Chapter 1128: A Surprise from Her

This bench was public to begin with, so when someone sat down, Liu Xin'ai said nothing.

It was just that this person was sitting a bit too close to her, so Liu Xin'ai shifted her position to the side.

Yet no matter how much she moved, the other person moved just as close.

This made Liu Xin'ai frown involuntarily.

By the time her body hit the armrest on the other side of the bench, the person was still pressing against her, and she could endure it no longer.

She stood up, ready to leave!

But the other person actually grabbed Liu Xin'ai's hand and pulled her into an embrace!

Liu Xin'ai was furious!

She raised her hand, ready to slap the person!

But...

The moment their eyes met, why did the other person's eyes feel so familiar!?

Liu Xin'ai took a closer look...

"Xiao Xiao!?"

The person holding Liu Xin'ai right now was none other than Xu Xiaoxiao!

Xu Xiaoxiao tilted her head and asked with a smile, "Is it a surprise!?"

It was indeed a surprise!

Liu Xin'ai couldn't help but smile, asking impatiently, "Why did you come so suddenly without even telling me! Is this a trip, or are you here for work?"

"Work, of course. I've already confirmed it; I'm coming to teach at the school here!"

"Really?"

The smile on Liu Xin'ai's face grew even wider.

But then she felt a bit puzzled: "Since it was confirmed, why didn't you give me a heads-up? I could have come to pick you up."

"Hey, I can handle a small matter like that myself. Besides, if I told you beforehand, how would I get to see that surprised look on your face?"

As Xu Xiaoxiao said this, she even hooked Liu Xin'ai's chin.

This woman...

She was still the same!

Liu Xin'ai felt helpless, but she didn't hold it against her.

But after looking at Xu Xiaoxiao closely, Liu Xin'ai asked again: "You... why are you wrapped up so tightly?"

Xu Xiaoxiao was naturally tall with short hair.

At this moment, she was wearing

a set of loose black clothes, and with a hat and mask on, she looked like a handsome young man from every angle.

It was just that...

Under the mask, this handsome woman had a miserable expression, sighing: "I'm suffering from the change in environment. After I got back, my skin broke out in a rash. Just look at my face."

As Xu Xiaoxiao spoke, she pulled down her mask; the skin underneath was not only red but also covered in tiny little rashes.

This was really bothering Xu Xiaoxiao; she didn't even want to look in a mirror!

Liu Xin'ai, however, didn't feel scared; instead, she observed it carefully for a moment.

Then she said: "It's nothing serious. You definitely must not keep it covered when you go back; you have to let the red, swollen areas touch the air and keep them dry."

"Oh? You seem very experienced."

How could she not be experienced? She had just taken care of a delicate young lady with a skin allergy.

Liu Xin'ai sighed inwardly, but as she looked up, she noticed Xu Xiaoxiao had put her mask back on and was just staring at her.

Her gaze was very serious and carried a hint of inquiry.

Liu Xin'ai was confused, so she curled her lips and asked: "What are you looking at?"

"How come I feel like you've become haggard again?"

"... I'm doing experiments every day, it's unavoidable."

"Experiments?"

Xu Xiaoxiao didn't know what Liu Xin'ai had been busy with lately, so Liu Xin'ai gave her a rough explanation of the ins and outs, as well as the reason why she had to overcome the experimental challenges.

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao suddenly took the initiative to hug Liu Xin'ai.

And this warm embrace made Liu Xin'ai freeze in surprise.

Then, she heard her close friend say in a muffled voice: "Xin'ai, it's really been hard on you during this time. You've been carrying it all alone, you must be exhausted."

As a close friend, Xu Xiaoxiao knew Liu Xin'ai's personality too well.

She was certain that she was carrying everything on her own.

It was just too

heartbreaking!

And Liu Xin'ai... was indeed just as Xu Xiaoxiao had anticipated.

She had originally felt that she ought to be strong.

But being held by her friend and hearing those thoughtful words...

Liu Xin'ai suddenly had the urge to cry!

But to avoid worrying her friend, Liu Xin'ai held back the bitterness.

She forced a smile again: "Although it's hard, it's very worth it. This isn't just for my father, but also for other patients suffering from illness."

"Yes, yes, yes, our Doctor Liu is truly great. Future medical students will definitely see your name in their textbooks!"

Xu Xiaoxiao let go of Liu Xin'ai.

Her joke also made Liu Xin'ai smile.

"By the way, when can I meet your husband? You said last time you wanted to treat me to a meal."

Xu Xiaoxiao's words made Liu Xin'ai's smile stiffen, and then she feigned relaxation and said, "Once your skin condition improves a bit, I will arrange the time."

"That's a deal then, it must be a big feast!"

"Definitely!"

Liu Xin'ai looked at Xu Xiaoxiao with a smile, feeling warm inside.

But...

The closer she was to someone, the less Liu Xin'ai wanted them to worry about her.

And wanting to keep her relationship with Qin Yiyan hidden was becoming less and less easy.

She had to be extremely careful to avoid revealing any flaws...

"Madam, your coffee!"

Xiao'an returned carrying the coffee and handed it over upon seeing Liu Xin'ai.

But who would have thought, the coffee never reached Liu Xin'ai's hands.

Because a person wearing black clothes had intercepted the coffee!

Xu Xiaoxiao pulled down her mask, took a sip without ceremony, and then said with enjoyment, "I noticed this coffee shop this morning and was thinking of trying it; I didn't expect to have the good fortune to taste it now!"

Xiao'an was

a bit dumbfounded and muttered, "Who, who are you?"

Liu Xin'ai hurriedly took the initiative to introduce her to Xiao'an: "This is my good friend, Xu Xiaoxiao."

Madam's good friend?

Then she must be a good person too!

Xiao'an made this judgment in her heart and nodded at Xu Xiaoxiao.

Seeing that this maid looked very well-behaved, Xu Xiaoxiao asked, "Do you take care of Xin'ai on a daily basis?"

"Yes."

"Then you must keep a close eye on her; once she gets busy, she goes crazy, and can even go without sleep or rest."

Xiao'an had witnessed Liu Xin'ai's craziness.

She nodded very seriously at once.

Her solemn appearance made Xu Xiaoxiao burst into laughter.

She possessed an inherently free-spirited temperament.

Although she was not stunningly beautiful, she had a kind of grand, elegant beauty.

Xiao'an was even stunned by the sight.

Xu Xiaoxiao took two more sips of coffee, then returned it to Liu Xin'ai, praising, "The taste is not bad; it seems I can go and get a membership card."

"Get a membership card? Do you often pass by this coffee shop?"

"Of course, the school where I work is right across the street!"

Liu Xin'ai was dazed for a moment, then revealed a smile.

No wonder she could run into Xiao Xiao here; it was truly a coincidence!

Thinking that she might run into her good friend every time she came to the Laboratory in the future, Liu Xin'ai felt her mood brighten.

As for the matter of the meal...

She had to discuss it with Qin Yiyan to see when he would have time to have a meal with Xiao Xiao.

Otherwise, Xiao Xiao wouldn't be at ease.

On Qin Yiyan's side, it shouldn't be a difficult matter.

After all, she had accompanied him to handle so many social occasions.

But what Liu Xin'ai didn't expect was that when she returned home and saw Qin Yiyan in the study...

This guy's expression

was unexpectedly terrible!

Bai Yufei was standing by his side, her small hand resting on his shoulder, and she said softly in consolation, "Brother, don't be angry anymore, you'll ruin your health if you get any angrier."

Qin Yiyan did not respond.

Hearing footsteps in the room, he looked up casually.

He happened to meet Liu Xin'ai's eyes.