Chapter 1254: Chapter 95: Overnight Grudge
In front of the hospital, Tao Kai hurried along with a concerned expression.
A blue suit and a black backpack, almost the hallmark gear for those just transitioning from being a university monk to being a corporate drone.
He approached the inquiry desk.
“Zheng Lihong, she was just brought in. Where is she now? I’m her son.”
“Please wait a moment…” The nurse looked up briefly and then began checking. After a while, she said, “Zheng Lihong is now in bed 20, room 305.”
“Thank you!” Tao Kai quickly expressed his gratitude and continued on his way.
As he walked towards the ward, he was on the phone, “Hey, sis, I’m at the hospital… Uh-huh, haven’t seen her yet, I’ll let you know once I do… Yes, don’t rush, just wait for my update.”
…
Upon locating room 305, Tao Kai immediately rushed inside… He found that this wasn’t a typical ward; there were only two beds, and curtains partitioned them.
Tao Kai hesitated for a moment, recalling his sister mentioning that someone had brought his unconscious mother to the hospital… Thinking about that phone call during the meeting, he suddenly felt a sense of fear.
He directly pulled aside the curtain and the first thing he saw was his mother Zheng Lihong leaning against the head of the bed, and next to her was a blonde-haired woman… The woman was peeling an apple.
Tao Kai felt a jolt in his heart, and without thinking too much, he called out, “Mom, how are you feeling?”
Seeing her son, Zheng Lihong was naturally happy, she reached out and grabbed Tao Kai’s arm, “I’m fine, the doctor says it’s just low blood sugar, a few days’ rest and I’ll be okay.”
Tao Kai breathed a sigh of relief, a mix of reprimand and sorrow in his voice, “I told you not to push the bike around selling drinks anymore, you hardly make any money and it’s tiring… This time, you were lucky someone kind helped you here, but what if you collapse somewhere with no help next time.”
But Zheng Lihong just made a childish face, leaving Tao Kai out of sorts. Then Zheng Lihong glanced a signal to him, hinting that there were others present.
Only then did Tao Kai realize, he re-assessed the blonde woman peeling the apple, and felt almost spellbound by her appearance… He steadied himself and sincerely said, “Miss, thank you for bringing my mom to the hospital… Rest assured, I’ll pay back any expenses.”
“You’re wele.” The blonde girl smiled slightly, placing the peeled apple in a dish and cutting it into small pieces, “Actually, the hospital bills haven’t been settled yet.”
“Even so, thank you, without you… Sorry, I haven’t asked for your name, silly me.” Tao Kai chuckled awkwardly.
“Take good care of your mother.” The blonde woman didn’t seem inclined to disclose her name, just smiling more beautifully.
But her gaze excluded him… Tao Kai sensed something, feeling like someone had just walked up behind him.
“Madame Zheng, feeling better now?”
“Much better, really thank you, young man.”
Zheng Lihong seemed to be trying to sit up, prompting Tao Kai to quickly support her, and then he had time to eye the newer… Looking younger than himself, dressed casually, and seemed gentle.
The young man smiled, “This must be your family, I took care of the admission procedures for you, if you have time, fill out some more details.”
“I got it.” Tao Kai nodded.
“Then I won’t disturb you.” The young man nodded towards Zheng Lihong. As he spoke, the blonde girl stood up, moving to his side.
Watching the two of them about to leave just like that, Zheng Lihong hadn’t thanked them properly, how could they just be let go, “Wait, young man, can you leave your phone number?”
“No need.” The young man said softly, “You’ve already thanked me.”
Zheng Lihong hesitated.
The young man lifted the bag he held, smiling, “Isn’t it two dollars cheaper here?”
He referred to the second row of discounted yogurt drinks.
Zheng Lihong was at a loss for words, feeling something blocking her throat, unable to speak… Tao Kai couldn’t understand their exchange.
The pair left decisively, even pulling the curtain closed on their way out… Zheng Lihong quickly patted her son’s arm.
Finally ing to his senses, Tao Kai opened the curtain and hurried out, but when he reached the corridor outside the ward, the young couple was already nowhere to be seen.
Tao Kai helplessly returned to his mother’s side. Seeing the apple had been peeled, he decided to pick it up, use a toothpick to spear a piece, and offered it to his mother.
“Such good kids, a rarity these days.” Zheng Lihong sighed, “Learn from them, stop being so rash and impulsive all the time.”
“Other people’s kids, haha.” Tao Kai shook his head, “They tell you to rest and you listen, but I tell you not to sell those Yogurts, and you ignore me.”
“What’s wrong with selling them?” Zheng Lihong immediately glared, “You were raised by me pedaling my bike every day!”
Beaten, Tao Kai held up his hands in surrender, then took another apple slice and popped it in his mother’s mouth, casually saying, “By the way, I’ll call sis, let her e check on you…”
Zheng Lihong shook her head, “No need, it’s not a big deal, I can go home tonight. It takes a day to get here and her time’s limited, let’s just drop it.”
Tao Kai frowned, “Mom, sis should e, it’s only right… Don’t be stubborn, last time sis came, she left the next night…”
“Stop it, okay.” Zheng Lihong waved her hand, “I’m fine, you go back to work this afternoon. You’ve just started, stay focused. e pick me up after you finish.”
“…Fine, but promise me one thing.” Tao Kai suddenly grinned, “e on, give me a smile.”
Zheng Lihong rolled her eyes.
Nevertheless, Tao Kai reached out a finger to stretch her mouth, and Zheng Lihong glared and swatted his hand, “So cheeky!”
Despite that, she finally cracked a smile.
“I’ll handle the paperwork and then head back to the office.” Tao Kai stood up and said, “If something happens, call me; I promise I won’t ignore it.”
“Alright, stop nagging… Go quickly, so mischievous!” Zheng Lihong playfully scolded.
Watching her son lift his backpack and step out of the curtain, then poke his head back in to remind her to rest well before leaving, Zheng Lihong slowly exhaled, her smile fading.
— Madame Zheng, we’ve found a lump in your abdomen, we remend having a CT scan soon.
— Doctor… Will I be okay?
— We can’t say without the scan, but don’t worry too much; even if there’s a lump, there are various possible outes. Let’s wait for the test results. When can we arrange a scan for you?
— I… I’ll think about it.
Zheng Lihong slowly exhaled, leaning against the bedhead, she picked up her phone and looked at the screen, gazing at a name in the contacts: Tao Tao.
Her early chapped and rough fingers brushed the screen a few times, she finally sighed.
——What, you’re not ing back? Why?
——I’ve found a job over here, I don’t want to give it up…
——But didn’t you agree that you’d e back after graduation?
——I can’t talk now… there’s still something going on here. Take care of yourself.
…
In the evening, Kai walked into the room from outside carrying a cloth bag. When he saw Zheng Lihong, she was already dressed, sitting by the bed waiting.
Kai smiled, “Oh, what a beautiful lady we have here!”
“Go.” Zheng Lihong made a gesture to hit him.
Kai turned sideways to dodge, but from the cloth bag came a gentle meow… it was the sound of a cat.
“What’s this?” Zheng Lihong asked curiously.
Kai looked around sneakily before speaking in a low voice, “It’s a cat, I bought it especially for you… look!”
As he spoke, Kai gently took out a fluffy little creature from the bag, a furry gray kitten with semi-folded ears.
“Why did you buy this for me?” Zheng Lihong opened her mouth, but the little creature was too adorable, and she held it in her arms, looking quite pleased.
Kai’s family used to keep pets, but after they passed away, they hadn’t had any since, “This is a Scottish Fold Cat, very docile and gentle… you mentioned being bored alone, give it a try.”
Zheng Lihong glanced at Kai, “Wasting money!”
“Hey.” Kai casually helped Zheng Lihong up, “Mom, I’m graduated now and found a job, my sister sends money home every month, you don’t need to ride your bike anymore, alright?”
“You brat, thinking bringing back a kitten would suffice?” Zheng Lihong sighed, “If you really want me happy, bring home a wife and give me a grandchild.”
“Soon, soon!” Kai pleaded.
Zheng Lihong exclaimed, “Really?”
Kai said earnestly, “Getting faster every year, it’s on the way!”
In the end, she managed to tug at her son’s ear.
…
…
In front of the park.
Because of the new fold-eared cat, more children gathered in front of the bike than usual. The kids couldn’t resist the charm of the little creature, lingering longer than usual.
A box of Yogurt was nearly sold out early.
Zheng Lihong sat at her usual resting spot with the Fold-Eared Cat, took some food out of a lunch box, feeding it slowly.
“Madame Zheng.”
“Ah, young man, seeing you again!” Zheng Lihong heard the voice, it was unmistakably the young couple who had taken her to the hospital, she instantly smiled, “Buying so much stuff again?”
“Yes.” The young man smiled casually, “I’m going on a trip soon, so I picked some things they might not have and stocked up… aren’t you resting at home?”
Zheng Lihong shook her head, “Home is boring, nothing to do. Now my body can still move, find something to do, right? If one day I can’t move, just lying in bed, I wouldn’t be able to ride the bike even if I wanted to.”
“What a cute little creature.” The blonde girl nearby’s eyes sparkled.
Zheng Lihong, feeling happy at the sight of the girl, directly lifted the cat. The blonde girl was still holding things, but the young man thoughtfully took the items from her.
“Cute, isn’t it? My brat brought it back yesterday… you saw him yesterday too.”
The young man smiled, “Madame Zheng, you didn’t tell your family you were going out today, did you? Yesterday the doctor suggested a check-up, are you not planning to go?”
Her rare smile vanished, she shook her head, “I… want to think about it more.”
The young man said, “Typically, if the elderly have health issues, it’s best to inform family or get checked promptly. If ignored, it might lead to bigger troubles.”
“That’s the logical thing to do.” Zheng Lihong sighed softly, “But you don’t know, it’s too terrifying just thinking about it… let’s not talk about this, I’ll think it through.”
The young man didn’t say anything further.
“By the way, young man, can I ask you something?” Zheng Lihong suddenly asked, “Yesterday when you called my daughter, what did she say… can you tell me? I was too rushed yesterday to ask you.”
The young man glanced at the blonde girl beside him.
She put the cat back in Zheng Lihong’s arms, curiously asked, “Madame Zheng, haven’t you contacted your daughter since yesterday?”
Zheng Lihong opened her mouth but hesitated.
The young man softly said, “You Ye, please tell Madame Zheng.”
The blonde girl nodded, “Yesterday your daughter received the call, she was quite emotional, but after explaining, there was no more issue. She still cares about you, unable to e immediately from afar, so she later contacted your son Mr. Tao, otherwise, we’d have had a bit of trouble… I remember she mentioned buying a ticket to e back.”
“I told her she didn’t need to e back.” Zheng Lihong shook her head, “I don’t want her to think I’m always like this… as if I’m threatening.”
“Always?” The young man suddenly asked.
Zheng Lihong showed a bitter smile, sighed, and said, “Truth is, I’ve pretended to be sick several times before the New Year, later got discovered… causing some friction.”
“I see…” The young man nodded, adding, “But Madame Zheng, maybe you’re overthinking. Children showing filial piety to parents, I think it can never be too much. Perhaps Miss Tao thinks so too.”
“Maybe…” Zheng Lihong lowered her head, gently stroking the fold-eared cat’s chin, “Our relationship has never been great… I wouldn’t mind if you laugh, I wasn’t a good mother before.”
The young man and the blonde girl exchanged a glance.
Zheng Lihong slowly said, “Years ago she had a relationship I ended… though later the guy wasn’t a good person, but…”
She shook her head, looking down at the obedient and still fold-eared cat in her arms, “You, if only you could talk to me nicely…”
“Perhaps you can.” The young man softly said.
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