Information about hospital staff might be like searching for a needle in a haystack for ordinary people, but for the hospital director, it was effortless. With a single instruction from him, someone suitable for Nan Lingyi’s needs was quickly found.
At this moment, Nan Lingyi was sitting by the hospital bed, gently blowing on a bowl of porridge.
Shen Yunchu lay there feeling uneasy. She did not understand why, perfectly fine as she was, she now had to be hospitalized as well.
Qiao Lihua was asleep on the other bed.
“Mom, I’m fine. Being hospitalized costs money. I’m really alright…”
Nan Lingyi cast her a light glance. “Alright? Then what do you call that whole row of illnesses on the exam report? I told you to lie down, so lie down and recuperate properly.”
“I still have to go to work…”
Shen Yunchu truly felt she was fine. Those ailments were minor ones she had long grown used to.
Nan Lingyi set the bowl down. “What work? How much do you even earn? Focus on recovering. It’s just right—after so many years apart, our mother and daughter have lots to talk about.”
Shen Yunchu did not dare move anymore and said somewhat aggrieved, “Mom, the hospital expenses for Lihua and me…”
Nan Lingyi tucked the blanket around her and said calmly, “Yes, I paid for it. Don’t worry. Your mother lacks everything now except money. I don’t care about this bit of medical expense—but I will make your mother-in-law pay it. You don’t have an issue with that, do you?”
The elderly woman glanced at Shen Yunchu, thinking that if this daughter could not distinguish right from wrong, she would not bother doing thankless work.
Shen Yunchu shook her head decisively. Of course she had no objections.
But…
“Mom, where have you been all these years? And where did this money come from? I have some money myself—save yours for your retirement…”
She looked earnestly at Nan Lingyi.
Nan Lingyi was instantly amused by her daughter’s innocence and rubbed her yellowing hair. “Don’t worry. It’s enough to support you all, and enough to support me too.”
At this moment, Sister-in-law Li arrived with news. Nan Lingyi handed her a few oranges to eat.
“So, how did it go?” Nan Lingyi asked casually.
Li Jiaojiao loved oranges the most. While peeling one, Sister-in-law Li said cheerfully, “Speaking of this, it really is a coincidence. When we were looking for someone, we found the perfect candidate. Do you know—”
She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Nan Lingyi.
“The person we found is Old Madam Qiao’s longtime nemesis. Her surname is Huang. I heard that Mr. Qiao was originally supposed to be engaged to Old Madam Huang. Who knew Old Madam Qiao would cut in and steal him? That grudge has lasted for years.”
Nan Lingyi raised an eyebrow. She had not expected such gossip.
“Sounds like a good choice.”
Shen Yunchu, standing nearby, wondered if she had heard wrong. She tugged at Nan Lingyi’s sleeve. “Mom, this is to…?”
Nan Lingyi leaned closer and revealed her most benevolent smile. “Good girl, this is to get revenge for you.”
Shen Yunchu froze for a moment.
Nan Lingyi continued with a smile, “Besides these fruits, is there anything else you want to eat? Mom will buy it for you. I heard there’s a fruit that smells terrible but tastes delicious—it’s called durian. Do you want to try it? And there’s a kind of cherry that’s very large and sweeter, with fuller flesh than ordinary cherries. I’ll get you some of those too…”
“Lihua is still young. I’ll get some imported formula milk to help nourish her. I’ve ordered meals from Jincheng Hotel. For the next few days, they’ll deliver food for you. If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell them directly—pork ribs, beef, fish and shrimp, chicken…”
Shen Yunchu could not lie still anymore and sat up abruptly. “Mom, Jincheng Hotel—how much does one meal there cost?”
This brag sounded a bit too big.
How could Nan Lingyi not see through her doubts? She helplessly pointed at Sister-in-law Li and said, “If you don’t believe me, ask your Aunt Li. Do you think I can afford to let you eat like this or not?”
Sister-in-law Li, munching on an orange, narrowed her eyes happily. “Oh, niece, don’t be shy. Just do as your mom says. Your mom can absolutely afford this. I’ll enjoy some benefits too.”
Nan Lingyi glanced at the watch on Sister-in-law Li’s wrist. “Judging by the time, the food should be arriving soon. I should buy a watch too—otherwise it’s inconvenient to tell the time…”
Watches were not common back then. The hospital only had one in the corridor, and Nan Lingyi did not feel like walking that far.
By now, Shen Yunchu felt entirely dazed. Especially when Jincheng Hotel really delivered more than a dozen dishes, she was utterly stunned.
The food was light in flavor, suitable for patients.
“I specifically told them—everything is nutritious and good for your recovery.”
Holding her chopsticks, she did not move for a long time and finally said, “Mom… you didn’t rob a bank, did you?”
Nan Lingyi twitched the corner of her mouth and rapped Shen Yunchu lightly on the head with her chopsticks. “Rob a bank? No. It’s just that even the bank president has to speak carefully when he sees me.”
While the hospital ward was lively, a separate drama was unfolding in the doctors’ office.
Old Madam Huang was at the hospital taking care of her husband and went to the doctors’ office to ask about his condition. By chance, she overheard some gossip being discussed—about Old Madam Qiao.
That instantly piqued Old Madam Huang’s interest. She leaned against the door, listening intently.
“How can there be such a grandmother? Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter don’t have a single uninjured place on their bodies. And have you heard? She won’t even pay a single cent of medical fees.”
“I heard the medical expenses for that mother and daughter were fronted by a kind-hearted person. How shameless. Her son is even preparing to compete for deputy director of the leather factory. How can someone of such character be acceptable…”
“Look at these examination reports—truly horrifying. If they weren’t relatives, anyone could sue her!”
“That mother and daughter need to be hospitalized properly now. If they don’t recuperate, their bodies will suffer serious damage in the future…”
“The money involved isn’t small. Just because someone is kind doesn’t mean they should foot the bill. It’s the evil mother-in-law’s karma—she should be the one paying!”
Old Madam Huang was listening with great interest when a doctor suddenly passed by and asked curiously, “What are you doing here?”
She was startled and trembled. Panicking, she waved her hands. Her husband was hospitalized, and his fate was in the doctors’ hands—she did not want to offend any of them by being caught eavesdropping.
So she hurriedly waved and said, “Nothing, nothing. I was just passing by…”
Then she scampered off at a trot—even though Old Madam Huang still had bound feet.
The doctor entered the office, exchanged glances with the others, and smiled knowingly.
Back in the ward, Old Madam Huang pondered for a long while. Hah—if she had married into the Qiao family back then, she might be living comfortably now instead of serving people day and night. Why should Old Madam Qiao, with her Buddha’s mouth and snake’s heart, get to enjoy a good life?
Thus, she called a nurse to look after her husband for a while, left the hospital, and planned a visit to the Qiao household.
(End of Chapters)