Tomorrow, I will go to the nursing home.

When Qin Baike approached, Xiao Xie waved at him happily and said, "Boss, Sister Yiyi put ear seeds on me, so I won't have to stop working." Qin Baike glanced at her ear, then said to Tang Yiyi, "I'll pay you later for the consultation and treatment." Xiao Xie shook her head repeatedly, "Boss, I'll pay myself. You already gave me my salary." Qin Baike looked at her and nodded, "Alright."

Inside the shop, he told Liu Xin to hurry up and leave. Liu Xin was untying his apron as he replied, "Brother, after tomorrow's exam, summer vacation starts, so I can work straight till closing." Qin Baike nodded, "Mm." Liu Xin came out and smiled at Tang Yiyi, then rode off on his electric scooter. Xiao Xie shouted loudly after him, "Xin, be careful riding!" Liu Xin's voice drifted back faintly, "Okay."

Xiao Xie said, "Xin's face looks much better now. Sister Yiyi, have you noticed he's actually quite handsome?" Tang Yiyi answered as she tidied up the tape and tweezers, "Yes, he's quite handsome." Xiao Xie compared in her mind and added, "But he's still a bit less good-looking than the boss." Tang Yiyi suppressed a smile, "Who do you like more?" Xiao Xie said, "They're both nice to me—I like them both."

"You can't be so greedy, pick one," Tang Yiyi teased. Xiao Xie giggled, "Sister Yiyi, you're just playing with me. I know, the boss won't let me date yet. He said if I dare date now, he'll send me back home. I'm not going home! But what about your boyfriend? Do you have a picture? Let me take a look." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at Tang Yiyi.

Tang Yiyi took out her phone and found a selfie of herself and her boyfriend. It was from Li Huan's birthday in January; the trainee doctors at 518518 had gathered at a hot pot restaurant to celebrate, and those with boyfriends brought them along. In the photo, the two smiled happily, his face close to hers in a tender gesture. But now, with the distance between them, he no longer wanted to talk. In the past month, their exchanges amounted to a few brief messages. She called him twice, hoping for a real conversation, but he always hurriedly hung up. Thinking of him left Tang Yiyi feeling heavy-hearted.

Xiao Xie looked at the photo. "He's not very handsome, not as good-looking as Xin." Qin Baike came over with a bowl, took the phone from Xiao Xie and handed it back to Tang Yiyi. He said to Xiao Xie, "Get to work." Xiao Xie stuck out her tongue and skipped away.

Qin Baike set the bowl in front of Tang Yiyi. "Ice jelly!" Tang Yiyi exclaimed in delight. "Xiao Xie made it herself this afternoon from ice jelly seeds." Tang Yiyi took a sip, savoring the smooth texture. "So tender and silky." Qin Baike said, "She's definitely suited to be a chef. For the sake of food, no matter how much effort, she never feels tired." Tang Yiyi finished it in one go, smacking her lips. "Summer nights and ice jelly—a perfect match."

Watching her satisfied expression, Qin Baike asked, "There's more. Want some?" "Yes," Tang Yiyi replied, handing him the bowl. He took the empty bowl and went to the fridge, scooped another serving, added brown sugar, and brought it to her.

Tang Yiyi drank as she asked, "When is Auntie going back to the nursing home?" "Tomorrow." "So soon?" "She only came back these past two days because her primary caregiver had to take leave. Tomorrow she'll return. Her rhinitis is worse now, more likely to cause asthma. The nursing home is in the bamboo sea, the air is good, and she hasn't had any attacks since going there." "Oh." "Come with me tomorrow to see her off. I'll show you the mountain—it's beautiful." "I'd love to. I've never seen the bamboo sea. But will your noodle shop manage without you?" "Liu Xin finishes his exam tomorrow and starts vacation. With Uncle Chen there, the three of them can handle it, as long as we don't do deliveries. We'll leave in the afternoon, spend the night at the nursing home, and return after lunch the day after."

"Alright, I'll let Master know tomorrow."

After her morning run, Tang Yiyi, as usual, saw Xu Bin leaning against the door frame smoking. But today he was clearly waiting for her. When she jogged up, he nodded, looked to make sure no one else was around, and said, "I don't want my family to know about Xiaoxiao and me just yet." "Why not? Xiaoxiao is such a good girl—Master would definitely like her." Xu Bin gave a wry smile. "Especially can't let Dad find out." "What would happen if he did?" "I don't know—maybe a volcanic eruption." "Corpses everywhere? Not a blade of grass left?" Tang Yiyi grinned and bared her teeth. "He'd burn himself out." "Does Master have high blood pressure?" "No." "That's good. You'll have to tell him eventually." "Sigh—the later, the better."

Shengshitang opened for business as usual, and Tang Yiyi told Xu Mingtang she would be accompanying Qin Baike to take his mother back to the nursing home. Xu Mingtang nodded, asking her to check out the nursing home as well; several of his old friends were looking for a summer retreat. At lunch, he handed Tang Yiyi her first month's intern salary. She accepted it with both hands, overjoyed—she was finally earning her own money.