Chapter 12: 12 - Dr. Gordon Asks Questions

"I'm very pleased with the boy's progress," Dr. Gordon told Ren. "He can go back to school next week."

"Excellent," Ren said. "I think he's starting to get bored at home."

"Are you sending him back to the Orchid Orphanage?" Dr. Gordon asked.

Ren frowned. If he had to be really, really honest with himself, he didn't want to send Fang away. He had grown really fond of the bright but shy teenager. He felt happy and proud as he watched the boy bloom under his aegis.

Dr. Gordon narrowed his eyes. "You don't want to?"

Ren sighed and shook his head.

"Who is he to you?" Dr. Gordon asked bluntly. "A friend? A ward? A little brother? A love interest?"

Ren's eyes flashed. "He's a child," he snapped.

"He'll be seventeen in a few days. You're only a little more than three years older than him." Dr. Gordon sighed. "He is a very attractive young man, and he is more mature than you in some ways, unfortunately."

Ren shook his head helplessly. "Fang... probably likes Wade. Or, at the very least, he's interested."

Dr. Gordon's eyes almost popped out of their sockets in shock. "What the hell gave you that idiotic idea?" he demanded irritably.

"He's been asking about Wade," Ren replied evasively. Although, Fang's questions were fairly generic...but Ren had read the book and consequently knew all about the relationship between the protagonist little brother Wade and the male lead Fang! And he had no intention of interrupting their romance.

Dr. Gordon looked ready to smack some sense into the young CEO in front of him. "I can bet my entire life's experience that Fang isn't the least bit romantically inclined towards that brat of a brother you have. And even if he does, you need to nip it in the bud. Fang is a brilliant but fragile young man. Wade is a spoilt, selfish boy who can only cause pain and sadness to someone like Fang." He looked straight at Ren. "You know Fang's as good as a nephew or a godson to me by now. I want him to lead a happy and healthy life. If it's you, I can trust you to nurture him well, and he admires you enough to follow you to the end of the world. That horrible brother of yours...I wouldn't trust him with a cactus, let alone a precious child like Fang."

Ren sighed. "I do appreciate your concern, Doctor. But if Fang and Wade like each other, I'd like to respect their wishes. I'll support them however I can."

"Mark my words, Ren - if you continue to spoil that brat...Wade will be the death of you," Dr. Gordon advised seriously. "I know you dote on him...but the rest of us can see what you don't. Wade is only using you as a money bag."

Ren smiled bitterly. He knew it better than anyone.

Dr. Gordon looked at the troubled young man in front of him silently. Perhaps Ren wasn't as blind to Wade's faults as they all imagined... but then, why did he put up with such nonsense?

He felt a wave of pity wash over him. He would never understand what that family was thinking, abandoning an excellent young man like Ren. Could fifteen years of affection be washed away in an instant?

"Fang mentioned that you are considering medical school?" Dr. Gordon said finally. He'd been meaning to bring up the matter for a while now, but it never seemed appropriate. But today, since they'd already broached awkward topics...well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Ren brightened immediately. "He told you?"

"Are you serious?" Dr. Gordon asked. "Because if you aren't, you should tell him as soon as possible. Going to medical school with you is what he's looking forward to more than anything...but he's also afraid that you just said so on a whim and you're not really serious about it."

"I do want to," Ren said. "Is it a bad idea?"

"Are you interested in medicine?"

"Very much so."

"Then go for it," Dr. Gordon said bluntly. "At your age, you should be in college anyway. And in my personal opinion, I think you'd be an outstanding doctor. Your nerves, your temperament...I'd say they are comparable to a top neurosurgeon."

Ren was startled. For a moment, he wondered if he'd blown his cover...but then he realised that Dr. Gordon really was quite insightful. He burst out laughing.

"Thank you, Doctor," he said merrily. "Your opinion matters a lot."

"Have you given a thought to which college you'd like to go to? And how will you manage your business?" Dr. Gordon demanded.

Ren shook his head. "We have several months to figure it out, don't we?" he murmured.

"Speak to Fang soon," Dr. Gordon said. "Don't ditch the boy."

"Of course I won't ditch him," Ren retorted indignantly. "You'll probably not believe it when I say this, but Dr. Gordon, the day I ditch Fang is the day I sign my death warrant."

It was Dr. Gordon's turn to be startled. "What the hell do you mean by that?" he demanded angrily. "Don't say such irresponsible things."

Ren shook his head. "I'm serious. Whatever else I do in this life, I will not ditch Fang."

"Even if it comes down to a choice between Wade and Fang?" Dr. Gordon challenged.

Ren blinked in confusion. "Why on earth would I need to choose between them?"

Dr. Gordon huffed. "The way I see it, you'll have to make that choice very soon. Who will you choose to protect, CEO Ren? The orphan you picked up on a whim or the little brother of the family that abandoned you?"

Ren didn't know how to answer him. Of course he'd choose Fang, that dear boy, over that pest of a little brother of the original Ren-the-villain - but then, how on earth was he supposed to explain it to the other people, who were under the impression that Ren absolutely cherished that brat? Also, how far was he allowed to interfere with the MC and the ML?!

"I suggest you pore over this question as soon as possible." With that parting shot, Dr. Gordon walked out.

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