Thankfully, Xiang Caiping was in great condition. All her stats seemed to be stable.
Huo Jinyao saw Su Qingsang heaving a breath of relief the moment he emerged from the washroom and stepped forward.
“Why didn’t you sleep a little longer? You didn’t get much rest last night.”
“I did. The one who didn’t sleep was you, no?”
“I’m used to it.” Huo Jinyao squeezed her hand. “I’ve already called Yang Wenchang to send some breakfast over. Have something to eat later and don’t tire yourself out. I’ve already instructed him to hire two care workers. Let them do the work.”
“I’m fine, and I don’t need care workers. I want to take care of my mom on my own.”
“I just hope that you won’t tire yourself out.” Huo Jinyao disagreed with her decision. “Wife, you have to understand. With your mom being in a state like this, she won’t recover in a day or two. She needs long-term care, and you can’t always do it on your own. Even a tiger needs a nap sometimes. You can’t just wear yourself out till you fall sick while taking care of Mom, right?”
“I know.” Su Qingsang couldn’t find a way to refute him. “I’ll still take care of her today, I promise you that. When my mom wakes, I’ll see how it goes before I decide.”
“Alright.” As long as she doesn’t insist on taking care of her alone.
Yang Wenchang turned up very quickly with breakfast in hand. However, there was only one serving.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’m heading home for a bit.” Huo Jinyao looked at the time. “I have a meeting today, so I can only be here in the evening.”
“It’s fine.” Su Qingsang knew that he was tired after two days. “Go and settle your things, I can handle this myself. I’m a staff member of this hospital. They’ll help me out.”
“That’s good.” Huo Jinyao gave her shoulder a pat. “Call me if there’s anything.”
“Alright.”
Su Qingsang gave him a hug before he left. She broke away from it quickly and stepped back, her gaze reflecting the resilience in her heart.
Huo Jinyao was tempted. If it wasn’t for Yang Wenchang standing there, he would pull this woman into his arms and kiss her passionately.
“Let’s go.” Signaling for Yang Wenchang to head out, Huo Jinyao planted a kiss on Su Qingsang’s cheek the moment he turned around.
Su Qingsang glanced at Yang Wenchang’s direction anxiously. She gave Huo Jinyao a gentle smack, but her eyes reflected the hint of a smile.
“I’ll send somebody to bring you lunch later. The food in this hospital doesn’t taste good.”
“Okay,” Su Qingsang nodded. She watched as Huo Jinyao walked out, her cheek still bearing the trace of warmth from his lips.
She blinked, then turned around and sat by the bed again. She took out the lunchbox and stared at Xiang Caiping, who was still in a deep slumber.
“Look, Mom. I’m eating alone again because you’re not awake yet. Wake up. Wake up and join me for breakfast.”
Xiang Caiping remained still. Su Qingsang felt her eyes turning a little moist. No hurry. She finished her breakfast.
She got some water and cleaned Xiang Caiping’s face and hands. After she was done, the doctors came in for a routine check.
Dr. Jiang from yesterday wasn’t here. Today, two other doctors were on duty, the same ones who operated on Xiang Caiping.
“Dr. Su, you’re here to take care of her?” Dr. Li looked at Su Qingsang and then at Xiang Caiping. “Your mom’s doing pretty well today. The anesthetic has worn off, so she might wake up soon. Don’t worry.”
“Alright. Thanks, Dr. Li.”
“You’re welcome. Her hip, however — she has injured it before, so she has to be more careful about it in the future. Or else, it might affect her mobility and interfere with her daily activities.”
“I know. I’ll make a note of it.”
Su Qingsang was a doctor herself, after all, so Dr. Li had nothing else to say. Su Qingsang sent them off and noticed that Su Chenghui was standing by the door when she raised her head.
He had a fruit basket in one hand, and a woman’s handbag on another. He stood by the door, looking as if he had been here for a while. He had wanted to come in just now, but as the doctors were still in there, he did not.
Su Qingsang’s lips were pressed together tightly into a straight line. She looked at Su Chenghui with an icy glare and turned around to get back into the ward. Su Chenghui tried to follow her in, but Su Qingsang lifted her hand and made to close the door instead.
“Qingsang.” Su Chenghui stepped forward, blocking the door with one foot to stop her from closing the door.
“Get out. My mom won’t want to see you.”
“Qingsang. That’s what you thought, but that’s not what your mom wants.”
“What I want is what my mom wants.” Su Qingsang blocked the door with her weight, her face full of reluctance. “I’ve already told you. My mom won’t want to see you.”
“Qingsang, I’m your father.” Su Chenghui was slightly angered by Su Qingsang’s attitude.
Su Qingsang straightened her body and looked at Su Chenghui. “How rare of you to still remember that you’re my father. I thought that Su Peizhen was the only daughter in your heart.”
“You—”
“I what?” Su Qingsang didn’t relent. “Leave. I’ve already said that my mom won’t want to see you.”
Su Chenghui glared at her and took a deep breath. “You haven’t calmed down, so I’m not going to argue with you.”
“I’m calm.” Su Qingsang stared back at him. “I’m very calm, that’s why I’m still able to stand here and have a proper conversation with you. Otherwise, I probably would’ve barged into the Su residence to teach Su Peizhen a good lesson.”
“I told you, I’ve already punished her.”
“Right. You gave her a slap,” Su Qingsang nodded. “I know. You may leave now.”
“Qingsang.” Su Chenghui looked at Su Qingsang, unable to argue with her further. “Besides visiting your mother, I’m here to pass this to you.”
He lifted up the bag he was holding as he spoke. Su Qingsang only noticed now that there were bloodstains on the bag, dyeing it a reddish-brown color. However, she could still tell that it belonged to Xiang Caiping.
She seized it with an outstretched hand. “How come do you have my mom’s bag?”
“After the accident yesterday, it fell onto the road. Peizhen was the one who helped pick it up, but yesterday it was in her car. She only passed it to me after she went home.”
“Is that so? Many thanks to her, then.” Su Qingsang’s voice sounded neither friendly nor hostile, and Su Chenghui didn’t pay much mind to it.
“There’s a gift for you in there from your mom. I heard that she visited Bo Gu Zhai just to get you this gift.”
There was a weird feeling in Su Chenghui’s heart. He really had not anticipated that Su Qingsang and Xiang Caiping could develop such a deep relationship in such a short time.
Su Qingsang did not speak. She held the bag and opened it. Inside, there were two red velvet boxes.
They were almost the same size, printed with the insignia of Bo Gu Zhai. She took one of them and opened it, finding a jade pendant inside.
By just one look she could tell that this jade pendant was very expensive, worth no less than a few hundred thousand.
Su Qingsang suddenly felt like tearing up when she saw the jade pendant. She lowered her head, looking away from Su Chenghui.
Su Chenghui took this opportunity to slip into the ward.
