Chapter 436: Chapter 433: Double-Dealing
Zhang Hao took Qin Miaoke to the Sichuan Flavor Hotpot Restaurant, which actually wasn’t an especially good choice in the middle of summer.
But the essence of eating hotpot is the atmosphere, and under that noisy, boisterous ambiance,
Qin Miaoke would surely find some relief for her mood. They had just sat down when Zhang Hao handed her one of the two menus.
"Choose whatever you want to eat. Don’t worry about the cost on my behalf."
"Really? Is your salary as the director that much higher than mine as a nurse?"
Before coming, Qin Miaoke was not familiar with the changes at the hospital.
Anyway, when she arrived, Zhang Hao had already been the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine department.
"Even if I max out my credit card today, I still have to treat you to this meal."
With Zhang Hao saying that, Qin Miaoke’s lips curled into a lovely arc.
"I’m not a big eater. Look at you talking big. But since you’re so bold, I won’t hold back today."
Qin Miaoke said she wouldn’t hold back, but when she ordered, she still considered Zhang Hao.
She didn’t go so far as to fill the table to an extravagant extent.
While the broth hadn’t started boiling yet, seizing the moment,
Qin Miaoke asked him why he suddenly wanted to treat her to a meal and only her.
Was it because he realized he had said something wrong and was using the meal to apologize?
"I didn’t think that way at all. Isn’t it because these last two days, you’ve encountered so many annoying issues?"
"So, I brought you out for some good food to lighten your gloomy mood. Xiaohui said that as the director, it’s not just about taking on the department’s responsibilities,"
"but also about looking after the emotional state of each and every staff member. Only when everyone is happy can work proceed smoothly."
Upon hearing this, Qin Miaoke instantly became unhappy.
"So it’s just that simple. Here I thought you wanted to have a meal specifically with me. According to what you’ve said,"
"if other colleagues in the department also experience annoying issues in the future, you’ll treat them to a meal too."
"There’s nothing special about it. We’ve known each other for quite a while, can’t you show a bit of favoritism towards me?"
Zhang Hao considered it for a moment, "Isn’t this favoritism already? No one else knows I’m thinking this way. Also, the pot is boiling. Hurry and put in the ingredients."
At Zhang Hao’s urging, Qin Miaoke picked up a plate of meat and threw it into the pot.
"I really don’t understand how you, such a straightforward guy, managed to make Xiaohui so smitten with you."
"I’m even somewhat grateful that you didn’t agree to be with me back then. Otherwise, who knows, I might faint one day because of your blunt words."
Zhang Hao was by no means a straightforward guy, but he had to act this way in front of Qin Miaoke.
His relationship with He Qianhui was already public within the hospital.
Aside from maintaining a normal collegial relationship, he made it a point to keep a relatively safe distance from other women.
Otherwise, idle gossip would quickly spread, affecting not just his life but his work as well.
"I actually think Chen Xun seems like a decent guy. He came all this way for you. You can tell the guy takes action."
"The old master’s choice can’t be bad, so don’t be so resistant to it."
"Take me, for instance. When you first met me, didn’t you think I was quite alright?"
"But the actual interaction turned out to be not quite what you expected, right?"
Qin Miaoke pursed her lips, scooping half of the meat from the pot into her bowl.
Anyway, since he’s the one treating me to dinner tonight, having a few extra bites doesn’t matter.
"Can you please stop talking about this in front of me? The more you talk, the more irritated I get, and my irritation is of no benefit to you."
Midway through the meal, the perpetually infuriating Chen Xun actually called Qin Miaoke.
And it was a video call, no less. In a panic, Qin Miaoke threw her phone directly at Zhang Hao.
"You... you take it," she said. "Just tell him I’m in the restroom and can’t answer the phone."
Zhang Hao calmly took Qin Miaoke’s phone and accepted the video invite.
The moment the image came through, Zhang Hao greeted Chen Xun.
"You’re that doctor, right? Where’s Miaoke? Why isn’t she answering her phone?"
Normally, when asked this question, one would instinctively glance at the person in question.
But Zhang Hao didn’t make such a move, keeping his eyes glued to the camera.
"We’re out having dinner, and she went to get a drink. She left her phone on the table, so I picked it up and answered."
"I thought she’d have gone home from work by now. Didn’t realize she was out at a dinner. I’ll call her later then."
Zhang Hao didn’t even have to say much before Chen Xun voluntarily ended the video chat.
However, when Zhang Hao handed the phone back to Qin Miaoke, Chen Xun had already sent her a message.
"If you have something to say, can’t you just tell me? Why bother sending a message?"
The moment Qin Miaoke heard Chen Xun had sent her a message, she didn’t even want to touch the phone.
"I don’t want to look at the messages he sent now. I’ll reply later."
"Just take a look. What if it’s something urgent?" Zhang Hao persuaded.
With Zhang Hao’s urging, Qin Miaoke reluctantly opened Chen Xun’s chat.
In the short time it took to exchange a couple of words, that guy had already sent three messages.
Seeing so many messages made Qin Miaoke feel as if her brain had crashed at that moment.
Fortunately, the messages weren’t long – just apologies for calling her during dinner without knowing, hoping he hadn’t disturbed anyone.
Then he asked when she was going home and to let him know. If it was still early, they could chat on video.
Being pursued so aggressively all of a sudden, Qin Miaoke felt a bit overwhelmed.
"What’s all this about? Just because of Grandpa’s words, has Chen Xun decided on me, thinking that he must win me over by any means necessary?"
Zhang Hao focused on his own meal without rushing Qin Miaoke.
But from the corner of his eye, he noticed that she seemed to be typing a message on her phone.
After carefully phrasing her thoughts, she hit send.
"What did you send him? Did you intentionally throw cold water on it, to make him give up chasing you?"
"I have to say, boys these days are quite brave. Many are bold enough to pursue the girl they like fervently," Zhang Hao remarked.
Qin Miaoke smiled and looked up at Zhang Hao. "You’re wrong there. I just asked him one question."
"Is it me that he likes, or is it because I’m the granddaughter of the Qin family? If it’s the former, I could consider seeing him more."
"Over time, whether he likes me for me or wants to gain something through the Qin family will become obvious."
"If his real intention is the latter and he admits it, I’d think he’s quite honest."
"But if he hums and haws and says a bunch of nonsense, wouldn’t that be the very definition of being double-faced?"
