Chapter 269: Crisis

Lin Fang was both amused and exasperated by Rouqiu and Guo Hongping. Glancing at Rouqiu’s broad, fleshy back, she gave him a kick that sent him sprawling to the ground. “You? A lump of meat like you? You might not even make it halfway up before whining about quitting.”

“Heh, no way! I’ve been waiting for this day half my life,” Rouqiu said, dusting himself off nonchalantly as he got up. The two of them flanked Lin Fang, pressing forward as if afraid she might turn back the moment they let their guard down.

When they reached the teaching building, Rouqiu immediately shouted, “Young Master Xiao! My sister’s here! Aren’t you going to greet her?”

Eager to attend the dance and see the beauties at the hospital, Rouqiu had decided to keep calling Lin Fang “sister” all day to butter her up.

At the stairwell stood three people—one man and two women. The man wore a black suit with a tie underneath a long black overcoat. Though not particularly tall—only about 1.23 meters—his looks were undeniably charming, dashing and handsome enough to captivate any girl.

The women had curvaceous figures and were dressed identically: white bat-wing sweaters that reached their waists, black mini wool skirts, and knee-high stiletto boots with sheer stockings. Their height matched the man’s, and they too wore long overcoats—stylish yet freezing.

The outfits of Lin Fang’s trio stood in stark contrast.

Lin Fang wore a white down jacket, a red turtleneck sweater, and checkered wool trousers in red, black, and blue. Her flat-heeled black leather boots were lined with cotton. Bundled against the cold, she had the hood of her jacket pulled up and a black-and-white checkered cotton mask covering most of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed.

Guo Hongping’s attire wasn’t as extreme as Lin Fang’s, but it was close. Her color scheme was the inverse: a red down jacket, a white-collared sweater, and black wool pants. Being plump and short-legged, she opted for low-heeled ankle boots instead of knee-high ones. She didn’t wear a mask, but her hood hung loosely over her head.

Rouqiu’s outfit was as unchanging as ever. His padded jacket and down coat were either black or blue, and his sweaters and pants followed the same dull palette. Today, however, he’d made an effort—his sweater was off-white, making him look slightly more presentable. But compared to the lean, handsome man opposite him, Rouqiu seemed like a prop meant to highlight the other’s appeal.

Hearing Rouqiu’s shout, the three turned their attention toward them. The man was none other than Xiao Guanpeng, who jogged over with a bright smile. Lin Fang removed her mask.

The two beauties glanced at Lin Fang’s group, curled their lips, and haughtily turned away to whisper to each other.

Lin Fang was used to such looks. She didn’t bother listening to their murmurs—no doubt some disdainful remarks about her and her friends. If anything, she felt relieved. As long as Xiao Guanpeng was here, she could send Rouqiu and Guo Hongping upstairs without having to go up herself.

Just this short walk had already drained her. All she wanted now was to hurry back and sleep.

Xiao Guanpeng beamed as he reached her. “Lin Fang! I’m so glad you came! I thought you’d really refuse. I was planning to make a quick appearance at the dance and then sneak out to find you.”

Lin Fang smiled. “I wasn’t planning to come, but these two wouldn’t leave me alone. Since you’re here, let them go in. I’m heading back to school.”

Xiao Guanpeng wasn’t about to let her leave so easily. “No way! You’re finally here—let me play host properly.”

“No need,” Lin Fang shook her head. “I’m just dropping them off. I’m not interested in dancing, and I don’t want to be in the way.”

“In the way? You’d be the elegant swan, and everyone else would just be ugly crows.”

The moment Xiao Guanpeng said this, the others burst into laughter—Rouqiu and Guo Hongping in amusement, the two beauties in mockery.

Guo Hongping chimed in, “Lin Fang, just go up. Young Master Xiao’s being so nice—leaving now would be rude. Besides, Rouqiu and I don’t know anyone here except Dr. Xiao. It’d be awkward for us.”

Then, to Xiao Guanpeng, she added, “Lin Fang has a cold. She’s feeling weak.”

Xiao Guanpeng grabbed Lin Fang’s hand. “No problem. I’ll carry you up.”

The moment he touched her, Guo Hongping’s eyes flicked to their joined hands before she quickly looked away. Lin Fang noticed but said nothing. She changed her mind—she’d stay and settle things today.

Yanking her hand free, Lin Fang took a step back and laughed. “No need. With these two around, I’ll make it up.”

Rouqiu wedged his round body between Lin Fang and Xiao Guanpeng, grinning so wide his eyes disappeared. “Exactly! Even if we have to push her, we’ll get my sister up there.”

Guo Hongping took Lin Fang’s other hand and reassured Xiao Guanpeng, “We dragged her here—we’ll make sure she gets in. Don’t worry.”

Xiao Guanpeng, though disappointed, didn’t give up. He led the way upstairs, guiding them toward the dance hall.

Just as they reached the second floor, Lin Fang overheard the two beauties whispering below:

“So this is the ‘angel’ Xiao Guanpeng keeps talking about? She looks like a malnourished African refugee.”

“Seriously, what does he see in her? Ugh, a flower like him stuck in manure.”

Despite their hushed tones, nothing escaped Lin Fang’s sharp ears.

Inside the dance hall, Rouqiu shamelessly flirted with the nurses, sweet-talking them until they giggled. Even the older women were charmed. Soon, he’d vanished from Lin Fang’s side.

Most attendees were working adults, older than Lin Fang. Even the youngest nurses, barely twenty, seemed more mature in demeanor and style compared to Lin Fang, who was still a student. Though she sat in an inconspicuous spot, people still pointed and whispered.

After the dance began, Lin Fang declined a few invitations and was left alone—just how she liked it.

No one asked Guo Hongping to dance either, but she didn’t seem to mind. She sat quietly beside Lin Fang, her eyes never leaving Xiao Guanpeng.

The two beauties from earlier co-hosted the event with Xiao Guanpeng. Their seamless coordination suggested this wasn’t their first time working together. The dance was lively, especially thanks to Xiao Guanpeng’s wit, humor, and impressive moves, which drew every girl’s attention.

While Guo Hongping watched Xiao Guanpeng, Lin Fang, bored, tuned into the room’s subtle sounds. She noticed Guo Hongping’s occasional downturned gaze and despondent expression. Lin Fang understood—compared to the girls dancing with Xiao Guanpeng, Guo Hongping felt inferior. She didn’t offer comfort; some lessons had to be learned firsthand.

“Lin Fang, I’m so sorry. I invited you here to enjoy yourself, but I’ve been too busy to entertain you. I asked someone to bring you black tea—it should arrive soon.” During a brief lull, Xiao Guanpeng, now in just his white shirt and slightly sweaty, sat across from Lin Fang to apologize and rest.

His presence instantly made Lin Fang the center of attention. The two hostesses sneered as they murmured to others about Xiao Guanpeng’s praise for Lin Fang. The room buzzed with ridicule and curiosity—none of which escaped Lin Fang’s ears.

“It’s fine. Hosting is important—don’t worry about me. I’m just sitting here; it’s not tiring,” Lin Fang said politely, casually picking up a dozen peanuts from a dish to fiddle with.

Xiao Guanpeng stood and extended his hand. “Nonsense. I invited you—I can’t neglect my most honored guest. Lin Fang, may I have this dance?”

Lin Fang rose. “Sure. I was getting bored anyway.” She followed him to the dance floor, the peanuts still in her hand before disappearing into her sleeve.

Just as they reached the edge of the floor, the music switched to disco—a freeform style where anyone could dance however they liked. The crowd surged forward, packing the floor. Lin Fang used the chaos to distance herself from Xiao Guanpeng.

Her sharp reflexes let her anticipate his movements, ensuring he never touched her.

Listening carefully, Lin Fang navigated the room, gradually moving toward a specific spot.

Timing it perfectly, she arrived just as the disco song ended. The hall fell silent for a moment—until the two hostesses began coughing violently, unable to stop. Chaos erupted. Xiao Guanpeng, without a word to Lin Fang, rushed to their aid.

As the next disco track started, the dance floor became a frenzy again. Xiao Guanpeng was still fussing over the coughing women. Lin Fang strolled out, smirking. Only two peanuts were missing from her sleeve—enough to leave those two mute for two weeks.

As for the others who’d harbored ill will toward her, if they dared act, she wouldn’t mind feeding them a few more peanuts—assuming they could stomach them.

Leaving the teaching building, Lin Fang headed to the outpatient wing. Even on a weekend afternoon, the place was packed.

After weaving through the corridors, she doubled back behind her pursuers.

Pausing briefly, she memorized the faces of those now aimlessly wandering the lobby before swiftly returning to the dance hall. With Xiao Guanpeng now the sole host, he had no time to spare for Lin Fang or her friends.

Finding Rouqiu and Guo Hongping, Lin Fang ushered them out of the hospital without delay.