Chapter 36: He Has No Future with Xie Yunshu

Lu Zhixing’s expression was calm, but his eyes seemed to hold a brewing storm. “Xinyue, who did you say looked down on you and wanted to kick you out of the hospital?”

Zhou Xinyue bit her lip. “That nurse, Lin Xiaozhao…”

“Nurse Lin,” Lu Zhixing said steadily, his face full of disappointment. “Xinyue, you’re lying.”

What?

Zhou Xinyue’s heart suddenly panicked. She didn’t expect that Lin Xiaozhao held a different place in Lu Zhixing’s heart. She bit her lip and shook her head repeatedly. “Zhixing, maybe I misunderstood her. She’s just blunt.”

But Lu Zhixing suddenly seemed fully alert. He spoke slowly and clearly: “Nurse Lin is Director Lin’s niece. She’s worked at the hospital since she was eighteen. She’s not the kind of person you describe. Besides, we just got paid. How could you not even have thirty yuan?”

Zhou Xinyue was stunned. This must be Xie Yunshu’s doing — otherwise, how could Lu Zhixing, such a man, keep track of the salary schedule and blame her over a few dozen yuan?

But she underestimated Xie Yunshu. A woman who fought hard to climb up wouldn’t give up the Lu family tree easily.

“Xiaowei just started kindergarten. He’s sensitive and quiet after coming from such a place. To cheer him up, I bought lots of toys, new clothes, and a new backpack, so I spent a bit more,” Zhou Xinyue quickly explained, keeping a gentle attitude, her eyes teary as she looked at Lu Zhixing. “I didn’t expect his burns would land him in the hospital. Zhixing, I know you have your difficulties. Yunshu is still upset over money with you, right? Don’t worry, I’ll save every penny and pay you back!”

“Please don’t think Xiaowei and I are causing trouble. If this keeps up, I’ll feel guilty. Although my dad helped you back then, he never expected repayment.”

Zhou Xinyue was clever. The moment she sensed something wrong, she pulled out the old favor.

Lu Zhixing’s expression softened, turning into a sigh. “Xinyue, we owe you. Yunshu values money too much. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have gotten this bad…”

A slight smile curled at Zhou Xinyue’s lips. She continued, “Zhixing, I’ll write you an IOU for the money I owe you. That might make Yunshu feel better. Also, for Xiaowei’s medical fees, I’ll write an IOU for those too.”

She knew that someone like Lu Zhixing would never come to her with the IOU. It was just a blank note!

Lu Zhixing’s lips moved, but he couldn’t bring himself to say he had no money now — couldn’t cover medical expenses either. Even if he didn’t have romantic feelings for Zhou Xinyue, he was proud and dignified and couldn’t bear to lose face like this.

Zhou Xinyue simply wrote an IOU for 650 yuan. To stir things up, she deliberately wrote Xie Yunshu’s name on it.

She showed a broken kind of strength on her face. “Zhixing, take this to Yunshu. Maybe then she won’t be so angry.”

Lu Zhixing frowned, casually putting the IOU in his pocket. “She’s just angry now and will calm down later. I’ll explain everything to her, and you won’t have to pay that money.”

Unfortunately, he didn’t know he already had no future with Xie Yunshu.

Zhou Xinyue was a nurse in another ward. During work, she often visited Lu Zhixing’s ward, which everyone was used to. They just turned a blind eye out of respect for Lu Zhixing.

Everyone knew Lu Zhixing might be promoted to deputy director after the new year. People didn’t dare mess with him. Only someone like Lin Xiaozhao, who also had strong backing, dared to speak bluntly to Zhou Xinyue.

Every workplace has its human dynamics, so working under Lu Zhixing’s protection was comfortable for Zhou Xinyue. The head nurse rarely assigned her tasks. Besides, she hadn’t graduated from a formal nursing school and was just an intern for two months, so she wasn’t truly qualified.

Zhou Xinyue mostly sat at the nurse’s station, organizing records and helping with medicine. The ward was the same with or without her. Near the end of shifts, others hurried to hand over paperwork while she sat in front of a mirror, putting on lipstick.

She had spent 15 yuan that day, but she knew Lu Zhixing would sort the rest out. Whether she had enough money or not wasn’t her concern. Lu Zhixing’s salary and bonuses were high — he was her ATM.

This Lu Madam? She was definitely set!

But Lu Zhixing was exhausted. He had given his salary card to Xie Yunshu but still wanted to help Zhou Xinyue. He had to ask the director to sign off so Xiaowei’s medical fees could be paid later when he got his next salary.

He believed Yunshu would come back by then. She wouldn’t skip even the New Year!

Director Lin looked at him meaningfully. “Zhixing, your medical skills are beyond doubt, but you must be careful with your personal life. Helping others is fine, but don’t put your own family at risk.”

When Xie Yunshu was locked up, he happened to be at a conference out of province. Otherwise, he would never allow this.

Never mind why Xie Yunshu hit Zhou Xinyue, but as her husband, how could he lock up his wife?

If this got out, had he thought about the consequences? If Zhou Xinyue was really sensible, why would she have such a complicated relationship with Lu Zhixing at the hospital causing misunderstandings?

Lu Zhixing and Director Lin were like teacher and friend. He lowered his eyes in helplessness and rubbed his temples irritably. “Director, there’s nothing between Xinyue and me. Yunshu doesn’t understand me. Don’t you know me yet?”

That was exactly why he worried.

Lu Zhixing was too proud. As a famous doctor, he was used to being praised and relished the feeling of being a ‘savior.’ Maybe he had no romantic feelings for Zhou Xinyue, but his every action treated himself as her rescuer.

“Director Lin, I know what I’m doing,” Lu Zhixing said. He also understood Xie Yunshu well. He didn’t believe she would just withdraw her love easily.

Since Xie Yunshu moved back, he waited for her to take the initiative to return. Maybe he could lower his pride and coax her a bit. After all, she did suffer mentally.

The new year was coming. He didn’t want the home to remain cold and empty.

Director Lin shook his head and signed the form. “Advance the medical fees after the salary is paid next month. If delayed, the pediatric department will have trouble too.”

Lu Zhixing nodded, thinking he might go to the staff dormitory right after work to bring Xie Yunshu back.

Just as he pushed his bike out of the hospital gate, about to mount it, his mother Cheng Yuxiang arrived with Lu Xueting, storming over with fierce momentum…