The Honest Man

Xu Lin and Su Qingwan made their way smoothly to the hospital. As soon as they left the house, Xu Lin called to find out exactly which hospital Bai Xiaoxiao was headed to, since she didn’t have a cell phone and would be unreachable once she left home.

Arriving at Linshui City People’s Hospital, he hurried first to the emergency department. After all, Bai Xiaoxiao’s father had been injured in a fall during renovation work, and her mother had fainted.

Her father had already been brought to the hospital by his coworkers and was not unconscious; Xu Lin decided he should check on Bai Xiaoxiao’s mother first.

“When did you get to know Bai Xiaoxiao?” Su Qingwan asked.

“A few days ago. At first, I saw her buying a lot of breakfast and thought she was being bullied, but it turned out not to be the case. We got to know each other after that.”

“I see. This way, I’ve been here before with my mother for her check-up.”

“How’s Auntie’s health?”

“She’s doing okay. By the way, you still remember my mother? She’s invited you to dinner several times and you never came.”

“I’m afraid if I go, I’ll really become her son-in-law and never escape.”

“As if anyone’s so eager for you!”

“But you do like me, don’t you?”

As they reached the emergency department, Bai Xiaoxiao hurried up to them, her face full of worry and anxiety.

“Xu… Lin, thank you for coming.”

“It’s nothing. Try to relax; everything’s going to be fine. Where’s your mother?”

“She was already somewhat conscious when we brought her in, and she’s undergoing tests now.”

“That means she’s not in any real danger. What about your father?”

“I went to see him in orthopedics. His coworkers paid the deposit and he’s in surgery now. He fell from a high scaffold and broke his lower leg and ankle.”

“Do you have money for your mother’s treatment? I have some here; let me help you pay for now.”

“Thank you so much…” As Bai Xiaoxiao spoke, her voice suddenly faltered and her body swayed backward. Xu Lin quickly caught her.

In the light, he noticed she seemed much paler than before, but he didn’t dwell on it and helped her to a seat.

“I told you to eat properly, didn’t I? You didn’t listen to me?”

“It’s just that… who’s this?”

In her rush, Bai Xiaoxiao hadn’t noticed the beautiful woman beside Xu Lin.

“Su Qingwan.” She didn’t mention she was a teacher, just nodded to Bai Xiaoxiao with gentle warmth and sat beside her.

“Why don’t you get checked out too, while you’re here?”

“No, really… I can’t cause more trouble.”

“Bai Xiaoxiao!” Xu Lin shot her a look, making her lower her head immediately. “Don’t be so fierce, I really… don’t need it.”

“Fine. Let’s check on your mother first.”

After waiting about half an hour, they were informed that Bai Xiaoxiao’s mother was out of danger. Her collapse had been due to excessive mental stress and poor health.

The hospital recommended she stay for observation for a couple of days, since her overall condition wasn’t great. It would be best for her to spend the night and rest.

But Bai’s mother was insistent on being discharged, claiming she was fine. The cost of a night in the hospital plus treatment, tests, and IV drips was simply too much! In the end, it took Xu Lin and Su Qingwan a long time to persuade her, and they directly prepaid ten thousand yuan. Only then did she finally settle down, reassured not to worry about the fees for now.

Afterward, Xu Lin followed Bai Xiaoxiao to see her father. The surgery had already ended—it was quick and not a severe fracture.

Several coworkers were still looking after him; he’d been transferred to the ward even before Bai’s mother. It was Xu Lin’s first time meeting Bai’s father.

He was a lean, dark-skinned man with a square face and short stature, lying on the hospital bed, his leg suspended and wrapped in bandages and plaster.

“Hey, Xiaoxiao’s here. Your father’s fine now. And these two are?”

“My classmate Xu Lin and his friend Su Qingwan. I was afraid I couldn’t look after Mom alone. She wasn’t feeling well, so I asked her to rest.”

Bai Xiaoxiao wanted to mention that her mother was also hospitalized, but decided to keep it to herself for now, worried her father would become anxious.

“Oh, that’s good. I’m fine. Don’t stay here with me tonight; there are nurses. You have school tomorrow!”

“I can just ask for leave.”

“No! I work so hard so you can study properly!”

“But you…”

“Xiaoxiao, we’re here. Don’t worry!” the coworkers quickly assured her, but Bai Xiaoxiao’s face remained full of worry.

“All right, go take care of your mother. I’ve got money for the hospital. You don’t need to worry about anything, okay?”

“But…”

“No buts. Thank you both for helping. Take her back, please.”

“Bai Xiaoxiao?” Xu Lin looked at her, and after a moment, she nodded.

As they left the ward, the coworkers turned to Bai’s father.

“Hey, your daughter really cares about you.”

“As long as she studies well, that’s enough. You guys don’t need to stay, either.”

“The nurses here are all women. If you need the bathroom, it’s easier with us around.”

“You should go rest too,” Bai’s father frowned.

“We’re fine. By the way, was that your future son-in-law just now?”

“What?!” Bai’s father’s eyes widened.

“Looking at you, who’d dare be your son-in-law?”

“She’s still young. Let her focus on her studies.”

“That boy’s pretty handsome, though, and the girl with him is quite pretty too.”

“Hey, old man, don’t go gawking at young girls all day!”

Laughter broke out among them.

Outside, Bai Xiaoxiao intended to return to her mother, but Xu Lin grabbed her wrist.

“You’re getting checked out.”

“I really don’t need to.”

“You have to.”

“Go on, it won’t cost much, and you can claim some back from insurance.”

“…But—”

“Go.” Xu Lin still fixed her with his gaze, making her nod hurriedly.

“Why are you scaring the girl?” Su Qingwan scolded softly, pinching his ear.

“She wouldn’t listen otherwise!”

“Hmm. I’m surprised, though—Bai Xiaoxiao’s actually quite pretty. In the photo, she looked dark and skinny.”

“Teacher Su, you’re reading too much into things. I have no ulterior motives. I’m just being kind.”

“Sure, sure.”

Su Qingwan wasn’t entirely convinced. Although she’d been eating just now, she could sense Xu Lin’s mother’s attitude toward Ji Yun and Chu Qingchan was very peculiar.

It was just the way a mother would look at a prospective daughter-in-law. That made her think again about whether Xu Lin and Chu Fengyi were involved.

If they were, wouldn’t that make them sisters… Xu Lin was a real player. Yet, he’d saved her from another womanizer…

“What’s wrong? If you have something to say, just say it,” Xu Lin asked, noticing Su Qingwan’s changing expressions.

“Xu Lin, be honest with me. Are you two-timing?”

“How could I?” Xu Lin answered quickly. He hadn’t even secured one relationship yet—if anything, there might be a dozen in the future—so telling the truth was easy.

Su Qingwan stared deep into his eyes, shining and unwavering. She nodded again, remembering that was his answer last time as well.

“Wait… then why do you smell like that blonde girl?”

“Huh? You mean Chu Fengyi?”

“Yes.”

“She’s my master. The scent is from when she beat me up.”

“She’s your master… Oh, I remember now, she knows martial arts, right?”

“Mm.”

At that, Su Qingwan finally felt she could breathe easily again and smiled.

“All right then. But you should be more careful. Walking around smelling like perfume—when you have a girlfriend someday, you definitely can’t do that.”

“Oh, right.” Xu Lin nodded woodenly, secretly congratulating himself. Playing the honest guy—he was a master at it!