Ruan Tianxin was taken aback, not expecting him to have such an idea.
They had dated for a year, and he was one of her few ex-boyfriends she had been with for a considerable time.
James, as a doctor, was meticulous in everything he did and treated her very well.
However, they eventually broke up for a simple reason: they were apart too often.
Ruan Tianxin had to film, constantly flying around the world, sometimes staying on set for three months. James was a doctor and worked at the hospital, usually very busy, with few holidays to fly and see Ruan Tianxin. It was impossible for him to travel the world with her.
This kind of long-distance relationship, even an international one, was draining for both of them. When she was tired and needed his companionship, James was either busy at work doing surgery or was asleep due to the time difference. Over time, their feelings naturally began to fade.
Most of Ruan Tianxin's numerous past relationships ended for the same reason – being apart too often. Fleeting infatuation couldn't withstand the erosion of time.
But Shao Chen was different. He was in business, possessed a sharp business acumen, and seemed capable of making money anywhere. He often followed Ruan Tianxin wherever she was filming, setting up some business nearby.
Once, Ruan Tianxin was to film an art film in a very impoverished mountainous area, where even cars had trouble getting in, requiring helicopters. The living conditions in the mountains were much harsher than she had anticipated, with power rationing and no hot water heaters for showering, let alone heating.
Ruan Tianxin assumed that Shao Chen, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the pampered heir of the Shao family, wouldn't be able to endure such hardship and wouldn't go.
To her surprise, he not only went but also built a road for that remote mountain village and helped sell the tea that the villagers grew, all while accompanying his girlfriend and incidentally offering poverty alleviation.
Realizing she was thinking of Shao Chen again, Ruan Tianxin rubbed her face with her hands, trying to push him out of her mind.
Seeing her silence, James quickly said, "You don't need to give me an answer right away. We can let things happen naturally and develop slowly. I'm planning to resign from the hospital. If possible, I'd like to be your exclusive doctor and stay by your side."
He had learned from Ruan's mother that Ruan Tianxin hadn't been in a relationship for years.
He felt he still had a chance, but he had been hesitant before, truly needing to impulsively resign and go to her.
But now that he saw Ruan Tianxin had returned, his conflicted heart found its answer immediately.
"Then I'll have to see if my current private doctor has any intention of resigning first," Ruan Tianxin said with a smile.
She neither refused nor agreed outright.
She suddenly realized that perhaps only by starting a new relationship could she stop thinking about Shao Chen.
Seeing that she hadn't refused directly, James knew there was still a chance. He got out of the car and joked, "Then I guess I'll be praying he has intentions of resigning."
Ruan Tianxin smiled and waved goodbye, "You should get back early. I'm going in."
"Alright." James stood on the snow, gazing at her affectionately as she entered the manor gate.
Upon entering her family's manor, Ruan Tianxin saw her mother and father standing at the villa entrance, looking out towards them, their faces full of curiosity.
Ruan Tianxin rarely saw her parents so eager for gossip and couldn't help but chuckle, "What are you guys doing?"
"Darling, what did you two talk about?" Ruan's mother stepped forward, asking with a gossipy look.
From a distance, she had seen James looking quite happy, suggesting there was a chance for them to reconcile?
She quite liked James. He was a skilled doctor, mature and steady, and most importantly, he was thoughtful and very caring.
She had only one precious daughter, Ruan Tianxin, and naturally, she wanted her daughter to find a man who would cherish her meticulously, not someone after their family's wealth.
"Nothing much," Ruan Tianxin said as she walked straight into the house, taking off her coat and handing it to the approaching servant.
"You've been single for five years since you broke up with that Shao Chen. That's not like my darling. Are you still hung up on Shao Chen?" Ruan's mother followed her.
"No way!" Ruan Tianxin denied immediately, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Seeing her react so strongly, Ruan's mother sensed something fishy.
She knew about Shao Chen. It wasn't that she disapproved of her daughter being with him; she would accept any man her daughter loved.
However, the Shao family's status in China was too prominent, and they were inherently incompatible with their family.
Ruan's father, on the side, not sensing his daughter's unease, followed up by asking, "Then are you tired of men? Do you like women? Even if you like women, your mother and I are very open-minded. As long as you like them, Mom and Dad will accept them."
Ruan Tianxin was exasperated, "No, I just get too tired from work and don't want to date."
"Is it really just that?" Ruan's mother looked at her suspiciously.
Ruan Tianxin affirmed, "Yes!"
Fearing her mother's misunderstanding, she added, "Besides, I've dated other guys after breaking up with Shao Chen!"
Ruan's mother recalled the homosexual man her daughter had complained about last time, who had deceived her feelings. "That kept boy toy of yours doesn't count as a boyfriend, he's gay."
Ruan Tianxin: "I didn't know at the time. Forget it, let's not talk about him."
"Alright, we won't. But if work is affecting your love life, tell Amy not to accept any more jobs. Look how tired my darling daughter is. Our family's assets are enough for you to spend for three lifetimes; you don't need to work yourself to death filming." Ruan's mother said with concern.
"That won't do," Ruan Tianxin refused.
She didn't act because she lacked money; she loved acting.
Sometimes, when she encountered a script she liked, she would accept it even if she wasn't paid.
"Then you have to promise me, don't get too absorbed in work, and date properly."
Ruan's mother often told her that dating could make a woman look younger.
Of course, Ruan's mother's primary intention was that her daughter was always away filming, and she worried about her not having a man around to take care of her, so she wanted to urge her to find a partner, someone to accompany her.
Ruan Tianxin slumped onto the sofa and perfunctorily replied, "Got it."
"However, in my opinion, James is quite good," Ruan's mother leaned in and said. "He's been single since you broke up. I see he still has feelings for you. You could get back together and try again. Aren't you thinking about getting married and having children? If you don't hurry, Xiao He Miao's two little darlings will grow up, and by then, they'll be dating, while your child will still be drinking milk."
Ruan Tianxin was exasperated but found her words reasonable, "Got it. Let's see what happens naturally."
Seeing that she hadn't refused, Ruan's mother felt there was hope. She seized the opportunity, "The day after tomorrow, your Aunt Angela is hosting a dance. We've been invited. Why don't you ask James to be your escort and attend together?"
Ruan Tianxin thought that since she had decided to start a new relationship and forget Shao Chen, she should give others a chance.
So, she nodded in agreement, "Okay."