CHAPTER 443: CHAPTER 443 ANOTHER POISONOUS ATTACK

When Juanzi saw it was Yunyi, her face filled with surprise. "Doctor Chu, what brings you here?"

Yunyi offered her usual explanation, "I’m off today, and I heard you were discharged. I was a little worried, and since my partner and I happened to be passing by, we decided to come and check on you."

Hearing this, Juanzi’s face was overcome with gratitude. "Oh, you really shouldn’t have gone to such trouble."

As she spoke, she ushered Yunyi into the house.

Yunyi smiled. "It’s no trouble at all; we were passing by anyway."

Granny Juanzi understood perfectly that this was just polite talk. If there wasn’t genuine concern, why would anyone make such a trip? "That just shows your dedication," she said. "I really can’t thank you enough."

Yunyi took the pulse of the pregnant Juanzi and was alarmed to discover that something was wrong with her health again.

This is a serious matter,

Yunyi thought, afraid of causing distress to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. She casually asked, "What did you have for lunch?"

The two women thought Yunyi was just making small talk. Juanzi smiled and said, "Granny here felt sorry for me. She said I suffered a lot last night and insisted on making me something nourishing, so she rolled out some white noodles."

Granny Juanzi chimed in with a smile, "Well, you’re our family’s hero now. If you eat well, the baby in your belly will grow strong."

Although this was true, Juanzi didn’t mind. "Anyway, it’s going into my stomach. Your grandson or granddaughter is just getting a little extra. I’ll just consider it Mom pampering me."

Yunyi also laughed along. She genuinely liked the personalities of this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. But Juanzi was truly unlucky; just out of the hospital, and she’d been harmed again. However, the dose of the poison this time seemed much lighter than yesterday’s; they were probably running out of it.

Without betraying her thoughts, she said, "I’ll give you another acupuncture treatment, just to consolidate things. Afterward, just focus on resting and recovering."

Fearful they might let something slip later, she added in a whisper, "No matter who asks, don’t tell anyone I gave Juanzi acupuncture here at home. I’m worried that if word gets out, everyone with an ailment will come to my house for treatment."

Both Juanzi and Granny Juanzi were filled with gratitude, saying in unison, "Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone."

Yunyi, truly worried that the substance might harm the baby in the womb, weighed her options and then said, "Auntie, could you please get me a small bowl of boiled water?"

Granny Juanzi thought Yunyi was thirsty and even added some brown sugar to the water. "Doctor Chu, have a drink. I’ve added some brown sugar; it’s very sweet."

But the moment the bowl was handed to her, Yunyi sensed something was amiss. She took the bowl, sniffed the water, and her earlier suspicions were instantly confirmed.

Yunyi quickly asked, "Where did this water come from?"

With a puzzled expression, Granny Juanzi replied, "From the thermos in the main room. What’s wrong?"

Not wanting to frighten the pregnant Juanzi, Yunyi smiled. "Auntie, I need warm boiled water for something, not because I’m thirsty."

She then pulled Granny Juanzi outside, not forgetting to turn back and say to Juanzi with a smile, "Wait a moment, I’m going to get different water."

Once outside the main room, Yunyi stopped Granny Juanzi from going to the kitchen for another bowl. "Auntie, we’ll get the bowl later."

Before Granny Juanzi could react, Yunyi quickly ushered her back into the main room. "Auntie, when was the water in the thermos filled?"

Even if Granny Juanzi was slow on the uptake, she realized by now that something was wrong with the water, and her heart skipped a beat. "I boiled fresh water and refilled it right after lunch," she replied.

Yunyi continued her questioning, "When you were filling the thermos, was there any water left in it from before?"

Granny Juanzi hurriedly answered, "No, it was empty. There was a little bit left, but I poured it into the basin for washing dishes and used it. I refilled it with fresh boiled water."

In a concerned tone, she asked, "Doctor Chu, is there something wrong with the water?"

Yunyi knew she couldn’t hide it any longer. "There is indeed something wrong with this water. Absolutely do not let anyone drink it again. But don’t pour it out yet; I still need it. Also, don’t move the thermos. Make sure no one else in the family drinks the water from it. And for now, don’t tell anyone in the family about this. I can’t explain everything right now, but please trust me."

Granny Juanzi, being an astute woman, though terrified, nodded. "I understand. I will cooperate fully. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on this thermos."