Xu Jingyu walked to the office door, where Dr. Du was preparing to leave. She had just organized Ying Huan’s information and looked up to see her son standing outside. Suddenly, she remembered that she had something next Monday afternoon and forgot to remind the girl earlier that she needed to come in Monday morning to get her braces fitted.
However, even if she wasn’t there, there were other doctors who could help with the fitting. Still, Dr. Du was always responsible for her clients. She instructed the assistant doctor, “Remember to call that girl who was here just now and remind her to come in Monday morning. Afternoon would also work, but I won’t be here. Make sure you explain it clearly to her.”
In any case, she wanted to give the client the opportunity to choose for herself.
Xu Jingyu leaned against the wall, idly scrolling through his phone, and heard his mother’s words. Thinking of the girl with the slightly uneven fang tooth at the entrance, he absentmindedly imagined her with braces.
Braces would indeed make her look prettier, but she was cute as she was now.
The assistant doctor replied, “Okay.”
Turning to leave and make the call, the assistant noticed Xu Jingyu standing outside and brightened up, smiling, “Jing Wang, long time no see.”
The dental hospital wasn’t that big, and everyone knew that Dr. Du had a son who was a professional boxer and incredibly handsome. Several young female doctors had even watched his match videos, admiring his face and physique.
He occasionally came by for a visit, sometimes for a dental check-up and other times to bring gifts to Dr. Du.
Xu Jingyu paused his text messaging and smiled at the assistant doctor, “Not that long, just a month.”
The assistant doctor’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him, thinking to herself: Jing Wang is really damn handsome.
After the moment of admiration, she turned to get back to work. After all, as handsome as he was, he wasn’t hers… Nowadays, boxers, especially star athletes like him, would either have celebrity girlfriends, hosts, or models. A boxing babe with such a great figure!
Or they could be an internet celebrity. After all, many celebrities nowadays like to date internet celebrities. Anyway, it definitely wouldn’t be a doctor.
The assistant doctor glanced back once more before proceeding to call Ying Huan.
Xu Jingyu then entered the office and called out, “Mom.”
Du Yaxin picked up her bag and looked at his empty hands, asking, “Where’s my evening gown?”
She suddenly had to accompany her husband to an event, and the gown she had bought earlier was at home. Xu Jingyu had come to bring it to her, along with matching shoes, jewelry, and other accessories. Xu Jingyu said, “It’s in the trunk. I’ll drop you off on the way.”
Du Yaxin followed him to the car, and as she got out, she reminded him, “Remember to come for a dental check-up when you have some free time these days.”
Xu Jingyu rested his hand on the steering wheel, turned back with a smirk, revealing a set of neat, white teeth. With a dentist for a mother, the entire family’s dental health was under scrutiny.
“I know, I’ll remember,” he replied.
—
On Monday morning, Ying Huan went to the hospital to get her braces fitted.
The process of getting braces was truly uncomfortable. Her mouth had to be propped open, and Ying Huan felt like her cheeks were stiffening, and her mouth was contorting. Finally, Dr. Du removed the devices holding her lips open and gently smiled, “Is your mouth stiff? It’ll adjust soon. You won’t need to wear these anymore.”
“Yeah, my mouth and cheeks feel sore,” Ying Huan said, lifting her hand to massage her cheek to relax it.
Dr. Du adjusted the chair height and motioned to her, “Lie down like this, with your head on my lap. It’ll be more comfortable this way.”
Ying Huan obediently sat up and turned around. Just as she was about to rest her head on Dr. Du’s lap, she noticed a man in a red T-shirt walking to the door. The T-shirt clung tightly to his muscular chest, and there was a tattoo-like design on the front, resembling a dragon or perhaps a logo.
She paused for a moment, then shifted her gaze to his face.
Whether it was because he was wearing red or for some other reason, she easily recognized him this time.
Zhou Baihao.
How did they meet again?
Xu Jingyu wasn’t surprised to see her. He had just finished his dental check-up and came to tell Du Yaxin, “Mom, I’m heading back now.”
Mom?
Ying Huan turned to look at the gentle Dr. Du in front of her, who smiled and said, “My son.” Then she turned to Xu Jingyu and added, “If you’re not busy, wait for me for a moment. I’ll give you a ride on the way.”
So, the dentist Ying Huan had an appointment with, arranged by Ying Chi, happened to be Zhou Baihao’s mother? What a coincidence! Ying Huan couldn’t help but think, if Ying Chi found out, he would probably be furious.
Xu Jingyu casually glanced at the girl in front of him, then turned his head back. Their eyes met, and he smirked slightly.
“I’ll wait for you.”
He sat down on a nearby chair, took out his phone from his pocket, and spun it in his hand a few times. He noticed the girl still looking at him, unabashedly direct.
What does she want?
Du Yaxin said, “Come, rest your head on my lap.”
Ying Huan glanced at Xu Jingyu and asked, “Dr. Du, to what extent can braces adjust teeth?”
Dr. Du smiled, “Your two teeth are originally prominent, protruding outward. The four adjacent teeth are uneven, mainly adjusting those teeth will make your ‘tiger teeth’ appear more even.”
Ying Huan asked again, “Would it have been better to get braces a few years earlier?”
Dr. Du replied, “Yes, but it’s not too late now. The effect may not be as good as a few years ago, and complete alignment is not possible, but it will still look better.”
“Come, lie down,” Dr. Du said.
Ying Huan glanced at the man lounging lazily beside her, hesitated for a moment, then slowly lay down, resting her head on Dr. Du’s lap. She glanced sideways at “Zhou Baihao.” Was he going to sit here and watch her while she adjusted her braces?
“Open your mouth,” Dr. Du instructed.
Ying Huan adjusted her face, slightly opening her mouth. Dr. Du suddenly realized that the girl was shy.
She turned her head and glared at Xu Jingyu. “Go wait outside.”
Ying Huan felt relieved and turned to look at him, her eyes bright.
Meeting her gaze, Xu Jingyu nodded knowingly.
So, he wanted to leave earlier? Was he afraid of seeing her while she adjusted her braces?
“You should have said so earlier. If I’m not looking at you, I’ll leave,” Xu Jingyu said casually as he stood up, his posture condescending. He grinned mischievously, hands in his pockets, and then turned and walked away.
The tall figure of the man, with a pattern of fancy letters on the back of his T-shirt, disappeared from view as he walked out the door, his steps too fast for Ying Huan to see clearly what the word was. His words just now were meant for her.
Dr. Du continued to adjust Ying Huan’s braces while asking her about her feelings and giving her some instructions, as well as scheduling her follow-up appointments.
After putting on the braces, Ying Huan walked out of the hospital expressionlessly. Standing at the hospital entrance, she used her tongue to feel the steel rings she had just put on, feeling uncomfortable and unfamiliar. She couldn’t help but frown.
Her mouth felt strange, like she was pouting a little.
Ying Chi had put too much effort into this birthday gift. She could wear these braces until next year, or even the year after that.
Leaning against the wall at the hospital entrance, Xu Jingyu propped his right foot against the corner of the wall. After taking his last puff of the cigarette, he stubbed it out, then turned his head slightly, watching her ever-changing expressions with interest.
As Ying Huan touched the extra pieces on her teeth, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
She turned her head and locked eyes with him.
This time, she said directly, “Don’t look.”
What’s there to see with braces on…
Xu Jingyu: “…”
Perhaps not expecting her to be so straightforward, he chuckled and made a conceding gesture with an OK sign, then turned his head to face forward. “Alright, I won’t look.”
