Chapter 23 Don’t need him?

The warmth and strength coming from his wrist made Su Tang feel a little uncomfortable.

She struggled to get free but failed, so she had to meet his gaze: "It's really nothing, it's just that her noise gave me a headache."

Su Tang paused and added, "She also tried to incite everyone to put pressure on me, saying that I was hard-hearted and would not forgive her."

"But I have Sister Zhang Cui to help me."

Lu Xiao's eyes instantly turned cold, and he tightened his grip on her hand. The aura around him grew heavier. "She dares?"

"It's okay, Director Li has taken care of it."

Su Tang could sense his hidden anger and quickly said, "I have to go. The dean is waiting."

Lu Xiao then let go of her hand, but his gaze was still fixed on her face, with scrutiny and an emotion that Su Tang could not understand.

His Adam's apple rolled, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just said, "Be careful on the road."

"Um."

Su Tang responded and almost ran away, walking away quickly.

Lu Xiao stood there, watching her slightly hasty figure disappear at the intersection before he looked away.

He turned his head to look in the direction of his own courtyard, and his gentle eyes changed in an instant.

A few neighbors who had just peeked out of the gate to see what was happening were frightened by his cold gaze and immediately shrank back.

It's so scary. How come Lu Xiao is like an icicle and can freeze people to death?

He strided into the yard with his long legs.

Zhang Cui was about to go back when she saw Lu Xiao and greeted him: "Hey, Brother Lu, you're back? I was so pissed off just now! That Hu Lili..."

Lu Xiao listened expressionlessly as Zhang Cui indignantly recounted the farce that had just occurred.

After listening to it, the corners of his tightly pursed lips moved slightly, and a very faint, elusive hint of...appreciation flashed across the depths of his eyes?

"I understand, sister-in-law, thank you for protecting Su Tang."

There wasn't much emotion in Lu Xiao's voice, but the seriousness in it pleased Zhang Cui.

"Of course, of course. Sister Su is a nice person. Please go in!"

After saying that, Zhang Cui left. She and Su Tang were now friends, so of course she had to speak for her.

But Su Tang was right. Hu Lili was wrong but still acted strong. They couldn't lose even though they were right.

Lu Xiao nodded and pushed the door open to enter the room.

There seemed to be a faint fragrance from Su Tang lingering in the room.

He walked to the window and looked in the direction Su Tang left with a complicated look in his eyes.

He hated the way she always said thank you and expressed distance, and hated the way she treated him as a temporary partner.

But just now, I heard that she faced Hu Lili's difficulties and the criticism from the masses alone.

Calmly resolve the crisis and even cleverly use the rules

The inexplicable anxiety and heartache in his heart actually overwhelmed the disgust.

This woman was tougher and smarter than he had imagined.

She didn't need his protection, maybe even... didn't need him?

This realization made Lu Xiao feel a little stuffy in his chest.

He irritably unbuttoned the button on his collar, his eyes dark.

How come, we don't need him?

…

On the other side, Su Tang rushed to the hospital with his heart beating a little fast.

It was partly because he was in a hurry to get there, and partly because of the farce that had just happened at the doorstep.

And... the burning touch and deep gaze when Lu Xiao grabbed her wrist.

She took a few deep breaths, calmed herself down, and then knocked on the door of the dean's office.

The dean saw her and was even more enthusiastic than yesterday. "Comrade Su Tang is here. Please take a seat. We've discussed this in a meeting. Your professional qualities and theoretical foundation are very solid, far exceeding our expectations."

"Especially your knowledge of Western medical first aid is rare, so we have decided to make an exception and hire you as an intern."

Su Tang was delighted, and finally felt relieved: "Intern?"

The dean nodded, changed the subject, and looked at Su Tang with a smile.

"However... considering that you have no previous work experience and this is a special period... we have decided to give you a three-month probationary period."

"You'll mainly be assigned to the pharmacy and assist in outpatient clinics to familiarize yourself with the procedures. This will also allow us to test your practical abilities. Your salary will be based on the probationary period. What do you think?"

A trial period? That was no problem, she had plenty of money.

Of course Su Tang is happy to be able to do the job he loves.

"No problem, Dean, I accept."

Su Tang readily agreed: "I will cherish this opportunity and get familiar with the work as soon as possible."

"Okay, that's settled then. Come report tomorrow."

The dean was obviously happier, as Su Tang's professional knowledge and insights were a rare treasure.

He felt that Su Tang would definitely bring him surprises.

Walking out of the dean's office, Su Tang felt that the sun was a little brighter.

Now she has a job, which is the foundation for her to gain a foothold in the Northwest.

When I got home in the evening, there was food on the table, which was obviously brought back from the cafeteria.

The atmosphere in the room was subtly quiet.

Su Tang took the initiative to break the silence and said as usual: "The dean said he hired me, but there is a three-month probation period, helping out in the pharmacy and outpatient clinic."

Lu Xiao paused for a moment as he was serving the rice. He looked up at her with a deep gaze: "Yeah, very good."

He paused, as if choosing his words: "You handled today's matter well."

Su Tang was stunned. He didn't expect him to praise him. His face was slightly hot. "Nothing. I just don't want to get entangled with her."

Lu Xiao placed the prepared meal in front of her and said in a low voice, "It's her fault for kneeling down and forcing someone to forgive you. You're right to stick to your principles."

It was rare for him to say so much: "Some people just can't tell right from wrong. Don't pay any attention to them."

These words were like a warm current, quietly flowing through Su Tang's heart.

He didn't think he was heartless, but a sensible man.

She lowered her head, took small bites of rice, and hummed softly.

The dinner table fell silent again, but the awkwardness seemed to have dissipated a lot.

Instead, there was an indescribable...peace.

After dinner, Lu Xiao took the initiative to wash the dishes. After a while, the lights outside went out, and he finished washing up and went into the house.

A kerosene lamp was lit beside the bed in the inner room. Su Tang was holding a book, but he could not concentrate on reading.

She secretly glanced at Lu Xiao who was lying down next to her.

He closed his eyes and breathed steadily, and the lines of his profile appeared particularly strong in the dim light.

"Lu Xiao..."

Su Tang spoke softly.

"Um?"

Lu Xiao responded without opening his eyes.

"Thanks."

Su Tang's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

She didn't know what to thank him for. Thank him for what he had just said at the dinner table?

Or should I thank him for not asking about the embarrassment of last night?

In the darkness, the corners of Lu Xiao's mouth seemed to curl upwards almost imperceptibly.

"Go to sleep."

There was a hint of gentleness in his voice.

Su Tang put down the book, turned off the light, and lay down in the dark.

This time, she didn't deliberately turn her back to him.

The room was very quiet, with only the sound of the two people's shallow breathing.

After a long time, just when Su Tang was about to fall asleep, he seemed to hear a very light whisper with a hint of laughter coming from beside him.

"I underestimated you, a paper tiger. I think you're quite formidable."

Su Tang's eyelashes trembled, and she pretended not to hear and buried her face in the quilt.

What? Why does he give people nicknames behind their backs?

If she was a paper tiger, then what was he? A wolf in sheep's clothing?