Chapter 106: I Beg You
“Are you crazy?” Yu Qiao stared at Zhou Tianzui, dumbfounded, “Resign? Why? The hospital is offering compensation for your injury, if you resign, you’ll get nothing.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m tired.”
“If you’re tired, take some time off, a week, two weeks…” Yu Qiao’s words were interrupted by Zhou Tianzui, who repeated, “Mom, I’m tired.”
She truly was, exhausted.
Yu Qiao was speechless, just looking at her.
Their gazes locked. There was a knock on the door. Zhou Tianzui said, “Come in.”
It was the director, alone, no other colleagues. Zhou Tianzui, seeing him, her expression flickering, said to Yu Qiao, “Mom, go pour the director a glass of water.”
Yu Qiao, sensing that the director also had something to say, nodded, “I’ll go get some water.”
After she left, the director said, “What are you doing? Resigning?”
Zhou Tianzui had made up her mind before Yu Qiao even went to wash the fruit and had already messaged the director, knowing he wouldn’t agree, and as expected, he continued, “Is it because of what’s happening online? That’s all nonsense! We know what kind of person you are, there’s no need to resign because of some online rumors, the hospital even wants to commend you, what are you doing resigning now?”
He went on and on, “Don’t even think about resigning!”
Zhou Tianzui lay in bed, listening quietly, her demeanor calm, “Director, do you know what it means to be ‘drowned by public opinion’?”
The director was speechless, looking at her.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ve known since I was young, I can handle it, but my mother can’t.”
The director sat on the edge of her bed, “Actually, we know a little about your situation…”
When Zhou Tianzui first joined the hospital, some colleagues were jealous, questioning her qualifications, her being assigned to the First Affiliated Hospital at such a young age, suggesting she got in through connections. Then, somehow, they found out she was raised by a single mother, that her father was a reporter, and about that “scandal.” Just as she was about to spread the rumors, the deputy director found out, investigated, and fired her.
After that, there were some rumors, people saying the deputy director fired her to protect Zhou Tianzui, but the reason for her dismissal was clear to everyone, so those rumors didn’t gain much traction.
Later, Zhou Tianzui never had any contact with the deputy director, so the gossip naturally died down, and even fewer people knew about it now.
The director said, “We all believe in you, don’t overthink it, your father is your father, you are…”
“My father wasn’t a rapist.” Zhou Tianzui said, “He was investigating a case when the accident happened.”
The director looked at Zhou Tianzui, paused, and said, “Okay, don’t think about it anymore, it’s not a big deal, no need to resign, just focus on recovering.”
Zhou Tianzui watched the director leave, her hand on her head, wanting to laugh, but she couldn’t.
After the director left, Yu Qiao entered. She asked, “Xiao Tian, is something bothering you?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “No, nothing.”
Yu Qiao frowned: “Is it about you and You Ruxu…?”
“No.” Zhou Tianzui said, “The director was just asking about work.”
Yu Qiao was displeased, “Still thinking about work at a time like this?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “That’s why I’m tired, I want to resign.”
Yu Qiao didn’t agree.
When Wu Xiulian wheeled You Ruxu in, they were still arguing. Yu Qiao, seeing You Ruxu, said, “I’m going out to buy some things.”
Wu Xiulian said, “Sister, should I go with you?”
Yu Qiao said, “No need.”
She grabbed her bag and left, her face grim, her footsteps heavy, her displeasure clear. Wu Xiulian, after she left, said, “Your mother knows?”
Zhou Tianzui looked at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Not yet.”
“I’ve already asked someone to suppress the news online, trying to minimize the impact on your mother.” Wu Xiulian said, “Then you two talk, I’ll go home and prepare dinner.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at You Ruxu, “Why are you sitting so far away?”
You Ruxu wheeled herself closer to the bed, silent, her lips pressed together.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Cat got your tongue?”
You Ruxu said, “You saw the news online?”
“I did.” Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s all old news, I don’t care.”
The ward was quiet.
You Ruxu’s voice was low, “I care.”
Zhou Tianzui turned to her. You Ruxu looked up, their eyes meeting, “Zhou Tianzui, am I a coward?”
“You…”
“I want to be with you, but I didn’t dare tell your mother, I’m selfish and cowardly, I’m a reporter, yet I let someone suffer injustice for so many years because of me.” You Ruxu’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, like a self-condemnation, her tone making Zhou Tianzui’s heart ache, “I made you do this.”
“No, you didn’t.” You Ruxu said firmly. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Then what do you want to do?”
You Ruxu paused.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m planning to resign.”
You Ruxu’s eyes widened in surprise.
Zhou Tianzui said, “After resigning, I want to take my mom on a trip, with you. She agreed.”
You Ruxu pursed her lips.
Zhou Tianzui continued, “It took a lot for her to agree. I don’t want her to suffer anymore because of my father, I just want to put this behind us, okay?”
You Ruxu was about to speak.
When Zhou Tianzui reached out and linked her pinky finger with You Ruxu’s. You Ruxu looked down, her hand held by Zhou Tianzui’s, their fingers interlaced. She asked, “Don’t you want to clear your father’s name?”
“I did, before.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I used to dream of it, of the truth being revealed, of those who wronged us apologizing. I don’t dare to dream anymore.”
Facing You Ruxu.
She was always straightforward, “I know what will happen, I don’t dare to hope.”
“You always say you’re selfish and cowardly.” Zhou Tianzui said, “But aren’t I the same?”
She was even more so than You Ruxu.
She was unfilial.
She could clear her father’s name, but for the sake of her love, she was choosing to give up.
Zhou Tianzui felt ashamed of herself.
Her eyes reddened slightly, looking at You Ruxu, “Listen to me this time…”
“Xiao Tian!” The door burst open, and a figure rushed in, her steps unsteady. She quickly reached Zhou Tianzui’s bedside, “They’re talking about your father online!”
Yu Qiao’s face was pale, her body trembling, she didn’t know what she had heard.
Zhou Tianzui froze.
Yu Qiao said, “So you want to resign because of your father?”
“Is the hospital firing you?” Yu Qiao said, “Is that it?! Is it?!”
Zhou Tianzui said, “No, it’s not.”
“Then what is it?!” Yu Qiao’s voice rose, her emotions uncontrolled. Every mention of Zhou Qiming was like a trigger, her composure shattering instantly. Zhou Tianzui wanted to comfort her like she always did, but she couldn’t, she couldn’t get up, she tried to move, but the pain from her wound was too much, her forehead covered in sweat.
“Mom, please calm down.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Please don’t get so worked up.”
“I’m not worked up!” Yu Qiao said, “Then why do you want to resign?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m tired of working.”
“You’ve always worked hard, you never complained before, why suddenly now?” Yu Qiao said, “Did your director say something? Is it because of your father, are they forcing you to resign?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “No, it’s my decision.”
Yu Qiao said, “I don’t agree!”
Zhou Tianzui was silent.
The ward was suddenly quiet.
Yu Qiao had overheard it at the bus stop. At first, they were talking about Zhou Tianzui, praising her bravery, then they mentioned Zhou Qiming. She had looked at the two young girls, chatting and laughing, dismissing it as gossip, but she couldn’t help but ask, her voice tight with suppressed emotion, “Where did you hear this, girls?”
“Weibo…” The girl looked at her, smiling, “Auntie, do you have the app on your phone?”
She didn’t, she hadn’t even heard of it before, but she asked them to download it for her. The comments and messages that popped up were like knives, twisting in her heart, her body turning cold, her feet frozen, unable to move.
Yu Qiao couldn’t bear it any longer and rushed back to the hospital to find Zhou Tianzui.
Her voice choked with tears, “I don’t agree to you resigning! Do you hear me? I’ll handle your father’s case, you’re not resigning!”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, you don’t have to handle anything, it’ll all blow over in a few days, no one will care anymore.”
It was wishful thinking, but the online backlash was far worse than she imagined, as if an invisible hand was fueling the flames. They not only dug up Zhou Qiming’s past, but also the incident when Zhou Tianzui first joined the hospital, someone being fired because of her.
“It’s from someone at the hospital, it really happened.”
“So she really was the deputy director’s mistress?”
“No wonder the hospital hasn’t made a statement, she has connections!”
“Her father a rapist, the daughter a mistress, a perfect match!”
“The TV station also covered up for her father back then, this family must have powerful connections!”
The sarcasm was even more hurtful than direct insults. Yu Qiao’s body trembled with rage, her face grim, her eyes swollen. She had been so worried last night, and now, this, another wave of attacks.
She abruptly stood up. Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, what are you doing?”
Yu Qiao said, “I’m going to talk to your director!”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Don’t.”
Yu Qiao was about to leave when Zhou Tianzui said to You Ruxu, “Stop her.”
Reminded of You Ruxu’s presence, and her profession, Yu Qiao stopped, turning to You Ruxu, “X-Xiao Xu, Zhou Tianzui is with you, she’s not the deputy director’s mistress, you know that, right?”
You Ruxu nodded: “I know, Auntie.”
“Yes, you know.” Yu Qiao said, “You know everything, you also know her father wasn’t a rapist, he didn’t do those things, your station told us back then, that he was investigating the case.”
You Ruxu’s throat was dry and constricted, “I know.”
Yu Qiao suddenly grabbed her hand, “Then can you report on it?”
You Ruxu’s hand was held tightly.
Yu Qiao said, “I know you’re very capable, can you help Xiao Tian?”
You Ruxu and Yu Qiao’s eyes met.
Yu Qiao stood there, her hands gripping You Ruxu’s tightly, as if clinging to a lifeline, her usual composure gone, a vulnerable desperation in her voice, “I beg you, please.”
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