Chapter 104: Changes
Wu Xiulian stood outside and said, “Sister, let me help you carry that.”
She took the thermos from Yu Qiao’s hand. Yu Qiao looked down and asked, “You just agree to her being with someone like that?”
Wu Xiulian looked up and asked, “Like what? Dating Dr. Zhou?”
Hearing this, Yu Qiao frowned, feeling a surge of discomfort. Wu Xiulian continued, “Actually, my sister and brother-in-law weren’t happy about it either at first, but Dr. Zhou came to Yuhai a while ago, visited our home, she convinced my sister.”
Yu Qiao looked at her: “Convinced her how?”
“She said that suitability is the most important thing in a relationship.” Wu Xiulian said, “You keep setting all these conditions for her, wanting her to find someone rich, someone who will treat her well, someone who will ensure she never suffers again, but will that make her happy? Will that bring her happiness? Then shouldn’t everyone just find someone better off than themselves?”
Yu Qiao said, “Their circumstances aren’t unsuitable.”
“It’s the same principle.” Wu Xiulian said, “Sexual orientation is also a form of suitability.”
“I don’t understand those principles.” Yu Qiao said, “I just want Xiao Tian to be happy, she’s suffered enough with me, I don’t want her to go through the same thing again.”
Wu Xiulian said, “She’s happy with Xu Xu, maybe this is the ‘suitability’ she’s looking for.”
Yu Qiao didn’t reply. Wu Xiulian entered the ward, carrying the thermos. Zhou Tianzui called out, “Aunt.”
She was lying in bed, unable to sit up due to the surgery, although the knife hadn’t penetrated deeply, she still needed to rest. Wu Xiulian said, “Don’t move, look at the two of you, Xu Xu, you might as well just move your bed into Dr. Zhou’s room.”
You Ruxu said, “No need.”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “It’s not a bad idea.”
What “not a bad idea,” they weren’t even on the same floor. You Ruxu wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t, her heart still pounding with the lingering fear from last night, gripping her chest, a wave of nausea.
Wu Xiulian said, “Then I’ll go make lunch, you two can eat here.”
You Ruxu nodded.
After Wu Xiulian left, Yu Qiao entered the ward. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Zhou Tianzui called out, “Mom.”
Yu Qiao walked over to her bedside.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Sorry for making you worry.”
“If you don’t want me to worry, then don’t do such things again.” Yu Qiao’s voice was filled with concern despite her words, “Does your wound still hurt?”
Zhou Tianzui shook her head: “It’s not deep.”
“Not deep? I saw the video.” Yu Qiao said, “You’re so reckless, why didn’t you call the police first?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “There wasn’t time.”
She looked at You Ruxu.
Remembering that night.
She fell silent.
Yu Qiao, not noticing her silence, continued, “Thankfully, it wasn’t deep, you were just on duty, how could such a thing happen…”
Just then, there was a commotion at the door. Zhou Tianzui looked up and saw Zhao Mingqi, He Wei, Lin Luo, and the director walk in. Lin Luo’s eyes were red, “Dr. Zhou, are you okay?”
He Wei’s face was also pale. Although she usually found Zhou Tianzui intimidating, she had learned a lot from her. During her previous internships, because of her background, no one dared to criticize her, which made her arrogant and spoiled. Her mother even said she was a completely different person after being mentored by Zhou Tianzui for a few months. She both loved and feared Zhou Tianzui.
Zhao Mingqi was the most remorseful.
He said, “It’s all my fault, if I hadn’t switched shifts with you last night, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Then that baby would have been lost.” Zhou Tianzui smiled faintly, “It’s already happened, there’s no point blaming yourself, I won’t be able to work for the next few days, I’ll have to trouble you all.”
The director also said, “Just focus on recovering, don’t worry about anything else.”
“The city officials came this morning, they’re applying for a reward for you, and the TV station will be sending people over this afternoon, see if you have the energy for an interview, I can reschedule it if you’re too tired.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m fine, this afternoon is fine.”
The director nodded.
Fu Shushu, looking at her, awkwardly placed a basket of fruit on the bedside table, “A small token of concern from everyone.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m more popular than I thought.”
Anyone else saying that would be fine, but coming from her, everyone wanted to laugh. He Wei’s face was red, a mixture of tears and laughter. Zhou Tianzui called out, “He Wei.”
He Wei, startled, looked at her.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Work with Dr. Fu for now.”
He Wei agreed.
They asked about You Ruxu’s condition. Her injuries were more serious than Zhou Tianzui’s, but she had rested for a few days and was recovering well, looking much better now.
“Call me if you need anything.” The director said to Zhou Tianzui, “We’ll be going now.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded.
They had just left when another group arrived.
They were patients from the maternity ward, several mothers holding their babies. The patient from bed sixty-two was still resting, her mother holding the newborn baby, saying, “This is Dr. Zhou, our lifesaver!”
“Dr. Zhou, thank you so much for last night.”
“Dr. Zhou, we bought you some fruit, please take care of yourself.”
“Dr. Zhou, we haven’t named our baby yet, could you please give us some suggestions?”
Zhou Tianzui was speechless.
Finally, the nurses intervened, saying she had just woken up and shouldn’t have too many visitors. They reluctantly left, but soon after, flowers and fruit baskets arrived, sent by anonymous well-wishers, all for Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Return them.”
The nurse looked troubled, “They’ve already been signed for, we can’t return them.”
You Ruxu, sitting by her bedside, smiled faintly, hearing this. Zhou Tianzui turned to her, “What’s so funny?”
“We’ll send them to your ward later.”
You Ruxu said, “They’re for you.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I can’t possibly eat all of this.”
Having become a hero overnight, Zhou Tianzui was showered with gifts and attention. When Wu Xiulian arrived with lunch, she was stunned, looking at the flowers and fruit baskets filling the room, “What’s all this?”
You Ruxu smiled.
Yu Qiao, seeing her there, didn’t object or welcome her, just maintained a neutral expression, watching their interaction, then, unable to bear it any longer, excused herself, saying she was going home to pack some things. So, only the three of them had lunch together.
Wu Xiulian said, “I heard people talking about Dr. Zhou on my way here, this incident has become quite a big deal.”
It was mainly because it happened late at night, and the news spread quickly. By the time the authorities tried to contain it, it was too late. The First Affiliated Hospital was well-known, and Zhou Tianzui wasn’t a newcomer, many people knew her, everyone posting about it on their social media, the story quickly trending.
The missing baby case from the maternity hospital was still under investigation, with little information released. People were more focused on the Fengyuan case, but now, this incident had overshadowed even that.
You Ruxu said, “Fengyuan is fanning the flames.”
Wu Xiulian looked at her, “Fengyuan?”
You Ruxu said, “They’re hoping for a big news story to distract everyone, the bigger the better, to bury their negative press.”
So, Zhou Tianzui’s incident, what should have been a minor event, had become a major distraction. Wu Xiulian said, “That makes sense.”
You Ruxu said, “We should contact the city officials, ask them to suppress the news.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her and nodded, “I’ll talk to the director.”
You Ruxu nodded and continued eating.
After lunch, people from the TV station arrived. Chen Xiang, with a new reporter, was almost in tears seeing You Ruxu, “Teacher You!”
You Ruxu said, “You’re here.”
“The station has been calling for you all morning.” Chen Xiang said, “You have no idea how much I wanted to see you!” Noticing Zhou Tianzui’s gaze, she quickly added, “And Dr. Zhou!”
“Dr. Zhou, you’re amazing!” She gave a thumbs-up. “We’re so grateful to you, you’re a hero!”
Zhou Tianzui, looking at Chen Xiang’s hand on You Ruxu’s shoulder, asked, “Want some fruit?”
Chen Xiang quickly waved her hand, “No, thank you, you’re welcome.”
You Ruxu moved slightly to make space for the interview. Chen Xiang, beside her, whispered, “Teacher You, is your leg better now? When can you be discharged?”
You Ruxu said, “Soon, but I can’t walk yet.”
“Oh…” Chen Xiang sounded disappointed. “Then you won’t be back at the station before the New Year.”
You Ruxu glanced at Zhou Tianzui, hearing this.
Zhou Tianzui’s gaze met hers.
You Ruxu smiled.
Zhou Tianzui paused for a moment, then continued with the interview. Chen Xiang sat beside You Ruxu, “Fengyuan is also under investigation, the boss is super busy, we have two new team members, they wanted to visit you, but they’re too busy, the boss said they’ll come when you’re discharged.”
You Ruxu said, “No need to worry about me.”
“How can we not?” Chen Xiang said, “You have no idea how much you contributed to the Fengyuan story!” She gave a thumbs-up, “Just like our Dr. Zhou, you’re both heroes!”
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
The interview was short, considerate of Zhou Tianzui’s condition. The questions were brief. After the TV station interview, there were supposed to be other media outlets, but Zhou Tianzui declined them all and even requested a different ward.
Suddenly, it was quiet again. Yu Qiao came to the hospital in the afternoon, carrying two bags, accompanied by several women who had come to visit Zhou Tianzui. They were chatting as they walked, “Our Xiao Tian is a celebrity now!”
Yu Qiao said, “What celebrity, as long as she’s okay, that’s all that matters.”
“That’s true.” The woman in red beside her said, “I heard Xiao Tian’s still single, I have a relative…”
You Ruxu was waiting for Yu Qiao in the lobby, wanting to take her to the new ward, figuring she wouldn’t know where it was. Seeing Yu Qiao, she wheeled herself over and heard her say, “Who said she’s single? Our Xiao Tian has a partner.”
The other women exclaimed, “She has a partner?”
“Since when?”
Yu Qiao walked towards them, and there, right in front of her, was You Ruxu.
Their eyes met.
You Ruxu said, “Auntie, I’m here to take you to your daughter.”
“This is that reporter, isn’t she?” One of the women said, “I’ve seen her on TV, Xiao Tian has such impressive friends!”
Yu Qiao’s expression softened, “Let’s go inside.”
She pushed You Ruxu’s wheelchair.
You Ruxu smiled faintly.
Inside the ward, Zhou Tianzui blinked, surprised. She had changed wards for some peace and quiet, never expecting these aunties to come as well. The ward became lively again. Yu Qiao served them fruit, and the aunties, after a few more words of concern for Zhou Tianzui, tactfully excused themselves. Yu Qiao saw them to the elevator, You Ruxu watching them leave, a smile playing on her lips.
Zhou Tianzui said, “What are you smiling about?”
You Ruxu started to say, “Auntie…” But her phone rang. She took it out, it was Chen Xiang, “I need to take this call.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at her.
You Ruxu smiled faintly, her voice gentle, “Chen Xiang?”
Chen Xiang said, “Teacher You, can I ask you something?”
You Ruxu said, “What is it?”
Chen Xiang said, “Dr. Zhou’s father, was his name Zhou Qiming?”
You Ruxu’s lips pressed into a thin line, her face paling slightly.
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