Du Heng winced, the last bite of lon popsicle making his teeth sensitive as he sucked in a sharp breath. "That's good, that's good. I've arranged for the furniture and appliances. You can go check them out with Sister-in-law later. If you're satisfied, just take them. If not, we can choose again."
Du Ping frowned slightly. "Let's not bother with furniture and appliances for now. We can buy them when we have more money."
Du Heng glared at his older brother. "I've already arranged Du Yi's school transfer. I ca up this ti to get Du Yi's materials. When the next sester starts, he'll transfer directly to the new School. By then, you two will be moving in, won't you? How will you manage without furniture and appliances?"
Hearing that Du Heng had sorted out Du Yi's schooling, Du Ping breathed a sigh of relief, though a troubled look crossed his face. After a long mont, he said, "Then we'll just take the furniture and appliances from our ho. Since we're all moving to the city, these things would just collect dust here anyway. It's better to just take them."
Du Heng felt helpless. "Big Brother, when I bought furniture and appliances for my new house, I paid for two sets; I've already covered yours. Now it just depends on whether you like the set Nannan and I picked out. If you like it, you can take it directly after the house is renovated. If not, you can choose what you prefer, and we'll settle any price difference then."
Hearing this, Du Ping fell silent, hesitating for a good while before asking, "How much is that set?"
"I'm not sure. Nannan paid for it. She paid for your share too," Du Heng replied, glancing at the waterlon before them and picking up another slice.
But Du Ping grew anxious. "How could you let Nannan pay? The money we gave her ends up being spent back on us. What kind of sense does that make?"
Du Heng's eyes widened, and he shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, Nannan shouldn't be the one to pay for this."
Du Heng could understand his older brother's stubbornness and the older generation's concern for face, but he felt a bit helpless deep down. "Bro, we're getting married soon. Why draw lines between what's yours and mine? It's all the sa."
"Bullshit! We're not married yet," Du Ping cursed. "And even if we were, you can't use Nannan's money to bail out!"
Du Heng quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! I get it, Big Bro. I'll transfer the money to Nannan later. Then you'll be spending my money, okay?"
"Do you even have any money left?" Du Ping stared at Du Heng. "Didn't you say last ti that you spent all your money on two houses and setting up that Pharmacy, that it was all gone?"
"Bro, even if I spend it all, I can earn more," Du Heng said, lifting his chin proudly. "Just the day before yesterday, 220,000 yuan—my salary plus that subsidy—was just deposited into my account."
"If you have money, then hurry up and pay Nannan back! How can you have the nerve to spend a woman's money?"
"Fine, I'll pay her back later."
Du Heng felt quite helpless in the face of Du Ping's obstinacy. Still, as long as his brother was willing to spend his younger brother's money, Du Heng figured he could let him be stubborn.
And since Du Heng had agreed to repay Wu Shengnan's money, Du Ping stopped pressing the issue of buying new furniture, so that matter was considered closed.
Of course, Du Heng wouldn't bring it up again. Instead, he changed the subject. "The Pharmacy's renovation is almost done, and it'll be opening soon. Why don't you and Sister-in-law co into the city with today? Then, before it opens, you two can keep an eye on the house renovation. Open the windows to air it out for a month, and by the ti the Pharmacy opens next month, you should be able to move in."
"Nevermind. They're already renovating quickly; it's useless for us to go." Du Heng shook his head. "Besides, we wouldn't have a place to stay if we went now, and it would just be a hassle for you two. Forget it."
Du Heng didn't push the matter.
After lunch, Du Heng picked up Du Yi's things and then hurried back to the city.
Today, his brother-in-law had also arranged a eting for him with a leader from the district Education Bureau and the Principal of the School Du Yi was to transfer to. In the past, sothing like this would have had Du Heng running himself ragged, and even then, he might not have managed to get it done. But today, everyone at the table, host and guests alike, thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Nothing specific was discussed during the al. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the Principal, at his own leader's prompting, proactively took the materials Du Heng had brought.
After seeing the two of them off, his brother-in-law said cheerfully to Du Heng, "Well? My connections are pretty solid, right?"
Du Heng wasn't stingy with his praise, giving his brother-in-law a thumbs-up. "Impressive."
His brother-in-law lifted his chin smugly. Ever since Du Heng started treating his illness, his brother-in-law had always felt sowhat indebted to him, a feeling that grew stronger as his health improved. Being able to show off a little in front of Du Heng today felt pretty good.
However, he only indulged in that pride for a mont before lowering his voice. "Don't be fooled by Director Song agreeing so readily. He actually has sothing to ask of you too."
This sudden shift caught Du Heng by surprise. "What is it? Why didn't he ntion it earlier?"
"It was their first eting, so he was still a bit reserved," his brother-in-law chuckled. "He wants you to take a look at a dical issue for him."
Hearing this, Du Heng was quick to show his brother-in-law respect. "He could have just said so earlier. For your sake, Big Brother, I definitely wouldn't refuse."
His brother-in-law chuckled. "Like I said, it was their first eting; they're not familiar yet. Besides, with other people around, he was too embarrassed to bring it up."
"Alright then, tell him to co to the Hospital tomorrow morning to find . I won't go out; I'll just wait for him." Since he was showing his brother-in-law face, he might as well do it thoroughly.
His brother-in-law smiled with satisfaction, but the smile quickly vanished. "His problem might be rather... private. I hope tomorrow you can..."
"No problem. I'll wait for him in my office," Du Heng said, catching the implication imdiately and readily agreeing. "By the way, Bro, what kind of problem does Director Song have? If you tell , I can prepare in advance."
"He didn't elaborate, just said it's a rather private issue."
Hearing his brother-in-law say this, Du Heng didn't press further.
「...」
Wang Zhenzhen had been going ho to rest for two consecutive days. The elders at ho had been placated with the excuse that Gong Daoyang was working the night shift. But every morning, Wang Zhenzhen would leave ho early. Because as ti went on, her anxiety mounted. She was expectant, hoping that each ti Gong Daoyang opened his eyes would be the mont he truly awoke. Yet, she also grew increasingly worried. Especially as the ti Du Heng had ntioned drew nearer, she beca more frantic, afraid Gong Daoyang wouldn't wake up at all.
"Xiao Zeng, hurry back and get so rest. You've been up all night; you must be exhausted." The mont she arrived at the Hospital room, Wang Zhenzhen urged Zeng Shengwu to go ho and rest.
Xiao Zeng, however, chuckled cheerfully. "It's alright, Sister-in-law. Director Gong took his dicine last night and slept soundly until dawn. I'm not tired."
While speaking, Wang Zhenzhen had already dampened a towel and begun to wipe Gong Daoyang's face. She glanced back at Zeng Shengwu. "Xiao Zeng, you look so happy. Have you made so progress with that girl?"
"Hehe," Zeng Shengwu chuckled shyly. "Not really. I just got her contact information."
"That's excellent progress! Hurry back and get a good sleep. Tonight, when the girl finishes work, ask her out for dinner."
"I'm fine, Sister-in-law. I slept very well last night. I'm not tired."
After wiping Gong Daoyang's face, Wang Zhenzhen prepared to apply so moisturizer. "I don't think it's that you don't want to go back. You're waiting for that girl to finish her morning shift, aren't you?"
Zeng Shengwu just grinned sheepishly without saying anything.
Seeing Zeng Shengwu's bashful smile, Wang Zhenzhen was about to tease him further, but she suddenly froze.
Slowly, she turned her head. She saw that her hand, the one applying moisturizer to Gong Daoyang's face, was firmly grasped by a large hand. Looking up, she t a pair of dark eyes staring intently at her.
"Honey?"
"Sweetheart."
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