Volume 1, Chapter 2: A Striking Resemblance to That Ex

The first rays of morning sunlight spilled across the floor of the ward. The lilies in the vase were in full bloom, filling the entire room with their fragrance.

Gu Qingchen sat on the sofa, scrolling through Feng Xi's dossier on his tablet. His long, slender fingers swiped back and forth as his brow furrowed.

Ding Wen stood nearby. "Mr. Gu, I inquired with the administration department last night. The girl is a student at the neighboring medical university, a sophomore majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She was recommended for the work-study program by Professor Lin Beizheng of the TCM department. Her social circle is clean. As for her resemblance to Miss Ye, it is highly likely just a coincidence."

Gu Qingchen fell into deep thought. The moment he saw Feng Xi last night, he had thought Ye Qinghe had returned. They looked so uncannily alike, which was why he had lost his composure.

"Why is she on a work-study program?"

Ding Wen pointed to the place of origin on the profile. "This county is very impoverished. Moreover, Feng Xi's records show she was adopted. The cost of living in the capital is probably too high, and her family can't afford her expenses."

"How are her grades?"

"Excellent. She entered on a full scholarship and has won awards in various skills competitions. Her final grades for her freshman year ranked her second in her major. Many of her professors hold her in high regard."

Gu Qingchen zoomed in on Feng Xi's photo. It was an official matriculation photo. She wore a simple white T-shirt, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Wearing no makeup, her smile was bright, and her eyes and brow were filled with gentleness.

Yet, Gu Qingchen detected something else. The girl in the photo looked like a survivor who had found new life, exuding a resilience that no wild wind could ever extinguish.

Ding Wen looked at Gu Qingchen, who had fallen silent for a long time. "Mr. Gu, you asked about her grades. Are you planning to do something?"

Gu Qingchen glanced at his assistant, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Take a guess."

Ding Wen pushed up his glasses. "Then I shall venture a guess. You had me investigate Feng Xi's social relations out of concern that she might have been sent by a rival. But now that it's proven to be a coincidence, you likely want to keep her close. Asking about her grades was to ensure that taking up her time wouldn't affect her studies. Am I correct?"

Gu Qingchen nodded in satisfaction. "Go and get it done, then."

***

The Medical University Training Building.

Feng Xi had three long lectures today. The moment class dismissed, she dumped all her books onto her roommate, Lin Xin. "Xinxin, I'm heading to the hospital. Please take my books back for me. I'll treat you to dinner another day!"

Lin Xin nodded. "Finals are coming up soon, so keep up the pace. Don't let me beat you again this time."

Feng Xi dashed off. She had studied medicine under her grandfather since childhood and had been writing her own prescriptions since she was seven or eight. In terms of medical skill, she could easily be called a young prodigy. However, she was always busy earning a living in her spare time. Last semester, she had fallen a few points behind Lin Xin, placing second.

Thus, she envied Lin Xin the most—an only child with loving parents, free from financial worries, with plenty of time to study the traditional Chinese medicine she loved, while Feng Xi herself was always hovering on the poverty line.

She went to the janitorial closet and was about to change into her cleaning uniform when Director Sun from the administration department walked in.

"Feng Xi, you don't need to do any cleaning today."

Feng Xi felt a sudden wave of panic. If she lost this job too, she would literally be eating dirt next month.

"Director Sun, did I do something wrong?"

Director Sun waved her hand dismissively. "No, of course not, child. Your work has always put my mind at ease. It's just that a different situation has come up. You don't have to clean anymore. There's a job with fewer hours and higher pay—would you be interested?"

Feng Xi put down the cleaning uniform, her eyes lighting up instantly. "Yes! High pay? How high?"

Director Sun smiled gently. "You'd better discuss that directly with the employer."

Director Sun led Feng Xi to the office. The first person Feng Xi saw sitting on the sofa was Gu Qingchen's assistant from the night before.

"Hello, Feng Xi, we meet again," Ding Wen greeted her naturally. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ding Wen, Mr. Gu's special assistant."

Director Sun pulled Feng Xi over, guiding her to sit on the sofa. "Have a seat and talk. Feng Xi, get all the details. I'll leave you to it; I have other things to attend to."

With that, Director Sun slipped away, leaving Feng Xi alone to face Ding Wen.

Ding Wen got straight to the point. "Here's the situation. Mr. Gu has been doing rehabilitation training lately, and he wants to practice more each day. However, the doctors leave early, so he wants to hire a personal caregiver. Director Sun recommended you to me."

Gu Qingchen's reaction the previous night had already made her suspect whether she resembled someone. Now that they were suddenly asking her to be his caregiver, the answer in her heart became even clearer.

"But Mr. Ding, I don't have any nursing certifications. Perhaps you should look for someone else."

It was the classic tactic of playing hard to get; she wanted to see what was really going on.

"Mr. Gu's requirements aren't strict. Once Director Sun understood this, he recommended you, believing you are fully capable." Ding Wen used Director Sun as leverage.

Feng Xi twisted the hem of her shirt with both hands.

Seeing that Feng Xi was still hesitant, Ding Wen brought out his trump card. "A typical caregiver at the hospital makes eight thousand yuan a month. We are offering double that."

Feng Xi's eyes flickered with interest. "But I'm still a student. I can't be here full-time."

Ding Wen smiled slightly. Seeing that Feng Xi was softening, he pressed his advantage. "Mr. Gu has doctors for his regular rehab sessions. You only need to assist. When Mr. Gu wants to train in the evening, you just need to be by his side."

Feng Xi could hardly believe her luck. If a pie really fell from the sky and landed on her head, it would only be because everyone else had already received one.

Nevertheless, she had to seize this opportunity.

A few days ago, her aunt had called to tell her to take care of herself and be careful. The Lin family father and son owed over a million in gambling debts, and the creditor demanded that Feng Xi marry his son to settle it. The Lins had agreed and even caused a scene at her grandfather's clinic, demanding her university address.

Although her aunt often felt Feng Xi was a burden, she had raised her since she was a year old and still cared for her. Disgusted by the Lin family's shameless behavior, she had secretly warned Feng Xi not to return to the clinic this winter break and to lay low.

If she could look after Gu Qingchen for a month and earn that much money, it was worth a try no matter what. After all, with the money she currently had, even eating a few steamed buns a day had to be carefully budgeted, and buying a packet of pickles was a luxury.

But there was no rush; she could still probe Ding Wen a bit further.

"Mr. Ding, I'm very sorry about what happened last night. I get the impression that Mr. Gu might be somewhat temperamental. As you know, I'm just a work-study student. Dealing with that kind of situation might be a bit too demanding for me."

Ding Wen pushed up his glasses awkwardly. He hadn't expected Feng Xi to be such a tough nut to crack. Her words had practically put him in a corner. She was clever, guessing just enough while saving face for both sides and leaving room for negotiation.

"A bit demanding" meant she could still do it.

Gu Qingchen had instructed him that he must secure Feng Xi. "The patient's mood hasn't been the best lately, which requires some understanding. As compensation, I can offer triple the rate. I hope you can bear with him."

Twenty-four thousand a month. Even if Gu Qingchen were a fierce beast or a mountain of blades, it was well worth the risk. Feng Xi stopped refusing.

After some negotiation, they agreed that according to Feng Xi's class schedule, she would come to work at the hospital whenever she didn't have classes. She could request time off a day in advance, giving her flexible hours.

Although all her spare time would be occupied, the pay was something even a fully graduated Feng Xi could never hope to earn.

When Ding Wen tried to add Feng Xi's contact information, he discovered she was using an old phone that kept freezing. It took forever and still wouldn't open WeChat, so in the end, they just exchanged phone numbers.

***

The ward was on the top floor, a private suite. Feng Xi had never been up here before because accessing the top floor required swiping an access card, and there were security guards stationed there.

Ding Wen pushed open the door, and Feng Xi followed closely behind. Gu Qingchen was being wheeled out by a bodyguard, preparing to go for his rehabilitation training.

Even sitting in a wheelchair, Gu Qingchen's long legs had barely any room, and his broad shoulders looked squeezed into the small chair, making it seem cramped.

The moment he saw Feng Xi, Gu Qingchen's eyes lit up briefly, though the light vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Feng Xi caught that split-second reaction. She was now certain that she must look exactly like his unforgettable past love.

"Mr. Gu, this is the new caregiver, Feng Xi. She's a student at the medical university. I've already sent you her working hours."

Gu Qingchen nodded and extended his left hand. "Hello, Feng Xi. I'm Gu Qingchen."

Feng Xi reached out and lightly clasped his fingers.

Gu Qingchen, however, moved slightly closer, taking her entire hand in his and giving it a firm but gentle squeeze.

His hand was broad, warm, and calloused from training. As it brushed against her fingers, it sent a slight tickle through her.

Feng Xi's hand was ice-cold, not particularly delicate, and even quite firm. Having done farm work and gathered herbs since childhood, her life had never afforded her the luxury of soft, delicate hands.

Though the handshake lasted only a second, it felt much longer to Gu Qingchen. He became even more certain that Feng Xi only resembled Ye Qinghe in appearance. Ye Qinghe's eyes were never so timid, nor were her hands ever this rough.

Feng Xi felt her face flush. Under Gu Qingchen's gaze, she felt deeply uncomfortable. After all, she was only doing this for the money, and she felt the awkwardness of being seen right through.

Fortunately, Gu Qingchen quickly regained his composure. "Let's go. To the rehabilitation room."

With the bodyguard pushing the wheelchair, Ding Wen on the left, and Feng Xi on the right, the four of them filled the entire hallway. Feng Xi felt as though they were in a scene from some foreign film, full of pomp and pretense.