On Sunday, the sun blazed down, and at 3 p.m., it was the hottest part of the day.

Ethan Shaw, unlike yesterday, had wrapped himself up tightly. He wore a loose, casual T-shirt and long pants, along with a sun protection jacket, a hat, and a mask, leaving only his eyes exposed when he met Vivienne Brooks.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow with a smile and teased, "Did you just return from oil drilling in the Middle East?"

Ethan sighed and replied, "What can I say? I'm light-sensitive."

Vivienne chuckled coldly, "Didn't you get enough sun yesterday?"

Ethan responded seriously, "It's different. Yesterday we stayed indoors during the hottest part of the day, but look at how hot it is outside now."

Ethan took off his hat and removed his sun protection jacket, stuffing it into his bag.

Vivienne noticed the loose T-shirt and long pants Ethan wore, which was a stark contrast to the fresh and seductive "little spicy pepper" look from yesterday. She leaned in close to him.

"Are you allergic to me or something?" Vivienne teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ethan awkwardly laughed and stepped back, maintaining his distance.

Vivienne, clearly annoyed, continued, "You’re light-sensitive when we’re shopping, and now you’re too delicate for music. What else are you allergic to?"

Feeling embarrassed, Ethan chose not to respond.

"Let’s go to the record store," Vivienne said.

Ethan had just planned to say he’d already gone yesterday and didn’t want to go again, but seeing Vivienne's domineering gaze, he swallowed his words.

Soon, they were back in the same record store from the day before.

Vivienne pointed to a vinyl album, Leonard Cohen's Various Positions, and asked, "What do you think of this one?"

"It's good," Ethan replied, not wanting to elaborate.

Vivienne then pointed to Jennifer Warnes' Raincoat and asked again, "What about this one? Do you like it?"

Ethan was actually a bit surprised. He realized that both albums Vivienne pointed out were ones he liked. However, not wanting to engage too deeply with her, he responded dismissively, "It's okay."

Vivienne studied him for a few seconds and sensed his deliberate avoidance. In a gentler tone, she said, "Pick a record."

Ethan thought to himself, Is this some kind of music appreciation test? But he didn’t let it show on the surface and pretended to browse.

Suddenly, he spotted The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, and thought it would be an easy choice to just pick it.

"This one," Ethan casually picked up the album and waved it in front of Vivienne.

Without saying anything, Vivienne took the record, paid for it, and then handed it to Ethan.

"Here," Vivienne said, her tone soft but still commanding.

Ethan was left standing there, unsure whether to take it or not. He wanted to say that he already owned this album at home, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Vivienne smirked, her eyes full of challenge. "Nina Harper can buy it for you, but I can’t?"

Ethan finally realized the competitive edge between men and women. He stammered, let out a small sigh, and replied, "Okay... okay."

"Where else did you go yesterday?" Vivienne Brooks asked.

Ethan Shaw took a sharp breath, wondering if she was asking a bit too much. He calmly declined, "I’d rather not say."

"I didn’t ask what you were doing, just where you went," Vivienne Brooks said, her eyes locked on his.

Not wanting to be pressed further, Ethan Shaw stiffened and said, "Still not convenient to say."

Seeing Ethan go into defense mode, Vivienne Brooks decided to drop the subject.

As they left the record store, small food vendors selling Chinese street food were setting up their stalls in an alley near the medical school. This area became a busy and lively street at night, with barbecue stands, pancake stalls, fruit vendors, and various street vendors. The medical school students often gathered here to grab a bite.

"Smells so good," Ethan Shaw remarked, catching the scent of roasted lamb.

Vivienne Brooks pointed to a barbecue stand in the distance. "That one’s the best. Want to try it?"

"Sure!" Ethan Shaw said with a smile, quickly running toward it.

Vivienne Brooks recommended both the original and cumin flavors, and Ethan Shaw happily accepted her suggestions.

After eating two boxes of barbecue that Vivienne Brooks bought, Ethan Shaw felt like he didn’t even need dinner. He was stuffed and a little tired of the taste.

Vivienne Brooks, seeing his easy-going nature and how he didn’t care about the cost or prestige of the food, instantly felt a warm fondness for him. He was completely unpretentious, almost like a student, unaffected by worldly desires.

"Want to grab a drink to wash it down?" Vivienne Brooks asked gently.

"Sure," Ethan Shaw smiled.

He realized Vivienne Brooks cared about others, a side of her he hadn’t expected.

They first went for iced coffee, which was refreshing, but still didn’t quite hit the spot.

Ethan Shaw then suggested having some cocktails, and Vivienne Brooks didn’t refuse.

After a few drinks, Ethan Shaw became bolder and started talking more.

"Dr. Brooks, do you have any siblings?" he asked.

Vivienne Brooks smiled slightly, "No, I’m an only child. How about you?"

"I have a half-brother," Ethan Shaw’s eyes dimmed a little.

"Do you look alike?" Vivienne Brooks asked.

Ethan Shaw suddenly gave the bar top a playful tap, a proud grin on his face. "I’m way more handsome than he is."

Vivienne Brooks laughed at his adorably confident attitude. "First time I’ve heard someone compliment their own looks."

Ethan Shaw laughed sheepishly, "Are you sure you’re seeing this right? Wasn’t I the school heartthrob back in the day? Just older now."

Vivienne Brooks smiled at him, not saying anything. She couldn’t deny that Ethan Shaw was good-looking—his features were refined and elegant, charming yet not overbearing, with a tall frame and a lazy, stylish air.

Seeing Vivienne remain silent, Ethan Shaw teased her, "With your looks, you must be the star attraction at St. Lawrence Hospital, right?"

Vivienne Brooks laughed out loud. "I only see patients, not clients."

Ethan Shaw laughed without restraint.

In that moment, it felt like there were no longer any boundaries between doctor and patient, no more distance between them.

When they exited the bar, Ethan Shaw felt a bit unsteady. Although he wasn't drunk, his body was starting to lose control.

Vivienne Brooks, on the other hand, seemed to handle her alcohol well. After a few drinks, it was like she hadn’t had any at all—she remained alert and energetic.

"I’ll take you home," Vivienne Brooks said, offering.

Ethan Shaw didn’t refuse.

When the car stopped downstairs at his building, he hesitated to get out. He knew that after drinking and returning home late, Lucy Archer would be furious.

He sat silently in the car, his emotions rising and falling, feeling lost and helpless.

"Do you want to stay a bit longer?" Vivienne Brooks leaned forward, almost close enough for her face to touch his.

In the dimly lit car, Ethan Shaw could only make out the outline of her face.

"Yeah, I’ll sit for a little while," Ethan Shaw said softly.