A few lighthearted jokes, and Jian Fei seemed unable to keep up with the conversation. Ke Teng could imagine her embarrassment even through the screen, so he mercifully let her off the hook.
That evening, her sister arrived by car to meet Jian Fei, and the next day, everyone arrived in Beicheng without a hitch.
The examination went smoothly. Her sister’s health was excellent, with all indicators meeting the requirements. The specialist fitted her with a cochlear implant and asked her to return in a month for a trial fitting.
Jian Fei had a three-day holiday, but she finished all her tasks in just one day.
Since they were in Beicheng anyway, she hesitated, wondering if she should take her sister out to explore. Ke Teng's assistant had already prepared a travel itinerary.
"Mr. Ke said I should spend two days taking you out. Here's the itinerary. Let me know if you have any objections."
It had to be said, Ke Teng had done an excellent job helping with her sister's situation.
The assistant pretended to be Jian Fei's classmate, and the specialist pretended to be a distant relative of the assistant. Everything was handled perfectly and without any loose ends, ensuring her sister wouldn't suspect anything.
And now, they were going to take them sightseeing.
Jian Fei was beginning to feel grateful to this wealthy young man.
This was the sisters' first time exploring a big city. Although they didn't buy anything to save money, they took many photos and had a very happy time.
On the afternoon of the third day, they headed home. After sending her sister off, Jian Fei reported to the hospital punctually on the morning of the fourth day.
After a few days away, her work seemed to be calling to her, and her enthusiasm for her job was higher than ever.
She walked briskly into the hospital, but before she reached her office door, she saw several colleagues standing outside, whispering.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you going in?"
She thought the director was angry about something, which scared everyone into not daring to enter.
To her surprise, they nudged her and winked.
"I wanted to ask you, do you know the man inside? How do you know him?"
"Why is there a handsome guy in the office so early in the morning, sitting at your desk instead of anywhere else?"
"He's so handsome! He looks like a high-quality young man. When did you meet such a capable man?"
Jian Fei listened, bewildered. What high-quality man? Sitting at her desk?
When she went inside, she finally understood. It was Ke Teng.
Hadn't he returned to Shangcheng to handle work? How did he come back so quickly?
And sitting at her desk so early in the morning.
It was as if he was afraid others wouldn't know about their relationship.
Recalling what had happened a few days ago, Jian Fei still found it difficult to look directly at Ke Teng. She walked over awkwardly.
"Why are you here?"
The work in Shangcheng had been completed, and staying there would only involve routine tasks.
Ke Teng found it boring. Coincidentally, the hospital here was urging him to discuss a project, and he also wanted to see Jian Fei, so he came back.
He knew she would be surprised to see him, but he didn't expect her to be so surprised.
When he had tormented her before, she had a blank expression, her heart as still as water, like a demoness who had seen it all.
But now, after just one night's sleep, the demoness had transformed into a shy young girl. This contrast made Ke Teng incredibly happy.
"What's your attitude? I helped your sister, and you speak to me like this?"
Jian Fei was startled and awkwardly fiddled with her fingers.
"I didn't mean that..."
"I know you helped a lot with my sister's situation. When are you free? I'll treat you to a meal."
She wanted to repay Ke Teng, but her abilities were limited, so she could only treat him to a meal.
Her change in attitude was pleasing, and Ke Teng accepted it, slowly standing up.
"Sure. I'm free now. I haven't had breakfast yet. Let's go."
"..."
Jian Fei looked at him, then at the director's office, and then turned to look at the office door. She lowered her voice.
"Why didn't you eat breakfast before coming out? It's so convenient to eat breakfast at the hotel."
"It's not that I won't treat you, it's just that I can't right now."
"I've only been working for a month, and I've already taken three days off. Now I'm leaving early as soon as I arrive. People will talk."
She pleaded slightly, "How about tonight? After I get off work, you can eat whatever you want."
Ke Teng looked at her big, watery eyes. "Whatever I want? Are you sure?"
"Of course, but it can't be too expensive. You know I'm poor. Besides, you eat abalone and ginseng every day, don't you get tired of it?"
Ke Teng was amused by her hasty backtracking and stingy demeanor.
"Then I won't order anything expensive. Let's eat at home. You can cook whatever you want."
'Let's'...
Jian Fei dared not meet his eyes, nor did she dare to speculate wildly about his choice of words.
"Then you go. I'll call you after work."
After being away for a few days, a lot of work had piled up. She immersed herself in her work, and time quickly passed until quitting time.
Colleagues started to pack up one by one, and Jian Fei finally turned off her computer.
She picked up her canvas bag. Before she could even leave the office, Ke Teng's call came through.
"Are you out yet?"
Judging by his tone, he was at the hospital entrance?
Jian Fei quickened her pace. "You're not waiting for me at the hospital entrance, are you?"
"Of course not," Ke Teng replied matter-of-factly. "I'm waiting for you at the office entrance."
"Ah?"
"You don't have a car, so it's inconvenient to go home. I'm also in a hurry to eat, so what's wrong with waiting for you?"
"Are you that afraid of people seeing you walking with me?"
It wasn't that she was afraid of people seeing her walking with him.
Jian Fei thought to herself: "Isn't it that I'm afraid of causing you any negative impact?
Your standing next to me would definitely be a plus for me, I..."
When she reached the door, as expected, colleagues were looking back at Ke Teng as they walked.
She knew what they were saying without even thinking about it. Jian Fei could only brace herself and walk up to him.
"Let's go."
The weather was getting colder. Today, she wore a black mock-neck sweater, black pencil pants, camel-colored ankle boots, and a dark brown coat, with her hair down.
Although her clothes clearly weren't high-end, her fair skin complemented the dark colors, giving her a rather special and good temperament.
Thinking of the beautiful lines beneath the sweater, Ke Teng smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go."
Jian Fei instantly stiffened, her legs unable to move.
"You, you, you, don't do that."
"Do what?" Ke Teng asked knowingly.
Jian Fei stiffened. "My colleagues are all watching. Don't do that."
He only held her tighter.
"So what if they're watching? Isn't it normal for a man to be standing next to you at your age? Or are you perhaps disgusted that I'm not good enough for you and afraid people will laugh behind your back?"
Jian Fei was speechless.
Did he really think she had the right to be disgusted with him?
They almost ran all the way to the parking lot.
Once in the car, seeing her relieved expression, Ke Teng felt a little displeased and deliberately teased her.
"Is your old classmate a police officer?"
"What?" The topic shifted so abruptly that Jian Fei didn't react immediately.
"Acting. Don't tell me you don't know who I'm talking about."
She realized he was referring to Jiang Chuan.
She couldn't help but ask in surprise, "How do you know what he does?"
After all, he was a potential romantic rival. Wouldn't he investigate?
However, Ke Teng didn't say it out loud.
"I found out by chance."
"He's on a blind date, and his parents are accompanying him."
"He's such a grown man, and he's still a mama's boy. How ridiculous."