Chapter 1413: Next Time, Don’t Come Back

Chapter 1413: Chapter 1413: Next Time, Don’t Come Back

The dinner was quite pleasant, and after the two had eaten and drunk to their fill, Zhao Qingtang rushed to pay the bill, and Lin Tian didn’t stop her. This female doctor earns quite a lot!

The two walked shoulder to shoulder to the restaurant’s entrance and looked up. Despite the distance, the sky was filled with a glorious sunset glow, and surprisingly, there was even a faint rainbow.

Everyone loves such beautiful scenery, and Zhao Qingtang is no exception, especially with her romantic interest standing right beside her.

Zhao Qingtang tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked, "Are you heading back to write your paper now?"

Lin Tian wore a gentle smile and said, "There’s a park nearby; why not go for a walk since we just ate? That way, we won’t gain weight easily."

"Sure! I get it, you’re saying I’m fat!"

"No, it’s just that you have quite an appetite. If you don’t get some exercise, you might really put on some weight. Didn’t you see the photo I took of you previously? Your face looked chubby in it."

Mentioning that was not a good idea. As soon as he brought it up, Zhao Qingtang ground her teeth and playfully punched Lin Tian’s shoulder with her small fist, complaining, "You dare to talk about it! If I gain weight, it will be because you cursed me!"

"Don’t you think that being chubby is cute?"

"Cute, my foot!"

The composition of the previous photo was brilliant, with perfect lighting angles and a beautiful subject. The only flaw was that some rascal had edited out all its charm!

It was just after dinner time, so there were quite a few people strolling in the park, chatting about various topics, creating a special sense of satisfaction.

Zhao Qingtang really loved this vibe. She blinked at Lin Tian’s side profile, saying, "I still owe you two meals. Next time I invite you, you better not refuse."

Lin Tian chuckled, "I was worried you’d forget. Why would I refuse? I’ll eat until you’re broke!"

Zhao Qingtang recalled their first meeting. They were like this, joyous foes, endlessly bickering. Back then, she clearly disliked this guy who suddenly appeared. When did she start finding him appealing?

...

Summer weather, like a capricious young girl, can change faster than flipping a page; the rain came down suddenly.

"Let’s head back, or we’ll end up soaked," Lin Tian suggested.

"I drove here, come with me in my car."

"I drove too. I’ll follow you."

"Alright."

The park offered no shelter, so by the time they got back to their cars, they were more than just damp, air thick with humidity made it quite uncomfortable.

Zhao Qingtang’s car was a bright red Chang’an-Ford, beautifully styled, a mix of rugged and gentle, perfect for a female driver.

But Lin Tian wasn’t particularly impressed by Zhao Qingtang’s driving skills; she drove neither fast nor slow, cautiously yet smoothly. Probably due to limited driving experience.

Thankfully, the journey had no unexpected troubles, stuck in traffic for ten minutes before arriving at Zhao Xuefeng’s building.

By then, the clothes on Lin Tian’s back were nearly dried by body heat, yet still felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Zhao Qingtang stepped out of the car and said, "Do you have a change of clothes in your car? Just got a little wet, best take a shower."

Lin Tian grimaced and replied, "I don’t drive this car often, so I didn’t bring any."

"No problem, you can wear my grandpa’s clothes temporarily."

"Alright then."

As they chatted, they made their way into the building, soon reaching the apartment door.

Zhao Qingtang unlocked the door with a key, and the two walked in. While changing shoes in the entryway, Lin Tian could hear the sound of a TV playing in the living room.

Xu Wan was fast approaching with a bag of popcorn, wearing slippers. Seeing Lin Tian and Zhao Qingtang, her smile bloomed immediately.

"Did you two just go... on a date?" Xu Wan’s eyes danced with gossip as she eyed Zhao Qingtang, then Lin Tian, her smile bursting with delight, as if saying: ’What a great match!’

Without waiting for an explanation, Xu Wan started complaining: "Lin Tian, going out on a date with a girl, why didn’t you buy some flowers? Don’t be like your teacher... What’s the phrase they use on the internet? Oh, right, an ’insensitive man of steel!’ Girls just love little romances like this. Remember to bring them next time!"

"..." Lin Tian was at a loss for words.

Zhao Qingtang blushed and said anxiously, "Grandma! What are you saying? Lin Tian and I just had dinner, it wasn’t a date!"

"Not a date? Both of you are soaked wet; how does a dinner end up like this? Lin Tian, let me tell you, Qingtang spent almost an hour picking an outfit in her room before she left today, and she looks very pretty."

"Grandma!" Zhao Qingtang felt she was going crazy! When did grandma start speaking out about everything? Such secrets of a young girl shouldn’t be revealed in front of Lin Tian!

"Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore. Why are you two still standing there? Come inside, you’re wet enough as it is. Quickly go take a shower, don’t catch a cold."

"Okay." Lin Tian changed his shoes, eager to steer clear to avoid any more of their earlier topic, and quickly asked, "Why isn’t the teacher or uncle and aunt here?"

Xu Wan sighed with a hint of complaint, saying, "Don’t even mention it; everyone except me is busy with that ancient medicine department, as if they can’t function without them. Haven’t been home much this week."

Lin Tian was embarrassed, indeed, the department couldn’t manage without them...

Xu Wan continued, "This afternoon, Qingtang suddenly returned. I thought it was to keep this old lady company during dinner, but she quickly rushed to pick clothes. I asked her who she was meeting but got no answer. Now she’s brought you home. Hehehe..."

With a slightly flushed face, Zhao Qingtang glared at Lin Tian.

Lin Tian felt utterly innocent; he had avoided the topic, but it was her grandma who forcefully brought it back.

Changing shoes inside, Zhao Qingtang was genuinely scared of staying too long with her grandma, leaving just the words "I’m going to take a shower" before slipping away.

There was only one bathroom in the house, so with Zhao Qingtang going first, Lin Tian had no choice but to wait; maybe his clothes would have dried by then, making a shower unnecessary and avoiding any awkwardness.

Xu Wan, gripping her popcorn bag in one hand, gestured for Lin Tian to sit on the sofa and chat with her.

The sofa was soft, but Lin Tian felt as if it was a bed of nails, barely sitting on half of it.

"Lin Tian, have some water."

"Thank you, master’s wife, I’m not thirsty."

"How about some popcorn?"

"No, thank you..."

Xu Wan glanced back at Zhao Qingtang’s room, lowered her voice and asked, "How far have you two progressed?"

Lin Tian opened his mouth, hesitating for a second, and then said, "Qingtang and I are just ordinary friends."

"I get it, I get it," Xu Wan smiled, clearly interpreting it differently.

"Lin Tian ah."

"Yeah?"

"Next time you two go on a date, don’t come back, just stay out."