NOVPUB
Chapter 119: Chapter 119: What is Tong Yao Doing in School?
"You’re in such a hurry to come here just for this?" Si Chen’s eyes, deep as ink, looked at Tong Yao. His calm tone kept his thoughts hidden.
"Yes." Tong Yao nodded vigorously, her petit mouth pouting as she complained, "He Fang, who used to work for me, is now operating on her own. She even set up her stall right next to mine and steals my customers. Her prices are half of mine. Luckily, there’s a vacant premises at the school gate, I want to rent it, invest in a fridge, and sell cold drinks."
"Don’t underestimate selling cold drinks. I can easily earn more than a thousand yuan a month with it. If I miss this moneymaking opportunity, I will be heartbroken. So... can you help me this time?"
Tong Yao chattered away nervously, anxiously watching every expression on Si Chen’s face, fearing that he might refuse.
Being a doctor is considered a noble profession, especially in this era. Many people look down on businessmen, believing they gamble with their businesses. Although Si Chen didn’t oppose her doing business, it doesn’t mean Si Chen is willing to help her.
To be honest, if Si Chen refused to help, she really didn’t know who else she could turn to. She didn’t have any backup plan on hand now.
One could say that Tong Yao has put all her eggs in Si Chen’s basket. The Si Chen in front of her is like her god, the one illuminating her future. Whether she could become a wealthy woman, outperform He Fang, or manage to sell cold drinks, all depends on Si Chen.
At this moment, Tong Yao’s gaze is like a devout believer’s, burning with fervor.
Si Chen, who is usually calm and composed, is a little uncomfortable under her gaze. He quietly avoided Tong Yao’s stare and said softly, "Let’s eat first. After eating, I’ll go with you. But I can’t guarantee that we can get the deal."
"As long as you do your best, we’ll leave the rest to fate." Tong Yao’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. She didn’t dawdle, putting away the meager leftovers in her lunchbox, gulping down her soup, wishing she could fly over to the place with Si Chen right away.
Si Chen looked at her helplessly, with a hint of indulgence in his eyes. He wiped the rice grains off the corner of Tong Yao’s mouth with his thumb, and walked out of the canteen with her.
"She’s so shameless, sticking to him even in the canteen. This is a canteen, not their home. She’s not worried about losing face," Qian Niannian commented, watching Tong Yao’s departing figure, as she picked at the food in her lunch box.
Guo Nan ventured a guess: "I think she must have come for some business with Doctor Si?"
"What business could she possibly have?" Qian Niannian scoffed before saying sarcastically, "I heard she was pregnant a while ago, which stirred quite a fuss in the hospital. I was wondering how she could be pregnant when she had just joined the family ward. It turned out to be a false alarm. Now she has the gall to show her face without feeling embarrassed."
Guo Nan didn’t respond, thinking to herself, a delayed period leading to a mistaken speculation of pregnancy is completely normal and not embarrassing, right?
Some patients came in because their periods were late and they wanted to check if they were pregnant, right?
Why was it that when the same thing happened to Tong Yao, Qian Niannian portrayed it as if she had done something shameful?
While the two were talking, Yu Shiya at the next table got up and walked away with a grim face. Seeing this, Qian Niannian let out a sarcastic laugh, looking suddenly pleased.
"Look! Someone’s not feeling too good."
Qian Niannian had been holding a grudge since being beaten last time, yet there was nothing she could do about Yu Shiya being the Dean’s daughter. However, it didn’t stop her from taking pleasure in others’ misfortune.
"Don’t talk nonsense," Guo Nan warned her, recalling the time Qian Niannian was beaten. "This is a crowded place. If word gets around and reaches Doctor Yu, it won’t end well."
Qian Niannian retorted: "I haven’t named anyone. Why do you assume I’m talking about her?"
"....." Speechless, Guo Nan was about to apologize when Qian Niannian spoke again.
"Even if I were talking about her, so what? Last time, I let her slide. Let her try to hit me again. What’s wrong with talking about a woman who fancies another woman’s husband? Other than being from a well-off family, is there anything about her that’s better than us? Doctor Si Jun must be blind to pursue her."
Lately, the news about Yu Shiya and Si Jun had been stirring up the hospital. Everyone was saying they were a match made in heaven, but Qian Niannian felt wronged.
Out of the two most handsome and promising young doctors in the hospital, Si Chen suddenly got married during his leave, catching everyone off guard. Just as they were recovering from Si Chen’s news, sparks were already flying between Si Jun and Yu Shiya.
Other than her family background, she was no less than Yu Shiya. Why her peach blossom luck hadn’t opened yet?
"...."
At this, Guo Nan swallowed nervously a few times, worried that someone would overhear their conversation. When she saw no one around, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I’m full. I will go and wash the dishes first."
If the conversation continued, it might attract unwanted attention. It would be too late to avoid the consequences by then.
Ever since Qian Niannian was beaten, Guo Nan had learned her lesson. It’s not good to gossip about others. Otherwise, one would end up in a vulnerable position when their luck ran out - just like what happened to Qian Niannian.
"So weak." Qian Niannian snorted, not in the mood to eat anymore. She dumped the remaining food in her lunch box into the trash.
Meanwhile...
Tong Yao was sitting at the back of Si Chen’s bicycle, her hands holding onto his clothes, continuing to talk non-stop, "The Headmaster is notoriously difficult to deal with and he doesn’t respond well to flattery. He might even exhibit indifference towards you. Do not give up easily. Passionate pleas and extra rent might help, whatever it takes, we have to get that premises."
Si Chen was typically a very quiet person. Strangely, he found Tong Yao’s constant chatter soothing rather than annoying.
Tong Yao’s voice had a beautiful timbre with a unique Kyoto accent, sounding like a melodious oriole. Whenever she discussed money matters, her excitement was palpable, making her seem as energetic as a squirrel hopping here and there.
The two soon arrived at the school gate. Tong Yao hopped off the back of the bicycle, greeted the gate guard, and went into the school without giving a second glance to He Fang under the big tree.
Watching the two enter the school, He Fang breathed a sigh of relief. She had initially thought Tong Yao had brought her husband to confront her. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
This was the first time He Fang had seen Si Chen. She had always thought that since Tong Yao was attractive, her husband wouldn’t disappoint either. Seeing Si Chen in person, she was taken aback by his good looks.
She didn’t expect Tong Yao’s husband to be so handsome. When they stood together, they looked like a divine couple... Wait... why did Tong Yao enter the school?
