Qiao Zhaodi had left all her money to her, not keeping a single coin for the trip. From here to the city hospital, it would take about half an hour by vehicle but walking? That was impossible to predict.
She was a woman, carrying a child on her back and luggage in her hands. No one knew how long it would take her to reach the city.
That lonely, desolate figure seemed to already foreshadow Qiao Zhaodi’s future life
Her brother-in-law, unable to receive treatment due to lack of money, would be left disabled. The family would lose their only source of income, and she would have to take care of a crippled husband, raise a young child, and work from dawn till dusk just to survive. A life bound by poverty and hardship.
No. She couldn’t let that happen.
Qiao Yuwei quickened her steps and chased after Qiao Zhaodi, calling out loudly, “Sister Zhaodi! Wait for me!”
Hearing the voice, Qiao Zhaodi paused and slowly turned around. The moment she saw Qiao Yuwei, her eyes turned red again. She forced a smile while holding back tears.
“Yuwei, why did you catch up?”
“Sis, how can you just leave like this?” Qiao Yuwei rushed up to her, grabbed her hand, and hugged her tightly. Her voice trembled.
“I borrowed the money. Come back with me we’ll go to the hospital right now and get brother-in-law’s surgery done!”
Qiao Zhaodi froze. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“No, Yuwei, I can’t use your money. I know things aren’t easy for you in the Song family. Your husband already has opinions about you if I use your money, he’ll be even more unhappy. I just want you to be happy.”
“Sis, don’t worry about that,” Qiao Yuwei let her go and looked straight into her eyes, firm and resolute.
“My brother-in-law’s leg is what matters most. Don’t worry about the money!”
“Yuwei, I” Qiao Zhaodi was about to say more when the roar of an engine interrupted her.
A jeep slowly drove up and stopped beside them. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing Song Zhinian’s cold, sharp face.
He handed out an envelope.
“Take the money. I just happen to have something to do near the hospital. I’ll give you a ride.”
Earlier, he had thought she was like before making excuses to borrow money and spend it recklessly, maybe even going to find Dr. Lin again and wasting it in a few days. But when he saw her running out in such panic, so genuinely distressed, it didn’t seem like an act. In the end, he turned back, grabbed his keys, and drove over.
Qiao Yuwei took the envelope. Her fingertips brushed the thick paper. She looked up at him.
In her usual impression, he was cold and hard like a stone but at this moment, she felt a kind of quiet warmth hidden in his features that others couldn’t see.
“Song Zhinian, thank you,” she said softly, her voice slightly choked but sincere.
A man like this was impossible to find even with a lantern in broad daylight. She absolutely had to repay the money within a month she would not divorce him.
If Song Zhinian knew that his actions had only made her more determined to stay, he would probably feel the sky collapsing.
Without saying much, he got out of the car and politely opened the back door for them. His movements were clean and natural, carrying the upright bearing of a soldier.
Qiao Zhaodi was momentarily flustered. She subconsciously looked at Qiao Yuwei for guidance.
Only then did Qiao Yuwei realize she had forgotten to introduce them.
“Sis, this is…”
Before she could finish, Song Zhinian slightly lowered his head toward Qiao Zhaodi and said respectfully,
“Sis, let’s talk while getting in the car.”
That single “sis” stunned Qiao Zhaodi. Her eyes widened so much her bundle almost slipped from her hands. She looked at Song Zhinian in shock, then at Qiao Yuwei, completely at a loss.
In her memory, Yuwei had once written home saying her husband was unattractive, cold as ice, almost mute, and barely spoke nothing compared to the gentle Dr. Lin from the village.
She had felt sorry for her cousin, thinking that since her reputation wasn’t good, marrying a soldier was already fortunate enough. She could just endure it.
But she never expected Song Zhinian to look like this
Tall and upright in a crisp military uniform, handsome features, even able to drive a military jeep. Clearly a man valued by his superiors.
Qiao Yuwei was also stunned. She hadn’t expected the usually taciturn Song Zhinian to not only speak but also proactively greet her cousin and even call her “sis.”
After a pause, she stammered an introduction.
“Um… sis, this is my husband, Song Zhinian. And this is my cousin, Qiao Zhaodi.”
A bright smile spread across Qiao Zhaodi’s face.
“Good, good, good!” she said three times in a row, genuinely delighted. She was sincerely happy for her cousin this was far from the terrible husband described in the letters.
But then she became a little worried again. If she took Song Zhinian’s car and money, would it cause trouble between the couple? After all, she had heard they were on the verge of divorce…
Seeing her expression, Qiao Yuwei immediately knew what she was thinking again.
Afraid she would delay and miss the surgery time, she stepped forward and pulled her arm.
“Sis, why are you being polite with me? Get in the car quickly brother-in-law is still waiting at the hospital!”
Qiao Zhaodi hesitated, but under Qiao Yuwei’s firm gaze and the thought of her husband lying in the hospital bed, she finally gave in.
As soon as she sat down, tears began to fall again.
She held Qiao Yuwei’s hand tightly.
“Yuwei… I know life in your family isn’t easy. Live well with your husband. If you have problems, talk them out. Don’t mention divorce. Your brother-in-law and I didn’t even know each other before marriage, but we still lived our lives.”
Qiao Yuwei glanced at Song Zhinian’s handsome profile and fell silent.
Qiao Zhaodi then turned to Song Zhinian.
“Brother-in-law, my sister is a bit willful, but she’s not a bad person. If she does something wrong, just scold her. And if you really reach the point of divorce, please think carefully.”
Song Zhinian sat in the driver’s seat, eyes forward, expression unreadable. He simply gave a faint “mm” as acknowledgment.
Qiao Yuwei found herself puzzled by his behavior. He clearly disliked her so why was he so patient and respectful toward her family? Or rather, toward her “current” family now.
At that moment
The baby on Qiao Zhaodi’s back woke up. The little one rubbed its eyes, didn’t cry, just curiously looked around outside the window.
Then it turned its gaze to Qiao Yuwei.
Seeing a face somewhat similar to its mother’s, its eyes lit up. It stretched out its chubby little hands, babbling softly, reaching toward her for a hug.