CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 164: NOT JUST ANYONE CATCHES MY EYE (SECOND UPDATE)

Yi Luowa recalled Tong Qiang’s words and looked at Mai Zekai. "Old Seven, what other quirks does Fourth Brother have?"

Mai Zekai pushed up his glasses. "Fourth Brother has tons of quirks. For instance, he’s been taking showers in shorts ever since he was a kid. Also, he never drinks from other people’s cups. And, his head—no one is allowed to touch it. His hair can only be styled by Yuan Hang. And..."

"Shut your filthy mouth!" Tong Airui shot him a warning look. "In the stories from your mouths, I can never be a decent person!"

Yi Luowa covered his mouth, her curiosity piqued. "What else?"

Mai Zekai smirked mischievously. "I’ll let you in on the secrets when he’s not around."

"Why do you keep cursing me!? What do you mean by ’when I’m not around?’" Tong Airui gave him a heavy slap. "Shoo if you’ve got nothing better to do! I need to spend quality time building a bond with your Fourth Sister-in-law."

"I’m not going anywhere. I’ll just sit here and watch the two of you. Besides, I might as well learn your shameless act of sticking around so affectionately." Mai Zekai slowly massaged his thigh, showing no intention of leaving.

"Dr. Mai, we haven’t finished our discussion. Why are you over here?" Just as Mai Zekai finished his sentence, Jimo Shanshan appeared in the doorway.

Jimo Shanshan gave a glance at the two people on the hospital bed, and her lips twitched slightly.

Yi Luowa gently nudged Tong Airui, but not only did Tong Airui refuse to move, he lay down even more comfortably.

"I’m off duty. We’ll talk about work-related issues when I’m back on shift," Mai Zekai said sluggishly, standing up. "Fourth Brother, I’m heading home now."

Tong Airui glanced at him. "Wait a moment. Will Mr. Yi be able to be discharged in another seven or eight days?"

Mai Zekai nodded. "Discharge is possible."

"What about flying?"

"Hmm... If accompanied by a doctor, it shouldn’t be a problem."

"Take your annual leave then. In a few days, come back to Xiawu with us and visit Grandma while you’re at it."

"Sounds good. I haven’t seen Grandma in ages."

Jimo Shanshan glanced at Mai Zekai with displeasure and slowly entered. "Taking annual leave? What about the patients?"

"Isn’t there Dr. Jimo here?" Mai Zekai replied with a mocking smile. "Didn’t you just say recently, the Earth keeps spinning no matter who’s absent? This hospital will still save lives without me."

"I said that because I was angry! It was a slip of the tongue." Jimo Shanshan frowned and turned toward Tong Airui. "Can it wait for a few days? There’s a tricky patient who still needs Dr. Mai’s expertise."

"No more than ten days," Tong Airui said with a smile, sitting up.

"Don’t intentionally delay it. I won’t take this patient. I’m heading out." Mai Zekai said as he bypassed Jimo Shanshan and briskly left the hospital room.

Jimo Shanshan pursed her lips, looking at Tong Airui with an expression of confusion. "Did I offend him somehow? Why does he always act so snarky around me?"

"Shanshan, let me give you some advice. Don’t think just because you’ve been eating rice two years longer than us brothers, you can treat us like kids. When it comes to professional matters, Old Seven is no less skilled than you. You need to phrase your words carefully, not in a commanding tone," Tong Airui explained casually.

"I wasn’t bossing him around. I was simply debating treatment plans with him. Back in the U.S., I used to talk the same way with my seniors. Does this mean he’s avoiding me because of how I speak?" Jimo Shanshan frowned slightly and turned toward Tong Airui. "Tong Airui, I just realized—why are you pretending to be my Fourth Uncle again?"

"Fourth Uncle is Fourth Uncle. Why would I need to pretend?" Tong Airui smirked. "Shanshan, let me tell you the truth. Old Seven can’t handle the way you talk. He’s already planning to leave this place."

Jimo Shanshan was momentarily stunned. "Is it that serious?"

"Why would I lie to you? You need to learn to adapt to the local customs," Tong Airui leaned against the bedpost and gave her an oblique look.

Jimo Shanshan hesitated, then quietly nodded. "Thanks! I won’t disturb you anymore."

Yi Luowa escorted her to the door. After returning, she asked in a low voice, "She’s a girl. Wasn’t what you said to her a bit too blunt? She must’ve felt humiliated."

"If I didn’t say it, she’d keep antagonizing Old Seven. If Old Seven works too long under such circumstances, he might develop depression. Shanshan is actually a great girl. As long as she changes her foreign habits and adapts to the local ways, she and Old Seven should be able to coexist peacefully," Tong Airui replied.

Yi Luowa pressed her lips into a smile. "Shanshan’s nice. Why didn’t you choose her as your girlfriend back then?"

Tong Airui grinned at her. "Are you jealous because I praised another girl?"

Yi Luowa puffed out her cheeks. "No way! I was just casually asking."

Tong Airui pulled her into his arms with a laugh. "I’m very picky. Not just anyone can catch my eye."

Yi Luowa puckered her lips. Truthfully, she had felt a little uncomfortable earlier, but she’d never admit it—even if it killed her. That’d make her look petty.

Tong Airui chuckled and pinched her nose. "I’m destined to be yours in this lifetime, and you’re destined to be mine. Be good, don’t get upset. From now on, I’ll never praise any other girl again."

"I’m not that petty!" Yi Luowa pouted. "Huo Li will be back soon. Should we figure out where to have dinner? If you’re tired, you can recommend a few good restaurants, and I’ll go with her instead."