After buying the jewelry, Lin Jie, Lin Miao, and An Kemeng, under the introduction of Zheng Guodong, went to the dining area on the fourth floor of the hotel to eat the local specialty, pot-cooked stew.

When Zheng Guodong took his leave, he also told Lin Jie that all the staff at the resort had received images of the female thief and were actively looking for her.

As long as she's still in the resort, they will definitely find her.

"So beautiful, hehe!"

While waiting for the food, An Kemeng and Lin Miao took out the jewelry again, enjoying the sight with great delight.

Lin Jie suddenly noticed that both Lin Miao and An Kemeng had no ear piercings and joked, "Neither of you have pierced ears. Do you want me to help you with that?"

"I promise it'll be quick, precise, and just a bit painful!"

Lin Miao held the pearl earrings up to her earlobe and said, "When we get back to Binhai, my brother will pierce my ears for me!"

An Kemeng, on the other hand, protected her earlobes with her hands, saying, "I don't want to pierce them—it's too painful. I have a classmate who did it, and her earlobes were swollen for days. The earrings I chose are a gift for my sister, to match the pendant you gave."

Saying this, she picked up the pearl pendant that was custom-made on the spot, pouting, "This pendant is pretty nice on its own. But compared to the batch the shop owner brought out later, it's clearly not in the same league, so I'll keep it for myself!"

Lin Jie chuckled and said, "You're still a high school student; you don't need to wear jewelry all the time. If there's really an occasion to wear jewelry, you can borrow your sister's!"

An Kemeng suddenly realized, with a cheerful laugh, "Oh right, my sister's things are pretty much like my own; I can use them anytime."

At this time, the dishes they ordered began to arrive, served by the waitstaff.

The meat, chicken, and fish cooked in the pot were tender and fell off the bones, extremely flavorful, prompting the three to eat with great enjoyment as their appetites were piqued.

During that time, An Kemeng looked at a message she received on her phone and said somewhat gloomily, "My cousin has returned from abroad and isn't leaving this time."

Lin Miao asked teasingly, "You don't seem happy. Does this cousin often bully you?"

An Kemeng nodded emphatically, saying, "When I was little, he always bullied me, often making me cry. Anyway, I just don't like him."

Lin Jie naturally understood that the cousin An Kemeng mentioned was Chen Shi's son, and he asked, "Is he also a doctor?"

"No, he's not a doctor!"

An Kemeng poked a piece of fish in her bowl, saying, "He studied business and an MBA abroad, and later worked for a medical equipment company there."

"I once heard Uncle mention they intend to bring him back to help my sister, possibly to oversee things at the hospital."

This made Lin Jie a bit uneasy as well.

He felt quite comfortable and in sync working with An Kexin, and the thought of suddenly partnering with someone else just made him feel awkward.

"Is this decided?"

Lin Jie, concerned, further probed, "Has the decision to let your cousin manage the hospital been finalized?"

An Kemeng gently shook her head and said, "I just overheard Uncle mention it once."

"Uncle said my sister is too busy, handling all the company's and hospital affairs by herself, while also worrying about our father and me. She needs someone to share the load, so they're planning to bring my cousin back."

Lin Jie knew that what Chen Shi said was indeed the truth.

An Weize had limited mobility, mainly dealing with decision-making and personnel management at the company. Plus, he intentionally groomed An Kexin, leaving almost everything but the overall direction to her management.

The company's operations were manageable, but the hospital's establishment was a complex undertaking, now furthered by the charity fund addition...

Considering this, Lin Jie also thought that An Kexin was indeed overburdened and truly needed a reliable assistant.

An Kemeng continued, "Uncle probably discussed it with Dad. Now that my cousin is back, it seems they've already made up their minds, likely having him manage either the hospital or the company's affairs."

Lin Miao gave An Kemeng a piece of lean and not greasy pork belly, saying, "After the Spring Festival, I'll start working. I'll do what I can with the charity fund, so at least it's a bit of help."

"Kemeng, grow up quickly, so that once you get into college, you can also help take on some of your sister's responsibilities."

An Kemeng stuffed the piece of meat into her mouth, cheeks puffed on one side, and mumbled, "I've already decided. I want to study medicine as well and become a great doctor, like Brother Jie."

"Being a doctor requires a lot of courage. Can you really do it?" Lin Miao clearly doubted.

An Kemeng puffed out her chest, defiantly saying, "Sister Miaomiao, don't underestimate me. I am very brave, really very brave."

Lin Miao giggled and said, "Really? Just the other day while diving, someone nearly panicked over a fish darting out."

"That fish was fierce and ugly, okay? It appeared so suddenly. If it were you, you'd also be scared..." The more An Kemeng spoke, the softer her voice became, bowing her head until it was nearly to her chest.

Lin Jie quickly intervened to break the awkwardness, "Kemeng, don't listen to Miaomiao. The bravery of a doctor is built up day by day."

"You can ask your uncle. Many new students at medical college start out screaming at mice and cockroaches but end up sleeping with skeleton models without any issues."

An Kemeng raised her head, saying, "Yes, Brother Jie, I'll gradually build my courage so I won't be afraid anymore."

After eating her fill, An Kemeng lazily leaned back in her chair, touching her slightly protruding belly, and said gloomily, "After this vacation, I'm surely going to gain ten pounds."

Lin Miao also related to this sentiment, saying, "Next time we eat, we need to control ourselves and eat less."

Lin Jie unkindly teased, "You said that three days ago, and yet I've never seen you eat less even once."

"Brother!"

"Brother Jie!"

Lin Jie was immediately met with two pairs of glaring eyes, and he hurriedly signaled to change the subject, calling out, "Waiter, check please!"

Just then, two guests entered the restaurant, and following the sound, they spotted Lin Jie.

Lin Jie also saw them.

One of them had features so distinctive they couldn't be forgotten; it was the young girl he had encountered earlier that morning.

Now, she's wearing a half-mask, and upon seeing Lin Jie, she gave a slight smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Next to her was a charming woman in her forties, who also noticed Lin Jie. After a brief pause, she led the girl directly toward him.

"Hello, Lin Jie!"

"I didn't expect to see you here. I am Lin Ruoyi, a head nurse at Donghua Hospital!"

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