Chapter 20: The Hidden Trick

Director Huang personally supervised the doctors inside as they treated Meng Zexiao, while Kong Lingxin and the others outside enjoyed a rare moment of leisure. Thinking back to how Meng Zexiao had shielded her from Bai Tingting’s knife, Kong Lingxin felt a strange, indescribable emotion. She still couldn’t fathom what this man was truly thinking.

Like all wealthy men, he loved to court female celebrities and models, generously handing out hefty breakup settlements when he grew tired of them. According to Bai Tingting, it was Meng Zexiao’s pressure that cost her all her job opportunities, driving her to desperation and leading to such an act.

So what was Meng Zexiao’s real motive? Was it for her? No, that couldn’t be—impossible!

Kong Lingxin sat in her chair, waiting for Meng Zexiao to emerge, the sharp scent of disinfectant stinging her nostrils.

At that moment, two young doctors in white coats passed by. One said, “By the way, I just saw Director Huang rush down from his office, then Peng Nan followed him, bringing some important-looking person into the treatment room. No idea who they were, but they sure carried themselves like big shots!”

The other replied, “Must be one of those rich heirs! Among Director Huang’s last batch of protégés, Peng Nan is the only one doing well. She works as a family doctor and nutritionist for a wealthy family, earning several times more per month than us frontline doctors who work ourselves to the bone. We do day and night shifts, and patient families don’t even understand. What we earn barely covers one of those heirs’ dinners. We still live in dorms, while Peng Nan has already bought a house and a car, and it’s only been three years since graduation. The gap between us and her is huge! In another three years, when she comes back to visit us, who knows how braggy she’ll be!”

“Exactly! Peng Nan’s luck is incredible! While we were stuck in the lab, working hard on studies, she knew how to seize opportunities, get on the right side of the teachers, and have them put in a good word with the rich folks. She went from being the worst in our group to the most successful!”

“It’s strange though. Aren’t the rich supposed to be smart? Wouldn’t they want an experienced family doctor, like a professor-level physician such as Director Huang? Why would Peng Nan, still an intern at the time, be hired as a family doctor for a billionaire? Someone worth hundreds of billions wouldn’t care about such a small sum.”

“Rich people are just gullible! But let’s not forget what really sets Peng Nan apart from us—she’s more beautiful! Anyway, that’s none of our business. Let’s get back to the clinic. If we keep dawdling, the patients will get impatient, and who knows what kind of doctor-patient disputes might break out!”

Kong Lingxin mulled over the doctors’ words. Sure enough, Peng Nan’s entry into the Meng household was definitely not due to genuine talent. There had to be something fishy behind it.

Just then, the treatment room door opened, and Peng Nan and Meng Zexiao walked out side by side.

Kong Lingxin stepped forward and asked Meng Zexiao, “How is it? Did the injury reach the bone?”

Director Huang reassured her, “Don’t worry, madam. Young master’s wound isn’t too deep. The heavy bleeding was mainly due to a damaged blood vessel, but thanks to your quick action to stop the bleeding, he’s fine. Just rest at home for a few days, avoid touching the wound, change the dressing daily, and he’ll recover soon.”

Kong Lingxin thanked them repeatedly.

Peng Nan said nearby, “Don’t worry, doctor. I’ll personally change young master’s dressing.”

Director Huang didn’t glance at Peng Nan but continued instructing Kong Lingxin, “Madam, it will be a bit hard on you these days. Make sure to bandage young master before he showers; otherwise, water could infect the wound.”

Ugh! Do I really have to do this? Though reluctant, with Peng Nan watching, Kong Lingxin was determined to play her part well. “Don’t worry, Director Huang. I am Zexiao’s wife; his wellbeing is my wellbeing.”

Peng Nan’s face was full of jealous resentment, not envy.

Meng Zexiao said, “Director Huang, please don’t tell my parents I came to the hospital. No need to make a fuss.”

Director Huang nodded, “Rest assured, young master. I know what to do.”

Following Meng Zexiao’s instructions, Director Huang did not see him out of the hospital, but Peng Nan faithfully followed Meng Zexiao, fulfilling her duties as a family doctor.

Kong Lingxin deliberately slowed her pace, trailing behind the two.

To an outsider, seeing them side by side, one might mistake them for a couple or even husband and wife.

Yet Kong Lingxin noticed that Meng Zexiao didn’t pay much attention to Peng Nan, not nearly as much care as he showed Bai Tingting in the mall. That day, when Meng Zexiao and Bai Tingting hadn’t noticed her presence, Meng Zexiao was carrying Bai Tingting’s bag, while she focused intently on selecting lingerie, and Meng Zexiao occasionally offered his opinions.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand—just that the world was changing too fast, especially in the realm of wealthy heirs.

Kong Lingxin knew Bai Tingting’s fate would be grim. If one day Meng Zexiao discovered she was an imposter, her outcome wouldn’t be any better than Bai Tingting’s.

As they approached the car, Meng Zexiao received a call from Mrs. Meng. After hanging up, he said to Kong Lingxin, “Hurry up! There’s a banquet tonight!”

“A banquet? What banquet?” Kong Lingxin was startled. They’d barely had a safe western lunch, and now another upscale banquet in the evening—there was no time to prepare at all!

Peng Nan seemed very unwilling to see Meng Zexiao accompanied by Kong Lingxin out in public. She told Meng Zexiao, “Young master, given your current condition, it’s not convenient to attend events. It’s better to rest at home. If you accidentally bump or hurt yourself again, it will affect your recovery. If the wound reopens, it’s easy to scar.”

On this point, Kong Lingxin surprisingly agreed with Peng Nan.

Kong Lingxin said, “Yes! Dr. Peng is right. It’s better to rest at home and not attend any banquet. Your health is the most important thing, Zexiao. Let’s not go, okay?”

Meng Zexiao’s tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. “Enough talk! Go home and change your clothes!”

Kong Lingxin fell silent, lowering her head, thinking to herself—this is bad!

Peng Nan watched Meng Zexiao and Kong Lingxin drive away, her heart filled with bitterness. Why could this damned woman still stand by the young master’s side?

From the rear window of the car, Kong Lingxin glimpsed Peng Nan pull out her phone to make a call. She vaguely sensed it had something to do with Meng Zexiao.

Clinging to her last hope, Kong Lingxin asked Meng Zexiao, “Can I skip the banquet? This will be my first public appearance since the miscarriage. Surely some busybodies will use this chance to badmouth me.”

Meng Zexiao’s expression was cold and emotionless. “Who dares to speak ill of the woman of Meng Zexiao?”

“...”