Friday morning, after the neurosurgery department finished their shift change.
The head nurse, holding a pen and notebook, announced to everyone, "Hold on everyone, I've got an announcement. Next Friday is Mid-Autumn Festival, and there's a social event between our hospital and the faculty and staff of Northwood University."
"Single gentlemen in our department, sign up actively!"
In the hospital, those with some seniority, like attending physicians and above, are mostly already married.
Except for the neurosurgery department, there are still two associate chief physicians who are single: Caleb Lockwood and Silas Shaw.
Director Thorne was also concerned for these two, and said to Silas Shaw, nodding his chin, "Are you going, kid? If you are, sign up quickly!"
Silas Shaw resisted, "Director, why aren't you asking Caleb Lockwood? He's single too."
Director Thorne adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat, "Well… both of you should go." These two are about to turn thirty and aren't in the least bit anxious — really laid-back.
Even if they're not rushing to marry and have kids, they should watch out for rumors.
Otherwise, people might think these two are a couple.
Caleb Lockwood, with a calm demeanor, asked Victor Rhodes to pick up the medical records and prepared to do rounds with two other junior doctors.
He glanced at the director, speaking in a mild tone, "I don't participate in such activities. You know that."
After speaking, he walked out with his long strides.
The head nurse seemed unsurprised, looked at the director, and tentatively asked, "Should I write down Dr. Lockwood's name?"
Before the director could respond, Silas Shaw quickly said, "Write it down, write it down, I'll go with him."
Director Thorne also nodded, picking up the teacup on the table, "Write it down. That kid has a weird personality, if we don't push him a little, instead of us drinking his wedding wine, it might take forever."
-
Serena Sutton was discharged Friday morning; after the doctors did their rounds, she received her discharge papers.
After lying in the hospital for two days, she felt weak all over.
Brandy Quinn came to pick her up, and as they were at the nurse's station handling the discharge documents, signing papers, they overheard two nurses chatting nearby.
"Are you going to the Mid-Autumn social with Northwood University? I heard both Dr. Lockwood and Dr. Shaw from neurosurgery have signed up. Haven't you always liked Dr. Lockwood? Make sure the good stuff stays in the family." The young nurse said while writing something in her notebook.
The young nurse assisting Serena Sutton with her paperwork laughed, "I've already signed up. But honestly, I know my place. Dr. Lockwood probably wouldn't fancy us, he's got high standards."
"You have to be confident. You're not bad-looking, right? Even though your education might not match his, we graduated from proper universities too."
Serena Sutton listened to their conversation. Although it seemed they were joking, the truth seemed to be what they were saying.
The most important thing is… Caleb Lockwood is attending a social event?
In more formal terms, it's called a social, candidly speaking, it's a large matchmaking event.
Serena Sutton felt uncomfortable in her chest again, Caleb Lockwood is actually going to a matchmaking event? She held back from asking any questions, signed the documents, and glanced at the nurse handling her paperwork.
With light makeup and decent looks — has a crush on Caleb Lockwood?
Serena Sutton pursed her lips, wondering how many nurses and female doctors in this hospital coveted Caleb Lockwood.
The social partners are the faculty and staff of Northwood University?
Serena Sutton pressed her lips, planning to ask Old Sutton tonight.
Ugh, so annoying.
After finishing class in the afternoon, Serena Sutton went straight home.
This week there aren't any events, she can relax at home, sleep in — just the thought makes her happy. Most importantly, Ms. Hayes isn't at home.
When Serena Sutton returned home, no one was there. She checked the time — it's already five-thirty, where did Old Sutton and others go?
She was about to call Old Sutton when she saw Norbert Suttun coming in with a gift bag.
Serena Sutton approached, unintentionally catching a whiff of a woman's perfume.
She, slightly uncomfortable, frowned and waved her hand near her nose, "Where'd you go? Smelling like perfume."
Seeing Serena Sutton's expression of disdain, Norbert Suttun sniffed his clothes, and frowned in displeasure.
He casually tossed the bag onto the table, "Just met a girl at our community entrance who confessed to me."
Serena Sutton: "…" Her lips twitched, pointing at the stuff on the table, "What's this?"
"Well, it's almost Mid-Autumn, right? The girl gave me Mid-Autumn gifts, said she wouldn't leave unless I accepted them." Norbert Suttun wiped his hands with a napkin, speaking as he walked toward his room.
Serena Sutton followed him, "Brother, I'm hungry, I want spicy crayfish, let's order takeout." With Ms. Hayes not home and Old Sutton's cooking barely edible, takeout seems to be the only option.
Norbert Suttun paused upon hearing this, turned around, bent down to meet her gaze.
He let out a casual smirk, "Calling me brother only when you want spicy crayfish?"
His eyebrows raised, looking particularly mischievous.
"What else would I do?" Serena Sutton pouted in response.
"Heartless." Norbert Suttun turned around, entering his room.
Serena Sutton shouted, "Where are you going? Not ordering takeout?" Calling him brother already, yet still so ruthless?
A moment later, Norbert Suttun's lazy voice came from the room, "Wait, I'm changing clothes."
After a while, the doorbell rang.
Serena Sutton ran to open the door, only to find a sturdy man standing outside, holding several gift bags and boxes of mooncakes.
She remembered him — likely one of Norbert Suttun's "loyal followers" from high school.
He was so tall and strong that he had the nickname Brock Grant.
Brock Grant was especially sincere, with a buzz cut, dark skin, looking quite simple-minded. Serena Sutton had a pretty good impression of him.
Upon seeing Serena Sutton, Brock Grant smiled kindly, showing a big toothy grin, "Young Miss Sullivan, where's Ethan?"
Norbert Suttun finished changing clothes and heard what Brock Grant said as he strode to the door. He raised his eyebrows, "Who are you calling sister?"
His tone was languid, yet carried a hint of threat.
Brock Grant chuckled awkwardly, walked in, and placed everything he brought onto the table, "Ethan, these are mooncakes from your admirers. They didn't know your home address, so they asked me to deliver them."
"I'll leave them here, remember to eat them."
Serena Sutton looked at the pile of items, tugged at the corners of her mouth, muttering, "This year there's more than last year, Norbert, what are you doing outside all the time?"
Norbert Suttun glanced at the stuff on the table and scoffed lightly, "Nah, this just proves your brother's got charm."
Serena Sutton quietly thought: Why are both so popular with girls? Caleb Lockwood probably is the same way.