From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 724: Chapter 694: Pressing Closer with Every Step

Xu Ying noticed something unusual around her, closed the book in her hands, and smiled: "What’s this? Came all the way here without saying hello?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "I was worried about disturbing you." He sat down opposite Xu Ying and casually picked up the tea menu.

Xu Ying poured him a cup of jasmine tea: "I’ve got it all arranged."

Zhao Feiyang looked around: "I didn’t even know this shop opened in the old street."

Xu Ying said, "You’re usually so busy with work, people like you who talk business seldom come to such bland places."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I get it, you’re saying I’m a philistine."

Xu Ying said, "Philistine isn’t a derogatory term, especially for those in leadership, it’s good to be a bit down-to-earth. Being too refined means you’re detached from the masses, which isn’t good for you."

Zhao Feiyang took a sip of tea and said, "Everything you say makes sense, Xu Ying. Looking back now, I realize if I’d listened to you more often in the past, my path would have been much easier."

Xu Ying laughed: "You’re not doing bad now either. As the director of Changxing Hospital, there aren’t many among our classmates as accomplished as you."

Zhao Feiyang said with emotion, "Almost twenty years have passed without us noticing."

Xu Ying nodded and said, "Yes, our classmates’ group has been discussing the twentieth reunion lately. And you, as the head of the student council, haven’t said a word."

Zhao Feiyang sighed and said, "I rarely pay attention to messages in the group anymore." He then added, "Work’s been really busy lately."

Xu Ying said meaningfully, "When are you not busy?"

Zhao Feiyang smiled awkwardly, "I guess I’m just destined to have a busy life."

Xu Ying said, "It’s still better than someone like me, who has nothing to do."

Zhao Feiyang looked at her and said, "Actually, I envy you."

"What do you envy about me?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "I admire that you live freely and at ease."

Xu Ying said, "That’s because I’m very aware of my own abilities. No matter how hard I work, someone like me is never going to achieve great things, so I might as well not make things hard on myself."

Though Xu Ying spoke without malice, Zhao Feiyang couldn’t help but feel there was an undercurrent of subtle criticism in her words. He chose not to respond and quietly took a sip of tea.

Immediately realizing her words might have made Zhao Feiyang overthink, Xu Ying changed the subject: "When are you becoming a father?" To be exact, it should be ’a father again,’ as it wasn’t Feiyang’s first time being a parent.

Zhao Feiyang didn’t want to bring this up, but since Xu Ying mentioned it, he couldn’t ignore it: "It should be soon."

Xu Ying was not satisfied with his answer: "You don’t know?" She realized after asking that her words sounded a bit too aggressive.

Zhao Feiyang said, "The due date is at the end of next month."

Xu Ying said, "Don’t forget to let me know about the celebratory banquet."

Zhao Feiyang said, "It’s not my first time being a father; forget it, I wasn’t planning on throwing one."

Xu Ying said, "Such a joyful event should be celebrated."

Zhao Feiyang frowned. He had developed a deep psychological aversion to such things. If it hadn’t been for his wedding celebration, his father wouldn’t have died.

Seeing his expression, Xu Ying guessed the reason and softly said, "Not doing it is fine. At this point, everything you do is under everyone’s gaze. It’s better to keep a low profile."

What Xu Ying said reminded Zhao Feiyang of Pei Lin. If only Pei Lin understood him half as well as Xu Ying did. How could he, being so clever all his life, have fallen into Pei Lin’s trap?

Xu Ying said, "By the way, is it a boy or a girl?"

"A boy!"

"Congratulations!"

Zhao Feiyang felt that during this encounter with Xu Ying, they talked about fewer topics than before. In fact, before coming here, he thought he would pour his recent worries out to Xu Ying all at once. But after seeing her, he lost the desire to share because he realized there was no need. Xu Ying saw through him too clearly. Now, she probably wouldn’t sympathize with him, perhaps even think that everything he’s experiencing is his own doing.

The brief peace from meeting had already begun to unsettle. Zhao Feiyang’s gaze began to shift evasively.

Xu Ying said, "Have you not been resting well lately? You seem a bit listless."

"Do I?"

Xu Ying nodded and said, "Your hair has gotten quite gray too." She pointed to Zhao Feiyang’s temples.

Zhao Feiyang instinctively reached up to touch his hair. He hadn’t looked in a mirror for a long time.

Xu Ying gazed at him with some pity, but her expression quickly changed. From this change in her expression, Zhao Feiyang realized someone was approaching. He turned to look and saw Pei Lin appearing in the courtyard.

Zhao Feiyang looked at Pei Lin with some surprise, unable to comprehend why she was here.

Pei Lin looked at them with a cheerful smile: "Wow, what a coincidence! You’re having tea here."

Xu Ying said, "Yes!" She was very composed, even though she could tell Pei Lin had come prepared.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Pei Lin, why are you here?"

Pei Lin replied, "It doesn’t seem like there’s any law saying I can’t come. Am I disturbing you all?"

Zhao Feiyang was a bit angry, "What are you saying?"

Xu Ying remained calm, "Pei Lin, sit down and have some tea with us."

Pei Lin shook her head and said, "Thanks, but I’ll leave you to discuss your business." She turned and walked away, but stopped after two steps, then turned back to Xu Ying, "If I remember correctly, you were college classmates, right?"

Xu Ying said, "That’s right!"

Pei Lin asked, "Did you date in college?"

Zhao Feiyang angrily said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Women like gossiping, can’t I ask?" Pei Lin’s eyes were fixed on Xu Ying, her smile carrying a coldness.

Xu Ying wasn’t angry, "No, Feiyang was very outstanding at that time, the campus heartthrob of our university."

Pei Lin giggled, "You liked him, didn’t you?"

If she weren’t pregnant, Zhao Feiyang would have wanted to throw her out at that moment. This woman was becoming more and more outrageous, not even adhering to basic manners, and at this moment he realized a horrifying truth: Xu Ying’s position in his heart was much more important than Pei Lin’s. He couldn’t tolerate others insulting or harming her. How did he not realize this before?

Zhao Feiyang suppressed his anger and said, "Pei Lin, you’ve gone too far!"

Xu Ying said, "It’s alright, I can answer that question. I did like him during college, not just me, a lot of people liked him."

Pei Lin was surprised by Xu Ying’s honesty, she stepped closer to Xu Ying, "And now?"

Xu Ying took a sip of tea, gently put down the tea cup, and her gaze fell on Zhao Feiyang’s face, "I don’t like him anymore, the Zhao Feiyang of the past no longer exists. He has changed, becoming narrow-minded, selfish, and shallow, becoming eager for quick success and instant benefits."

Zhao Feiyang’s face flushed with heat in waves, Xu Ying was openly criticizing him in front of them. He knew well that Xu Ying had been secretly in love with him since college, but her words clearly indicated the shattering of a union. Am I really as bad as she says?

Pei Lin laughed, "You really do know him well."

Xu Ying said, "Just a little better than you do."

Pei Lin sighed in melancholy, "It’s a pity that he doesn’t like you."

Xu Ying said, "Loving someone doesn’t necessarily mean you have to force them to like you back. Simply loving someone is a form of happiness, it’s willing selflessness instead of possession. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it."

Pei Lin said, "Your love sure is noble!"

Xu Ying replied, "I’m just a regular woman. I can never be extraordinary in this life, nor can I do anything grand, but I know what should and shouldn’t be done. Although I don’t have much ability, I will do everything I can to protect the person I care about, and not ruin him for my personal interests!"

Pei Lin’s lips twitched for no reason; Xu Ying’s words lashed at her heart like a whip.

Zhao Feiyang’s feelings were a mix of emotions. He didn’t know what he should say and just wanted to end the scene before him as soon as possible.

Xu Ying poured the half cup of tea on the ground, then picked up the book she hadn’t finished reading, "Feiyang, you can leave now. I’m used to being alone, I just want to read a book by myself."

Pei Lin snorted coldly and turned to leave. Zhao Feiyang wanted to apologize to Xu Ying but ultimately didn’t speak and strode out.

He caught up with the heavily pregnant Pei Lin at the alley’s entrance, and whispered angrily, "Pei Lin, you went too far. Xu Ying is my old classmate. What right do you have to insult her?"

Pei Lin glared at Zhao Feiyang, "I insulted her? You’re my husband, you’re seeing another woman behind my back. This woman admitted to liking you right in front of me, and I’ve already been very restrained. Zhao Feiyang, what do you take me for?"

Zhao Feiyang angrily said, "You’re simply irrational. Don’t use your dirty mind to speculate about our relationship."

"I’m dirty, she’s pure! Alright, Zhao Feiyang, let me remind you, this so-called dirty woman is carrying your child. You not only insulted me, but also our son!"

Zhao Feiyang said, "Stop being unreasonable. Why are you following me?"

Pei Lin said, "I finally understand, you never really liked me, nor have you ever respected me."

Zhao Feiyang said, "What about anything you’ve done that deserves respect from others?"

Pei Lin suddenly raised her hand and slapped Zhao Feiyang hard across the face, stunning him, as he didn’t expect her to dare slap him. He didn’t retaliate, as his principles wouldn’t allow such an action.

But Pei Lin, as if crazed, gave him another slap. Zhao Feiyang stepped back to dodge, his patience already at the limit. He grabbed Pei Lin’s hand, "Enough!"

Pei Lin, like a mad leopardess, with both hands caught, kicked towards him, "It wasn’t me who ruined you, it was you who ruined me! You ruined me!"

Zhao Feiyang was kicked twice by her, grabbed Pei Lin’s arm, and roared, "Calm down, calm down!"

Pei Lin’s furious face suddenly turned fearful, her face flushed with anger turned pale as paper, and her lips began to tremble.

Zhao Feiyang realized something was wrong, "What’s wrong with you?"

"I... I..."

Zhao Feiyang looked down and saw a wet patch on the ground. He panicked instantly, lifted Pei Lin in his arms, and rushed out.

Here comes the second Chapter!