After her dramatic cousin stopped acting up, the aloof doctor got anxious.

Halfway there, he remembered that Qi Wenshen might be making rounds, so he took out his phone and sent a message.

【Where are you?】

[The consultation room.]

Wei Jing put away his phone and quickened his pace.

The nurses in the corridor all turned to look at the vice president who was smiling like he had won the lottery.

Qi Wenshen is writing a surgical record.

When Wei Jing came in, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Qi Wenshen glanced at him, then lowered his head and continued writing.

Wei Jing plopped down opposite Qi Wenshen, holding up her phone in front of him. "Old Qi, guess who invited me to dinner?"

"Who?"

Wei Jing's voice was full of smugness, "Shen Ruo took the initiative to ask me out for dinner tonight. She said she wanted to thank me for the Japanese food last time. Lao Qi, listen to this, what do you call this? This is called giving and receiving. When fate comes, you can't stop it."

Qi Wenshen didn't speak, but continued writing in his notes with a bit more force than before.

Wei Jing stood up, took two steps back, bent down and tugged at his collar, then straightened his sleeves. "Quick, help me see what I think of this outfit. Is it cool? Should I change into something else? I have a white one in my car..."

"handsome."

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that."

"Oh dear, I'll go spray some more perfume."

Wei Jing left, beaming with joy.

Qi Wenshen sat alone in his office, still holding the pen in his hand, the nib pressed against the paper, unable to write anything more.

He picked it up and saw a message that Shen Ruo had just sent.

[Cousin, I'm having dinner with Wei Jing tonight. I need to talk to him about something. Don't overthink it.]

Qi Wenshen stared at the line of text for a few seconds, his lips twitching slightly in a half-smile.

Wei Jing had just left his office when Shen Ruo invited him to dinner. Shen Ruo then sent a message to explain, telling him not to overthink it.

What does this tell us?

This means she knew he would overthink things.

Knowing he would overthink it, I still made plans to have dinner with Wei Jing.

Are you trying to have your cake and eat it too?

[Speechless. No, too many might cause problems.]

Shen Ruo sent another message: [I have something important to discuss with him, really. I'll tell you when he gets back.]

Qi Wenshen fell silent.

How could he not overthink it?

If your girlfriend goes out to dinner with another man, who wouldn't overthink it?

But he knew Shen Ruo; she wasn't the type to flirt with others.

When she says it's serious business, it probably is.

But he still felt uncomfortable.

He made the call.

"Hey, cousin."

"What time is it?"

Qi Wenshen asked.

"what?"

"What time do we eat?"

"Seven o'clock."

"Where?"

What are you doing?

"I'll pick you up after we finish eating."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Shen Ruo said softly, "Okay, I'll send you the address."

The phone hangs up.

Zhou Lan had somehow gotten close to her, leaning against the wall and smiling at her.

"Finished?"

Shen Ruo rolled her eyes at her. "You were eavesdropping on my phone call?"

"This corridor is a public area. What do you mean by eavesdropping? Was it your cousin calling? He wouldn't let you go? Your cousin is being way too nosy!"

"He was afraid I would get lost since I was unfamiliar with the area."

Zhou Lan clicked her tongue. "Your cousin is really trying to keep an eye on you. He even picks you up for dinner. Luckily, my brother doesn't interfere, or he'd be driven crazy. So, are you going tonight or not?"

Shen Ruo bit her lip. "Go, we can't delay Lele's matter."

Zhou Lan gave a thumbs up, "That's loyal."

"I'll go with you tonight."

Shen Ruo looked at her: "Didn't you say you weren't jealous? What's wrong with you now?"

Zhou Lan rolled her eyes. "Who's making a fuss? I'm going with you to shield you from trouble. Going alone versus going with someone else makes a completely different difference, don't you understand?"

Shen Ruo paused for two seconds, then put her arm around Zhou Lan's shoulder. "Zhou Lan, you're a genius."

"Of course, so even if I go to dinner tonight, it's still your treat."

"Why should I treat you? I'm creating an opportunity for you."

"You invited me to dinner, you paid for it, he did the work, and I accompanied him. That's called everyone doing their job. Say thank you quickly."

Shen Ruo was both amused and exasperated.

"Thanks, dear."

"good."

7 PM, Hunan cuisine restaurant.

Shen Ruo and Zhou Lan arrived first and took seats by the window.

Wei Jing pushed open the door and came in, dressed in a suit and tie, looking every bit the gentleman.

He paused when he saw Zhou Lan.

Speechless.

Doesn't this girl have any sense of observation?

He had been pursuing Shen Ruo for so long, and finally Shen Ruo took the initiative to ask him out for dinner. He thought he was finally going to have a wonderful night alone with her.

As a result, Zhou Lan and Shen Ruo became inseparable, following each other everywhere.

Are you addicted to being a third wheel?

As usual, Zhou Lan ignored his dark face and waved with a smile, "Vice Dean Wei, over here, we've been waiting for you for ages, please have a seat."

She patted the chair next to her. "I really wanted to eat at this restaurant. Shen Ruo said she had booked it, so I shamelessly came to freeload. You don't mind, do you?"

Wei Jing's lips twitched, and he managed to squeeze out, "...No."

Shen Ruo watched from the sidelines, somewhat admiring Zhou Lan's mental fortitude.

Wei Jing's face was so black it could be used as ink; anyone else would have made an excuse to run away long ago.

Zhou Lan not only didn't run away, but she was all smiles.

Awesome.

Zhou Lan launched into a long list of praises, "The vice dean is indeed the vice dean. I knew you wouldn't mind. Of all the leaders I've met, you're the most down-to-earth. You're a model of good looks... uh, a model among men, handsome, tall and strong. With your looks, it's a pity you're not a star."

Shen Ruo: "..."

That's so fake.

Wei Jing listened, his expression softening.

It turns out that in her eyes, she was so outstanding.

Looking at Zhou Lan again, I felt that she wasn't so annoying anymore.

It looks quite pleasing to the eye.

Shen Ruo secretly gave Zhou Lan a thumbs up.

Zhou Lan saw it, her lips curled up slightly, and she casually tossed her hair.

……

Wei Jing opened the menu.

Spicy fish head with chopped chili, spicy crayfish, dry pot bullfrog...

Every dish is spicy.

Before he even ate, he already felt a burning pain in his throat.

He should have refused when Shen Ruo asked him if he could eat spicy food.

If I regret it now and say no, wouldn't that be too embarrassing?

He steeled himself and swiped his fingertips across the menu, looking for the dish labeled "mildly spicy".

Mildly spicy means just a little bit spicy.

It's still acceptable.

At worst, I can go back and get some medicine for diarrhea.

He ordered three mildly spicy dishes.

Seeing him flipping through the menu, Shen Ruo couldn't help but ask, "Is it not to your liking? Should we try another place?"

Wei Jing smiled calmly.

"No need, I haven't tried this restaurant's dishes before, I was just looking around."

Zhou Lan almost burst out laughing.

To die is to face and suffer.

Shen Ruo pinched her and gave her a warning look: "Take it easy."

Zhou Lan pouted.

We'll take it.

The waiter came over, and Shen Ruo waved to him, "None of the dishes I ordered need chili."

The waiter was stunned. "Huh?"

"Hunan cuisine doesn't use chili peppers?"

"Yes, we won't let go."

This is the first time I've encountered a customer like this.

But the customer is king.

The waiter nodded in agreement, but his eyes looked strange.

Wei Jing blushed. "Actually, I can eat spicy food, but I haven't had it in a long time, so I'm not used to it."

Zhou Lan rolled her eyes inwardly.

What are you pretending for?

Why didn't you stop Shen Ruo from calling the waiter?

They say one thing and do another.

Shen Ruo gave him a way out, saying, "Hunan cuisine is the spiciest of all spicy dishes; it'll still be a bit spicy even without chili peppers."

After saying that, he glared at Zhou Lan.

When pursuing someone, make a good impression.

Zhou Lan: "..."

Fine, I'll put up with it.