Pediatrics be getting reinforcents too?" Liu Banxia asked.
"That’ll be tough. Pediatrics still relies mainly on internal training within the hospital," Zhou Shuwen shook his head. "The newly appointed deputy chief director is set to report the day after tomorrow. He’s transferring from the First Hospital to take over Wang Guobin’s duties. It doesn’t really affect us much, though, so no need to fixate on it."
"If there are any problems with current dications or dical equipnt, report them imdiately. This concerns patient health; it’s no small thing."
Liu Banxia nodded. "Director, don’t worry. I’m not as clueless as I used to be. Whenever I have ti off, I chat with my father-in-law and Qiu Huaili. I’ve learned a lot."
"It’s not just you; even I have to learn from them. They’re truly remarkable individuals, far from simple," Zhou Shuwen exclaid with admiration.
On this point, he wholeheartedly agreed.
Although he had only t Qiao Xuezhi once, they had talked for quite a while. It might have seed like casual conversation, but every word Qiao Xuezhi said was insightful and hit the nail on the head. He also sensed that Qiao Xuezhi had spoken so openly because he was Liu Banxia’s teacher. Otherwise, a man of such depth and shrewdness wouldn’t have shared his thoughts so readily.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Liu Banxia finally left.
"Everyone, keep up the hard work! It won’t be long before each departnt can be set up, much earlier than we expected," Liu Banxia announced when he returned outside.
Everyone was quite excited about this news. They really couldn’t have too many doctors in the ergency center; the more, the rrier. At least then, everyone could have regular shifts. As it was, the few general surgeons, along with Wang Huan and Xu Hui, were stretched thin, juggling multiple roles.
The wait was agonizing, but there was nothing to be done. Even an amazing System couldn’t make ti go faster, so he could only wait.
Watching him fidget and pace anxiously was a source of great amusent for the interns.
So he has days like this too. Serves him right.
Finally, when noon arrived, Liu Banxia shot into the break room. When he ca out again, he was a dapper young man, all cleaned up.
"Whoa, looking sharp! Better watch out, or soone might snatch you away," Zhou Li teased.
"Heh heh, I’m heading out. Cover for , guys!" With that, Liu Banxia dashed outside.
"Bro, no ti to explain! Get in the car!"
As soon as he ran to the parking lot, Qiaoqiao shouted.
"Coming!" Liu Banxia jogged over.
Qiaoqiao burst out laughing too; she was just as excited.
"When did you arrive?" Liu Banxia asked after getting in the car.
"Just got here a few minutes ago. I wanted to bring Tang Dou, but the Civil Affairs Bureau probably wouldn’t let a dog inside," Qiaoqiao replied.
"So, what are we eating? The director gave the whole afternoon and evening off," Liu Banxia said.
"I know, I know. Auntie Tong said we should eat at ho. Let’s get the certificate, go ho for a al, and then head to the school afterwards," Qiaoqiao casually suggested.
"Aw, just go ho right after we get it? That’s a sha. Today’s a minor happy occasion, after all..." Liu Banxia sighed.
"What are you getting at? It’s broad daylight," Qiaoqiao shot him a look.
"I’m not getting at anything! Can’t we buy a souvenir during the day? Oh... I get it. I treat you like a bro, and here you are, thinking about how to get into my pants!" Liu Banxia joked.
"Get lost! You keep showing off, and we’ll see who ends up on top of whom!" Qiaoqiao wasn’t afraid of him.
"Okay, okay, I surrender! So, what’s for lunch then?" Liu Banxia gave in.
"How about we go to Wang Mingxing’s for barbecue?" Qiaoqiao asked.
"Haha, sounds good! Let’s go then," Liu Banxia readily nodded.
The barbecue at Wang Mingxing’s place did hold special significance. If they hadn’t gotten ’drunk’ over barbecue that ti, who knows when they would have finally gotten together.
They thoroughly enjoyed the barbecue and didn’t ntion to Wang Dashan that they were getting their marriage license that day. They just said they had the day off, were craving his cooking, and ca over to freeload. And the fact that they openly ca to freeload made Wang Dashan incredibly happy.
That’s what friendship is about. Sotis, it’s not sothing money can buy.
When the two of them reached the Civil Affairs Bureau, they practically sprinted inside. Such eagerness to register was indeed a rare sight.
"Heh heh, from now on, you’re officially my wife. Got it? When I get ho, dinner better be on the table, and my bathwater drawn!"
Looking at the freshly issued marriage certificates, Liu Banxia started to show off.
"Are you an idiot? Are you going to eat first or bathe first?" Qiaoqiao rolled her eyes at him, then casually tucked his marriage certificate into her purse too.
"Sigh... I’m just running my mouth. Looks like I’m stuck with you for this lifeti. Think I’ll still be stuck with you in the next?" Liu Banxia asked.
"That depends on your performance. Think about how much I’ve put up with in this life! In the next life, you can be the woman, responsible for earning money and supporting the family, and I’ll be the man, spending my days soaking in a big bathtub," Qiaoqiao responded seriously.
"Hahahaha, sounds good to !" Liu Banxia couldn’t stop laughing.
"Oh, take the marriage certificates out again! I need to show them off on my tiline. This definitely needs to be flaunted! Are Yanzi and the others back yet? You should go have so fun with them too."
"Show off what? Wait five minutes after I post, then you can post yours," Qiaoqiao said sternly, though the corners of her lips twitched upwards.
This should have been standard procedure, but they were so excited they’d completely forgotten. No matter, they could still do it.
But when it cos to family hierarchy, I must maintain dominance and keep Liu Banxia in check!
After posting on her tiline, Qiaoqiao looked visibly tense.
After a short wait, as the likes and comnts started pouring in, her expression relaxed.
"See? This girl’s just that popular!" Qiaoqiao said triumphantly.
"Is it my turn to post now?" Liu Banxia asked.
"Go on, post it. You can’t surpass your big sis, little bro," Qiaoqiao said, playfully flicking Liu Banxia’s chin.
Liu Banxia, not one to let her get away with it, leaned in and gave her a playful nip. This made Qiaoqiao pout; she’d ant to tease Liu Banxia, but she ended up being the one caught off guard.
Liu Banxia also snapped a photo and posted it on his tiline.
Likes and shares from doctors, nurses, patients, and their families at the hospital instantly surpassed Qiaoqiao’s numbers.
"Damn, how are you so popular?" Qiaoqiao asked, miffed.
"Sigh... a lot of them are patients’ family mbers who insisted on adding to get updates on their conditions. I’ll have to get a separate phone for work soon," Liu Banxia explained.
"Well, that’s still pretty good! The fact that they added you and haven’t deleted you ans you’ve earned their approval," Qiaoqiao said cheerfully.
The mont Qiaoqiao finished speaking, Liu Banxia’s phone started buzzing non-stop with notifications. The ssage notifications hadn’t even stopped scrolling when his phone began to ring.
"See? This is why I rarely post on my tiline. I’m a low-key person," Liu Banxia said, switching his phone to silent mode.
"Such a show-off. Are we heading ho now?" Qiaoqiao asked.
"Let’s go ho. I’ll drive. What does my dear wife feel like eating? We can grab the ingredients on the way. You’re the boss today," Liu Banxia said.
"Actually, I’m not sure what I want to eat. You love fish, don’t you? Let’s buy a live one and stew it at ho. Brother Qiu and the others are coming over too; they said they absolutely have to celebrate with us," Qiaoqiao suggested.
"Ah, my wife is so thoughtful, rembering I love fish. Off to the market we go! And hey, help reply to these ssages, would you?" Liu Banxia said, getting out and moving to the driver’s seat.
Qiaoqiao was beaming, juggling two phones, growing happier with each congratulatory ssage she received.
A lot of people had been hoping they would get their marriage licenses soon; marriage is a major life event, after all.
Even after they got back to Linyu Villa, Qiaoqiao still hadn’t finished replying to all the ssages. Buying groceries and the journey itself had taken over two hours—that’s how many people were sending their congratulations.
Although Liu Banxia had called today a "minor happy occasion," their joy was palpable and couldn’t be contained. Having the certificate made all the difference; they were now officially husband and wife. Before, even with their parents’ approval, it had felt a bit like driving without a license.
You could say they had a whirlwind marriage; it had only been a little over half a year since they first t. Normally, whirlwind marriages can co with their share of problems, but that wasn’t a concern for them. They knew each other well, and neither was trying to deceive the other about anything. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have reached the point of getting married.
In Liu Banxia’s eyes, marriage was like a dical consultation: honesty was paramount. Any concealnt could plant hidden dangers for the future. He had no secrets, and Qiaoqiao was a genuine, open person—she couldn’t hide anything even if she tried.
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