Chapter 133 The Water-Serving Master at the Hot Pot Restaurant

The crowd at the high-speed rail station exit was thick and bustling.

Yin Siyao stood among the people waiting to pick someone up. Tall and upright, with a gentle, scholarly aura, he seemed somewhat out of place.

Soon, a figure appeared in sight: wearing an off-white double-faced cashmere coat and black ankle boots.

Her chestnut waves were carefully styled, her skin fair, her features delicate.

On her face was just the right amount of a sweet smile, exuding an intelligent and gentle charm.

“Brother Siyao.”

Zhao Jingshu had also spotted him and waved with a smile.

She quickened her pace, her voice soft: “Have you been waiting long? Sorry to trouble you.”

“Not long, I just got here.”

Yin Siyao stepped forward, taking the suitcase from her hand, his tone calm and polite: “Was the trip smooth?”

“Pretty smooth.”

Zhao Jingshu pulled her coat collar closer, shivering slightly. “I didn’t expect City A to be this cold. I don’t think I brought enough clothes.”

Yin Siyao glanced at her thin coat. “There’s a KKTIM mall nearby. You can get a thicker jacket, and we can grab dinner while we’re there.”

“Sure, I’ll follow your plan.”

At the mall.

Zhao Jingshu browsed a few shops and eventually chose a short down jacket in Klein blue. She carried it into the fitting room.

Yin Siyao sat on a bench outside the fitting room, scrolling his phone. The orthopedic department’s “slacking off” chat had over 99 unread messages.

[Dr. Liu isn’t a doctor: @Yin, did you get your childhood sweetheart? Photos? 😏]
[Little Fairy of Instruments: Yes, let us see who is lucky enough to win over our orthopedic warmth-bringer.]
[Not-anesthetist: My blind guess—a gentle, intelligent beauty! Totally matches Dr. Yin’s temperament!]
[Head Nurse Scolded Anyone Today: Heard she’s a beauty? Bring her to the department when free so we can all see.]
[Touring Gossip King: Dr. Yin, bring your wife to the department when you can, so we can share in the happiness.]

Yin Siyao expressionlessly scrolled down, subconsciously checking for the familiar avatar of the silly Samoyed—the one who usually loved to stir the chat.

The group was lively, except for that one person who always joined in with goofy stickers.

By instinct, he opened the chat with Leng Keyan. The conversation history was frozen a few days back:

[Teacher Yin, I want to observe a few of Dr. Xiao’s surgeries in the next couple of days to learn different techniques.]

A cute bunny emoji followed.

He had only replied with one word: [Okay.]

Previously, whether the surgeries were simple or complex, Leng Keyan always found a way to squeeze into the schedule, even if only to observe quietly from a corner.

Now, he no longer clung to him and had begun actively choosing surgeries that would help him grow.

It proved he had grown up, matured, and had a clear professional plan.

He should feel pleased.

He exited WeChat and casually checked Leng Keyan’s Moments.

Normally, he’d post even minor things—complaints about the cafeteria or boasting about good food. But in the past few days, he’d been unusually quiet.

Just as he closed WeChat, the fitting room curtain was lifted.

Zhao Jingshu emerged in the Klein blue down jacket, twirling with a sweet smile: “Brother Siyao, how’s this one?”

Yin Siyao looked up, his gaze falling on the jacket. He paused slightly.

Leng Keyan also had the same jacket—same color and style.

When he first bought it, he had proudly worn it in front of him, saying the blue resembled glaciers and clear skies—very cool.

“It’s fine.”

His tone revealed nothing. He pointed at a white long down jacket. “That white one suits you better.”

The sales assistant’s eyes lit up. “This gentleman has great taste!”

“This white jacket is a classic hit—really elegant. Your boyfriend is so thoughtful to help you choose!”

Zhao Jingshu’s cheeks flushed slightly at the praise. She glanced at Yin Siyao shyly, and seeing his neutral reaction, obediently picked up the white jacket.

After buying the jackets, Zhao Jingshu said she wanted beef hot pot.

Yin Siyao wasn’t picky with food, so he took her to “Eight Hundred Li” beef hot pot restaurant.

Entering the restaurant, the warm aroma of beef and rich broth hit them.

A surprised female voice rang out: “Dr. Yin! What a coincidence!”

Yin Siyao looked over. At a four-person table not far off, Tang Lan waved energetically, smiling broadly.

Sitting beside her were Bai Youyu and Leng Keyan.

Zhao Jingshu asked with a smile, “Are these your colleagues?”

“Yes, interns at the hospital.”

Zhao Jingshu’s eyes flicked. “What a coincidence. Let’s sit at the table next to them—it’ll be livelier.”

Before Yin Siyao could object, the enthusiastic Tang Lan jumped in: “Yes, yes, sit next to us! Eat together, be lively.”

The waiter led Yin Siyao and Zhao Jingshu to the adjacent table.

Zhao Jingshu sat gracefully and greeted them: “Hello, I’m Brother Siyao’s classmate from middle and high school. You can call me Sister Jing.”

Leng Keyan glanced at the woman next to Yin Siyao—intelligent and elegant, exuding mature feminine charm.

Indeed, very beautiful.

The two sat together, looking like a perfect couple.

Yin Siyao slightly turned to Zhao Jingshu, his voice gentle: “What flavor of dipping sauce do you want?”

“Same as yours,” Zhao Jingshu replied sweetly. “I prefer something mild. Add me an extra spoon of vinegar.”

Leng Keyan silently looked down at his bowl, full of red chili oil and bird’s-eye chilies.

When they lived together, he had tried to limit the chili, yet Yin Siyao still ended up with tears from the spiciness.

Even when eating, he and Yin Siyao never matched.

Tang Lan, unaware of the Yin-Leng gossip, enthusiastically introduced Zhao Jingshu to City A’s food and fun spots.

“Sister Jing, try this beef tendon ball. Their specialty, so chewy!”

Bai Youyu sensed Leng Keyan’s mood was off and gently added some beef to her bowl: “Don’t just eat vegetables. Try this fatty beef—it’s good.”

Leng Keyan kept eating silently, but his chewing carried a subtle gritted-teeth tension.

The atmosphere became slightly awkward.

Bai Youyu tried a few times to engage Leng Keyan, but he responded only with indifferent “uh-huhs,” like a soulless eating machine.

The scene left only Tang Lan bustling around, busy as ever.

Between Zhao Jingshu and Bai Youyu, she ran back and forth serving water, her smile practically frozen from exhaustion.

Watching the two leads, she thought: Dr. Yin, say something! Leng Keyan, you’re usually so talkative—why are you suddenly like a quail?

Leng Keyan watched Yin Siyao serve Zhao Jingshu, listened to her gentle laughter, and felt like a vinegar-soaked sponge had been stuffed into his chest.

Sour, bloated, and utterly blocked.