Gu Mian didn’t vomit anything. After finally recovering, she rinsed her mouth and wiped it with a tissue.
Turning to face Yin Luoxue, who was scrutinizing her, she countered with a question instead of answering, “I just got out of prison. Do you think that’s possible?”
Hearing this, Yin Luoxue’s expression immediately relaxed.
Not only had Gu Mian just been released from prison, but even if she hadn’t been incarcerated, it would have been impossible for her to get pregnant.
Because Li Tingshen hated children more than anything.
She had known since childhood that if she married Li Tingshen, she wouldn’t be able to have children. She would never do anything he disliked.
But it was just as well not to have children anyway. She didn’t like them to begin with, and childbirth easily ruined one’s figure. Maintaining her good figure would help her keep a firm grip on Li Tingshen’s heart.
Yin Luoxue composed herself and continued her sarcastic remarks, “Gu Mian, I know Ting Shen treats you poorly, but don’t be too disheartened. Once my illness is cured, he’ll naturally agree to divorce you. Don’t worry, we won’t shortchange you. How about this—next time you donate blood for me, I’ll buy you an extra bag. What do you say?”
“I’ve never touched those bags. You can keep them for yourself.”
Gu Mian tossed the tissue into the trash and walked away without another word.
Yin Luoxue’s mockery did upset her, but what troubled her more was the fact that she couldn’t find a job.
Her uncle had secretly given her the inheritance left by her Grandma behind her Aunt’s back—less than 100,000 yuan. Never mind covering hospital expenses, even hiring a monthly nanny in the Imperial Capital cost at least 20,000 yuan these days. She had to find a way to earn money quickly.
With no other options, Gu Mian had no choice but to look for part-time work that didn’t require a background check.
She had a nursing qualification certificate and managed to secure a part-time job as a nursing aide at a hospital that afternoon.
Just as she stepped out of the hospital, Li Tingshen called.
It was only then that Gu Mian remembered she had forgotten to block him again last night.
She answered the call, “What is it?”
The man’s voice on the other end was icy, “Did you see Luoxue today?”
“…Yes.”
Li Tingshen’s tone grew even colder, “Gu Mian, can you not go a single day without targeting her? Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“How did I target her?”
“Luoxue kindly offered you a job despite your past conflicts, and you accused her of fake compassion. Did that happen?”
Gu Mian’s hand gripping the phone tightened slowly, “Yes, but I was speaking the truth.”
“And you think you’re justified?” Li Tingshen scolded, “Last night, I ignored Luoxue and took you home instead. This morning, I explained that last night was a misunderstanding—nothing happened between me and Luoxue. Not only did you not listen, but you immediately went and bullied Luoxue even more harshly!”
Gu Mian smiled bitterly.
So, him taking her home was a favor.
So, his explanation was only because he was afraid she would harm his beloved Yin Luoxue.
And she had foolishly thought it was a shred of tenderness he had bestowed upon her.
Turns out she couldn’t even receive a scrap of charity.
Gu Mian heard her own voice say, “Ting Shen, in your eyes, does it only count as ‘something happening’ if we roll in the sheets?”
“Sophistry!” Li Tingshen roared, “Gu Mian, can’t you leave the hostility from prison behind instead of bringing it back to affect others? Do you have any idea Luoxue cried all day and nearly had an episode because of you!”
Gu Mian could no longer hold back—tears streamed down her face.
Yes, she had been to prison. Yes, she was full of hostility. That’s why the former top student of Haida University couldn’t even find a decent job now!
The humiliation from Yin Luoxue she could try to ignore, but Li Tingshen’s questioning and accusations shattered all her feigned strength in an instant!
The most painful wound on her body was stabbed by the man she loved most with his own hands!
“Cat got your tongue? Speak!” Li Tingshen grew even angrier when she remained silent. “Come to the Yin residence immediately and apologize to Luoxue!”
Gu Mian wiped the tears from her face haphazardly, took a deep breath, and said, “If she likes to cry and wants to play the role of Meng Jiangnü, what can I do about it?”
She should apologize—to herself.
She was wrong—wrong for falling in love with Li Tingshen.
Without waiting for him to respond, Gu Mian hung up the phone and blocked his number.
She would never give him another chance to hurt her again. She was determined to get a divorce!
……
Yin Residence.
Li Tingshen stared at the disconnected call, the fury in his chest burning even more intensely!
He redialed, but as expected, the call wouldn’t go through.
Li Tingshen let out a cold laugh, seething with anger. “Gu Mian, you’ve really outdone yourself…”
“Tingshen, don’t be angry.” Yin Luoxue wheeled herself over in her wheelchair, her pale face still stained with tears. “It’s all my fault. I meant well but ended up making things worse and upsetting Gu Mian… She has every right to hate me. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have gone to prison…”
While observing Li Tingshen’s expression, she continued, “If only I had been more forgiving back then and not let her face legal consequences, maybe she wouldn’t have become so full of resentment…”
Li Tingshen glanced at his phone and replied casually, “Those who do wrong must be punished. It’s not your fault.”
A flicker of triumphant delight flashed in Yin Luoxue’s eyes as she spoke magnanimously, “Gu Mian likes bags. I’ll go to the mall tomorrow and buy her the latest season’s bag. She’ll definitely be happy when she receives it, and maybe her resentment will lessen.”
“Buy whatever you think is suitable. Put it on my account.”
“Alright.”
“I have things to attend to. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Take care on the road. Remember to eat on time—your stomach isn’t in the best condition.” Yin Luoxue reminded him gently.
“Understood.”
……
In the car.
The driver could clearly feel the suffocatingly low pressure inside the vehicle.
To make matters worse, Li Tingshen hadn’t specified a destination. Gathering his courage, the driver asked, “Sir, where should we go now?”
A cold voice came from the back seat, “Give me your phone.”
The driver hurriedly unlocked his phone and handed it over.
Li Tingshen dialed Gu Mian’s number, only to find it blocked as well.
Irritated, Li Tingshen pinched the bridge of his nose. “Take me back to Li’s Group!”
The driver reminded him, “Didn’t you buy a gift for your wife and plan to see her?”
If the Yin family hadn’t suddenly called, saying Yin Xiao Jie was crying so hard she nearly fainted, Sir would have already met with his wife.
Li Tingshen turned and glanced at the luxury shopping bag beside him, his expression turning cold. “We’ll see when she realizes her mistakes.”
……
Early the next morning, Gu Mian reported to the hospital on time.
She had studied medicine and worked as a nursing aide before, so she picked things up quickly. Coupled with her pleasant personality, she got along well with the nurses.
“Gu Mian, you’re young and pretty. Why are you working as a nursing aide?” a nurse chatted with her during the lunch break. “Most nursing aides are uncles and aunts. I’ve never seen someone as young as you doing this.”
Gu Mian smiled. “This job pays well.”
Five hundred a day, and paid weekly at that.
“So you’re short on money,” the nurse said, lowering her voice when she saw no one was around. “You’re diligent and patient—why not try working in the VIP wards?”
“VIP wards?”
“That’s right. The people in VIP wards are usually wealthy. Working as a caregiver for them not only pays several times more than what you’re earning now, but if you do a good job, you might even get tips.”
Gu Mian’s interest was piqued. “Several times more?”
“Exactly. The patient in VIP Bed 15 pays a daily rate of two thousand.”
Gu Mian was even more tempted. Two thousand a day meant sixty thousand a month!
After working for a few months and saving up, she could take a break and prepare for childbirth once her pregnancy advanced and she could no longer work.
“I’d like to give it a try,” Gu Mian said immediately.
“Don’t rush. Let me finish,” the nurse said, taking a sip of her milk tea. “That patient has gone through as many as five caregivers in a single day. Even those who stay never last more than three days. You can imagine how difficult they are to please.”
Gu Mian hesitated for a moment. “I still want to try.”
She needed the money now, and no matter how demanding the patient was, she was willing to take the job!
……
Thanks to the referral, Gu Mian smoothly passed the interview at the VIP ward nursing station and was assigned to Bed 15, which offered the highest pay.
When she received several pages of instructions from the nursing station, she was stunned. “This many?”
The nurse slapped her forehead and immediately pulled out a few more sheets from the drawer. “Almost forgot, there are these too!”
Gu Mian: “…”
As soon as she left with the thick stack of papers, the nurses at the station began placing bets.
“I bet she lasts a day!”
“She’s so young—how could she possibly handle Bed 15? I bet half a day.”
“I bet an hour!”
As Gu Mian walked toward the patient’s room, she flipped through the materials in her hand.
Suddenly, a familiar, coquettish voice reached her ears. “Brother Ting Shen, I don’t want to sit in the wheelchair anymore.” Will you carry me?”