"Come on, have a drink."
Gao Qiming placed a case of beer on the coffee table, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes full of provocation.
"You've had too much to drink, I don't want to take advantage of you."
Xiao Ming remained calm but did not refuse. He opened three bottles of wine and gulped them down without hesitation.
Gao Qiming was somewhat surprised. He thought that only someone like him who frequented bars would be so extravagant. He never expected that this seemingly refined person would have such courage.
Even before the competition began, Gao Qiming was already quite impressed with Xiao Ming.
They drank more than half a case of liquor back and forth, and both of them were already showing signs of intoxication.
"Tell me, what's your purpose in inviting me for a drink?"
Xiao Ming poured the last sip of wine into his mouth, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and looked at Gao Qiming, waiting for his answer.
Gao Qiming chuckled, leaned back against the sofa cushions, and spread his hands. "Isn't it a bit late to ask now? Aren't you afraid I'll put something in the drink?"
"Besides," he suddenly raised an eyebrow, half-jokingly saying, "although there aren't many people with unusual hobbies, are you so sure I'm not one?"
Knowing he was bluffing, Xiao Ming couldn't help but frown slightly, then shook his head. "I've seen at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, patients. Are you sure you want to hear about your situation from a doctor like me?"
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because once he did, Gao Qiming became even more interested. "This is the first time I've met someone like you. I'm really curious to hear what kind of fresh words you can come up with."
Xiao Ming looked Gao Qiming up and down, then stared at his face and neck for a moment before smiling brightly. "Your face is pale, which is hard to hide even when you drink. Your eyes are slightly red, your forehead is faintly bluish, and your temples often bulge, indicating that you have a lot of internal heat. Your fingertips are white, and the lunulae on your fingers have indistinct borders and are small in size, indicating that you lack energy and your digestive system is not very efficient."
As he spoke, he spread his hands, "In my eyes, you're just a walking, talking sub-healthy patient. You're too weak to take supplements and you're squandering your vital essence. Even if you have some ideas, you're powerless to do them. So, what do you think I should be worried about?"
Even after only meeting her once, Xiao Ming could glean a lot from her appearance and complexion. He was certain that no woman would be interested in a man like her, a womanizer and womanizer. But the thought that even someone like that could sit and chat with her made Xiao Ming's heart, which had been half relieved, start to race again.
Gao Qiming was prepared to pester the other party and dig out his secrets, but he was annoyed that his background had been exposed as soon as he opened his mouth. However, he couldn't help but admire Xiao Ming's keen observation. He would look down on someone who studied medicine for not being able to see something like this.
"Let's get straight to the point. I don't believe you don't recognize me. If you don't tell me, I'm leaving."
Xiao Ming went straight to the point, and Gao Qiming was surprised and somewhat impressed that he had so easily gained the upper hand. Having grown accustomed to people who spoke in a roundabout and sycophantic manner, Xiao Ming's straightforwardness was surprisingly endearing.
"Xiao Ming, why haven't you gone to find her all these years? Do you know how hard it has been for her all alone?"
Gao Qiming cut to the chase. Seeing the warm meals and the delight on his daughter's face every time he visited, he couldn't bear to let his own unhappiness cause the woman to live a life of hardship and loneliness. Besides, this was what she had asked for. As a friend, helping was only right.
"You..." Xiao Ming was shocked. Judging from the tone of the voice, it seemed that his relationship with that woman was not what he had imagined.
"My name is Gao Qiming, and I am her friend."
"Let me ask you first, why are you helping us?"
"Ha, don't flatter yourself. I'm helping her, not you."
No matter who it is, if they're this blunt, Xiao Ming feels obligated to help them. It's said that friends shouldn't interfere in each other's personal matters—it's thankless and exhausting. But since the other person is willing to speak up, he really feels guilty not to tell the truth.
"She was too young then, hurt too deeply, and too proud to admit it. How has she been all these years?"
After a long silence, Gao Qiming took another swig of wine and muttered, "If I don't explain it to you clearly, I doubt she'll say a word."
There are some things I can't say, but my relationship with her is completely innocent; we're just friends. A child can't be without a father, and I've taken your place, caring for her for five years. If you're truly committed, go back as soon as possible and shoulder your responsibilities and obligations.
There is no hatred without a cause, nor love without a cause. If you don't want something, there are plenty of others who can take your place. You only get one chance, so think carefully.
After finishing his speech in one breath, Gao Qiming tilted his head back and closed his eyes slightly, as if he were drunk and about to fall asleep.
Xiao Ming held the wine bottle, unsure of what to say for a long time.
He didn't know how Xiang Wan had managed all these years, but he knew in his heart that the child was his, there was no doubt about it. Winning back his wife and child wouldn't be a simple matter.
He could tell that Gao Qiming, who wasn't in good health in his eyes, wasn't joking when he said what he just said. Perhaps Gao Qiming was just waiting for an opportunity to make him give up completely, so that he could openly and legitimately take over the position that belonged to him.
Although the person in front of him was trying to persuade him, Xiao Ming sensed a feeling of wanting to help but being reluctant to let go. Even if it was just his imagination, it inexplicably put an invisible pressure on him.
It seems that if we don't act quickly, we might really end up benefiting someone else.
Lost in thought, Xiao Ming unknowingly finished the rest of the beer on the table. He glanced at his wrist; it was already five in the afternoon. The party downstairs should be ending soon.
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