Chapter 113: Jealousy
Hearing the sound, Xu Qiaoyan turned around and saw Xu Qiaofeng leaning against the wall.
The bitterness that Wang Yingying had just made me feel has now been compounded by a feeling of unease.
He instinctively hid what he was holding behind his back, coughed, and cleared his throat: "What are you doing here? Weren't you with your sister-in-law?"
"She just went to sleep, so I came out for some fresh air."
Xu Qiaofeng straightened up, his gaze sweeping over Xu Qiaoyan's hands hidden behind his back, a smile curving his lips.
But no matter how you look at it, that smile has a hint of mockery.
He said, "What?"
"You got rejected? Look at your face, it looks even worse than when Grandpa scolded you last time."
Xu Qiaoyan's usually calm face flushed slightly after his secret was exposed.
He stiffened his neck, snorted coldly, and said defiantly, "Who got rejected? I was just passing by and happened to run into an old friend."
As Xu Qiaoyan spoke, he walked to Xu Qiaofeng's side.
His eyes swept over him, trying to find something amiss.
Xu Qiaofeng couldn't help but sneer at his hypocritical behavior.
"Just passing by?"
"You think you can just pass through a city? I bet you're looking for some woman."
It's often said that family members are the ones who can truly destroy a person's spirit.
Xu Qiaoyan's trachea was almost punctured, so he simply stopped trying to hide it.
"She's just not interested in me, I admit it."
Listening to his second brother's complaints, Xu Qiaofeng suddenly thought of how jealous he had been earlier, and felt a sense of shared misery.
He touched his nose, feeling a rare pang of guilt, and softened his tone.
"It's alright, Second Brother, this is nothing. I just heard someone saying they wanted to introduce your sister-in-law to someone, and I was so angry I almost broke my teeth, but I didn't dare go in. I could only hold my breath outside."
"Yo ho."
Xu Qiaoyan raised an eyebrow, suddenly becoming alert.
The way they looked at Xu Qiaofeng was now more mocking and amused.
"You have moments like this too? I thought you were always so calm, even when a bullet grazed your head during a mission you didn't flinch."
Xu Qiaoyan paused, somewhat deliberately.
"But that makes sense. Ning Tang is so outstanding, it's normal for someone to have designs on her."
"If you're always this jealous and you don't talk to her properly, sooner or later she'll find you annoying and might really leave with someone else."
"What did you say?"
Xu Qiaofeng narrowed his eyes instantly, his tone becoming dangerous.
He said, "Tangtang will never go with anyone else."
“He said that I am the only one in his heart, and he will take me with him wherever he goes.”
Even so, Xu Qiaofeng's words still made his heart skip a beat.
He's been petty since he was a child.
No one is allowed to touch my things.
Not to mention that Ning Tang is a living, breathing person, and the woman he loves.
Even if Xu Qiaofeng was very confident, he didn't believe he could control a person with thoughts.
The thought that Ning Tang would know people more outstanding than herself made her panic.
Seeing that he was getting anxious, Xu Qiaoyan laughed even harder.
"Oh, you're really in a hurry?"
“I was just saying it casually, but you’re being way too jealous. Your sister-in-law was just teased a few times, and you’re acting like you’ve lost your soul.”
"If she really goes to study in a big city in the future and meets more and more people, won't you have to follow her around every day?"
"What's wrong with me keeping an eye on her?" Xu Qiaofeng retorted coldly. "She's my wife. If I don't keep an eye on her, am I supposed to let someone else do it?"
But then I thought about it again and felt a little unsure.
He couldn't help but comfort himself, knowing that Tangtang had said she would take him with her even if she went to the capital, and wouldn't leave him alone.
"What if she goes there and finds the opportunities in the capital are better, and doesn't want to come back?" Xu Qiaoyan teased him deliberately. "You can't keep her tied to your side forever, can you?"
Xu Qiaofeng was speechless after being asked that question, and his unease resurfaced.
He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly turned and glared at Xu Qiaoyan: "Stop talking nonsense! Tangtang isn't that kind of person. As for you, you haven't even held her hand, yet you dare to lecture me? I bet you'll never catch up with Wang Yingying in this lifetime, you'll only be able to watch her be with someone else."
"You!" Xu Qiaoyan was hit where it hurt and instantly exploded. "So what if I can't catch up? At least I dare to take the initiative, unlike you, who can only bottle up your jealousy inside and even blush when you say a sweet word to Ning Tang!"
"So what if I blush? I'm just shy with my wife, unlike you, who has to hide it like a thief when you give her candy!"
Xu Qiaofeng was not to be outdone, and the two of them argued back and forth, just like two children having a tiff.
Just then, a soft sound came from the stairwell.
The two turned around at the same time and saw Ning Tang standing there.
She was holding a coat in her hand, clearly having just woken up and come out to find Xu Qiaofeng.
Ning Tang looked at the two brothers, their faces flushed from arguing, and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What's wrong with you two? You were fine just a moment ago, how come you're arguing all of a sudden?"
When Xu Qiaofeng saw Ning Tang, the anger on his face instantly subsided by more than half.
I walked over quickly, took the coat from her hand, and casually draped it over her shoulders.
"Nothing, I just chatted with him for a bit. Why are you awake? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
"I've had enough sleep. I was worried you'd be cold since you've been out for a while, so I brought you a jacket down," Ning Tang said, looking at Xu Qiaoyan and asking with a smile.
"Second brother, what brings you here? Is something wrong at home?"
Xu Qiaoyan's previously agitated emotions instantly subsided, and even his tone softened: "It's nothing serious, I just came here on business and stopped by to see you."
He was too embarrassed to say that he had actually taken a detour on purpose, hoping to try his luck and see if he could meet Wang Yingying.
Ning Tang naturally didn't expose his little scheme, but just smiled and nodded: "That's great, we can have dinner together tonight. I'll ask the kitchen to make a couple more dishes so we can have a private meal together."
She knew that although Xu Qiaofeng and Xu Qiaoyan had argued fiercely just now, the two brothers had always had a good relationship; they were just verbally abusive.
Xu Qiaofeng listened from the side and breathed a sigh of relief.
He had a heated argument with his second brother just now, and if Tangtang notices something, she'll probably laugh at him for a long time.
He quickly chimed in, "Yes, let's eat together. It'll be perfect for the kitchen to make your favorite braised pork."
Upon hearing the words "braised pork," Xu Qiaoyan's stomach rumbled involuntarily.
He had rushed here without having eaten, but now that his appetite was whetted, he stopped being coy.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
The three of them walked towards the room together.
On the way, Ning Tang asked casually, "Second Brother, how long are you going to stay this time? If you're not in a hurry to leave, why not stay a few more days? There are some really good traditional Chinese medicine doctors here. If you feel unwell, you can ask them to take a look at you."
Xu Qiaoyan paused, his eyes unconsciously glancing towards the stairwell.
He actually wanted to stay a few more days to see if he could get to know Wang Yingying better, but he was too embarrassed to say it outright.
He scratched his head and mumbled, "I should be able to stay for three or four days. There's no rush to get things done."
Xu Qiaofeng saw through his thoughts at a glance and deliberately undermined him, saying, "What do you mean there's no rush? I think you just want to stay here and find a chance to see Wang Yingying, right?"
Xu Qiaoyan's face flushed instantly, and she glared at Xu Qiaofeng: "Stop talking nonsense! I just think the environment here is nice, and I want to stay a few more days."
Ning Tang couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Alright, you two stop arguing. If Second Brother wants to stay a few more days, then stay. Anyway, there are plenty of rooms at the guesthouse."
Xu Qiaoyan's eyes lit up instantly, and he said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, then I'll stay a few more days."
Back in her room, Ning Tang went to wash up.
Xu Qiaofeng remained in the main hall, sitting opposite Xu Qiaoyan.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward; the two who had just argued were now at a loss for words.
Xu Qiaoyan spoke first, looking at Xu Qiaofeng with a more serious tone.
"Actually, what I said just now wasn't meant to upset you. Ning Tang is indeed outstanding, and if you're always so anxious and insecure, it'll easily make her feel tired."
Xu Qiaofeng was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "I know, but I just can't control myself. The thought of someone being more outstanding than me, someone who can give her a better life, makes me panic."
He paused, then added, "But Tangtang told me that she only has me in her heart and will take me with her wherever she goes. I believe her."
"Just believe me." Xu Qiaoyan smiled. "Actually, you are much luckier than me. At least you and Ning Tang are of one mind. As for me, it's difficult to even say a few words to Wang Yingying."
Xu Qiaofeng was actually quite puzzled.
During his adolescence, he often saw Wang Yingying and Xu Qiaoyan together.
At the time, everyone thought that Wang Yingying was going to marry into the family and become his second sister-in-law.
For some reason, his second brother ended up marrying Wenya, and after less than three years, they divorced.
Now his brother Xu Qiaoyan is pursuing Wang Yingying again.
What a mess!
By the time Ning Tang finished getting ready and came out, the two brothers had already composed themselves.
The three of them walked down to the small kitchen in the guesthouse.
In the 1970s, the guesthouse kitchen had a fixed menu. If you wanted to eat something else, you could, but you had to pay for it yourself.
"Master Zhang, could you please make us some braised pork, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and a steamed egg custard? Thank you."
Knowing that Xu Qiaoyan had had a long and arduous journey, and considering that she was pregnant and needed to eat lighter meals, she specially selected these dishes.
"No problem!" Chef Zhang readily agreed. "I've already started stewing the braised pork. It'll be ready in ten minutes. Please find a seat."
The three of them sat down at a small table nearby.
Xu Qiaofeng naturally pulled out a chair for Ning Tang and poured her a glass of warm water, his movements practiced and considerate.
Xu Qiaoyan saw this and felt a mix of envy and a little sourness.
When will he be able to sit down and have a peaceful meal with Wang Yingying like this?
Ning Tang noticed his mood and deliberately changed the subject: "Second brother, how are Grandpa and Grandma doing at home? I should be able to go back in a few days."
Xu Qiaoyan's eyes softened instantly when he heard about his grandparents.
"He's fine, but Grandpa has recently become obsessed with chess. He drags Uncle Li next door to play two games every day, and even when he loses, he's still not satisfied and insists on playing another game with him."
"Grandma is still the same as always. Every morning she gets up to chat with her old friends. When she has free time, she sits in the yard knitting, saying she wants to knit a little coat for the baby in your belly."
Ning Tang listened, and couldn't help but smile: "Grandma is so skillful. I've never seen a sweater she knitted before. When we get back, I'll definitely thank her properly."
“You don’t need to thank Grandma. She’s just hoping for a new addition to the family,” Xu Qiaoyan said with a smile.
Grandma would try to probe him every day, thinking about how he and his older brother had been drinking Chinese medicine during this time.
She was practically asking them directly when they would produce their great-grandson so she could enjoy him before she died.
Fortunately, Ning Tang is almost five months pregnant now.
When Qiaofeng's child is born, his grandparents won't have the energy to urge him and his older brother to get married.
Then we'll finally have some time to catch our breath.
The three of them huddled together, chatting and laughing.
We finished eating in less than half an hour.
Xu Qiaoyan was a little tired. After saying something, he found a guesthouse, booked a room, and went back to his room to rest.
Ning Tang had a meeting to attend that evening. After exchanging a few words with Xu Qiaofeng, she went with Wang Yingying and a group of colleagues to find Dean Gou.
The meeting was brief.
It involves analyzing a few special cases.
Ning Tang glanced at it a few times and got a general idea of what was going on.
Dean Gou knew she was a genius in this area, so he didn't call on her to answer the question first, but instead chose from among the others.
Whoever doesn't dare to look him in the eye, that's the one to choose.
For a moment, the room was filled with sighs and groans, with everyone saying that their dean was so old, how could he still be so mischievous?
Dean Gou scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Xiao Wu, who was huddled in the corner.
The kid's head was almost touching the table, and he was secretly covering his face with his fingers.
"Xiao Wu, it's you. Tell me about this case of wind-cold with dampness syndrome. How do you plan to treat it?"
Xiao Wu suddenly looked up, his face instantly turning red. He stammered for a long time, "I... I think... we should relieve the exterior symptoms first, then dispel the dampness? Use Jingfang Baidu Powder?"
He became less and less confident as he spoke, his voice barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz.
Dean Gou raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing him: "Jingfang Baidu Powder? Then tell me, what's the difference in efficacy between Angelica pubescens and Notopterygium incisum in this? If the patient also has vomiting, which herb should be added?"
After a series of questions, Xiao Wu completely panicked.
His hands started trembling, and he kept muttering, "Angelica pubescens... Notopterygium incisum... they all seem to treat rheumatism..."
Everyone in the room couldn't help but laugh.
Ning Tang also smiled and quietly nudged Wang Yingying beside her: "Dean Gou's tricks always hit everyone's weak spot."
Wang Yingying nodded, a smile in her eyes: "But this is good too. It helps everyone remember the knowledge points, which is much more effective than rote memorization."
Before Ning Tang came, their hospital had exams every month.
Everyone is busy during the day and exhausted at night, so they simply don't have the time or the peace of mind to memorize things by rote.
At that point, the heads of each department will be fined and have their salaries reduced if they fail the exam.
Zhou Hairong was strict, and Wang Yingying had her pay deducted every month.
She didn't care, since she couldn't memorize it anyway.
As they were talking, Dean Gou waved for Xiao Wu to sit down and turned his gaze to Ning Tang: "Xiao Ning, tell me, what did Xiao Wu miss just now?"
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