Qiao Rulong frowned slightly. He was, of course, very aware of who Wang Zeqiang was referring to. They walked over to the liquor cabinet, and Wang Zeqiang poured him a glass of whiskey.
Qiao Rulong took a sip and said, "Your dad has already made a promise. Let’s leave it at that."
Wang Zeqiang asked, "Is he i Ru Xue’s boyfriend?"
Upon hearing him ntion his sister’s na, Qiao Rulong felt a bit sensitive and said nonchalantly, "This has nothing to do with your cousin."
Wang Zeqiang scoffed, "I never considered her my cousin. If it weren’t for her, my aunt wouldn’t be so unfortunate."
Qiao Rulong put down his glass and said seriously, "Zeqiang, whether you admit it or not, Xiaoxue is my sister, my family, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt her."
Wang Zeqiang’s lips curled into a strange smile. "Cousin, don’t worry. I won’t hurt her, but I won’t let that Xu guy off."
Qiao Rulong sighed, "Zeqiang, just let it go. Your uncle won’t let you act recklessly."
Wang Zeqiang angrily said, "Who does that Xu think he is? Just a low-level commoner. Yet he dared to ride over and insult in front of so many people. If I endure this, how will I manage in the Capital City? How will others see ?"
Qiao Rulong asked, "What happened with those two female college students?"
"How many tis do I have to say it? I was just being nice, giving them a ride ho. I don’t know what’s wrong with this world. You can’t even be a good person anymore, no good deed goes unpunished!" Given that nothing really happened, he would never admit it.
Qiao Rulong looked at Wang Zeqiang aningfully. It wasn’t just Xu Chunliang who wanted to hit him; even he wanted to. Wrong is wrong, and he dared to do it but not admit it? If it wasn’t for Grandpa stepping in, Xu Chunliang wouldn’t have let it go, and Wang Zeqiang might have ended up in an asylum by now.
Qiao Rulong recalled what Xu Chunliang said when treating Wang Zeqiang and deliberately reminded him, "How is it in that regard?"
"What regard?" Wang Zeqiang asked, and when he saw his cousin glancing downward, he imdiately understood. He pressed his lips together, embarrassed to speak on this subject even in front of his cousin. His performance in that area had never been ideal, despite his young age, he had already started using dications.
Ever since the bar incident, Wang Zeqiang hadn’t even thought about it. His cousin’s reminder suddenly made him realize he hadn’t had a single firm mont these days. Was it because of the condition affecting his interest, or was it an issue with his body? Wang Zeqiang felt a bit panicked.
Qiao Rulong said, "Zeqiang, why don’t you consider studying abroad?"
"Did my dad ask you to persuade ?"
Qiao Rulong said, "You’re not a kid anymore. You’ve got to look at the bigger picture, or you’ll suffer in the future."
His reminder was gentle enough, yet it still provoked Wang Zeqiang’s displeasure. Wang Zeqiang shouted angrily, "Cousin, I can give you face and leave i Ru Xue alone, but I won’t let Xu Chunliang go. He started this with , don’t plead for him!"
Qiao Rulong smiled lightly, patted Wang Zeqiang on the shoulder, and said, "No need to talk about face between brothers. I’ll head off now, think it over." He wasn’t pleading for Xu Chunliang; he just had a feeling that if Wang Zeqiang continued pressing the issue, the end could be disastrous.
When Qiao Rulong left, Wang Siqi walked him to the door and gently said, "Rulong, co over more often and give your cousin so guidance."
Qiao Rulong said, "Mom, Qingya and I discussed letting you stay with us."
Wang Siqi was briefly taken aback, then imdiately shook her head and said, "No, I’m fine here."
Qiao Rulong said, "Grandpa said our whole family would go to Pinghai for New Year, and he asked to invite you."
Wang Siqi felt a sting in her nose, almost tearing up. Since she had left the Qiao Family, this was the first ti the old man invited her back for New Year. She shook her head, "I won’t go. Too many things are happening in your uncle’s house lately. I’ll stay with them; besides, your grandparents are coming back for New Year too."
Qiao Rulong nodded. He knew his mother’s reluctance to return for New Year was still about i Ru Xue.
i Ru Xue had arrived at Dongzhou Restaurant early, waiting for Xu Chunliang as usual in the parking lot.
Xu Chunliang had prepared in advance, and as soon as he saw i Ru Xue’s car, he headed out, running into Deputy Director Fu Guomin of the Dongzhou Beijing Office at the entrance.
Fu Guomin was out for his morning exercise, surprised to see Xu Chunliang leaving so early. "Heading out so early?"
Xu Chunliang smiled, "Just going out for a bit and buying so stuff. I’m heading back tomorrow, you know."
Fu Guomin said, "Leaving already? I’ll see you off tonight."
Xu Chunliang said, "No need, I have to co every month. If you make it such a big deal each ti, I’ll feel embarrassed to co."
Fu Guomin laughed heartily and said in a low voice, "The dicine you gave works quite well. I went to the hospital for a follow-up yesterday, and the bilateral thyroid nodules are all gone. Even the doctors found it unbelievable."
Xu Chunliang said, "That proves the dicine was the right fit and that your body was in good condition to start with."
Fu Guomin kept nodding. He actually wanted to ask for a prescription to boost certain functions, but seeing that Xu Chunliang was heading out, he didn’t want to hold him up. They agreed to have a small gathering that evening. He would invite a few friends, and Xu Chunliang could bring so along too.
Xu Chunliang found it hard to refuse such hospitality, so he had to agree.
He got in the car outside, fastening his seatbelt while saying to i Ru Xue, "Sorry to keep you waiting!"
i Ru Xue smiled sweetly and said, "It’s good that you could co."
Xu Chunliang asked, "Where shall we go to have fun?"
i Ru Xue replied, "The plan has changed, we have to make a trip to the Wang Family."
"The Wang Family? Wang Jiancheng?"
i Ru Xue nodded.
Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t think I have much to discuss with him, do I?"
i Ru Xue laughed again, "It’s Grandpa’s arrangent. Wang Jiancheng’s father, Wang Zhengdao, has co down with a strange illness. They’ve seen many doctors, but none have been effective. So, they want you to take a look, hoping you might be able to help."
i Ru Xue was well aware of the intricacies involved. Elder Wang and her grandfather had been longti partners and had always hoped to arrange a marriage between herself and Wang Jiancheng. Now that her grandfather finally agreed not to interfere with her romantic affairs, he felt a sense of guilt towards the Wang Family.
Wang Elder played a crucial role in her brother’s move to Hua Tou, so her grandfather proposed that Xu Chunliang see Wang Zhengdao as a way to repay the Wang Family favor. It was also a signal to the Wang Family that the marriage proposal between her and Wang Jiancheng was off. More importantly, it was a demonstration of trust in Xu Chunliang’s dical skills.
Of course, i Ru Xue was unaware that the real reason behind Elder Wang facilitating her brother’s move to Hua Tou was not due to "revolutionary friendship" but rather a matter of exchanging interests.
On the way to the Wang Household, i Ru Xue explained the situation to Xu Chunliang. Understanding the circumstances, Xu Chunliang was happy to be the "good guy," although he didn’t have a dical license, so he couldn’t guarantee a cure for Wang Zhengdao before seeing him.
In fact, Wang Jiancheng had previously talked to him about Wang Zhengdao’s strange illness. Xu Chunliang had thought Wang Jiancheng would invite him to help, but so many days had passed without hearing from him, leading him to suspect that the Wang Family didn’t trust his dical skills.
Xu Chunliang found that the trip to the Capital City was not in vain. Although Elder Qiao hadn’t agreed to his relationship with i Ru Xue, at least they were no longer opposed. He had managed to resolve i Ru Xue’s troubles and restore her freedom.
Xu Chunliang asked i Ru Xue about her work situation.
i Ru Xue said, "I want to return to work at Weishan Island, but it doesn’t seem likely at the mont."
Xu Chunliang replied, "Then won’t we beco like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, separated by great distances and needing to take the high-speed train just to et?"
i Ru Xue laughed, "There’s not much chance of returning to Hu Shan Town, but going back to Dongzhou shouldn’t be an issue. I brought it up, and Grandpa didn’t object."
Xu Chunliang asked, "You’re at the division level now, right?"
i Ru Xue nodded.
Xu Chunliang said, "A division-level official doesn’t stand out much in Dongzhou. It’s not as impressive as being the town mayor in Hu Shan Town. Besides, isn’t Secretary Kong leaving? Once he’s gone, you’d be the secretary, and if you don’t go back, it’ll just benefit Qin Zhengyang."
i Ru Xue replied, "Qin Zhengyang does have so abilities. Anyway, don’t worry about my matters. I estimate a direction can be decided before the year ends, but I’m determined to return to Dongzhou."
Xu Chunliang grinned, "Because of ."
i Ru Xue nodded and said, "Yes, because of you. If I’m not by your side keeping an eye on you, who knows how far you’ll fly." She’s well aware of Xu Chunliang’s knack for attracting attention, so she needs to plan for the future.
Xu Chunliang reached out and gently caressed i Ru Xue’s hand on the gear lever. Her charming face flushed, and she bit her lip, saying, "Take your dirty hand away, always taking advantage of ."
Xu Chunliang said, "Heaven is my witness, my feelings for you have always been rooted in propriety." Though his words were eloquent, a certain part of him had already started to stir. Simply put, he was getting turned on.
i Ru Xue said, "We’ve arrived!"
Before i Ru Xue’s car had co to a stop, Wang Jiancheng ca out to greet them. Seeing Xu Chunliang, he extended his hand, "Welco, welco!"
Xu Chunliang shook hands with him and got straight to the point, "Where’s the patient?"
Wang Jiancheng said, "No rush." He wanted to invite Xu Chunliang to help before, but his father hadn’t agreed. This ti, after Elder Qiao’s recomndation, his father finally agreed to let Xu Chunliang co and diagnose the illness.
Wang Jiancheng was well aware that his father’s consent stemd from not daring to refuse. Although Elder Qiao had arranged for Qiao Rulong to enter Hua Tou, his uncle’s successful promotion also benefited from Elder Qiao’s reciprocity. In theory, the two families were even, but Elder Qiao letting Xu Chunliang help with the diagnosis was ant to resolve the issue between him and i Ru Xue.
Both the Qiao and the Wang Families initially intended to align through marriage, but now the Qiao Family had changed their mind. Wang Jiancheng was indeed a bit disappointed. Aside from her family background, i Ru Xue was outstanding in every aspect, and marrying her would be a good match.
In this matter, his grandfather was the most enthusiastic, but things didn’t go as planned. i Ru Xue had her heart set on soone else—she was fond of Xu Chunliang.
On the sixth day of the lunar new year, wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year! It’s the last day of the holiday; tomorrow, everyone will start work again. Before you go back to work, please vote for Octopus with your monthly tickets!
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