Song Weiwei’s smile faded a little. She stammered, “He… he said he’s in a critical stage of his career right now. Getting promoted still depends on that woman’s father’s connections. He’ll talk about breaking up after everything is settled.”
Seeing that Zhang Meilan didn’t respond, Song Weiwei quickly added, “Mom, Zhang Hao is really good to me! All the money that woman gives him, he spends on me. Last time he even bought me a luxury bag from abroad.”
“This kind of sneaking around isn’t a real solution,” Zhang Meilan sighed.
“I know, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry, Mom!” Song Weiwei said, shaking her arm. “Zhang Hao said once his promotion is confirmed, he’ll immediately cut things off with that woman!”
Zhang Meilan frowned and reminded her, “Just be cautious. Don’t let anyone catch you with leverage against you.”
In this day and age, relationships between men and women were strictly scrutinized even unmarried couples holding hands could become gossip, let alone something like this…
Although cheating wasn’t illegal, the moral condemnation was severe. Once exposed, it would be like becoming a rat everyone shouted at in the street spit alone could drown a person.
“Also,” she lowered her voice, worried, “that fiancée of Zhang Hao’s isn’t someone to mess with. Her father holds a position in the central government she’s rich and powerful. If she finds out about you two, the consequences… I don’t even dare imagine.”
If an ordinary woman discovered her boyfriend was cheating, it might just end in a scene of yelling and drama. But if a young lady with real power and status got ruthless…
Just the thought made Zhang Meilan feel a chill down her spine. Her daughter was simply no match for such a person.
If it weren’t for Zhang Hao’s high-ranking job already a deputy division-level official at such a young age she would never have let her daughter take such a risk.
“Don’t worry, Mom,” Song Weiwei said unconcernedly with a cold laugh. “Zhang Hao said that woman is just a spoiled rich girl with nothing but family background bad temper, no brains, and easy to manipulate! Last time she found my earring in his car and made a huge scene, but he calmed her down with just a few words.”
What a stupid woman. So what if she had a good family background? Wasn’t she still being played around?
The more she thought about it, the more a strange sense of satisfaction rose in Song Weiwei’s heart.
Besides being lucky enough to have a rich father, what else did she have over her?
Once Zhang Hao was done using her and kicked her aside, she would just wait for her to cry!
And now she also had a formal government job and was about to officially start work what could that woman possibly compare with her?
On the other side, Song Qiaoan entered her spatial dimension.
In just a few days, the vegetable seeds she had planted had already sprouted and grown rapidly. Some were even close to maturity at this rate, they could be harvested in just a few more days.
The chicks and ducklings had also grown bigger, flapping their wings and playing around in the open space.
Song Qiaoan didn’t pay them much attention and only glanced over briefly. She had more important things to do.
Tomorrow she would accompany her uncle for a hospital check-up. She wanted to prepare something infused with spiritual spring water for him to drink.
She didn’t know whether the spiritual spring water would help his illness, but at the very least it was beneficial to the body. While she still had access to it, she wanted to nourish him as much as possible.
She originally wanted to directly give him a bottle of the water, but that would be too suspicious. After thinking it over, she bought a ginseng root in advance and soaked it in the water.
The next day, Song Qiaoan accompanied her uncle to the hospital. After a full series of examinations, as expected, he was diagnosed with cancer.
“Fortunately it was detected early the tumor is still in the early stage,” the doctor said while holding the report. “With proper and standardized treatment, there is still a high chance of recovery.”
“That’s good… that’s good…” Shen Zhengming let out a long breath. The tension he had been holding all day finally eased.
Only God knew how terrified he had been when he saw the word “cancer” on the report, as if fate had already sentenced him to death.
He had started coughing for no reason the previous year. Thinking it was just a common cold, he took some medicine but saw no improvement. He assumed it was just age catching up with him and his body getting weaker, so he didn’t take it seriously at all.
He never expected it to actually be cancer.
Hearing that it was early stage and treatable, he felt as if he had narrowly escaped death. Along with relief came lingering fear.
If only he had listened to Qiaoan and come for a check-up earlier. With his stubborn personality, if it had been discovered later, it would have been too late.
Qiaoan truly was his lucky star. Shen Zhengming’s nose stung with emotion.
“Uncle, don’t worry. We’ll treat it properly it’ll be okay,” Song Qiaoan said, patting his shoulder to comfort him.
“I will get treatment properly. I was too stubborn before and thought it was troublesome. Your Uncle Wang even urged me many times to come for a check-up, but I refused.”
Shen Zhengming sighed, his voice choked. “If it weren’t for you two, I might already be gone.”
“Don’t say that. You’re very fortunate later on you’ll definitely live a long life.”
As she spoke, Song Qiaoan took out a thermos and poured him a cup of spiritual spring water.
“This was soaked with ginseng. It’s said to be very nutritious. You’ve been through a tiring morning have some to soothe your throat.”
“You really are thoughtful,” Shen Zhengming smiled and drank it in one go.
The water had a faint ginseng aroma and a subtle sweetness unexpectedly pleasant.
The fatigue in his body seemed to vanish instantly. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes; he assumed the ginseng she bought must be quite special.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered what Song Qiaoan had asked him before and said seriously, “Right, about what you asked me to look into regarding the college entrance exam I found some information.”
“On the last day of the exam, the Education Bureau’s Secretary Zhang will personally inspect the exam sites. Because it’s a surprise inspection from higher authorities, it’s strictly confidential. Very few people know about it.”
He had gone to great lengths to obtain this information.
“Since Song Jianren dared to arrange for you to take someone else’s exam, he must have made full preparations. But… even if he can bribe invigilators, can he bribe this secretary who suddenly goes for inspection?”
“This Secretary Zhang is famously upright in the industry,” Shen Zhengming looked at her meaningfully. “If you want to report them, he is the best person to go to.”
“Mm, I understand.”
Even without him saying it directly, Song Qiaoan already knew what to do. She had a plan in mind.
After Uncle Wang completed the hospitalization procedures, Shen Zhengming began his treatment from that day onward.
Song Qiaoan originally wanted to stay with him a bit longer, but he waved her off. “I’ve got your Uncle Wang taking care of me, and the doctors and nurses too. I’m fine here. You still have your own things to do go back quickly, don’t worry about me.”
Unable to persuade him otherwise, she agreed. “Alright, then rest well. If anything happens, just have Uncle Wang come find me. I’ll visit you again tomorrow.”
After leaving the hospital, Song Qiaoan went to the housing office.
She had planned to rent out her house.
At this time, private housing rentals were extremely rare since most homes were government-assigned. She made several trips to the housing office and, with her uncle’s help in smoothing things over, finally obtained approval.
Soon after, a buyer contacted her.
He was a man in his early thirties with a crew cut and lively eyes he looked energetic and sharp.
He was also a black-market trader, what people called a “speculative profiteer.” After just a few minutes of conversation, Song Qiaoan could tell he was bold and shrewd with a good business mind an ideal candidate.
The man, however, seemed hesitant. Scratching his head, he tested the waters and said, “Your rent is still too expensive. Can it be a bit cheaper?”