Chapter 102: Something Happened
You Ruxu woke to good news. Zhou Heng had confessed. He had met with his lawyer the previous day, and shortly after, turned himself in, ranting about being framed, even accusing his lawyer, but his shrewd mind knew the lawyer was just trying to protect him, to make him take the fall. He had been foolish throughout the whole affair, but at the last minute, he had a moment of clarity, realizing he was being used, and hoping to redeem himself, confessed to orchestrating Xu Jinwan’s kidnapping, though he insisted he never ordered her death.
With the informant and the construction site manager apprehended, and the kidnapper already in custody, the truth began to emerge. You Ruxu’s report had been a lucky coincidence. What started as a simple brake disc issue alerted Zhou Yun, who was abroad. He saw an opportunity to return and take over. The stalking, the threats, even You Ruxu’s car accident, were all arranged by him, but he hadn’t intended for You Ruxu to die.
You Ruxu, a mere reporter, wasn’t worth the trouble.
He wanted maximum chaos, to ensure Zhou Heng’s downfall. He bribed Xu Jinwan’s informant, feeding her the information about the “big news,” prompting her to return from her studies. It was he who leaked Zhou Heng’s plan to Xu Jinwan through the informant.
A perfect plan.
Lacking only ruthlessness.
He made the decision for Zhou Heng.
Reasoning was one thing, evidence another. Zhou Yun was summoned as a suspect. Online discussions reached fever pitch. You Ruxu, browsing the news, was silent, reading the comments below.
[So Xu Jinwan was a victim of these two brothers’ power struggle?]
[If that’s true, I recommend the death penalty!]
[The death penalty is appropriate, this wasn’t just murder, but an attempt to incite social unrest! Zhou Heng lived abroad for several years, someone should investigate his background!]
“Do you want to go blind?” Wu Xiulian walked into the ward with a fruit basket. As the details of the case emerged, You Ruxu, as the victim, had also given her statement. News of her injuries couldn’t be contained. Her phone hadn’t stopped ringing, she was constantly switching phones to keep up with the news. Wu Xiulian and You Shu, learning about her injuries, wanted to come to Jindu. Wu Xiulian said, “No need, I’m here, Xu Xu is doing well, we’ll go home together after she’s discharged.”
Wu Xiulian’s mother was reassured. You Shu told You Ruxu to rest well, and before hanging up, said, “Ruxu, well done.”
You Ruxu’s eyes teared up, “Thank you, Dad.”
Wu Xiulian nudged Wu Xiulian’s mother, “You’re such a strange father…”
You Ruxu hung up, feeling relieved. Wu Xiulian’s nagging replaced her mother’s, although Wu Xiulian preferred to talk about amusing things, “We had a conference in a neighboring city recently, their dialect is so interesting,” mimicking a phrase, making You Ruxu want to laugh, but she suppressed it. Wu Xiulian said, “Just laugh, there’s no need to hold back.”
You Ruxu chuckled softly.
Her lips curved into a smile.
Zhou Tianzui stood at the door, looking in, her expression gentle.
She didn’t enter. She received a call from He Wei, “Dr. Zhou, the patient in bed sixty-one is having abdominal pain.”
Zhou Tianzui turned to leave.
The corridor was empty, she walked quickly towards the elevators.
Patient sixty-three, scheduled for a C-section, had already given birth. Patient sixty-two, after three days of oxytocin, had a daughter. Patient sixty-one had been complaining of pain for days, but there was still no sign of labor. Zhou Tianzui entered the ward, glancing at the other two patients.
The patient in the furthest bed was lying down, the curtains drawn, her husband absent, the baby beside her, some distance from the bed. The patient in bed sixty-two had placed her baby on the bed and was resting, the curtains between the beds drawn. Zhou Tianzui examined her, then said, “Take her to the delivery room.”
He Wei responded with an “okay.”
She wheeled the patient out. Zhou Tianzui removed her gloves and ran into the husband of patient sixty-three at the doorway. He was carrying two boxes of fried rice and some barbequed skewers, the strong smell of cumin filling the air. Zhou Tianzui frowned, “It’s best not to give the patient this kind of food.”
“Okay.” The man’s voice was low as he walked past her, “It’s for me.”
Zhou Tianzui frowned slightly, but didn’t say anything.
Back in the delivery room, she heard the patient in bed sixty-one say between contractions, “Her husband is so strange, he even made her drink cold water last night, didn’t even bother warming it up.”
He Wei said, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Seriously.” The patient said, “He doesn’t care at all, as if she’s not even his wife.”
Zhou Tianzui’s writing paused. She glanced at the patient, then continued filling out the form. She asked He Wei, “Was patient sixty-three’s prenatal checkup done at our hospital?”
The patient said, “No, in Changcun.”
Changcun was a remote, less developed village in Jindu. The residents usually only came to the hospital to give birth, only undergoing the necessary checkups. Zhou Tianzui nodded and heard He Wei say, “You seem to be in good spirits.”
“I’m fine, it’s just the pain… Here it comes again.” She took a deep breath and was wheeled into the delivery room. Zhou Tianzui handed the form to He Wei, asking her to get the family’s signature, then prepare for the surgery.
People came and went in the ward. The husband of patient sixty-three was eating fried rice and drinking soda, offering some to his wife, “Want some?”
His wife shook her head, not looking at him. He didn’t seem to care, continuing to eat and drink. The patient in the next bed said, “Why is your husband like this?”
Hearing this, he looked up, his gaze menacing, silencing the patient instantly. She nervously swallowed, looking down at her baby, only relaxing after her husband returned and drew the curtains, blocking his intimidating stare.
He was terrifying.
She didn’t dare tell her husband.
Zhou Tianzui spent the entire afternoon in the delivery room. When she returned to the office, it was almost the end of her shift, most of her colleagues had already left. She sat at her computer, and Lin Luo asked, “Dr. Zhou, aren’t you leaving?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m on duty.”
She had switched shifts with Zhao Mingqi, who had a blind date and had been bragging about it in the office earlier. Zhou Tianzui, seeing Fu Shushu get up to leave, called out, “Dr. Fu.”
Fu Shushu turned around.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Could you please send me patient sixty-three’s information?”
Fu Shushu was puzzled, “Patient sixty-three? Is there a problem?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I just wanted to take a look.”
Fu Shushu paused, then nodded, “Okay, I’ll send it to you later.”
The others, busy getting off work, didn’t pay much attention to their exchange. After most people had left, Zhou Tianzui took her thermos and said, “I’m going down to get some dinner.”
The other doctor on duty nodded, “Go ahead, I’m not going today, I can’t stomach the cafeteria food.”
Zhou Tianzui smiled faintly.
She was indeed going downstairs for dinner, but not to the cafeteria, but to You Ruxu’s apartment, to freeload. Wu Xiulian had been making all sorts of delicious food for You Ruxu, soups, braised pork ribs, chicken stew. Zhou Tianzui’s diet had improved significantly, “I’ve even gained weight,” she commented.
Wu Xiulian said, “You haven’t gained any weight! Don’t follow Xu Xu’s example, you need to eat more!”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “Okay, I will.”
Wu Xiulian, seeing her good mood, asked, “How’s your mom doing? I mean, her attitude.”
You Ruxu also paused her eating, looking at Zhou Tianzui, who smiled at her and said, “My mom’s much better now.” Not like before, when mentioning You Ruxu was forbidden. She still got angry whenever they talked about it, but it wasn’t as bad as at first. Yesterday, when she talked to You Ruxu on the phone, sitting right beside her mother, Yu Qiao had only scoffed and hadn’t left.
Things were slowly getting better.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Give her some time, she’ll come around.”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll go see her after I’m discharged.”
Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll go with you.”
Zhou Tianzui, looking at them, nodded.
After dinner, Wu Xiulian gave them some space. Zhou Tianzui called Yu Qiao and asked if she had eaten. Yu Qiao’s voice was indifferent, “I have.”
She looked around the apartment.
Zhou Tianzui had been staying with her, sometimes saying, “Mom, I should move back in, shouldn’t I? We can live together, I won’t even have to cook, it’ll be great.”
Yu Qiao hadn’t replied.
Zhou Tianzui would then say, “Let’s go on a road trip this weekend. Haven’t you been complaining that I haven’t taken you anywhere these past few years?”
“We?”
Did that “we” include You Ruxu?
Yu Qiao didn’t ask, but she knew, Zhou Tianzui was painting a picture of their future, a future that included You Ruxu. Thinking of that name, she could now maintain a semblance of composure. That night, when You Ruxu came to her apartment, frantic and worried, her usual elegant composure gone, it had dissipated much of Yu Qiao’s anger.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I just finished eating as well.”
Yu Qiao asked, “Is something the matter?”
Zhou Tianzui, glancing at You Ruxu, said, “Her aunt is here.”
Yu Qiao’s face tensed, her grip on the phone tightening.
Zhou Tianzui said, “She wanted to invite you to a casual dinner.”
This time, Yu Qiao didn’t refuse outright, just a noncommittal, “We’ll see.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded, her eyes slightly watery, “Okay, I understand.”
After hanging up, she looked at You Ruxu, who wiped her mouth and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I just asked my mom about dinner.”
You Ruxu’s heart leaped into her throat. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, her expression a little dazed, “What did she say?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “She said ‘we’ll see.’”
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui smiled and nodded at her.
You Ruxu’s eyes reddened.
Zhou Tianzui cupped her face and leaned in as if to kiss her. You Ruxu said, “But we just ate…”
She was kissed on the forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. Zhou Tianzui’s finger traced her lips. A noise came from the doorway, and Wu Xiulian said, “It’s a little cold outside.”
You Ruxu smiled, pursing her lips.
After Wu Xiulian entered, the three of them discussed where to have dinner, deciding to book a private room in advance. Zhou Tianzui received a message, it was from Fu Shushu, asking if there was something wrong with patient sixty-three. You Ruxu asked, “Do you have to go back to work?”
“Yes, I’ll go upstairs later. No surgeries tonight. I’ll come over after my shift…”
You Ruxu said, “No need to come over.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then I’ll call you.”
You Ruxu watched her leave, Wu Xiulian saying, “Xu Xu, do you know any good dentists here?”
“Dentists?” You Ruxu asked, “Aunt, do you have a toothache?”
“Yes.” Wu Xiulian chuckled, “From all the sweetness between you two.”
You Ruxu blushed, her lips pressed together. Wu Xiulian said, “It’s good that her mother is starting to accept it, that’s great.”
“But your job is still worrying, if you…”
You Ruxu said, “Aunt, I’m planning to resign.”
Wu Xiulian’s voice trailed off, “What?”
You Ruxu said, “I’m not going to be a reporter anymore.”
Wu Xiulian paused, “R-really?”
You Ruxu nodded.
Wu Xiulian was speechless, “Your mother will be so happy, and your father too.” She looked at You Ruxu, “Have you really decided?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, I have.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Because of Dr. Zhou?”
You Ruxu said, “I don’t want them to worry.”
Wu Xiulian said, “What about you?”
You Ruxu looked at her.
Wu Xiulian said, “Are you happy?”
Changing careers, Wu Xiulian’s mother would be happy, Zhou Tianzui would be happy, everyone who worried about her would be happy, but You Ruxu, was she happy? You Ruxu said, “I…” then, “I am happy.”
Wu Xiulian gently stroked her hair and smiled.
Before going to bed, You Ruxu even tried walking around, hopping on one leg. Wu Xiulian said, “Stop it, be careful, don’t blame me if you fall!”
You Ruxu didn’t think it was a big deal and only sat down after a few more steps. She said to Wu Xiulian, “Aunt, you should go home early tonight.”
“You don’t need me to stay?”
You Ruxu said, “No, I can get out of bed now, and you’ve been so tired these past few days, you should go home and rest.”
“I should, indeed.” Wu Xiulian, assuming Zhou Tianzui would be coming over later, didn’t press the issue, “Okay then, take care tonight, call me or Dr. Zhou if anything happens.”
You Ruxu nodded.
After Wu Xiulian left, You Ruxu sat on the bed, looking out the window at the dark, gloomy sky. She reached for her phone. It was still early, she didn’t know what Zhou Tianzui was doing.
Zhou Tianzui was looking at patient files.
The information was no different from other patients, C-section due to large fetal size, good postoperative recovery. She rubbed her temples and heard the doctor opposite her ask, “What are you looking at?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Nothing.”
She looked up, “Keep a close eye on patient sixty-three.”
The other doctor asked, “Is there a problem?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I have a bad feeling about her husband.”
The other doctor chuckled, “Dr. Zhou, when did you start trusting your intuition?”
When did she? Probably after You Ruxu’s accident. She smiled faintly, shaking her head, thinking of You Ruxu looking down at her phone, and sent her a message: [Are you asleep yet?]
You Ruxu’s phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Chen Xiang.
[Waaah, Teacher You, I was going to visit you today, but the boss sent me to the hospital.]
[Team 2 is so lonely without you, Teacher You.]
[Can I visit you tomorrow?]
You Ruxu, touching Chen Xiang’s profile picture, replied: [Focus on your work.]
Chen Xiang: [I am! Always! Teacher You, have you seen today’s news? Fengyuan is imploding!]
Not literally imploding, but figuratively, the company in chaos, the news also exploding online. You Ruxu knew, she had seen the news, including the report about the missing baby from the maternity hospital.
Chen Xiang: [They’re still investigating, no solid leads yet.]
You Ruxu typed: [Have they checked the parents’ backgrounds? And the other parents in the same ward? Also…]
Her fingers paused, and she thought for a few seconds, then deleted the message.
Her phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Zhou Tianzui, asking if she was resting. You Ruxu smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and replied: [Just lying down.]
Zhou Tianzui: [Not sleeping yet?]
You Ruxu: [About to.]
Zhou Tianzui: [Where’s your aunt?]
You Ruxu: [I asked her to go home and rest. Aren’t you busy?]
Zhou Tianzui: [Not busy right now.]
They chatted for a few minutes, then Zhou Tianzui stopped replying. You Ruxu figured she was busy, placed her phone on the pillow beside her, lay down, and closed her eyes.
She dreamt of Zhou Tianzui, and Yu Qiao, Wu Xiulian, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, all having dinner together, sitting around a round hotpot, steam and mist rising from the bubbling broth. Zhou Tianzui said, “I want some meatballs.”
“Here you go.” Yu Qiao said with a smile, “You never gain any weight.”
Zhou Tianzui pinched her own cheek, “Beautiful Yu, do I look fat?”
Yu Qiao said, “Fat? You’re as thin as Xiao Xu.”
Zhou Tianzui, sitting next to You Ruxu, said, “Mom said we’re too thin, we need to eat more.”
“It’s Auntie,” You Ruxu corrected her, blushing. Zhou Tianzui said, “No, it’s Mom, call her Mom.”
You Ruxu didn’t speak.
Zhou Tianzui called out, “Beautiful Yu!”
Yu Qiao looked up.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Ruxu’s calling you.”
Yu Qiao, casually, “Calling me what?”
Zhou Tianzui asked You Ruxu, “Call her what?”
Everyone looked at her, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, and Wu Xiulian, amusement in her eyes. You Ruxu pinched Zhou Tianzui hard under the table and softly called out, “Mom.”
Yu Qiao smiled, “Hey.”
Wu Xiulian beamed and said, “Xu Xu, shouldn’t Dr. Zhou also change what she calls us?”
Without any of You Ruxu’s awkwardness, Zhou Tianzui readily called out, “Dad, Mom, Aunt.”
You Ruxu turned. In the sunlight, Zhou Tianzui was laughing with everyone, a warm and comforting scene. You Ruxu woke up, slightly dazed, how could she have such a dream?
Was it because Zhou Tianzui said Yu Qiao had agreed?
Or because they were having dinner together?
It was a beautiful dream.
A beautiful dream. You Ruxu checked her phone and saw Zhou Tianzui’s reply, sent ten minutes ago: [Just had a patient with a threatened miscarriage.]
Another message, five minutes ago: [Are you asleep?]
You Ruxu looked at the time, it was 1:30 am. She replied: [Awake.]
Zhou Tianzui immediately called. You Ruxu said, “Aren’t you on duty?”
“Yes, but Dr. Liu took over, I’m taking a break.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Why are you awake? Couldn’t sleep?”
She wanted to go see You Ruxu, holding her phone as she walked, when she saw a man in the corridor, holding a baby. She recognized him as the husband of patient sixty-three and walked over, “What are you doing here with the baby?”
The man, seeing her, wasn’t surprised. His tone was casual, “He was crying, I’m trying to soothe him.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded, “It’s drafty out here, you should go back inside.”
The man said, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui, holding her phone, glanced at the baby in his arms. Every baby wore a wristband with their information, if they didn’t have a name yet, the mother’s name would be used, followed by the bed number.
She glanced at the baby’s wristband and turned to leave.
After a few steps, she turned back and said to You Ruxu on the phone, “Wait for me.”
You Ruxu heard her ask the man, “Can I see the baby?”
The man said, “He’s sleeping.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “That’s okay, I just want to take a quick look.”
The baby was bundled up in his arms. He gave her a cold look, “What do you mean?”
The hospital corridor was quiet late at night, their voices low. Zhou Tianzui, ignoring him, reached out and gently pulled back the baby’s sleeve to check the wristband. The man scowled.
Zhou Tianzui checked the wristband.
It displayed the information for the patient in bed sixty-three, everything matched. She took a step back, as if realizing her mistake, about to apologize. The man relaxed, one hand holding the baby, the other in his pocket, something bulging inside. Zhou Tianzui said, “I apologize, you should take the baby back inside.”
The man didn’t reply.
Zhou Tianzui nodded slightly and turned to leave, her hand reaching into her pocket for her phone, when the man called out, “Dr. Zhou.”
She turned around.
A fruit knife plunged into her side.
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