However, Xu Lin did not confirm with them earlier. After all, he couldn't just let them rent it because they wanted to; he needed it for himself too.
Besides, it was only out of kindness that they offered him the leasing opportunity. He wasn't the landlord after all.
"Remember to tell my brother, one box of yogurt per week."
"Doctor sister, can you finish so much?"
"I can finish it. There are only 12 in a box, and I need two a day, which isn't enough."
"Alright, I'll let him know. I'm leaving then." Xu Lin saw a bus stopping not far away and prepared to run over.
"Wait, let's exchange WeChat."
Initially, after Zhu Zhaoxue learned the boy's age, she had given up on her romantic thoughts. But watching the young man turn away, she couldn't help but call out involuntarily.
Sigh... Zhu Zhaoxue, you don't like young guys; you just want to make ordinary friends! Really, you won't make a move on your brother's students.
"But I didn't bring my phone. Write down my number, and I'll agree when I get back."
"Sure!"
"Why does the doctor sister seem so happy?"
"I'm always in a happy state because life is already tiring. If I don't cheer up, life would be too dull."
Xu Lin glanced sideways at the sunny smile on her face and couldn't help but smile himself, realizing something.
Although he had a good mindset, he rarely smiled like this. It wasn't that he was unhappy, but rather lacked this infectious sunny aura.
He also remembered how she always went into the hospital rounds with a beautiful smile.
Coming out, she would sigh tiredly, but immediately put on a smile.
Such a person not only makes a good doctor but is also a rare enthusiast for life.
After giving his phone number, Xu Lin turned and headed towards the bus stop.
Watching Xu Lin's figure recede, Zhu Zhaoxue took small steps towards the opposite direction.
Just as she entered the hospital, she heard a colleague approaching.
"What's up? You seem so happy."
"Happy?"
"Your smile looks even better."
"Wang Jie, you noticed my smile."
"Really, did something good happen?"
"No, I just ate something I like."
And had a chat with an interesting boy on the side.
Xu Lin boarded the bus and realized it would take two transfers to get home, instantly deflating his handsome face.
He lifted his head, checked the station sign, and found the terminus was on the other side of Changlan Road, next to Zhuxiang Alley, near Bai Xiaoxiao's house.
"Since I'm carrying the pearl, I'll stop by and check if she's eating properly."
And so, after a twenty-minute bus ride, he arrived at the southern end of Zhuxiang Alley, then walked along the main road.
He asked many people along the way before finally reaching Bai Xiaoxiao's doorstep, as he truly couldn't remember this complex route.
Looking at the alley with no drainage or sewage system, damp and slightly smelly, Xu Lin suddenly felt that even if it was cheap, they should be moved elsewhere.
Speaking of the shop, upstairs, I wonder if a rest area can be set up. Although crowded, at least the conditions would be much better than here.
He approached, knocked on the door, and heard footsteps inside the courtyard. With a creak, the old wooden door opened.
Bai Xiaoxiao poked her head out, and Xu Lin smiled at her, noticing that Bai Xiaoxiao hadn't intentionally darkened her complexion at this moment, looking completely fair.
Wearing a baggy blue school uniform without a hint of rouge, she appeared even more pure and lovely.
But her eyes were red at the corners, and there was still a faint trace of tears on her slightly rounder cheeks than before, making his heart ache.
"What happened?" Xu Lin approached directly, grabbing her hand. "Did your parents say something to you?"
"It's nothing..." Bai Xiaoxiao lowered her head. He reached out with his other hand and embraced her.
"Xu Lin..." Bai Xiaoxiao's face instantly reddened. Apart from her father, no other man had ever embraced her.
Feeling Xu Lin's warm breath and his hand on her waist, she surprisingly felt comfortable.
"No matter what happens, I will protect you, guard you. Don't cry, I'm here."
"No... actually... it's... our Coco..."
"Coco?"
Xu Lin was momentarily puzzled, then remembered Coco, the small mongrel that always followed her out whenever she opened the door.
"Isn't it a little dog? Has it passed away?"
"No, it's just missing. It ran out last night, and we didn't pay much attention because it often goes out on its own overnight and returns the next morning. But this time, it hasn't come back."
"I'm afraid... there have been dog thefts recently. I'm afraid... it might have been caught."
"This..."
Unfortunately, the mall didn't refresh any search items, so they could only search hard. But Xu Lin was unfamiliar with the area too.
"Xu Lin, it's okay, don't worry. If it really can't come back, let's think it found a better home, not having to eat leftovers anymore."
Although she said this, a tear rolled down her cheek, which Xu Lin gently wiped away with his finger.
Bai Xiaoxiao, with her slender arms, tightly clasped his waist, unintentionally causing him some pain.
It was the first time Xu Lin had been embraced so actively by a girl, but right now she needed comfort, so he gently patted her back.
"It's okay, it will come back. Don't give up completely, maybe it will come back soon."
"Yeah. By the way, where's your school uniform?"
"I came out for something at noon today, so I left it at school."
"I see." As they talked, Bai Xiaoxiao seemed addicted to hugging him, still not letting go.
Little did they know, a figure peeked from the courtyard and then went back inside.
"Hey, Lao(Old) Bai, I just went out and saw your daughter hugging Xu Lin."
"They didn't kiss, so what's the..." Father Bai glanced at the newspaper and casually remarked, earning a smack on the belly from Mother Bai.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not that old-fashioned, but seeing our daughter take the initiative..."
"Ah, young people's affairs. As long as they don't go too far. But formal dating, I absolutely disagree. Our daughter understands that too."
"Yeah, but my main concern is Xiaoxiao getting too attached. Didn't you say Xu Lin has a pretty girlfriend around him, and their relationship seems good?"
Mother Bai looked serious at her husband, who nodded.
"Yeah."
"So, I'm worried that our daughter might think he's right for her, but he ends up choosing someone else. She wouldn't handle it well."
"Don't worry, his character is unquestionable. Even if he's not with our daughter, he's our benefactor. He can handle this."
"Hopefully." Mother Bai still seemed worried.
"Alright, let's call them in. If neighbors see, they might start spreading rumors."
"Right, I'll call them."