Symphony of Hearts

The hospital rooftop garden was transformed. Fairy lights twinkled among the plants, and the usually stark medical environment had become an intimate haven. Chen had spent hours setting this up, with Yi Ning and Kai running interference to keep Mei Hua away.

It was their one-month anniversary of living together, and Chen had planned everything meticulously. A small table was set with fine china (smuggled in by Min), decorated with floating candles and purple orchids – Mei Hua's favorites.

The door opened, and Yi Ning led a blindfolded Mei Hua onto the roof. “Emergency case, you said?” Mei Hua was saying skeptically.

“Oh, very emergency,” Yi Ning grinned, removing the blindfold. “Heart-related.”

Mei Hua gasped. The rooftop had been transformed into a private garden paradise. Strings of lights created a canopy of stars, while soft classical music played from hidden speakers. Chen stood by the table, wearing a tailored suit instead of his usual scrubs.

“You're ridiculous,” Mei Hua said softly, taking in the scene.

“Ridiculously in love,” he corrected, coming to take her hand. “Though I had help. Yi Ning, thank you.”

Their friend was already backing away, beaming. “Have fun, lovebirds. Kai and I will cover your patients for the next two hours.”

Once alone, Chen led Mei Hua to the table. “I know we said no big gestures, but…” He pulled out her chair. “Sometimes the heart overrules the head.”

“Is that your professional medical opinion, Dr. Zhang?” she teased, but her eyes were bright with emotion.

“Speaking of medical opinions,” he reached under the table and produced a familiar leather-bound journal. “I found this in your father's old office.”

Mei Hua recognized it instantly – her father's research journal. “How did you…?”

“Wei helped. It was locked in the old filing cabinet. But that's not the interesting part.” He opened to a marked page. “Read this entry.”

The entry was dated fifteen years ago: “Today I watched a young boy sneak into my lecture again. Zhang's son. He has the same look I once had – hunger for knowledge, desire to heal. He watched my daughter today, too, helped her pick up books she dropped. Neither knew I saw. Sometimes fate writes prescriptions we don't understand until years later.”

Mei Hua's eyes filled with tears. Chen reached across the table, taking her hand. “Your father saw something even before we knew it ourselves. He's the reason I became a doctor, but you're the reason I became the man I am.”

Their dinner was interrupted by a soft melody – one of her favorite classical pieces, now played live. A string quartet emerged from behind the garden's bamboo screen, led by Kai on violin (a hidden talent he rarely revealed).

“Dance with me?” Chen stood, extending his hand.

Under the stars and fairy lights, they swayed to the music. Mei Hua rested her head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat match the rhythm of the song.

“Remember our first dance at the military ball?” she asked.

“How could I forget? You stepped on my feet three times.”

“I did not!”

“You absolutely did. Yi Ning has video evidence.”

She laughed, then grew serious. “Did you really plan all this just for a one-month anniversary?”

“Actually,” he pulled back slightly, reaching into his pocket, “I had another reason.”

The quartet switched to a familiar tune – the same one that had played during their first dance. Chen took a deep breath.

“I know we said the ring I gave you before was a promise for the future. But I've been in love with you since I was seventeen, sneaking into your father's lectures. I've loved you through med school, through residency, through every emergency and quiet moment. I don't want to wait for some perfect future moment anymore.”

He knelt, producing a small box different from the promise ring. This one held a stunning ring with a unique design – tiny medical symbols incorporated into the band, leading to a brilliant diamond.

“Lin Mei Hua, brilliant doctor, amazing woman, love of my life – will you marry me?”

Before she could answer, a small commotion revealed Yi Ning and Kai poorly hidden behind plants, both crying and filming. Even Wei and Min were there, trying to look innocent.

Mei Hua laughed through her tears. “Our whole family's here, aren't they?”

“Of course we are!” Yi Ning called out. “Now answer him before Kai ruins another take!”

“I'm not crying, I have allergies,” Kai protested, clearly crying.

Turning back to Chen, still kneeling and looking hopefully nervous, Mei Hua smiled. “Yes. Of course, yes.”

The kiss they shared was accompanied by cheers, the quartet's music, and the distinct sound of Yi Ning planning their wedding already. Chen slipped the ring onto her left hand, where the promise ring had waited for this moment.

“I love you,” he whispered. “Every brilliant, complicated, beautiful part of you.”

“I love you too,” she replied. “Even when you plan ridiculously romantic rooftop proposals.”

“Especially then,” he grinned, pulling her close for another kiss.

Above them, the stars twinkled in approval, while below, Shanghai hummed with life. Their friends and family surrounded them with love and joy, the quartet played on, and at that moment, everything was perfect.

Later, when they were alone again, Chen would show her the matching symbols engraved inside their rings – a heartbeat line forming an infinity symbol. Because that's what they were – two hearts beating as one, two paths merged into a shared journey, two people whose love story began in a hospital and would continue forever.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***