7 PM.

At Xu Man Ni's house.

Zhao Heng sat at the dining table, looking at the variety of dishes laid out: a balance of meat and vegetables, not only well-paired but also looking, smelling, and tasting delicious. The main highlight was that Xu Man Ni had bought red wine, saying it was for a celebration.

Zhao Heng glanced again at Xu Man Ni, who was now wearing a white home dress, revealing her smooth, fair legs, exuding a unique at-home allure, and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Beautiful, a great cook, and most importantly, she knew how to be sensible and engaging. Such a woman would be the dream of all men.

"What's up?"

Knowing Zhao Heng was staring at her, Xu Man Ni asked anyway.

After all, women always hope to be attractive in front of men.

From middle school to high school, and then to university, Xu Man Ni was undoubtedly the school belle.

"Sis, I think you look a lot prettier than when you're at the hospital."

Zhao Heng said honestly.

For some reason, even with a simple home look and a bare face, Xu Man Ni now seemed much more attractive than when she was at the hospital.

"Of course, at the hospital, everyone looks haggard. Who has time to groom and dress up? Speaking of skincare, you tell me, with how busy it is there, how would one find the time?"

Xu Man Ni said with a smile.

"That's true."

Zhao Heng nodded in agreement, knowing that the workload at Eastern Hospital was notoriously heavy.

Moreover, in the operating room, everyone wore scrubs, masks, and had their hair covered. No matter how beautiful one was or how good their figure or skin, it couldn't be seen.

This was already Zhao Heng's second visit to Xu Man Ni's home.

The first time was to help her move.

Strangely, although it was only his second visit, Zhao Heng didn't feel awkward at all.

He glanced again at Xu Man Ni, who resembled the star Bai Bing in appearance and had excellent temperament, figure, and skin, and couldn't help but say, "Sis, with your qualities, you could totally be a model or an internet or movie star. Why choose medicine?"

"Why must those with good looks and poise become internet stars or celebrities? Actually, when I was still studying, talent scouts did seek me out, but I turned them down."

Xu Man Ni said.

She was a native of North City, from a family where properties were abundant, lacking nothing financially. She chose the medical field because, from a young age, she harbored a dream of wearing a white coat.

Sure, being a model, internet star, or even a celebrity could lead to quick money, but that wasn't what Xu Man Ni pursued.

"You were approached by talent scouts?"

Zhao Heng asked, curious.

It was an experience Xu Man Ni hadn't mentioned before.

"Yes, they wanted me to participate in a beauty pageant, promising me the first place and roles in films."

Xu Man Ni said casually.

"Could it really be that good?"

Zhao Heng asked doubtfully.

"Of course not, there's no such thing as something for nothing in this world."

Xu Man Ni chuckled.

"But one of my high school classmates became a big star, recently filming something called 'The Gentlemen of Xiba District'."

After a pause, Xu Man Ni added.

"What? The so-called legendary greasy middle-aged drama 'The Gentlemen of Xiba District'?"

Zhao Heng was shocked; Xu Man Ni actually had such classmates?!

"Sis, is your classmate that Zhang Han?"

After a pause, Zhao Heng asked again.

"Yes, he was a high school classmate, even pursued me back then."

Xu Man Ni nodded, speaking calmly.

Being classmates with a star might be a rare occurrence elsewhere, but in North City, it was quite normal.

Not just stars, Xu Man Ni's classmates included various executives, leaders, and second-generation elites, a reflection of different social circles.

After all, Xu Man Ni attended the best high school in North City.

"Uh..."

At this moment, Zhao Heng realized the world Xu Man Ni grew up in was completely different from his own, with a gap bigger than he could have imagined.

"You'll become a great expert someday, much better than any greasy middle-aged star."

Seeing Zhao Heng's surprised expression, Xu Man Ni chuckled.

The influence and status of a top medical expert were beyond ordinary people's imagination.

To become a top medical expert meant possessing an impressive network and resources.

Take Zhao Heng's regularization process for example.

Originally, even with Gao Jun's contacts, Zhao Heng could only secure a temporary contract, but with a word from Mr. Huang, Zhao Heng got a permanent position.

It was partly because the anesthesiology and perioperative care center was being established, requiring staff, which helped in this instance.

Mr. Huang's influence was evident through this.

Even the wealthiest and most powerful people fall ill, so top medical experts often know a lot of affluent and influential individuals.

This was why Xu Man Ni saw such potential in Zhao Heng and was willing to lower her guard and make efforts for him.

Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni chatted as they ate, making for a joyful dinner.

After dinner, Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni tidied up the dishes together.

Sitting side by side on the sofa, Zhao Heng felt his heartbeat quicken, as sitting this close, he could smell the subtle fragrance on Xu Man Ni.

The scent was reminiscent of lilac and patchouli, rich, warm, and slightly seductive.

"Sis, are you wearing perfume or something? It smells so good, like lilac and patchouli."

Zhao Heng couldn't help but ask.

"You could tell? It's a fragrance I often use from GUCCI's Oriental line, with lilac and patchouli as the middle notes."

Xu Man Ni was a bit surprised; she didn't expect Zhao Heng to discern the middle notes, as lilac and patchouli weren't common floral varieties.

Besides, perfume wasn't something just anyone could afford.

"As a kid, I loved flowers and plants. I even dreamed of becoming a botanist, so I taught myself a lot about it."

Zhao Heng said.

Actually, Zhao Heng didn't enter the medical field with lofty ambitions; it was for the promising future, high social status, and decent income.

But once in the field, Zhao Heng realized that achieving a high social status and income as a doctor was for only a few.

Most medical students still faced a tough journey.

"I didn't know you had such interests."

Xu Man Ni was a bit surprised.

"Sis, I'm going to work on my paper."

As they talked, Zhao Heng took out his laptop from his bag, ready to start writing his paper.

"Why not relax today and skip working on the paper?"

Seeing Zhao Heng place his laptop on the coffee table, Xu Man Ni couldn't help but say.

He had come to her home, had a candlelight dinner, drank red wine, sat beside such a beautiful woman, and she even wore special perfume, yet Zhao Heng was starting to work on his paper. How could this not leave Xu Man Ni a bit annoyed?

Could his interest in writing a paper be greater than her allure?

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