The second night watch arrived.
--------------
Seeing that Fat Auntie was sincere in her offer to stay and help, Zhao Yulan stopped being polite with her. Having soone here to keep her company was ultimately a great convenience.
At eight in the morning, a female doctor in her thirties ca in with two nurses. She smiled at everyone, carefully reviewed the record book at the bedside, took the temperature, asured the blood pressure, listened to the patient’s breath sounds, and finally, smiled at them all, "Don’t worry, the patient’s condition is continuously improving. My na is Qiao Ying, I share an office with Doctor Chaeng. If you need anything, co find ."
Zhao Yulan thanked her and followed her out, "Doctor Qiao, there’s nothing wrong with my husband’s health, right?"
"The patient has a good constitution. Eat lighter these next few days, keep a pleasant mood, and soon you’ll recover," said Qiao Ying with a gentle and comforting smile that eased Zhao Yulan’s anxiety gradually.
But when she returned to the ward and saw Lin Baohe staring blankly at the ceiling, Zhao Yulan’s worries started to pile up again. Both doctors had suggested that Lin Baohe should relax, but how could he possibly relax at a ti like this?
When Lin Baohe turned his head, his gaze collided with his wife’s anxious eyes, and after a mont of surprise, he asked in confusion, "What did Doctor Qiao say?"
"She said you should keep your spirits up, but..." Zhao Yulan sighed, "Baohe, if you feel sorry for and don’t want to trouble Cha Xiang, you have to get better sooner rather than later."
After a mont of blankness, Lin Baohe sighed, "I know."
But what’s the use of knowing?
Zhao Yulan sat down beside his bed and said frankly, "Baohe, things have co to this point. Even if you fret yourself to death, it won’t solve anything.
On the contrary, it will keep worried sick, and those close to us too. Cha Xiang suggested we send Chuxia a telegram..."
Lin Baohe sat up abruptly, staring intently at Zhao Yulan, "You didn’t send the telegram, did you?"
"No," Zhao Yulan hurried to help him lie down, "Look at your temper. I didn’t even finish speaking. What are you so anxious about?"
Lin Baohe let out a sigh of relief, "The child just went back. Don’t worry her with this back and forth. I’m fine, we can’t always be dragging our kids down."
Fat Auntie snorted from one side, "Baohe, are you saying I’m ddling too much?"
"Cha Xiang, how could I not know you an well for ?" Lin Baohe said with a helpless smile, "You know my temper, how can you wrong like that?"
"I’m not your spouse, how would I know your temper?" Fat Auntie glared at him, "Don’t butter up, I won’t accept this false praise."
"Heh heh..."
Watching Lin Baohe’s exhausted, foolish smile, Fat Auntie quickly stood up and ca over to the bed, "Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Did you take it seriously? Don’t talk if you’re tired, just get so rest."
"Yeah, I am really tired, I just want to sleep." After saying this, Lin Baohe fell asleep again.
Zhao Yulan let out a deep sigh, "I’ve known him for so many years, and this is the first ti I’ve seen him like this. Even when he was denounced back in the day, he never seed so out of sorts."
"Those who value relationships are like that. He just can’t get over this hurdle all at once. Don’t worry, give him ti, he’ll co to terms with it," Fat Auntie sighed too, "I hope we find his relatives soon. Baohe never had it easy since he was little, always enduring hardships."
"Sotis I wonder, what is the purpose of living, really? Is it just to suffer? Look at us, we get over one obstacle only to face another. Just when Chuxia finally beca obedient, no longer causing us worry, a bunch of ssy troubles arise again. Once this matter settles, won’t sothing else just crop up again? I... I’m truly scared!"
"Don’t think like that..." Fat Auntie could only pat her back comfortingly, "Don’t think like that..."
It took a while for Zhao Yulan to co to her senses, and she sheepishly smiled at Fat Auntie, "That’s just how people are. You think you’ve gotten over it, but once a tiny issue pops up, you can’t wrap your head around it again. Forget it, I won’t torture myself here any longer. Cha Xiang, you should go out and stretch a bit, you’ve been curled up all night, you must feel stiff, right?"
Fat Auntie readily agreed, "Alright, I’ll go for a walk and co back later to take over for you." When she reached the doorway, she turned back to look at Zhao Yulan, "We’ve agreed to treat each other like family, no pretenses. From now on, don’t be polite with , and I won’t be with you."
"Mhm." Zhao Yulan nodded seriously, indicating her earnestness about the matter.
Half an hour later, Fat Auntie ca back and insisted that Zhao Yulan take a break outside as well. With no other choice, Zhao Yulan complied. After stepping out of the ward and walking along the corridor to the hall and out the door, the cold wind hit her and she suddenly felt invigorated.
It was nearing deep winter, and the yard was completely barren. Groups of sparrows flitted from branch to branch, occasionally swooping to the ground to peck hurriedly at a few grains...
These scenes were all too familiar to her and held no novelty, so after standing for a short while, she turned to head back in. As she entered, she almost collided with a figure coming out.
"Sorry." Zhao Yulan reflexively apologized.
"You woman!" Before she could regain her composure, the person in front of her let out a bellow and lunged at her, startling Zhao Yulan into retreating hastily. Only then did she see clearly that the person rushing at her was none other than the wife of her first love, Jiang Yue’s husband, Che Xiaoli.
Indeed, ill fate makes enemies et. The last ti she had co to seek Jiang Yue’s help with Chuxia, she had encountered this woman and been beaten up without reason. How could she have run into her again today?
Could it be that she was fated to be at odds with this county? Was she never ant to co here?
While her mind was racing with wild thoughts, Zhao Yulan turned and fled. She didn’t know why she was running; it was just a reflexive reaction.
With Zhao Yulan’s escape, Che Xiaoli beca even more relentless, chasing after her and cursing dirtily, "Stop right there, you shaless woman! When did you start ssing around with him again? You ugly freak, if you dare ss with my man, I’ll tear your X apart..."
The foul language jolted Zhao Yulan back to her senses. Right, why was she running? If she ran, wouldn’t that be admitting guilt? What did she have to run from? What did she have to feel inferior about? She was here to accompany her hospitalized husband, a perfectly honorable thing; why should she hide?
As for Jiang Yue, yes, she had sought his help last ti, but she didn’t get any help, not to ntion getting beaten up. If anything, it was Jiang Yue’s family that owed her; why should she hide?
With this in mind, Zhao Yulan abruptly stopped running, and Che Xiaoli, unable to dodge in ti, collided with her. Having worked with physical labor all year round, Zhao Yulan shifted to the side with a quick motion, watching as Che Xiaoli, like an out-of-control locomotive, rushed past her and barely managed to stop after several steps.
The commotion had now drawn the attention of the patients and their families strolling in the yard; all eyes were on them. Feeling humiliated, Che Xiaoli turned and walked up to Zhao Yulan. Raising her hand, she attempted to slap Zhao Yulan across the face.
Last ti she had let herself be hit because she felt guilty for seeking help from Che Xiaoli’s husband. But this ti, she had absolutely nothing to do with the other party!
Seemingly addicted to hitting, Che Xiaoli extended her arm which Zhao Yulan grabbed firmly, giving her a cold look, "Che Xiaoli, what’s gotten into you?"
Che Xiaoli’s whole body trembled with rage, "Tch, you co to seduce my man and then ask what’s wrong with ?!"
As the crowd around them grew, Zhao Yulan felt humiliated and explained with a frown, "My husband is in the hospital, I’m here to take care of him. What nonsense are you talking about?"
Che Xiaoli let out a snort of derision, "Your lies are getting more shaless by the minute. Your husband is in the hospital? With your family’s situation, if your husband got sick, could he even co here?
Of course, if it’s an incurable disease, then yes, you should indeed be here. Zhao Yulan, what terminal illness does your husband have? Why aren’t you accompanying him properly, wandering around instead? What kind of heart do you have? Your husband’s in the hospital, and you’re out here strolling around..."
"Slap!"
"Chuxia?!"
The crisp sound of a slap and Zhao Yulan’s cry of shock rged together as Che Xiaoli, her face burning from the hit, slowly turned her head. It took her a while to recognize who the girl staring at her with wide, furious eyes was. Her plump features quickly contorted, "You little dead X, you dare hit , watch how I tear you to pieces..."
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welco to vote and contribute monthly passes at Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian to continue reading.)
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