Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

Chen Ping nodded: "That's good. Even though we're divorced, call me if anything happens. Don't try to tough it out on your own."

Su Meng did not respond.

She looked down at the water in the glass, the surface shimmering gently, reflecting the light overhead.

After a moment, she looked up and said, "You haven't eaten yet, have you? There's still food in the school cafeteria. I'll take you there to get something to eat."

"Okay." Chen Ping smiled.

Su Meng stood up, led Chen Ping out of the office, and headed towards the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was almost empty; two older women were cleaning up the window.

Upon seeing Su Meng arrive, the cafeteria lady quickly stopped what she was doing and said with a beaming smile, "Principal Su, haven't you eaten yet? What would you like to eat? I'll make it fresh for you."

"Big sister, don't bother. Just see what's left in the cafeteria and make something."

Su Meng said to the cafeteria lady.

"No trouble at all. The vegetables and tomatoes arrived fresh this afternoon. I'll stir-fry some scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and fry two eggs. The rice is freshly steamed and still warm."

As the aunt spoke, she went into the kitchen, and soon the sound of nimble spatulas filled the air.

Su Meng chose a seat by the window, and Chen Ping sat opposite her.

Su Meng folded the napkin into a small square and placed it beside her without saying a word.

The food was served. The rice was perfectly separated, the green vegetables were vibrant, and the tomato and egg stir-fry had a beautiful color with tender yellow egg flowers.

The aunt handed over two pairs of chopsticks: "Eat it while it's hot, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable if it gets cold."

After saying that, he left, wisely not lingering.

Su Meng picked up her chopsticks, but first rummaged through the food on the plate without picking up any.

Chen Ping was indeed hungry, so he lowered his head and ate a few bites.

After a while, Su Meng couldn't help but ask, "Is the health center very busy every day now?"

Chen Ping swallowed the food in his mouth and nodded: "I'm busy every day. I get a lot of minor illnesses but few major ones, but there are all sorts of miscellaneous things to deal with, so it's not easy at all."

"Especially when treating children or girls, you need to know how to soothe children and comfort girls."

"The villagers have different ideas and values ​​than the city people. I was giving a girl acupuncture, and she started crying as soon as I took off her top."

"The girl's father came to the health center and almost beat me up. I had to explain for a long time before he stopped."

Chen Ping spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Your personality is suited to be a doctor," Su Meng said with a smile.

Chen Ping smiled and said, "I don't know how to do anything else either."

Su Meng lowered her head and began to eat, eating very slowly, taking small bites, as if giving the meal more time and giving herself some breathing room.

A thought was forming in her mind, like water sitting on a stove, slowly heating up.

She had even figured out how to start the conversation: without asking too many questions, she would simply say, "I regret it," and see how Chen Ping would respond.

But she was also afraid, afraid that once she said those words, even this peace would be gone.

Chen Ping was worried about me and came all this way, so he must have me on his mind.

Su Meng finally couldn't hold back and looked up at Chen Ping, her gaze slightly probing: "You came all this way to find me all by yourself, won't Cui Ying overthink it?"

Chen Ping paused, his chopsticks still in his hand.

He hadn't originally planned to bring Cui Ying up, but since Su Meng had brought it up, he had no reason to avoid it.

Putting down his chopsticks, Chen Ping looked at Su Meng and said calmly, "No. She asked me to come; she was worried something might happen to you."

"I've already confessed my feelings to her, and we're together now."

Su Meng still had a slight smile on her lips, but she froze for a moment, her chopsticks hanging in mid-air.

She quickly came to her senses, lowered her eyes, put the chopsticks back on the rim of the bowl, and nodded gently: "Oh, that's good. Cui Ying seems like a nice girl, she's pretty and she really cares about you."

She spoke very slowly, each word seeming to roll over the tip of her tongue before being uttered.

Chen Ping could hear the barely perceptible tremor in her voice, but he didn't point it out.

Some things are better left unsaid; it's pointless to talk about them. It's better to let time slowly wear down this awkwardness.

"Her family is also very good to me," Chen Ping said.

Chen Ping didn't mean to say that, but it sounded rather harsh to Su Meng.

After they got married, his father never gave Chen Ping a second glance.

Even if Chen Ping was promoted to the position of purchasing director, it was only to make it easier for him to make money.

If Chen Ping hadn't stood his ground, he would have been the one locked up in the detention center.

Su Meng fell silent.

She stared at the half-eaten fried egg left in the bowl, her heart sinking completely.

She was even somewhat glad that she hadn't spoken first, at least she could still retain some dignity.

She took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and said in her usual gentle manner, "Don't go back tomorrow. Come to the school. I'm organizing a meeting, and you can attend as well. You can also explain the situation to the other school leaders."

Chen Ping nodded: "Okay, I'll come earlier tomorrow."

After finishing her meal, Su Meng took the bowls and chopsticks to the recycling area.

As the two walked out of the cafeteria, a cool night breeze swept over them.

Su Meng walked ahead, with Chen Ping following half a body behind her.

No one mentioned Cui Ying again, nor did they mention the past.

As she approached the school gate, Su Meng stopped and turned around.

She glanced at Chen Ping and said, "Go back and get some rest. The meeting room is on the second floor of the administration building at nine o'clock tomorrow."

Chen Ping nodded: "Okay, I got it. You should get some rest too."

Su Meng nodded. "Then I won't see you off. Be careful on the road."

After saying that, Su Meng turned and left without looking back.

However, the moment Su Meng turned around, her eyes instantly welled up with tears, which silently slid down her cheeks.

Chen Ping stood at the school gate for two or three seconds, watching Su Meng walk away, before slowly walking to the roadside.

He took out his phone to call a ride-hailing service to find the hotel.

But at that moment, Cui Ying's father called first.

Chen Ping was slightly taken aback, but still answered the phone.

"Chen Ping, Yingying said you're in the city on business. Where are you staying tonight? We have a room at home, it's more comfortable than a hotel."

As soon as the call connected, Mr. Cui's voice came through the receiver, speaking very quickly.

"Yes, the room is ready for you. Don't go to the hotel, come to my house." Cui Ying's mother's voice came through the phone.

Just as Chen Ping was about to decline, Cui Ying's message popped up.

Come stay at my parents' house. I've already told them. The message was followed by a smiley face emoji.

Chen Ping looked at the message, smiled, and said into the phone, "Okay, then I'll trouble you, Uncle and Aunt. I'll take a taxi there right away."

After hanging up the phone, he glanced back in the direction of the nursing school. The school gate was still lit, but most of the lights in the building had already gone out.

He looked away, walked a few steps to the roadside, flagged down a taxi, opened the back door, and got in.

After giving Cui Ying's address, the car turned onto the main road. The streetlights slid past the window, and Chen Ping leaned back in his seat and sighed softly.

He knew that after this, his relationship with Su Meng would truly be over...