Chapter 15: Officer Ji Gets Jealous

After finally surviving the weekend, Tang Xiaohe decided to just lie at home and slack off.

Ever since the folder mishap last time, Tang Xiaohe had been avoiding Ji Yanli everywhere she went—even took a sick leave for the legal knowledge competition and had Zhang Wan go instead. But she did have Zhang Wan secretly take lots of photos of Ji Yanli for her.

Zhang Wan didn’t ask any questions, just smiled quietly.

Now Tang Xiaohe was lying on the sofa, quietly scrolling through the photos Zhang Wan sent, ruffling the head of her lucky charm, flipping through the pictures, feeling quite content.

She sighed, marveling at Zhang Wan’s terrible photography skills.

There were crowds of people blocking the view, and Ji Yanli’s head barely peeked out—what could you really see!

“Tsk tsk, absolutely no way to buy Zhang Wan’s recommended phone, the pictures are too blurry! No image stabilization at all!” Tang Xiaohe thought silently.

Suddenly, a message popped up on her phone.

Deep Sea Whale: “HNA HU6688, 11:00.”

What was this? Tang Xiaohe was confused and sent back a question mark.

Deep Sea Whale: “That’s the flight number.”

Tang Xiaohe sat up suddenly from the sofa. “You’re coming back?”

Deep Sea Whale: “Not me, it’s Lin Xiang. He’s coming to intern in Nancheng, arriving at 11 AM. Can you pick him up for me~?”

Tang Xiaohe checked the time—it was almost 10 o’clock now.

It took about an hour to get from Lin Jing’s place to the airport, and she was still in pajamas, hadn’t even washed her face. Time was tight!

“You should’ve told me earlier! If I rush over now, I probably won’t make it in time. Tell him to wait for me at the airport.”

Deep Sea Whale: “No rush, take your time.”

Though he said that, Tang Xiaohe hurriedly washed her face, changed clothes, quickly applied sunscreen, and got ready to head out. Since she was just picking up Lin Xiang—Lin Jing’s younger brother, almost like her half brother—there was no need to waste time on makeup.

There was some traffic on the way, and by the time she arrived at the airport it was already 11:20.

Tang Xiaohe didn’t see Lin Xiang, so she was about to call him.

Just then, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. “Xiaohe Jie!”

Tang Xiaohe turned around—there was Lin Xiang.

The young man in front of her had layered, tea-brown hair, a small black obsidian earring on his ear, and his fringe covered his brow, giving off a cool and rebellious vibe.

Tang Xiaohe reached to take his backpack, but Lin Xiang held on tight. “How can I let a girl carry my bag?”

“Then push the luggage cart; why do I have to pick you up?”

Lin Xiang raised an eyebrow. “I just want to feel the warm welcome from the people of Nancheng. I’m happy you came.”

Tang Xiaohe smirked. “You’ve got a sweet mouth.”

They got into a taxi. Lin Xiang put his backpack down on the seat with a heavy “thud.”

Tang Xiaohe was surprised. “Are you carrying rocks in here?”

Lin Xiang shook his head. “Just textbooks for professional courses, stuff I need for clinical training.”

Tang Xiaohe nodded understandingly and felt some sympathy for the medical student.

The ride back was smooth, and soon they arrived at the gate of Golden Home. The driver helped with the suitcase, and Lin Xiang picked up his backpack, which was so heavy his arm couldn’t lift it.

Tang Xiaohe took it upon herself to push the suitcase. Lin Xiang tried to stop her, but she had already started walking ahead. “It’s not far, and the suitcase isn’t heavy, it won’t take much effort.”

Lin Xiang didn’t insist and followed obediently behind her, like a big dog.

While waiting for the elevator, Tang Xiaohe suddenly felt a bit anxious. It was the weekend; Ji Yanli didn’t have to work and was probably at home at this hour!

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

They stepped into the elevator. Tang Xiaohe reached out and pressed the close door button. As the doors slowly began to close, she caught sight of a figure rushing over. Without thinking much, her hands reacted faster than her brain, quickly pressing the open door button several times.

In this hot weather, waiting for an elevator again wasn’t easy. Giving a little kindness often leaves a pleasant scent on your hands, right?

“Thank you,” came a low voice nearby.

“No need to—Yanli?!” Tang Xiaohe didn’t even finish saying “no need” before she saw Ji Yanli looking at her.

She should have gone and bought a lottery ticket! Women’s mysterious sixth sense.

Ji Yanli appraised her. Today, Tang Xiaohe wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans. Because it was hot, her fair skin had a slight flush. She wasn’t wearing makeup and looked fresh and scholarly. His gaze then shifted to the suitcase she was holding—it was clearly not a woman’s style.

Lin Xiang spoke up then, “Xiaohe, do you two know each other?”

Ji Yanli narrowed his eyes. This guy didn’t look very old and standing next to Tang Xiaohe, they looked like classmates. He pondered the way the guy addressed Tang Xiaohe, his eyes darkening.

Does she think I’m stupid?

Tang Xiaohe had been avoiding Ji Yanli for days—how could he not tell?

Yet here she was, acting intimate with an unrelated guy.

Ji Yanli’s heart twisted uncomfortably, feeling blocked and frustrated, even annoyed with himself for being petty.

Countless thoughts raced through Ji Yanli’s mind, but his expression remained unreadable.

“He’s my downstairs neighbor,” Tang Xiaohe introduced Lin Xiang to Ji Yanli.

Better if she hadn’t introduced him at all. As soon as she did, Ji Yanli felt a lump stuck in his throat—unable to spit it out or swallow it down. He had never experienced this awkward feeling and didn’t know why it surfaced now.

Downstairs neighbor? Just an ordinary downstairs neighbor?

“Oh, hello, hello!” Lin Xiang looked at Ji Yanli with a bit of rebelliousness but was actually somewhat friendly.

Ji Yanli felt gloomy but just gave a “hmm” as a response to the guy.

“Ding—” The elevator doors opened, and Ji Yanli got out first.

“Xiaohe Jie, that guy just now seemed so cold, not very warm,” Lin Xiang said.

Tang Xiaohe noticed the way he called her and felt a little strange. “Why did you call me by my name just now, and now you’re calling me ‘Jie’ (older sister)?”

“There were strangers before, I didn’t feel comfortable saying it out loud,” Lin Xiang replied casually. Tang Xiaohe felt a bit helpless, not sure if Ji Yanli misunderstood anything just now.

She still needed to find a chance to talk to Ji Yanli. The reason she had been avoiding him lately was just because it was too awkward—always embarrassed in front of him and didn’t want to face him. It wasn’t for any other reason.

She pushed open the door, and Tao Tao (the dog) wagged its tail and came to greet them.

“Oh no, we don’t have any extra slippers at home,” Tang Xiaohe suddenly remembered that Lin Jing never prepared any men’s slippers.

When Tang Xiaohe lived alone, she always prepared two pairs of women’s slippers—one for herself and one in case friends came over. Last time Ji Yanli visited, she had already lent him the new pair she had.

“I have some in my suitcase,” Lin Xiang said.

He opened his suitcase, which was packed full but not messy, and found the slippers buried at the bottom.

Lin Xiang came to Nancheng for clinical training. The hospital arranged dorms for him. He would eat lunch at Tang Xiaohe’s place but had to report to the hospital in the afternoon.