"Two beautiful ladies, the gentleman over there offers you drinks." The bartender placed two ready-made cocktails in front of Zuo Qinghuan and Li Xin.
Zuo Qinghuan and Li Xin turned their heads to look. A young and extremely handsome man signaled to them. He was younger than Han Shibin and more attractive, exuding a bad-boy vibe that could make women scream. However, Li Xin, naturally indifferent to men, glanced at him and withdrew her gaze.
Zuo Qinghuan, on the other hand, looked a bit longer, finding his features somewhat familiar, though she was certain she had never met him before. The man, evidently aware of her attention, stared back meaningfully, his gaze blatant and examining, which made Zuo Qinghuan uneasy.
"Who do you think he's interested in?" Li Xin asked casually.
"Probably you. You always heighten men's testosterone levels," Zuo Qinghuan replied with a laugh. Honestly, Zuo Qinghuan mostly attracted young, inexperienced guys, whereas Li Xin could attract men of any age group.
"He's looking at you. This guy seems like a playboy, no less than Han Shibin. He's coming over to flirt with you…" Li Xin observed Zuo Qinghuan with an amused expression.
Qin Teng's taste in women leaned more toward the voluptuous Li Xin beside her rather than Zuo Qinghuan. Yet, he was curious about what made Zuo Qinghuan appealing to his sister.
"Don't like the drink?" Qin Teng raised an eyebrow at Zuo Qinghuan.
"Yes, because she and I are a couple," Zuo Qinghuan pointed to Li Xin, rejecting Qin Teng's approach.
"What's fun about two women? With me, I promise you'll have a blast," Qin Teng dismissed Zuo Qinghuan's rejection and moved closer.
"Sorry, I only enjoy being with women," Zuo Qinghuan instinctively stepped back. This man had an oppressive aura, clearly not someone to mess with.
"How about ten million yuan for one night?" Qin Teng whispered near Zuo Qinghuan's ear, his hand resting on her waist.
Zuo Qinghuan tried to push him away, but she realized she couldn't. She sensed this was a tricky person to deal with.
"No thanks!" Zuo Qinghuan said, flustered, clearly intimidated by the sinister aura around him.
"My girlfriend doesn't like you being so close. Men disgust her," Li Xin said provocatively.
"Sweetheart, I don't mind a threesome," Qin Teng replied nonchalantly to Li Xin.
How dare he flirt with me? He must have a death wish. Li Xin's smile grew more seductive, but just as her sharp high heel was about to step on Qin Teng's foot, he suddenly released Zuo Qinghuan and discreetly avoided her attack.
"Think about it," Qin Teng whispered near Zuo Qinghuan's ear and, while she wasn't paying attention, slipped his contact information into her coat pocket. He was confident that no woman could resist him.
After Qin Teng left, Zuo Qinghuan finally relaxed her tense nerves. She didn't like him really didn't like him.
"What did he say to you?" Li Xin asked.
"Ten million for one night," Zuo Qinghuan answered truthfully.
"That's way more generous than Han Shibin. Miss Zuo is truly extraordinary," Li Xin teased.
"I can't afford to mess with someone like that, and besides, I've turned over a new leaf," Zuo Qinghuan said. She didn't consider herself stunningly beautiful to warrant such a high price for one night. Coming to the bar had been a mistake; Zuo Qinghuan found herself annoyed by the environment. She preferred being by Qin Wanshu's side. Thinking about not seeing Qin Wanshu for a while made her a bit gloomy.
"I'll head back now. Are you staying or coming with me?" Zuo Qinghuan asked.
"Didn't you say we'd go shopping for clothes together?" Li Xin reminded her about the makeover they'd discussed.
"The mall is probably about to close," Zuo Qinghuan checked her watch. It was almost 10 PM. Seeing the watch, she smiled as it reminded her of Qin Wanshu it was a gift from her. She felt a warm sense of happiness.
"Why are you smiling so dreamily?" Li Xin asked, annoyed by Zuo Qinghuan's silly grin.
"Can't I think about my darling Miss Qin?" Zuo Qinghuan said smugly.
"Careful, or I'll bite you!" Li Xin snorted. Public displays of affection were disgraceful!
Since it was close to Christmas, the mall stayed open an hour or two later than usual. Seeing the Christmas decorations reminded Zuo Qinghuan that Qin Wanshu's birthday fell on Christmas Eve only two or three days away. This would be their first birthday since they met, and they probably couldn't spend it together. The thought saddened her.
In the mall, Zuo Qinghuan quickly picked out two outfits and handed them to Li Xin to pay.
Li Xin stared at the clothes with a reluctant expression.
"Do I really have to wear these?" Li Xin asked uncertainly.
"Up to you, but I think Yan Ruozhe probably wouldn't like you dressing provocatively!" Zuo Qinghuan shrugged indifferently. She didn't have such concerns Qin Wanshu seemed to love her "fairy-like" style.
Hearing Yan Ruozhe is name, Li Xin immediately pulled out her wallet and paid for both outfits.
"Want to spend the night at my place?" Zuo Qinghuan asked. When they were single, they often hung out together to pass the time.
"No, I have plans later," Li Xin said, thinking about going to the hospital where Yan Ruozhe was.
After parting ways, Li Xin drove to the night market to buy some food before heading to the hospital.
"Ruozhe, go get some rest. There's a nurse here to watch over things…" Qian Shaowen, noticing Yan Ruozhe is tired state and the pile of documents and a laptop on the hospital table, felt a pang of sorrow.
"I'm fine. I want to stay with you," Yan Ruozhe replied with a faint smile.
"Ruozhe, if the surgery fails, you need to find someone who truly loves you and take good care of yourself. I can't bear to leave you alone in this world," Qian Shaowen said, knowing his own condition too well. If he didn't make it through, Ruozhe would be his biggest regret.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Yan Ruozhe said earnestly. He was her husband and her only family in this world.
"Silly girl, life and death are beyond our control." Qian Shaowen gently stroked Yan Ruozhe is head, having long accepted his fate, though he regretted burdening her.
Hearing this from outside the door, Li Xin felt a tightness in her chest. She didn't have the courage to knock and quietly backed away, not realizing she'd bumped the door, alerting those inside.
Yan Ruozhe turned. It was her. Why was she still here after her shift?
"I'll rest for a bit. Let me step out," Yan Ruozhe said gently to Qian Shaowen.
Seeing Li Xin's retreating figure, Yan Ruozhe hesitated briefly before calling out.
"Li Xin." Li Xin stopped when she heard her name.
"Yes?" She turned to see Yan Ruozhe.
"Why are you here? You're not on duty tonight," Yan Ruozhe asked, puzzled.
"I come and go as I please!" Li Xin said with mock petulance.
"When is his surgery scheduled?" Yan Ruozhe asked with concern.
As expected, Yan Ruozhe is focus was on Qian Shaowen's operation.
"Next Wednesday. That's all I'm leaving," Li Xin said, shoving the items in her hand at Yan Ruozhe before preparing to leave.
"What's this?" Yan Ruozhe asked, confused.
"I just bought it casually. You probably skipped dinner…" Li Xin, unable to meet Yan Ruozhe is eyes, felt awkward and knew she was being foolish. Even after being abandoned, she couldn't help but care for her.
Yan Ruozhe, seeing Li Xin's awkward demeanor, immediately realized she had come to the hospital specifically to bring her food.
"It's not homemade. I just bought it on the way not because I came here on purpose. The hospital's just close to where I live…" Li Xin's clumsy explanation only solidified Yan Ruozhe is suspicion.
"I've eaten already." Earlier, Qian Shaowen had food delivered. But knowing Li Xin had returned just to bring her food stirred something in Yan Ruozhe is heart.
Li Xin's expression changed slightly. She felt humiliated once again.
"I shouldn't have bothered," Li Xin said bitterly, avoiding Yan Ruozhe is gaze. In front of her, she felt as insignificant as dust.
"Li Xin, thank you," Yan Ruozhe said softly as Li Xin turned away, sensing her body stiffen slightly.
Yan Ruozhe had never thanked her for anything before. Li Xin couldn't understand what this thank-you meant.
"I don't want my future mistress starving," Li Xin joked, masking her vulnerability.
"If you truly heal him, I'll sincerely thank you and fulfill all my promises," Yan Ruozhe said earnestly. She was a person who kept her word.
"Why can you do so much for him?" Li Xin asked, not out of jealousy this time, but genuine curiosity.
"He's my family." Perhaps because Li Xin's tone lacked the usual anger and jealousy and even softened toward Qian Shaowen, Yan Ruozhe replied seriously.
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