176: Chapter 176 The White Lotus Invitation

Tian Ningning shook her head. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Mr. Cao..."

"Still calling me Mr. Cao?"

Tian Ningning smiled. "Then what should I call you? Cao Kun? Brother Kun?"

"Either is fine."

"Brother Kun," she tried calling out, then smiled. "It sounds nice."

She leaned against his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat.

"Brother Kun, I have a question."

"Hmm?"

"Do you... like me? Even just a little bit?"

Cao Kun was silent for a second. "I do."

Tian Ningning looked up at him. "Really?"

"Really."

She smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "That's enough then."

She leaned back into his embrace. "I don't ask for anything else. I don't ask for you to love only me, or to take responsibility for me. As long as you can come see me occasionally, and occasionally... hold me like this, I'll be satisfied."

Cao Kun gently kissed the top of her head. "Aren't you being silly?"

"I am," Tian Ningning laughed. "But I like you, so I'm willing to be silly."

Moonlight from outside filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting faint shadows on the floor.

In Cao Kun's arms, Tian Ningning gradually fell asleep.

She had a dream where Zhang Genshuo never appeared. She was working normally at the hospital when one day, a man was brought into the ER for low blood sugar. He was very handsome and very gentle with her...

Then she woke up, saw Cao Kun beside her, and smiled.

The dream was fake.

But this person being by her side was real.

That was enough.

...

The early morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting fragmented spots of light on the bedsheets.

Cao Kun opened his eyes to find Tian Ningning fast asleep in his arms.

She was curled up like a kitten, her hand still clutching his arm, a faint smile on her lips.

He gently pulled his arm away and got up to get dressed.

Tian Ningning stirred and opened her eyes groggily. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I have some things to do." Cao Kun leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Sleep a bit longer."

Tian Ningning nodded and closed her eyes again, the smile on her lips deepening.

Cao Kun quietly left the bedroom, put on his coat, and just as he opened the front door, his phone vibrated.

It was an unknown number, but the location showed Zhongzhou City.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Cao?" a gentle female voice came through. "It's White Lotus Flower."

Cao Kun was slightly taken aback, a strange premonition suddenly surging in his heart.

"Miss White? Is something the matter?"

"Um..." White Lotus Flower's voice carried a hint of nervousness. "I wanted to invite you out for the day to thank you for helping us. I was wondering if you have any time?"

Cao Kun was stunned.

White Lotus Flower was inviting him out?

He had just left Tian Ningning, and now White Lotus Flower was calling?

What about Tina? Would Tina also...

He shook his head, pushing the strange thought out of his mind.

"Go out?"

"Yes, to an ancient town nearby. The scenery is quite nice."

White Lotus Flower said, "I've checked; it's only about an hour's drive away. We can go and come back the same day, so it won't interfere with your work."

Cao Kun was silent for a second.

He wanted to refuse.

He had just been with Tian Ningning... going out with White Lotus Flower now felt a bit off.

But in White Lotus Flower's voice, there was a cautious sense of expectation.

"Which day?" he asked.

"Today! If you're free..." After saying that, White Lotus Flower quickly added, "If you don't have time, that's fine too. Another day works."

Cao Kun checked the time.

Thinking about it, he didn't have anything else to do today.

"Okay," he said. "What time should we leave? I'll drive over to pick you up."

"Really?!" White Lotus Flower's voice instantly brightened. "Then... then let's meet at nine at the entrance of my Residential Complex!"

"Okay! I'll be there at nine sharp!"

Hanging up the phone, Cao Kun stood in the hallway, looking at the rising sun outside. His mood was a bit complicated.

White Lotus Flower was coming around too.

What about Tina?

Would she come looking for him as well?

Sigh, being too handsome isn't always good; these women always like to take the initiative to stick to me.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

Since he had promised, he would go.

...

At nine in the morning, Cao Kun parked his car at the entrance of the Fenghua Li Residential Complex.

White Lotus Flower was at the gate. When she saw Cao Kun get out of the car, her heart rate instantly quickened.

He was dressed casually today.

A dark gray hoodie, black casual pants—a simple outfit that made him look clean and tall.

The sunlight shone on his face, and his eyes were calm and deep.

"Mr. Cao!" she quickly waved to greet him.

Cao Kun was slightly stunned when he saw her.

Today's White Lotus Flower was completely different from when he saw her in the apartment that day.

A white knit sweater paired with a light coffee-colored long skirt, her long hair loose and wearing light makeup; she looked as gentle and elegant as a painting.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No, no, I just arrived too," White Lotus Flower replied with a smile.

"Then get in the car!"

White Lotus Flower sat in the passenger seat. There was a faint scent in the car—not perfume, but more like the smell of laundry detergent mixed with sunlight.

The car started and drove out of the city.

The two of them chatted as they went.

They soon arrived at their destination.

Qingxi Town.

More than eighty kilometers from Zhongzhou City, it was nestled between mountains and water, preserving many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings.

Although it wasn't the weekend, there were still quite a few tourists.

Cao Kun parked the car in the lot at the town entrance, and the two of them walked in along the bluestone path.

The ancient town was very quiet, with small bridges over flowing water and white walls with black tiles.

Occasionally, a sculling boat would pass under a bridge, the boatwoman singing an incomprehensible Jiangnan tune.

"It's really beautiful here," Cao Kun said, looking around.

"I came here once before, and I had a very good impression of it." White Lotus Flower walked by his side with light steps. "I've wanted to come back ever since, but I had no one to accompany me."

After saying that, she realized the words were a bit ambiguous, and her face turned slightly red.

Cao Kun didn't respond, only looking at the stone bridge not far away. "Shall we go take a look?"

"Yes!"

The two of them crossed the stone bridge and came to an even narrower alley.

Both sides were lined with small shops selling various handicrafts and local snacks.

"Mr. Cao, are you hungry?" White Lotus Flower asked. "I remember there's a shop here with particularly delicious noodles."

"Sure."

They found the shop; it was a very small noodle house, but it was crowded.

They ordered two bowls of the signature noodles and sat in a window seat.

Sunlight filtered through the wooden window, casting dappled shadows on the tabletop.

White Lotus Flower took small bites of her noodles, stealing a glance at Cao Kun every now and then.

He was focused on eating his noodles, but his movements were elegant, unlike some people who slurped loudly.

"Is it good?" she asked.

"Yeah, not bad."

White Lotus Flower smiled and lowered her head to continue eating.

Outside, a small bird landed on the windowsill, tilted its head to look at them, then flapped its wings and flew away.

After finishing the noodles, they continued exploring.

After passing through a few more alleys, the view suddenly opened up.

It was a small lake with clear water, reflecting the weeping willows and white walls along the shore.

Several small boats floated on the lake, with people on board drinking tea and chatting.

"Shall we go boating?" White Lotus Flower suggested.

Cao Kun nodded.

They rented a small boat and sat inside while the boatman sculled from the stern.

The boat slowly drifted toward the center of the lake.

White Lotus Flower sat opposite Cao Kun, her hands on her knees, feeling a bit nervous.

The boat rocked gently, and she tipped slightly, nearly falling over.

Cao Kun reached out to steady her. "Careful."

His hand gripped her wrist, warm and strong.

White Lotus Flower blushed. "Thank you."

Cao Kun let go, but the warm sensation on her wrist lingered for a long time.

The lake surface was very quiet, with only the sound of the oar hitting the water and the distant chirping of birds.

White Lotus Flower looked at the lake water, then at Cao Kun opposite her, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.

Being with the person she liked, in such a beautiful place, slowly drifting along.

If only it could be like this forever.

"Mr. Cao," she suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?"

"Why... why did you help us?" she asked the question she had been holding in for a long time. "I mean, we're not related or even friends. You could have completely ignored it."

Cao Kun looked at the lake water and was silent for a few seconds.

"Because I can't stand people like Zhang Genshuo. Scum like him should pay the price."

"Just because of that?"

"Yes."

White Lotus Flower looked at him, her gaze softening.

"You know," she said softly.

"I never used to believe there were good people in this world. My ex-boyfriend lied to me, and Zhang Genshuo lied to me too. I thought all men were like that."

She paused. "But you're different."

...