Chapter 3 The Bridegroom Comes

Ye Qingtao didn’t take the breakfast, but quickly reached out to support the man. As she got closer, she realized the man was tall and strong, like a brick wall. Even with her quick reflexes, she couldn’t quite hold him. The things Zhu Guihua had handed her fell to the ground, and she couldn’t help but grumble. Seeing her daughter holding a fainted man, she quickly came over to help. The mother and daughter laid the man flat on the ground, and Ye Qingtao quickly checked his breathing. It was steady, so he was safe for now. Her gaze moved to his shoulder. The white shirt was wet, and a dark red gash was particularly noticeable. Ye Qingtao’s eyes narrowed.

She unbuttoned his collar, pulled down his shirt, and looked further down. The bandaged gauze was still oozing blood. The wound must have reopened, causing him to faint from blood loss. Looking at the dark circles under his eyes, she could tell he hadn’t slept well for days. Otherwise, with such a strong physique, how could he faint so easily? “Mom, go to the pharmacy over there and get me some things.” Ye Qingtao casually mentioned a few names of medicines. Although Zhu Guihua was clueless, saving a life was important, so she quickly went to get them.

The man’s condition was likely a wound infection. If it continued to worsen, it could be life-threatening. Ye Qingtao took two pills and forced him to swallow them. Then, she pulled out an antibiotic from her pocket and discreetly injected it into his buttock. The unconscious man’s brow furrowed, and his deep, dark eyes slowly opened. His iron-like fingers gripped her wrist. “You, what did you do to me just now?” Pain shot up her wrist. Ye Qingtao had already put away the syringe. She spread her hands, looking innocently at him. “I didn’t do anything.”

 Gu Jingming’s brows furrowed even tighter. The pain in his buttock told him something had definitely happened. At that moment, Zhu Guihua returned with the disinfectant alcohol and gauze. Seeing their intertwined hands, she asked in confusion, “What’s going on?” Gu Jingming released his hand, his expression gloomy. Ye Qingtao shook her slightly red wrist, took the medical supplies, and began to treat his wound. Her movements were smooth and efficient, as if she had done it a thousand times before. Zhu Guihua looked at her in astonishment, as if she didn’t recognize her own daughter. Gu Jingming was also surprised by her skill, but since he didn’t know her well, he didn’t ask any questions. “Your wound has reopened, and you’re a bit fatigued.

 You need to rest more and make sure the wound doesn’t get wet, otherwise it could get infected again.” Ye Qingtao gave him a brief instruction and turned to leave. Gu Jingming sat up from the ground. He saw the breakfast that had fallen to the ground and quickly chased after her. “Thank you for your help. Let me treat you to breakfast.” “No need.” Ye Qingtao was about to refuse, but Gu Jingming had already shouted to the shop owner, “Boss, give me a basket of steamed buns, two scallion pancakes, and two bowls of soy milk…” Gu Jingming ordered a bunch of food, paid, and then disappeared. “Well, let’s eat then?” Zhu Guihua’s stomach was rumbling because she had gotten up so early. Ye Qingtao saw that the man had already gone far, and she had used an antibiotic to save him today. It wouldn’t hurt to eat breakfast. The mother and daughter didn’t hesitate and devoured everything on the table. After breakfast, they still had some time, so her mother took her for a walk around the provincial capital and helped her get her bearings.

Ye Qingtao couldn’t help but complain, “Mom, I just recovered from a serious illness. You wouldn’t let me sleep this morning, and you dragged me to the provincial capital. Couldn’t you have let me sleep a few more hours?” “I saw how depressed you were after what happened. Mom thought it would be good to take you to the provincial capital for a walk.” “What’s the point of just walking around and not buying anything?” Ye Qingtao pouted. Zhu Guihua touched her pocket and couldn’t help but laugh and cry. “Buy, buy, buy. You can buy anything you want, but Mom doesn’t have much money left.” Zhu Guihua said this with a hint of embarrassment.

Ye Qingtao knew their family’s financial situation and was just teasing her. “Mom bought me this beautiful woolen coat. I’m already very satisfied. Let’s just walk around the provincial capital and broaden our horizons. We have everything at home. I don’t need anything else.” Ye Qingtao was good at talking, and Zhu Guihua was moved to tears. “Good child, Mom didn’t raise you in vain. Not only did you get rid of your love-brain, but you’ve also become much more sensible.” Zhu Guihua looked at her with a loving gaze that almost drowned her.

 Ye Qingtao was about to say something polite, but Zhu Guihua changed the subject. “Next time, if your head isn’t clear and you’re still circling around Lu Yunchuan, you can jump again.” Ye Qingtao rolled her eyes. One jump almost killed her, and you want her to jump twice? Are you trying to get rid of me? The mother and daughter wandered around the provincial capital’s department store until around 11:00 am. Seeing that it was almost time for lunch, they hurried to find a place to eat. “Mom, are you sure this is the place?” There were more than one restaurant in the provincial capital, and their names were all very similar. Her mother hadn’t received a paper invitation, only a phone call. She had been so sure when they left, but now she was hesitant at the door.

 “Good Luck Restaurant, I think this is it?” Her mother said uncertainly. Ye Qingtao rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. “Mom, why don’t you call to confirm?” Ye Qingtao really didn’t want to be embarrassed. She realized that her mother, who seemed so steady and reliable, was actually quite unreliable. “I’m sure, this is it!” Zhu Guihua took her hand and strode inside.

The man had a very strong grip, and Ye Qingtao couldn’t break free. She was forcibly pulled inside. What followed was writing the gift, getting the present, and finding a seat, all done in one go. “People in the village just set up a few tables outside for wedding banquets. Your cousin is rich. Her son’s wedding is being held at such a nice restaurant.”

“This restaurant is really impressive! Is 20 yuan for the gift too little?” Zhu Guihua didn’t think much of it when she was writing the gift, but after finishing, she felt a little uneasy. “20 yuan is already a lot. Besides, it’s already written. Are you going to go back and add more money?” “Adding more money isn’t impossible…” Zhu Guihua hesitated, clutching her pocket. She was a person who cared about face. But Ye Qingtao knew she was trying to put on a brave face. “Mom, you’ve written all the money as a gift. Are we going to eat? Dad won’t get paid until the middle of the month. You need to be reasonable.” “Well, okay.” Zhu Guihua loosened her grip on her pocket. But as she looked at the luxurious hotel and then down at her own clothes, she wished she could disappear into the ground. Ye Qingtao gently patted her hand, encouraging her to relax.

“Mom, we’re already here. We’ve written the gift. 20 yuan is a lot. We can save that money and it’ll last our family for a week.” “What’s wrong with spending that much money for a meal? What’s so embarrassing about it?” Under Ye Qingtao’s confident persuasion, Zhu Guihua straightened her back. “You’re right. If your cousin looks down on us, then she doesn’t consider us family! We came all this way. What’s wrong with having a meal?”

 Zhu Guihua said this to Ye Qingtao, but she was actually trying to encourage herself. Just as the mother and daughter were feeling a little awkward about the small gift, someone nearby shouted, “The groom is here! The groom is here!” “The groom is so handsome!” “He’s the youngest leader, and he’s really handsome!” Ye Qingtao followed everyone’s gaze and looked up. She saw a man in a suit and tie from afar and furrowed her brows in surprise. “It’s him!”