CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: CAN’T WE JUST ENJOY OURSELVES?

After soaking for a while, Zhao Heng opened his eyes and glanced at Xu Man Ni across from him.

This Xu Man Ni always gave him a feeling of heart itch but also made him afraid to act rashly.

Moreover, after some time getting to know her, Zhao Heng realized that Xu Man Ni had a cheerful and generous personality but actually was quite conservative and traditional in terms of emotions.

For a woman with such high caliber, Zhao Heng had naturally maintained a respectful but distant attitude before.

"What? You’ve never soaked in a hot spring with a girlfriend before?"

Xu Man Ni slowly opened her eyes and looked at Zhao Heng, saying.

She naturally knew Zhao Heng was sneakily glancing at her.

Soaking in a hot spring is actually quite a private matter.

A woman willing to soak alone with you speaks volumes.

"Back in college, I was too poor to afford it."

Zhao Heng said.

What he said was indeed the truth; his college girlfriend was also from a small place, and both of them were poor, so they naturally couldn’t afford anything lavish.

"I seem to recall you mentioning that you dated in college. What happened then?"

Xu Man Ni suddenly looked at Zhao Heng with curiosity and asked.

"What can I say, we broke up a month before graduation."

Zhao Heng said with some helplessness.

College couples often break up after graduation; at that time, Zhao Heng thought this curse wouldn’t happen to him!

"Dating involves breakups and getting back together; it’s normal, don’t take it too seriously."

Perhaps sensing the helplessness in Zhao Heng’s tone, Xu Man Ni comforted him a bit.

To be honest, Zhao Heng wasn’t Xu Man Ni’s ideal type of man, yet he gave her a very intriguing feeling.

Should say, confident and well-grounded men always possess a special charm.

Otherwise, before getting the cheat code, Xu Man Ni and Zhao Heng worked together in the operating room; why did she ignore him before?

This feeling is quite subtle.

"I say, don’t call me Sister Xu anymore; it makes me feel old. Just call me sister."

Xu Man Ni said again.

"Okay, sister."

Zhao Heng readily replied.

"You, at times you’re so stiff, yet other times you go along with things; it’s puzzling."

Xu Man Ni slightly shook her head, looking at Zhao Heng and said.

She actually found Zhao Heng difficult to read.

"Being stiff is about maintaining one’s principles and boundaries; going along with things is a survival skill. These don’t seem to conflict, sister."

Zhao Heng always believed a person should have their principles and boundaries while also paying attention to survival skills.

Pretending to be noble doesn’t fill your belly; at least Zhao Heng thought so.

"I’m starting to understand why Mr. Gao only mentored you all these years; you are indeed different."

Xu Man Ni listened to Zhao Heng’s words, thought for a moment, and said seriously.

"And now? Have you thought about relationships?"

After pausing, Xu Man Ni asked again.

"Sister, do you think someone earning four thousand a month in North City, where even basic needs are a problem, has the right to consider these things?"

Zhao Heng shook his head, saying.

"That will quickly become a thing of the past. Once you pass the exam and obtain your anesthesiologist certification, Mr. Gao will arrange for you to sign a contract. By then, your monthly salary will be at least ten thousand."

Xu Man Ni somewhat disagreed with Zhao Heng’s perspective.

Although ten thousand a month is nothing in North City, it at least reaches the average level.

"No qualification" is merely an excuse in Xu Man Ni’s view.

"Sister, love is too extravagant; I prefer practicality."

Zhao Heng expressed that he’s just an ordinary person; practicality is good enough, and love is just too luxurious.

"How can you describe emotions in terms of practicality?"

Xu Man Ni frowned, unable to agree with Zhao Heng.

In her heart, she always hoped for beautiful love.

"You talk so well with Song Chen; does she also agree with your view?"

Pausing, Xu Man Ni said again.

In her view, someone like Song Chen, who walks the aloof path, should have even higher aspirations for love.

"Yes, the senior also agrees. She said love is just two people keeping warm and as long as everything aligns well, it’s fine."

Zhao Heng nodded; in many ways, Song Chen’s opinions highly aligned with his.

"Given your rapport, haven’t you thought about developing something with her?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Man Ni frowned even more tightly, suddenly feeling like she let the cat out of the bag.

"No, everyone is so busy; there’s no time to think about these things."

Zhao Heng shook his head slightly, saying.

Song Chen’s aspirations are grand, so most of her thoughts are focused on work.

Similarly, Zhao Heng also felt this way; having this cheat code thing, unless he climbed to the top, he wouldn’t consider relationships.

"Then that’s good.."

Xu Man Ni subconsciously said.

"Ahem, I mean should focus on work; it’s a good thing. Once you’re successful in your career, you’ll naturally find a good girl."

As if accidentally saying what she truly felt, Xu Man Ni explained in a bit of a fluster.

For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly changed. After soaking a bit longer, Xu Man Ni seemed to feel odd and got up to return to the villa by herself.

Zhao Heng didn’t respond much and continued enjoying the hot spring.

Xu Man Ni returned to the villa to find Gao Jun sitting on the sofa, drinking tea alone.

"Done with your talk?"

Xu Man Ni asked Gao Jun.

"Hmm, where’s Zhao?"

Gao Jun nodded.

"Probably still soaking in the hot spring."

Xu Man Ni said.

"You weren’t with him?"

Gao Jun said with a semblance of teasing.

"Why would I be with him.."

Xu Man Ni was a bit flustered.

"Come on, don’t I know you, the tough on the outside but soft on the inside type."

Gao Jun chuckled, taking a sip of tea.

Among relatives, his relationship with Xu Man Ni was quite good.

"Speaking of which, what are your plans for this student?"

Xu Man Ni sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and asked Gao Jun.

"He’s very talented, but I think currently the anesthesiologist position is best suited for him."

Gao Jun thought for a moment and said.

"I think his surgical talent is also pretty good?"

Xu Man Ni said.

"The old man has it all arranged. Soon, I’ll be appointed deputy director; in the anesthesia department, I still need a valuable lieutenant."

Faced with Xu Man Ni, Gao Jun spoke truthfully.

"Fine then, without you, he wouldn’t even have this opportunity."

Xu Man Ni nodded and said.

"Actually, Zhao himself knows this; a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand. He understands this principle."

Gao Jun said.

This world is about interactions between people; true meaning lies in reciprocation.

No one is nice to someone for no reason.

"You career-oriented men are just too realistic.."

Xu Man Ni said with some emotion.

If Gao Jun speaks like this, it shows that Zhao Heng’s thinking highly coincides with his own, understanding without words.