After Resigning, My Ex-Boss Wants to Possess Me

Wen Tang stood up, and as Cao Yinqiong prepared to leave, she hesitated for a moment before asking Cao Yinqiong, "Doctor Cao, do you have time?"

A hint of skepticism glinted in Cao Yinqiong's eyes.

Wen Tang smiled to ease the awkwardness, "I don't mean anything by it, I just wanted to invite you to dinner," she said. "Consider it an expression of my gratitude."

A smile lifted the corners of Cao Yinqiong's face, a stark contrast to her seriousness during the suture removal. "I'm sorry, I can appreciate your feelings, but the hospital has clear regulations against accepting any form of gratuity from patients or their families. If someone reports it, it could lead to suspension."

Wen Tang thought for a moment, then tried a different angle, "What if I invite you as a friend?"

Her eyes held earnest sincerity.

Cao Yinqiong looked her up and down, "Fine."

Wen Tang's face softened as she responded, "Then I'll send you the address later."

Cao Yinqiong made an 'OK' gesture and walked away, while Wen Tang returned to the hustle at Pei Group with the thought in mind.

All to avoid missing the agreed time with Cao Yinqiong.

She sorted through all the documents in a rush, then stood up and straightened her back.

She was about to leave when she received a summons from the office and headed towards the office, "President Pei, you wanted to see me."

A mountain of files lay before Pei Heyan, "There are errors within. Re-audit them."

Wen Tang's eyes filled with hesitation, "Could it... can it wait until tomorrow?"

Pei Heyan lifted his eyelids to look at her, causing Wen Tang to feel somewhat at a loss.

"I've made dinner plans with Doctor Cao tonight, and I'm worried I'll be late."

Pei Heyan's eyes seemed to harbor a deep abyss as he asked her, "Are you not worried about the errors in the documents? Don't you worry about the impact they could have on the company?"

Unable to argue and unwilling to test Pei Heyan's limits, Wen Tang silently took the stack of documents and went back to her desk to work on them.

She would occasionally glance at the computer screen's clock, managing to find the errors and return them to the office before the appointed time.

"President Pei, they've been corrected," Wen Tang presented the files to him.

Pei Heyan quickly scanned through the documents, but said nothing, continuing to be engrossed in his work.

"I'll be going then," Wen Tang announced softly and closed the door gently behind her. She turned, descended the stairs, flagged down a taxi and arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant to meet Cao Yinqiong.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Wen Tang said as she removed her coat and placed it aside.

"No problem, I always make a habit of arriving early when meeting friends," Cao Yinqiong graciously replied.

Wen Tang smiled, as she typically did the same, though today was an exception.

"It's my treat, so you can order," Wen Tang pushed the menu towards Cao Yinqiong. "Don't stand on ceremony with me since we're friends."

Cao Yinqiong perused the menu, pointing at some pictures, "Let's get some foie gras, a vegetable salad, and the Marseille fish soup."

After she spoke, she looked towards Wen Tang, "I don't know what you like, nor your dietary restrictions, so I didn't order for you."

Understandingly, Wen Tang smiled, "I'll have a steak," and then pointed to the caviar and a Western-style vegetable soup.

The waiter noted their choices and left.

Wen Tang's gaze returned to Cao Yinqiong, causing her to instinctively touch her hair and ask, "Something the matter?"

"No," Wen Tang chuckled. "I just think you look more approachable without the white lab coat."

Puzzled, Cao Yinqiong questioned, "Are you saying I'm too aloof and rigid at work?"

She acknowledged that her colleagues saw her that way.

Shaking her head, Wen Tang clarified, "No, you look good when you're focused too. It's just that your current dress makes you seem more approachable." "Perhaps it's also because we're not here as doctor and patient," Wen Tang reflected, as the waiter served the steak, "Thank you."

The two of them began to eat and chat.

Wen Tang intended to make eye contact with Cao Yinqiong but inadvertently caught sight of Lu Nianxin nearby.

Suddenly, the food in her mouth lost all flavor, and her chewing slowed to a halt.

Cao Yinqiong noticed and glanced over, her gaze fixing on Lu Nianxin.

She dismissed her friends and approached the pair.

"What a coincidence to bump into you here," Lu Nianxin exchanged a glance with Wen Tang and extended a hand to Cao Yinqiong, "Hello, Doctor Cao."

Cao Yinqiong wiped her mouth and shook Lu Nianxin's hand in a token gesture.

She didn't say welcome, but her expression wasn't pleasant.

It seemed like she didn't particularly care for her presence.

"Is it convenient?" Lu Nianxin asked Wen Tang, "Shall we join tables?"

"Oh, I came alone. I'm worried that my friends will disturb you two if they join," Lu Nianxin said understandingly, signaling to her friends not to approach.

As Wen Tang was about to speak, Cao Yinqiong squeezed her wrist, and without sparing Lu Nianxin's feelings, replied, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect to run into Miss Lu here. This dinner is just between Wen Tang and me, perhaps another time."

"I'll definitely drink a few more toasts to apologize to Miss Lu then." Her words clearly didn't match her feelings.

If not for Wen Tang, she wouldn't have bothered at all.

Lu Nianxin's face darkened, "Are you sure you won't give me this face?"

Wen Tang shook her head at Cao Yinqiong as if signaling her not to aggravate Lu Nianxin further.

Unintimidated, Cao Yinqiong looked at Lu Nianxin with unspoken refusal, her intention to get her to leave clear.

Lu Nianxin clenched her teeth, "This is outrageous. Aren't you afraid I'll make one call to the hospital and have you suspended?"

As if she hadn't heard, Cao Yinqiong continued to eat, dismissing Lu Nianxin.

She wasn't worried, for she hadn't done anything wrong—after all, this was a personal matter.

It was just like the time at the hospital when being considered for a job title; had she just spoken a few flattering words to cozy up to the superiors and combined it with her excellent medical skills, her salary would undoubtedly be a few thousand higher. But she disdained using such lowly tactics.

"Fine!" Lu Nianxin felt insulted and embarrassed, "I'll call Pei He right now; you just wait for your suspension notice!"

As Lu Nianxin made her way to the restroom, and Wen Tang considered Cao Yinqiong's composed demeanor, she couldn't help but speak up.

"Miss Lu, there are surveillance cameras here," she cautioned.

Lu Nianxin took her phone from her ear, glanced at the corners and saw the cameras.

"That means everything said just now has been recorded. If Doctor Cao gets suspended and the matter becomes public, do you think the things you've hidden will stay buried?"