When the person on stage appeared, Xiang Yuan visibly perked up.

Li Lu’s cousin was somewhat surprised.

Xiang Yuan had just seemed rather uninterested earlier, but after the person on stage appeared, she became particularly enthusiastic and asked him:

“Is he very famous in your circle?”

Cousin: “…Extremely famous. He’s quite a unique genius, and very low-key, so he has an air of mystery. Everyone is very curious about him.”

Xiang Yuan: “I think I’ve seen him at the hospital before.”

Cousin: “Really?”

Xiang Yuan: “I think he’s married.”

Cousin: “I’m not sure about that, but outstanding people always have their own ideas. If he married young, his relationship with his wife must be very good.”

Xiang Yuan rested her chin in her hand, thoughtfully saying:

“Whoever managed to win him over must be quite remarkable too.”

Cousin: “Of course, outstanding people always attract each other, like a magnetic field.”

Xiang Yuan couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of her lips.

Seeing the two of them chatting animatedly, Li Lu leaned over and asked:

“What are you two talking about?”

Xiang Yuan shook her head: “Nothing.”

Ever since Cheng Zhinan took the stage, Xiang Yuan had been staring straight at him, listening to the lecture with exceptional attentiveness.

But Cheng Zhinan rarely looked in her direction, as if deliberately avoiding her.

Several times when he opened the floor for questions from the students, Xiang Yuan couldn’t contain herself and raised her hand, hoping to get a chance to ask a question.

However, Cheng Zhinan passed over her several times, calling on others instead, clearly intentionally ignoring her.

Xiang Yuan couldn’t help but feel discouraged, thinking that Cheng Zhinan definitely wouldn’t give her an opportunity to cause trouble in this kind of setting.

Even if she stood up to ask a question, she wouldn’t ask anything professional – she would definitely come up with something unexpected.

Cheng Zhinan had already anticipated this move of hers, so he deliberately ignored her questions.

Li Lu’s cousin was quite surprised by Xiang Yuan’s thirst for knowledge. “Sister Xiang Yuan, what did you want to ask?”

Xiang Yuan voluntarily gave up, vaguely saying that she was also curious about medical topics.

Li Lu’s cousin coughed lightly and said seriously:

“If you have anything you want to ask, you can ask me too.”

Li Lu, who had been looking at her phone, suddenly heard her cousin say this and burst out laughing. “You little rascal, don’t get any funny ideas. Your Sister Xiang Yuan is already married.”

“Married?”

“Didn’t expect that, did you?”

“…I am a bit surprised.” The cousin blushed slightly.

Xiang Yuan sitting there attracted many unfamiliar gazes.

A fair-skinned, beautiful girl sitting there easily caught the attention of the young men around.

So when the lecture ended, Li Lu’s cousin was surrounded by a group of people.

They said they were planning to go for a meal together and invited the two sisters to join them.

Xiang Yuan, being outgoing by nature, quickly blended in with these students.

On stage, Cheng Zhinan was organizing his materials, his eyes glancing toward the audience.

Xiang Yuan was chatting happily with the students around her, laughing from time to time.

Even in the crowd, she remained the most dazzling presence.

His gaze swept past briefly, and just as he was about to gather his materials and leave the stage, several people approached him.

“Doctor Cheng, why don’t you join us for a meal?”

Cheng Zhinan declined indifferently, “No need.”

“Don’t be like that. You rarely come to City A, and this time you’ve specially honored us by giving a speech at the university. Everyone really wants to gather with you, so don’t be shy. Lao Yuan and the others have been wanting to meet and chat with you for ages their admiration for you flows like an endless river.”

Faced with such enthusiasm, Cheng Zhinan indeed found it hard to refuse.

Even the documents in front of him were taken by the people surrounding him. “Come on, Doctor Cheng, we’ll carry these for you. Just head straight to the car later.”

And so, Cheng Zhinan was escorted away by this group.

By the time Xiang Yuan turned her head again, the person who had been on stage had long disappeared without a trace.

She pursed her lips, determined to question Cheng Zhinan thoroughly later.

How could he come to City A without notifying her in advance?

Was he planning to surprise her?

–

There weren’t many restaurants near A University.

Lao Yuan and the others randomly picked one that suited young people’s tastes to treat Cheng Zhinan to a meal.

Cheng Zhinan was young, considerably younger than this group, yet his thinking and actions were exceptionally mature.

The older folks felt somewhat tongue-tied around him, worried they might not host him properly and give him a poor impression of his visit to City A.

Although Cheng Zhinan carried a calm demeanor, his speech was very approachable. “Just order whatever you like, no need to go out of your way for me.”

Lao Yuan said, “Hey, today’s all about treating you, Xiao Cheng. Here, take the menu, order whatever you want.”

Seeing their insistence, Cheng Zhinan went ahead and selected a few dishes from the menu.

The private room was hazy with smoke. Someone offered Cheng Zhinan a cigarette, but he waved it off lightly, indicating he didn’t smoke.

Modern life is stressful; even doctors sometimes smoke in their free time to unwind.

But Cheng Zhinan had no such habit.

Firstly, he had no need for it, and secondly, he didn’t want those around him to inhale secondhand smoke.

However, when others smoked in work or social settings, he wouldn’t specifically stop them.

Noticing Cheng Zhinan’s slight frown, Lao Yuan quickly stubbed out his cigarette.

“Xiao Cheng, since you’ve finally come to City A, why not stay a few more days?”

“I have other work commitments, so I probably won’t stay long, and there’s no time for leisure.”

“You’re too hard on yourself. What young person schedules their time so tightly? You’re still young, no need to be so serious. Even though you’re already outstanding, you should give other young people a chance. With you being so capable and diligent, how are Xiao Wu and the others supposed to keep up?”

At this, the others in the room laughed.

Lao Yuan added, “How about this? Give me two days, and I’ll arrange everything for you guaranteed to be well-organized.”

Cheng Zhinan unfolded the napkin in front of him but didn’t fully commit. “We’ll talk about it later.”

As they chatted, the neighboring room suddenly grew noisy.

Seeing Cheng Zhinan glance sideways, Lao Yuan explained, “It’s the university anniversary lately, so there are lots of group dinners. And with all the students around, this restaurant does good business. It’s peak hours now.”

Cheng Zhinan nodded slightly and took a sip of water.

He hadn’t turned his head out of curiosity about the neighbors but because he’d heard a somewhat familiar voice.

Next door.

Li Lu’s cousin pulled out a chair for Xiang Yuan. “Sister Xiang Yuan, please have a seat.”

Xiang Yuan naturally took a seat. “No need to be so formal. Since I’m friends with your sister, just relax.”

Li Lu smiled. “This kid has been shy since childhood, but he’s quite good at taking care of girls. See, he’s taking care of you first while I, his own sister, am pushed to the back.”

Her cousin adjusted his glasses. “What would you like to eat? Let me order for you.”

Li Lu added, “Yes, Xiang Yuan, what do you like? Go ahead and order.”

Xiang Yuan picked up the menu. “Let me treat today. They’re all students and probably not financially comfortable.”

Surrounded by Li Lu’s cousin’s peers, Xiang Yuan felt it inappropriate to let students pay for her meal, so she simply offered to cover the bill.

Li Lu chuckled. “See? Your sister Xiang Yuan is both generous and beautiful. Just use her as your standard when looking for a girlfriend later.”

Noticing her cousin’s silence, Xiang Yuan quickly intervened, “Alright, stop teasing your cousin. Can’t you see he’s blushing?”

Li Lu clicked her tongue twice. “Still as thin-skinned as ever.”

The private rooms weren’t completely soundproof, allowing some fragmented noises to drift in.

The students chatted and laughed among themselves. Someone went out to use the restroom and returned with exaggerated excitement, claiming that Doctor Cheng, who had just given the speech, was dining in the next room.

Next door?

Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Li Lu leaned close to her ear and asked, “Aren’t you going to say hello to your husband?”

Xiang Yuan: “No, he’s working. We can talk after he’s finished.”

Li Lu smiled. “Your husband is really lucky to have married you. You’re so considerate.”

But ever since learning that Cheng Zhinan was next door, Xiang Yuan’s gaze kept subtly drifting in that direction.

The rooms weren’t fully separated but divided by a large landscape painting screen. If one looked carefully, faint silhouettes from the other side could be discerned.

Li Lu held her glass of red wine and asked, “Want some?”

Xiang Yuan: “Not today.”

Li Lu: “Because your husband is next door?”

Xiang Yuan: “If I get drunk, I might get scolded when I get home.”

“Understood, understood.” Li Lu poured herself a glass after saying this.

Since Xiang Yuan was treating today, she had ordered a rather expensive bottle of red wine. Not tasting it would be a waste.

Since their school days, Xiang Yuan had always been generous. Being around her meant enjoying good things, which was why Li Lu always enjoyed her company.

Xiang Yuan asked for a glass of juice, placing it nearby and taking occasional sips.

Sitting at the table, she carried herself with grace. Though she looked about the same age as the college students, she exuded the aura of a wealthy, elegant older sister.

Many quietly asked Li Lu’s cousin about this sister’s background, considering approaching her.

Xiang Yuan was quite polite. When someone came to toast, she would raise her juice glass in return, but she typically kept her responses brief, replying with just a few words. If anyone asked for her contact information, she simply said she was married.

Li Lu sighed beside her. “How come no one ever asks for my contact info?”

They were both older sisters, but the disparity in popularity was downright frustrating.

Xiang Yuan: “They’re probably being considerate since your cousin is here.”

Li Lu knew she was just trying to comfort her and teased, “Your Doctor Cheng is right next door. Don’t you think he’d be anxious seeing you so popular?”

Xiang Yuan paused for a moment. “He probably can’t hear us.”

Li Lu: “Who knows? The soundproofing isn’t great here. He might be able to hear.”

Later, another young man came over to ask for Xiang Yuan’s contact information.

Xiang Yuan rested her chin in her hand and lazily claimed she had a husband, making it really inconvenient to add the young boy on WeChat.

The boy didn’t believe her. “Sis, are you saying that because I’m young?”

Xiang Yuan smiled. “I really do have a husband.”

“That’s the standard line girls use to reject people these days.”

Li Lu interjected, “Tsk, kid, why are you so stubborn? Do you need her to pull out her marriage certificate to prove it?”

Xiang Yuan remained unfazed. “I’m not lying.”

“Really?”

Xiang Yuan pointed toward the adjacent private room. “It’s Doctor Cheng, the one who gave your lecture today.”

The room fell silent at her words.

A few seconds later.

The boy in front of her forced an awkward smile.

“Sis, you don’t need to make up such an unbelievable excuse to reject me.”

Xiang Yuan: “You don’t believe me?”

“Nope.”

Xiang Yuan crossed her arms, feeling somewhat frustrated.

Was this really so hard to believe?

Was she not good enough for Cheng Zhinan, or did they just look completely mismatched?

Kids these days were getting harder and harder to deal with.

When Xiang Yuan made that claim, nobody in the room actually believed her.

No one would randomly associate two unrelated people, assuming Xiang Yuan had just been joking.

Seeing their utter disbelief, Xiang Yuan couldn’t be bothered to explain further.

These students idolized Cheng Zhinan, so of course they wouldn’t believe her sudden claim that their idol was her husband.

This side of the venue was livelier with more young people compared to the adjacent room.

After two glasses of red wine, Li Lu’s cheeks were flushed and she was slightly tipsy. She loudly urged her cousin to organize some games, threatening to move the party elsewhere otherwise.

Xiang Yuan admired Li Lu’s energy. This outing seemed determined to fully enjoy herself, always bringing her A-game. Apparently her complaints about married life weren’t exaggerated – she must have been really pent up during that period.

Amid the lively atmosphere, a knock suddenly came from the private room door.

The door was slightly ajar, and turning around revealed a man standing at the entrance.

The man stood tall and graceful, his index finger lightly tapping the doorframe, the wedding ring on his finger gleaming. His entire demeanor exuded refined elegance.

His unexpected appearance stunned the students inside.

Everyone looked around in confusion, unable to comprehend the situation.

Cheng Zhinan cleared his throat softly as he entered the room, speaking in gentle tones:

“Excuse me, I’m here to find my wife.”

With that, he walked up to Xiang Yuan, slightly bent down, and took her wrist. “Come with me for a moment.”

Xiang Yuan, her wrist in his grasp, had no time to resist before Cheng Zhinan pulled her out of the room.

Only after the two had left did the room erupt in excited screams.

So everything Xiang Yuan had said earlier was true.

Doctor Cheng really was her husband.

The hearts of all the young men in the room shattered completely.

Watching their exaggerated reactions, Li Lu smiled and swirled her wine glass. “I told you earlier, but you wouldn’t believe me. Convinced now? Her husband’s tall, rich, and handsome – why would she be interested in you bunch of youngsters?”

Outside the room.

Cheng Zhinan stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning down to smell Xiang Yuan’s scent.

“Have you been drinking?”

Xiang Yuan leaned against the wall, corners of her lips curling upward.

“No.”

“I’ve been drinking juice.”

Cheng Zhinan lowered his gaze. “I heard your voice earlier, so I thought I’d come check.”

“During your lecture earlier, did you see me?” Xiang Yuan narrowed her eyes, deliberately questioning him.

“Yes, I saw you.”

“I have a question did you see me raising my hand?”

“Mm.”

“You…” Xiang Yuan was irritated by him, letting out a soft huff through her nose to express her displeasure.

Cheng Zhinan took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

“Sorry, it wasn’t convenient to call on you earlier when we were outside.”

“Then why did you come in now?”

Cheng Zhinan didn’t answer, just looked down at her.

Xiang Yuan seemed to suddenly understand, her fingertips brushing his cheek. “Worried about me?”

“No.” Cheng Zhinan caught her hand. “Just wanted to check that you weren’t drinking.”

With her fingers held by him, Xiang Yuan tugged her lips into a bored smirk.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t drink.”

“Are you in City A for work?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”

“I wasn’t sure before, and this trip came up suddenly. I planned to contact you after it was over, but I didn’t expect to see you at the venue.”

Xiang Yuan grinned. “I was surprised to see you too. You’re the super idol of those students. When I told them you were my husband earlier, they didn’t believe me.”

“Is that so.”

“Well, they should believe it now.”

The accomplished young Doctor Cheng they kept talking about was already taken.

And she was the one who had claimed him.

Hearing the lively discussion in the private room, Xiang Yuan nudged his shoulder. “Alright, you should head back now. I won’t drink. The students inside are all excited seeing you here.”

Cheng Zhinan stayed silent for half a minute. “If you want to leave now, I can cancel my plans over there.”

Xiang Yuan: “I came with a friend. I can’t just leave her alone.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Okay, I’ll wait for your message later.”

Xiang Yuan: “Mm.”

When Cheng Zhinan returned to the private room, Lao Yuan and the others smiled at him. “Did Doctor Cheng just go next door to say hello? I heard them discussing you over there.”

Cheng Zhinan replied calmly:

“My wife is next door.”

Lao Yuan was taken aback. “Your wife is here too?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Mm, we ran into each other.”

Lao Yuan laughed heartily. “What a coincidence! No wonder Xiao Cheng seemed distracted earlier. So your wife was next door haha, that makes sense.”

After the dinner ended, Li Lu and Xiang Yuan walked out of the restaurant together.

Cheng Zhinan was waiting for Xiang Yuan at the entrance.

Seeing Cheng Zhinan standing there, Li Lu greeted him with a smile. “Hi, Doctor Cheng.”

Cheng Zhinan, knowing she was Xiang Yuan’s friend, nodded. “Hello.”

Xiang Yuan looked up at him. “Which hotel are you staying at?”

Cheng Zhinan named the hotel.

Li Lu nudged Xiang Yuan’s shoulder. “That’s the same hotel as us! Did you two plan this in advance?”

Xiang Yuan: “Of course not.”

She guessed she had sent Cheng Zhinan her location a few days ago.

At least the man had enough awareness to book the same hotel as her.

Cheng Zhinan opened the car door and gestured for the two of them to get in.

The car dropped the three of them off at the hotel entrance.

Inside the elevator, Li Lu started to feel a bit awkward.

She cleared her throat. “Um… you two don’t need to worry about me later. I’ll manage on my own.”

Xiang Yuan asked him, “Which room are you in?”

Cheng Zhinan: “2406.”

Xiang Yuan’s room was 2608, but when they reached the 24th floor, the man didn’t get off.

Li Lu lived on the same floor as her. As soon as the elevator reached the 26th floor, she rushed out, saying, “I’m tired and going back to my room to rest. Xiang Yuan, call me if you need anything.”

Xiang Yuan replied, “Alright, go get some rest.”

When they reached the room door, Xiang Yuan turned around, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked at the man behind her. “Doctor Cheng, why aren’t you returning to your own room? What are you following me in for?”

Cheng Zhinan knew she was deliberately teasing him and chose to remain silent in response to her banter.

But Xiang Yuan had no intention of letting him off so easily.

She picked up her key card and swiped it to unlock the door. “If you don’t say anything, you can’t just barge into my room.”

The door swung open.

She pushed it wider and said, “It’s settled you’re not allowed in my room tonight. I need to be alone…”

Just as she stepped inside and was about to close the door, the man outside firmly grasped the door panel.

Xiang Yuan looked at him in surprise.

In the next moment, he forcefully pushed his way in, his hand gripping her waist as he pulled her into his embrace.

A rush of wind swept past her ears, and the rest of her words were swallowed by his scorching lips.

Overwhelming Kisses descended upon her in an instant.

Cheng Zhinan’s eyelashes lowered, his voice hoarse as he murmured:

“If I don’t enter your room, who else do you want to let in?”