"Mom, what are you talking about? He's my boss!"
"So what if he's the boss? He's still a man," Tao's mother said with a grin. "Besides, he took the initiative to bring me along. I can read that meaning loud and clear."
Tao Xinrou opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
What did she mean by "read that meaning loud and clear"? She didn't want to know or understand.
"If there's a chance, let me test the waters for you."
"Mom, don't stir up trouble."
"Okay, okay, I won't say any more. Get some sleep."
Tao's mother went to the bathroom. Tao Xinrou stood in the room, staring blankly for a long time.
She remembered at dinner, Ying Jingsheng had put a piece of food in her bowl without saying a word.
If he really were her boyfriend...
Tao Xinrou covered her face.
Ahhhh, she didn't want a boss for a boyfriend!
*
Before the cultural project started, Tao Xinrou took a day off to take her mother to the hospital.
In the waiting area of the cardiology department at the city's first hospital, the air was thick with the smell of disinfectant.
Tao Xinrou sat with her mother, waiting for their number.
Just then, a commotion came from down the hall. Tao Xinrou instinctively looked up and saw a crowd surrounding someone, heading from the VIP ward area.
At the center was Ying Huaishan, impeccably dressed in a suit, wearing a proper smile.
Beside him was Zhang Hongbin, and in front and behind were a few people who looked like hospital leaders, all smiling and talking to him.
"Vice President Ying takes time out of his busy schedule to personally visit retired comrades. Truly touching."
"It's only right. Retired employees are the group's treasures. They've dedicated their lives to Yunlu. Now that they're unwell, we should show our concern," Ying Huaishan said warmly, patting an elderly man in a wheelchair beside him.
Camera flashes went off at the right moment, staff recording the heartwarming scene.
Tao Xinrou, recognizing the person at the center, immediately lowered her head to avoid eye contact.
Of all places, she had to run into the leadership!
But just then, the number dispenser called out, "Please, number 14, Wang Huijuan, proceed to examination room 2. Please, number 14, Wang Huijuan, proceed to examination room 2."
It was her mother's name.
Tao Xinrou quickly helped her mother up, hoping to slip through the corridor before the crowd dispersed.
But her steps faltered. Looking up, she saw Zhang Hongbin step out from behind Ying Huaishan. He strode over, his gaze naturally shifting from Tao Xinrou's face to the mother she supported. "Hey? Xiao Tao? What a coincidence! You're here too? And this is... your mother, right?"
Caught.
Tao Xinrou unconsciously tightened her grip on her mother's hand, forcing a stiff smile as she turned around to reply, "Oh, it's Manager Zhang. Hello, Manager Zhang. I brought my mom for a check-up. It's our turn now. Sorry, I need to take her in."
This small commotion was enough to catch the attention of the central figure.
Ying Huaishan, who had been warmly saying goodbye to the elderly man in the wheelchair, let his gaze drift over. Then, with a slight nod to the hospital leaders around him, he naturally walked in the direction of Tao Xinrou and her mother.
As he moved, the small crowd followed like satellites.
Seeing this, Zhang Hongbin stepped aside and announced loudly, "Vice President Ying, what a coincidence. This is Tao Xinrou, an employee of our hotel. Today she's accompanying her mother to see the doctor." He turned to Tao Xinrou, his tone warm as if it were his own business. "Xiao Tao, what's wrong with your mother? Today's really a lucky day. Vice President Ying came to visit retired comrades, and these are the hospital's top experts and leaders. You can ask them to help take a look."
In an instant, Tao Xinrou and her mother became the temporary focus of this small crowd.
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Author's note: This week's updates follow the schedule: 27th, 28th, 2nd, 3rd. No updates on other days. Don't wait for nothing!
If you like it, please add it to your collection! Help this little author get into the solo chapter early!
Random red envelopes for comments on this chapter, until 18:00 tomorrow.