Chapter 56
Shen Hui's appearance surprised both of them.
Xu Qingzhu had never met her before and did not know her, but judging from what she said, she could tell that her relationship with Zhao Xuning was not simple.
She had heard Bai Weiwei mention before that Zhao Xuning had an ex-girlfriend.
Hearing that the love was so profound that Zhao Xuning has been unable to move on from it.
Only an ex who couldn't part amicably could say something like that. Xu Qingzhu immediately explained, "You might have misunderstood. We're not a couple."
Shen Hui raised an eyebrow, her every smile and frown exuding charm.
It has a cool and aloof charm, yet it doesn't feel offensive at all.
Anyone who sees it will be momentarily stunned.
Simply because of her temperament and beauty.
This kind of beauty is not determined by physical appearance; it's a kind of aloof yet not annoying quality.
It is an arrogance that makes people unconsciously submit.
Xu Qingzhu was inwardly surprised by the woman's beauty, but showed no outward expression, remaining as calm and indifferent as ever. "I'm already married."
He then showed her his ring.
Shen Hui smiled lightly, "If you're married, then I advise you to stay away from certain people."
Xu Qingzhu asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
“Some people don’t discriminate between meat and vegetables,” Shen Hui said meaningfully. “You may be naive, but some people are not.”
"Chen Hui." Zhao Xuning almost gritted his teeth as he called out the name, emphasizing each word: "This is a hospital."
"So what?" Shen Hui raised an eyebrow, still unrestrained. "I can't speak?"
She stared intently at Zhao Xuning, as if she could slap him across the face if he denied it.
Xu Qingzhu even quietly moved to the edge, afraid of being caught in the crossfire of their battle.
She thought Zhao Xuning would respond strongly.
After all, this is Zhao Xuning's workplace, a sacred and inviolable place for him. Anyone who causes trouble here will be met with Zhao Xuning's cold shoulder.
But Zhao Xuning, who was usually calm and rational to the point of being abnormal, glanced over. From a distance of several meters, his eyes were lingering and his voice softened, only able to say something harmless: "Stop messing around."
It seems like she's being coquettish.
It also seemed like a plea for mercy.
It wasn't the kind of begging for mercy after being beaten or threatened.
It's more like the playful banter between young lovers.
Xu Qingzhu's eyes nearly popped out of her head. She swallowed hard, hearing the sounds especially clearly in the quiet environment.
Then both of their eyes turned to look at them.
Xu Qingzhu's heart tightened, and he immediately said, "You guys chat, I'm going to check on my wife."
After saying that, he immediately walked towards the ward.
Once she entered the ward, the corridor quieted down. Not far away were other wards, and the hospital was bustling with people, all sorts of sounds mingling together.
But it's just that there's a line drawn between the two of them.
He was completely out of place in the world.
Shen Hui stood ramrod straight, her hands in her coat pockets.
Zhao Xuning walked towards her first. She was slightly taller and looked at Chen Hui. Her voice was softer than usual, her cool tone carrying a hint of coquettishness. She whispered, "Why are you here?"
Shen Hui raised an eyebrow and retorted sharply, "Can't I come?"
"Sure." Zhao Xuning put his hands in his white coat pockets, adopting a slightly subservient tone, and said softly, "Would you like a drink?"
Shen Hui scoffed, "Do you think I came here to catch up with you?"
"No matter what we're doing," Zhao Xuning said, "we can always find time to have a drink together, right?"
“No.” Shen Hui refused firmly, then frowned and said, “Dr. Zhao, you’re still the same. You’re always showing affection and having designs on others.”
Zhao Xuning said helplessly, "I didn't, it's because of you..."
"Because of what?" Shen Hui interrupted her, sneering, "Is it because of me that you're so promiscuous? Or is it because you were hurt by me that you go around talking about your pain to attract women's attention?"
Zhao Xuning: "I didn't. Shen Hui, can you please listen to me properly?"
"I'm sorry," Shen Hui said coldly, "you no longer have the right to make me listen to you properly."
Zhao Xuning was speechless for a moment.
Her eyes were filled with tender and loving affection as she looked at Shen Hui, her eyes slightly red. Even though Shen Hui was so harsh in her response, she didn't get angry.
All I felt was a deep sense of powerlessness.
She should have known that once she lost her trust, this would be the outcome.
Zhao Xuning couldn't help but ask, "Did you skip meals again?"
Shen Hui frowned and asked coldly, "What's it to you?"
"You've lost weight again." Zhao Xuning ignored her coldness and said softly, "Would you like to come have dinner with me?"
"Zhao Xuning, can't you understand human language?" Shen Hui glared at her fiercely, her eyes like a knife, as if she wanted to stab Zhao Xuning a thousand times. But she softened her gaze slightly after meeting Zhao Xuning's eyes and turned her face away. "We are no longer in a relationship where we can eat together."
"Then what do you want?" Zhao Xuning asked.
Shen Hui: "..."
The words were stuck in his throat for a moment.
Zhao Xuning, the most beautiful, coldest, and most professionally competent doctor in the hospital, is known as the "flower on a high mountain" by the doctors and nurses.
It was the one that was hardest to pick.
So when she and Shen Hui stood facing each other in the hospital corridor, many people heard the commotion and the news spread in various groups.
Whether they had something to do or not, everyone who came to this floor wanted to come and see what was going on.
Shen Hui always faced the view from behind.
The nurses were in an uproar.
"Waaaaah, I just saw Dr. Zhao look like she was crying."
"Her eyes were so red they broke my heart."
"Is that her girlfriend? She doesn't look like it."
"Our Dr. Zhao is single! As long as she's single, I have a chance!"
"This is the first time I've seen Dr. Zhao like this. Her expression is so pitiful."
"If her interns saw this, their positive impression of Dr. Zhao would probably be shattered."
"I've developed a stronger bias towards her, waaaaa, she looks like a poor little puppy."
"..."
Am I the only one curious about what that woman looks like?
"I saw it, it was absolutely amazing!"
"Is she the older sister or the younger sister?"
"She looks like my older sister, truly, her beauty is indescribable!"
"That kind of aura is all built on money; her outfit alone cost over 400,000 yuan."
"Damn! I'm way too good for you!"
"..."
More and more eyes were cast at her, but Zhao Xuning ignored them. She just resisted the urge to pull Chen Hui away, her hot palms curling and relaxing in her pocket.
Seeing that Shen Hui's expression softened, he said again in a gentle voice, "Come have dinner with me. We can talk about it after we eat, okay?"
Shen Hui glanced at her, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Zhao Xuning left and followed.
Because she knew that for Shen Hui, not refusing meant acquiescence.
//
Xu Qingzhu only came out of the ward after the two left.
Although reason tells her she shouldn't be curious, it's hard for people to control their curiosity.
Meanwhile, the nurses in the corridor had already started discussing just how doting Dr. Zhao could be when he was in love.
Someone said with envy and longing, "I really want to date Dr. Zhao."
"Forget it." Someone was very self-aware. "I'm not good enough for Dr. Zhao."
Everyone: "..."
That seems to be true.
Liang Shi was still in a coma, and Xu Qingzhu stayed in the ward for a long time.
Xu Qingzhu didn't leave the ward until almost evening.
She went to the restroom.
After coming out, she bent over to wash her hands. The water flowed over her fingers, enveloping every inch of her skin, but she was lost in thought.
She was pondering Zhao Xuning's question, and also Shen Hui's answer.
"If she were a completely new person, would you love her?"
You can't step into the same river twice.
A very philosophical dialogue.