After the divorce, my ex-husband and son lined up to pursue me.

Chapter 11 Disrupting the Date
"fasten your seatbelt."

Song Nanqi started the car, then suddenly remembered something, leaned over and took a blanket from the back seat, handing it to Jiang Xia, "The air conditioning is a bit cold."

Jiang Xia took the blanket and touched the lingering warmth of his body on it.

The blanket had fine stitches along its edges, as if it were hand-sewn, which reminded her of the scarves her sister used to knit for her when she was little.

As the car slowly started moving, she glanced casually into the rearview mirror and saw a car emerge from the shadows, its license plate number vaguely familiar.

But it was so fleeting that Jiang Xia couldn't see it clearly.

Song Nanqi chose a restaurant, which was nearly empty at this late hour.

After the two found a place to sit down, Song Nanqi took the initiative to order yam and pork rib porridge and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and specifically asked the chef to use less salt.

As Jiang Xia listened to him instructing the waiter, she suddenly remembered that Ruan Yuanchao also loved pork rib porridge the most, and every time he was sick, he would insist that she cook it for him.

I wonder how Chaochao is doing now...

Indeed, there are only heartless children in this world, but no heartless mothers.

Jiang Xia quickly dismissed the thought, a self-deprecating bitter smile spreading across her lips, but Song Nanqi caught it and asked, "What's wrong? Did I order something that doesn't suit your taste?"

"No," Jiang Xia said, and habitually rinsed the tableware with boiling water, her movements meticulous and skillful, as if she were conducting an experiment in a laboratory.

Sensing an awkward silence, she added, "I used to come here often, and it seems like nothing has changed in the years that have passed."

As she spoke, she probably glanced around.

“Some things really shouldn’t change,” Song Nanqi continued, his gaze towards her carrying a deeper meaning. “For example, a passion for scientific research, and a reverence for life.”

Jiang Xia was taken aback; it was clear that Song Nanqi's words had a hidden meaning.

The waiter brought over the porridge, and amidst the rising steam, Song Nanqi seized the opportunity to ask directly, "Jiang Xia, are you trying to give up?"

Jiang Xia's hand froze in mid-air, and the porridge in the spoon almost spilled out.

She looked at the man in front of her; his expression was serious, devoid of his usual gentle smile.

“Sorafenib and Gamma Knife postoperative medication,” he said. “This combination regimen is usually used for brain tumor patients, but your test report does not have a surgical record, and the location of the thing in your brain is also very bad, making surgery unsuitable. But that doesn’t mean there are no treatment options.”

Jiang Xia put down her spoon and suddenly felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She said helplessly, "That's why I chose conservative treatment."

“I know,” Song Nanqi said, looking directly into her eyes, “but I also know that current medical technology can use AI to precisely locate lesions, so you still have a chance—”

Jiang Xia raised his hand to interrupt at the right moment, and pushed away some of the scalding hot porridge beside him, "Deputy Director Song, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you not have any patients at hand?"

Otherwise, why would they meddle to this extent?

Song Nanqi, realizing the meaning behind her words: "..."

“Whether from the perspective of doctor and patient or from the perspective of friends…” Jiang Xia’s smile faded a little, but her voice remained as calm and gentle as ever: “I don’t think you need to persuade me anymore.”

"The treatment offered by the doctors is indeed an attempt to do everything possible to save every life. However, we all know very well that this process is comparable to torture and is extremely painful."

Chemotherapy.

Anyone who hears these two words will immediately think of terminal illness, physical exhaustion, and hair loss.

Even without experiencing it firsthand, just watching others undergo chemotherapy, even for a brief moment or two, is unbearable to watch, let alone for patients who have personally experienced it! Song Nanqi pursed his lips, wanting to refute, but... he was speechless.

"I want to live, but only if I live a healthy and fulfilling life, not... struggle and exhaust myself."

After Jiang Xia finished speaking, he smiled again: "Everyone will die eventually, and the final result is the same, only the length of time differs. Fortunately, I have some time to minimize my regrets, isn't that enough?"

Song Nanqi's silent words were deafening.

He looked at Jiang Xia's serene smile, like a mountain after the rain, hazy yet containing boundless beauty, but also like a flower blooming in the rain, so delicate, so resounding, yet... broken and battered by the raging wind.

Song Nanqi closed his eyes tightly, and the image of her standing on the podium seven years ago, full of vigor and confidence, floated into his mind...

"You..." After a long while, he finally heard his own trembling voice: "Do you believe in miracles?"

Jiang Xia's eyes flickered slightly, and then she smiled.

Before she could say anything, Song Nanqi took her hand across the table. His deep eyes were filled with conviction and determination, and he said gently, "Whether you believe it or not, I am your miracle."

Jiang Xia: "???"

She thought the person in front of her was joking, but she never expected that Song Nanqi's words would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Just then, she was about to withdraw her hand when she was interrupted by a sudden voice—

"Oh? It really is you, Sister Jiang Xia."

It's Xin Rou.

She walked over from the seats next to her. Because each seat was surrounded by a screen, Jiang Xia only looked at her when he heard her voice. Her indifferent face did not show any emotion, and she just nodded slightly politely.

"Are you having a late-night snack with your friends?" Xin Rou said, glancing at Song Nanqi with an envious look. "Wow, Sister Jiang Xia, your friend is really handsome."

Song Nanqi was unaware of the relationship between Xin Rou and Jiang Xia, so he smiled politely and said, "You're too kind, Miss."

Xin Rou smiled and then turned to look at the side: "Mu Huai, you saw Sister Jiang Xia, why didn't you come over?"

Jiang Xia's heart suddenly tightened.

But she should have realized it sooner: where Xin Rou is, how could Ruan Muhuai not be?

Ruan Muhuai walked over slowly, his cold face expressionless, but his gloomy gaze was fixed on Jiang Xia. His words were neither warm nor cold, and could chill you to the bone: "You really have a refined taste."

Jiang Xia's breathing became heavy, and his fingers, which were under the table, clenched involuntarily.

She maintained her composure as much as possible and replied calmly, "I can't compare to Mr. Ruan."

As expected, Ruan Muhuai's expression visibly darkened.

Xin Rou grabbed his arm and tried to smooth things over, saying, "What's going on? We finally meet, can't we talk things out properly?"

As she spoke, she gave Ruan Muhuai a coquettish glare, then turned to Jiang Xia warmly, "Sister Jiang Xia, don't mind him. Chaochao's illness has been recurring these past few days, and he's been very worried about her."

"Your son is so sick, and instead of coming home, you're here having a date with someone?" Ruan Muhuai's words were laced with anger.

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(End of this chapter)