Chapter 105: Clear Mind!
Lu Cheng’s tone became considerably more formal: “Sometimes, facing all problems head-on, facing all discrepancies, and finding one’s own position is what can be called maturity. Otherwise, it’s all self-perceived maturity.”
“Acknowledging certain things will bring a tearing pain, but what cannot be denied is that only pain leads to growth.”
“Growth itself is a very painful process; every step is like that.”
“But this pain isn’t entirely bad. On the contrary, after recognizing reality, it allows me to face these discrepancies with a more stable mindset and a clearer heart.”
“For instance, Uncle Mu is doing much better than my dad. Just a small portion of your family’s wealth is more than my parents could ever dream of.”
Lu Cheng said: “But they are my parents. If I have obtained the apple of Uncle Mu’s eye, I won’t feel inferior or afraid to dream of anything.”
Mu Nanshu shifted uncomfortably: “When did you obtain my father’s apple of his eye? Who said that?”
Lu Cheng then said: “Then let’s say it’s not that…”
Mu Nanshu looked directly at Lu Cheng, bit her lip, and then said in a softer voice: “At least… not yet.”
Mu Nanshu noticed that Lu Cheng’s voice and expression were very calm, and that he said these words so openly proved he wasn’t insecure.
This was good. The Lu Cheng she remembered and knew shouldn’t be like the one from last time, who was overly polite, even a bit “insecure.”
Mu Nanshu asked again: “Then you say you’ll make the arrangements, how do you plan to do it?”
“Go to competitions, see if there’s a chance to meet some professors, then shamelessly curry favor with these professors to learn the cutting-edge techniques in specialized fields.”
“Following that, based on these cutting-edge specialized techniques, strive for the most top-tier techniques within the specialized field!”
“Techniques that others can’t learn, or even understand,” Lu Cheng outlined the general direction.
Mu Nanshu fell silent after listening.
This path was far more thorny than Lu Cheng’s calm tone suggested.
However, Mu Nanshu didn’t discourage Lu Cheng, but instead said: “Eat some more, it’s not good to go hungry.”
“Your appetite should be more than this…”
“Let’s add another order of yellow throat, and another serving of fried rice for you,” Mu Nanshu noticed Lu Cheng hadn’t eaten enough; he was still the carbohydrate-driven ‘eating type.’
…
In the hotel, Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu sat by the window, each holding a cup of milk tea.
It was already past midnight, but the lights of Jiefang Avenue outside remained as bright as ever.
The dazzling city lights couldn’t reach the eyes of the two.
The air conditioner in the room isolated the hot air from outside, and Lu Cheng said to Mu Nanshu: “Actually, no matter what, distance is also a problem!”
“When you encounter a problem, the first thing you should think about is finding a way to solve it!”
Mu Nanshu looked at Lu Cheng, at his chin, at his neck, at him speaking, and listened to his insights.
It felt like many years ago, but now Mu Nanshu had her own perspective: “Lu Cheng, but this is very difficult.”
“There are two main legitimate paths. The first is to improve your academic qualifications. The advice from those two professors would be more suitable.”
“Don’t you have savings? Now that there are teachers willing to mentor you, why don’t you apply to study?”
“While studying, you can also participate in these competitions and earn a decent income.”
“The second path is, we find a middle ground. Lying flat!”
Mu Nanshu’s voice was very gentle, and her eyes became gentle too, even with a hint of happy secret delight.
After settling her work upon returning to the country, her first action was to visit Zhongnan Hospital, and then she made a swift trip back to her hometown in Long County.
Now, just a little over two months since returning to Long County, Lu Cheng actually dared to travel from Long County to Hanshi City for a day trip, which represented some return on her “efforts.”
In truth, she herself didn’t know Lu Cheng’s current thoughts, or whether he still dared to face the gap between them and break through it from his heart.
Because Mu Nanshu knew Lu Cheng best; deep down, Lu Cheng was a somewhat arrogant person.
He could have a good temper, but he could also be very stubborn!
This was further confirmed when she learned Lu Cheng hadn’t continued with his postgraduate entrance examination.
Lu Cheng said: “Since some paths exist, it means people have walked them, people have succeeded on them, so surely others can walk them again.”
“Actually, I don’t dare to promise you a distant future, because we are not young anymore.”
“However, if it’s a foreseeable future, I will still invite you with a clear conscience!”
“The Ladder to the Azure Clouds, we can also try to brave it, though it’s difficult, it’s not my overconfidence. At least not this time.”
“When were you ever overconfident?” Mu Nanshu asked back.
Lu Cheng was silent for a moment before saying: “After returning from the postgraduate entrance examination’s second round of review… I took myself too seriously, with unstable foundations, thinking only about a comeback…”
“Thinking about it now, whether there’s a comeback or not doesn’t affect others; it most affects one’s own mindset.”
“People without social circles live their own lives. If you are fixated on one thing, it won’t have any impact on others; instead, it will affect your own life’s trajectory.”
“But I’m still not convinced!”
Mu Nanshu said: “Because you can be sure that your clinical talent is better than those two classmates, and you chose to apply for a Professional Master’s Degree, not an Academic Master’s Degree, right?”
Because only Mu Nanshu was present.
Lu Cheng’s voice became sharper: “It’s not that I necessarily need to prove who is more capable than whom.”
“It’s just that since you’ve set the rules, why not write them down early instead of going through more procedures?”
Mu Nanshu’s voice was soft and pliable: “After you came back, you really haven’t had any thought of taking the postgraduate entrance examination again?”
“No, there wasn’t. Once a professor invited me to pursue a Master’s Degree while performing surgery, and I was so excited, thinking I had finally gained the teacher’s favor.”
“I even bought the study materials, but when I asked again a couple of days later, that teacher said it was because I had good strength…” Lu Cheng said, his eyes involuntarily reddening a bit.
To avoid appearing to complain deliberately, Lu Cheng glanced at the time and said: “It’s getting late, you should go back too; you have work tomorrow.”
“I’m staying for a while longer this time… I’m here to attend a suturing training class,” Lu Cheng said.
Mu Nanshu heard him but didn’t move, just looked at Lu Cheng, her right hand unconsciously twirling her long, curly hair.
The chestnut-colored curly hair strand was straightened and then released by her right index finger, straightened and released again…
Mu Nanshu didn’t speak either.
It was Lu Cheng who understood Mu Nanshu’s meaning; the current Mu Nanshu was no longer the shy girl of twenty-two or twenty-three.
She had become mature, poised, and less reserved.
Therefore, she began to have her own thoughts and initiative.
Lu Cheng took the initiative: “I’ll take you back, don’t think about any messy things.”
Lu Cheng took Mu Nanshu’s wrist and helped her up.
After Mu Nanshu stood up, she suddenly wrapped her arms around Lu Cheng’s neck, pulled him close, buried her head into his right shoulder, and tears inexplicably began to fall, drip, drip, drip.
Lu Cheng’s shoulder was immediately soaked with warmth.
Mu Nanshu didn’t sob aloud, her tears just flowed uncontrollably.
Lu Cheng’s slightly stiff body relaxed, and then he slowly put his arms around Mu Nanshu’s shoulders, patting her gently.
This process lasted for nearly a minute before Lu Cheng said: “It’s okay, we are just ordinary people. For ordinary people, a lifetime of ups and downs is very normal.”
“If everything went smoothly, then we wouldn’t be ordinary people, but celestial beings.”
“Better opportunities are not something you can force…”
“Actually, being ordinary is relative.”
Mu Nanshu pulled away from Lu Cheng’s chest, took two tissues to wipe her eyes, and said in a soft voice:
“Actually, you’ve always been excellent!”
Lu Cheng said: “Maybe only you think so!”
“I’ll take you back to rest.”
Mu Nanshu nodded, walked to the mirror to check her makeup, tidied it up slightly, and then, carrying her small woven bag, followed Lu Cheng out of the room.
In the underground parking lot of the residential area, at the elevator entrance, Mu Nanshu looked at Lu Cheng and suggested: “Why don’t you come up and sit for a while longer?”
“Or, you don’t have to go back; I have a guest room in my room, and it’s all ready.”
“Didn’t you say you’d be staying for a while longer?”
“I don’t have my luggage,” Lu Cheng replied after thinking.
Mu Nanshu said softly: “You don’t need luggage… everything is upstairs…”
