CHAPTER 371: 371 QIAOQIAO IS VERY ANGRY

(Thanks to my friends: Yuanchi Yuanmiao, Lazy Deer, Flying Dad, Book Friend 121004015336419, and Chunyi for their monthly tickets and encouragement!)

When Qiaoqiao arrived, she hadn’t really taken the matter to heart. She knew Liu Banxia had a rather direct personality, and arguing with patients was just normal for him.

That’s quite good, actually. I don’t get much rest at home anyway; arguing every day and resting every day would be even better.

However, when she reached the emergency center, smelled the distinct aroma of safflower oil, and saw Liu Banxia’s still-swollen cheek, she flared up.

But this time was very different from usual. Normally, Qiaoqiao would have erupted instantly. This time, she said nothing, just stared at Liu Banxia with a grim face.

What does this mean? Qiaoqiao is furious. The consequences could be severe.

"Ahem, the next while is some quality time for us as a couple. All unrelated personnel, please step aside for a moment," Liu Banxia said with a serious expression.

"Get lost! Why did you get beaten again? And why didn’t you tell me?" Qiaoqiao glared at him; she wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily.

"Wifey, I just didn’t want to worry you, that’s all. Don’t worry, if anything happens in the future, I’ll report to you immediately," Liu Banxia assured her, playing his trump card.

Qiaoqiao was usually quite unreserved and open-minded, but at times, she could also be surprisingly shy. He had never called her "Wifey" before, even though they’d been living together so openly for a long time.

This trump card really worked. After all, Qiaoqiao now felt too self-conscious to throw a tantrum there; she had to play the part of a good wife.

"Then can you rest for a few more days? You need to recover from your injuries," Qiaoqiao asked after a moment’s hesitation.

"No way, I have surgery tomorrow. I already told Qing Kewa that we’d find her when we get married and go on our honeymoon," Liu Banxia said.

"Get lost! Who said I was going to marry you? Hurry home, Tang Dou is still waiting in the car," Qiaoqiao glared at him, though her face was wreathed in smiles. "You’re such a newsmaker. What about those people at the door? No wonder they were holding microphones; they were all waiting for you, weren’t they? Aren’t you going to do an interview?"

Liu Banxia hastily shook his head. "I’m in no mood to deal with them. Let’s figure out what to eat for lunch first. How about we go home for a barbecue? I didn’t get enough last time."

This is the only way. Holding meat skewers, my hands won’t visibly shake, and Qiaoqiao won’t notice.

"Okay then. I’ll ask them to prepare more mushrooms and meat tendons; you love those. Do we need more large shrimp? What about lamb testicles?" Qiaoqiao asked casually, pulling out her phone.

Liu Banxia was rather helpless. Does she have to ask about lamb testicles so... openly? There were so many people watching; who knew what they were thinking?

But right now, no one was thinking about anything else. They all just thought Qiaoqiao was truly wonderful. Her heart was entirely focused on Liu Banxia; everything she mentioned was one of his favorite things.

Being in love doesn’t necessarily mean making grand vows of eternal love and seas running dry. That kind of thing is nonsense. True affection shows in the little things; everything else is just talk.

However, it did make some people nearby a little indignant. Them acting so sweet and completely ignoring everyone else’s feelings – is that really okay? How can they act like this? Even if he’s injured, it’s not right!

"Alright, you two should get going. So, the chicken legs for everyone at lunch and dinner are on your tab?" Shi Lei said with a smile.

"Absolutely. They backed me up so strongly last night; they must be rewarded," Liu Banxia said.

"Maybe we could add another dish?" Qiaoqiao asked tentatively.

"We can’t add any more. Any more, and they’ll get conceited. Let’s hurry home. By the time we get there, it’ll be about lunchtime, perfect for eating," Liu Banxia said quickly.

My treating them to chicken legs occasionally is fine; small treats don’t really affect anything. But if Qiaoqiao, with her disposition, were to treat them, that would be a different story.

This girl truly didn’t care about money; her ventures brought in a significant income each month. According to some gossip he’d heard, her father, whom he hadn’t met yet, also regularly sent Qiaoqiao money.

If you asked Qiaoqiao how much money she had right now, she wouldn’t know herself. She’d never tallied it up; several of her bank cards held funds.

Liu Banxia changed into casual clothes, and as soon as he and Qiaoqiao stepped out, the ones holding microphones swarmed them.

"Dr. Liu, can you describe the process of rescuing the car accident victim yesterday?"

"Dr. Liu, regarding the victim’s father hitting you, what are your thoughts?"

"Dr. Liu, where it’s possible to forgive, one should forgive. Repay injury with kindness..."

"Alright, you can stop right there. Did you even pass your literature class? Think holding a microphone makes you cultured?" Liu Banxia looked at the man contemptuously. "Go and check properly. Did you buy your phone just for games? Don’t you know what comes after that? ’Repay injury with kindness, but with what then will you repay kindness?’ Understand?"

"Don’t ask anymore. I don’t want to answer right now. My stance is actually very clear: I want to go home and rest. If you really want an interview, go interview someone else."

"And don’t cause a disturbance here; this is a place for healing the sick. Your presence is already obstructing patient access, and it’s currently flu season. You’re very likely to catch the flu."

After speaking, Liu Banxia took Qiaoqiao’s hand, and they casually strolled out.

These few reporters were stunned for a moment, but they didn’t want to let Liu Banxia off so easily. They pursued him from behind, incessantly firing questions.

If Liu Banxia hadn’t put his arm around Qiaoqiao, she might have turned back and given them a tongue-lashing.

They quickly ducked into the car, ignored the reporters, and drove off.

"Why are these people so annoying? I used to enjoy watching their videos, but not anymore. They’re just so persistent and unreasonable," Qiaoqiao complained angrily.

Liu Banxia gently patted Tang Dou’s head as the dog poked it forward. "Actually, it’s not easy for them either. When they finally latch onto a topic, they have to hype it up, don’t they?"

"Just ignore them, and that’ll be the end of it. Remember last time I got into a fight, wasn’t there some ’Help Squad’ or something that came to join the commotion? This time, my stance is firm: no apologies. It must be handled officially, dealing with it as it should be dealt with."

"Exactly, that’s how it should be," Qiaoqiao said. "But you need to be more careful in the future. If something like this happens again and I’m the last to find out, I’m not finished with you. Just see how I’ll deal with you then."

"It won’t happen, I promise. I was just caught off guard yesterday; I thought he was coming to thank me," Liu Banxia quickly replied. "If I’d been on my game, would he even have had a chance to strike? I could have easily taken him down, and it would have been self-defense. When it comes to fighting, I’ve never really been afraid of anyone."

Qiaoqiao couldn’t help but laugh at his words. "By the way, are Zhou Yang’s test results out yet?"

"Not that quickly. We need to see the pathology report," Liu Banxia said. "But I did ask around yesterday; the situation isn’t optimistic. There was another small lump inside that I hadn’t palpated, but the examination found it."

"Basically, for men, once it appears, it’s pretty much decided. It just depends on what stage it has progressed to. Based on current predictions, as long as he receives comprehensive treatment, there shouldn’t be a problem."

"You know, I used to really dislike him. Now, I don’t even know if I should still dislike him," Qiaoqiao said.

"These things are unpredictable. If you came to our hospital’s oncology department, you’d see newly diagnosed cancer patients every day," Liu Banxia said with a smile. "After all, you have a doctor in your life now, so you’ll see more of these things. Don’t take it too much to heart, okay? Just leave your health to me."

Qiaoqiao’s lips curled up in a sweet smile. She loved hearing him say that.

「 」

Back at Linyu Villa, the two of them headed straight for the supermarket to buy meat skewers and charcoal. This time was different from the last; Liu Banxia had an empty stomach, and his appetite alone was huge.

To barbecue in their own garden at Linyu Villa, they just needed to inform property management in advance. There were designated barbecue spots. If they didn’t report it beforehand, property management might mistake it for a fire.

The job of barbecue master had to be shouldered by Liu Banxia. Qiaoqiao could manage simple breakfasts, but she was truly hopeless at barbecuing.

The grease from the meat skewers dripped onto the charcoal. Tang Dou, who had been rolling around playing by herself nearby, smelled the fragrance and trotted over to Liu Banxia’s side, whimpering continuously.

"Don’t be impatient. Those ones on the side are prepared for you; they’re not marinated and have no salt," Liu Banxia said, looking at Tang Dou.

Tang Dou’s tail wagged furiously, and then she lay down at his feet, clearly settled in to wait.

"Why is Tang Dou so attached to you now? She doesn’t stick with me anymore," Qiaoqiao asked.

"I spend more time playing with her. When you’re not home, she can only stay by herself forlornly. When should we pick out a little boyfriend for her?" Liu Banxia asked with a smile.

"Get two of them? Then how would we even walk them?" Qiaoqiao looked troubled.

Liu Banxia considered it and realized she had a point. One Tang Dou was already a handful. If two Alaskan Malamutes were let loose to frolic, even he wouldn’t be able to handle them.

The lamb skewers were ready. Liu Banxia handed them directly to Qiaoqiao. The other unseasoned half, he personally placed into a bowl for Tang Dou.

"You eat too. There’s no way I can eat all of this," Qiaoqiao said.

"You eat first. I’ll eat the chicken cartilage later. You’re not angry anymore, are you?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Not for now, but it depends on your future performance," Qiaoqiao said, shooting him a look.

"Then I absolutely must perform well. I was just worried you’d be anxious," Liu Banxia said hurriedly. "I know you care about me the most. If you knew I’d been beaten, you’d definitely be furious and rush over in the middle of the night. I’m really fine. Actually, as doctors, these kinds of situations are unavoidable."

"Sigh... If I didn’t know you loved being a doctor, I wouldn’t let you work," Qiaoqiao lamented.

"That’s why I know you’re the best to me. Feed me a bite," Liu Banxia said with a grin.

Qiaoqiao immediately brought a lamb skewer to his mouth and fed him.

Nearby, Tang Dou eyed the two of them, then looked at her own empty bowl. She actually wanted a bit more.