In the morning, the school medical office was deserted. Except for Liu Nanwei occasionally cracking a few risqué jokes, not a single student came by.

In the afternoon, however, a patient finally arrived. What was initially thought to be a simple headache turned out to be a large tumor in the patient's brain. Xu Lai discovered it was already pressing on their nerves, putting their life in danger!

Liu Nanwei swiftly summoned Li Shouzhong, Yan Gui, and other doctors to discuss a surgical plan. After much deliberation, they decided to perform the operation right there in the school medical office. Since the school clinic had become a signature feature of Dongli University, the board of directors had bitten the bullet and allocated a large sum to purchase all kinds of medical equipment. For one, the clinic was fully equipped. For another, they had a complete team of surgeons, nurses, and assistants ready.

After obtaining the male student's consent, the team spent the entire afternoon performing the operation to remove the tumor.

Xu Lai didn't watch. It wasn't that he was indifferent to life; such a minor ailment simply wasn't worth his intervention. If Li Shouzhong and the others couldn't even handle this, then the past few months would have been a complete waste of time. They might as well give up on studying his medical theories—which were centuries ahead of their time—and go home to raise pigs instead.

「Three hours later.」

Liu Nanwei returned from the operating room, beaming. She chuckled softly, "Director Xu, the surgery was a complete success!"

"Mm, that's good," Xu Lai acknowledged, then asked, "Who was the lead surgeon?"

"Dr. Li Shouzhong."

"Good." Xu Lai nodded and went back to looking at his magazine.

Standing by the door, Liu Nanwei found herself staring, completely entranced. "So handsome," she murmured.

Zhou Feng, standing helplessly behind her, sighed. "Dr. Liu, could you please move? You're blocking the doorway."

"Zhou Feng, don't you think Director Xu is handsome? I didn't think much of him at first glance, but the more I look at him, the more attractive he gets."

"Director Xu is indeed handsome, and I bet your husband Li Mi's head is looking quite green… HISS…"

Before he could finish, Liu Nanwei stomped hard on Zhou Feng's foot and glared. "You have a filthy mind! What I feel for Director Xu is pure admiration and respect!"

"..."

"Why aren't you talking? Feeling guilty, are we?"

"..."

Zhou Feng grimaced, sucking in a breath. She was wearing high heels. The stomp was so painful that he couldn't even manage a retort.

Xu Lai couldn't help but be amused. This pair of jokers was a true source of joy in his daily work.

「In the afternoon.」

Xu Lai picked up Yiyi and headed straight back to Haitang Court. Meanwhile, the young women from Above the White Clouds took a bus arranged by Ruan Tang.

The bus followed the coastal road to the foot of Mount Haitang. The women, who had been admiring the scenery from the windows, were stunned when they got off. To their left was the Mount Haitang villa complex, where each home was priced at fifty million—a place one couldn't buy into without status and influence. This was a true enclave for the wealthy.

"President Ruan, which villa do you live in?" the secretary asked, her gaze filled with envy as she looked into the complex. The other employees also stared, as it was their first time visiting such a luxurious community.

"I don't live at the foot of the mountain," Ruan Tang said, shaking her head.

The secretary's expression faltered, and she quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, President Ruan, I…"

"I live at the summit," Ruan Tang finished with a smile. "I told you all not to wear high heels yesterday. I hope you listened? Although the bus can drive up, I think the mountain scenery is quite nice. Let's walk up and enjoy the flowers together."

With that, she began leading the way up the mountain path.

All the employees, including the secretary, were practically speechless with astonishment. There was only one residence on the mountaintop: Haitang Court, the estate that had been auctioned off for a jaw-dropping five hundred million!

"President Ruan, you… you live in Haitang Court?" a young woman asked, bewildered. "But that place is worth five hundred million."

Just three months ago, Above the White Clouds had been in a financial crisis, and Ruan Tang had been pinching every penny. Even though business was now improving, it was hard to believe she would have enough cash to buy Haitang Court. It was no wonder the women were so puzzled.

"Well, for my birthday, Xu Lai bought it for me as a gift. He didn't even consult me," Ruan Tang said, feigning complaint.

"..."

The women suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. Are we here for dinner? Why do I feel like I'm already full from their public displays of affection before the meal has even begun?

Though shocked by how wealthy their boss's husband, Xu Lai, was, the group of young women was soon captivated by the Haitang flowers lining both sides of the road. Their eyes shining, they snapped photos constantly. The flowers were even more beautiful near the summit, an area completely off-limits to tourists.

"These mountain-side Haitang blossoms are just breathtaking!" the secretary exclaimed.

"Mm-hmm," the others all nodded in agreement.

Arriving at Haitang Court, the group toured the massive home, touching this and admiring that. When they looked at their boss, Ruan Tang, their eyes were filled with deep envy. This must be what it's like to marry for love. I'm so jealous.

"Xu Lai, come out and say hello to our guests," Ruan Tang called out.

Xu Lai emerged from the kitchen, taking off his apron. "Welcome, everyone," he said with a smile. "Please, make yourselves at home. There's a fruit platter on the table, and the cabinet is stocked with wine and other drinks, so don't be shy."

"Mr. Xu, are you by any chance looking for a girlfriend?" one of the bolder women called out flirtatiously.

"Don't you have a boyfriend? You're shameless!" another teased. "Mr. Xu, I don't have a boyfriend! And I'm perfectly fine with being shameless!"

Ruan Tang laughed and scolded them playfully. "Are you trying to steal my man right in front of me? Do you want a trip to the HR department to collect your final paycheck tomorrow?"

"Boohoo… Do I still have a chance to live in a five-hundred-million mansion?" The woman who spoke was a key employee—the HR manager, in fact. At thirty-four and with a second child at home, she was clearly joking.

"The deed to the house is in my name, so stealing Xu Lai won't do you any good."

"...President Ruan, I'm so jealous again."

"Let's all cling to President Ruan's leg!" the employees shouted playfully.

"There's a hot spring in the backyard," Ruan Tang announced. "And I bought new swimsuits for everyone; they're on the beds in the first-floor guest rooms. Feel free to go for a dip. There's also a waterfall on the back of the mountain, but it's a bit of a walk."

The women chattered excitedly as they dispersed. Ruan Tang pulled Xu Lai back into the kitchen and hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek against his back with a radiant smile.

"What's this about?" Xu Lai asked in surprise.

"Nothing. I just felt a sudden urge to hug you," Ruan Tang murmured. "The whole way up the mountain, all of them were so envious of me."

"Actually, I envy you too," Xu Lai played along. "You managed to snag an outstanding husband like me."

"Hmph, shameless!"

"Then how about a kiss, dear? We're having whole roasted lamb tonight. There are hardly any of these lambs in the entire universe. I really had to cast aside all face and have Taotie snatch this one from The Seventh Divine General."

"You big braggart." Ruan Tang rolled her eyes but gave him a kiss anyway.

She just hadn't expected the "kiss" he'd asked for to last a full ten minutes. Smoothing her clothes, she gave him a light punch with a flushed face, pouting. "You scoundrel."

Xu Lai and Ruan Tang emerged from the kitchen together. The employees watching TV in the living room paused, giving them knowing glances. A few of the more experienced women even chuckled softly.

In the backyard, a group of women in swimsuits were already frolicking in the hot spring pool. Not far away, tables and chairs had been set up for the meal. Taotie was drafted into service, roasting a whole lamb. His powerful build and resolute features caught the attention of several female employees, who began whispering amongst themselves. One of them, a recent hire, finally worked up the courage to approach him.

They heard Taotie say in a deep voice, "I'm barbecuing. I don't use WeChat. I generally use a Sound Transmission Jade Slip."

Xu Lai was speechless.

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