"Okay. I remember." Zhang Dachuan nodded emphatically.
"By the way, when I first introduced myself, I accidentally mentioned that you let me win money, and it seems... your wife is now suspecting you of gambling."
Xiao Ming was startled and nearly lost his temper, but then he heard Zhang Dachuan continue, "But don't worry, I've already explained everything clearly and even made a special emphasis on your sworn promise to never gamble."
After listening to Zhang Dachuan's description of that night's car racing, Xiao Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief and touched his forehead, "Damn, you scared the sweat out of me."
Zhang Dachuan chuckled mischievously, "It looks like Ming is really nervous about his wife, huh! You better keep the matter with the little sister-in-law a tight secret then."
Xiao Ming rolled his eyes.
The private lives of these profligates were almost invariably chaotic; he had given up on the hope of making things clear.
Just then, Jiang Xue came out and was surprised to see Xiao Ming, "How did you get here?"
"That's my question for you," Xiao Ming stepped forward and took her hand, feigning anger, "What did you promise me?"𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Jiang Xue pressed her lips together, "This isn't an official prenatal checkup, I just didn't sleep well and came for a quick consultation. You've just found a job and you're so busy—it's not worth it running back and forth for such a trivial matter."
"Nonsense. The biggest deals are nothing compared to even a small fingernail on you! Don't let this happen again, got it?"
After two years of estrangement, Jiang Xue was still a bit unaccustomed to Xiao Ming's excessive affection, especially in front of others, instinctively blushing.
"Oh my!" Zhang Dachuan intervened at the right moment, "The love between brother and sister-in-law is really enviable. Makes me wonder if I should leave to give you two space, or continue to shamelessly slurp up this dog food."
Xiao Ming laughed, "Alright, I won't go out of my way to thank you for today's matter, to avoid sounding distant. You go ahead with your business, let's have a drink together when you're free."
Zhang Dachuan didn't actually want Xiao Ming to be too formal. In their circle, politeness often implied casual acquaintance, which could significantly reduce the benefits involved.
The two parted ways in the hospital lobby, with Xiao Ming leading Jiang Xue outside.
"Eh? Isn't that Designer Jiang? What a coincidence."
Someone suddenly greeted her from the side; Jiang Xue turned her head to look and a flash of disgust crossed her face.
The newcomer had big wavy hair, was dressed in a floral dress, and walked with a swaying waist that naturally drew attention.
Zhou Xialan, considered by the male staff in the company to be second only to Yang Hanqing in looks besides Jiang Xue herself.
But it was precisely because of this "second only" status that she harbored jealousy towards Jiang Xue. Although she did not openly confront her at every turn, she had certainly caused trouble at work.
She was the one who had her bonus deducted by Yang Hanqing for slandering Jiang Xue in the break room a couple of days ago.
Out of consideration for her colleagues' feelings, Jiang Xue forced a smile and nodded, "Hello, Designer Zhou!"
Approaching the two, Zhou Xialan looked Xiao Ming up and down and subtly threw him a flirtatious glance, "And who might this handsome guy be?"
Who calls a married woman's companion "handsome guy"?
Jiang Xue frowned and introduced, "This is my husband, Xiao Ming. This is my colleague, Zhou Xialan."
Xiao Ming proffered his hand, "Hello! Miss Zhou."
When Zhou Xialan heard the words "husband," the allure in her eyes turned to repulsion, even stepping back slightly as if he carried some contagious disease.
"I'm sorry, I've just disinfected my hands."
Her implication was clear, "You're too dirty, don't touch me."
Xiao Ming arched an eyebrow, withdrew his hand, and didn't say a word.
Jiang Xue was discontented and said dismissively, "We have other matters, so we won't delay Designer Zhou any longer."
"My boyfriend just came to pick me up, he's at the parking lot. Since your husband works on the construction site, he probably doesn't have a car. I can just have him give you a ride."
"No need, we..."
"Oh, please, don't be shy. We're all colleagues here."
Zhou Xialan didn't wait for an answer, taking Jiang Xue's arm as if they were close as sisters to anyone who didn't know better.
"Besides, you know my boyfriend, he's the head of our design department, Feng Haoyu."
Jiang Xue was taken aback, then her face showed a dawning realization; no wonder the whole company suddenly knew about her husband working as a laborer—it was information passed along by Feng Haoyu through Zhou Xialan.
At the side, Xiao Ming couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Zhou Xialan stiffened with her eyebrows upright, "What are you laughing at?"
"Oh, nothing, just suddenly remembered an amusing incident," he replied.
Zhou Xialan pouted and muttered disdainfully, "Construction workers have no class."
Jiang Xue's anger flared instantly, and as she pulled out her arm to retort, someone called out from the front, "Xiaolan, Xiaolan, over here!"
"Let's go, Haoyu is right there!"
Zhou Xialan, holding onto Jiang Xue, hurried towards him, leaving Jiang Xue with no chance to speak.
By the Jeep Wrangler, when Feng Haoyu saw Zhou Xialan with Jiang Xue and Xiao Ming following behind, his expression became unnatural.
Just previously, he had described himself as an eligible bachelor in front of this couple, and here he was, running into them at the gynecology hospital—wasn't that just like slapping his own face?
"Honey!"
As they approached, Zhou Xialan immediately let go of Jiang Xue, rushed forward to hug Feng Haoyu, and stood on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his face.
"You got here fast; this is your reward."
Feng Haoyu laughed dryly and turned to Jiang Xue, "Designer Jiang, are you feeling unwell again?"
At his deliberately intimate question, Zhou Xialan couldn't hide her annoyance, snorting, "Don't ask about a woman's sickness. Doesn't it embarrass her to talk about such dirty things?"
Slap!
Suddenly, a crisp slap sounded.