Chapter 117: No Meeting Without a Grudge

"Divine Doctor, won't you give me a ride?"

Zhang Shen, aware of Ye Qiong's intentions, decided it was his turn to play hard to get.

"I'm afraid that... well, that doesn't seem quite appropriate."

"What's wrong with it?"

"We aren't exactly close, and since you just rejected me earlier, I'm feeling quite piqued."

In truth, Ye Qiong was merely looking for a convenient lift and hadn't given it much thought. But seeing Zhang Shen hedging and stalling, her temper flared.

"Fine, keep your seat!"

With a huff, she turned on her heel and strode out of the classroom.

Zhang Shen was unfazed. Since Ye Qiong was being so "stubborn," he would just wait for Wang Ying to return. He walked directly to the school gate, where Lu Ming’s car was already idling. A graceful figure sat in the passenger seat—someone Zhang Shen recognized immediately.

As he approached, Zhang Shen called out, "Teacher Hao, what a coincidence! Are you going to sponge a meal too?"

Hao Lei’s face flushed red at the comment, and Lu Ming quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Divine Doctor, you are my father's guest, and Teacher Hao is my mother's. You are both my esteemed guests today, so please, no squabbling!"

Zhang Shen couldn't help but admire Lu Ming's emotional intelligence.

"Teacher Lu, I don't quite understand. How could I dare to cross swords with Teacher Hao? Whenever I see her, I feel like a mouse meeting a cat—I’m looking for an exit before she even spots me."

Hao Lei’s expression turned icy at his words.

"I had actually prepared some rat poison for you, but it seems it won't be necessary after all."

Sensing a hidden meaning, Zhang Shen asked, "Teacher Hao, what do you mean? This student doesn't quite follow."

"Oh my! Who knew there was something our 'Divine Doctor' didn't understand?"

Confused, Zhang Shen shot a sidelong glance at Lu Ming. Seeing the "fire and water" tension, Lu Ming dared not speak until Hao Lei gave him a meaningful look. He realized she wanted him to explain.

"The 'rat poison' Teacher Hao mentioned is actually the answer key for the exam. She intended to give it to you as soon as you got in the car, but then you had to go and say that."

Zhang Shen slapped his thigh, suddenly grasping the gravity of the situation. "So that's it! You truly are my savior."

Watching Zhang Shen’s sudden transformation into a drama queen, Hao Lei nearly burst into laughter. "I wouldn't go that far. Didn't you just call me a cat?"

Zhang Shen realized then that a woman’s desire for revenge has no age limit; they are the type who never lets a grudge slide. Now, it was Hao Lei’s turn to settle the score.

"Teacher Hao, how could you be a cat? We’re all practically family; you shouldn't talk about yourself that way."

"Family?"

Though she held the answer key, Hao Lei was baffled by his logic, as was Lu Ming. They weren't even a family unit yet, so how did he fit into the equation?

Zhang Shen continued calmly, "It’s simple. Teacher Hao is my teacher, and Teacher Lu is my teacher. By that logic, we are all part of the same academic family. And if you want to dig deeper, I’m the matchmaker between the two of you!"

Hao Lei turned away, blushing furiously. Before Zhang Shen could react, his phone chimed—Hao Lei had sent him the answer key. To Zhang Shen, those answers looked more endearing than his own master. His master was great, but distant; these answers were the immediate lifeline he needed to survive his current plight.

Just as he was about to study the file, a gentle voice drifted from outside the car.

"Teacher Hao, what a coincidence! Are you heading out?"

Hao Lei looked back to see Ye Qiong. "Ye Qiong? Are you heading out as well?"

Zhang Shen, sitting in the back, immediately felt that nothing good would come of her presence. To prevent her from discovering his secret, he quickly powered off his phone.

"Yes, I heard Wang Ying's father was ill, so I wanted to visit him."

"It wasn't an illness, but poisoning," Hao Lei explained. "But thankfully, our Divine Doctor was there, and he is now perfectly fine."

Ye Qiong already knew about the situation, but she listened politely to Hao Lei’s update. "In that case, we certainly owe a debt of gratitude to our Divine Doctor!"

Spotting Zhang Shen in the car, she added, "Divine Doctor, where are you off to? Don't tell me you're planning to be a third wheel?"

Given that the three of them were the first to know about Lu Ming and Hao Lei’s relationship, no one took offense at her teasing.

"I’ve been invited as a guest to Teacher Lu’s father’s home," Zhang Shen replied, puffing out his chest with pride.

Ye Qiong didn't seem to care. She just smiled and turned to Lu Ming. "In that case, Teacher Lu, could you be a good soul and drop me off at Wang Ying's place on the way?"

Lu Ming couldn't very well refuse. "Get in. I'll drop you off first."

Zhang Shen was stunned. Within ten minutes, this young lady had somehow finagled her way into the car and was now sitting right next to him. Truly, enemies always seem to cross paths.

After dropping Ye Qiong at Wang Ying's dumpling shop, Lu Ming suggested they all go in to visit the father. However, the scene inside left them all in disbelief. They had expected the man to be resting after having the toxins purged from his system, but instead, he was already busy at the stall, serving customers. It was absolute madness!

Zhang Shen rushed forward, shouting over the bustle, "Uncle, why are you already out of bed?"