Chapter 283: Chapter 280: Today, I Can’t Go
"I don’t care why you ran off, but you have to give me the money you owe me, not a penny less. After all, I am in your cousin’s hospital."
To get the money, that woman didn’t bother to conceal her intentions.
Zhang Hao had no idea what his cousin had said on the other end, so he could only guess based on the woman’s changing expressions.
"We’re cousins, aren’t we? If the older one fools me, what’s wrong with the younger one paying?"
That sentence seemed to prove it.
"Alright, then transfer it now. Once you’ve done it, I’ll stop making a fuss."
Watching the woman hang up the phone, she soon received the transfer with glee.
"You have the money now, can you leave?"
"Hmph, I can go, but I have one question. It’s not like your cousin is alone, is he?"
You have to admit that the woman did have some self-awareness.
Knowing her profession, someone reputable like Zhang Hao would never fancy her.
Instead of trying to conquer him, she’d be better off with Liu Gang.
Perhaps she would even have a higher chance of success.
"You’ve slept with him, don’t you know?"
The woman pursed her lips: "I’m just making a quick deal, why should I care if he has a family or not?"
No matter how the woman wheedled or cajoled, Zhang Hao remained firm, and when pressed, he simply told her to ask for herself.
Once the bystanders realized this was all just a farce, any disdain they had for Zhang Hao dissipated.
Those who needed to register went on with their business, undisturbed.
However, among colleagues, the opinions about Zhang Hao became somewhat significant.
As the saying goes, bad news travels fast, regardless of its truth.
Throughout the day, Zhang Hao’s mood could be described as depressed.
Before leaving work, he was called into the office by his superiors.
Even a favorite has to be criticized if the line is crossed too far.
"I’m aware, and such things won’t happen again. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now."
Zhang Hao didn’t want to waste too much time and energy on this matter.
But the hospital management didn’t see it that way. Now Zhang Hao was not just a rising star; he was the face of the hospital.
"Zhang Hao, you’re different from others. You need to consider the implications of your actions during your personal time, understand?"
After being thoroughly lectured for half an hour by his superiors, Zhang Hao felt as if he had lost a layer of skin.
He just hoped that woman had nothing to do with his cousin. If one day she started calling herself his sister-in-law, that would be utterly unacceptable.
On his way home, Zhang Hao was in a bad mood, which only slightly lifted when he saw He Qianhui.
"Why the long face? Did you run into trouble at work?"
Zhang Hao shook his head, thinking that if it were just work trouble, it wouldn’t really be an issue.
"That woman actually made a scene at the hospital, claiming I played her and didn’t pay."
Such an absurd event truly baffled him.
"How did it end up being resolved?"
He Qianhui was genuinely concerned, even though Zhang Hao had never done such a thing.
It must have had a significant impact on him.
"At the critical moment, my cousin called that woman and gave her the money."
He Qianhui felt uneasy at just the thought of Liu Gang. The man was unattached—if he caused any trouble, what would they do then?
"Why don’t we invite Liu Gang back someday and have a talk with the three of us to settle any grudges?"
Zhang Hao immediately rejected the suggestion.
It would be like inviting a wolf into the house.
"There’s no need. If my cousin hadn’t come up with that bad idea in the first place, he wouldn’t have turned out like this."
Upon hearing this, He Qianhui felt even more upset.
A smiling face drooped down, "So according to you, you want me to be a widow for the rest of my life?"
Zhang Hao suddenly pulled He Qianhui into his arms, "That’s impossible; with your needs, how could you possibly endure it forever."
"It’s just that if that time really comes, the one to benefit wouldn’t be me anymore."
Being spoken to like this, He Qianhui clenched her fist and fiercely struck his chest twice.
"With that mouth of yours, always saying things I don’t like to hear, wait till you sleep tonight, I’ll sew it shut for you."
Zhang Hao looked down at her, "You really are ruthless, eh? But if you sew my mouth shut, how would I lick for you afterward?"
"You, always saying things that make others blush. See if I don’t hit you."
Ring, ring, ring.
A series of urgent telephone rings came through, forcing the two to pause.
"Go answer the phone, I’ll go cook."
He Qianhui let go of Zhang Hao’s embrace and turned to enter the kitchen.
Picking up the phone and looking at the screen, the name blinking on it was actually Liang Yun.
At the sight of this name, Zhang Hao’s heart sank momentarily.
But after several rings, he still picked it up.
"Mrs. Liang, hello."
"Mr. Zhang, do you have time now? We’re having a gathering at home today; could you come over and join the fun?"
Zhang Hao glanced at the time; it was already 7:30 PM.
If Liang Yun had truly intended to invite him, she wouldn’t have called so late.
Since it was about joining the fun, whether to go or not was entirely up to his own whim.
Before replying to Liang Yun, Zhang Hao glanced at He Qianhui, who was bustling about in the kitchen.
Thinking about the delicious four dishes and one soup he would enjoy later, and the comfort of taking a shower and going to bed, Zhang Hao suddenly found the bustle of the gathering less appealing.
"Miss Liang, thank you for your kindness, but I really can’t make it today. Next time, I will surely come."
Liang Yun on the other end of the phone was also surprised by Zhang Hao’s attitude.
She had thought he would readily accept her invitation.
Being refused now was somewhat unexpected.
"Alright then, next time. Next time, Doctor Zhang, you must come."
After putting down the phone, Zhang Hao went to the kitchen and saw He Qianhui standing in front of the cutting board chopping vegetables.
"Is it the chief of surgery calling you back to help with an operation again?"
"No, it was a former patient, asking me to attend a gathering."
The moment He Qianhui, who was chopping vegetables, heard that Zhang Hao was going to attend a gathering, her chopping motion immediately stopped.
"So you..."
"When will dinner be ready? I’m really hungry now."
At first, He Qianhui didn’t react.
"Aren’t you going to a gathering? Why do you still want to have dinner at home before going?"
Zhang Hao’s arms encircled He Qianhui’s waist from both sides, murmuring softly, "When did I say I was going to the gathering?"
"Clearly, that patient didn’t really want me there, or else she would have notified me earlier."
He Qianhui, who had never interacted with those high officials and nobles, couldn’t understand all the intricacies involved.
"Thirty minutes, and dinner will be ready."
"Thirty minutes, that’s so long; I might starve to death by then."
He Qianhui suddenly became anxious, "Then should I cook you a bowl of noodles to eat?"
Zhang Hao suddenly tightened his embrace, and his lips gently caressed He Qianhui’s tender earlobe.
He Qianhui softly moaned, her body instinctively trying to evade.
"Hao, if you do this, I won’t be able to cook."
