The Enhanced Doctor-Chapter 516 Hehe Beautiful Group Garden Meal

From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, both the Emergency Center and the Second Hospital were relatively relaxed.

The New Year holiday did have some benefits; at least there were fewer brawls during the New Year festivities. The streets were also quiet, and there were fewer traffic accidents.

The Emergency Center officially began their compensatory leave. After all, they had been busy for quite a while, and now was the time for people to gradually return or start their shifts.

"You’ve all worked hard. I’ll bring something tasty for everyone tomorrow," Liu Banxia called out, then dashed towards his Audi Car, which had been parked for a long time.

He really never got a chance to drive it, other than occasionally warming up the engine.

Zhou Shuwen was back now. This time his holiday was a bit longer, a day and a half; he only had to be back at work on the morning of the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.

His heart had long since flown home. Even if this home was Qiaoqiao’s house, it was still *his* home. He wouldn’t mind if people said he was living off her; what else could bother him?

As soon as he drove into Linyu Villa, he saw Qiaoqiao holding Tang Dou’s leash and Qiu Mingyuan holding Tiggie’s, waiting for him outside.

"WOOF, WOOF, WOOF... WOOF, WOOF, WOOF..."

Tang Dou barked happily when it saw Liu Banxia’s arm sticking out of the car window.

"It’s freezing out! Why are you waiting outside? They both have their fur coats, but you two have nothing," Liu Banxia said after parking the car.

"Do you really think I’d be so eager to see you that I’d wait out here in the freezing cold? For half an hour! Oh my god," Qiu Mingyuan lamented, looking up at the sky.

"Hmph, still sulking? Hold Tang Dou’s leash; I’m going in for a warm hug," Qiaoqiao said, thrusting the leash into Qiu Mingyuan’s hand and running towards Liu Banxia.

"Tsk, tsk, young people these days."

Watching the two of them hugging and spinning around, Qiu Mingyuan could only sigh.

What could he do? For now, he could only walk the dogs and endure their public displays of affection.

Fortunately, the two weren’t completely swept away by happiness; they knew a crowd was waiting for them inside. Otherwise, who knows how long those two would have been lovey-dovey out there.

"Banxia, come here, let me introduce you. This is Auntie Tong, whom you should address as Qiaoqiao does. This is Qiaoqiao’s younger brother; you can call him Xiaoyu," Qiao Xuezhi said, pulling him along as soon as he stepped inside, before he even took off his coat.

"Hello, Auntie Tong. I’ve often heard Uncle Qiao mention you; it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Xiaoyu, you’re quite tall! Though, I don’t have any New Year’s money for you; you’ll have to get that from your sister," Liu Banxia quickly replied.

"You look so vibrant; no wonder Qiaoqiao fell for you at first sight. It’s warm inside; quickly take off your coat, and I’ll put it away. Xiaoyu, greet him!" Tong Lili urged.

After arriving, she had only just heard from Comrade Old Qiao that the credit for Qiaoqiao temporarily accepting her went to this yet-to-be-met son-in-law. Even if she had harbored some ulterior motives when she married Old Qiao years ago, those feelings had faded with time.

"Hello, Brother-in-law," Qiao Yu also quickly greeted him.

"Haha, this is the first time someone has formally called me brother-in-law. Honey, we need to give him some New Year’s money, quick! I don’t have any cash," Liu Banxia said, laughing.

"Who are you calling honey? I can’t be bothered with you."

Even Qiaoqiao, usually so formidable, seemed to be running on low power after Liu Banxia’s words. She tossed out a reply and, face flushed red, slipped away to one side.

"Catch your breath, have some water, and then we’ll start dinner," Qiao Xuezhi said contentedly.

"Why haven’t you all eaten yet? What are you waiting for me for? I just need a bite," Liu Banxia said.

"I said the same, but Old Qiao insisted you had to be here before we could start," Liu Qingdong said.

"Isn’t that the truth? In Old Qiao’s eyes these days, who else is there besides you, his wonderful son-in-law?" Qiu Huaili chimed in from the side.

"Well, look, you’re not working tomorrow, are you? Banxia, tonight we have to drink properly and make up for the toasts we missed on New Year’s Eve," Qiao Xuezhi said.

"What are you stirring things up for? He could drink all of you under the table. Everyone just drink a little; it’s the thought that counts," Qiaoqiao interjected again from the side.

"Okay, my daughter is giving orders; I have to listen," Qiao Xuezhi said gleefully.

Without the previous estrangement, this felt like a real family. Even though Qiaoqiao was managing him, he felt delighted inside.

"Brother Qiu, Sister-in-law, my New Year greetings are a bit late," Liu Banxia said.

"Late is late. You’re not expecting New Year’s money too, are you?" Qiu Huaili teased.

"Haha, let’s put it this way: if you dare to give it, I dare to take it. After all, I’m Ming Yuan’s and Doudou’s big brother; what do I have to fear?" Liu Banxia retorted, not missing a beat.

Everyone laughed. They couldn’t do much about the confusing way they addressed each other; they just went with the flow.

The dishes were prepared with perfect timing. After they chatted for a few minutes and Liu Banxia had a sip of water, dinner began.

Once Liu Banxia sat down, Qiaoqiao plunked a large plate of sweet and sour pork ribs in front of him. Needless to say, this was her culinary creation.

No wonder she disappeared just now; it turns out she ran off to the kitchen.

"Of all the years, this New Year is the liveliest. We can speak freely, and we’ve truly enjoyed the fun of the New Year," Qiu Huaili said.

"Old Qiao, even though this is Qiaoqiao’s house, I’ll say what’s on my mind. Without Banxia and Qiaoqiao, our group wouldn’t have come together."

"Old Qiu, let me tell you, if it weren’t for Xian’s excellent cooking, who would want to hang out with you? You can just go do your own thing," Qiao Xuezhi retorted.

"I’m okay with these small dishes, but for stews, that’s really Big Sister Peng and Sister Tong’s expertise," Wang Jingxian added.

"I only know how to stew a chicken. As for things like your crabs and that lobster, I’m just happy to eat them," Peng Xiuqin also chimed in.

"Then what am I supposed to do? I’ve only just learned how to make sweet and sour pork ribs," Qiaoqiao fretted.

"It’s okay. With so many good cooks here, our job is the same as Doudou’s – we just need to know how to eat, and that’s enough," Liu Banxia said.

"Hug... hug..." Doudou, sitting across from Liu Banxia, stretched out her little hands.

Who told you to say my name? If you say it, I’m going to make a fuss! I don’t care if you’re eating or what you’re doing!

"You just play here. If you go over there, you’ll just cause trouble," Wang Jingxian said.

"It’s fine, let her sit next to me. I miss this little tyke too. Ever since Tiggie arrived, she’s abandoned me," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"If you’re so fond of children, hurry up and have one of your own," Qiu Huaili teased.

"And don’t you laugh. Qiaoqiao and I will work on it. If we have a boy, we’ll have him marry Doudou when they grow up," Liu Banxia said with a grin.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Eat your ribs," Qiaoqiao said, glaring at him.

Everyone burst into laughter; this young couple was quite amusing. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Our Banxia is truly fortunate to have met Qiaoqiao. Otherwise, with the kind of job he has now, who would willingly build a life with him?" Peng Xiuqin remarked after they had been eating for a while.

"Frankly, I agree with that. Even though Banxia is my brother, and his adoptive parents are here, I still have to say a couple of things," Qiu Huaili said.

"I used to have no idea what a doctor’s job was really like. I thought they just showed up at a certain time, sat behind a desk, asked a few cursory questions, and then sent patients off for tests. Then, when it was time to clock out, they’d leisurely head home."

"What’s so hard about that? It seemed like I could be a doctor too if I just knew how to read reports. But it’s not like that at all; there are so many intricacies involved."

"Whether it was that time he drove the operating table right to the hospital entrance, or taking that child’s organs all out and putting them back in, that’s hardly just reading a report."

"But because of that, he has even less time. This time, he hasn’t been home for nearly a month, right? Qiaoqiao still has to go to the hospital to see you. And she doesn’t dare go too often, for fear of gossip."

Liu Banxia nodded. "Surgeons are all this busy, not to mention I’m currently the chief resident. Once I’m done with this role, things should ease up a little. Although I can’t guarantee I’ll be home on time every day, I should still have more chances to come home."

"From what my mentor says, he plans for me to formally take charge of the Emergency Center’s education and training program in the future. I might get an assistant director or deputy director position then, right? But nothing’s set in stone yet."

"This is great news! We have to drink to that," Qiao Xuezhi said.

They were all family, so even Qiaoqiao raised her glass and took a sip with them.

"Banxia, there’s something else I need to tell you and Qiaoqiao," Liu Qingdong said after putting down his glass.

"When the Civil Affairs Bureau reopens, you and Qiaoqiao should find some time to register your marriage first. As for when to hold the wedding this year, we’ll let your in-laws make the arrangements."

Liu Banxia said nothing, turning his head to look at Qiaoqiao.

"Why are you looking at me? Uncle is talking to you," Qiaoqiao said, flustered.

"Well, I can’t exactly go and get it done by myself, can I?" Liu Banxia said.

"Have another rib," Qiaoqiao said, picking up another piece for him.

Actually, getting the marriage certificate had been planned for a while, but Liu Banxia had been so busy that it kept getting delayed until now.

This was a matter formally decided by the elders of both families, so it had to be carried out without question.

Although Liu Banxia ate very well in the hospital cafeteria and wasn’t particularly picky about food and drink—he was used to it; having a hot, filling meal was a wonderful thing in itself.

But today was different. Today, he was surrounded by familiar people, everyone gathered around one table for a meal, and the atmosphere was incredibly good.

The fifth day of the Lunar New Year is also considered a small festival in Chinese tradition, known as ’Po Wu’ (Breaking the Fifth). Although it wasn’t the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner, Liu Banxia felt a similar celebratory atmosphere.

Today, he truly let loose. With so many capable hands at the hospital, he had nothing to worry about. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think that the Emergency Center couldn’t function at all without him; that was impossible.

One delicious dish followed another. Doudou, sitting nearby, watched with wide eyes, a bit dumbfounded. She didn’t understand what all this was about; she just saw them constantly putting food into their mouths.

Later in the meal, Qiaoqiao was the one picking out food for him while he chatted with everyone else.

Old Qiao felt a twinge of wistfulness watching this. His own daughter had never taken care of him so attentively. Even though this was the son-in-law he approved of, he still felt a little pang of jealousy.