When Shen Xi drove to the hospital, Lü Ying had already been admitted to the ward.
After Shen Xi found out the room number, she pushed the door open. Only Han Haoming was in the room; Qin Si Yue was not there.
Han Haoming stood up and looked at her in surprise. "Dr. Shen, why are you here?"
"Si Yue called to tell me. Is Auntie's condition alright?" Shen Xi smiled gently and walked in softly, replying in a low voice.
"She's fine. Director Huang said she should wake up within an hour or two," Han Haoming replied with his usual composure.
Shen Xi quickly said, "That's good. I can handle her later rehabilitation treatment."
"Thank you, Dr. Shen." Han Haoming didn't know what else to say, his mind only able to conjure the simplest, most direct words.
"You don't need to thank me. If you want to thank anyone, thank Si Yue. She was the first to call me and ask me to perform acupuncture treatment for your mother," Shen Xi said with a knowing smile.
"Mm." Hearing her words, Han Haoming's heart stirred. He hadn't expected Qin Si Yue to have already done so much for him.
Shen Xi looked at him and continued, "Look, we've known each other for several months now, and we're considered friends. Could you stop calling me Doctor and Officer and just use my name from now on?"
"Okay." Han Haoming agreed readily, then suddenly asked with concern, "Did Mr. Qin cause you any trouble when you went back that night?"
Hearing his abrupt question, Shen Xi paused for a moment before smiling dismissively. "No. He had a bit to drink that night, and his attitude was a little off. Don't take it to heart."
"I won't. I can see he cares about you a lot, which is why he acted so possessively," Han Haoming pursed his thin lips, a slight smile appearing on his rugged face.
He had thought about it later, realizing that Qin Si Ye might have misunderstood his relationship with Shen Xi, which was why he had become so angry and confrontational.
"No, no, it's not what you think," Shen Xi waved her hands repeatedly, denying it.
She had naturally understood the implication in his words; he must have assumed she was dating Qin Si Ye.
Just then, Qin Si Yue pushed the door open, carrying a large bag of daily necessities.
"Sister Xi, you're here."
Upon seeing her, Han Haoming quickly walked over and took the bag from her hand.
Shen Xi glanced at Han Haoming, her thick, fan-like eyelashes fluttering a few times.
"Wow, Si Yue, you're quite capable. You're a young lady in the Qin family who doesn't lift a finger, and yet you can do these chores?"
The man, who was putting things down, paused slightly upon hearing the words "Qin family."
"Sister Xi," Qin Si Yue walked over and tugged at her arm shyly, "It's not as exaggerated as you say. I do a lot of things at home too."
"Alright, alright, I misspoke. You're a self-reliant girl. Otherwise, you wouldn't have given up being a pampered young lady and come to work in the hospital," Shen Xi said, her gaze flicking towards Han Haoming again as she spoke.
While seemingly teasing and chatting, her words were subtly praising Qin Si Yue.
Han Haoming could certainly understand this, but besides remaining silent, there seemed to be nothing else he could say.
He had long recognized her kindness, professionalism, and competence, and he had grown fond of her.
He also understood the unspoken meaning behind Shen Xi's words.
However, there was a deep and wide chasm between him and Qin Si Yue that could never be bridged in this lifetime, meaning they would never end up together.
Seeing Han Haoming's continued silence, Shen Xi took Qin Si Yue's hand and walked to the bedside. "Si Yue, come here. I'll teach you how to massage Auntie."
Hearing this, Han Haoming immediately walked over and said, "Teach me instead."
"You." Shen Xi turned back, looking at him with surprise. "That won't do. As a man, your touch is too heavy, and you won't be able to do it properly. Besides, Auntie is your mother, and it wouldn't be very convenient for you to do it."
Han Haoming glanced at Qin Si Yue. "Director Qin still has work to do. How about I hire a caregiver?"
He remembered their agreement to address each other by name in private, but it was better to refer to her by her title in a work setting.
However, those three words sounded unpleasant to Qin Si Yue's ears, making her clearly feel a sense of distance.
"I'm on leave for the next two days and won't be working. Sister Xi, tell me what to do," Qin Si Yue gave him a slight glare, extending her hands, eager to begin.
Shen Xi looked at Han Haoming and said, "A caregiver will definitely be needed. You're so busy with work, it would be better to have an extra person to take care of Auntie, wouldn't it?"
After speaking, she lowered her head to demonstrate and explain to Qin Si Yue.