“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Xu Zhixia was surprised and covered her mouth:
“Just because you have muscles, you can’t be mentioned?”
Every time she was around him, she always felt how firm he was.
Lu Xiuyuan was momentarily taken aback so that’s what she meant.
As they walked, they didn’t notice anyone, but someone around the corner saw the scene, a faint glint of malice flashing in their eyes.
Grandpa Lu’s hospital room was on the fourth floor of the inpatient building, a single room with a diligent attendant helping out.
As they approached the room, Xu Zhixia quickly adjusted her clothes and tidied her hair:
“Is this okay for meeting Grandpa?”
She hadn’t seen Grandpa Lu in a long time and felt a bit nervous, wanting to leave a good impression.
Lu Xiuyuan gave a light “hm” but couldn’t help glancing at her twice. Her eyes were so clear and pure, like a hidden spring, and he wondered if this version of Xu Zhixia was putting on an act.
Maybe if she focused more on him, he could find things out faster.
Xu Zhixia kept about a fist’s distance from Lu Xiuyuan, wearing a polite smile.
Lu Xiuyuan knocked, and hearing a quiet response inside, he led her in.
Grandma Lu was also there.
Holding the lunchbox, Lu Xiuyuan said to the two elders:
“Grandpa, Grandma, my mom made chicken soup. It’s still hot do you want some now? She’ll be here soon.”
Grandpa Lu, seeing his grandson, smiled and perked up:
“Yes, let’s drink some.”
Then he noticed Xu Zhixia following and paused for a couple of seconds before recognizing his granddaughter-in-law, his smile becoming warmer:
“Xiaxia is here too.”
Grandma Lu quickly greeted them:
“Come, sit down.”
Lu Xiuyuan went aside to pour the chicken soup for them.
Grandpa and Grandma Lu examined their granddaughter-in-law. Today, her outfit looked quite nice.
Her previous flashy, chaotic clothes had energy, but they just couldn’t appreciate them.
This simpler look was much better.
A few days ago, Grandpa Lu had heard that the couple was planning a divorce and felt especially guilty, thinking he had caused them delays and unhappiness.
Seeing them together today made him extremely happy, and even his recent discomfort seemed lighter.
Xu Zhixia carefully observed Grandpa Lu’s expression and energy:
“How are you feeling today, Grandpa?”
Grandpa Lu smiled:
“Just the usual old ailments. Don’t worry.”
Lu Xiuyuan brought over a bowl of food:
“I’ll feed you.”
Grandpa Lu frowned. He had relied on himself his whole life and didn’t like being attended to even in bed.
He snatched the bowl from Lu Xiuyuan and drank it down.
Xu Zhixia noticed he was in good spirits, though his movements showed limited strength.
Thinking of how Grandpa had treated her in her past life, and that she hadn’t even seen him for the last time, her heart ached.
Blinking, she said:
“Grandpa, I know a bit of medical knowledge. Do you want me to take your pulse?”
Her voice carried a hint of choking emotion.
Grandpa Lu, still catching his breath in bed, didn’t want anyone to notice he could barely manage.
Now he heard this little girl about to cry it was ridiculous. Taking a pulse was nothing.
“Xiaxia, come on.”
He didn’t mention why she was crying, worried her thin-skinned nature wouldn’t handle it.
Lu Xiuyuan was also surprised why was she crying? He didn’t remember her ever saying she had medical knowledge.
Xu Zhixia obediently stepped forward, sat down, and extended her hand to take his pulse.
Suddenly, there was a loud “CLANG,” and everyone in the room looked toward the door.
Lu Tiantian stood there, holding a girl in a white coat.
Lu Tiantian sneered:
“Trusting you can take a pulse? Might as well believe a sow can climb a tree.”
Lu Xiuyuan shot her a cold glance:
“Forget about your allowance for the next three months. Learn to speak properly, I’ll teach you.”
Lu Tiantian shouted:
“Brother, indulge her! That’s Grandpa! Next, will she start treating him too?!”
She really thought her brother was blind and foolish.
Mrs. Lu grabbed her hand:
“Don’t speak recklessly. Your brother and Grandpa know their limits.”
Since the daughter-in-law wasn’t divorcing now, they were family. In front of others, she wouldn’t disrespect her.
Su Ruan, who was pretty and gentle, also tugged at Lu Tiantian’s sleeve:
“Alright, Tiantian, I understand your concern. This young lady has good intentions.”
Lu Tiantian, who had been sulking, quickly said:
“Good, someone understands me.”
Su Ruan smiled and firmly told Xu Zhixia:
“I’m Su Ruan, Grandpa Lu’s attending physician. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She glanced awkwardly at Lu Xiuyuan and continued to Xu Zhixia:
“However, Grandpa Lu’s primary physician is an expert in our hospital, with over thirty years of clinical experience.”
Xu Zhixia, taking his pulse, couldn’t respond but sensed the subtext Su Ruan implied she wasn’t qualified.
She had forgotten about her. In the past life, she hadn’t interacted much and was often scolded by her sister-in-law, who claimed Su Ruan was the one suitable for Lu Xiuyuan.
Back then, she didn’t care. Without feelings for a man, it didn’t matter.
But reborn, with Lu Xiuyuan still her man, her sister-in-law dared to act like this far too disrespectful.
Xu Zhixia finished taking Grandpa’s pulse, checked his tongue coating, and felt his neck.
Seeing the medical record hanging by the bed, she picked it up to examine it.
Su Ruan snorted silently. She had thought Xu Zhixia had some genuine skill, but now she was just looking at someone else’s record a fraud, learning tricks from who knows where, just to get praise from an elder.
She needed to expose her.
“Comrade Xu, this medical record details Grandpa Lu’s condition since he was admitted. It includes meals, health status, all recorded in detail.”
Hearing this, Lu Tiantian couldn’t help speaking again:
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice anything and just want to copy a few answers?”
Xu Zhixia frowned more as she looked at the record.
Grandpa Lu, beside her, said to Lu Tiantian:
“She’s your sister-in-law. Are you ignoring your brother’s words?”
Then he asked Xu Zhixia:
“Child, is there a problem?”