Chapter 34: Who Pays the Medical Bills?

Lu Zhiyan’s mind was in turmoil, unaware that the atmosphere in the family quarters had already shifted.

At first, everyone felt sorry for Zhou Xinyue and blamed Xie Yunshu for causing trouble. But now that Xie Yunshu had stopped making a fuss, had packed up her things and left, and was firmly demanding a divorce, people began to sympathize with Xie Yunshu instead.

Probably because it was the dead of winter, the hospital was less busy, so Lu Zhiyan had a minor surgery and was reviewing medical records in his office.

A nurse knocked and came in: “Dr. Lu, Xiao Wei’s hospitalization fees are running low, still short by thirty yuan…”

Lu Zhiyan’s fingers tightened slightly: “Have you told Xinyue?”

Zhou Xinyue had finished her probation and was now earning a regular salary. Besides, Lu Zhiyan had been giving them fifty yuan every month, even paying Xiao Wei’s school fees recently.

She could afford to pay the thirty yuan medical bill.

The young nurse hesitated, cautiously asking, “So, should Nurse Zhou pay this?”

This child named Xiao Wei was often sick—catching colds, getting bruised, with scraped arms one day and burnt feet the next. The nurse even suspected the child was somehow attracting trouble. Previously, Dr. Lu Zhiyan handled all the medical matters and fees himself.

So, when the inpatient department alerted that the money was insufficient, the nurse came straight to Lu Zhiyan. The whole hospital tacitly acknowledged that Xiao Wei was not Lu Zhiyan’s biological child but was treated no differently.

Lu Zhiyan had never felt so awkward before. Thirty yuan wasn’t a large sum, yet he couldn’t come up with it: “Go tell Xinyue for now, I have other things to attend to and can’t come over immediately.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he had no money, so he gave a casual excuse. The nurse, accustomed to his cold expression, detected nothing and just nodded: “Alright, I’ll ask Nurse Zhou for the money then.”

The phrase “ask for money” made Lu Zhiyan’s face flush involuntarily. After the nurse left, he took a deep breath, feeling it necessary to talk to Xie Yunshu again.

This divorce issue should be resolved quickly, or life and work would both become a mess…

---

Zhou Xinyue had abandoned Xiao Wei at the hospital and hadn’t cared for him anymore. Only when the nurse approached her did she irritably come over: “What now? Isn’t the wound healed?”

Xiao Wei pressed his lips, afraid to look at her. His arm and leg still hurt. He quietly said, “Mom, I want to eat some steamed buns.”

“How old are you to eat so much every day? Are you some starving ghost reborn?”

Zhou Xinyue didn’t want to pay him any attention but, mindful that Lu Zhiyan was at the hospital, reluctantly went to the nurse station and grabbed two leftover buns from breakfast: “Eat it yourself!”

Xiao Wei’s small face crumpled. His arms were covered in blisters, painful even to move, but he knew this mother wouldn’t feed him, so he painfully ate the cold bun by himself.

Halfway through, another nurse came in.

Only then did Zhou Xinyue’s expression soften. She broke the bun into small pieces and fed him, then poured hot water for him: “You stubborn kid, I told you not to eat cold buns. Drink this quickly or your stomach will hurt!”

The water was a bit hot. Xiao Wei didn’t dare protest and sipped lightly: “Mom, I’m not thirsty anymore.”

Zhou Xinyue had no intention of feeding him further, casually set the cup down, then turned to the nurse: “Thank you for helping take care of the child. When Xiao Wei is discharged, Lu Zhiyan and I will definitely treat you to a meal.”

That made it sound like she and Lu Zhiyan were really a couple!

The nurse, thinking of Lu Zhiyan, directly said, “Nurse Zhou, Xiao Wei’s hospitalization fees are already short by thirty yuan. Please arrange to pay as soon as possible.”

Her monthly salary was just a few dozen yuan; this medical expense was a big deal. If it weren’t for Lu Zhiyan’s face, the hospital wouldn’t even allow admission without full payment.

Zhou Xinyue paused, “Didn’t Lu Zhiyan pay yesterday?”

Xiao Wei had been hospitalized many times, with Lu Zhiyan handling everything every time. Zhou Xinyue never managed the fees, only used Xiao Wei’s “frail” condition to tie Lu Zhiyan’s heart.

Hearing Zhou Xinyue, the nurse’s tone soured. Both had salaries, so why keep delaying payment? If the money wasn’t paid soon, the inpatient department leadership would come looking for the nurse.

“Dr. Lu only paid thirteen yuan last night. The money wasn’t enough, but I let the child use medicine first and arranged the admission out of respect for everyone involved.”

The nurse frowned suspiciously at Zhou Xinyue: “I just checked with Dr. Lu. He said he was busy and asked me to find you. You don’t plan to pay, do you?”

Zhou Xinyue quickly caught on and smiled: “Of course not! I’m a nurse too and know the hospital’s rules. Don’t worry, I’ll get the money after work.”

The nurse wasn’t happy: “It’s after work. If you have time, go now. If you delay another night, the inpatient department leaders will be after me.”

Zhou Xinyue’s hospital image was that of a gentle, pure “white lotus.” Before she firmly grasped the “Lu Zhiyan tree,” she had to maintain this image. Though she hated the nurse inwardly, she spoke softly: “Alright, I’ll go home and get the money right away.”

The nurse didn’t push further once she heard the fee would be paid. She only said to Xiao Wei: “You should take better care of the child. It’s already so late and he just ate breakfast?”

No matter how well Zhou Xinyue pretended, the nurses here all knew whether she was a good mother or not. But no one dared say anything to Lu Zhiyan. After all, if they complained about Zhou Xinyue, wouldn’t they also anger Lu Zhiyan, who had even put his own wife in a mental hospital? It was better to avoid trouble.

This time, Zhou Xinyue’s smile was forced. She explained: “I’ve been too busy these days, but Xiao Wei’s always on my mind!”

The nurse sneered inwardly, said nothing more, and left.

This child had such a hard life, stuck with such a mother! “Too busy”? Everyone in the hospital knew she and Lu Zhiyan left the family quarters together that morning. What was she pretending for?

She had time to deliver food to her man but no time for her own child. That’s “too busy”?

---

Soon, only Zhou Xinyue and Xiao Wei remained in the ward. Seeing Zhou Xinyue’s gloomy face, Xiao Wei instinctively curled his neck.

The next moment, he was slapped: “Useless thing! You can starve if you don’t eat one meal? You still want to ask me for thirty yuan? Eat, eat, eat—no more eating!”

The half-eaten cold bun was thrown into the trash. Xiao Wei covered his head with his burnt arm, biting his lip tightly to stop himself from crying out loud.

Zhou Xinyue was irritated but dared not make noise in the hospital. After glaring at him fiercely, she hurried away.

Lately, her money was like water—spent on clothes and cosmetics. Where would she get thirty yuan?!

After Zhou Xinyue left, Xiao Wei burst into tears. He got out of bed, picked the half bun out of the trash, and quietly ate it, sobbing softly…

He no longer had a mother; no one would ever pity him again…