217: SESSION (PART 4)

SESSION (PART 4)

"Congratulations, Lin. You always know how to make me proud." Professor Ivanov patted her back.

"…" Xue Lin wiped her sweats. 'I'm feeling exhausted. Why do I have to apply so much concentration? Sigh! It's as hard as driving the car and playing the piano.'

She looked at Professor Ivanov and stated, "I passed. You owe me lunch, Professor."

Professor Ivanov was pleased with her result. He told her, "Let's change the plan. You said your husband is here. I'll invite you two for dinner in the restaurant you always wanted to eat at. How's that sound?"

Xue Lin replied, "As long as I get to eat, I'm in."

Professor Ivanov smirked. 'I never fail to understand my students.'

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"Dinner with your professor?" Ge Chen was reading a newspaper. When Xue Lin mentioned the dinner invitation, he gently folded the newspaper and then turned toward her. "What's the occasion?"

"Nothing much. I just passed a test which he thought was impossible for me."

"Is that true? Congratulations!"

"Thank you."

"Did he discourage you?"

"So what did he do? As long as you want to do something from your heart, you will always find a way to get it done."

"You are always right. When is dinner?"

"Tomorrow night? Are you free?"

"I sure am."

"Excellent." After thinking about something, Xue Lin added, "Professor always says nonsense. Don't believe every word he says."

"??" Ge Chen was confused but didn't ask further. He understood what she meant after meeting Professor Ivanov the next day.

"When I first saw Lin, I knew she would one day will become my disciple. I know for sure she will take my place after I retire," Professor Ivanov proudly complimented his student in front of her (Xue Lin) husband. 

Ge Chen looked at his wife. "Are you taking his place when he retires?" He spoke unhurriedly, but his eyes held interest.

"Don't worry about that now. It'll take another fifteen years for him to retire." Xue Lin took a mouthful of soup.

Professor Ivanov thought of something and said, "Oh, there is a story you may not know, Chen. Listen, there was one time when I sent my team to the nightclub to make them read people's behavior and write a report about it.

"My students are all adults. I thought there wouldn't be a problem if I sent them. Later, one of them called me late at night and told me that Lin was in danger. I thought something bad had happened and went to the bar.

"I went there, I saw that Lin took the mic from the DJ and lectured everyone present there. Her topic was 'value of time'. The guards almost came to attack her, but when they heard her voice, they didn't do anything. Some people got mad at her and then she was kicked out.

"The next day, some people gathered around our department saying they wanted Lin to be their advisor and counselor. That's how she got her first group of clients. Haha! They were all from the nightclub and they are now great."

Xue Lin's face turned slightly red. She lowered her head and paid attention to her meal.

Ge Chen stared at his wife for a while and then said, "I had no doubt about her capability."

Professor Ivanov's sharp eyes stayed at Ge Chen's face. "You are a wise man, Chen. I hope you don't wall in Lin's bright future. She needs someone who will become her stairs to the bright future."

While giving Ge Chen a warning, he thought, 'I heard many Asian men don't support their wives and treat them horribly. I hope this boy can treat Lin better. If he doesn't, that would be a shame.'

Ge Chen realized what he was thinking. He smiled suddenly in response. "I know, professor. No matter what path she takes, I will support her decision."

"I know you will." Professor Ivanov smiled at him. "Lin already told me how you supported her. Thank you for staying by her side when she needed someone."

Ge Chen calmly stated, "I knew her for some time. I knew how talented she was. It would be wasted on the person she was going to marry. I had to step. I'm glad I made that decision at that time. I will never regret it."

"I hope so," Professor Ivanov mysteriously remarked.

"…" Ge Chen stared at him, trying to figure out what he meant.

"This dish is the tastiest thing I've ever had," Xue Lin butted in between their conversation. "Have some." She served the meal to her husband and the professor.

Ge Chen took one piece of lobster in his mouth and commented, "It is indeed delicious."

Professor Ivanov was elated after he was able to impress both of them. He stated, "The best meal in the restaurant. Lin wanted to eat here but she suddenly left. I thought it would be the best place to celebrate her success."

Xue Lin remarked, "I wish I could eat this every day. If only I could get the recipe…"

Before she could finish, someone spoke, "You can eat all you want, Lin. But when are you coming to my place?"

"!!!" Xue Lin heard a familiar voice, and her body froze. Slowly, she turned around and saw a fifty-eight year old man standing right behind her. His white beard covered his Russian face. "Dr. Romanoff! It has been a while."

Dr. Romanoff stated, "It has been months, Lin. You are supposed to have your teeth checked in once every three weeks." Then, he looked at Professor Ivanov. "Professor, how could you let your student roam around with a cavity?"

Professor helplessly shook his head. "Doctor, don't start. She never listens to anyone."

Xue Lin frowned. She couldn't help complaining, "That's a very rude thing to say, considering I hardly do anything when you forbid me to."

Professor Ivanov refuted, "That's not true. If you want to be obedient, stay in Germany and never go back to China."

Xue Lin couldn't use any shield to protect herself. "…I guess disobedience is my middle name. Please start calling me Xue disobedient Lin. I think it suits it."

"I hardly think so." Professor Ivanov frowned.  'She hardly listens to me. If I add this name, she won't listen to me no matter what I say.'

Xue Lin looked at her husband who had a conflicted expression, "Chen, let me introduce you to my dentist, Dr. Romanoff. Dr. Romanoff, this is my husband Ge Chen."

Dr. Romanoff was astounded. "Goodness! You are married, Lin? The last person I thought would get married on earth was you! When did that happen?"

Xue Lin waved her hand, not trying to talk about this here. "A lot happened. I'll visit you tomorrow and tell you everything."

"Sure, I don't mind. Nice to meet you, Chen. Please treat her well." Dr. Romanoff stretched out his hand.

His friendly manner made the composed Ge Chen relax a bit. He shook hands with him. "Dr. Romanoff, it's nice to meet you too. Thank you for taking care of my wife all this time."

"I'll leave now. I have a date with my two adorable granddaughters. Sorry to bother you. Come to meet me tomorrow, Chen. I have free time in the morning," Dr. Romanoff invited him.

"We will come in the morning," Ge Chen promised. After the dentist left, he glanced at his wife. He commented, "They treat you well."

Xue Lin scoffed, "Now you know why I hated it in China."

"…" Ge Chen was tongue-tied. In his heart, he admitted, 'I do understand. The way Lin was treated by her family, she would rather choose to stay away and have a healthy life than go back to China.'

'Is he upset after what I said? Should I say something different?' Xue Lin thought after seeing his poker expression. She said, "Don't worry, things became different after I got married."

A thin light glowed in Ge Chen's eyes. "Is that so?"

Xue Lin vigorously nodded. "Yes, I jumped from an oily pan to the fire. I'm not single anymore. Every time I want to do something, I have to think that I have a husband; that I need to restrain myself."

Ge Chen was stunned. He took his time to digest her words. "What do you want to do that makes you think of your marriage first?"

Xue Lin responded while slicing the beef, "Dating and eating competition with a boyfriend. I had a dream. If I lost against a man in an eating competition, I would marry him. It was crushed thanks to my family. And I was really naïve to believe them."

She was so engrossed with her meal that she let her mouth loose. She didn't even notice it.2

Professor Ivanov slightly coughed and covered his mouth with a handkerchief. He hid his smile while pretending to wipe his mouth.

Ge Chen didn't talk for a long time. He was thinking of something. "…Why don't we have an eating competition?"

Xue Lin paused eating and turned toward him. "Really? Can you handle it?" Her tone expressed that she didn't believe him. "There is a high chance you will vomit or get sick. I don't want either to happen to you. That will be terrible."

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