Jiang Fei was a man of contradictions. Though he had a naturally lazy disposition, he had never been one to sleep in. This habit had been ingrained in him since childhood, thanks to his strict grandfather, who had raised him with a firm hand. Even during his university days, while his dorm mates—including the two top students—would sleep in until well past ten on mornings without classes, Jiang Fei was always up by 7:30 AM, heading out for a run and never skipping breakfast.
This morning was no different. After waking up early, Jiang Fei made his way to the small wooden hut by the pond. He flipped the switches to turn on the three aerators, and soon, the surface of the water came alive with splashes, like miniature fountains. The fish, now noticeably larger, rose to the surface to gulp in the oxygen-rich water. Unbothered by Jiang Fei’s presence, they continued their morning ritual—a sight unique to summer mornings.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh countryside air, Jiang Fei jogged a couple of laps around the pond, feeling invigorated. By the time he returned to the villa, he was ready to prepare breakfast.
The meal was simple yet satisfying: a hearty porridge made with lean pork and greens, accompanied by a few carefully pickled side dishes and some savory cured meat. These were staples Jiang Fei kept stocked both in his rented apartment in Jin City and here in the countryside villa.
As the aroma of the porridge filled the kitchen, Lin Moli descended the stairs. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she was dressed in a light, gauzy nightgown, her feet slipped into casual slippers. She looked completely at home, as if she were the lady of the house, entirely unselfconscious about her attire in front of Jiang Fei.
This wasn’t a sign of immodesty on Lin Moli’s part. In fact, she was usually quite meticulous about her appearance in public, always careful to avoid any accidental exposure when bending or crouching. But around Jiang Fei, she let her guard down. Women, after all, only drop their defenses around men they truly care for. And while Jiang Fei might have thought he was being subtle when his eyes lingered on her figure, Lin Moli was well aware—she just chose not to call him out on it.
Lin Moli walked over to where Jiang Fei was chopping vegetables, inhaling the rich scent of the porridge. “Mmm~~~ it smells amazing! Jiang Fei, living with you is such a joy!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight.
Lin Moli was tall and slender, with a graceful figure that belied her height. Standing at 172 cm and weighing less than 50 kg, she was anything but bulky. Her narrow shoulders contrasted with her fuller hips, a feature Jiang Fei’s grandmother had once remarked made her “ideal for bearing children,” predicting she’d give birth to a son if Jiang Fei ever married her.
“Why are you still in your pajamas? Aren’t you coming back to Jin City with me today?” Jiang Fei asked, his gaze inadvertently drifting to Lin Moli’s hips and the smooth, fair legs peeking out from beneath her nightgown.
“The clinic’s closed today, and you’re just going to your alma mater to recruit doctors. What’s the point of me going back? I’d rather spend the day relaxing here in Daocun,” Lin Moli replied, stretching lazily.
With the summer heat in full swing, Jin City was a sweltering mess, and even air conditioning couldn’t make it entirely comfortable. In contrast, Daocun was like a natural oasis, with its cool, refreshing air.
“Alright, suit yourself,” Jiang Fei said with a shrug. He placed the side dishes on the table, and Lin Moli brought over two bowls of porridge. They sat down to enjoy their breakfast together.
Even without a trace of makeup—not even a hint of eyebrow pencil—Lin Moli’s beauty was undeniable. Her skin was as flawless as a teenager’s, and her features were exquisitely delicate. Yet, sitting beside her, Jiang Fei couldn’t help but notice a subtle, intoxicating fragrance emanating from her. It wasn’t the scent of perfume or body wash—it was something uniquely her own, faint but utterly captivating.
As a culinary master, Jiang Fei had a keen sense of smell and could discern even the subtlest of aromas. This made him all the more aware of Lin Moli’s natural scent. “Does she have some kind of natural body fragrance?” he wondered silently. Of course, he wouldn’t dare ask her directly—it would have been far too awkward.
After breakfast, Lin Moli cleared the dishes while Jiang Fei got ready to head back to Jin City. He drove straight to Jin City Medical University, his alma mater.
Though not a top-tier institution like the 985 or 211 universities, Jin City Medical University was among the best of the second-tier schools. Its seven-year integrated bachelor’s and master’s programs, particularly in acupuncture and tuina, as well as integrated Chinese and Western medicine, were highly regarded. Graduates from these programs were generally well-trained and competent, far from being mere “quacks.”
This was one of the reasons Jiang Fei had chosen to recruit from his alma mater—though nostalgia certainly played a part as well.
By the time Jiang Fei arrived at the university, it was just before 10 AM. He drove straight to the parking lot in front of the administration building.
At this hour, the campus was just coming to life. Many students were still rolling out of bed, while others were catching up on sleep after pulling all-nighters gaming. Though it wasn’t class dismissal time, Jiang Fei could see students hurrying across the campus with books in hand, some sprinting as if their lives depended on it. He knew the drill all too well—these students were likely rushing to class after receiving last-minute texts about attendance checks.
There were also couples strolling out of the lecture halls, clearly having skipped class early. The sight brought a smile to Jiang Fei’s face, as memories of his own university days came flooding back. He, too, had been one of those students who relied on his dorm mates to cover for him during roll calls.
“Ah, those were the days,” Jiang Fei mused, heading toward the administration building.
Though it had been a year since his last visit, Jiang Fei still knew his way around the campus. He made his way to Room 403 on the fourth floor of the building—the office of Tian Shanshan, his former academic advisor.
When Jiang Fei knocked and entered, Tian Shanshan immediately stood up from his desk, a warm smile spreading across his face. A bespectacled man in his fifties, Tian Shanshan was nearing retirement after decades of guiding students.
“Jiang Fei! It’s been a while. Come in, come in!” Tian Shanshan greeted him enthusiastically.
The office was relatively spacious, but aside from Tian Shanshan, it was empty. Unlike high schools, where every teacher had their own office, university faculty typically shared spaces or worked from home. Only advisors and administrative staff had dedicated offices, and even they weren’t always around. Today, however, Tian Shanshan had made a point to be there after Jiang Fei’s call.
“Professor Tian, you haven’t aged a bit,” Jiang Fei said with a grin, the years melting away as he reminisced about his university days.
“Oh, I’m getting old. After this batch of students, I’ll probably retire,” Tian Shanshan replied, waving off the compliment. He gestured for Jiang Fei to take a seat on the sofa. “Let me make you some tea.”
“No need, Professor Tian. I’m already imposing by asking for your help with recruitment. Please, don’t go out of your way. Just treat me like the student who used to get called into your office for failing exams,” Jiang Fei said with a laugh.
Tian Shanshan chuckled, the familiarity of their banter easing any lingering awkwardness. They chatted for a few minutes before a young woman with a gentle, scholarly demeanor entered the room.
“Professor Tian, the students from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine are waiting in the conference room,” she informed him.
Tian Shanshan nodded and turned to Jiang Fei. “Shall we head over? The conditions you’re offering are quite attractive, so even the top students from the integrated programs are interested.”
“Let’s go,” Jiang Fei said, standing up. He followed Tian Shanshan out of the office, ready to meet the next generation of medical talent.