novelraw Chapter 92: Have You Fallen for Me?
Chapter 92: Have You Fallen for Me?
Gu Xinyan personally served Xu Xiangbei a bowl of soup. The golden broth contained white, tender chicken that was soft and smooth to chew, and grey, round mushrooms that were aromatic and greatly increased one’s appetite.
Xu Xiangbei tried a sip. The taste was fresh and pleasant with a balanced savory flavor. He nodded with admiration, thinking to himself that this girl’s cooking skills were truly impressive. Even though he couldn’t indulge in romance, enjoying good food wasn’t bad either.
Wiping the fragrant sweat from her forehead, Gu Xinyan watched Xu Xiangbei savor the soup with a look of bliss on her face.
She had always fantasized about one day becoming a good wife and mother, cooking meals and making soup for her husband. Since she couldn’t walk, this idea remained a fantasy until today when she practiced it with Xu Xiangbei, turning fantasy into reality.
The day was uneventful for the two, and after eating, they each retired to their rooms to rest. Xu Xiangbei, having endured a long night yesterday, was thoroughly exhausted.
The next morning, around ten o’clock, Xu Xiangbei received a call from Dean Zhang. The car had already arrived at the entrance of the complex to take him to Director Jiang’s home.
Since he was visiting someone else’s home, Xu Xiangbei dressed up a bit, neatly combing his hair and donning an Armani shirt. Though he wasn’t wearing a tie, he still looked quite fashionable.
Gu Xinyan, who was reading in the living room, looked at Xu Xiangbei in amazement, silently praising him. If this guy dressed up, he could indeed be quite handsome.
She closed her book and curiously asked, "What kind of wind is blowing today? Why are you dressed so neatly? Going to see a girlfriend?"
Truly, being close to Xu Xiangbei for a long time, Gu Xinyan, who always maintained a serious demeanor, had also learned to tease people.
Placing his hand on Gu Xinyan’s wheelchair, Xu Xiangbei struck a pose he thought was cool and squinted at her, asking, "So, how do I look? Do you like me?"
Gu Xinyan stuck out her tongue and pretended to gag, "Seeing you makes me want to throw up."
"If you feel like throwing up, could it be that you’re pregnant?"
Xu Xiangbei quickly dashed away, the sound of a door banging echoed behind him.
He couldn’t help but mutter, books these days are made as hard as stones, I should suggest to the printing company to use softer paper in the future, so people won’t use them as weapons.
A Hongqi luxury sedan stopped at the front of the complex. Dean Zhang waved to him with a smile, "Advisor Xu, right here."
Considering it was a visit to Director Jiang’s house, Dean Zhang took Xu Xiangbei there, but Zhang Xuesong didn’t come along.
Director Jiang’s home was in the city government residential area, where most of the residents were city leaders and officials. Vehicles had to be registered upon entry.
Upon arriving at Director Jiang’s house, Xu Xiangbei rang the doorbell, and the door was opened by Madam Jiang. She wore glasses and had a gentle demeanor. Though not beautiful, she possessed a unique charm and worked as a teacher at Jiangcheng High School.
Seeing the benefactor who cured her son, she was extremely grateful and smiled so broadly that her mouth couldn’t close. She hadn’t smiled like this for over a year.
"Dean Zhang, Divine Doctor Xu, come inside and sit. I’ve already prepared some fruit for you."
The child Jiang Xinwen was playing with toy cars in the room. Upon seeing guests arrive, he held onto a toy car, his large sparkling eyes looking at Xu Xiangbei. Recognizing his uncle from the previous night, he gave a smile and ran off.
"Dean Zhang, Divine Doctor Xu, Jianguo is in the study discussing something with someone. You two sit for a while, I’ll make some tea for you."
Dean Zhang smiled politely, "No need to be so formal, I’m just here to reinforce Xiao Xinwen’s treatment, it’ll be done quickly."
Madam Jiang smiled and said, "Jianguo insists you must stay for lunch. You cured my son’s illness, and we must show our gratitude, although home-cooked meals might be a bit simple, please don’t mind."
The study door opened, and Director Jiang accompanied a tall, thin middle-aged man in his fifties out. Upon seeing Dean Zhang, the middle-aged man laughed heartily.
Dean Zhang warmly shook the other’s hand, "Secretary Qin, what brings you here? Long time no see."
Secretary Qin was the Party Secretary of Jiangcheng, and he smiled warmly, "My home is right across the street, I just came over to visit."
Director Jiang pulled Xu Xiangbei’s hand over, introducing him, "Secretary Qin, this is my younger brother, Divine Doctor Xu, who cured my son."
Secretary Qin was slightly surprised but kept his friendly smile, "Divine Doctor Xu is so young. As the saying goes, heroes emerge from youth, Divine Doctor Xu is truly talented and capable, unlike us old folks."
Receiving praise from the Party Secretary, Xu Xiangbei felt warm inside and replied with much courtesy, "Thank you, Secretary Qin, for the compliments."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Xiangbei prepared to give Jiang Xinwen the final acupuncture, while Secretary Qin watched with keen interest.
Madam Jiang called her son over and handed him to Xu Xiangbei.
Xu Xiangbei smiled at Jiang Xinwen, "Xiao Wen, you’re so good. Uncle will treat your illness in a bit, but you mustn’t move. If you stay completely still, Uncle will reward you with a tasty ice cream."
Upon hearing he could have ice cream, Xiao Wen happily danced, "Then you have to keep your word. We’ll make a pinky promise, not to change for a hundred years."
Listening to her son’s delightful voice, Madam Jiang’s eyes unknowingly grew misty.
Xiao Xinwen extended his tiny finger, linking it with Xu Xiangbei’s large hand.
Xiao Xinwen stuck out his tongue playfully, shaking his head as if he were a little roly-poly, finally stopping where he was, "I won’t move now. Uncle, you can treat me."
Xu Xiangbei smiled and nodded, placing his finger gently onto Jiang Xinwen’s crown point, injecting an invisible thread of inner strength, which flowed slowly along the meridians.
Jiang Xinwen felt a warm sensation at the top of his head, with a tingling feeling that he wanted to scratch. But remembering his pinky promise with Uncle not to move, he refrained from doing so.
His body was still, but his facial expressions were particularly expressive. Pouting his cheeks and making funny faces, both Director Jiang and Madam Jiang smiled at the sight.
Before long, he felt his mind become much lighter, his smile peculiar and cunning. Although his body didn’t move, his eyes kept darting around, looking mischievous and lively.
Xu Xiangbei finished the acupuncture and patted Xiao Xinwen’s shoulder, "Alright, you can move now."
Jiang Xinwen jumped happily like a freed bird, "I can move! Uncle, remember to buy ice cream for me."
Madam Jiang took Xiao Xinwen downstairs to buy ice cream, "Uncle has given the power to Mommy, and Mommy will take you out to buy some now."
Director Jiang shook his head helplessly, "This child, too naughty."
Secretary Qin laughed heartily, "Children need to be lively. Like us old folks, even if we want to be lively, we can’t be."
Suddenly, Secretary Qin’s expression changed. He clutched his waist, furrowing his brows, clenching his teeth, beads of cold sweat on his forehead.
Dean Zhang asked with concern, "Secretary Qin, is your old problem of back pain acting up again? It seems to have worsened. Why don’t you visit my clinic?"
"I’m so busy every day, wishing I could be two people, where’s the time to go to the hospital?"