In the end, Zhao Heng did have lunch with Song Chen, but it was in the cafeteria.
"How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"
Song Chen said to Zhao Heng sitting across from her.
She couldn't quite put into words her feelings for Zhao Heng at the moment. Appreciation, yes, but far from liking.
Moreover, she originally had no particular thoughts about Zhao Heng, but during surgery, seeing Xu Man Ni almost rolling her eyes when watching them cooperate, secretly gave her a bit of satisfaction.
This feeling was very complex and hard to describe.
"Isn't this already treating me?"
Zhao Heng smiled and said.
He didn't know why Song Chen wanted to have a meal alone with him, but he felt that Song Chen's feelings towards him didn't go beyond appreciation, rather than romantic interest.
"You're really easy to please, junior."
Song Chen also laughed.
Zhao Heng was completely different from the men who pursued her before.
Song Chen was confident in her looks and temperament, and being a surgeon only added to her appeal to some men.
However, most of these men only liked her external qualities and didn't care about her personality or work capability.
On the contrary, her outstanding professional skills could even be a drawback in the eyes of some.
"Isn't life about simplicity and contentment?"
Zhao Heng replied.
"Then why are you working so hard? Heart valve repair, deep anesthesia, these are things that take others years to learn, and you've mastered them. You must be very diligent."
Song Chen said, somewhat admiringly.
"Having something and using it are two different things."
Zhao Heng shook his head slightly.
He enjoyed a simple and content life, yet that didn't contradict his hard work and diligence.
"That's an interesting thing to say."
Song Chen pondered Zhao Heng's words. Though novel, they carried deep meaning.
Having money allows you to choose a way of life, which is different from having none at all.
"However, there are so few people who can remain clear-headed and positive like you."
Song Chen continued after a pause.
Staying positive isn't hard; you just need to motivate yourself. And being clear-headed isn't difficult as long as you're not self-deceived and can recognize your situation and self.
But being clear-headed while maintaining a positive outlook is much more challenging.
Facing harsh realities or one's shortcomings can easily lead to a person's mental downfall.
"I'm just a bit naive."
Zhao Heng thought for a moment and gave himself an apt evaluation.
He knew he was naive, but sometimes he hoped to keep this naivety.
"Your self-assessment is interesting."
Song Chen savored Zhao Heng's words and remarked interestingly for the second time.
This is an interesting, deep, yet very sunny soul.
Song Chen couldn't help but think inwardly.
"If not for seeing you like this, I would have thought that sitting across from me was an old man, washed clean of all superficiality."
Song Chen paused and added.
"That's not the case. I'm just an ordinary person."
Zhao Heng smiled and said.
"Calling yourself ordinary, but your actions are anything but."
Song Chen exclaimed again.
"Let's not talk about this. Senior, do you feel like everyone around us is deliberately or unintentionally watching us?"
Zhao Heng suddenly glanced around and said.
The difference in status between Zhao Heng and Song Chen was like night and day.
As for income, Zhao Heng working with instruments for a year probably only equals what Song Chen makes in a month.
Being a surgeon was a high-earning profession, and cardiothoracic surgery was a department where performance bonuses came easily.
In others' eyes, it must be Zhao Heng, this poor boy, shamelessly climbing up to the likes of the wealthy and beautiful Song Chen.
"Yeah, the glances are a bit odd, but you care about this?"
Song Chen glanced around, noticing people indeed looking over occasionally, but she didn't think Zhao Heng would care about such things.
Moreover, although there was a big gap between them now, based on Zhao Heng's performance, the gap was closing step by step.
In a place like the hospital, which relies on skills, people with genuine talents wouldn't be buried.
Just then, someone suddenly walked over, carrying a tray, and sat beside Zhao Heng.
"Sister Xu?"
Zhao Heng looked up, and who else could it be but Xu Man Ni?
"What? I can't sit next to you?"
Xu Man Ni gave Zhao Heng a stern look and said.
"..."
Zhao Heng was speechless. What was this sudden entrance supposed to do?
Moreover, with people already giving them peculiar looks as he sat with Song Chen, and now Xu Man Ni joining them, you could almost see the gossiping spirit burning in the eyes of some.
"Looks like I'm interrupting you two."
Xu Man Ni looked at the calm, still aloof Song Chen and felt a surge of irritation.
You know, in terms of looks, figure, and temperament, people often compared her to Song Chen in the hospital.
Over time, even Xu Man Ni began to follow and understand Song Chen regularly.
Comparing the two, she realized that although both had many admirers, Song Chen's admirers were of a much higher quality.
Doesn't this mean, in a way, that compared to Song Chen, she's just an ordinary cliché?
Truly outstanding men would only fancy someone like Song Chen.
Therefore, what Xu Man Ni saw as Song Chen's cold demeanor was merely a façade put up.
"Yes, you are interrupting. How about sitting somewhere else?"
Song Chen lifted her eyelids and said with an unchanged cold tone.
"Dr. Song, sometimes people shouldn't be too complacent."
With just that one sentence from Song Chen, Xu Man Ni felt her blood boiling and said through gritted teeth.
People say some are born enemies for a reason.
Sitting to the side and seeing Xu Man Ni almost losing control, Zhao Heng felt he was unfortunately caught in the crossfire.
These two women were clashing, and he got caught in the middle.
In fact, Xu Man Ni's significant gripe with Song Chen stemmed from an incident where she finally felt some affection towards a remarkable man, only to find he was a staunch admirer of Song Chen.
To make matters worse, after failing to win Song Chen's heart, the man, somehow knowing Xu Man Ni had a slight fondness for him, even tried to pursue her, too.
Ultimately, Xu Man Ni ended up angrily sending the man away.
But ever since then, Xu Man Ni had a mental knot in her heart.
That knot was Song Chen.
Perhaps, subconsciously, she knew she couldn't compare to Song Chen but stubbornly refused to admit it.
Especially this time, Zhao Heng's attitude toward her made it glaringly apparent.
To her, Zhao Heng was eager to avoid her, yet with Song Chen, he seemed to cherish their rapport.