Just after walking out of the apartment building, she saw Lin Xuyang’s car parked at the entrance.
Lin Xuyang got out of the car and invited Tang Xi to get in, "Go pick up your daughter, I’ll give you a ride."
Tang Xi really wanted to refuse, but it seemed there was no room to do so; she got in the car, and they soon arrived at her daughter’s school. Tangtang rushed over as soon as she saw her, and in her happiness, took a glance at Lin Xuyang beside Tang Xi, blinked, and then buried her face in Tang Xi’s neck and shoulder.
Lin Xuyang took a lollipop out of the car, "Your name is Tangtang, right? You can call me Uncle Lin. I’m a good friend of your mom."
Tangtang eyed the lollipop, her lips pressed together faintly; she looked at Tang Xi, seeking her opinion, and only called him uncle after Tang Xi nodded her approval.
"Tang Xi, are you free tomorrow evening? I have a social gathering and I hope you can join us."
"Tomorrow evening? Tomorrow evening I...it’s your gathering, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go."
"Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? Don’t feel pressured, it’s just a private friends’ gathering, just come to have fun."
"Alright then, we’ll see tomorrow night."
Back at home, as soon as the door opened, Tangtang said to Tang Xi, "Mom, I don’t like that uncle."
"Why?" Tang Xi hadn’t expected her daughter would be dissatisfied with Lin Xuyang, someone she had only met once.
"Mom...that uncle is not as good as that tall uncle..."
Tang Xi laughed, "Is it because you think that tall uncle is handsome, that’s why you say that?"
Tangtang’s face turned red, "I just don’t like that Uncle Lin..."
Tang Xi actually didn’t have any other feelings towards Lin Xuyang; she just felt like she was fulfilling a task, giving Song Qin some face. Song Qin had been quite concerned about her and Lin Xuyang’s situation, asking her several questions every time they encountered each other in the department, which gave Tang Xi a headache.
The next afternoon, after Tang Xi finished work, Lin Xuyang’s car was waiting at the entrance of the hospital.
She got into the car, and Lin Xuyang took her to the largest entertainment venue on Beidao, a place Tang Xi seldom visited, the last time being Su Yiqian’s birthday.
Arriving at the private room, Lin Xuyang opened the door and led Tang Xi inside.
There were quite a few people in the room, likely colleagues from his company who had organized this birthday party.
Lin Xuyang introduced Tang Xi as his girlfriend to everyone, which made Tang Xi somewhat displeased, but faced with so many people, she couldn’t just snub Lin Xuyang’s face.
A male colleague said with a laugh, "Nice one, Brother Yang, you’ve found yourself such a remarkable girlfriend."
"You’ve hid her well, Brother Yang, bringing out such a beautiful girlfriend only now for us to meet."
Lin Xuyang had an average look, not very tall at about 175 centimeters, with a gentle and clean complexion, but a bit on the plump side. It was probably a signature look for programmers, slightly balding, overall very ordinary.
Standing beside him, Tang Xi was slender with fair skin, dressed in a plain white shirt and jeans, but it accentuated her tall and graceful figure. Her natural features and excellent proportions attracted many stares. Tang Xi was the type that could withstand scrutiny, naturally beautiful without adornment, and the longer one looked, the harder it was to look away.
Tang Xi didn’t quite like the stares of these people, silently telling herself to endure it for a while.
In her mind, she was somewhat annoyed; had she known, she might as well not have asked Song Qin for help with her daughter’s school...and not have ended up being beholden to anyone.
Tang Xi sat on a sofa to the side, wishing she could become invisible. She glanced at the time, it was only about eight o’clock, and she wondered when this gathering would end.
Lin Xuyang handed her a glass of wine, Tang Xi said she didn’t drink, but Lin Xuyang said it was a fruit wine with low alcohol content. Tang Xi helplessly accepted it, as she was indeed thirsty and there was no bottled water around. She took a sip with her head down, without noticing the triumphant look that momentarily flashed in Lin Xuyang’s eyes.
Half an hour later, Tang Xi started to feel uncomfortable, unable to specify what exactly was wrong, just feeling a bit stuffy and hot.
Her body became somewhat restless, her head dizzy and weak.
Could it be she was running a fever?
Tang Xi raised her hand to touch her cheek, which was slightly hot. She generally had good health and resistance, so how could she suddenly develop a fever?
Tang Xi stood up, intending to go to the restroom to wash her face and cool down, planning to leave the room when Lin Xuyang held her hand, "Where are you going?"
"I...I’m going out for some air, to the restroom."
Lin Xuyang said, "Let me accompany you, I’ll go out too."