Yu Qi blinked in confusion. "Huh? Before who shows up?"
Before Grandpa Tang could offer an explanation, a rich, melodic voice answered the question for him.
"That would be me. Am I right, my dear Grandfather?" A strikingly handsome man stood behind Grandpa Tang, his eyes narrowing slightly with a mix of amusement and mischief.
Grandpa Tang spun around to face the newcomer. The transition was instantaneous. The formidable, serious surgeon who had just commanded an operating room suddenly transformed into a sulky, pouting child in the presence of this young man.
"How are you doing, my dear Grandfather?" The man asked, his tone dripping with forced patience.
"Fine." Grandpa Tang grunted, looking away.
"And why exactly did you not answer any of my calls?"
"Busy."
"Busy with what, specifically?"
"That's my business!" Grandpa Tang snapped, his brows knitting together in annoyance.
"Sigh... Could you not just pick up the phone for once? I only wanted to verify that you were still alive and well." The handsome man replied, letting out a helpless, weary sigh.
Grandpa Tang remained stubbornly silent, crossing his arms. From this brief but telling exchange, Yu Qi could roughly piece together the man's identity. He was likely Grandpa Tang's grandson, and almost certainly the eldest one, Tang Han Lee. He was the very person Grandpa Tang had been trying so diligently to avoid.
"Forgive my manners, young lady." Tang Han Lee said, turning toward her and bowing with practised, elegant politeness.
"Humph! This is my granddaughter." Grandpa Tang announced, his chest swelling with pride as he took the opportunity to show her off.
"Well, that would make you my new little sister. Hi there, I am Tang Han Lee. I am a doctor, an ophthalmologist, to be precise. You know what that is, don't you?" Tang Han Lee introduced himself, his eyes twinkling as he subtly tested her medical knowledge.
He had heard whispers from Tang Jin Wei that their grandfather had taken on a disciple, and that this disciple was the young girl now standing before him. Since she had managed to earn the approval of their notoriously prickly grandfather, he suspected she might be something of a prodigy.
"Hello, Big Brother Han Lee. I am Yu Qi." Yu Qi replied with a graceful smile. "An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision disorders, including both medical and surgical care."
"That's exactly right," Tang Han Lee said, patting Yu Qi's shoulder, secretly impressed.
Yu Qi felt a slight flush of shyness creep over her. Despite the briefness of the encounter, she could sense a genuine, warm brotherly affection radiating from Tang Han Lee. In her previous life, she had a younger male cousin, but they had never shared a bond like this. He had harboured nothing but resentment toward her, fueled by jealousy over their grandfather's attention.
"Grandfather, will you be coming back home soon? Your birthday is approaching." Tang Han Lee reminded him.
"Oh, that's right! It will be your birthday very soon." Yu Qi added, the realisation hitting her.
"Huh? How on earth do you know when my birthday is? I don't believe I have ever mentioned it to you." Grandpa Tang said, looking bewildered. He was certain he had not shared that particular detail.
"Hehe, I may have asked Grandpa Feng about it." Yu Qi admitted with a mischievous grin, recalling her conversation with Old Man Feng.
"What's so special about that day anyway? It is just another birthday." Grandpa Tang grumbled, though his eyes softened.
"I'd really like to celebrate it with you, Grandfather." Yu Qi said earnestly.
"Very well, then. We shall celebrate it." Grandpa Tang conceded immediately.
The lightning-fast change in his heart was entirely due to his granddaughter. He knew she was an orphan and had seen firsthand how the Wang family had mistreated her. This child had likely never known the true warmth of a loving family or the doting care of a grandparent. He was determined to provide her with a life full of happiness. If a birthday celebration brought a smile to her face, he would endure a thousand parties, despite his usual loathing for such fuss.
Tang Han Lee watched the interaction in silence, observing the deep bond between his grandfather and this new addition to the family. He found himself liking her as well. He noticed that from the moment they met, she had not been even slightly bedazzled by his good looks. Most girls became flustered or sought his attention, but Yu Qi had simply treated him like anyone else, focusing her warmth on their grandfather instead.
However, Tang Han Lee had no way of knowing that his new little sister had already encountered a man whose handsomeness far eclipsed his own. Having seen the pinnacle of male beauty, she was naturally immune to his charms.
"I nearly forgot to ask. How is your schooling? Is it really all right for us to stay here for a while?" Grandpa Tang asked suddenly, remembering her status as a student.
He did not want her to fall behind by taking an unannounced leave of absence.
"Today was actually my very last paper. The exams are officially over, so staying here would not be a problem at all." Yu Qi reassured him.
"So, how did the surgery go?" Tang Han Lee finally steered the conversation back to the medical reason for their visit.
"Humph! It was child's play. Those quack doctors were just being incompetent. Oh, my dear disciple, what were your thoughts on the procedure?" Grandpa Tang turned to Yu Qi, eager for her input.
"The cholecystectomy is a standard surgical procedure used to remove the gallbladder. It seemed quite routine to me." Yu Qi explained, sharing her perspective. "Even though it was my first time witnessing a live surgery in person, I was able to follow the steps and commit them to memory."
In truth, she had watched countless live surgeries before, within the safety of her space. But that was a secret she could never share with her grandfather.
Several doctors passing by in the hallway stopped in their tracks, looking shocked. A routine surgery? Even Tang Han Lee was momentarily speechless. Yu Qi had momentarily forgotten the era she was currently living in. In the future, such a surgery would indeed be considered common and low-risk, but at this time period, it was still regarded as a complex and challenging operation.
"Hahaha! As expected of my brilliant disciple!" Grandpa Tang let out a boisterous, proud laugh.
Yu Qi felt a bit awkward at the praise. She realised her mistake. The medical standards of this time were different from the future knowledge she possessed. She could only offer a small, sheepish laugh to cover her tracks.
"Let's head home." Grandpa Tang announced.
"Home?" Yu Qi tilted her head.
"Yes, my home here in the city. It's time I introduced you to the rest of our family." Grandpa Tang said, his mood clearly buoyant.
The phrase "our family" echoed in Yu Qi's mind, filling her with a profound sense of happiness and belonging. She felt truly included for the first time. As they walked, she silently hoped that the rest of the Tang family would be as welcoming as the two men currently standing by her side.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko**
This chapter is edited by Tzin99... Thank you for your help...