Chapter 151: Decision
Carrying the last dish of matsutake soup, she came to the dining table and set it down. Su Ning glanced at the damp clothes on his body that were still dripping water, and couldn’t help but frown.
Daily necessities, kitchen utensils, and even other things had all been considered, but she had uniquely forgotten this change of clothes.
“Not cold. I just finished laboring and my whole body is hot and sweating.”
Thinking that her frown was because she was worried he would catch a cold and get sick, Yan Bei slightly turned his body sideways and explained in a deliberately relaxed tone.
Smelling the lingering stench on his body even after washing, he lowered his eyes and tugged a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry.”
This apology came inexplicably, but the perceptive Su Ning understood it immediately.
For some reason, it was as if she had been stung by his words and that smile, making her heart twitch involuntarily, with a slight stinging pain and an indescribable sourness.
Taking a deep breath, instead of choosing the seat slightly farther across from him, she naturally sat in the closest spot next to him.
“This is the first time I’ve made matsutake. I’ve long heard that this local specialty matsutake is particularly delicious. Try it quickly!”
“Okay.”
Tightening his grip on the chopsticks, then slowly loosening his hand and relaxing his tense body, Yan Bei ate in one bite the dark-colored mushroom she had picked into his bowl.
This taste and this mood at the moment, he feared he would never forget for the rest of his life.
“Very delicious.”
“Right? I think it’s pretty good too. Looks like trading a big handful of milk candy for it was not a loss at all.”
Narrowing her eyes and revealing the small dimple at the corner of her mouth, Su Ning saw that his tense expression had eased and her own smile became even brighter. “By the way.”
“Yan Bei, tomorrow I’m going back to the city to handle some things, and on the way, I’ll pack up all your stuff and bring it over.”
“Okay.”
Yan Bei rarely opposed her decisions, especially when she was going through such trouble and hardship for him.
“What kind of expression is that? I really do have things to do.”
“Okay, I know.”
Setting down his chopsticks, he pulled a string of keys from his pocket and handed them to her. “These are the keys to my dormitory and research lab. The other things aren’t important. If possible, just bring me the box by the bedside in the bedroom and the file box under the desk in the research lab.”
“Mm, okay, I’ve got it.”
Taking the keys he handed over and putting them away, Su Ning picked up her bowl and chopsticks, eating the meal while thinking about things.
Tomorrow when she returned to the city, besides picking up Yan Bei’s clothes and things, she needed to check if Brother Zhang was back and go to the factory to find Director Liang.
Since she had decided in her heart to come back as a barefoot doctor, these matters needed to be arranged in advance.
As for the introduction letter and proof from the old man for signing up and training at the training institution in the county town, those could be put last, until everything else was settled.
“Su Ning, is something wrong?”
“Ah? No, I’m just thinking about work matters.”
Nodding half-believingly, Yan Bei looked deeply at her. “I won’t have any issues here for now, so don’t worry about me. If there’s something, just handle your own things first. Work comes first.”
“Okay, rest assured, I know what I’m doing.”
At this time, neither of them noticed that their interaction and conversation resembled a couple discussing matters harmoniously and lovingly.
After finishing the meal, Yan Bei as always rushed to clean up, washing the pot, scrubbing the bowls and chopsticks, and cleaning the kitchen. He wasn’t very skilled but was extremely meticulous and serious.
……
Train heading to Shanghai City.
Because they were rushing back, Fu Jiaming and Luo Shuangshuang couldn’t get sleeper berths and had to take hard seats first, hoping to upgrade to sleeper berths along the way.
The carriage was crowded with mixed smells. Even going to the bathroom felt like fighting a battle, exhausting them into a sweat.
It was her first time traveling far on such a long green train ride. Luo Shuangshuang’s face looked bad, and after these two days and one night, it had turned faintly pale, her lips colorless.
“Shuang Shuang, how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, just feeling stuffy and can’t breathe properly.”
Heartachely wiping the fine sweat that had beaded on her forehead again.
Fu Jiaming was anxious about the situation at home and worried about his partner, hardly closing his eyes to sleep the whole time.
His eyes were bloodshot, with two dark circles, and a full chin of stubble, not looking much better than her.
“Sorry, Shuang Shuang.”
Just as they had started dating, such a big incident happened at home. Bringing her home for the first time was definitely not the best timing, without the proper welcome, and he didn’t know what situation they would face. He felt very bad inside.
Seeing his eyes starting to redden—even before boarding the train she had witnessed his heart-wrenching cries—she was really afraid of his tears.
Quietly reaching out to hold the back of his hand, Luo Shuangshuang shook it slightly. “Don’t say silly things. You’re my partner. Wouldn’t it be unreasonable for me not to accompany you at a time like this?”
“Rest assured, Uncle Fu, Aunt Ma, and Fu Big Brother will definitely get better.”
“Mm.”
Both tacitly avoided mentioning sister Fu Qianqian.
Because such pain, once uncovered, would tear flesh and blood, hurting to the point of tears. She feared he would lose heart and not be able to bear it.
It wouldn’t be good to be noticed by people in public. Seeing him steady, Luo Shuangshuang quickly withdrew her small hand and subconsciously clutched the bag in front of her tightly again.
Inside were medicines that Ning Bao Gai had specially asked her to bring—all life-saving things. Even if money and ration coupons were lost, she couldn’t lose them.
She hoped Uncle Fu, who was unconscious, could hold on until they arrived, and not worsen. She also hoped the medicinal water from Ning Bao Gai this time would still be as miraculous.
“Shuang Shuang, wait here for a bit. I’ll go ask the train attendant again if we can get sleeper berths.”
“Okay.”
……
Shanghai City, Second Hospital.
Ma Xiuzhen was carrying a lunchbox, having just gotten the meal from the hospital canteen and returned.
Married for many years and always protected behind Fu Rong, she had been shielded well. But in just a few short days, her former softness had been ground into cold hardness. From a dependent little woman, she had transformed into a strong woman holding up the sky for her husband and son.
“Dan’er!”
Pushing open the door and seeing her eldest son half off the bed hanging at the sickbed edge, Ma Xiuzhen quickly walked into the room, set down her things, forcefully lifted his legs, and moved him back onto the bed.
“Mom.”
“Yes, Mom’s here.”
Fu Jiatan, with half his face buried in the pillow, closed his eyes to rub away the teardrop sliding from the corner, adjusted his expression, then turned with a smile to look at her. “I accidentally…”
“Mom knows, Mom knows.”
Comfortingly patting his arm, Ma Xiuzhen’s eyes were red but she held back her tears. She knew her son had just tried to stand up again.
But she… could only pretend not to know anything.
Not just because of her son’s self-esteem, but also because she didn’t want to shatter his last thread of hope.
Even if the wound split open, she could only carefully apply medicine when he was asleep.
“The canteen had your favorite little pumpkin today. Dan’er, eat more later?”
“Okay, Mom, I’ll definitely eat more.”
Taking the chance to change the topic, Ma Xiuzhen turned sideways to get the lunchbox, inconspicuously wiped the corner of her eye, then turned back with a gentle smile.
“Then you eat first. Mom’s going to check on your dad, and I’ll come back to accompany you later.”
“Mom, don’t treat me like a two- or three-year-old kid. Rest assured, you just take care of Dad first. If I have something, there are so many doctors and nurses here.”
“Okay, okay, okay. You’re not two or three, you’re twenty or thirty.”
Seeing him smiling but struggling immensely to pick up the spoon, her heart ached. She probed, “How about Mom feeds you?”
“No need, I can do it. Just slower, to digest well. Mom, go quickly. Dad can’t be without someone.”
A man who had once been so proud didn’t want even his most beloved family to see his wretched state.
“…Okay.”
Striving not to let her voice tremble, Ma Xiuzhen didn’t dare look anymore and hurriedly left the hospital room.
When only she remained in the long corridor, she finally let her tears burst out.
“Aunt Ma.”
“Xuan Xuan?”
Quickly turning her back to wipe away tears, Ma Xiuzhen tried to maintain a proper smile. “Xuan Xuan, it’s good you’ve come. Jia Dan has been waiting for you. Come, I’ll take you…”
“Aunt Ma… sorry.”
Dodging her outstretched hand wanting to hold her, Ren Xuan lowered her head, not daring to meet her eyes.
After hesitating for a long time, she still handed over the jade pendant gripped in her hand.
This was the gift that Ma Xiuzhen, as her prospective mother-in-law, had given her after the engagement between the Fu and Ren families.
“Are you wanting to break off the engagement with Dan’er? Is it your idea or the entire Ren Family’s?”
“It’s… it’s… we’re sorry, Aunt Ma. I… I have no choice, sorry.”
Ren Xuan thought of her parents’ words, thought of the Fu Family’s current situation: Fu Rong who might kick the bucket anytime, Fu Jiatan who was completely crippled, Fu Jiaming who only followed behind Yan Family’s Xiao Qi without any prospects…
The Fu Family’s future was predictable.
After bowing in apology, Ren Xuan said no more, covered her mouth in a pained expression, and quickly ran away.
