I Really Didn’t Want to Increase My Favorability!

“Miss Zhu, please come in.”

Qin Yunhe, quick on her feet, warmly pulled Zhu Zhaoxue into the room. As Zhu Zhaoxue entered, she saw Bai Xiaoxiao and the others, nearly losing her composure.

Was this a beauty pageant? Even beauty pageants didn’t have this level of quality.

Initially, she thought Xu Lin was a simple, honest guy.

Could he actually be a player, a rich second-generation heir? But would a rich heir get accidentally injured helping others or cooperate with the police to infiltrate a fraud gang?

She was confused but was quickly led to a seat by Qin Yunhe.

Xu Lin also invited the doctor to sit next to Zhu Zhaoxue. The small table quickly filled up, forcing Xu Lin and Ji Yun to sit to the side.

“Hello, everyone. Sorry to intrude.”

“You’re not intruding at all.”

Xu Lin had expected the atmosphere to be awkward, given the unfamiliar faces, but Huang Ying, the doctor, quickly proved her social skills.

She started with some small talk, introduced herself, chatted about health, daily routines, and funny anecdotes. In no time, she had everyone feeling comfortable.

Xu Lin silently admired her skills. As a socially awkward person, he couldn’t compare to someone with her level of experience.

“Ah, I almost forgot the main reason we’re here. Xu Lin, lift your shirt so I can see the mark.”

“Let’s go over there.”

“Haha, no need to be shy. It’s just us, and the light is better here.”

“Alright.” Xu Lin slowly pulled up one sleeve and lifted his shirt. Instantly, he felt everyone’s eyes on him.

“On the inside of your right arm?”

“Yeah, and a bit on my side too.”

“Let me see.”

Huang Ying came prepared, pulling a disposable glove from her bag and putting it on. She gently turned his arm.

“I see it.”

She began to press lightly and examine closely. The room fell silent as everyone watched. After a few moments, she removed the glove and pressed a few more times before shaking her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Before Xu Lin could speak, Ji Yun and the others anxiously asked. Huang Ying’s head shake had them worried.

“I don’t think this is a skin disease or something caused by an internal condition. Based on my experience, it doesn’t seem like it.”

“Then what is it?”

“It looks more like a birthmark, but I’ve never seen one this pretty appear so suddenly,” Huang Ying said with a helpless smile.

In all her years, she had never encountered a naturally appearing pattern like this.

“Get it checked out just to be sure, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

“That’s a relief.”

Everyone sighed in relief, including Xu Lin.

“We’ll be off now. Our regular tickets only allow us three hours, so we’ll head to the hot springs.”

Seeing there was no further issue, Zhu Zhaoxue prepared to leave. She felt awkward, surrounded by so many beautiful girls, and it seemed odd.

Qin Yunhe was supposedly Xu Lin’s girlfriend, yet Xu Lin appeared closer to Ji Yun.

Could he really be a player? No, this wasn’t her business. She wasn’t interested in dating young guys anyway; she preferred mature men.

“We just got back, so we won’t join you.”

“No worries.”

“Thank you, Sister Huang, for taking a look.”

“No problem. When you come to the hospital, just find me, and I’ll arrange a check-up for you.”

“Alright.”

After seeing the two doctors off, everyone returned to their relaxed state, lying back on the tatami mats.

“That sister is so pretty,” Ji Yun remarked.

“Yeah, her eyes are so captivating,” someone else agreed.

“So why are there always beautiful women around you?” Ji Yun asked Xu Lin.

“How would I know? You can ask everyone how they met me,” Xu Lin replied.

Ji Yun looked at the others. “Let’s all share how we met Xu Lin.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Xu Lin quickly turned his head, feeling like he had dug his own grave.

“We don’t know, so come on,” Qin Yunhe added fuel to the fire.

She had come later and had less information, so she wanted to take this chance to learn more.

“I’ll go first since mine is simple,” Liu Qinnuan raised her hand and began recounting their time in Jinling.

Xu Lin picked up his camera, searching for good material to use later for editing. After a few minutes, he suddenly felt his arm get heavy as someone leaned against him, their hair tickling his neck.

“Liu Qinnuan? Done telling your story?” he asked.

“Yeah, I gave a good account of your heroic deeds.”

“Good thing I didn’t hear it. I would’ve died of embarrassment. You know, I really admire actors not for their acting skills but for how they can say the most awkward things and do the most embarrassing stuff on variety shows.”

“Haha, you’re so right,” Liu Qinnuan laughed heartily at his words.

“That’s why green tea behavior is good; at least it protects oneself.”

“Yeah, but sometimes wearing a mask is exhausting. Coming to Linshui this time, I rarely got to be my true self. Eating, chatting, soaking in hot springs, playing games with so many people…” Liu Qinnuan’s eyes reddened, and her voice dropped, “I feel like I’m finally living the way I should at my age.”

“Liu Qinnuan, life is long. As I said, you can strive for what you want and do the things you want to do.”

“Brother Xu, can I lean on your shoulder?”

“As long as you don’t mind the pressure from the others, go ahead.”

“I’m not afraid,” she said and leaned on his shoulder, suddenly bursting into tears.

What’s wrong with her? Why did she suddenly start crying? But Xu Lin didn’t think Liu Qinnuan was acting; he sensed familiar emotions.

He gently patted her back, recalling his confusion after graduating in his previous life.

Fresh out of university, he’d never been in the real world and wasn’t good at socializing, having a bit of social anxiety. With only 2000 yuan left, no job, and facing hunger in a big city, he broke down after a day of job hunting.

Back at his rental, just as he was about to rest, take a shower, and watch TV, the power went out. It was raining and cold outside, and for some reason, he just collapsed emotionally, crying on the couch. He wanted to call his family but hesitated and didn’t. He knew at 22, he was an adult and couldn’t seek his parents’ help.

After crying, the power came back on, and he felt like he had grown a lot from that breakdown. The next day, shamelessly, he went to interviews and finally got a decent job, though he didn’t stay long.

Since then, he never cried again until he returned to this life and saw his parents, feeling their younger selves’ warmth, and couldn’t hold back.

Everyone has that breaking point where even small things can make them collapse, but passing that point makes them stronger.

Maybe that’s the remarkable part of being human.

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