At that moment, Chris felt a sense of being abandoned by the whole world. He felt quite aggrieved.
Angie looked at her son in this way, and Chris looked back at his mother.
After a while, Chris said, "I want to take a break this year. There aren't many patients who have made appointments recently. I haven't been to Sapphire City since Christina gave birth. Let's go together this time."
Angie replied, "No need to force yourself. We won't be away for many days, and if you have work, that's more important. Don't make it seem like I'm pressuring you to come."
Chris looked at his mother with a determined gaze and said, "I'm doing this voluntarily."
Angie nodded naturally. "Alright then. If you want to go, go ahead. I didn't pressure you. Just a reminder, if there are patients, you won't be able to go to Athana at any time."
Chris replied, "I know. I'll arrange things in advance. I'm heading to the hospital now."
Just back from the hospital, Chris went out again to arrange work again. When he returned home later, he still had to pack his suitcase. He was unaware that Angie and the others had never planned to abandon him.
After the door closed, Stella heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Oh my, we waited for more than an hour for Chris to come back. I almost couldn't wait any longer."
It wasn't that Chris coincidentally came home just as they were about to leave. Instead, Angie and the others had set up the scene in advance by bringing down the suitcases.
The reason they did this was to deceive Chris so that he would tag along voluntarily.
Stella raised her hand in mid-air. Angie understood and high-fived her daughter. This was the first time they had reached an agreement. It was considered a success.
"I don't believe he wouldn't fall for it. I knew he wanted to go just by the way he behaved every day. But if I forced him, your brother's rebellious spirit would kick in, suspecting I had some ulterior motive. I have to deal with him in reverse now."
Angie spoke with special insight, explaining one tactic after another.
Internally, Stella thought, 'Is Mom some evil empress who time-traveled here?'
Meanwhile, at Yamin Hospital.
As Kimble was about to go home, he saw Chris returning to the hospital. He looked puzzled, and he halted and asked Chris, "What's going on? Didn't you leave already? Why are you back?"
Turning back, he trailed after Chris and chattered non-stop. "Did you forget something? Let's go for lunch together. You're alone anyway. Let's go together."
In a hurry, Chris replied without much thought, "No time, I'm busy, go play somewhere else."
Kimble smiled and asked, "You're not in a relationship. What are you busy with?"
But when Kimble heard Chris discussing things with the hospital management while standing by the door, he was stunned.
It was astonishing for someone who always considered surgeries a matter of paramount to hand over several surgeries to someone else and then head to Sapphire City.
After finishing his instructions, Chris came out and went to his consultation room to tidy up. He also locked the door. His close friend, Kimble, unable to contain the curiosity bubbling inside, caught up and asked, "Aren't you someone who prioritizes work? Why did you hand over the surgeries to other doctors this time to visit your sister for Christmas? What's going on?"
Chris lowered his head and tidied up his desk. "I didn't go to see my sister when she gave birth. This time, I can go and visit her."
Kimble rubbed his nose, feeling the credibility of this statement was about ten percent. He asked, "Why do I find it so hard to believe?"
"I don't care if you believe it or not." Chris's office was simple. He finished tidying up in no time. "I'm leaving. No time to chat with you."
Kimble followed behind Chris. Even if he didn't believe it, he didn't continue asking. He knew Chris wouldn't disclose something he didn't want to talk about. He would rather take secrets to the grave.
An hour later, when Chris stepped into the Yamin family villa again, Angie, Stella, and even Charlie were leisurely eating fruit and watching variety shows in the living room. It was rare for Charlie to be watching with them too.
Chris felt strangely out of place as if he didn't quite belong there.
Perhaps he needed to do a DNA test to check if he was related to them.
Noticing the movement at the door, even though no one turned, they all knew who had come in. Nobody said anything. Chris said, "I'll go upstairs to organize my clothes."
Angie replied, "Okay."
After her elder brother went upstairs, Stella glanced at the stairs. After making sure Chris wouldn't come down for a while, she leaned forward a bit and asked quietly, "Mom, does Chris's behavior mean I'll have a sister-in-law soon?"
Angie maintained her composure and retained a reserved attitude. She said, "Maybe, don't hold a hundred percent expectation."
After saying that, Stella reminded her mom, saying, "Mom, you have to keep your word that day. You can't go back on your word. I'll also make sure to fulfill your task."
The two of them sat on the same side. Angie raised her hand and high-fived her daughter. She said, "Once a promise is made, one cannot back out. I've always kept my promises. When did I ever go back on my word?"
Observing the exchange between the mother and daughter, Charlie harbored doubts. When did these two get along so well and stop arguing? He asked, "What trick are you planning to pull on Chris this time?"
Both Angie and Stella said in unison, "Men shouldn't meddle in women's affairs."
Charlie was rendered speechless upon hearing their response.
Chris was efficient in his actions. He packed up his things in no time and came down with a black suitcase. This suitcase had not been used for many years. He probably didn't even remember the last time he used it.
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