After hearing the manager’s words, Lin Yun fell silent for a while. The rain had already soaked his hair, blurring his vision as he watched Qiao Jing leave.
He clenched his fists tightly. The cold rainwater drenched not only his body but also his heart.
"What do you mean ’see it clearly’? I’ve already said, I don’t like Qiao Jing! How could I possibly like her?"
Why did he have to be ?
What did Qiao Jing’s pregnancy have to do with him?
How could he possibly like Qiao Jing?
The manager put away the smile on his face and dropped his cigarette to the ground, stamping out the burning end.
"Can you put your hand on your heart and say you don’t like Qiao Jing?"
If someone else couldn’t see it, he thought that was normal, since Lin Yun was always speaking harshly to Qiao Jing, making various jokes.
But he was well into his thirties, how could he not see through Lin Yun’s true feelings?
Lin Yun was startled for a moment, slowly raised his hand, and placed it on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
Did he not like Qiao Jing?
Maybe he did like her...?
Maybe he didn’t like her, after all, Qiao Jing was so naive, a few words from someone could easily carry her away. He despised women that foolish.
The manager, seeing Lin Yun’s silent manner, sighed and gently patted him on the shoulder twice.
"Think it over yourself. I’m not going to stand here in the rain with you. This suit of mine is quite expensive."
Just as he was about to reach the entrance of the hall, he heard Lin Yun nearly shout a phrase.
"I don’t like Qiao Jing! When I say I don’t like her, I mean it!"
The manager couldn’t help but show a smile of resignation.
"Alright, alright, you don’t like her, you don’t like her. Are you satisfied now? Come back soon after you’re done getting drenched, don’t delay training!"
"I—" Lin Yun wanted to say something more, but the manager had already completely left.
He sighed, looked up at the sky, feeling an indescribable emptiness within.
The next day at noon.
Just after Qiao Jing got off work, she received a phone call. She glanced at the caller ID—Wu Xirui.
She pressed to answer, and before the other party could speak, she said:
"A follow-up appointment?"
Upon hearing Qiao Jing’s words, Wu Xirui was startled, then chuckled.
"Can we start with some small talk next time we call? Why so straightforward?"
Qiao Jing slightly frowned and slowly spoke.
"We have nothing to small talk about, where is the follow-up appointment?"
She would normally exchange pleasantries with other patients, but with Wu Xirui, she’d rather not.
Because Wu Xirui was different from other patients. If Qipei knew about it, that jealous man would surely get jealous again, but he wouldn’t say anything because it was about her medical condition.
This thought startled Qiao Jing—why did she suddenly think of Qipei, that incarnation of jealousy?
She immediately withdrew her thoughts, pushing the emerging image of Qipei to the back of her mind.
On the other end of the call, Wu Xirui’s lips curved up, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the desk.
"Why so cold? You don’t even want to chat a bit? Aren’t we friends?"
Qiao Jing rolled her eyes speechlessly, not bothering to engage with Wu Xirui, preparing to hang up the phone.
Realizing that Qiao Jing was about to end the call, Wu Xirui quickly spoke before she could hang up:
"Come to my company."
Qiao Jing responded with a faint "Hmm," then hung up the phone and headed to Wu Xirui’s company.
Meanwhile, Zhan Nanqing, overhearing the words "follow-up appointment," became instantly alert.
"Qiao Jing, you’re going for a follow-up with Wu Xirui?"
Anyone who could call Qiao Jing about a follow-up appointment was likely Wu Xirui.
She had to go over and see for herself!
Qiao Jing nodded, taking off her coat.
"Yes, it’s for his follow-up visit."
Zhan Nanqing watched Qiao Jing suspiciously non-stop, and glanced at the phone she had just switched off.
"Are you going to Wonderful Hall? I’m going there too!"
Qiao Jing helplessly looked at Zhan Nanqing, whose face was full of suspicion, and said while walking out:
"Not to Wonderful Hall, I am going to his company."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Nanqing instantly widened her eyes.
"What? To his company? Then I must go and see for myself!"
If Qiao Jing went there, it was like a lamb walking into a tiger’s den!
Well, not that Qiao Jing was a lamb, but—it just didn’t feel safe!
Qiao Jing paused, turning back to glance at Zhan Nanqing who followed behind her.
"It’s his company, he won’t let you in."
After all, the last time at Wonderful Hall, Zhan Nanqing and Wu Xirui had an unpleasant encounter.
Even if it hadn’t happened, Wu Xirui certainly would not let a member of the Zhan family into his company.
After hearing Qiao Jing’s words, Zhan Nanqing pouted and complained:
"Psh, what’s he so proud of? If you weren’t going there for his follow-up, I wouldn’t bother visiting his company! Does he think his company is that important? My brother’s company is a hundred times better than his!"
Qiao Jing smiled helplessly and left Zhan Nanqing at the institute.
"Alright, just focus on your work at the institute."
Unwillingly, Zhan Nanqing muttered an "Okay," and finally let Qiao Jing leave.
Qiao Jing sat down in front of Wu Xirui but noticed that he showed no intention of reaching out his hand.
She furrowed her brows and slightly parted her red lips.
"Isn’t it time for the follow-up?"
Hearing Qiao Jing’s words, Wu Xirui’s peach blossom eyes curved, his smile widening.
"The follow-up is necessary, but didn’t I mention it over the phone? We are friends. It’s been a while since we last met, why not have a chat first?"
Today, since Zhan Nanqing had not come to disturb him, he definitely needed to seize the opportunity to be alone with Qiao Jing and try to get closer.
Otherwise, he worried that the longer Qiao Jing and Zhan Qipei spent time together, the harder it would be to drive a wedge between them.
Silently, Qiao Jing twitched the corner of her mouth and darkened her look.
"I said, I am here for the follow-up, not to chat."
She wouldn’t discuss other matters during a medical consultation, and as for the chat, she wasn’t interested.
Wu Xirui didn’t reply to Qiao Jing, nor did he extend his hand, just smiling at her amiably.
Qiao Jing glanced at the current time and said coldly:
She would not waste her time with Wu Xirui; if he really did not want the follow-up, that’s fine, she could just go home and rest.
Wu Xirui raised his eyebrows, glanced at the clock on the wall, trying to talk more with Qiao Jing within that minute.
"Qiao Jing, I remember we were friends first, and then doctor and patient, right? Since when did you start distancing yourself from me? Is it because of Zhan Qipei?"
His purpose in approaching Qiao Jing was to snatch her away from Zhan Qipei, and if Qiao Jing was reluctant to talk more now, he would have even less of a chance to make his move.
Qiao Jing looked straight at Wu Xirui, her cool eyes carrying a touch of aloofness.
"It has nothing to do with him. I don’t want to delay the follow-up. If you don’t want it now, then find me another time."
Wu Xirui’s smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal before Qiao Jing lost patience, finally extending his hand.
"Let’s proceed with the follow-up first, we can chat after that."
Just as Qiao Jing’s fingertips were about to touch Wu Xirui’s pulse, the office door suddenly opened.