Chapter 10

"Got anything to do with you?" Zuo Xiaoqing glared at him, got up, and walked out the door in a huff. However, when she reached the stairs and looked out the window, she saw Gao Wei riding his Jin Cheng Suzuki waiting at the hospital entrance, which scared her back. Just then, Zhang Yang also arrived, and Zuo Xiaoqing called out to him. Zhang Yang followed her gaze and saw Gao Wei outside, and couldn't help but laugh: "The wolf is here!"

Zuo Xiaoqing habitually bit her lower lip. Seeing Zhang Yang about to leave, she hurriedly caught his arm: "Hey, wait a minute!"

Zhang Yang put on a serious face: "This has nothing to do with me, don't try to involve me!"

Zuo Xiaoqing pouted her rosy lips: "Zhang Yang, we're friends, right? Just do me a favor, will you walk out with me later?"

Zhang Yang immediately understood. It seemed this girl was planning to use him as a shield. He wasn't that foolish. What kind of people haven't I seen? You, a little girl, want to use me?

"Please, please, how about I treat you to a meal?" Zuo Xiaoqing pleaded pitifully.

Zhang Yang was a soft-hearted person, especially towards beautiful women. He thought about it and realized he didn't have much good feeling towards Gao Wei, that hypocritical teacher. Letting Zuo Xiaoqing use him wouldn't be a big deal, and besides, she had offered to treat him to a meal. Thinking of food, Zhang Yang couldn't help but blush. If it weren't for shamelessly freeloading off Chen Guowei, he might have had to beg on the street these past two days.

"I want braised pork!" Zhang Yang took the opportunity to set his condition.

"Deal, I'll take you to Zhiwei Ju, and you can order whatever you want!" Zuo Xiaoqing beamed with joy upon hearing Zhang Yang agree to help her out.

Gao Wei didn't see Zuo Xiaoqing leave the hospital until half past five. Just as he was about to approach her, he noticed a tall and lanky goose standing beside her. At least in his eyes, Zhang Yang deserved this description.

Zuo Xiaoqing wore a red mid-length windbreaker, cinched at the waist, which made her slender figure even more graceful. Her walk was like a willow swaying in the wind, full of youthful rhythm. Zhang Yang, on the other hand, wore a faded blue jacket with the emblem of the county agricultural machinery factory embroidered on the chest, black trousers with shiny knees, and a pair of suede leather shoes, looking utterly rustic. In contrast, Zuo Xiaoqing seemed to bloom like a flower, while he was like the stem.

Gao Wei smiled as he approached, but deep down, he was seething with jealousy. He couldn't understand why, in every aspect, he was far superior to this nursing student, yet Zuo Xiaoqing preferred to be with this country bumpkin.

"Teacher Gao!" Zuo Xiaoqing greeted him gracefully.

Gao Wei smiled and nodded: "I've been waiting for you for a long time. By the way, Hong Ling invited us to watch a movie. She's waiting for us at the restaurant across from the cinema." Gao Wei spoke as if Zhang Yang didn't exist, considering it an insult to regard a nursing student as a rival.

Zuo Xiaoqing smiled and shook her head: "Teacher Gao, I'm sorry, but Zhang Yang has already made plans with me."

Gao Wei's smile froze on his face, awkward and speechless.

The detestable nursing student, however, wore a victorious smile, looking down on him and said in a domineering tone: "Gao Wei, we're in a hurry, let's talk another day!" The two walked away side by side.

Gao Wei stood dumbfounded in the wind. Suddenly, a song by Wang Jie, filled with sorrow, blared from a nearby music store: "Her silhouette is slowly disappearing in the wind... I can only stand in the wind and let the wind blow..."

After walking a distance, Zhang Yang secretly looked back and saw Gao Wei still standing beside his blue Jin Cheng Suzuki. Despite the distance, Zhang Yang could still feel the murderous intent in his eyes. He sighed, looked at Zuo Xiaoqing, and slowly said two words: "Cruel!"

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't help but laugh: "Don't talk nonsense, I don't have any feelings for him!"

"According to the Buddha, if I don't go to hell, who will? He's so good to you, handsome, young, and promising. Why not just give in?"

"Are you asking for a beating?"

The street echoed with a series of joyful laughter.

Zuo Xiaoqing kept her promise and took Zhang Yang to the most famous restaurant in Chunyang County, Zhiwei Ju, for a delicious meal. Since it was Valentine's Day, the restaurant was particularly crowded, but fortunately, they didn't run into any acquaintances. Zuo Xiaoqing considered Zhang Yang a friend and a shield against Gao Wei's advances, but nothing more.

Zhang Yang, used to being treated to meals, ate with a clear conscience. However, as they left the restaurant after dinner, a little girl with pigtails ran over, holding a rose high: "Big brother, your girlfriend is so pretty, buy her a flower!"

Zhang Yang was taken aback, but Zuo Xiaoqing blushed slightly, even though it was a misunderstanding, it still made her heart race.

But Zhang Yang's next words ruined the mood: "I don't have money!"

The little girl, though young, was very quick-witted: "Big brother, don't be so stingy. It's Valentine's Day, buy a rose for your girlfriend. It's only two yuan, not expensive."

"I really don't have money!" Zhang Yang's face turned red under the persistent urging of the little girl.

"Really stingy, can't even spend two yuan!"

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't stand it anymore. She took two coins from her wallet and handed them over. The little girl smiled and gave her the rose: "Big sister, you're so pretty, but your boyfriend is too stingy. You should dump him..."

Zhang Yang was so angry he almost fainted. Am I being stingy? I really don't have money! At that moment, he suddenly realized how important money could be.

Zuo Xiaoqing looked at Zhang Yang's awkward expression and couldn't help but laugh. She handed the rose to Zhang Yang: "Here, for you!"

Zhang Yang took the rose without hesitation and then solemnly gave it back to Zuo Xiaoqing: "For you, the two yuan counts as a loan. I'll pay you back as soon as I have money."

Zuo Xiaoqing couldn't help but sigh: "How vulgar, you really are vulgar. A romantic gesture becomes so mundane in your mouth." Holding the rose that had come full circle, Zuo Xiaoqing still managed a smile. He was borrowing a flower to give, and she had to pay for it.

The chapters of the new book are divided differently from the past, with varying lengths. I am writing this book with a fresh start, hoping for the support of my readers. Please don't hesitate to collect, recommend, and support. After all, effort is on my part, and success depends on everyone.