C18

"Is this Miss Ye? Hello."

After exchanging a few introductory words, the doctor got down to business. "I've reviewed the patient's file and have a general grasp of her condition. Today, I will consult with a team of specialists to try to finalize the surgery plans."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Doctor!" Ye Tian expressed her gratitude earnestly. Having signed the necessary documents, she turned to Gu Qinian with a serious look, "Thank you."

Before Gu Qinian could respond, a sharp, playful voice interrupted, "Qinian, what are you doing here? Did you come to see me for my follow-up appointment?"

Ye Tian massaged her forehead, recognizing the voice as Ye Ziyan's.

Upon spotting Ye Tian, Ye Ziyan's face soured. "Ye Tian, what are you doing here?"

With a laugh, Ye Tian retorted, "Oh, so this hospital belongs to you? Am I not allowed to visit?"

She could still recover from her injuries. Surgery? How absurd.

"Are your feet made of gold that they need to be remolded?"

Ye Ziyan inhaled deeply, her fists clenched, then sidled up to Gu Qinian, whining, "Qinian ~ Look at her..."

She held her tongue in front of Gu Qinian.

"Ye Tian," Gu Qinian warned with a note of displeasure.

Ye Tian, feeling awkward from the coyness, shook off the goosebumps and closed her mouth, her lips twitching. Was being a flirtatious woman a better fate?

Let her be.

"Qinian, I haven't had breakfast yet. Won't you keep me company?" Ye Ziyan, arm in arm with Gu Qinian and seeing no objection from him, sent a challenging glance Ye Tian's way.

Ye Tian offered a slight smile, "That might not be necessary. Director Gu has already had breakfast with me."

She emphasized "with me" with a bite in her voice.

Determined to deflate Ye Ziyan's smugness, Ye Tian ignored Gu Qinian's sharp look of warning and strode away.

Ye Ziyan bit her lip, troubled. Even though she knew Ye Tian was just trying to provoke her, Gu Qinian's silence was unsettling. Was it true that Ye Tian had made him breakfast?

Could it imply they had spent the previous night together?

Ye Ziyan, feigning annoyance, chided, "Ye Tian, there's a limit to joking. Are you implying that you spent the night with him?"

Expecting Gu Qinian to offer an explanation, she was taken aback when he simply pivoted on his heel and said coldly, "Let's go."

Ye Ziyan couldn't decipher his expression and had no choice but to let it go. She hurried to keep up with him, putting the issue aside for the moment.

"Qinian, I know of a place that's quite popular and has great food. I think you'll like it."

Gu Qinian gave a nod. "Alright, let's go. I'll drive."

After leaving the hospital, Ye Tian took the subway to New World. It was early morning, and aside from the unfinished business with Ye Ziyan, she had no other work tasks. Beyond her job, she truly didn't know what else she could do. She was immensely grateful that her grandfather's treatment had been scheduled.

"Ye Tian?" She hadn't even stepped through the door when she heard a familiar male voice. Turning around, she saw Lu Jingyue.

"Why are you at the office so early? How are you feeling? Didn't you catch a cold?" Lu Jingyue's reminder made Ye Tian smack her forehead in realization; she had indeed forgotten to pick up some medicine at the hospital.

Ye Tian waved it off, assuring him she was fine.

"You probably haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Come on, I know a great place."

Ye Tian was about to decline when she caught Lu Jingyue's earnest look and noticed he was already heading out. Reluctantly, she followed, patting her stomach. The milk she'd had for breakfast was hardly filling, and she felt quite hungry now.

Lu Jingyue drove them to a renowned dim sum restaurant in A City, a favorite among the city's elite.

The restaurant was bustling with staff packaging orders, but there were plenty of seats available for dining in. As Ye Tian stepped inside, she immediately spotted the unmistakable figures of Gu Qinian and Ye Ziyan.

They both noticed her arrival.

Ye Ziyan looked on with barely concealed schadenfreude, her eyes flitting between Ye Tian and Lu Jingyue before she exclaimed with feigned surprise, "Oh, little sister, you're here too? Not working today? And who is this—Director Lu, your new boyfriend?"