Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Childhood Sweethearts
"Who told you to do this? We’re teaching you now. Keep trying, be brave, don’t be afraid, don’t be a coward!"
"You’re speaking as if it’s a battle."
Xiang Linghao didn’t face the problem directly, always sidestepping it.
He felt a bit flustered inside; after all these years, he didn’t know what to do.
If they could meet again, how should they get along?
She probably still resents him for his weak compromise back then.
No woman likes a man like he was at that time, especially a proud woman like Xue Xianglan.
Her life couldn’t tolerate a single flaw, and he was the biggest flaw in her life.
No matter how hard he tried over the years, he couldn’t forget the look of disappointment and hate in her eyes back then.
The past was like a knife hanging over his heart, ready to fall and stab him deeply at any moment, causing unbearable pain that he couldn’t even cry out from.
"Don’t dwell on those past events, let go at the right time, there’s always a chance." Lu Yiyun consoled him.
"It’s rare to hear you comfort me." Xiang Linghao sighed, but his thoughts remained hidden inside.
Originally, he came out to "accidentally meet" Xue Xianglan, to see Doctor Xiang’s awkwardness. Now that he almost saw it, he felt a bit heavy inside.
But at least there’s something good here.
The two of them had been estranged for seven years, but today they finally met, and gained what might be an opportunity to resolve their emotional knots. This was undoubtedly a bonus.
If the two of them didn’t say a word after many years of not seeing each other, the knot would remain forever, and no one could truly move on from the past.
"But speaking of which, your sister is really ruthless, turned her back just like that, not seeing him for a full seven years."
"That’s just how my sister is, you know that."
"It’s because I know, that I admire her! Being decisive in relationships, very few can do it."
"Also, look at whose sister she is." Xue Jiarui raised his chin, looking quite proud.
Lu Yiyun felt like punching him.
"Alright, the goal is achieved, we can leave now."
Hearing this, Xiang Linghao glared at them one by one, "So you all planned this to see me make a fool of myself."
"Oh, that’s very obvious." Second Young Master Tang said faintly, hands in his pockets, and called Young Master Tang over. The two brothers walked away together.
You Shuyang followed next to Young Master Tang, so used to being an assistant that even when they interacted as friends outside, he couldn’t shake off the habit, dutifully blocking various gazes coming from people around them.
He didn’t want to come out with Young Master Tang next time they weren’t at the company.
This occupational habit felt a bit stifling.
Xiang Linghao held back a sigh, feeling stuck, as if the world had lost its love.
How could they do this, wasn’t there any brotherly love, always poking at the most vulnerable place?
On the other side, Xue Xianglan and Gu Yan walked silently.
Gu Yan occasionally glanced at Xue Xianglan’s expression, plain and usual, with no trace of anything unusual, but it was just this calmness that made Gu Yan think that inside her, nothing was calm.
Xue Xianglan understood her, and she understood Xue Xianglan the same way.
What surprised her was that it seemed Xue Xianglan and Xiang Linghao had an unforgettable past, and it must have been unpleasant.
Otherwise, when the two met, it wouldn’t be so... Gu Yan couldn’t quite describe the feeling; something just seemed off, even though their behavior wasn’t particularly out of line.
Moreover, Xue Xianglan didn’t easily say that kind of thing; this time, it seemed Xiang Linghao was different for her to do so.
Suddenly, Xue Xianglan stopped walking, and Gu Yan paused, looking at her in confusion, thinking she wanted to say something.
She turned to her and said, "Yanyan, let’s eat here. This restaurant looks pretty good."
Gu Yan, "..."
Huh? Is this how the plot is supposed to develop?
Shouldn’t she be immersed in her own world, recalling the past with Xiang Linghao, silently feeling sad about it, and not caring about anything else?
Had she been quietly looking for a place to eat all along?
What reaction should Gu Yan have towards her?
She had followed her step by step all the way, not daring to disturb her.
"Xue Xianglan, your train of thought is a bit abnormal, huh." Gu Yan gave her a somewhat resentful look.
"I didn’t provoke you, why are you saying that about me?" Xue Xianglan looked at her, baffled.
Gu Yan rolled her eyes at her and said, "I don’t want to talk to you more, I’m hungry, let’s go eat quickly."
Gu Yan went into the restaurant first, while Xue Xianglan followed behind, pausing briefly, a flash of unknown emotion passing through her eyes, but she quickly returned to normal, straightening her back as she walked in.
They sat down by the window, each ordering their own dishes, and Gu Yan turned to look at the mildly crowded square outside, but she couldn’t spot Tang Yuxiu’s group.
They probably left a while ago; this group wouldn’t stay long in such crowded places.
Xue Xianglan appeared as if nothing was wrong, which made Gu Yan feel slightly uneasy inside.
"You have a look like you want to say something but are holding back. Just say what you want to."
Gu Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "About your past private matters, I don’t want to ask too much."
Perhaps it wasn’t anything good. She didn’t want to uncover her old scars and force her to speak.
"We’ve known each other for so many years, there’s hardly any secrets between us. You should know that I will say whatever you want to know. It’s not like it’s anything important nor too difficult to talk about."
Xue Xianglan leaned back, crossing her legs, with one hand resting on the armrest, her eyes faintly gazing out the window.
"Xiang Linghao and I grew up together, and as we got older, we felt something different between us."
Xue Xianglan narrated calmly.
She and Xiang Linghao were a childhood friendship story.
Xiang Linghao’s father was the Xue Family’s family doctor. Xiang Linghao played together with the Xue siblings from a young age, forming a deep bond.
As children, they were ignorant of emotions, only knowing they enjoyed being with each other and looked forward to playing together every day.
As they gradually grew up, they slowly understood what kind of feeling it was.
Xue Xianglan was straightforward by nature, never hiding her feelings for someone she liked. Xiang Linghao was young and reckless at the time, and thoughtless, only wanting to be with the person he liked.
So, naturally, they were together.
At first, the two were like any other passionate couple—dating, eating, having fun—and were very happy and relaxed.
They had a period where they were both very happy with each other.
However, the good times were short-lived, and their relationship quickly came to the attention of Xue Family’s parents.
Xue Family’s parents looked down on Xiang Linghao as the son of a family doctor, thinking he wasn’t good enough for their daughter, thus opposing and obstructing in every way.
At the time, the two were young and impetuous, believing that as long as they loved each other, they could withstand anything, actively fighting against Xue Family’s parents.
Because of this, Xue Xianglan ran away from home, and her parents cut off all her financial resources while blocking Xiang Linghao, leading them to live in hardship.
The pampered young lady at first couldn’t adapt to such a life. Xiang Linghao saw it and felt terribly sorry, yet he had no way nor ability to fight against Xue Family’s parents.
He wanted to give her the best in life, but reality was far beyond what one wished for.
Later, Xue Family’s parents confronted Xiang Linghao, using threats and inducements, trying their best to make him leave Xue Xianglan.
Xiang Linghao was never moved by them; in his heart, Xue Xianglan was more important than anything.
Yet in the end, he still wavered.
At the time, he couldn’t provide a good life for Xue Xianglan. She was a precious young lady who should not suffer with him. Although she never said anything, he knew she was not well.
Abandoning her once luxurious life and her nurturing parents, who could truly be happy?
In front of him, she always had an indifferent demeanor, following him without a complaint.
Xiang Linghao felt increasingly guilty towards her, so he agreed to Mr. Xue’s request to leave Xue Xianglan and go abroad.
When Xue Xianglan found out afterwards, she resented Xiang Linghao.
For him, she abandoned everything and was willing to endure any hardship with him, but he abandoned her at such a time.
At that time, she was prouder and stronger than now, almost unable to tolerate any compromise from Xiang Linghao.
So she turned hostile.
At that time, being young, thinking wasn’t comprehensive enough, always assuming he sacrificed their future for his prospects, and her pride and arrogance couldn’t accept it.
Xiang Linghao silently endured all her accusations and resentment, finally watching her turn away.
She was resolute, never to meet again.
Wherever he was, she never appeared, even resolutely quitting the circle they played in since childhood, keeping a distance from him.
And from that time, her relationship with Xue Family’s parents remained cold and indifferent, especially with Mr. Xue.
And so, seven years passed in a flash.
They hadn’t seen each other for a whole seven years.
During these seven years, she casually chose high school and college in the country, met Gu Yan and formed a deep friendship with her.
Meanwhile, Xiang Linghao worked hard abroad, becoming a top surgeon, returning to establish his own hospital and becoming the youngest and most outstanding surgeon in the medical field.
His achievements were so remarkable that even Mr. Xue, who had resisted them in every way, had to admit it was of supreme glory.
He no longer had an identity that couldn’t match up to Xue Xianglan’s expectations.
Yet Xiang Linghao and Xue Xianglan always traveled in opposite directions—one resolute, the other unable to face it.
After listening, Gu Yan couldn’t help but sigh, "I never imagined there was such a past between you and Doctor Xiang."
Clearly childhood sweethearts, innocent in their youth, yet they were forcibly separated due to family background concepts.
No wonder so many boys pursued Xue Xianglan over the years, even some outstanding ones, yet she saw none of them. It turns out she was holding onto such deep, unforgettable memories.
After Xue Xianglan finished telling the story of the past, she quietly gazed out the window.
It was rare for Gu Yan to see her so tranquil, lacking the usual pride and free spirit, as if she had become a different person.
The restaurant’s gentle lighting softly fell on her, exuding an artistic aura.