Chapter 2 — The Day My Boyfriend Got Engaged, I Revealed My True Identity

Every administrative formality was handled with unexpected swiftness. Once the handover procedures were fully completed, I invited a few of my closest colleagues out for a farewell meal. Knowing that I was on the verge of leaving the hospital for good, one of my peers chuckled and nudged me playfully.

Qing Dao, you handled your resignation with such absolute finality. Could it be that those internet stories are actually true, and you are truly going home to inherit a vast fortune?

I did not deny it. I gently set my water glass down on the polished wooden table and nodded with complete, unyielding seriousness.

Indeed. I must return to claim my family inheritance.

The entire table fell silent for a few lingering seconds. Then, without warning, everyone burst into synchronized laughter. Not a single soul at the table believed that I was speaking the truth. In their eyes, I was merely an ordinary physician hailing from a humble rural province. The notion that I might suddenly transform into the precious heiress of an elite, aristocratic family sounded no more believable than a whimsical fairy tale. I merely curved the corners of my lips and smiled along with them, offering no further explanation.

After the meal concluded, I returned to the hospital to gather all of my personal belongings, neatly packing them into a sturdy cardboard box before bringing them back to the apartment. When I unlocked the front door and stepped inside, Qin Mo Xuan was standing quietly in the living room. He had just raised a glass of water to his lips. Upon catching sight of the box cradled in my arms, his movements instantly froze. His dark gaze swept briefly over the miscellaneous items resting inside.

Are you beginning your paid leave today?

Unwilling to become entangled in a long and tedious explanation, I merely offered a soft nod. Without another word, I cradled the box against my chest and walked steadily toward the bedroom.

Wait a moment.

Qin Mo Xuan abruptly placed his glass down and strode quickly across the room to block my path. He stood squarely in the doorway, cutting off my way.

In the past, you always said that simply stepping into the operating theater every single day brought you genuine happiness. Why on earth are you suddenly resigning now, and with such abruptness?

I raised my eyes to meet his. Slowly, the corners of my mouth curved upward.

Because I still have a far more important task to accomplish.

What task could that possibly be? he asked immediately.

I replied in a voice scarcely louder than a whisper, A secret.

Qin Mo Xuan did not harbor the slightest suspicion. Perhaps he assumed that I was once again preparing a thoughtful gift or a romantic surprise specifically for him. The tense lines on his handsome face rapidly softened and smoothed away.

Actually, you should have resigned long ago.

He gazed down at me, his eyes still holding that familiar, deeply ingrained warmth.

The workload in the Department of Surgery is simply too exhausting. Day after day, you followed me from one grueling operation to the next, sometimes standing inside the operating room for more than ten consecutive hours. Every single time I watched you grow so fatigued that you could not even manage to swallow a proper meal, my heart ached for you.

He spoke my name with an aching tenderness, Qing Dao, even if you never practice medicine again for the rest of your life, I am fully capable of supporting you.

I have no need for that.

I stared directly into his eyes, ensuring every single syllable was enunciated with crystal clarity.

I do not need you to support me. Nor do I ever wish to become someone who depends entirely on another human being for survival.

Qin Mo Xuan fell silent, studying me with a heavy, unreadable expression for a long, quiet moment.

How could you ever be described as dependent?

Unwilling to listen to any more of his sweet, placating words, I proactively changed the subject.

Are you not busy today? Why did you return home so early?

Failing to perceive the chilling distance embedded in my tone, Qin Mo Xuan stepped a fraction closer.

I have been overwhelmingly busy lately, leaving me with almost zero time to spend in your company. I was genuinely afraid that you might be feeling unhappy, so I purposely rearranged my entire schedule, reserving today exclusively to take you out.

With that, he extended his arms wide, as if preparing to pull me into an embrace.

Qing Dao, today you may go wherever your heart desires. Whatever you wish to do, I will be right there beside you.

His gaze remained an exact mirror of the one he had worn five full years ago—gentle, infinitely patient, and brimming with indulgence. Had I been the foolish woman I once was, merely hearing these heartfelt words would undoubtedly have moved me to tears, instantly washing away every grievance and loneliness I had harbored. Qin Mo Xuan was widely regarded as the most brilliant physician at Mingde Hospital. Though young, his surgical calendar was perpetually packed to the brim. There were days when he labored well past midnight, so relentlessly busy that he barely found a moment to swallow a glass of water, let alone enjoy a proper meal. For a man of his stature to voluntarily carve out an entire day exclusively for me used to be more than enough to convince me that I held a paramount position within his heart.

Yet, standing here now and gazing at the familiar face before me, my mind was haunted only by the guest list resting inside his private study. Was he truly as busy with life-saving surgeries as he claimed? Or was he merely occupied with preparations for his impending engagement to another? I could not comprehend how a man was capable of calmly discussing marriage plans with one woman while returning home to hold me tightly and insist that I remained his greatest love. A multitude of volatile questions surged upward, pressing against my throat. All it would take was a single open breath, and I could have torn down the facade and exposed every deceit.

Yet, in the end, I forced every single word back down.

There was no longer any point. I would only be lingering here for a few more days. Once all matters were settled, I would pack my bags, depart from Nan City forever, and vanish completely from the canvas of his life.

I deftly slipped out from the circle of Qin Mo Xuan’s arms. My gaze drifted toward the framed photographs that crowded an entire corner of the living room walls.

Qin Mo Xuan, let us spend the afternoon tidying up the apartment.

He looked slightly taken aback. Without pausing, I continued.

There is simply too much clutter accumulated in this home. Whatever no longer holds any genuine value ought to be discarded.

Without a second thought, a bright smile bloomed across his face.

Your wish is my command, Madam Qin.

Qin Mo Xuan retrieved a large, heavy-duty trash bag. Together, the two of us set to work clearing out the apartment. At first, he remained cheerful, enthusiastically assisting me in sorting through various belongings. However, it took very little time for him to realize that the items I was ruthlessly selecting to throw away were by no means mere worthless junk.

The very first item destined for the bin was the elegant fountain pen he had gifted me on our very first official date. Following closely behind was the handmade ceramic mug we had molded together with our own hands on our third anniversary.