Chapter 892: Chapter 893: Disguise
After getting off the plane, Zhong Chuling and Lin Shu walked out together and saw Ji Huan and her aunt.
Lin Shu was about to walk past them, but Ji Huan smiled and said, "Iâm sorry about earlier, I really shouldnât have spoken to you in that tone. My aunt already scolded me, and as fellow alumni, I realize my attitude was very inappropriate."
Lin Shu looked at Ji Huan in surprise, while Zhong Chuling immediately responded, "Itâs fine, itâs fine, weâre all alumni after all."
Ji Huan quickly followed up on Zhong Chulingâs words and said, "Chuling is right, I admit Iâm too snobbish sometimes. Thatâs no way to make friends. Sigh, itâs mostly because I havenât been feeling well recently. College was going fine, but all of a sudden Iâm being dragged back home to go on blind dates, and itâs with someone Iâve never even met. Naturally, my mood isnât great."
These words were taught to Ji Huan by her aunt, suggesting she provide a reason for looking down on Lin Shu and the others by sharing her troubles.
Sure enough, Ji Huanâs explanation made Lin Shuâs tense expression soften significantly, while Zhong Chuling curiously asked, "If you donât like them after meeting, why not just let it go?"
"Sigh..." Ji Huan let out a deep sigh and said, "You just donât know. The other family is far too powerful, and my family simply has no grounds to refuse. This matter is likely not even up to me to decide. If they take a liking to me, I wouldnât have the option of saying no."
Lin Shu rolled her eyes and said, "If you disagree, they canât just kidnap you, can they?"
Ji Huan said helplessly, "Of course not, but things arenât as simple as you think. My family may have some status in Minghe and money too, but compared to them, weâre miles apart. If we upset them, our whole family wouldnât be able to stay in Minghe. So, even if I donât like it, Iâd have no choice but to agree."
"Huh? Situations like that exist? Thatâs just bullying!" Lin Shu widened her eyes, her righteous indignation instantly flaring.
Ji Huan shook her head and said, "You wouldnât be able to encounter situations like this in your position. Ah, I donât mean to look down on you, but these things really do happen."
Lin Shu said, "Wow, that guy must be such a jerk."
Zhong Chuling nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Ji Huan let out a bitter laugh and said, "Luckily, heâs not some old geezerâheâs a 26-year-old man, and people say heâs quite handsome. At least he wouldnât be entirely unbearable. Still, Iâm conflicted inside. I donât want him to choose me because then Iâd be free, but for my family, itâd be a disaster. On the other hand, I do kind of hope he picks me, because that way I can help my family. I just really wonder if heâd treat me well."
Lin Shu frowned and said, "That really is a tough situation."
Ji Huan shook her head, then smiled and said, "Anyway, letâs drop this topic. Whatever happens happens. I just wanted to explain myself so you wouldnât think I was some snobby jerk giving you attitude for no reason, just because weâre from the same school."
Lin Shu immediately said, "Itâs fine, itâs fine. Everyone has their bad days."
Ji Huan said, "Thank you for understanding. How about staying at my place? Iâve got plenty of room, youâd be comfortable."
Lin Shu shook her head and said, "Thanks for the offer, but my grandpa already arranged a place for us to stay."
Ji Huan immediately said, "Then let me drive you there. Our car can easily fit everyone."
"Thanks for the trouble, then."
Although the Ji family is one of the lower-tier families in Minghe, if you placed them in Tiannan, theyâd definitely outshine the Ding family. So in terms of strength, they were no pushover. Ji Huan was also raised with various etiquettes from a young age. As long as she wasnât acting condescending, she was quite skilled at making friends sincerely.
Lin Shu might seem clever, but she only had a bit of petty cleverness. She was no match for Ji Huan at all. Zhong Chuling, with her kind heart, felt sympathy for Ji Huan after hearing about her troubles and found her much less disagreeable, even pitying her.
The car picking them up was a Mercedes-Benz business vehicle. Ji Huan didnât flaunt it, and Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling, while unused to such comfort, couldnât help but praise the ride.
As they neared their destination, Ji Huan said, "Oh right, over the next few days, I want to let loose and have some fun. Tonight, Iâm attending a friendâs party. Want to come with me? Iâm worried I might drink too much and cause a scene. If youâre there, Iâll feel more at ease."
"Sure, just call us later tonight."
Lin Shu hesitated only briefly before readily agreeing.
"Thank you so much. I honestly regret not befriending you earlier," Ji Huan said with a bright smile and an air of friendliness.
But the moment Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling got out of the car, Ji Huanâs smile disappeared. She sneered, "They really think theyâre something special."
Her aunt chuckled and said, "You handled it well. At least it shows youâve matured."
Ji Huan shrugged confidently and said, "I just donât like wasting energy on insignificant people, thatâs all."
Lin Shu and Zhong Chuling got off at the Second Hospital and went directly to find their fathersâ hospital room.
"Ah! Uncle, youâre here too!" As soon as they entered the room, they saw several people standing inside, including Song Xiaodong. Lin Shu immediately shouted in delight.
Lin Yi Yuanâs face darkened, and he said, "Watch your mouth! So disrespectful. Havenât I taught you better?"
"Oh... Grandpa Song." Lin Shu pouted and corrected herself.
Song Xiaodong laughed and said, "Yi Yuan, calm down. Theyâre all my little friends. Honestly, being called âGrandpaâ makes me feel ancientâI donât like it."
Lin Shu grinned triumphantly and said, "See? Uncle agrees with me."
Lin Yi Yuan glared at his granddaughter. "Stand over there and donât say another word."
Song Xiaodong was in the middle of giving acupuncture to Zhong Chulingâs father, primarily for He Wenbai and the others to observe and learn, as a way to help them improve their skills.
Despite a busy schedule, Song Xiaodong still managed to carve out some time every week to train them like this.
Zhong Chuling looked at her fatherâs expression, noting that he no longer showed any signs of illness. Clearly, his recovery had been excellent during this time. Grateful, her gaze lingered on Song Xiaodong. If not for this man, her father might not still be alive.
Lin Shu nudged Zhong Chuling and scraped her fingers twice across her own face in a teasing motion. Zhong Chulingâs face immediately flushed. She realized her gaze toward Song Xiaodong had been far too obvious.