Chapter 29: Surrounded by Beauties

Since her birth, this beauty had been favored by the heavens. No matter where she went, she became the center of attention. Tang Yixue, sitting by the window, was undoubtedly such a woman—an exquisite beauty who would stand out in any crowd.

She wore a lilac jacket, black leggings, and denim shorts cut high at the hips, her alluring figure showcased without reservation. Scarlet high heels completed her look. Dressed like this, both men and women would slow their steps to admire such a remarkable sight.

Lin Yang's rather indecorous act of grasping Tang Yixue’s delicate foot beneath the table seemed secretive, yet it was actually in full view of everyone outside the café. This discordant scene inevitably provoked a stir in the onlookers, and a wave of discontent rippled through the crowd.

“A lecher!” That was the unspoken curse in the minds of passing men—though, truth be told, they could only wish to be in his place.

“Shameless! A scoundrel! A pervert!” The women, meanwhile, bristled at Tang Yixue’s predicament. Yet, if the handsome man across from her had tried something similar with them, perhaps they would have gladly offered their own feet.

Sour grapes—the world is full of envy!

In the blink of an eye, dozens of eyes fell upon the unsuspecting pair. The power of the crowd is tremendous; to be stared at by so many contemptuous, murderous gazes—if one could remain indifferent to that, their skin must be impenetrably thick. With a wry smile, Lin Yang reluctantly released Tang Yixue’s dainty foot. He turned and shot a baleful glare at the dispersing onlookers outside, cursing under his breath, “Damn, what kind of people are these?”

Tang Yixue, beside him, nearly burst out laughing.

“Hey! Isn’t that young man the plastic surgeon who’s been all over the news?” Some people have sharp eyes, and this single comment caused a commotion. Everyone stood on tiptoe to get a better look, even those in a hurry slowed their steps and craned their necks.

The most sensational news that morning was not the sudden death of Director Luo of the Health Bureau, but rather that yesterday’s newly crowned champion of the medical competition—founder of the Thirteen Blades Clinic—had his shop smashed that very night. Lin Yang, the mysterious young doctor, was at the heart of it all.

With the clinic vandalized and its director yet to appear, interviews had become impossible. Yet here he was, leisurely chatting with a beautiful woman in a café, boldly making such suggestive gestures.

“Yes, it’s him! He looks even younger and more handsome than in the paper,” gushed a smitten young woman.

Fame has its perks, but being the center of gossip was one Lin Yang could not find joy in.

When it comes to speed, paparazzi are unmatched. No sooner had Lin Yang been recognized than several camera-toting reporters appeared as if from nowhere, snapping away through the glass without end.

Glancing outside, Lin Yang could only shake his head in resignation. This place was no longer a refuge. He turned to Tang Yixue, surprised that she showed no sign of annoyance at the photographers. “Yixue, aren’t you angry?”

“Why be angry? They’ll leave once they’ve taken their pictures.” She smiled and shrugged, obviously no stranger to such attention.

If the lady herself was unfazed by exposure, what did Lin Yang, a grown man, have to fear? Having just stood up, he sat back down, picked up his coffee, and drank deeply. He would’ve liked to light a cigarette to calm himself, but a “No Smoking” sign stared him down from the wall.

True to Tang Yixue’s words, after five minutes of furious clicking, the paparazzi, grinning with satisfaction, finally departed—likely eager to claim credit for their scoop.

Order was soon restored. Tang Yixue, her smile fading, grew serious. “I heard some news from Uncle Li. The matter is resolved—the Jiang family has had to swallow their losses, brought low by a spoiled brat. It’s a sorry fate for them. Xiao Yang, what are your plans now? Are you still thinking of going after that Jiang boy?”

She worried that Lin Yang, unable to let go, might act impulsively and seek revenge alone, putting himself in danger. Her question was half a test.

“No, it’s all over. I’ve got better things to do. If I run into that jerk again, maybe I’ll collect a little interest, but I’m too busy to bother with him now.” Lin Yang grinned, downing another cup of coffee.

Seeing he wouldn’t act rashly, Tang Yixue breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Her tense features softened into a smile as radiant as a blossoming peach flower, captivating beyond measure. Lin Yang’s heart soared, his hormones surging at a rate beyond the norm.

He was just pondering whether to invite her to a movie after their coffee, perhaps growing closer and settling things between them, when a melodious voice interrupted his reverie.

“Yixue, Lin Yang, you’re here too!” Zhu Yunyun, dressed in a white, furry jacket, tight jeans, and white sneakers, had just entered. As she scanned the room for a seat, her gaze landed on the highly conspicuous Tang Yixue. She immediately pulled along another girl, whose beauty was in no way inferior, and made her way over.

“Speak of the devil,” Tang Yixue teased with a smile as she saw Zhu Yunyun approach.

“Oh? Who’s been talking about me?” Zhu Yunyun pretended to frown, pressing for an answer with mock severity.

“With a beauty like you, people are more likely singing your praises,” interjected the girl behind her, pouting playfully.

She wore a pink short jacket, black denim shorts, nude leggings, and blue crystal shoes, with a coffee-colored LV handbag slung over one arm. Her outfit was a charming blend of sweetness and wildness—Lin Yang, as a man, mentally noted his impression.

“And you are...?” Lin Yang rose gracefully, showing the proper courtesy one owes a beautiful woman.

“Bai Jing. ‘Bai’ as in white, ‘Jing’ as in quiet.” The girl responded with a polite, dazzling smile that drew more than a few covetous stares.

“What an interesting introduction. Please, sit. Your beauty draws too much attention. If you keep standing, I might just die from all the jealous glares.” Lin Yang joked, glancing around. Sure enough, not only were there uncomfortable stares from inside the café, but a whole new crowd of hostile eyes had gathered outside.

“Lin Yang—‘Lin’ as in Lincoln, ‘Yang’ as in the boundless ocean.” After the two girls sat down, Lin Yang followed suit with a playful introduction. Lincoln? A great man. The ocean? Even greater.

Tang Yixue, not to be outdone, offered her name plainly, “Tang Yixue.”

After these introductions, the four had a basic understanding of each other. For Lin Yang, being in the company of beautiful women was an honor—three at once, no less. He couldn’t help but feel as if he had fallen into a nest of happiness. Even if he were to die from the envy of all those watching eyes, he would do so without regret.

“To die beneath a peony blossom is a romantic death—the ancients were truly wise.”

“Xiao Yang, I heard your Thirteen Blades Clinic was vandalized. Do you know who did it?” The small talk ended when Zhu Yunyun suddenly asked, unable to resist the curiosity stoked by the city’s gossip and the media frenzy.

Lin Yang simply shook his head with a smile. He couldn’t very well say that the troublemaker, Chairman Luo, had already been dealt with by his powerful father in a staged car accident—a crime the Lin family would never commit, at least not openly.

“Yunyun, what’s done is done. Complaining won’t help. Your father is the secretary of the municipal committee—he’ll have to take responsibility for this.” Tang Yixue grinned mischievously, teasing her friend.

“My father takes this matter very seriously,” Zhu Yunyun replied earnestly, her expression grim. She even took the opportunity to curse the late Chairman Luo, the recently departed soul, with righteous indignation.

The dead find no peace. Who knows if Chairman Luo, from beyond the grave, would be angered enough to return for revenge?

The unpleasant topic was soon dropped. Three women together indeed made for lively company, as the saying goes. Lin Yang quickly found himself somewhat superfluous. The women had endless topics—makeup, fashion, and more—eventually even delving into sensitive territory: bra sizes, thong underwear, and the like. Lin Yang, who prided himself on his thick skin, realized he still had much to learn.

After half an hour, with throats parched, the three finally paused. To their surprise, each had consumed three times as much coffee as Lin Yang.

Coffee is known for keeping one alert. After all that chatting, the women remained full of energy. Suddenly, Zhu Yunyun exclaimed, startling the group.

“Yunyun, what’s with the ‘oh no’? You nearly scared me to death,” Bai Jing complained, having nearly dropped her coffee in shock. She dabbed her lips with a napkin, pouting in mild reproach.

“Hmph, you little ingrate! I got so caught up, I nearly forgot something important—because of you!” Zhu Yunyun shot Bai Jing a glare.

“What important thing?” Bai Jing asked innocently, not understanding her friend’s irritation.

“What else? Isn’t it about your—your scar?” Zhu Yunyun’s face reddened with embarrassment, and she quickly corrected herself before revealing anything too sensitive in front of others.