576: Chapter 576: I Don’t Need You to Manage 576: Chapter 576: I Don’t Need You to Manage Mo Xiaoqing changed her clothes and walked out of the restroom, only to notice something odd about Tangyu.
Her gaze accidentally fell there, and she saw something unusual.
The vision of the day she had an “honest” encounter with Tangyu suddenly flashed through her mind, and her cheeks could not help but blush with embarrassment.
Every time she thought about it, it made Mo Xiaoqing feel incredibly shy, unsure of how to face Tangyu.
Sometimes, a foolish idea even popped into her mind, that she could use this to coerce Tangyu into taking responsibility for her.
But then, she would immediately feel despicable for thinking such thoughts.
Of course, she would shake her head and dismiss the idea.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward; the two sat there, looking at each other, like a pair of love-struck youngsters, utterly unpolished in matters of love.
“Um, Tangyu, did you need something from me?” Mo Xiaoqing broke the silence.
Tangyu shook his head with a smile, “Nothing at all; just came to see you, hang out a bit.”
“Seeing you, I don’t even know what to say.
You’re now a celebrated figure, a recognized Divine Doctor.
I am very proud and happy for you as a friend, and it’s an honor to have you as a friend,” said Mo Xiaoqing.
Tangyu curled his lips and said, “Do you have to sound so formal?
Famous or not, you know I’ve always been indifferent to fame and fortune; I don’t care for it at all, even find it somewhat annoying.
Simplicity and tranquility—that’s truth, and that’s all I need.
This huge response was totally beyond my expectations.
If I knew it would be this big, I might not have even joined the Traditional Chinese Medicine team.”
Mo Xiaoqing looked at Tangyu and said, “You really are an odd one.
So many people dream of fame, aspire to achieve great things, and here you are, having achieved it, and yet you find it uninteresting.
I thought I understood you well, but now, I am realizing more and more that I might not understand you at all.
Being indifferent to fame and fortune is one thing, but you take it to an extreme!
Men are supposed to want to be heroes, to be famous, to be admired far and wide—that seems completely absent in you.”
“Heh, guess that means I’m not a ‘great man’ then.
Living a life, well, it’s just like this.
Others have dreams, ambitions, spirit, but not me.
So obviously I can’t compare with them.
What, are you disappointed in me now?” Tangyu said.
Mo Xiaoqing shook her head, “Not at all, I admire you regardless.
You have your reasons for what you do.
Although I can’t understand your logic, I feel like we are not from the same world anymore.”
“Could it be that I’m from Mars?” Tangyu said.
“Hehe, possibly, otherwise how could you be so different?
So, which star are you from?” Mo Xiaoqing joked with a smile.
“Alright, I’m from Mars,” Tangyu said.
“Hehe!” Mo Xiaoqing laughed even more joyfully.
Both of them started chatting casually, and the atmosphere improved, returning to their usual way of interacting.
Their mutual enjoyment was palpable.
“It’s about time for my class, I’ve got to go to my office,” Mo Xiaoqing said as she got up.
“Alright, let’s go,” said Tangyu.
Mo Xiaoqing picked up her belongings and walked out with Tangyu like a couple, encountering some teachers along the way, all of whom smiled and gave way to them.
Used to being misunderstood like this, Mo Xiaoqing had become numb to it, or perhaps she had grown accustomed to it over time.
Moreover, in school, their relationship had long been rumored, although it wasn’t as people said.
But no matter how she explained, no one believed her.
And Tangyu, involved in this matter, offered no explanations, which, to others, seemed like a tacit agreement.
With Tangyu’s implied consent, their relationship seemed officially defined.
Over time, even Mo Xiaoqing herself couldn’t be bothered to care anymore.
Perhaps in her heart, she was willing to accept it as so.
But what made her feel bitter was, ever since Tangyu became famous, the school’s teachers envied her, congratulated her, and her classmates admired, envied, and congratulated her, leaving her unsure how to respond.
An imagined happiness that brought her bittersweet amusement.
“I’m off to the office now, bye-bye,” Mo Xiaoqing waved her hand.
“Bye-bye,” Tangyu said, watching Mo Xiaoqing leave.
He then entered his own medical office, a relaxed duty.
He checked the time and saw there were still fifteen minutes to class.
Though it seemed short, it was actually quite a stretch since most students enter the school in the last ten minutes.
Just as Tangyu reached the doorway, he noticed a timid figure hiding behind a pillar.
Tangyu smiled towards that direction, “Saw you, come out, no need to hide.”
Xia Xiaoyu then came out from behind the pillar, her hands behind her back, obviously holding something.
Her big, round eyes twinkled like stars as she looked at Tangyu, though her expression seemed a bit off.
“Doctor Tang,” Xia Xiaoyu called out.
“Come in,” Tangyu waved her in, “What’s up, you look unwell; is something the matter?”
Xia Xiaoyu immediately shook her head, “No, nothing’s wrong, just didn’t sleep well last night.
Doctor Tang, this, for you,” she said, pulling out a box of steaming osmanthus cakes from behind her.
“Hehe, made osmanthus cakes for me again?
Honestly, I’ve been craving them.
Mmm, they smell delicious; let me taste them,” Tangyu said, looking like he couldn’t wait.
Xia Xiaoyu bit her lip: “Doctor Tang—”
“What’s up?” Tangyu looked at Xia Xiaoyu.
A complex expression flashed through Xia Xiaoyu’s eyes, and she immediately shook her head: “Oh, it’s nothing, go ahead and eat.
I wanted to ask you, have you been well recently?”
“I have, very well indeed.
Do I look like I’m not?” Tangyu said, then picked up a cup: “Eating this dry, slightly sweet stuff, it’s better to drink some water, do you want some?”
“I don’t need any,” Xia Xiaoyu gestured with her hand.
“Oh, there’s no water left, Xia Xiaoyu, could you get me a bottle of hot water?” Tangyu said.
“Sure, I’ll go,” Xia Xiaoyu immediately took the water bottle and headed outside.
After sending Xia Xiaoyu off, Tangyu’s expression slightly darkened, and a chilling light flashed through his eyes.
Soon, Xia Xiaoyu returned with the water, only to see Tangyu wiping his mouth, the osmanthus cake in the lunchbox all gone.
Xia Xiaoyu was slightly stunned and said, “Doctor Tang, have you finished it all?”
“Yes, I’ve finished it.
The osmanthus cake you made was delicious.
I couldn’t resist and just ate it directly, and accidentally finished it all.
I am really thirsty now.
I’ll drink some water,” Tangyu nodded.
“Oh, then I’ll go back to the classroom,” Xia Xiaoyu bit her lip and said.
If one looked closely, they would see a trace of blood on her lip.
Xia Xiaoyu hastily packed up the lunchbox, turned around, and ran off swiftly.
Watching Xia Xiaoyu’s retreating figure, Tangyu was silent for a while before withdrawing his gaze.
His face still bore a hint of a cold smile, like a treasured sword about to be unsheathed.
Thoughts fluttered through his mind, and it took a while before Tangyu cast them aside, opting not to dwell on them.
His gaze shifted to the window, admiring the scenery outside.
Suddenly, his eyes flickered as he spotted a familiar figure in the distant woods.
Hesitating briefly, Tangyu then stood up and walked over there.
Xiao Yudie was playing there with her Gu Insects.
Suddenly hearing footsteps, she quickly called her few Gu Insects, which obediently flew back into her sleeves.
Only then did Xiao Yudie turn around, her eyes coldly surveying Tangyu.
Upon recognizing him, her alert expression relaxed slightly, though her face remained frosty as if she was naturally joyless.
At such a young age, to be so cold, like a heartless assassin, was indeed rare.
It was hard to know what kind of childhood she had, or what kind of tragic story lay behind her.
“Why are you playing here alone?
It’s best not to let those Gu Insects out.
This place, although somewhat secluded, still might have people passing by.
If by chance they bite someone, that would be bad,” Tangyu said.
“Mind your own business,” Xiao Yudie snapped.
“I’m not minding your business; I’m just kindly reminding you.
I believe you wouldn’t want to harm anyone.
I can tell that deep down, you are a kind-hearted girl.
Still, I don’t understand why you always wear a cold expression.
At your age, you should be full of innocence, romance, and happiness.
You should smile more, play with other classmates, communicate and make friends more.
Then your life might be filled with very different wonders.”
“Leave me alone,” Xiao Yudie said coldly.
“I really mean it.
You are so young, where does all this sorrow come from?
You deserve to be happy.
Maybe you’ve always been like this, or maybe you fear that your Gu Insects might hurt those close to you.
However, I believe these aren’t big issues.
Your medical skills are also exceptional, I can see your talent is not inferior to your sister, Doctor Xiao.
If you focus a bit more, your future accomplishments will not be less than Doctor Xiao’s.
Of course, you should also study; your grades in all subjects are very good, which is excellent,” Tangyu said.
“I don’t need your care,” Xiao Yudie said again, for the third time.
“Ah, I’m really not minding your business.
Well, we can be considered friends, right?
As a friend, I am just suggesting a few things to you,” Tangyu said.
Xiao Yudie looked at Tangyu.
Friends?
That word was too strange and unattainable for her.
“I don’t have friends,” Xiao Yudie said with a touch of sadness and loss.
“How could that be?
I consider you a friend, and so do the people from our Traditional Chinese Medicine squad.
By the way, have you been invited to join the Donglin First Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine Department?
If not, let me invite you.
I will set up a Gu Medicine Department especially for you, allowing your Gu Medicine to be recognized by the world and you to apply your learning.
This way, your medical skills will progress even faster,” Tangyu said.
Xiao Yudie’s eyes twinkled slightly as she looked at Tangyu, her lips slightly moved as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately, she said nothing.
“I really mean it.
I am now the director of the Donglin First Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, and I have the authority,” Tangyu said.
Xiao Yudie shook her head, turned, and ran off without a word.
Tangyu shook his head; that young girl was really hard to understand.