After discussing his grandmother's condition and treatment plan, Tang Haichao asked her, "Where is Niannian?"
"She's asleep in the room."
"It's a pity for such a young child to be rushing around the hospital with you all day."
Xiang Wan joked with a nonchalant air, "This is just the beginning. The days of rushing around are likely still ahead."
Stimulated by Lu Mingzhe's sudden appearance a couple of days prior, Tang Haichao couldn't help but speak to Xiang Wan with veiled meaning again.
"She wouldn't have to rush around like this... Two people's strength is always greater than one. It's a shame you're unwilling to find her a father."
To be honest, Xiang Wan felt Tang Haichao was a good person, a qualified partner, and someone suitable for building a family. He was ambitious in his career, possessed personal charm in social interactions, was responsible in relationships, and showed tolerance towards children. She considered him a very perfect person.
However, emotions couldn't be forced. Even if you knew someone had a checkered past, someone society would never praise, you couldn't help but be madly attracted to them, willing to die or live for them. Conversely, you wouldn't even glance at someone who was good in every aspect.
"Don't be like this, Tang Haichao. You promised me we wouldn't talk about this."
Tang Haichao couldn't bear to see her suffer. He had thought a lot on the way, and his emotions were a bit agitated now.
"I did promise you, but Niannian wasn't around then, and your life wasn't this difficult. As the child grows older and your grandmother gets older, you as a woman..."
"Stop talking."
Xiang Wan didn't want to think about those things now. She was already tired enough from the burdens of life and didn't want to dwell on hardships that hadn't yet occurred.
"Alright, I won't say it. I won't bother you."
Tang Haichao felt heartache for her, a genuine heartache from the bottom of his heart. Her slightest look of impatience made him afraid to speak his mind. He took out a card from his bag and pressed it into her hand.
"Take this. You don't have medical insurance, and you'll have many expenses in the future. Use it for your grandmother's treatment first."
Xiang Wan refused. "I've already taken enough advantage of you. I can't be so shameless and always like this. Don't give me money anymore."
"What do you mean, 'don't give you money anymore'? I haven't given you money before."
"Come on. If you hadn't intentionally let me slack off, how could I have earned such a high salary?"
Xiang Wan refused decisively. "I know you're good to me, Tang Haichao. It's precisely because you're a good person that I don't want to harm you."
"I have bad luck. Anyone who gets close to me becomes unfortunate. I don't want you to become unfortunate."
"Who told you you have bad luck? Who told you that getting close to you makes people unfortunate? I've known you for so long, and nothing bad has happened to me!"
"I've already harmed you terribly. Do you want me to bring up the past and make myself feel even worse? In any case, I don't want your money!"
Xiang Wan pushed the card back to him.
Tang Haichao gripped the card. "Then how much money do you have on hand? Even if you don't take it now, what happens when the money runs out in a few days..."
Xiang Wan shook her head, then thought of Lu Mingzhe in the room. From the moment he rushed in and took her grandmother to the hospital, and then transferred her here, all the expenses were covered by him. But she didn't dare tell Tang Haichao, not wanting to complicate things.
"If I have difficulties, I'll ask you. If I haven't asked, it means I'm fine."
Tang Haichao knew her temperament – she was proud and stubborn. He didn't dare to anger her.
"Alright then. I'll ask you again in a couple of days. You must tell me if you have any difficulties. Has Grandma woken up? I'll go in and see her now."
Xiang Wan hurriedly blocked the doorway. "She hasn't woken up. It's not convenient right now. Perhaps you shouldn't see her."
Tang Haichao was startled by her strong reaction. "Is it that serious? Has she been unconscious from last night until now? Was it a stroke or... could it be a misdiagnosis?"
"No, the neurology department here is quite authoritative."
Xiang Wan tried hard to explain, "She woke up briefly in the middle, but then fell asleep again."
Tang Haichao: "I heard that strokes can cause some motor coordination sequelae. Does Grandma have any?"
Even though their voices were low, the difference in their vocal tones, as they overlapped, was enough to be picked up by Lu Mingzhe, who was lying in bed. He listened for a moment with his eyes closed. It was Xiang Wan's voice. The other must be Tang Haichao. He couldn't help but quietly get out of bed and approach the door.
"Hangcheng isn't exactly a first-tier city. Being authoritative in Hangcheng doesn't mean being top-tier in the country. How about this? I'll find a friend to contact hospitals in Beicheng and arrange for your grandmother to be transferred there as soon as possible."
"Don't worry about the expenses. Prepare yourself and Niannian, and I'll accompany you all."
Before Xiang Wan could refuse, Lu Mingzhe pushed open the ward door. Xiang Wan, who was blocking the doorway, was bumped by the door and instinctively turned to look. Seeing Lu Mingzhe appear at the door, her expression changed instantly. Naturally, Tang Haichao also saw Lu Mingzhe and Xiang Wan's altered expression. Her previous refusal, her blocking him from entering, and her embarrassed demeanor now all connected, making it impossible for him not to overthink. Tang Haichao instantly understood and looked at Xiang Wan with extreme disappointment.
"Why is he here? Did he find the hospital for you? No wonder, I thought to myself, you're staying in such a good ward right from the start. Have you made up with him?"
Tang Haichao knew best how he had endured the past year. At this moment, Xiang Wan knew that in his eyes, she was the biggest fool in the world. Dumped by a man like that, only to reconcile with him, "fool" wasn't even a strong enough word to describe her. She had no face to refute.
Lu Mingzhe, however, had plenty of face. "This is between us. It doesn't seem to concern you, does it? Please speak to her politely." He found Tang Haichao's questioning tone towards Xiang Wan very displeasing. He walked out and pulled Xiang Wan slightly closer to himself.
Tang Haichao's expression instantly turned even uglier. In his eyes, Xiang Wan had always been clear-headed and wouldn't make the mistake of repeating past errors. She had publicly stated just a few days ago that she wouldn't reconcile with him. What was happening now?
"Xiang Wan, what's wrong with you? Is it because you're short on money? Your grandmother is ill, and you feel immense pressure, so you're willing to compromise?"
"There's no need for that. Although I don't have as much money as him, whatever amount you need, I'll spend it for you. Don't gamble with your future happiness!"
"Calm down, don't be impulsive, and stay away from him!"
The moment Lu Mingzhe realized Xiang Wan and Tang Haichao had disappeared simultaneously, he had begun to resent Tang Haichao. This was because he knew Tang Haichao had feelings for Xiang Wan. Tang Haichao had been by her side whenever Xiang Wan encountered trouble, not simply out of pure kindness, but because he wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability. Ultimately, persuading Xiang Wan to break up with him would only benefit him. He had wanted to settle accounts with Tang Haichao for a long time.