Due to the telephone call yesterday, Lin Mian was absent-minded all day. She didn't want to delay the progress of her work, so she turned on her phone for a while, but Lin's mother's calls kept coming one after another. She had no choice but to continue turning off her phone. Yesterday, she finished the measurements on the third floor, and today she stayed on the sixth floor all day without seeing Shi Lin's figure. In the evening after work, Qin Li suddenly appeared at the hospital, personally coming to pick up Lin Mian. "Qin Lao Shi, why are you here?" Lin Mian was quite surprised to see him. "I've finished my work and specially came to pick you up for dinner. You always don't eat properly, making me worried. How could I not come to watch over you?" Qin Li half-jokingly said. Lin Mian felt a little embarrassed. She had only been working for two days, and she kept mooching off Qin Li's meals. Moreover, every meal was at the standard of a high-end restaurant. Back when she was in school, she couldn't afford to eat like this for a year. "Qin Lao Shi, actually my stomach isn't that weak. The hospital provides me with a dining card, and my meals these days are pretty good. It's not appropriate for you to spend money all the time." "Oh, it's just a little money, nothing to worry about." Qin Li waved it off, not caring at all. "Since I'm already here, how about you give me face and accompany me for a meal today?" Since he put it that way, Lin Mian couldn't refuse and just nodded. "Okay, I'll treat you to a meal once I receive my salary." "I'll remember that. You owe me a meal."Qin Li laughed heartily, then personally picked up Lin Mian's toolbox and walked out with her. "Qin Lao Shi, let me carry the toolbox myself." Lin Mian asked anxiously, why would the boss carry her toolbox for her? "This thing is quite heavy. With a man around, how can I let a girl carry it?" Qin Li raised his lips, very easy-going. "Just follow me, get used to it, don't feel too pressured." Lin Mian felt pleasantly surprised. Qin Lao Shi was really a nice person, the most easy-going and kind teacher she had ever met. She silently encouraged herself in her heart: Lin Mian, you can do it, work hard and repay Qin Lao Shi! When they arrived at the underground parking lot, Qin Li had just started the engine when a black Land Rover cut in front of them. The string of license plate numbers couldn't be more familiar, so Qin Li rolled down the window and greeted him. "Dr. Shi, are you off work already?" Shi Lin glanced through the lowered window and immediately saw Lin Mian in the passenger seat. His gaze lingered for two seconds, then he casually responded, "Hmm." Qin Li said, "I'm taking Cotton to Xiangye Pavilion for dinner. Do you want to join us?" Shi Lin's gaze slid once again to Lin Mian in the passenger seat, the girl even unwilling to look at him, deliberately avoiding his eyes, showing clear disdain. Hmm, she really didn't like him. As if he was some kind of ferocious beast. Shi Lin tugged at his lips, coldly moved his gaze away. "I have something to do."Qin Li didn't inquire further and just nodded, "Okay, you go ahead." The two cars drove out of the parking lot, the black Land Rover quickly disappearing into the traffic. Lin Mian sat in the passenger seat and let out a sigh of relief, her whole heart finally relaxing. Thank goodness he wasn't there. Otherwise... the pressure would have been too much. She always felt that when she was with Qin Li, Shi Lin's gaze on her had a sharpness that was almost imperceptible, making her uneasy. "By the way, Cotton, do you know Shi Lin from before?" Qin Li suddenly asked out of the blue. Lin Mian's heart skipped a beat, shaking her head, "No, I don't know him. Why do you ask, Qin Laoshi?" "It's nothing, just felt that his gaze towards you seemed a bit off," Qin Li smiled, "But I know him, he's cold and aloof, like plain water, not interested in women, very uninteresting. He probably won't do anything to you." Lin Mian pursed her lips, not daring to say a word. She suddenly realized that they both didn't seem to understand Shi Lin very well.At least in the aspect of 'not being close to women'...
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the entrance of Xiang Yeleaf. Qin Li had already reserved a table, and Lin Mian followed him inside. This upscale restaurant had a more sophisticated atmosphere than the previous one, with beautiful piano music playing in the background and polite waiters.
It was Lin Mian's first time in such a fancy restaurant, and she couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.
Qin Li was very considerate, introducing her to the restaurant's specialty dishes and helping her choose a few items, alleviating Lin Mian's indecisiveness.
The waiter brought the menu and left.
Not long after, two figures suddenly appeared at the table next to them, attracting Lin Mian's attention. She glanced over and couldn't remain calm.
She saw Time Lin sitting with a woman, who appeared elegant and confident, even when seated.
Lin Mian's heart sank, unsure whether to continue looking or to pretend she hadn't seen them.
"What's wrong, Lin Mian? Do you see someone you know?" Qin Li noticed her change and asked.
Lin Mian forced a smile on her face and tried to appear calm, "No, maybe I mistook someone for someone else."
Two dishes arrived, Qin Li raised his glass and clinked it with Lin Mian, "Come, let's toast to your hard work in the hospital these past few days."
"Thank you, Teacher Qin." Lin Mian lifted her glass lightly, but her mind kept pondering over the relationship between Time Lin and the elegant lady she had glimpsed earlier.