Chapter 56: The Outing

Chapter 56: The Outing

Tang Xuan'er worked at the largest hospital in Beijiang City.

Today was March 8th, commonly known as Women's Day.

The hospital had specially arranged this trip as a welfare benefit for its numerous employees.

When Tang Xuan'er arrived at the hospital, most of the others had already gathered.

"Xuan'er, happy holiday!" A handsome male doctor wearing gold-rimmed glasses walked up to her and smiled.

Tang Xuan'er nodded. "Thank you."

"Xuan'er, are you alone again? Ride in my car later. I just bought a brand-new BMW!" the male doctor said with great enthusiasm.

Tang Xuan'er shook her head. "No need, my friend is coming today!"

The male doctor's expression soured slightly.

His name was Lin Huan, a medical doctor who had returned from overseas.

From the first moment he saw Tang Xuan'er after joining the hospital, he had been captivated by her breathtaking beauty and began a fervent pursuit.

However, Tang Xuan'er was always lukewarm toward him, which left Lin Huan feeling somewhat defeated.

One had to know that his family was considered upper-class in Beijiang, and coupled with his handsome looks, he had never lacked women around him since childhood.

Yet, there had never been anyone like Tang Xuan'er, who drew him in so deeply.

No matter how Lin Huan tried to get close, Tang Xuan'er remained completely unmoved.

A friend...

What kind of friend?

Male or female?

Lin Huan thought to himself, his gaze turning somewhat gloomy.

Meanwhile, not far away, a few female nurses gathered together, watching Lin Huan fawn over Tang Xuan'er with a hint of jealousy.

"What is so great about this Tang Xuan'er? Isn't she just a bit pretty? To make Dr. Lin so utterly infatuated!" said a girl with a few freckles on her nose with bitter resentment.

This girl's name was Luo Jing, and she had long held a secret crush on Lin Huan. But since Lin Huan showed no interest in her whatsoever, she directed all her simmering anger entirely toward Tang Xuan'er.

Whenever she found an opportunity, she would sneer and mock Tang Xuan'er.

This time was no exception.

Her colleagues were her close friends, so they naturally took her side and nodded in agreement.

"Look at that act of pure innocence, it drives me crazy just looking at it. I heard she refuses to find a boyfriend just because of her friend's child?"

"Bah! They say it's her friend's child, but it's probably her own!"

These malicious words drifted into Tang Xuan'er's ears.

Yet, Tang Xuan'er showed no particular expression.

She had grown somewhat accustomed to the gossip and rumors over the years.

Sometimes, being too beautiful a woman was a sin.

Even though she had maintained a sufficient distance from all males, she still couldn't withstand these slanderous remarks born of jealousy.

"Is everyone ready? Those with cars, drive; those without, take the shuttle arranged by the hospital. Our destination today is... Yunmeng Lake!" an organizer announced.

Yunmeng Lake?

Tang Xuan'er paused slightly, then felt a mix of laughter and tears.

She had just rushed over from there; did she have to go right back?

Still, it didn't really matter. After all, with only a day's time, it was impossible to travel too far.

Many people had driven their own cars and brought along close acquaintances.

At this moment, Lin Huan approached her again. "Xuan'er, look, your friend hasn't arrived yet. I guess he's not coming. Why don't you ride in my car and we'll go together?"

Tang Xuan'er shook her head. "He said he's coming, so he will definitely come!"

Rebuffed once more, Lin Huan found it hard to maintain his composure.

He had offered courtesy again and again, yet this woman was simply unappreciative!

"Then I'd like to see what kind of background this friend of yours actually has!" Lin Huan plotted inwardly.

Just then, Xue Xiang and Xue Nian came skipping in.

The two little girls were wearing brand-new clothes today, with identical braids, looking so adorable that people just wanted to scoop them up and give them a squeeze.

"Aunt Xuan'er," the two little ones called out in their sweet, milky voices.

Tang Xuan'er affectionately stroked the two little girls' heads. "Have you had breakfast?"

"We did! Daddy cooked porridge, it was so fragrant!" Xue Nian never forgot about food, no matter the time.

At this moment, Lin Huan's expression turned somewhat ugly. He had heard some rumors about Tang Xuan'er, but he hadn't expected them to be true.

She was actually raising two little girls?

What kind of relationship did these two little girls have with her?

Just as he was wondering, Xue An walked in.

His appearance caused the gazes of many people present to turn strange.

Especially Luo Jing and the others, whose faces lit up with excitement.

"Look at that, this guy is probably Tang Xuan'er's little lover!"

"He looks pretty young!"

"Being young is worth a damn! Look at the clothes he's wearing!" Luo Jing was exceptionally skilled at judging a person's financial status and social standing by their attire.

When she saw that Xue An was wearing casual clothes worth at most a few hundred yuan, a look of disdain crossed her face.

So she found a man like this?

Tang Xuan'er's taste wasn't all that great after all!

Luo Jing thought with a sense of gleeful satisfaction.

Lin Huan stared at Xue An with intense hostility, evaluating him in his mind as well.

As for looks... ahem, they were evenly matched!

However, their outfits were worlds apart!

The more he compared, the more arrogant Lin Huan's demeanor became.

At that moment, the organizer walked over and asked Tang Xuan'er, "Xuan'er, what are you doing? Are you taking the shuttle bus?"

Tang Xuan'er looked at Xue An.

Xue An smiled faintly. "I brought the two of them and took a taxi here!"

Hearing this, Luo Jing and the others looked even more contemptuous.

He didn't even have a car!

Thinking this was his moment to shine, Lin Huan stepped forward and smiled, "Xuan'er, you might as well ride in my car!"

Tang Xuan'er shook her head. "My friend..."

Lin Huan interrupted her, casting a provocative glance at Xue An. "It's fine. I drive an X5; carrying your friend won't be a problem at all."

Tang Xuan'er felt it was inappropriate, but Xue An said calmly, "Sure! I've never ridden in an X5 before!"

Lin Huan sneered inwardly. It seemed he was just some bumpkin from the countryside; let's see how I deal with you in a moment!

Lin Huan walked over to his car and eagerly opened the front passenger door. "Xuan'er, sit here!"

Tang Xuan'er shook her head. "I'll sit in the back instead!"

With that, she led Xue Xiang and Xue Nian into the back seat.

While Lin Huan was gritting his teeth in secret, Xue An casually got into the front passenger seat and said indifferently, "Drive!"

Lin Huan flared up instantly.

Was this guy treating him like a personal chauffeur?

Yet he couldn't throw a tantrum right now, so he swallowed his anger and started the car.

All the way there, he kept observing Xue An.

Seeing that after getting into the car, the man just sat there with a calm expression, he felt a wave of utter contempt.

With that attitude, not even owning a car, yet putting on such an act?

Just wait until we get to Yunmeng Lake, I'll make you look ridiculous!

Because it had rained the night before, the scenery at Yunmeng Lake today appeared even more picturesque.

Everyone stepped out of the car, and the girls eagerly scampered off into the distance to take pictures.

Most of the guys stood by the lake, admiring the scenery.

At that moment, Lin Huan deliberately asked, "My friend, may I ask where you are currently employed?"