As soon as Liu Wei entered, she saw the two sitting side by side— the woman smiling and chatting, the man listening intently.
She nearly ground her back teeth to pieces.
That day, her friend had threatened to report Qin Lin for improper conduct, and it hadn’t been just empty words.
She had been quietly monitoring the situation. Yesterday, the complaint letter was delivered through the reception office to the dean’s hands. She had personally seen him open it, and she had expected Qin Lin to be called in for questioning today.
But Qin Lin continued working as usual.
Instead, the dean held a full hospital-wide meeting for all medical staff.
He indirectly emphasized that everyone should focus on work and not engage in petty actions that would damage the hospital’s good atmosphere.
At that moment, a female colleague approached her.
“Xiao Liu, did you see the beauty sitting next to Qin Lin? That’s his wife. No wonder our department head’s introductions were rejected—he already has someone in mind.”
Liu Wei withdrew her dark gaze. “Who told you that?”
The colleague replied, “I asked him myself on the way here.”
Liu Wei’s chest tightened. She forced her tone to sound casual but probing. “Doctor Qin is very close with female colleagues in our department. Even when he’s busy, he helps solve problems without eating. I thought he might be interested in someone here.”
The colleague shook her head. “That’s just because he doesn’t want mistakes affecting his promotion. You probably don’t know—he’s being transferred to the affiliated hospital of Beijing University as a department head. The notice is already out.”
Liu Wei froze. “He’s being transferred? Who told you that? He’s still so young—how could he be promoted to department head?”
“I didn’t believe it either, but our director said it this morning. There was also a complaint about his personal conduct. The dean questioned him, and he said he has never been alone with any female colleague except relatives or friends. Even during the business trip with you, he was never alone with you.
When you said you were unwell, he even asked a train attendant to help take care of you.
He told the dean to provide witnesses and evidence. He refused to accept a vague letter as proof.
The dean suspected jealousy over his promotion and warned everyone during the meeting.”
Liu Wei couldn’t calm down for a long time.
She had thought he brought the train attendant along because he cared about her.
She thought he was worried something might happen to her.
So it was actually to guard against her.
Even his attentiveness had been for promotion.
How could he hurt her feelings like this?
……
After lunch,
Qin Lin suggested going out. “There’s a cinema nearby. It’s quiet during lunch hours. Want to go?”
Su Manman was delighted. “Okay!”
She had only ever seen outdoor village films before.
She had heard of cinemas but had never been inside one.
When they arrived, Su Manman was immediately drawn to the snacks outside the cinema—glutinous rice balls, sticky candy, and puffed corn snacks.
There were many flavors of sunflower seeds too—five-spice, milk, sweet, salty.
She wanted to try everything.
After Qin Lin bought the tickets, she asked him to buy snacks. “I want one of everything.”
Qin Lin said, “Except the sweet ones, everything else is fine.”
Su Manman muttered softly, “Stingy.”
“What did you say?”
Su Manman smiled brightly. “I said you’re handsome.”
Qin Lin didn’t believe her. If she was praising someone, she usually said it directly.
……
Inside the cinema,
Su Manman sat eating sunflower seeds, eyes shifting between the screen and her surroundings.
She noticed several couples sitting together, constantly making small intimate movements.
Holding hands, touching legs.
And it was always the men initiating.
She glanced at Qin Lin in confusion. Why wasn’t he doing those things?
But she didn’t really like being touched on the legs anyway—it felt embarrassing. Those men looked quite improper too.
So she grabbed his hand and interlocked their fingers.
His hand looked slender, but his thumb, index finger, and palm had a thin layer of callus.
His palm was warm.
According to her knowledge, people with pure yang constitution tend to have higher body temperature.
His pulse also indicated strong physical health and abundant energy—perfect for balancing yin and yang.
Qin Lin felt the softness of her hand, smooth like the finest jade, tempting him to rub it gently.
Unable to resist, he lightly stroked her hand. After a while, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
He lowered his eyes to observe her reaction.
Meeting her teasing smile, he immediately turned red and awkwardly let go, lowering his voice. “Watch the movie.”
Su Manman blinked. “The movie isn’t as good-looking as you.”
Qin Lin: “……”
……
After the movie, Qin Lin accompanied Su Manman to stroll around.
They passed a stylish Western-style building. Su Manman stopped.
Behind iron floral railings, fashionable men and women came and went. Inside, it was small but elegant, with beautiful landscape paintings on the walls.
Near the windows, people sat in twos and threes.
Each table had a small plate and a cup.
People carefully scooped tiny bites of dessert and slowly ate them.
Others elegantly sipped from their cups.
Qin Lin’s voice sounded beside her. “Manman, want to sit inside for a while?”
“You don’t have work?”
“Mm. A scheduled surgery was postponed.”
Su Manman looked inside again. “What are they eating? What are they drinking? It looks hard to eat and hard to drink. Why would people spend money to suffer like that?”
Qin Lin nearly laughed out loud.
His wife was really too cute.
“This is a coffee shop. They’re drinking coffee. The taste is a bit unique. The desserts are actually pretty good. Want to go in and try?”
“Next time,” Su Manman said. “I still have work. I haven’t finished my task today. Wish me luck.”
“Alright. Good luck.”
Qin Lin couldn’t help smiling. His little wife went to work early every day, while his second brother kept complaining to their father.
And yet, under her mediation, there wasn’t a couple she couldn’t break apart.
A man had an affair—she asked what an affair meant.
Another man cheated—she said she only knew about men being stolen, how do women steal?
Or she even encouraged couples to fight it out.
……
After parting with Qin Lin, Su Manman went back to work.
This time, the task went smoothly. She obtained the reconciliation agreement and returned to the office.
Chen Shuyi couldn’t believe it. The couple she assigned today were both nearly seventy years old. The old man had been caught visiting prostitutes, and the old lady had kicked him out.
They had failed to reconcile them twice before.
And now this girl actually succeeded?
She forced a smile. “Not bad. What did you say to make them agree so quickly?”
Su Manman lifted her chin proudly. “Not telling you!”
Hmph.
She already knew that everything happening at work was being reported to Old Master Qin by this woman.
Bad person.
Chen Shuyi: “……”
Speechless.