CHAPTER 684: CHAPTER 461 UNUSUAL

Zhou Mikang turned and walked away, and Chuxia hurried after her.

"Wang Jing, keep an eye on things, I’ll be back in a bit," Song Xiaoyu instructed before quickly chasing after them.

Wang Jing shrugged her shoulders, "Looks like it’s better not to get married. Too much trouble, really."

Just then, her aunt, Wang Lei, arrived. Seeing her sitting there alone, she asked in confusion, "Why are you by yourself? Where are Director Song and Lin Chuxia?"

A mischievous idea struck Wang Jing, and she deliberately put on a bitter face, "Auntie, I listened to you, gave way in everything, and now during the surgery, only Lin Chuxia is taken along and not me."

Stunned for a moment, Wang Lei’s brows furrowed, "Song Xiaoyu should not be that kind of person. Xiao Jing, did you really apologize? Was your attitude sincere?"

"Of course," Wang Jing nodded vigorously, "I was very serious. Do you want me to reenact it for you to judge?"

Wang Lei waved her hand, "Never mind, auntie believes you. But I guess Song Xiaoyu is leaving you hanging like this to test you. You have to stand strong and not falter again."

"Sure." Wang Jing agreed with a laugh, "Auntie, I was just teasing you. The teacher just stepped out. By the way, why did you come over at this time? You’re not worried about me, are you?"

"I went to the post office to mail something and just happened to pass by here, so I came to see you and also to bring this for Teacher Song," Wang Lei lifted the red silk-wrapped package in her hand, "Your teacher’s daughter loves the red bean buns I make."

This was clearly a deliberate visit. Otherwise, who would bring a package of red bean buns while mailing things?

Amused, Wang Jing looked at Wang Lei, "Auntie, you don’t even prepare a lie, and by the way, did you notice the change in the way you addressed someone just now?"

"What change?"

"When you came in, you referred to her as Teacher Song. After hearing she left me out, you quickly switched to Song Xiaoyu. When I told you it was a joke, you switched back to Teacher Song," Wang Jing said, moving forward to hook Wang Lei’s arm, "Auntie, this discovery makes me quite happy. It shows that you really care about me."

"Did I do that?" Wang Lei scratched her head, smiling embarrassedly, "I really didn’t notice myself. Oh, and don’t tell Teacher Song about this, else she’ll get angry at me, thinking I don’t trust her."

"I’m not stupid." After a moment’s hesitation, Wang Jing said, "Auntie, Wang Fong is here."

"Why is she here?" Wang Lei’s brows furrowed again, "Who’s sick?"

"Her eldest aunt."

"What happened?"

"There’s a tumor in her abdomen, surgery is tomorrow, Teacher Song is leading, and I’m assisting," Wang Jing said with a sigh, "I really didn’t want to see her, can you think of a way to get rid of her?"

"Are you trying to kill me?" Wang Lei shot her a glance, "Rarely she’s showing some sentiment, let her take care of it. If you don’t want to see her, just avoid going there. If she dares to make trouble with you, ignore her. If she really provokes you, hit her; I’ve got your back."

"Auntie, you always come up with such naughty ideas," Wang Jing said, her face full of amusement, "I’m medical personnel. If I really hit her, I would be marked. How could you cover for me then?"

"Right, how could I forget that."

Just then, Song Xiaoyu returned. Seeing her old classmate, her face lit up with joy, "Wang Lei, you’re here?"

"Yeah, I came to deliver this, and also to thank you for always looking after Xiao Jing," Wang Lei said, handing over the silk-wrapped package, "I made this batch extra delicious; you’re sure to like it."

"Then I won’t be polite," Song Xiaoyu accepted the package with relish and took out two bottles of malted milk essence from the cupboard, "This is for you, look how thin you’ve gotten, you need to nourish yourself well."

"I didn’t come begging for favors; I don’t want it," Wang Lei said, pulling her hands back, "If you keep this up, I won’t make them for you anymore. By the way, my niece is here keeping someone company, I’ll go take a look."

No sooner had she finished speaking than she had vanished outside the door. Song Xiaoyu shook her head with a chuckle and tucked the malted milk essence into the silk wrap to pass to Wang Jing, "Take this to your auntie."

"Teacher..." Wang Jing hesitated.

"You’ve been with me for so long; you should know what kind of person I am. Besides, this was meant for her. I brought it here after the last phone call," Song Xiaoyu said.

Wang Jing smiled sheepishly; clearly, the teacher knew her aunt better than she did. She had never thought that her aunt would definitely come over...

...

Zhou Jingping finally awoke from a series of nightmares, drenched in sweat as he sat up. He saw Chuxia holding a warm towel, ready to wipe his hand, and his face flushed with red, "I can do it myself."

"Dad, do you feel dizzy?" Chuxia asked.

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"It’s okay." Zhou Jingping only felt exceedingly embarrassed, how could he even notice if he was dizzy or not?

"Zhou Mikang had to leave earlier for an emergency, he asked me to let dad know," Chuxia added.

"Alright, I’ll be heading back soon too."

"No, you can’t." Chuxia stared at him seriously, "Dad, I might be speaking out of turn, but my intention is for the good of your health. Please forgive me if there’s anything inappropriate."

Zhou Jingping nodded, "Alright, go ahead."

"Ever since our little sister passed away, have you been having nightmares all the time?"

Zhou Jingping’s red face gradually turned white, clearly, he hadn’t expected his daughter-in-law to ask about this and was unprepared, leaving him unsure of how to respond.

"Dad, why don’t you share what’s on your mind with everyone? If you keep it bottled up like this, it’ll eventually take a toll on your health." Chuxia sighed, "The check-up Professor Yuan did for you showed that you have a tendency for mild depression, and the fundamental cause is the long-term lack of rest."

"Ah!" Zhou Jingping let out a heavy sigh, then gave a bitter smile, "It’s already much better now. I used to have nightmares all night, but now, it’s just occasionally dreaming about Raorao’s kidnapping. Chuxia, don’t tell your mom or your grandma, and don’t tell Xiaomi either, to spare them the worry."

"Dad, you should have told Zhou Mikang. It’s been many years, and this is a knot between the two of you. His pain is superficial, but you... you’ve been pressing it down inside yourself.

You might think this is a way of protecting your family, but I don’t see it that way. What is family, after all? They’re the ones to share both the good times and the hardships, everything you can or can’t discuss with others, you should be able to share with family.

Maybe when you share, your family will be sad with you, but it will bring you closer, and you’ll feel the bond of flesh and blood more clearly.

If you had let the family know all this much earlier, Zhou Mikang wouldn’t have resented you for so many years and wouldn’t be like he is now, seemingly over it on the surface but still not having resolved his feelings inside.

Dad, if there’s anything I said that is wrong or has wronged you, please don’t be mad at me. I truly think this way, and if I don’t speak up and share what’s on my mind, I wouldn’t feel at ease."

"Good child, you’re doing this for my benefit, how could I be mad?" Zhou Jingping’s emotions had stabilized, and he smiled at her, "Let me think about it, okay?"

Chuxia smiled and nodded, "Okay, dad, sometimes, speaking up is also a way to show closeness to your loved ones."

"At such a young age, you already know so much." Zhou Jingping shook his head with a smile, "It seems I really can’t treat you as a child anymore."

"Right?" Chuxia grinned smugly, "So dad also thinks I’ve grown mature and sensible, doesn’t he?"

Zhou Jingping gave a laugh of resignation, not knowing what else to say.

"Dad, there’s nothing wrong with your body, but it needs some care. Western medicine can be harsh, so Professor Yuan went to see Elder Ma in the department of traditional Chinese medicine. He said once you woke up, I should accompany you over there. Shall we go now?"

"Sure." Zhou Jingping no longer resisted and promptly agreed, swinging his legs off the bed.

Chuxia was startled and supported him, "Dad, this isn’t a war, can’t you take it slowly? Did you feel dizzy just now? Did you feel like throwing up?"

"No, no..." Zhou Jingping waved his hand with a smile, "Dad’s not that delicate, let’s go."

As father and son were leaving, they happened to run into a man and a woman walking towards them. Seeing Chuxia in a white coat, the man asked with a smile, "Comrade, could you tell me how to get to the surgery department?"

"Turn left up ahead," Chuxia observed them for a moment and then asked, "Where are you hurt?"

"I was walking when someone on a bike ran into me. My head really hurt at the time, but it’s not too bad now. I said it was nothing, but he insisted on coming here to get it checked. I’m in a rush to buy groceries," the woman explained while dabbing her nose with a handkerchief.

Noticing her action, Chuxia’s pupils suddenly constricted, and then she looked at Zhou Jingping, "Dad, you go to the department of traditional Chinese medicine by yourself, I’ll take this comrade to Jing Zhe. I’ll come to find you later, okay?"

"Okay, you go ahead," Zhou Jingping was somewhat puzzled as he looked at the man and woman, who seemed to be fine...

"Lie down here, quick!" Chuxia pulled over a nearby operation bed and urged the woman onto it.

"Young comrade, what are you doing?" The woman looked upset, "Even if it’s a hospital, you can’t just curse someone like that. I’m not seriously ill; why are you making me lie here? It’s so uncomfortable. It’s almost New Year’s, who does things this way?" As she spoke, she turned to leave, "I’m fine, I won’t get checked, I need to hurry and buy my groceries."

"Hold on to her!" Chuxia looked at the man, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and grab her!"

"Huh?" The man hesitated briefly and then grabbed the woman, "Qiao Zhu, if the doctor is so anxious, it’s for our own good. We’d have peace of mind after a check-up, and then we can go. Don’t be so stubborn."

"Are you hoping I die early? It’s almost New Year’s, and you still want me to make a hospital trip, are you only happy if I do?" The woman angrily twisted the man’s fingers, "When I say no check-up is needed, it means no check-up is needed! I know my body, or else I won’t let that person who hit me leave."

Uncertain, the man looked at Chuxia for direction, not sure what to do. He had indeed heard his wife complain of a headache and, worried about an injury, insisted on bringing her in. But seeing his wife’s energy now, she should be okay, right?(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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