From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Jia’an scolded, "You child, you’re already at home, why stay outside?"

"It’s like this, I’m here to visit friends this time and also to see Auntie. I didn’t want to disturb you, but Grandpa was worried about you living here alone, afraid you’d be wronged. That’s why he told me to come and see you." Xu Chunliang implied that if it weren’t for Grandpa’s instructions, he wouldn’t have been eager to come.

The words made Xu Jia’an feel deeply guilty. Even at his father’s old age, he still worries about him, yet he hasn’t even been home for the New Year, truly unfilial.

Liang Shude laughed, "I wouldn’t dare bully your aunt. By the way, let’s have dinner together tonight; everything is ready."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sorry, I’ve made plans with a few friends tonight." He really didn’t want to stay and continue the pretense; the whole family gave him a bad vibe.

Xu Jia’an said, "Cancel it. How can you come to Auntie’s house and not even have a meal?"

Liang Linan said, "Mom, don’t make things difficult for Chunliang. Nowadays, young people have social events, and besides, we young ones don’t enjoy listening to your chatter during dinner."

Xu Chunliang said, "Cousin, you’re you, don’t speak for me."

Everyone laughed, but most of the laughter seemed forced.

Xu Chunliang stayed at Auntie’s house for less than an hour before leaving when he got a phone call.

Liang Linan saw him downstairs on behalf of the family, and Xu Chunliang urged him to hurry back, noticing Aunt Xu Jia’an following afterward.

Xu Jia’an had a few words to say to him alone and walked with him outside the community.

Xu Jia’an asked about his father’s health.

Xu Chunliang didn’t understand Auntie’s actions. If she truly cared about Grandpa, why couldn’t she visit him in Dongzhou? Couldn’t she spare even a little time?

Xu Jia’an took out two thousand yuan to give to Xu Chunliang, asking him to hand it to his father personally.

Xu Chunliang didn’t take it and said to her, "Auntie, Grandpa isn’t short of money. If you really miss him, take the time to visit."

Xu Jia’an sighed, "I wish I could go back, but as you see, your Uncle’s parents aren’t in good health and need care."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that Liang Shude’s parents are also parents, isn’t your own father? He couldn’t be bothered to argue with Auntie, "Auntie, no need to see me off, I know the way."

Xu Jia’an handed the money to him again, and Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa has WeChat, just transfer it directly to him."

Xu Chunliang stayed at the Sheraton nearby, intending to remind Zhen Chun, but considering her carefree nature, she might not notice. Of course, it’s possible the family just didn’t like him and might hold a better opinion of this little cousin from Xiangjiang.

Xu Chunliang visited Hu Hai for the first time. He went to several landmarks and bought some local specialties for Grandpa.

While strolling and sightseeing by the Huangpu River, Mei Ru Xue called.

In the morning, when he wished Elder Qiao a happy new year, Xu Chunliang already told her he was in Hu Hai.

Mei Ru Xue asked where he was.

Xu Chunliang told Mei Ru Xue he was alone, being blown by the cold wind by the Huangpu River.

Mei Ru Xue couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of him, "Alone, huh?"

"What else?"

Mei Ru Xue said, "How about I get someone to keep you company?"

Xu Chunliang said, "That would be great, Secretary Mei’s kindness, I wouldn’t dare refuse."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Go to the Oriental Pearl, I’ll arrange it for you."

Xu Chunliang hung up, smiling as he looked towards the nearby Oriental Pearl. He realized Mei Ru Xue might have come to Hu Hai.

Xu Chunliang reached the Oriental Pearl, and indeed saw Mei Ru Xue standing gracefully amidst the twinkling lights.

Mei Ru Xue rarely let her long hair fall over her shoulders. Her silky black hair danced lightly in the night breeze.

In the bustling crowd, Xu Chunliang only saw Mei Ru Xue, and vice versa, they exchanged a smile.

Xu Chunliang strode towards Mei Ru Xue, already spreading his arms wide from a distance. Mei Ru Xue smiled reservedly, turned her head, and then back again, finally making up her mind, she bravely ran over like a fawn entering a protective forest.

Xu Chunliang hugged Mei Ru Xue’s slender waist, spinning them around in circles.

Mei Ru Xue giggled, "Put me down, there are so many people, are you crazy?" In a strange city, the feeling of no one noticing is really nice.

Xu Chunliang said, "Yes, I have lovesickness; Secretary Mei is like providing charcoal in snowy weather, responding promptly to what I need, she really understands me."

Mei Ru Xue wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned down, and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead, saying gently, "Why do I feel like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth?"

"You can treat me like a sheep, do whatever you want." Xu Chunliang’s mind was unsettled; he felt that if he didn’t do something today, he would fail to live up to Mei Ru Xue’s long journey to see him.

Mei Ru Xue got off him and threw herself into his arms again, enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Learning that Xu Chunliang was in Hu Hai, she drove all the way from Nanjiang for a simple reason—because she suddenly missed him. Mei Ru Xue had always thought she was rational, but now she realized that reason was useless in the face of love.

Walking by the river had a different ambiance when there was someone by your side; it became romantic.

Mei Ru Xue held onto Xu Chunliang’s arm, nestling next to him like a little bird and murmured dreamily, "It’s so nice here, no one knows you, and no one knows me."

Xu Chunliang said, "Doesn’t it feel like an affair?"

Mei Ru Xue spat, "Nonsense, you’re ruining the mood."

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily, but his laughter abruptly stopped because he saw a middle-aged woman smiling at them from a distance. They had just said no one recognized them, and now they had bumped into someone familiar.

Feng Mingjun waved at him and said, "Chunliang, what a coincidence!"

Mei Ru Xue’s cheeks warmed, and she quickly let go of Xu Chunliang’s arm as if she had been stung by a bee. She had never met Feng Mingjun and didn’t know her connection with Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang also felt it was quite the coincidence; Hu Hai was so big, yet he managed to run into his mother twice in one day. He hadn’t seen her as much in his entire life; he was pondering how to introduce Mei Ru Xue.

Feng Mingjun had already extended her hand towards Mei Ru Xue, "Hello, I’m Feng Mingjun, Chunliang’s mother."

Mei Ru Xue’s cheeks reddened even further. She had never expected to meet Xu Chunliang’s mother. Xu Chunliang had told her before that when he was an infant, his parents left him, so why was his mother here? Had they arranged to meet beforehand?

Even someone as accustomed to life’s ups and downs as Mei Ru Xue felt a bit nervous in front of her future mother-in-law. She shook hands with Feng Mingjun, "Hello, Auntie! I’m Mei Ru Xue."

Feng Mingjun said, "Chunliang, you have such a pretty girlfriend, why didn’t you tell me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "We just met, why are you here?"

Feng Mingjun let go of Mei Ru Xue’s hand and waved the camera in her hand, "I came to take some night photos, never expected to run into you two. Do you want me to take photos for you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Thank you very much."

From the conversation between mother and son, Mei Ru Xue discerned a sense of estrangement between them.

The two stood by the river while Feng Mingjun took several photos of them together and then proposed individual photos with both Mei Ru Xue and Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang, reluctantly engaged, finally got a proper photo with his mother.

Feng Mingjun suggested they walk around together, handing her camera and handbag to Xu Chunliang to carry. She and Mei Ru Xue walked ahead, chatting as they went, while Xu Chunliang followed behind, playing the role of porter.

Feng Mingjun was very talkative, and Mei Ru Xue quickly adapted to her pace; they chatted happily.

Xu Chunliang realized that Feng Mingjun really knew what she was doing; she never once inquired about Mei Ru Xue’s family or work, focusing instead on fashion topics, which was Feng Mingjun’s brilliance; probing too deeply on a first meeting could easily unsettle the other party.

After a few exchanges, Mei Ru Xue realized Feng Mingjun was an extraordinarily knowledgeable woman; she thought it wasn’t surprising, only such a woman could have raised such an outstanding son like Xu Chunliang.

Before coming to Hu Hai, Mei Ru Xue had already reserved a restaurant, planning for a romantic dinner with Xu Chunliang. However, Feng Mingjun’s appearance forced her to alter her plans.

Feng Mingjun said, "I’m hungry, shall we eat together?"

Both turned around at the same time and saw Xu Chunliang lagging five meters behind, laden with bags and camera. They both burst into laughter.

Mei Ru Xue said, "There’s a place called Zungui up ahead, it’s quite creative."

Feng Mingjun said, "Let’s go to Dian Nan Road. I remember there are many small restaurant gems, I want to try some specialty snacks."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Sure!"

Feng Mingjun made a phone call, and the driver soon arrived nearby.

Xu Chunliang sat in the front passenger seat, while Feng Mingjun and Mei Ru Xue sat in the back.

Mei Ru Xue asked, "Auntie, when did you return to the country?"

"I returned yesterday. I originally planned to celebrate the New Year here, but a friend passed away, and I went to pay my respects today, where I ran into Chunliang. The last time I saw him, he was only two months old." Feng Mingjun was not shy about discussing this.

Mei Ru Xue sighed inwardly; she and Xu Chunliang both shared the experience of being left by their parents as children and raised by their grandparents, although Xu Chunliang was somewhat luckier as both his parents were still alive.

Feng Mingjun said, "I came here in a rush and didn’t expect to meet you. Although today is our first meeting, I have a very good impression of Miss Mei. Chunliang is lucky to have met you."

Receiving approval from her future mother-in-law made Mei Ru Xue feel very gratified.

Feng Mingjun took off her jade bracelet, "This bracelet was a gift from his father, apparently a Xu Family heirloom. I was not supposed to keep it after divorcing Xu Jiaxuan, I always wanted to return it, but never found the right opportunity. Today it will be my gift to you."

Mei Ru Xue instantly recognized the bracelet’s significant value and quickly declined, "Auntie, this is too precious, I can’t accept it."