"You're all grown up, aren't you? Don't you look at our current situation? And you're still talking about liking or not liking someone. How childish!"
"Right now, if Elder He the Third is willing to take you, you should be grateful just for your face to clear Dong Dong's debts! Still dreaming about liking or not liking someone, still thinking you're a little princess?"
Hu Jiasheng couldn't stand it any longer. He walked over and grabbed the man's wrist.
"Excuse me, please let her go."
Despite not sleeping all night, Hu Jiasheng's mental and physical state were good.
He was tall with long legs, handsome features, impeccable taste in clothing, and an imposing demeanor.
His uncle sized him up from head to toe: "Who are you?"
Hu Jiasheng was about to say he was her friend, but Tang Nannan quickly sidled up and linked her arm through his.
"My boyfriend!"
His uncle's brows furrowed: "What?"
"University classmates. We've known each other for many years. We just recently started dating."
His uncle scoffed and shook Hu Jiasheng's hand away.
"Fine. You know how to get by. Even when your family is falling apart, you still have an old classmate who remembers you. Where is your family from?"
Judging by his accent, he was from out of town. Tang Nannan: "..."
Hu Jiasheng: "Nancheng."
Nancheng was a good place. Tang Nannan thought he knew how to get by.
His uncle finally stopped talking. He glanced at them one more time and turned to go into the ward.
"I'll go see Dong Dong now. I'll take care of him these next two days. You're not allowed to take time off; you should be busy with your own work. You know the family's situation now, so I don't need to remind you of certain things."
Watching him walk away, Tang Nannan immediately took two steps back apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hu."
It was just linking arms, Hu Jiasheng wasn't angry.
He glanced at the large puddle of soy milk on the floor and then asked, "Do you have any paper?"
Tang Nannan saw it too. "I'll clean it up. You can leave if you have something to do."
Tang Nannan didn't have any paper.
She picked up the soy milk and bun with her bare hands, threw them in the trash, turned back, looked at the floor, and was about to cup the soy milk with her hands.
The nurses' station was not far ahead. Hu Jiasheng couldn't bear to watch her like this and told her to wait.
He went to ask the nurse for some paper, then returned, squatting beside her. "Let me."
The hospital had central air conditioning, and since it was early morning, the temperature felt quite low.
Hu Jiasheng felt a bit cold even in his shirt and trousers, but Tang Nannan, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, had a bead of sweat on her forehead.
Hu Jiasheng had only glanced at her when he squatted down, and he immediately noticed something was wrong.
She was swaying, her eyelids seemed heavy, blinking very slowly.
Then, just as Hu Jiasheng was about to get up, her eyes closed, and she pitched forward.
Fortunately, he had sensed it beforehand and caught her shoulder with one hand.
Tang Nannan had low blood sugar, severe anemia, and malnutrition. The doctor said she needed to be hospitalized and given IV fluids.
Hu Jiasheng was not a family member.
Although he knew her family wouldn't care about her, he still asked the nurse to find her uncle.
Upon hearing from the nurse that she had fainted, her uncle came over, grumbling.
Before he even got close, his grumbling could be heard.
Hu Jiasheng frowned, instantly regretting his decision.
What was the point of talking to someone like that?
It only caused annoyance and served no other purpose.
So, as soon as he reached the ward entrance, Hu Jiasheng reached out and stopped him.
"Do you know why I asked you to come here?"
Seeing his grim face, his uncle reluctantly shut his mouth: "Say what you want to say."
Hu Jiasheng suddenly felt a surge of righteous indignation: "She's mine. Remember that from now on."
"I wouldn't even bear to hit or scold her, or let her suffer even a little. You have even less right."
"Today, considering it's our first meeting, I won't hold it against you. If I see you like this again, don't blame me for being impolite."
He was a few inches taller than his uncle, and when he said this, his expression was overly serious, making him seem difficult to provoke.
His uncle was successfully intimidated.
Hu Jiasheng stayed by Tang Nannan's bedside until she woke up.
She opened her eyes and looked around. Hu Jiasheng was watching her, with a needle in her hand and an IV drip.
She felt even more embarrassed.
Hu Jiasheng asked her, "How long have you been in this condition?"
"Not long. Just recently."
"Last time I saw you at the hospital, why were you getting an IV drip?"
"I had a bit of a cold."
"Why didn't you go back later?"
"I got better. I'm usually very healthy and have strong resistance."
Although she answered fluently, Hu Jiasheng knew that every word was a lie.
Since he had helped, he had to see it through.
Since he couldn't work today anyway, he told Tang Nannan to get up.
"Where are we going?"
"I haven't eaten yet. Aren't you hungry?"
With her fainting, breakfast was out of the question. The two of them went straight for lunch.
Hu Jiasheng hailed a taxi at the hospital entrance, searched for a well-rated restaurant on his phone, and headed straight there.
It was a Chinese restaurant with a serene environment. It had a courtyard. Walking through the courtyard, there were rockeries, a small bridge, and flowing water.
The sound of zither music filled the air; the establishment was of high caliber.
Tang Nannan had no money in her pocket, so it was clear he was paying for this meal again.
The more she owed, the less she cared, like a louse that has too many to feel the itch. She didn't feel as embarrassed as she had last night.
After they sat down, Hu Jiasheng let her order. She ordered two dishes she liked.
Hu Jiasheng also ordered two dishes according to his own taste, and then ordered a chicken soup for her.
While waiting for the dishes to be served, Tang Nannan took the initiative to ask him what he did for work.
"I'm just here on a business trip and won't be staying long. Knowing too much won't be of any use to you. Let's talk about you instead."
"How can I help you?"
Tang Nannan was taken aback, not understanding what he meant.
Hu Jiasheng said, "I don't mean anything else. It's just that you remind me of an old friend. I couldn't help her when she had problems before, and some things happened that I regret. This is to make up for a regret."
So that's how it was.
He didn't seem like an outgoing person who meddled in others' affairs, yet he had helped her multiple times.
Tang Nannan certainly didn't assume he was attracted to her.
She was very aware of her current state.
Dirty and tired every day, with a sallow complexion.
Dressed ordinarily, wearing a large mask.
A successful man like him, accustomed to beautiful women, would likely not even notice her unless there were special circumstances.
Since he offered to help, and she genuinely needed help, Tang Nannan didn't stand on ceremony.
"To be honest, I am in need of a high-paying job right now. But I don't have any skills to speak of."
It was a bit embarrassing to openly admit her shortcomings.
But Hu Jiasheng listened attentively and analyzed it as a serious matter.
"Don't talk about shortcomings. Tell me about your strengths."
Tang Nannan thought for a moment.
"I graduated from the Shangcheng Academy of Drama with a degree in directing. I've been playing the piano since I was a child and have a Grade 10 certificate. I also know a bit of classical dance. Other than that, nothing much."