Tang Xuan’er worked in the largest hospital in Beijiang city.
Today was the 8th of March, commonly known as International Women’s Day.
The hospital had specially arranged a tour as a form of welfare for its many employees.
By the time Tang Xuan’er arrived at the hospital, everyone was already there.
“Xuan’er, happy International Women’s Day!” A handsome male doctor with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses approached Tang Xuan’er and greeted her with a smile.
Tang Xuan’er nodded and said, “Thank you.”
“Xuan’er, it’s just you by yourself again? Take my car later. I just bought a new BMW!” The male doctor said suggestively.
But Tang Xuan’er shook her head and said, “There’s no need for that. My friend will be joining me later.”
The male doctor’s smile quickly turned sour.
His name was Lin Huan, and he was a medical doctor who had just returned from abroad.
After joining this hospital, he met Tang Xuan’er for the first time. Mesmerized by Tang Xuan’er’s stunning countenance, he began a frenzied pursuit of her.
But Tang Xuan’er was always lukewarm towards his advances, and this frustrated Lin Huan.
His family was part of the upper-class society of Beijiang, and on top of that, he was a good-looking man. This was why there was never a lack of women surrounding him, even when he was young.
However, no one had captivated him quite as deeply as Tang Xuan’er had.
But no matter how hard Lin Huan tried to get close to her, Tang Xuan’er remained unmoved.
She was waiting for a friend…
But what friend?
Was it a man or a woman?
With these questions in his heart, Lin Huan looked forlorn and became a little gloomy.
Meanwhile, somewhere not too far away, several nurses had gathered together. They were looking at how Lin Huan was trying desperately to please and court Tang Xuan’er. They could not help but feel a little jealous.
“What’s so great about this Tang Xuan’er? She’s not that much prettier than us. How does she actually make Doctor Lin so infatuated with her,” a girl with a few freckles on her nose said hatefully.
This girl’s name was Luo Jing. She had always carried a torch for Lin Huan, but the latter was simply not attracted to her at all. This was why she directed all her anger and jealousy at Tang Xuan’er.
Whenever she had the chance to, she would heap scornful words and sarcastic remarks at Tang Xuan’er.
This time was no exception.
The nurses around her were her confidants. Naturally, they would be on her side. They all nodded along to her remarks and joined in on the gossiping.
“Look at how she’s putting on a fake, innocent look. I get so angry whenever I see that look. I heard that she refuses to have a boyfriend because she’s looking after her friend’s child.”
“Pfft, what do you mean by a friend’s child? Who knows? That child might actually be hers!”
These vicious words drifted into Tang Xuan’er’s ears.
Tang Xuan’er, however, was expressionless.
All these years, she had gotten quite used to all these groundless gossiping.
Sometimes, it was a sin just for a woman to be born beautiful.
No matter how hard she tried to distance herself from boys, there was no way she could block off all this vilification that was laden with jealousy.
One of the people in charge of the tour spoke up. “Is everyone ready? Those with cars can drive. Those that don’t can take the shuttle bus that’s been arranged by the hospital. This time, our destination is… Cloud Dream Lake!”
Cloud Dream Lake?
Tang Xuan’er was taken aback. When she recovered, she laughed at the irony of the situation.
She had literally rushed from Cloud Dream Lake to come here, and now, she would be heading back there again.
But it did not matter either. After all, the tour only lasted for a day. It was not too far to travel back and forth.
A lot of the attendees had driven to the hospital. So they gathered their closest friends to travel together in their cars to Cloud Dream Lake.
Lin Huan came over to Tang Xuan’er again to try his luck. “Xuan’er, I see that your friend still isn’t here yet. Maybe your friend can’t make it. Why don’t you take my car instead? We can travel together.”
Tang Xuan’er shook her head and said, “If he says he will come, he will definitely be here.”
It was an outright rejection straight to his face, yet again. The humiliation was apparent on Lin Huan’s face. He was beginning to lose his cool.
He had tried, over and over again, to be nice and kind to her. How could this woman be so oblivious and unappreciative of his kindness?
Lin Huan thought to himself, “I can’t wait to see this friend of yours… What kind of background does he have?”
Just then, Xue Xiang and Xue Nian came prancing in.
Today, the two little girls had changed into brand new clothes. They had also styled their hair in braids. They were so adorable that one would feel so tempted to hug and take a bite out of them.
“Auntie Xuan’er.” The two little girls shouted in their childish voices.
Tang Xuan’er rustled the two little girls’ heads playfully. “Have the two of you had your breakfast?”
“Yes! Papa made us some porridge, and it was delicious.” As usual, Xue Nian could only think of food, no matter what time of day it was.
As this was taking place, Lin Huan’s expression started to change. He had heard the rumors about Tang Xuan’er, but he did not expect them to be true.
Was she really raising two little girls?
What was the relationship between her and these two little girls?
Just as he was trying to figure this out, Xue An walked in.
His appearance caught the attention of many of the people present in the room.
This was especially true for Luo Jing and company, whose faces looked even more excited than before.
“See that? That guy is probably Tang Xuan’er’s little lover!”
“He looks pretty young!”
“So what if he’s young? Look at the clothes he’s wearing!” Luo Jing was extremely good at telling a person’s family background and status from the clothes they wore.
When she saw that Xue An was dressed in a casual outfit that was no more than a few hundred bucks, she could not help but show some disdain on her face.
So, this was the kind of man that she had found for herself?
It seemed that Tang Xuan’er’s taste in men was not that great after all!
Luo Jing was secretly pleased at this thought.
Meanwhile, Lin Huan was staring at Xue An with eyes filled with enmity. He too, was looking for flaws and faults in this man.
In terms of looks… hmm, they were on par with each other.
But in terms of dress sense, the difference was very apparent.
The more he compared, the more arrogant Lin Huan’s expression became.
At this time, the person-in-charge came over and interrupted the conversation. “Xuan’er, what about you? Are you taking the shuttle bus?”
Tang Xuan’er looked towards Xue An.
Xue An smiled and said, “I came here in a cab.”
The looks on Luo Jing and her friends’ faces were all the more contemptuous.
This man did not even own a car!
Lin Huan felt that it was the perfect opportunity for him to make another move. He walked over and said with a smile, “Xuan’er, let’s just take my car!”
Tang Xuan’er shook her head and said, “My friend…”
Lin Huan interrupted Tang Xuan’er while she was speaking and shot Xue An a menacing look. “That’s fine. I drove an X5. It won’t be a problem even if your friend comes along.”
Tang Xuan’er felt that it was not very appropriate, but Xue An said nonchalantly, “Great. I’ve never been in an X5 before.”
Li Huan sneered as he thought to himself, “It seems like you’re just a country bumpkin from the rural villages. Just watch me deal with you in a while!”
Lin Huan drove his car over and opened the door of the front seat. And then he said, “Xuan’er, you can sit here.”
Tang Xuan’er shook her head and said, “I’d better sit in the back.”
With that said, she led Xue Xiang and Xue Nian over to the backseats.
Lin Huan gritted his teeth. Xue An mindlessly walked over to the front seat of the car and sat himself down. In an indifferent tone, Xue An said, “Let’s go.”
This instantly annoyed Lin Huan.
Was this man treating himself as his personal chauffeur?
But based on the current situation, Lin Huan could not let his temper flare. He could only keep his rage in check as he turned the key and started to drive.
While on the road, he kept an eye on Xue An.
After Xue An got into the car, he merely sat there the whole time with a calm expression.
Lin Huan felt that this stranger was someone who was not worthy of a second thought.
He dared to put up such a pretentious front? Just look at the way he was dressed! He did not even have a car of his own!
When we get to Cloud Dream Lake I will show you what you’re in for!
Because of the rain last night, the scenery of Cloud Dream Lake was even more picturesque today.
The crowd got out of their cars and the ladies began to feel excited and ventured further off to take photographs.
The men, on the other hand, stood by the lakeside to admire the scenery.
At this time, Lin Huan deliberately asked, “My friend, pardon me but may I ask which high post do you hold at work?”