novelraw Chapter 457 - 374: Aunt, why are you in the hospital?
Chapter 457 - 374: Aunt, why are you in the hospital?
Chapter 457: Chapter 374: Aunt, why are you in the hospital?
Zhang Yao finally broke into a smile through her tears, snuggling into her mother’s arms like a spoiled child, "Mom, I want to drink porridge!" She had been making a fuss since last night and hadn’t eaten or drank anything, even though she had been hungry for quite a while, she just hadn’t found the right moment to say it.
Zhang Yao’s mother gently tapped her daughter’s forehead with concern, "Mom will go buy it for you. Be good, and I’ll ask your dad to come in."
"Mom, I want to be by myself for now. Don’t let Dad come in, okay? Don’t worry, I’m fine; I’ll never hurt myself again. If I have to hurt someone, I’d rather hurt others—it would never be myself."
An uncertain flicker passed through Zhang Yao’s mother’s eyes, but she was wary of being too insistent and triggering her daughter’s rebelliousness. So, she smiled and nodded, "Alright then, wait for Mom to come back. Mom’s going to get you some porridge."
Before leaving the room, she admonished again, "Yao Yao, stay lying down, alright?"
Zhang Yao’s father stood defeated in the hospital hallway, an expression of deep regret etched on his face. He had never thought his daughter would sink to such a state!
He bitterly regretted spoiling her when she was younger. If he hadn’t indulged her so much back then, would she have turned out differently?
The old couple exchanged a silent glance as Zhang Yao’s mother softly instructed him about something, then turned and left.
As she walked into the hospital’s first-floor lobby, Zhang Yao’s heavy-hearted mother was suddenly grabbed by the arm by a young girl heading her way, "Auntie, what are you doing at the hospital?"
When Zhang Yao’s mother looked over, she realized it was her niece, Nannan. An uneasy expression flitted across her face as she said, "Your Sister Yaoyao is sick. What are you doing here?"
Zhang Yao’s wrist-slitting suicide was certainly not an honorable matter. Only Zhang Shan in the family had been told; Zhang Yao’s mother didn’t want anyone else to know.
Nannan asked concernedly, "What’s wrong with my Sister Yaoyao? Which ward is she in? I’ll go visit her!"
Her aunt waved her hand decisively, "No, no, it’s just a minor problem."
Noticing the family standing beside Nannan, watching quietly and smiling, Zhang Yao’s mother deflected, "Who are these people?"
Smiling, Nannan introduced them: "Auntie, this is my boyfriend, Zhou Gang, his mother, and his younger sister. His mom’s having her waist checked out in this hospital—I heard it specializes in treating back injuries."
Everyone exchanged polite, smiling nods in greeting,
"Alright then, you go handle your business first. I’ll head out to buy some food for your Sister Yaoyao!" Zhang Yao’s mother was anxious to leave, fearful of any incidents occurring if she tarried too long.
Zhou Rou spoke sweetly, trying to offer, "Auntie, you go ahead! Later we’ll go visit Yaoyao!"
Zhang Yao’s mother’s face instantly darkened, "That’s really not necessary. It’s nothing serious; she might even be discharged soon! You all take care of your errands!"
Zhou Rou noticed her resolute refusal and decided it wasn’t appropriate to press further, although she found her reaction odd. Outwardly, she didn’t show her suspicions.
Nannan also sensed something off and speculated. Maybe her aunt didn’t want others to know about Sister Yaoyao’s illness or wished to avoid unnecessary social obligations—after all, Nannan and Zhou Gang were only dating, not married yet.
After escorting Mrs. Zhou to the exam room and making a phone call to her uncle, Nannan quietly found Zhang Yao’s hospital room on her own.
Zhang Yao hadn’t expected Nannan to visit. The two had been close since childhood and shared everything with each other. Right now, Zhang Yao was bottling up a lot of emotions, so she poured her heart out to Nannan, feeling a lot better afterwards.
However, she didn’t mention the matter of being harassed in the bar. Now that she calmed down, she regretted having brought it up in front of Zhang Shan.
Just then, Zhang Yao’s mother returned to discover her niece had already arrived. Since they were family, she couldn’t say much about it!
She only instructed Nannan repeatedly not to mention this to anyone else. After all, her daughter wasn’t married yet—attempting suicide for a man before marriage would reflect poorly if it became public.
When Zhou Rou saw Nannan come back after leaving, Zhou Gang took the initiative to greet her. Earlier, when Nannan had stepped away, Zhou Rou and Mrs. Zhou had advised him to pay a visit—after all, one of Nannan’s family members was sick, and it would demonstrate their family’s respect for her.
Zhou Gang consequently expressed his intention to visit her relative, but Nannan refused. Annoyed by his persistence, she finally whispered the truth about Zhang Yao attempting suicide over a man.
After hearing this, Zhou Gang was embarrassed. Under such circumstances, a visit would definitely be inappropriate.
Observing the odd expression on Zhou Gang’s face, Zhou Rou approached him the moment Nannan went off to accompany Mrs. Zhou to the restroom.
"What’s going on? Is it okay to not visit? After all, it’s her aunt’s family member who’s hospitalized!"
Zhou Gang hesitated and admitted, "Ugh, her relative was admitted for slitting her wrist in a suicide attempt. Visiting probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do."
"Oh, I see! Then let’s leave it."
Inwardly, Zhou Rou thought disdainfully—what kind of person does that? To go so far as to die for a man?
She really couldn’t fathom it!
Did she not consider that even if she died, it wouldn’t change a single thing about that man’s feelings for her?
Life goes on for everyone, regardless of who passes away!
Zhou Gang also thought her actions were unreasonable and scoffed, "Apparently, the man is the owner of some big company whose surname is Leng. When it comes to wealthy guys like him, you think they’d ever truly stay faithful? Who knows how many mistresses he’s got behind the scenes. I haven’t even seen what Nannan’s cousin looks like!"
Zhou Rou stiffened, her expression momentarily frozen, as a thought surfaced—Leng?
Could it be Li Si’s husband?
Then again, she shook her head. Although there weren’t many people with the surname Leng, it couldn’t possibly just be him!
Still, what if it was?
The reason Zhou Rou had come to Beijing with Mrs. Zhou for this check-up wasn’t simple!
When Li Guozhi accidentally let something slip and Zhang Meihua found out things about her family, Zhang Meihua immediately lashed out at Li Guozhi.
Initially, Li Guozhi felt guilty and accepted her reprimand. But later, unable to endure it any longer—and empathizing with Grandma Li, imagining her spending Lunar New Year’s Eve alone in misery—her pent-up anger erupted.
Li Guofu’s family was spending the holiday at Mr. Han Sr.’s house, and Li Guozhi knew even if she wanted to come over, her mother-in-law and Wu Dachuan wouldn’t allow it. Bringing Grandma Li to her own home was out of the question, too—she feared harsh words from her mother-in-law ruining everyone’s mood.
In a fit of rage, she blurted out, "How is this my fault? It’s because of Zhou Rou! Zhou Rou was the one asking nonstop about Grandma’s situation; that’s why I let it slip!"
All fingers soon pointed toward Zhou Rou, and during the Lunar New Year holiday at Mr. Han Sr.’s house, Zhang Meihua confronted Zhou Rou directly with Li Fei backing her up.
Mrs. Zhou, emboldened by her ties to Mr. Han Sr., stood tall and confident, refusing to back down. After all, in the hierarchy of relations, Zhang Meihua was technically her junior. Who dared to speak so audaciously to her daughter?
The altercation spiraled out of control until it turned into a full-blown fight. Amid chaotic pushing and shoving, Mrs. Zhou injured her back!
Mr. Han Sr. was furious—it had completely ruined the holiday for everyone. Even he, impartial as he tried to be, struggled to mediate such a mess!
In the end, the matter was left unresolved. From then on, everyone avoided each other; every encounter turned into verbal skirmishes and arguments.
Zhou Rou’s purpose in accompanying Mrs. Zhou to Beijing wasn’t just familial obligation. She also wanted to seize the chance to retaliate against the Wang family’s mother and daughter.
Regarding Li Si, word had reached her through high school friends about Li Si’s upcoming wedding in June.
Truth be told, Li Si’s life could only be described as charmed!
They both sought wealthy matches, yet Li Si had successfully wed into a prestigious family while Zhou Rou was stuck in her current predicament.
Was she truly going to resign herself to this?
Even if she couldn’t sabotage Li Si’s wedding outright, she was determined to find an opportunity to cause her grief.
So the tidbit Zhou Gang accidentally let slip piqued Zhou Rou’s interest. Clinging to her resolve not to let it go, she began to plot her next move!
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