Perhaps it was true happiness, a long-held wish finally realized, An Kexin drank quite freely, glass after glass, and by the end of lunch, two bottles of rice wine were finished.

Although her face was flushed, her eyes a bit dazed, and her breath reeked of alcohol, her thoughts remained clear and her steps steady, unlike someone truly drunk, which impressed Lin Jie, who could only handle one glass.

Winter in Binhai City is the hardest to endure, especially at Zhujia Port, where the wind blows fiercely from the sea, both damp and cold.

Lin Jie just wanted to quickly return to the clinic and bask in the warmth of the air conditioning, while An Kexin walked gracefully but slowly!

He urged her several times to no avail, so he had to accompany An Kexin on her slow walk back, standing windward to shield her from the biting wind.

An Kexin noticed Lin Jie's gentlemanly gesture, smiled brightly, took his arm, and said, "Lin Jie, do you know? Yesterday, out of courtesy, I went with my father to the University Affiliated Hospital to visit Fei Xue's cousin and cousin-in-law."

"In such a short time, they both looked haggard beyond recognition, with sunken eyes and not a trace of vitality!"

She sighed and continued, "Fei Xue told me that their illnesses are progressing quite rapidly."

"If Li Donghai doesn't have a liver transplant soon, it's just three to five months. As for her cousin, the situation is also not optimistic, conservatively estimated to be about a year!"

"Fei Xue also quietly told me that Li Donghai's liver cancer has shown signs of metastasis and is actually no longer suitable for transplantation! Even if transplantation succeeds, there is a very high chance of recurrence!"

An Kexin stopped walking, turned to look at Lin Jie for a while, and sighed, "I know, this is retribution from heaven for their wrongdoings. Lin Jie, if I do something wrong in the future, will heaven punish me like this too?"

Lin Jie was slightly taken aback, realizing that An Kexin, knowing some inside story, was frightened!

It makes sense; even if the person next to you might be the wrongdoer, it's natural to have doubts, no matter how close they are!

Lin Jie said solemnly, "Li Donghai and his wife hurt Miaomiao, almost making Miaomiao leave me forever. They still refused to admit their mistakes afterward, and only then did heaven bring punishment!"

"Kexin, would you make such grave mistakes?"

An Kexin held onto Lin Jie's arm again and continued walking, loudly saying, "How could that be possible? You are the benefactor and patron of our family! You and Miaomiao are our family!"

Lin Jie chuckled softly, "A clear conscience fears no evil! Kexin, what are you worried about?"

An Kexin giggled, stubbornly saying, "I'm not worried at all, just really envy Miaomiao! If someone was willing to do that for me, I'd be overwhelmed with gratitude!"

"Kexin, don't overthink it. I haven't really done anything, just sincerely prayed to the heavens!" Lin Jie covered up!

Back at the clinic, it seemed the effect of alcohol hit An Kexin, as she rubbed her forehead, saying, "I have a bit of a headache and feel uncomfortable. Lin Jie, I'm going to rest in your bedroom for a while to sober up before heading back."

She slept for three or four hours, until closing time, still not awake, and Lin Jie had to wake her!

An Kexin, upon being woken, immediately covered her head with the blanket. After coming to her senses, she truly woke up, muttering from under the blanket, "Lin Jie, please go out; after I get up, I need to freshen up."

Lin Jie had to wait for half an hour, and after several urges, An Kexin finally emerged.

By then, she had regained much of her spirit and radiance, glaring playfully at Lin Jie, saying, "Lin Jie, you need to change this bad habit! A girl's grooming cannot be hurried."

"As they say, women dress up for their admirers; the longer you wait, the more the girl values you."

Lin Jie secretly shrugged but wisely didn't retort, noticing An Kexin still smelled of alcohol, saying, "The alcohol hasn't completely left your system yet; let me take you home. You can come back for your car tomorrow or have your company's driver bring it back."

An Kexin accepted the suggestion!

Lin Jie drove her back to the Weize Building. As soon as he parked at the building entrance, he saw An Weize accompanied by three people exiting the elevator, walking toward the entrance.

Thinking it might be impolite to greet An Weize from the car, Lin Jie got out with An Kexin to meet An Weize and his companions.

Among An Weize's three companions, there was a beautiful woman in her thirties, slightly plump!

This was Shao Hanyan, the wife of Fu Zhezhi from the Fu Family, who previously underwent surgery by Lin Jie.

When she saw An Kexin, her face broke into a gentle smile, stepped forward and grabbed An Kexin's hand, saying, "Kexin, what a coincidence, maybe this is fate!"

"Come, let me introduce you; this is An Family's eldest daughter, An Kexin, isn't she lovely?"

Shao Hanyan smiled softly, pointing to a cultured middle-aged man beside An Weize, and said, "This is Young Master Liu, President Liu from the Liu Family in Capital City, and the handsome young man beside him is his nephew Liu Guangxi."

"Kexin, they came specifically today to visit your father!"

"Hello, President Liu! Hello, Young Master Liu!"

An Kexin greeted politely, then said to the relentless Shao Hanyan, "Sister Yan, long time no see, you look younger!"

Shao Hanyan laughed coquettishly, feigning annoyance, "You always know how to sweet-talk me!"

"Your brother Zhezhi has taken on a new position, much heavier responsibilities, busy day and night. I'm following suit in chaos, no time to take care of myself, probably aged a few years!"

At this time, both Liu Ruisi and Liu Guangxi were scrutinizing An Kexin!

Especially Liu Guangxi, whose eyes brightened, frequently glancing at An Kexin's face, chest, and waist.

Being a man himself, Lin Jie was familiar with such a gaze!

If it were toward a stranger, Lin Jie might commend this taste, but since it was aimed at An Kexin, he had an urge to gouge out the guy's eyes!

Gouge out?

Lin Jie suddenly noticed Liu Guangxi's left eye seemed dull and lifeless, and upon closer inspection, realized it was a prosthetic eye!

Liu Ruisi observed An Kexin briefly, then retracted his gaze, nodding with satisfaction, smiling, "Brother An, I've long heard of your talented and beautiful daughter. Now that I've met her, it seems the rumors are true, you are blessed!"

An Weize politely responded, "She's just average, doesn't deserve such praise, quite spoiled, giving me headaches!"

Liu Ruisi again directed his gaze towards An Kexin, then paused when passing over Lin Jie!

His eyes fixated on Lin Jie's face, and the subtle smile suddenly froze, scrutinizing Lin Jie for a while before asking, "Brother An, who is this handsome young man?"

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