Chapter 9: Discharged and Returning Home

After three days in the hospital, Xiao Qingru finally returned home.

She felt a sense of relief everywhere.

With her mood lifted, her body also seemed to hurt less.

“Mom, when are you and Dad going to the Jiang family to officially cancel the marriage?”

Xiao’s mother was eager to do so. “Let’s go now. The sooner we resolve it, the sooner we can feel at ease.”

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

Both families had a deep friendship, and Xiao Qingru knew that calling off the engagement would undoubtedly affect the relationship between the two families.

In the future, encounters could become awkward.

But she really couldn’t accept Jiang Chuan giving up on her time and again.

She was a living, breathing person, with flesh and blood she could feel sadness and pain.

“Foolish child, you haven’t done anything wrong. Who hasn’t made mistakes in life? Why should you accommodate them?”

Those who did wrong had no sense of guilt, so why should they bear all the responsibility?

It was just a canceled engagement. If the Jiang family had any objections, they could just avoid each other in the future.

She patted her daughter’s hand, “Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, your dad and I planned to call off this marriage.”

Xiao Qingru hugged her mother like when she was little. “Mom, thank you.”

“Foolish child, we’re family. At times like this, should we stand apart? Or should we just watch you be bullied by others?”

Xiao Qingru felt touched her family had always favored her unconditionally.

She was already very happy. As for love, if it could be an added bonus, that would be great if not, it was okay too.

Without love, she could still live!

“Rest well. Your dad and I will go out. If anything comes up, just call your brother.”

“Okay.”

Once her daughter was settled, Xiao’s mother went downstairs.

“When is that friend of yours free? Invite him over for a meal.”

“Maybe during the next holiday. By then, Qingru’s wounds will have healed, and we can make something delicious to help her recover.”

“That works. You arrange the time.”

Xiao Huai Shu nodded. “I’ll handle it, don’t worry.”

Even though Xiao’s mother often criticized her son, this time, she was grateful he had made a good friend who had come over to check the pipes otherwise, how would they have coincidentally saved their Qingru?

“I’m going to the Jiang family with your dad. You stay upstairs and keep an ear out for any noise.”

“Understood.”

Xiao’s father had already given Jiang Chuan a chance, but it seemed that the other party hadn’t taken his words to heart.

Since he chose to be stubborn, there was no need for this marriage to continue.

The Jiang family still wanted to salvage things, repeatedly emphasizing that they would keep an eye on Jiang Chuan and no longer let him get involved with Du Wan Qiu and her child.

However, when they learned that the two young people had reached an agreement, they understood there was no turning back.

After sending off the Xiao couple, Jiang’s father exploded with anger. “Where the hell is that brat? Why isn’t he back yet?”

Jiang’s mother trembled. “Du Wan Qiu was discharged today. Our son took a leave of absence to pick her up.”

“Outrageous!”

“This boy is getting increasingly reckless!”

Jiang’s father was so furious that he was breathing heavily. “Since you know what he’s up to, why didn’t you stop him?”

“Once children grow up, they don’t listen to their mothers. He doesn’t even listen to Qingru anymore. Do you think I can stop him?”

At that moment, Jiang’s mother couldn’t help but murmur, “What kind of charm does Du Wan Qiu have over our son? How did she change him so much?”

“Don’t ever say that again.”

The family could quarrel all they wanted, but if outsiders heard, they’d get branded with a problematic reputation that could ruin their son’s future.

Realizing this, Jiang’s mother dared not complain further.

She could only pray silently, hoping that this pest, Du Wan Qiu, would leave soon.

Once she was gone, their son could coax Qingru, and everything would return to the way it was.

Jiang’s father had his hands on his hips, wanting to yell but unsure at whom. He angrily smashed a porcelain teacup.

Jiang’s mother hurriedly picked up the pieces, unknowingly using too much force, leaving several dents in the cup.

“Why are you taking out your anger on the household items? Did they provoke you?”

“Fine, if I’m not allowed to take it out on things, then let that boy come home and see if I don’t break his legs!”

His furious demeanor scared Jiang’s mother.

She hadn’t seen her husband this way in many years.

She recalled when he was this angry because his mother had given all the subsidies to the first wife, and she, the new daughter in law, wasn’t even allowed to sit at the dining table.

From that time on, her husband took her along, and they began their new life.

Thinking of the past, Jiang’s mother consoled him. “Things are already settled. What’s the use of hitting or scolding him? You’d be better off thinking of a way to send Du Wan Qiu away.”

Jiang’s father grunted, “I don’t care if it’s useful or not! That brat needs to be taught a lesson today!”

Just then, Jiang Chuan walked in.

He was puzzled. “Dad, who’s made you so angry? I heard you yelling outside.”

“You brat, get down on your knees!”

Jiang’s mother tried to mediate. “What age is it now? Who still makes people kneel? Let’s talk things through.”

Jiang’s father glared at his son, his voice heavy. “Where did you just go?”

“To pick up Du from the hospital.”

Seeing his son’s nonchalant attitude only fueled Jiang’s father’s anger further.

“She is who to you? Does her discharge require you to pick her up?”

Jiang Chuan disagreed. “They’re all orphans and widows. What’s wrong with lending a hand?”

“Doesn’t Du Wan Qiu have any friends in the hospital? If that’s the case, you should consider whether she has any character issues. Why else would no one want to associate with her?”

“Dad, let’s just stick to the facts why bring in personal insults?”

“Did I say anything wrong?”

“That’s just prejudice!”

Jiang’s father’s anger suddenly extinguished. What good was it to say more if the other party wouldn’t listen?

He looked at Jiang Chuan, disappointment filling his eyes.

“Fine. Since you believe you did nothing wrong, then how you care for those two in the future, your mother and I will not interfere.”

This was exactly what he wanted to gain family support, to collectively care for Du WanQiu.

But now, Jiang Chuan was not only unable to relax but was also feeling increasingly tense.

It seemed something had slipped from his control.

“Ah Chuan, Qingru’s parents came by just now.”

“Mom, why did Uncle and Aunt come? Are they upset because I didn’t pick Qingru up today?”

Jiang’s mother felt complicated. She certainly hoped Xiao Qingru would be her daughter in law.

But the Xiao family’s background was too good, and now that they wanted to cancel the engagement, there was no room to refuse.

“Mom, say something.” Jiang Chuan urged.

Only a mother knows her child best no matter what, her son still liked Qingru.

Jiang’s mother lowered her voice. “You and Qingru’s engagement… it was officially canceled today.”

In that moment, it felt like lightning struck him.

Jiang Chuan stood there, stunned. He thought this was all temporary.

Why was it so resolute!

The panic of losing Xiao Qingru washed over him, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

He clenched his fists tightly, trying to suppress his trembling hands.

“I’ll go find her!”

“Come back!”

“Dad!”

Jiang’s father glared at him. “Now you’re anxious? Why didn’t you do something sooner?”

“I’ll go explain things to Qingru.”

“You grew up with Qingru. You should know her temperament well. She may seem gentle, but she has her own ideas. Once she decides something, it’s like pulling a hundred bulls back.”

Regret flooded Jiang Chuan’s heart. If he had known that casually saying something would make Qingru take it seriously, he definitely wouldn’t have mentioned breaking up in the hospital.

He wouldn’t have agreed to cancel the engagement!

What should he do now?

How could he win Qingru back?