Innocent Ex Is Hot Chapter 7
byJealousy
Huo Jingshuang did not stay for long and left with He Lincheng. However, her intuition told her that He Linzhou had changed. From his initial insistence on studying abroad to his determination to return to Fengshi, things were beginning to slip out of her control. She would not allow such a thing to happen.
After He Linzhou organized the things He Lincheng had brought, he estimated the time and sent a message: Has my daughter arrived home safely?
A long time passed before a reply came: She’s home.
He always replies so slowly, He Linzhou thought with a low huff.
Just as he was about to say more, another call came in. It was He Lincheng again.
For the first time, He Linzhou found He Lincheng annoying.
As expected of the scatterbrained He Lincheng, he had forgotten his phone on the sofa. Before leaving this time, He Lincheng said, Brother, did you know? When Mom and I were driving over, we ran into someone who looked like your high school classmate.
You met?
No, I just saw his back. He was wearing a coffee-colored coat. I even asked Mom if it was your classmate. He had a deep impression of this person—a very handsome guy. He had seen him before in that high school group photo He Linzhou had cherished for a long time.
Mm. He Linzhou surveyed him with a cold gaze. Focus on your studies from now on and stop talking nonsense.
A cold sweat suddenly broke out on He Lincheng’s back. His brother was usually easy to talk to, but when he was serious, he was still terrifying. Especially now, with those sharp eyes staring at him, it made his heart tremble for no reason.
He quickly agreed and fled at lightning speed.
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Qiao Hui was overflowing with gratitude toward Zhu Qing. Now, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Ever since their chance encounter on the subway where they exchanged contact information, she had planned to bring her mother to the First Hospital for a proper check-up, but the elderly woman had kept putting it off. A few days ago, her mother fainted at home again. Qiao Hui called Zhu Qing, and after hearing the details, he suggested a thorough hospital examination. However, her mother still felt she was fine and refused to come. In a moment of desperation, Qiao Hui brought her grandmother from their hometown. Sure enough, with one command from the grandmother, her mother obediently followed her to the hospital.
After performing a detailed examination on Mother Qiao, Zhu Qing made a diagnosis. Mother Qiao had mild cervical spondylosis, likely related to looking down at her phone and doing housework for long periods. This, combined with her failure to take her blood pressure medication on time, led to the dizziness. He suggested she spend more time outdoors, use her phone less, and strictly follow her medication schedule to ensure a good quality of life in her later years.
Zhu Qing explained everything with great patience, and Mother Qiao listened intently, agreeing to everything. Qiao Hui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Why was it that when someone else said it, her mother acted like a perfect little angel? When it came to her, saying it ten thousand times wasn’t as effective as Zhu Qing saying it once. Qiao Hui scratched the back of her head, feeling like her mother had a blatant double standard.
Before leaving, Mother Qiao praised Zhu Qing for being a good doctor and told her daughter to learn from him.
Qiao Hui felt faint, feeling as if she had returned to her school days when her mother would point at the high-achieving kids and tell her to be like them.
Zhu Qing smiled and said that Qiao Hui was also very excellent.
Mother Qiao took Zhu Qing’s hand. You’re a good child. Come to our house for a meal when you have time. I don’t have many strengths, but I’m quite a good cook. Look at my Huihui, see how well-rounded she’s eaten.
Qiao Hui: …
Mother Qiao wanted to keep chatting with Zhu Qing about this and that, but Qiao Hui was worried about interfering with his work and quickly pulled her mother away.
Xiao Shiqi watched the scene with amusement. Oh my, Dr. Zhu’s popularity is really something. Even an old lady wants to chat with him for ages.
Bai Xiaomeng grinned widely. Exactly. I really wonder which family our Dr. Zhu will end up in as a son-in-law with so many old ladies eyeing him.
Xue Ya added, Right, I wonder whose son-in-law Dr. Zhu will become.
Zhu Qing: …
Tan Mei walked over carrying a stack of items. Seeing the group chatting, she said in an unpleasant tone, What are you all talking about? Get back to work!
The crowd scattered.
Tan Mei set the things down and approached Zhu Qing, asking, Dr. Zhu, have you considered what I asked you last time?
She was referring to her friend’s daughter. She had been so busy she was practically dazed, but hearing the nurses chatting just now reminded her. She didn’t even have to guess to know another old lady had taken a liking to their Dr. Zhu. Recalling her friend’s request, she felt quite guilty. If she had come a step later and Dr. Zhu had already committed to someone else, how would she explain it to her friend?
She had quickly dispersed the crowd to come over and probe for an answer.
Zhu Qing didn’t want to go because he truly had no such intentions right now. Meeting Tan Mei’s hopeful eyes, he decided to tell the truth.
Hearing his answer, Tan Mei found it was just as she had expected—he wouldn’t go.
However, Dr. Zhu was very honest. This was much better than those who kept their options open, seeing many people at once and treating others as backups.
Though a bit disappointed, she understood.
Zhu Qing said, I’m sorry, Sister Tan.
Tan Mei was a veteran of the world and knew people of such character were rare. She felt a bit sorry for her friend’s daughter, but mostly felt admiration for Zhu Qing.
Tan Mei waved her hand dismissively. It’s fine, get back to work.
At the nurse’s station, Xue Ya had a look of regret, thinking to herself: If only Dr. Zhu could like me.
Though she was only thinking it, she accidentally said it out loud. Once the words left her mouth, her face turned red with embarrassment because He Linzhou had appeared at some point and was standing right in front of her.
His cold eyes stared at her, and his expression was so dark it looked like it could drip ink.
Flustered, Xue Ya accidentally knocked a box of gauze onto the floor.
He Linzhou let out a cold snort.
Xue Ya’s heart trembled. What’s wrong with him? I didn’t offend him, did I?
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He Linzhou strode back to his office. Su Yan was just about to head out, and the two ran into each other. Su Yan said, I was just looking for you. The Director said we need to find someone to take promotional photos.
He Linzhou replied coldly, Not interested.
Su Yan said, If you don’t go, I will. I heard the hospital is spending a fortune this time to improve its image.
He Linzhou remained indifferent. What does that have to do with me?
Su Yan: How does it not? You’re the face of our department.
He Linzhou: Why don’t you just say I’m the President of the United States?
Su Yan: …
Tsk, what a guy. If you won’t go, I will.
He Linzhou was about to walk away when he suddenly spotted something familiar and called out to Su Yan.
Su Yan: What? Changed your mind?
He Linzhou snatched the pen clipped to the pocket of Su Yan’s white lab coat.
Su Yan: Hey, what are you doing?
He Linzhou: It’s mine!
Su Yan: Are you really that petty? It’s just a pen!
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Su Yan was politely rejected by the administrative staff. The reason was simple: the higher-ups preferred someone with a better image.
Damn it, aren’t they just calling me ugly? In the office, Su Yan cursed the administrative staff for being ungrateful and insulting his character.
He slammed his cup down with a loud thud to vent his frustration.
Across the desk, He Linzhou was unfazed, focusing on his own work.
Su Yan felt even more hurt and acted aggrieved. Linzhou, we’re colleagues, aren’t you going to comfort me?
He Linzhou was busy typing and didn’t look up. What’s there to comfort? For promotional photos, if they don’t want someone good-looking, are they supposed to want someone ugly?
Su Yan: …
The office erupted in laughter.
Damn, is that how you comfort someone? I’m really unlucky to be sitting across from you.
He Linzhou: Then switch. I’d rather have someone handsome and good-looking sitting across from me too.
Su Yan: …
The office erupted in laughter again.
I don’t want to live anymore!
Who doesn’t want to live? Lin Yan, a nurse, pushed a medical records cart in and gave Su Yan a mischievous look. Clearly, she knew he had been rejected.
Su Yan gritted his teeth. Don’t laugh!
Lin Yan showed a row of neat teeth and said, Guess what? I heard every department is fighting to improve their image and racking their brains for the promotion. I just ran into someone from the 7th floor, and she told me their Director is planning to pay out of his own pocket to buy a suit for their representative.
Someone in the office marveled, The 7th floor is really going all out this time!
Isn’t that the truth!
Which doctor from the 7th floor is going?
Lin Yan: Seems to be Zhu Qing. He’s quite handsome.
Right, right, I saw him in the elevator last time. He really is very handsome.
He Linzhou shut his computer and left.
Su Yan: Hey, where are you going?
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The annual leave schedule was finally confirmed; Zhu Qing could take five days off. After finishing the promotional shoot next week, he could fly directly to the United States.
A message popped up in the chat box.
He Linzhou: Annual leave is confirmed. When are you going to the US?
Zhu Qing’s parents were no longer around, leaving only an older sister in the US. He would definitely go there.
Zhu Qing: Next Sunday.
He Linzhou: Booked your ticket?
Zhu Qing: Just finished booking.
He Linzhou: And what about my daughter?
Zhu Qing: I used to send her to a pet resort. If you’re willing to take care of her, I’ll bring Shancha to your place.
He Linzhou: How could I not be willing to take care of my own daughter?
Zhu Qing: Okay, I’ll bring her over after I finish the promotional shoot.
He Linzhou: I’m coming to get her now. Wait for me at home.
Zhu Qing: No need to be in such a rush.
He Linzhou: No need? Should I wait until you’ve become someone’s son-in-law before I pick her up?
Zhu Qing: …
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Zhu Qing looked at the man and the cat on the sofa. The cat was very cute, but the man was not. He had walked in with a sour face as if someone owed him five million.
He Linzhou acted as if he were in his own home, tossing his scarf and coat onto the sofa and going to the kitchen to get water in a giraffe-patterned mug.
Zhu Qing stood by the side of the sofa, unsure whether to stand or sit.
He Linzhou didn’t look at him or speak. He leaned back against the sofa holding the cat, his expression gloomy.
Zhu Qing had no idea how he had offended him and was full of questions.
He Linzhou grew even angrier, huffing and turning his head away, refusing to look at the source of his irritation.
Zhu Qing: …
Zhu Qing had a hundred thousand whys in his head but didn’t dare ask a single question for fear of causing further offense.
He Linzhou snapped his head back, shouting aggrievedly, Why aren’t you showing any concern for me?
Zhu Qing was completely bewildered. ?
He Linzhou felt even more wronged, full of complaints. I knew you were a cold and selfish man.
Zhu Qing: ?
It seemed like he hadn’t said a single word from start to finish.
He Linzhou hugged Shancha like a bullied orphan mother, eyes practically brimming with tears.
Zhu Qing was stunned once again. ?
What on earth happened?
He Linzhou blurted out, I’ve had enough! I’m completely heartbroken by a man like you!
Zhu Qing looked at him with an expression of self-doubt, pointing at himself and asking seriously, Me… what did I do?
He Linzhou looked pitiful. Scumbag! Heartbreaker! Unfaithful man!
Zhu Qing: …