Chapter 29: The person I am introducing to you is Wen Ran.

Wen Ran really could not do anything about him. Given his personality, if she did not go today, he would likely continue to follow her. People passing by the residential compound kept looking their way, which left her feeling awkward. She had no choice but to concede.

Shen Nanzheng took his first step toward victory with a sense of delight. Seeing the reluctance on Wen Ran’s face, he found it somewhat amusing. Yet, observing that she did not seem to resent him, he felt that with a little effort, he could bring her home sooner. He asked, seemingly offhandedly, "I saw that you were quite professional when you took my pulse the other day. Do you work at the hospital?"

Wen Ran immediately braced herself and whispered, "Please don't spread the word about me prescribing medicine that day. I’m just a junior nurse at the hospital, without a formal position or permanent status. I’m still in the learning phase, and I’m far from professional."

"Oh?" Shen Nanzheng, who already knew she lacked a permanent position, feigned surprise. He was even happier to share a secret with her; possessing this secret gave him a bit more confidence that he could marry her sooner. In his previous life, her medical skills were quite impressive before she married him. However, he had no interest in such things, so he curled his lips and said, "Alright, I’ll keep it a secret for you."

Seeing how readily he agreed, Wen Ran quickly said, "Thank you."

Shen Nanzheng smiled calmly, "It's nothing."

They continued walking, and the silence between them felt a bit awkward. As they neared Factory Director Wei’s home, Wen Ran asked, "Are your family and the Director’s family close?"

Shen Nanzheng kept it brief: "My father and Uncle Wei are friends through life and death."

Wen Ran: "..."

She was quite surprised. In the memories of her past life, she had not known this. She glanced at Shen Nanzheng; his tall figure made her seem very petite, giving her a sense of security and protection. If Teacher Liu had introduced this man to her in her past life, would she have really had the courage to refuse him?

The thought of refusing him made her heart flutter with anxiety. She lowered her head and stopped speaking.

In the blink of an eye, they reached the door. Shen Nanzheng knocked, and they were soon welcomed inside. Lu Meiqin was busy in the kitchen—the director’s home had its own kitchen. Hearing them, she came out with a spatula in hand.

"Ranran, why did you come over too?"

"I asked Nanzheng to go get her; you’ll both be eating at my place tonight," said Teacher Liu, who was busy sorting vegetables with a radiant smile.

Shen Nanzheng had already met Lu Meiqin earlier and did not treat her as an outsider. He smiled and said, "Auntie Lu, it took me quite a while to convince your daughter to come over."

"You’ve worked hard, Xiao Shen." The more Lu Meiqin looked at Shen Nanzheng, the more she liked him. She turned to Wen Ran and added, "Ranran, this is the same comrade who bumped into me the other day and gave me chocolates."

Wen Ran: "..."

Wen Ran suddenly felt the world was too small—so small that after awakening the memories of her past life, she saw traces of Shen Nanzheng everywhere.

Teacher Liu, observing their interaction, spoke at the right moment: "Wen Ran, you and Nanzheng find a place to sit; dinner will be ready soon."

Wen Ran could not bring herself to just sit and wait for a free meal. "Let me help you with the vegetables, Teacher Liu!"

"Calling me Teacher Liu is too distant. Since we’re at home, just call me 'Auntie Liu,' just like Nanzheng does," said Factory Director Wei as he stepped out of his study. "The two of them can handle the cooking; you two go sit over there."

Shen Nanzheng found a spot for her and gestured for her to sit. "Sit here."

"Thank you!" Aside from saying "thank you," Wen Ran did not know what else to say in this situation.

The spot Shen Nanzheng picked was good, not making her feel too awkward. However, the next second, things became truly awkward.

Factory Director Wei poured a cup of tea for each of them. He sat down and followed the plan he had made with Shen Nanzheng: "Nanzheng, the person I wanted to introduce to you is Wen Ran. I didn't expect you two to already know each other; it seems you are truly fated."

Wen Ran had already guessed as much, but her hand still trembled involuntarily, and the tea she had just picked up spilled over. Shen Nanzheng was quick-witted and caught it from her hand just in time. Fortunately, it was not boiling water. Factory Director Wei had brewed it earlier, waiting to host them.

However, Wen Ran’s skin was delicate, and the spots splashed by the tea turned red. She did not make a sound, but it pained Shen Nanzheng deeply.

"Does it hurt?"

Lu Meiqin, who was stir-frying in the kitchen, popped her head out upon hearing the commotion. "Are you alright, Ranran?"

"I'm fine!" Wen Ran checked her hand, waving it off. "It doesn't hurt; the water wasn't that hot."

Factory Director Wei saw how worried Shen Nanzheng was but did not point it out. He went back to his bedroom and returned with some burn ointment.

"Wen Ran, this is a burn ointment I treasure. Why don't you try it and see if it works?"

Wen Ran took it and saw, to her surprise, that it was the very ointment her master had crafted by hand in her past life. She knew how to make it, too, and immediately placed it on the table.

"My skin isn't even broken. It would be such a waste to use such fine medicine. Don't worry about it; it will be fine in a moment."

Shen Nanzheng picked up the ointment to examine it. It was indeed a high-quality medicine. Later on, it would become priceless and rare. Using it to treat a minor red spot from hot water felt like using a butcher's knife to slaughter a chicken. Its effects on severe burns were truly instantaneous.

He pretended not to know its value and said, "Since Uncle Wei gave it to you, just use it. It’s just burn ointment; I’m sure Uncle Wei won't mind giving it to you."

Factory Director Wei’s heart was bleeding, as the old Chinese doctor who made this ointment had been exiled, and no one knew if he was even still alive. But since Shen Nanzheng had already spoken, he could not appear too stingy. Given his relationship with Shen Zhaoting, he gritted his teeth and said generously, "I intended to give it to Wen Ran anyway, but you’ve taken all the credit, you brat!"

"Uncle Wei is the truly generous one," Shen Nanzheng said, handing it back to Wen Ran.

Wen Ran knew the value of the ointment and was delighted to have it, but she did not want Factory Director Wei to part with it painfully. She politely declined, "I appreciate the gesture, but my hand is just a little red; it’s not worth wasting such good medicine. Uncle Wei, you should keep it for yourself!"

"Look at this girl, why are you being so formal with me!" Factory Director Wei was impressed by her refusal. Though he said this, when Shen Nanzheng handed it to him again, he quickly tucked it away.

In truth, Wen Ran had her own hidden agenda; she wanted to use the influence of Factory Director Wei or the Shen family to find Old Yan. Relying on herself alone, her voice was too soft to make a difference.

After a moment of thought, she changed the subject: "Uncle Wei, is this made by the exiled old doctor, Yan Kaiji?"

Factory Director Wei asked with a meaningful look: "You know him?"