Chapter Forty-Two: I Do Not Like You

After Wang Miao’er’s identity was revealed, a wave of gossip swept through the hospital. Xiaoying, the nurse who had previously fawned over her, wore a smug expression. Even some of the other young nurses at the station began to curry favor with Wang Miao’er, frequently seeking her out for conversation and offering small gifts.

“It’s far too late for you to start currying favor now, you fools. Luckily, I had the keen eye to recognize Wang Miao’er’s true background. Now, you’ll all have to line up behind me,” Xiaoying thought gleefully as she looked at the nurses milling about outside Wang Miao’er’s office. With a satisfied smile, she knocked and entered.

At that moment, Wang Miao’er was resting with her eyes closed. Hearing the door open, she frowned slightly and looked up. “What brings you here?”

“I’ve just returned and wanted to say hello to Dr. Wang. I brought you some specialty fruits from my hometown—they’re delicious,” Xiaoying replied as she offered the fruits.

But Wang Miao’er had no interest in fruit at the moment; she glanced at them absentmindedly. Just then, her phone rang, giving her an excuse to politely ask Xiaoying to leave.

Once she answered, her face blossomed into a gentle smile. “Uncle Gu, what can I do for you?”

“It’s like this: tonight, I’m having dinner with your parents. Why don’t you join us?” Uncle Gu’s tone was especially courteous, for he hoped to match his son with Wang Miao’er.

Wang Miao’er was on the verge of refusing, but since an elder had called her personally, she couldn’t decline and reluctantly agreed. As night fell, she donned an elegant dress and made her way to the appointed five-star restaurant.

Entering the private room, she saw her parents already seated. With a serene and graceful smile, she took her seat. Uncle Gu nodded approvingly. “How you’ve blossomed, Miao’er. You’re more beautiful than ever.”

“Thank you, Uncle Gu,” Wang Miao’er replied politely. Unsurprisingly, Gu Xiucheng was also present, and both families had deliberately arranged for Wang Miao’er and Gu Xiucheng to sit side by side—their intentions unmistakable.

Yet for some reason, despite Gu Xiucheng’s many merits, Wang Miao’er felt not the slightest affection for him. Throughout the meal, her mind wandered.

“Mr. Gu, please come with us.” Suddenly, a waiter’s voice sounded from outside the door.

Gu Xiujin, seated in his wheelchair, spoke coldly, “I assume there’s no issue with my request for the highest level of service?”

“Rest assured, Mr. Gu, we can meet all your requirements,” the waiter replied deferentially. Hearing Gu Xiujin’s voice from outside, Wang Miao’er’s hand froze in midair.

A moment later, she stood up and said politely, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Her heart raced as she left the room.

The others, engaged in conversation, hadn’t noticed the voice outside, but Wang Miao’er had. Once outside, she glanced down both ends of the corridor.

Sure enough, she saw Li Zhao pushing Gu Xiujin toward another private room. Her face flushed with excitement as she hurried after them. “Mr. Gu!”

Li Zhao stopped. Gu Xiujin turned to look, and Wang Miao’er slowed her steps, a shy smile on her lips. “What a coincidence, Mr. Gu, meeting you here.”

“Is there something you need?” Gu Xiujin’s voice was as cold as ever, his expression unchanging.

Yet Wang Miao’er was undeterred. With bright enthusiasm, she stepped closer. “Are you here for a meeting, Mr. Gu? I’m dining just down the hall with your uncle and cousin. Why not join us?”

At her words, Gu Xiujin’s brows drew tighter, and even Li Zhao’s eyes flashed with surprise. He couldn’t fathom why Wang Miao’er would say such a thing, given that everyone in business circles knew Gu Xiujin’s relationship with his relatives was strained. But Wang Miao’er, focused solely on the tall, imposing man in the wheelchair, was oblivious to her own boldness—she simply wanted to invite him.

“No need,” Gu Xiujin replied coolly. His cold gaze flickered; he glanced behind him before withdrawing his eyes and lifting his hand.

Li Zhao, quick on the uptake, began to wheel Gu Xiujin forward. But before they could move far, Gu Xiucheng appeared behind Wang Miao’er, slipping his arm around her waist with a smile. “Cousin, what brings you here?”

“What business is it of yours?” Gu Xiujin’s voice was icy, making the smile on Gu Xiucheng’s face falter.

Wang Miao’er stiffened at the contact, stepping awkwardly aside. Undeterred, she continued warmly to Gu Xiujin, “Mr. Gu, my parents are here as well. They’ve always wanted to meet you.”

“My cousin is a busy man—even as his cousin, I rarely get to see him. Still, if Uncle and Aunt Wang invite him, he’d surely make the time, wouldn’t you, cousin?” Gu Xiucheng, sensing Wang Miao’er’s discomfort, withdrew his arm and turned to Gu Xiujin, a sly glint in his eyes.

“Li Zhao, let’s go!” Gu Xiujin cut them off, showing not the slightest regard for either of them.

Li Zhao nodded to Gu Xiucheng and Wang Miao’er without a word and pushed Gu Xiujin forward. Wang Miao’er stood there, stunned, then hurried after them.

But Gu Xiucheng caught her hand. “If you chase after him now, you’ll disgrace your parents.”

After all, tonight’s dinner made one thing clear: only the thinnest veil separated her engagement to Gu Xiucheng.

Unexpectedly, Wang Miao’er wrenched her hand free and retorted coldly and sharply, “So what? My life is my own. I don’t like you, Gu Xiucheng—stop pestering me. The more you cling, the more you disgust me.”

With that, she ran off in the direction Gu Xiujin had gone, never once looking back at Gu Xiucheng’s ashen face.