"A Zui, you’re getting better at being sarcastic." Ye Mingluo said, crying and laughing. He touched the beard on his face and narcissistically said, "You don’t know, women really like me. Do you know why I grow a beard?"

Seeing that Huo Wen’an was unresponsive, Ye Mingluo answered himself, "Because women like me rubbing my beard on their necks and backs, saying it’s quite intriguing."

Huo Wen’an frowned, expressing disdain with his face, and said, "That’s so creepy, it’s like ’creepy’ opened the door for ’creepiness,’ and it’s all creepy together."

Ye Mingluo laughed heartily at his teasing.

After changing the dressing on Xu Qingnian’s bedsores and adjusting his sleeping position, Xu Xingguang finally went to shower. Wanting to show her sincerity for dinner with the boss, Xu Xingguang carefully chose an outfit.

Forty minutes later, Xu Xingguang went downstairs on time. She stood at her front door and said to the two people daydreaming under the eaves next door, "I’m ready, Boss Huo, Doctor Ye, let’s go." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Upon hearing this, Boss Huo opened his eyes and turned his head to look next door along with Ye Mingluo.

Under the eaves next door, Xu Xingguang was wearing a fitted black sweater dress, with a gold chain belt embellishing her waist. Flat knee-high boots hugged her slender straight legs, making her figure look tall and graceful.

She tied some of her wavy hair into a high ponytail, casually draping it over her shoulder, adding a bit of playfulness.

Ye Mingluo couldn’t take his eyes off Xu Xingguang, and generously praised the beauty, "Miss Xu, beautiful."

After complimenting Xu Xingguang, Ye Mingluo turned and said to Huo Wen’an, "I finally understand today why Xu Xingguang is praised as the most dazzling rose in Yujiang City."

That figure, that temperament, that appearance, there really isn’t anyone in Yujiang City who can surpass her.

Huo Wen’an stood up and said to Xu Xingguang, "It will be colder in the evening, better bring a jacket."

In the early spring, the daytime climate was mild, and Xu Xingguang’s outfit was fine. But there is a big temperature difference at night, and after dinner, the temperature would drop several degrees.

Xu Xingguang obediently took a jacket and got into Ye Mingluo’s car together with Huo Wen’an.

Ye Mingluo drove, Huo Wen’an sat in the passenger seat, and Xu Xingguang sat in the back.

Although Ye Mingluo was a doctor, he lacked the typical cleanliness of a doctor. Inside the messy car, the back seats were filled with various items, including photographic equipment and unopened drone packages.

"Sorry, it’s a bit messy in the car." Ye Mingluo’s words were addressed to Xu Xingguang in the back seat, and then he said to Huo Wen’an, "I bought you a drone. Once it gets warmer, I’ll take you out to play."

His demeanor towards Huo Wen’an was less like that of a doctor to a patient and more like an older brother to a younger one.

Huo Wen’an wasn’t feeling well; he closed his eyes and said, "Let’s go tomorrow, while I can still climb a mountain."

Ye Mingluo naturally agreed.

Knowing Xu Xingguang was sitting in the back, Ye Mingluo enthusiastically invited her to join them. Xu Xingguang was replying to messages, and upon hearing him, she said, "I have something tomorrow, so I won’t go."

"Busy with what?" Thinking that Xu Xingguang was still in school, Ye Mingluo asked, "Classes?"

Xu Xingguang put away her phone, "I have to meet someone."

"Alright then, we’re off."

Upon arriving at Friendship Building, Ye Mingluo said, "You two go inside first, I’ll park." Friendship Building was situated in a bustling area, making parking inconvenient.

Xu Xingguang and Huo Wen’an got out of the car and walked side by side toward Friendship Building.

Xu Xingguang asked Huo Wen’an, "How’s the food here?"

Huo Wen’an gave an honest review, "Not as good as yours."

"There aren’t many who can surpass my cooking skills." Xu Xingguang said this with great confidence.

Huo Wen’an turned his head to glance at her.

He felt that Xu Xingguang’s eyes could spark fire, quite intense.

Huo Wen’an walked rather slowly, and climbing stairs even slower. As they were just reaching the second floor, Huo Wen’an heard someone calling out Xu Xingguang’s name.

"Xingguang, you’re here?"

Leaning against the wall, Huo Wen’an turned his head and looked up, seeing the woman who called out to Xu Xingguang.

It was You Mingyue.

Huo Wen’an still remembered You Mingyue. He asked Xu Xingguang, "Do you need me to head to the private room first?"

Xu Xingguang replied, "Together."

Huo Wen’an nodded and walked with Xu Xingguang toward the private room.

Being ignored by Xu Xingguang, You Mingyue was somewhat upset.

Upon recognizing the person accompanying Xu Xingguang to Friendship Building as the single neighbor from Cangshan Town, You Mingyue’s eyes slightly shifted. She followed and approached, saying with a smile, "Xingguang surely makes people fond of her. Having just moved to Cangshan Town for a few days and already having dinner with the neighbor’s brother."

Hearing You Mingyue’s sardonic remark, Xu Xingguang frowned in annoyance.

Just as she was about to demand that You Mingyue leave, she heard Huo Wen’an courteous yet polite tone, saying, "You’re right, I’m having dinner with the charming Xingguang now. Could you please not stand here in the way?"

You Mingyue couldn’t believe this rascal dared to speak to her like this.

How dare he!

Although You Mingyue was beautiful, with fewer pursuers than Xu Xingguang, counting on one hand was difficult. Never before had she encountered someone like Huo Wen’an.

Wanting to lose her temper, she reluctantly held back due to Xu Yue and others being in the adjacent private room.

With a slightly forced smile, she didn’t confront Huo Wen’an. Instead, she purposefully said to Xu Xingguang, "Xingguang, your neighbor’s brother is quite different from the boys you’ve known before."

Such a remark belittled Huo Wen’an while mocking Xu Xingguang for being flirtatious and for her fondness with boys.

After You Mingyue’s several provocations, Xu Xingguang could not hold back anymore and was about to roll up her sleeves to fight when she heard Huo Wen’an lightly say, "Of course different, especially since I’ve been to jail."

Both Xu Xingguang and You Mingyue were stunned at this.

Huo Wen’an’s eyes curved into a smile, more sinister than a devil’s grin.

He stared appreciatively at You Mingyue’s delicate fingers, sincerely saying, "This lady’s hands are lovely, definitely suited for collecting."

You Mingyue: "..."

Recalling Uncle Xu saying this single man named Huo had killed before and just returned to Cangshan Town recently, You Mingyue felt uneasy.

Barefoot sometimes defies the wearer, and she certainly wouldn’t dare confront a killer head-on.

Without delay, You Mingyue turned and left, afraid of losing her hands if she slowed down.

Madman!

Xu Xingguang dares to associate with such a madman, as if her life were expendable.

Watching You Mingyue flee as if escaping, Xu Xingguang suddenly laughed aloud. She looked up at Huo Wen’an and said, "Boss Huo, don’t degrade yourself like this for someone irrelevant."

Huo Wen’an tilted his head, asking Xu Xingguang, "How is it degrading myself? Obviously, I’m scaring her."

Xu Xingguang put away her smile, and solemnly said, "No one is born wanting to be a villain, to face blood, to sit in prison. Boss Huo, being a devil can ward off little demons, but being a devil is lonely and painful."

Huo Wen’an lowered his eyes, his gaze slightly shifting, lost in thought.

He turned and headed to the private room. After walking a bit, he suddenly turned to ask Xu Xingguang, "Miss Xu, how old are you?"

Xu Xingguang didn’t know why he was asking but replied, "21."

Huo Wen’an nodded and cryptically said, "Still young, Miss Xu surely will live to a ripe old age."

She’s only 21, with a long life’s journey ahead.

He decided not to interfere in her life.