About five minutes later, Dr. Zhao finally sat back down.For some reason—perhaps he hit a nerve—his leg wouldn't stop twitching.
"Junior Brother," he sighed, "I rushed here without the proper tools. But I have a set of specially-forged silver needles at home. Very tough. They will definitely cure you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Xiao Chen looked genuinely moved.
"We're brothers. No need for thanks. You just focus on healing. I'll visit again tomorrow."Dr. Zhao gave Xiao Chen's shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Tomorrow? Not tonight?" Xiao Chen was anxious. Waiting one more day felt like torture.
"I need to have my leg checked first. Something's wrong with it."
Xiao Chen opened his mouth, defeated. "Take care, Senior Brother."
"I'm going. Rest well."
Dr. Zhao limped toward the door—and ran directly into Alex, who stood outside in surprise.
"Dr. Zhao, you're leaving?"
Dr. Zhao forced a polite smile. "Yes, Mr. Lin. I'll come check on my junior brother tomorrow."
"You can leave," Alex replied lightly. "But before that, there's one thing."
"What is it?"
"Well," Alex said, smiling, "I paid for your junior brother's medical bills. Since you're here, could you settle it? Five hundred thousand yuan. Thanks."
Dr. Zhao froze.Then he looked at Xiao Chen.
"Junior Brother… you were right. He really is infuriating."
Gritting his teeth, Dr. Zhao reluctantly paid.
Only once the money transferred did Alex cheerfully head out—straight to Song Hospital.
When Alex arrived, Sophia looked surprised."Why are you here?"
"You invited me to dinner. Don't try to run."
"But it's not even the end of the workday." She checked the time.
"It's fine. I'll just wait."Alex sat down, relaxed, scrolling on his phone.
Sophia walked over soon after, wearing a jacket and holding her bag."Let's go."
"You're leaving work early?"
"You helped me solve my biggest problems. Why sit here pretending to work? I deserve one lazy day."
"Fair enough. Let's go."
Half an hour later, they stood in front of a tiny old-street diner.
Sophia blinked in surprise. "I didn't expect a young master like you to come to a place like this."
"What do you think I am, a zoo exhibit? This place has been open twenty years. Taste is perfect. And if we came later, we wouldn't get a table."
Sophia folded her arms. "You speak like a regular. Be honest—do you bring girls here often?"
"No. You're the first."
A soft warmth flickered in Sophia's heart…until Alex added casually:
"If it were someone else, I'd take them straight to a hotel."
Sophia glared. "You—!"
"Just kidding. Truly, you're the first woman I've ever brought here."
He meant it—both in this life and the last.
Sophia suddenly felt a little flustered and quickly looked away."Stop talking. I'm ordering."
They ordered several dishes and ate. The food was cheap, fragrant, and delicious.Sophia ate quietly, savoring each bite—until she suddenly put her chopsticks down.
"I'm full."
Alex raised a brow. "You barely ate. Don't like it?"
"I need to lose weight."
Alex paused, then realized—yesterday, he had guessed her weight. Had she taken that to heart?
He leaned forward, voice gentle."Too-thin women aren't attractive. Like a bamboo stick—one gust of wind and they fall over. Curves are beautiful. Your figure right now is perfect. I like it."
Sophia's heartbeat stumbled.
Was… was that a confession?
She attempted to sound annoyed."You're not someone important to me. Why should my weight matter to you?"
Then she suddenly pulled the dishes closer.
Alex blinked. "What are you doing?"
"Eating," she said firmly. "If I don't eat, I won't have energy to lose weight later."
Alex nodded seriously."You have a point. I'll get you a chicken leg. Take care of yourself."
"Fine," she muttered, cheeks slightly red. "If I lose weight successfully, you deserve credit."