CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: HOT SPRINGS

Upon entering the villa, Zhao Heng saw that Xu Man Ni was indeed already in the living room. Besides her, there were three other middle-aged men who seemed about the same age as Gao Jun, not average office workers, but none of whom Zhao Heng recognized.

It seemed that these three seemingly extraordinary middle-aged men were likely Gao Jun’s second-generation friends or childhood buddies.

With Zhao Heng and Gao Jun, there were six people in total.

Gao Jun gave a brief introduction of Zhao Heng, after which they were free to move about.

"Xiao Zhao, the private hot spring in this villa is quite nice, and there are various hot spring pools outside. The lounge has food and entertainment. I still have some matters to discuss, so I’ll leave you to relax on your own."

After the introductions, Gao Jun said to Zhao Heng.

"Okay, sir, you go ahead with your tasks. I can manage on my own."

Zhao Heng nodded.

Soon, Gao Jun and his friends went to the hot spring to handle their business.

Seeing Gao Jun and his friends leave the living room, Zhao Heng relaxed suddenly and sat on the sofa, finally feeling somewhat at ease.

Honestly, he had never attended such an event or gathering, so he was a bit reserved.

"What’s wrong? You seem a bit nervous?"

Xu Man Ni, sitting on the sofa opposite Zhao Heng, couldn’t help but smile and asked when she saw him like that.

Usually in the operating room, Xu Man Ni saw Zhao Heng as calm and composed as Mount Tai. His slightly bashful demeanor now appeared rather amusing to her.

"Ahem, I’ve really never been to such an expensive place."

Zhao Heng said honestly.

Poverty is poverty; nothing wrong in admitting it.

"It’s not that bad. The villa with a private spring is just over five thousand a night, not as outrageous as you think."

Xu Man Ni said casually.

"Uh... over five thousand..."

Zhao Heng was somewhat speechless.

His monthly salary wasn’t even as much.

"You don’t have to pay, right? It’s pretty good following Lao Gao. Let me tell you, Lao Gao has only taken you as a student in all these years."

Xu Man Ni chuckled.

"He’s certainly a good teacher. Xu Jie, you and the teacher, you two?"

Zhao Heng asked somewhat gossipingly.

Although Gao Jun was soaking in the hot spring to discuss matters, the act of hot spring bathing was inherently a private activity. The fact that Xu Man Ni was invited and willing to come suggested their relationship was anything but ordinary.

"Don’t overthink it. Lao Gao and I are distant relatives. Even though the familial connection spans several generations, we’re technically distant cousins."

Xu Man Ni rolled her eyes at Zhao Heng and explained.

"So that’s it."

Zhao Heng looked enlightened, not expecting Xu Man Ni and Gao Jun to have such a familial connection.

That made sense. With someone like Xu Man Ni, who seemed so poised and aloof, being so close to a man must have had an explanation.

With them being relatives, it was quite reasonable.

These people really hid well!

From Gao Jun and Xu Man Ni, Zhao Heng once again sensed how deep the waters of Eastern Hospital ran. Those who thrived in such a place were certainly exceptional.

"The personnel dynamics at Eastern Hospital are very complex; you’ll find out in time. There could be connections you’re unaware of behind anyone."

Xu Man Ni patiently explained to Zhao Heng.

"Those matters are too far from me. Anyway, I’m a grassroots person with no need to worry about them."

Zhao Heng shook his head slightly.

Since he had no powerful backer, he would become a towering tree himself.

"That’s true, but just follow Lao Gao closely; he’ll set things up for you."

Xu Man Ni nodded in agreement.

"Why is the teacher so kind to me?"

Zhao Heng suddenly asked, puzzled.

Although he had recently shown exceptional talent, it wasn’t enough to have Gao Jun be so kind to him, right?

"Lao Gao comes from a medical family. From a young age, he was expected to achieve great things. As he grew up, he realized he didn’t have the talent to become a top-notch medical leader, so he switched to anesthesiology, planning to move into management. Seeing a prodigy like you, he perhaps wants to fulfill some of his own regrets through you."

Xu Man Ni explained.

"Yes, the teacher has told me about these things."

Zhao Heng was reassured, finding consistency with what Gao Jun had said.

"So don’t overthink all these unnecessary things."

As if sensing Zhao Heng’s concerns, Xu Man Ni slowly spoke.

"Alright, I’m going to the hot spring."

Saying that, Xu Man Ni stood up, stretching her graceful silhouette, and spoke to Zhao Heng.

Ahem.

Seeing Xu Man Ni in her white dress, with her fair skin and stunning figure, and imagining her in a swimsuit in the hot spring, Zhao Heng’s heart suddenly raced.

"What? Want to join me in the hot spring?"

Seeing Zhao Heng look a bit dazed, Xu Man Ni naturally sensed that he wasn’t as calm as he appeared, so she teased him a little.

Women adorn themselves for admirers; since knowing Zhao Heng, he seemed somewhat oblivious to her charms.

Only today, seeing his reaction, did Xu Man Ni feel a sense of balance, taking renewed confidence in her allure.

"Uh... can I?"

Zhao Heng hesitated a little.

He wasn’t a saint, and such a golden opportunity shouldn’t be missed if he was a man, right?

"It’s just a hot spring, you look so tense. Come on, follow me."

Seeing Zhao Heng looking so nervous, Xu Man Ni cheerfully laughed.

"Okay."

Zhao Heng took a deep breath, calming his gentle agitation, and nodded.

However, in Xu Man Ni’s eyes, his demeanor seemed quite amusing.

Going to a hot spring felt like going to battle.

Soon, in a milk bath pool.

Perhaps due to the high cost, the hot spring hotel wasn’t very crowded, so at this moment, there were only Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni in the milk bath pool.

The two sat separately on each side of the pool. Seeing Xu Man Ni close her eyes, quietly enjoying the milk-infused spring, Zhao Heng mimicked her posture, closing his eyes.

The benefits of soaking in a hot spring were indeed many.

A hot spring can relax muscles and joints, relieving fatigue.

Moreover, hot spring baths can invigorate muscles and bones, alleviate aches, expand blood vessels, promote blood circulation, and accelerate metabolism.

Generally speaking, the entrance fee for typical hot springs ranges from one to a few hundred, affordable for most wage earners.

But at the hot spring hotel where Zhao Heng was now, after checking on his phone earlier, he found that the usual entrance fee was already 1388.

This wasn’t really a place for the working class or the general public.