Chapter 28: Life is Like a Roller Coaster: Ups and Downs

Li Jiaojiao couldn’t focus at all, her thoughts drifting to that Comrade Gu. She barely made it through the workday and, without even going home, headed straight for the Orthopedic Ward.

“Comrade Gu, haven’t you eaten yet? Do you want me to get dinner for you?”

As soon as Gu Yan’an saw this shameless woman again, he wished he could strangle Yang Wei with his own belt.

“Xiao Wei, why did you let her in again?”

“Cousin, you’re wronging me! I was just about to go get your dinner. How was I supposed to know she’d be haunting our doorway like a ghost?”

Li Jiaojiao shot Yang Wei a fierce glare. So much nonsense—if he was going to get food, he should hurry up and go!

Staring blankly at Gu Yan’an, Li Jiaojiao gushed, “Comrade Gu, what would you like to eat? I can go get it for you!”

Gu Yan’an replied coldly, “Comrade, I don’t even know you. Please stop coming to our ward.”

Yang Wei chimed in, “Yeah, you’re not even a nurse in Orthopedics. Why do you keep running over here? My cousin already has someone he’s interested in, so stop setting your sights on him. If you’re really that desperate for a partner, you could look at me…”

Without a second thought, Li Jiaojiao retorted, “You? A scrawny chicken like you? You think you’re worthy?”

Yang Wei flared up. “Hey, comrade, no need for personal attacks! When did I say I wanted to pair up with you? I meant, if you really can’t find anyone, I could help you check the next ward. Besides my cousin, everyone here is either elderly or a child.”

Li Jiaojiao was infuriated by Yang Wei’s sharp tongue. “You, you, you… Who says I can’t find someone?”

Gu Yan’an had no patience for their bickering. He ordered directly, “Xiao Wei, push her out now and close the door behind you!”

He really needed to check out tomorrow. This woman was as annoying as a fly.

Although Doctor Lan hadn’t agreed to be his partner yet, his aunt’s house wasn’t far from hers. Once he recovered there, he could continue pursuing Doctor Lan slowly.

“Comrade, please leave now. If you don’t, I’ll have to bring Director Qin into this.”

To be honest, everyone appreciates beauty, and it’s natural to want to look at attractive people. Ever since meeting Gu Yan’an, Li Jiaojiao had been distracted, even forgetting about Doctor Lu, whom she liked so much.

Now that they were kicking her out of the ward, she couldn’t argue with them. Her mom had said men don’t like fierce, shrewish women.

Gu Yan’an said impatiently, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Li Jiaojiao replied shyly, “Then I’ll come see you again tomorrow!”

See him? Was this woman an idiot? Couldn’t she understand plain words?

…

The next morning at ten o’clock, Lan Mo was helping Gu Yan’an with his suture removal. Gu Yan’an asked, “Doctor Lan, have you thought about it?”

“Don’t talk. We’ll discuss it after the sutures are out.”

Gu Yan’an grew restless with anticipation. Finally, after Lan Mo finished removing the sutures, he pressed on, “Doctor Lan, have you made up your mind? Even if you’re going to sentence me, give me a timeframe!”

“Alright, how about life imprisonment? Are you satisfied?”

Gu Yan’an quickly caught on and asked with a smile, “Does that mean you agree to be my partner?”

Lan Mo hadn’t actually planned to agree so soon. In her previous life, she had lived to twenty-eight without ever dating, so she naturally didn’t know how to handle such situations. She simply followed her heart.

Although she didn’t know Gu Yan’an very well yet, after these past few days of interaction, she felt his personality was quite good, and he was also a caring person.

Most importantly, aside from being handsome, his well-defined muscles looked very strong. He exuded a strong boyfriend vibe and appeared very reliable.

Feelings could be cultivated, and if things didn’t work out, they could always break up. As someone from a later era, she couldn’t possibly be as old-fashioned as them, could she?

She trusted Gu Yan’an’s character—he probably wouldn’t act inappropriately before marriage.

“Are you really agreeing to be my partner? Then I’ll send a telegram back and ask my parents to come to Haishi to propose marriage…”

“What? Propose marriage? Come to Haishi? Don’t tell me you’re not from Haishi?”

“I’m from Jingshi. I came to Haishi on a mission and took the opportunity to treat my leg.”

Lan Mo fell silent. Why had she acted like a naive girl, losing her ability to think clearly just because she saw a handsome guy? Seeing how familiar he was with Director Qin, she had assumed he was a local. Now, she was having second thoughts…

Seeing Lan Mo’s expression change, Gu Yan’an immediately explained, “Doctor Lan, you just agreed to it—you can’t go back on your word now. It’s true that I’m from Jingshi, but if you don’t want to marry far away, I can become a live-in son-in-law for your Lan family. After all, my family has plenty of sons.”

At this moment, Yang Wei quickly spoke up to stop him, “Cousin, are you serious? If your parents find out, they’ll beat you to death. You’re the eldest son and grandson of the Gu family.”

Lan Mo didn’t know what to say. If she married far away to Jingshi, would she ever see her family again? She had two older brothers. If Gu Yan’an became a live-in son-in-law, wouldn’t her parents be laughed at?

“Comrade Gu Yan’an, I think we should forget about this relationship. My family is in Haishi, my job is in Haishi, and I can’t possibly leave Haishi.

Your family is from Jingshi. No matter how many sons your parents have, they have no reason to give their son away to someone else. Besides, I have two older brothers, so there’s no need to bring in a live-in son-in-law.”

Ah, this relationship ended before it even began. Well, forget it. Focus on work, focus on upgrading the farm. Matters of the heart can wait. At least the original owner was only twenty…

Life’s ups and downs are like riding a roller coaster. One moment it’s a comedy, and the next it turns into a tragedy.

Gu Yan’an immediately looked like a frostbitten eggplant, pitifully saying, “Doctor Lan, can’t you give me another chance? If you don’t want me as a live-in son-in-law, then you can marry into our Gu family.

You don’t have to worry about not seeing your parents—I can accompany you back every year, okay? As for your job, as long as you marry me, I’ll find a way to transfer you to a hospital in Jingshi.”

Lan Mo believed their feelings hadn’t reached that level yet.

“Thank you, but you’ll find someone better. You should go and check out of the hospital now.”

Gu Yan’an felt uneasy at this moment, but he couldn’t say anything more, lest he annoy Doctor Lan.

As soon as Lan Mo left, Gu Yan’an stared blankly at the door. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Yang Wei apologized, “Cousin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold you back just now. You know Auntie sent a telegram saying you should return as soon as your leg is better.”

Gu Yan’an sighed dejectedly and said, “Xiao Wei, I’ve lived over twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve ever felt this way. Just when I thought I was about to succeed, I stumbled at the last moment… If I can’t win her over, my heart will just wither away.”

If he couldn’t win her over, he simply wouldn’t return to the Jingshi Materials Bureau to report for duty. At worst, he could answer the nation’s call and support Borderland Construction.

“Cousin, if you truly like Doctor Lan that much, then keep pursuing her! I think Doctor Lan probably has feelings for you too. You must believe that sincerity can move even metal and stone. Once Doctor Lan falls in love with you, she’ll willingly give everything for you and follow you back to Jingshi.”

“Alright, go handle the discharge procedures first.”

If he gave up just like that, he wouldn’t be Gu Yan’an.