Qiao Muting probably didn't even realize how much aged vinegar he had infused into his meal.
During the meal, Hua Cheng got up and went to the restroom, and Qiao Muting turned to look at Fang Wenjie.
Old Fang, being sensible, quickly went to pursue Hua Cheng.
Only Qiao Muting and Qian Lai remained at the dining table.
"You sneaked out last night, did you go to his house?" He lowered his voice, trying to clear his mind of all the questions.
"Hmm." Qian Lai lowered his head to drink his soup, trying to hide the mischievous smile that he couldn't suppress from the corners of his mouth.
"And then you two went shopping together today, and he even bought you new clothes?"
"Um."
"Does he have feelings for you?"
Qian Lai looked up, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "What are your feelings for me? You treat me like you treat Hua Rui. I'm Hua Rui's friend, so it's normal for him to treat me like his own sister, isn't it?"
"But you're not his sister!"
"Dr. Qiao, aren't you overthinking this? Hua Cheng is an excellent person, and even his parents are very kind and tolerant. I think you shouldn't misunderstand him."
At this point, Qian Lai seemed to be deliberately teasing him.
Qiao Muting couldn't help but tap her fingers on her knee, as if trying her best to make the other person understand that the man had already developed "desire" for her.
However, he had no better ideas, and in desperation, he blurted out, "He likes you, didn't you really realize?"
Qian Lai smiled secretly.
"He's so outstanding, and I'm just as good. It's not wrong for him to like me, is it? Why are you in such a hurry? He's not a bad person."
"I......"
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Just then, Hua Cheng and Fang Wenjie returned, and he shut up.
"How's it going? Has everyone finished eating? If so, I'll go pay the bill." Qian Lai was about to get up when Hua Cheng grabbed her hand. "We've already paid. Next time, it's your turn to pay."
"How can that be? We agreed that if you buy me a dress, I'll treat you to dinner."
Qian Lai looked serious, while Hua Cheng smiled contentedly.
"Dr. Fang and the others were too kind; they insisted on paying. I had to argue for a long time before they finally paid for both of us."
"However, I've remembered that you wanted to treat me to dinner..."
"Then it's settled. You've already treated me twice. How could I let you spend money again?"
Fang Wenjie turned to observe Qiao Muting's expression.
He looked disdainful, displeased, and his face darkened as he stared at Hua Cheng's hand, which was still holding onto Qian Lai's wrist.
"Mu Ting, we should go back now. Let's go."
But he didn't move.
"Mu Ting?"
"See? I told you so, didn't I?" Qiao Muting gazed intently at Qian Lai with deep eyes.
Hua Cheng: ?
Fang Wenjie: ?
Qian Lai withdrew his hand.
"I had a really great time today. Cheng-ge, could you please tell Hua-rui for me that we'll see each other again on the next deadline? I'll take her clothes back, wash them, and then give them to her."
Qian Lai stood up, and the group walked towards the door together.
Hua Cheng: "You don't need to wash the clothes, I'll take them back and have the aunt wash them. Come on, I'll ride my bike and take you to the station."
"No need, Cheng-ge. I'm too full. I want to take a walk by myself. It's not far anyway."
"Then I'll walk with you."
Hua Cheng is utterly sincere.
Before Qian Lai could answer, someone stepped between them and said to Qian Lai, "A hundred steps after a meal will help you live to ninety-nine."
Let's go, we're going the same way. Let's not bother others to give us a ride.
With that, he took Qian Lai's hand and strode away.
"Dr. Qiao, where are you taking me?"
His legs were so long that for every step he took, she had to jog to keep up.
"Could you slow down? I can't keep up. I just finished eating, and I don't want to do any training."
She tried desperately to shake off the other person's large hand, but it was firmly locked in place.
Fortunately, the man did slow down and asked in a cold tone, "Where do you live? I'll take you home."
"Thank you, Dr. Joe, but you don't need to trouble yourself."
He gripped her wrist tightly, feeling a slight ache. She tried to pull away several times, but to no avail.
He turned around and led her into the back alley.
"What's wrong? Why are you calling me Dr. Qiao again today?"
"It's just a form of address; it's out of respect for you."
"You can call other people 'brother' all the time, but why are you so distant with me?"
Are we that distant? You could have gone home with him, and I would have offered to see you off, but you refused so readily?
A man's competitive nature is truly undesirable.
Despite his usual restraint and self-discipline, he saw a "sincerity" in Hua Cheng, which ignited his competitive spirit.
Qian Lai thought this person was kind of cute; when he got angry, he acted like a childish little boy.
"Just because of a title? Are you serious? What's our relationship? I'm just your medicinal ingredient!"
Hearing her words, Qiao Muting was speechless, his face turned red, and he spun around twice as if venting his frustration.
Finally, they cornered the person against the wall.
Qian Lai never expected that a joke would make him so excited.
Not knowing what he would do next, she nervously backed away.
But the other person bent down to look her in the eye, one hand supporting himself against the wall, and said with pleading eyes, "I never used you as a medicinal ingredient."
I, Qiao Muting, swear to God! You, Xiaoran, are very, very important to me!
Do you believe me?
He gazed into her eyes, searching them back and forth. A slight reddening appeared in his eyes, as if he were offering up his true feelings as if it were some kind of contract.
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