Qiao Yuwei’s heart instantly melted. She carefully reached out, a little awkwardly, and took the baby into her arms.
The little one was soft and warm, carrying a faint milky scent. His chubby little face and round, bright eyes made her unable to resist gently pinching his cheek.
Watching this, Qiao Zhaodi smiled with relief. Looking at both Qiao Yuwei and Song Zhinian, she said with a smile:
“You two one handsome, one beautiful. If you ever have a child, they’ll definitely be even prettier than our little one. Don’t get divorced, alright? Hurry up and have a big healthy boy to bring some joy to the Song family.”
Qiao Yuwei’s face flushed slightly. She glanced at Song Zhinian in the driver’s seat and deliberately said playfully,
“Soon. We’ll try for one this year.”
The moment those words came out, Song Zhinian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened abruptly. The car jolted slightly. His ears quietly turned red, but he quickly hid it by focusing on driving.
Seeing his rare embarrassed reaction, Qiao Yuwei couldn’t help but secretly laugh.
Qiao Zhaodi didn’t notice and continued,
“That would be great. Next month is Grandpa’s 80th birthday. You’ve been married a year and still haven’t gone back to your hometown. If you’re free, you should go back. Let Grandpa see his handsome grandson-in-law!”
Qiao Yuwei froze for a moment she had actually forgotten about that.
After the incident of Song Zhinian mistakenly entering the wrong room, the original owner had immediately followed him to the army the next day. There was no wedding held in her hometown only a marriage registration submitted at the unit. She wore red clothes, ate a simple meal, and that was considered their marriage.
Her parents had met him before and knew he was in the military, but had no idea of his rank or position. In confusion, they had just married off their daughter.
And
Qiao Yuwei secretly glanced at his back.
He probably only wanted a divorce now. How could he possibly be thinking about going back with her?
The car drove smoothly and soon arrived at the hospital. The two of them got out first, while Qiao Zhaodi adjusted the baby on her back. Song Zhinian left early, saying he had other matters to attend to.
They didn’t go straight to the ward, but headed directly to the payment counter with the money.
However, when the payment slip was handed over, the doctor only glanced at it and frowned, pushing it back with disdain.
“Sorry, your husband’s surgery can’t be scheduled for now.”
Qiao Zhaodi’s heart sank. She leaned forward anxiously.
“Why? Didn’t your director say as long as we paid today, surgery could be done immediately? Didn’t you say it couldn’t be delayed?”
She pushed the envelope of money forward.
“I’ve brought the money. Why can’t it be done?”
The cashier doctor rolled her eyes impatiently and pushed the money back, filing her nails as if it had nothing to do with her.
“Can’t you understand simple words?”
“What kind of attitude is that?” Qiao Yuwei stepped forward unhappily.
Seeing it was a young woman, the doctor originally wanted to retort but under Qiao Yuwei’s unexpectedly sharp presence, her arrogance faded halfway, and her voice stuttered.
She turned instead to the easier target, Qiao Zhaodi.
“Fine, I’ll tell you the truth. The person who beat your husband is the son of the Red Star Factory director. Instructions have already come down your husband’s surgery cannot be done.”
Qiao Yuwei’s face darkened instantly.
She hadn’t expected the factory director’s son to be so arrogant as to bribe the hospital and block the surgery. Her brother-in-law’s leg had already been delayed a day any further delay could lead to infection and complications.
“He dares to be this lawless?” she said coldly. “A patient’s life and health come first. How can you ignore that just because of one sentence?”
“We’re in a difficult position,” the doctor sighed. “That factory director has connections in the city. Our hospital is privately run, and the deputy dean is his relative. We can’t afford to offend him. People like us don’t have much choice.”
At those words, Qiao Zhaodi’s knees nearly gave out. Tears immediately poured down her face.
“What do we do now? Doctor, please… save my husband. He can’t lose his leg!”
“Sis, don’t panic,” Qiao Yuwei held her steady, forcing calm into her voice. “There’s always a way.”
Just then, commotion erupted on the second floor.
Qiao Zhaodi looked up and her face turned pale instantly.
“That’s… your brother-in-law’s ward…”
They immediately ran upstairs.
A crowd of patients and family members had gathered in the corridor. Pushing through, they saw the scene inside.
“Tang Jiahé, you really don’t know what’s good for you. If you had just taken that 30 yuan earlier, nothing would’ve happened. Why insist on getting yourself a broken leg?”
A man named Li Daguo leaned casually against the bedside, his tone mocking.
“Don’t bully my dad!” a little girl stood in front of the bed, cheeks puffed in anger.
“Li Daguo, you bastard!” Tang Jiahé’s face flushed red with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. He raised his arm to strike back.
But a burly man standing behind Li Daguo stepped forward and blocked the attack with his chest, unmoved.
He snorted proudly, flexing his chest slightly.
Wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, his thick, bulging muscles were intimidating. The surrounding crowd couldn’t help but feel tense.
Li Daguo sneered and leaned closer, then pulled back arrogantly.
“What can you do to me if I’m a bastard? Bite me!”
“We don’t eat shit.”
A cold voice cut through the scene.
The crowd parted as Qiao Yuwei and Qiao Zhaodi finally squeezed in.
Qiao Zhaodi rushed forward, hugging the father and daughter as she broke down in tears. Meanwhile, Qiao Yuwei stood in front of them, facing Li Daguo directly.
Li Daguo looked her up and down. Her skin was slightly sallow, her clothes plain and old-fashioned but her eyes were bright and striking.
He rubbed his hands together with a lecherous smile.
“What did you just say? I didn’t quite hear you, sweetheart.”
The burly man leaned over and kindly reminded him,
“Boss… she said you’re shit.”
Li Daguo’s expression changed instantly.
“I’ve never been insulted like this before! How dare you insult me!”
“I didn’t name anyone,” Qiao Yuwei replied calmly, her tone sharp. “If you insist on admitting it yourself, that’s on you.”
Qiao Zhaodi quickly pulled her sleeve, wiping her tears and shaking her head helplessly.
“Yuwei, stop talking. We can’t afford to offend him.”
Li Daguo laughed loudly.
“Good, at least you know your place. Consider yourself lucky for that beating already. As for you ”
He turned back to Qiao Yuwei, arrogance returning.
“Call me ‘Brother Li’ a few times, and I might let this go. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.”