Chapter 4: Think Carefully About What You Should Do

Back at the hospital, Jiang Chuan found out from a nurse where Xiao Qingru’s room was. He hesitated at the door for a while before finally knocking.

A stern voice replied, “Come in.”

Even though he had grown up under Xiao’s watchful eye, Jiang Chuan still felt a bit nervous as he took a deep breath and entered the room.

“Uncle. Aunt.”

Xiao’s mother didn’t acknowledge him, merely continuing to speak softly to her daughter, “Hang in there a bit longer, and soon you can sleep.”

Xiao Qingru, drowsy and exhausted, didn’t even notice Jiang Chuan standing by her bed. She simply mumbled something and closed her eyes.

Seeing how weak her daughter looked, Mrs. Xiao felt her heart ache. She reached over to gently smooth Qingru’s hair. If only she could take on the pain in her place.

“Mrs. Xiao, didn’t she just have a stomachache? How did it get this serious?” Jiang Chuan asked, sounding confused.

A stomachache? How absurd. Who just has a “stomachache” and ends up needing surgery?

Although she knew her daughter’s illness wasn’t entirely Jiang Chuan’s fault, Mrs. Xiao couldn’t help but resent him. People say, “If you start something, see it through to the end.” He should have either taken full responsibility or left her alone.

Looking at him with disappointment, she said, “She just had surgery. Couldn’t you tell?”

“Surgery?” Jiang Chuan was stunned. “I didn’t realize it was this serious. If I’d known…”

“What’s the point of saying that now?” Mrs. Xiao interrupted. “We’re grateful you tried to bring her to the hospital, but we can’t forgive you for leaving her stranded, and we certainly can’t trust you with her going forward.”

A sense of panic rose in Jiang Chuan. “Auntie, I know I was wrong. Please give me a chance to make it up to her.”

His sincerity didn’t sway Mrs. Xiao, who maintained her protective stance as a mother. She looked straight into Jiang Chuan’s eyes. “If a situation like this happens again, and you had to choose between Qingru and Du Wanqiu, who would you choose?”

“I…” Jiang Chuan opened his mouth to answer.

Mrs. Xiao raised a hand to stop him. “It’s easy to make promises, but actions speak louder than words. When push comes to shove, would you really put Qingru first?”

Actions say it all, and Jiang Chuan’s actions had already spoken volumes.

Not knowing what else to say or do, Jiang Chuan stood in silence by the bedside, hoping his presence conveyed his remorse.

Seeing the time, Mrs. Xiao noted it had been two hours since the surgery.

She stopped speaking, watching over her daughter quietly. But her mind was still preoccupied with what Xu Muzhou had said, and she felt a chill run through her heart.

“Qingru will likely be hungry when she wakes up. Go back and make her some congee,” Mrs. Xiao instructed her husband.

“And who will stay with her?” he asked.

“I will.”

“What about your job?”

“I’ll leave as soon as you return, or I’ll arrange for a nurse to keep watch over her.”

Jiang Chuan immediately volunteered, “I’ll stay with her. I have today off, so I have plenty of time.”

But both parents exchanged a skeptical glance, clearly lacking confidence in him.

Mrs. Xiao replied flatly, “Qingru still has an IV drip. If you’re called away again and have to leave her, that won’t be acceptable.”

Deeply ashamed, Jiang Chuan looked down. “I promise, even if the sky falls, I won’t leave this time.”

Mr. Xiao cleared his throat. “Alright, we’ll leave her with you, then.”

Prepared to settle in for the long haul, Jiang Chuan was surprised by this decision and said gratefully, “Uncle, I won’t let you down this time.”

Mrs. Xiao wanted to argue, but her husband led her out of the room.

“Have you lost your mind? How could you leave our daughter in his care? What if something goes wrong again?”

“I did it on purpose.”

“What?” She looked at him quizzically. “What are you up to?”

“If he does well, it proves our daughter’s judgment might not be too bad. But if he leaves her again, then I’ll go to any lengths to cancel their engagement.”

He patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on the room, so nothing will happen to Qingru.”

She pushed his hand away, her expression firm. “Even if he does well this time, I won’t allow them to stay together. As far as I’m concerned, he’s already proven himself untrustworthy, and life is long. A momentary display of effort isn’t enough to change that!”

She looked back at the room. Since her husband had arranged for someone to keep an eye on things, she felt a bit more at ease.

“Hurry back and make that congee,” she told him. “Come back as soon as you’re done.”

Nodding, she headed off quickly.

After she left, Mr. Xiao opened the door again. “Come with me,” he said to Jiang Chuan.

“But what about Qingru…”

The security officer stepped forward with a reassuring smile. “I’ll keep an eye on Ms. Xiao. You can follow Mr. Xiao without worry.”

Nervously, Jiang Chuan followed Mr. Xiao into a secluded corner of the hospital.

“Uncle?”

No small talk. Mr. Xiao got straight to the point. “What are your intentions toward Du Wanqiu?”

“She’s my late brother’s widow.”

“He had more brothers than just you. Do you see any of them catering to her needs the way you do?”

Jiang Chuan hesitated. “I just thought I’d help out where I can.”

Mr. Xiao, a man who understood the weight of rumors, said, “I’m giving you two choices. One, break off your engagement with Qingru, and you’ll be free to help anyone you please.”

“Uncle, I don’t want to end my engagement!”

Fixing a steely gaze on him, Mr. Xiao said, “No one gets to treat my daughter poorly.”

Jiang Chuan opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but words failed him. There was no denying that Qingru had been deeply wronged this time.

Ignoring Jiang Chuan’s pale face, Mr. Xiao continued, “Your second choice: you are never to see Du Wanqiu again, and from now on, she is no longer your concern.”

“But, Uncle, if I don’t help her, how will she get by?”

His voice low and firm, Mr. Xiao replied, “The organization has plans for her. Once her baby is born, she’ll be relocated to her original residence. She’ll be provided for, with a pension and possibly a job. She’ll be fine.”

“But…”

“No buts.”

Having said all he needed to, Mr. Xiao didn’t wait for further response.

“Think carefully about what you should do.”