A big bald head, pale and shiny.
Shi Wan had no interest or inclination to ponder why Lu Xicheng had abandoned his charming mane of hair in favor of a bald look.
Just then, Qi Jingye returned, handing his phone to Lu Xicheng with the speaker on.
“Xin Xin is looking for you, she misses you.”
Lu Xicheng’s gaze shifted away from Shi Wan as he began speaking into the phone.
【Arrived at the hotel?】
Lin Zaixin: 【Yes～】
【Checked in yet?】
Lin Zaixin: 【Mm～ I’m about to take a shower. When will you get here?】
【I’ll be right there.】
Lin Zaixin: 【Waiting for you, bye～】
When Lu Xicheng turned his handsome face back toward Shi Wan, a faint smile still lingered at the corner of his lips.
“Please proceed to the payment counter to settle today’s special consultation fee.” Shi Wan gave a slight nod and squeezed past Lu Xicheng.
Once outside, she ran into several elderly aunties who had come to the surgical treatment room looking for her.
Two of them, whose injuries had healed, had brought some local specialties from their hometowns as gifts for her.
The others were brought by acquaintances—first-time patients who wanted to discuss their conditions privately with her, warming up to the idea.
She was surrounded.
Immersed in her own busy world.
Qi Jingye watched from a distance, clicking his tongue in admiration. “This female doctor is truly remarkable. Her medical skills are profound and extensive, so well-loved.”
Turning back, he saw Lu Xicheng staring intently.
He patted his shoulder. “What were you talking to her about just now?”
“Nothing.”
“Cut the crap! Don’t I know you? Apart from Xin Xin, when have you ever invited another woman for a private chat?”
Lu Xicheng’s expression remained unreadable as he strode forward with his long legs.
Qi Jingye followed, earnestly reminding him:
“Old Lu, buddy, let me say this—your Xin Xin’s…”
By the time they left the clinic, Lu Xicheng’s rear-ended car had already been towed away.
Only the sports cars driven by his two childhood friends remained parked by the roadside.
Five men, but the cars seated only four.
Lu Xicheng suggested waiting—his other assistant was on the way to rescue them.
Late September, the sky was clear and boundless, the sun blazing. Mao Bin had just gotten stitches, another injured man had iodine swabbed on the corner of his eye, swollen red and black, and Lu Xicheng himself had just had his bone set. Yet he made the injured wait outside the clinic under the scorching sun. Qi Jingye’s suspicions deepened.
“Old Lu, are you getting attached to that female doctor?”
Lu Xicheng’s expression remained indifferent. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Then let’s go. One of us can just take a taxi.”
“Enough chatter. Everyone, wait!”
When the assistant finally arrived with a car, providing seats for everyone, Lu Xicheng still refused to leave.
So Mao Bin left first with the other injured man.
Qi Jingye and Peng Yu stayed behind to keep him company.
They waited until lunchtime, with Qi Jingye and Peng Yu’s brows furrowed into deep creases from the sun.
“Old Lu, have you lost your mind?”
“Roasting yourself on the street in this heat, watching yourself sizzle and drip oil, making your twisted soul even more twisted—is that some kind of extraordinary pleasure?”
They couldn’t fathom what game he was playing, even if their heads were smashed open.
Qi Jingye no longer suspected him of harboring any special feelings for the female doctor.
Given Lu Xicheng’s usual way of doing things, if he truly liked someone, he would go after her directly, not hesitate cautiously and indecisively.
They waited another hour.
1:30 p.m.
Even the sun seemed tired, hanging lazily in the sky.
The ground was blindingly white, making it hard to keep their eyes open.
Just then, a woman in a creamy yellow dress walked out of the clinic. She wore a mask, her hair tied in a loose bun, her dress flowing gracefully as she moved with light steps.
Lu Xicheng stubbed out his cigarette and hurried over.
Meanwhile, Shi Wan saw the man she never wanted to lay eyes on again, haunting her like a lingering ghost.
She took off the small leather bag from her shoulder, ready for a fight.
With her path blocked, Shi Wan slightly lifted her long lashes. "What do you want?"
Lu Xicheng smiled. "I came to the capital city on business with friends, got into a car accident, and I'm just waiting for rescue. Don't overthink it—I'm not here for you."
In that case, Shi Wan didn't want to say another word.
She turned around and walked back in the opposite direction.
After just a few steps, her arm was grabbed by Lu Xicheng.
"Admit you're Shi Wan, afraid I'll pounce on you?"
Shi Wan coldly rebuked, "Please don't harass me unreasonably. You've mistaken me for someone else."
Lu Xicheng yanked her right arm hard, spinning her around.
Just as she was about to crash into Lu Xicheng's embrace, Shi Wan raised her leg and kicked.
She struck the back of Lu Xicheng's knee, causing his long leg to buckle instantly, and his right leg knelt down.
Almost at the same time, Lu Xicheng flashed her a wicked smile.
Shi Wan couldn't help but exclaim, "Have you gone mad!?"
In her memory, Lu Xicheng was not this kind of person.
Lu Xicheng didn't hold back at all, smiling even more wickedly, as if his madness had reached an incurable stage.
"Not only am I mad, I'm also a scoundrel."
"Not only am I a scoundrel, I also… steal."
Whoosh!!
A dark shadow flashed before Shi Wan's eyes, and her face was scratched.
In the blink of an eye, her mask was in Lu Xicheng's hand.
The situation had escalated too quickly, and she instinctively went on guard.
The next moment.
Lu Xicheng released her and sneered, "Don't misunderstand—I just wanted to confirm whether my eyesight has reached a masterful level."
Shi Wan responded coldly, "Then please stay away from me."
Lu Xicheng raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Shi Wan, the way you're looking at me is off."
Shi Wan turned sideways to avoid him, not wanting to face him any longer.
He laughed. "You look at me as if I'm a lifeless object. Be reasonable—you're the one who faked your death and deceived everyone. You're the one who died, not me. I'm alive."
Shi Wan felt a chill run through her entire body and didn't want to say another word.
Lu Xicheng let out a teasing laugh. "Hiding in the capital city, trying to make me taste the feeling of losing you forever? So I'll regret it and you can firmly possess me?"
Shi Wan couldn't help but speak up. "You're overthinking it."
"Playing hard to get, aren't you? You clearly love me to death, dreaming of being my woman every day."
"Lu Xicheng, your madness is severe! There's only one reason I left—to never, ever see you again for all eternity."
Lu Xicheng laughed and nodded.
"Hahaha! I know! I know!"
"I know you never want to see me again for all eternity."
"Of course, I won't let you see me if I don't want to see you."
"But if we ever run into each other again, don't think I'm creating opportunities for you to see me—that would make you seem too self-absorbed."
"Shi Wan, you should know—the world is quite small."
"If you see the disgusting me, blame whoever's fixing the Earth and see if they can widen it a bit."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Jingye and Peng Yu rushed up to Shi Wan with wide eyes.
Qi Jingye stared at her as if he'd seen a ghost in broad daylight. "Aren't you dead?"
His next sentence was a sharp, accusatory question. "How are you alive again!?"
And the next, filled with deep concern and heartache. "If you show up again, it'll affect Xin Xin's mood!"
Just as Shi Wan was about to speak, Peng Yu cut in with a question.
"Did you fake your death to play the long game? To reel in Xicheng?"
She couldn't take it anymore. "Do you think with your hands?"
Peng Yu was agitated, "You never change! Always coveting Xin Xin's man. Let me tell you, these past three years, Xicheng has spoiled Xin Xin rotten. He cherishes her, loves her, and guards her every step of the way."
"Better back off now—Xicheng won't want you anymore."
"There's no room for you to come between him and Xin Xin."
He finished venting without giving Shi Wan a chance to retort.
The two men flanked Lu Xicheng, decisively pulling him away.
The three men turned their backs to Shi Wan and headed toward the car.
Qi Jingye and Peng Yu were still talking about her, their voices especially loud due to their anger.
Qi Jingye: "If she wants to die, she should do it far away—like tying a stone to herself and sinking into a river or something, without letting anyone know. Hiding in the capital city—isn't that just admitting guilt and waiting for Xicheng to find her?"
Peng Yu snorted: "How could she even think of it? Is she worth Xicheng remembering for three years? Xin Xin is ten thousand times better than her."
Qi Jingye: "No matter what, we won't allow her to hurt Xin Xin again."