“I’m fine. It’s just a minor issue. I have Suisui to thank for urging me to come to the hospital for a checkup. We caught it early.”
At that, Zhou Sui'an glanced at his sister, the corners of his lips curving into a gentle smile.
His little sister really was a little lucky charm.
Mrs. Jiang said, “It’s only a minor operation, yet somehow I’ve made everyone so worried.”
“Auntie, nothing concerning your health is ever a minor matter.”
Zhou Sui'an’s expression was one of firm disapproval, his tone earnest. “You need to take good care of yourself. Don’t treat your health like it doesn’t matter.”
“You’re all so busy with work, and yet you’ve all come running to the hospital to keep me company. Aren’t I delaying you?”
Zhou Sui'an replied, “What could possibly be more important than your health?”
Mrs. Jiang looked at him, her eyes filled with approval.
“Suisui is truly blessed to have an older brother like you. You took on the responsibility of supporting an entire family at such a young age. You’re mature and dependable.”
The curve of Zhou Sui'an’s lips became impossible to suppress.
How had the conversation suddenly turned into praise for him?
It was rather embarrassing.
But who didn’t enjoy hearing a few nice things about themselves?
Zhou Sui'an was no exception. He was just about to respond modestly when Mrs. Jiang spoke again.
“Speaking of which, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to start thinking about settling down.”
“…”
“In my opinion, those celebrities in the entertainment industry aren’t all that reliable. You should find a girl whose family and background you know well, get married soon, and have a child. I’m still in good health, so I can help you look after the baby.”
Zhou Sui'an: Not amused at all.
After hearing that, Zhou Suisui hurriedly nodded beside them, practically ready to hug Mrs. Jiang and kiss her.
She had said exactly what was in Suisui’s heart!
“Brother, I think Auntie is absolutely right. You should find someone whose family you know well.”
Zhou Sui'an was rendered somewhat awkward by their words, the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
His thin lips moved slightly as he tried to think of something to say, when he keenly caught the faintest hint of laughter.
Frowning, he turned to look at the person beside him.
Jiang Zongyan was sitting there, calmly continuing to peel an apple as if nothing had happened.
Zhou Sui'an gritted his teeth.
That guy was so sinister. He was definitely laughing at him inwardly.
Forcing himself to keep a straight face, Zhou Sui'an replied, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll give your advice serious consideration.”
Only then was Mrs. Jiang satisfied, nodding her head.
Just then, a nurse pushed open the door and told her that she could enter the operating room.
Jiang Zongyan and Zhou Sui'an rose at the same time, each supporting one of Mrs. Jiang’s arms.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized.
Both men paused, then instinctively looked at each other.
The moment their eyes met, sparks flew. Neither was willing to yield.
If looks could kill, the two of them would have died several hundred times by now.
Everyone accompanied Mrs. Jiang to the operating room entrance and watched as she was wheeled inside.
The operating room doors slowly closed.
The red indicator light came on.
Although it was only a minor operation and the doctor had repeatedly assured them that there would be no problems, Zhou Suisui still felt uneasy.
A row of blue chairs for patients’ families was arranged outside the operating room.
Zhou Suisui sat down at the very end, leaning back as she quietly watched the doors and waited.
Jiang Zongyan glanced at her and was just about to sit in the seat to her left when a figure suddenly shoved in.
With a loud thump, someone dropped heavily into the space between them, forcibly separating the two.
The move was so swift that Zhou Suisui jumped.
“Brother? Be careful. Don’t hurt yourself.”
Zhou Sui'an smiled at Zhou Suisui, his eyes curving. “I’m fine.”
Then he turned around and looked smugly at Jiang Zongyan.
Want to sit next to my sister? Not a chance.
“Childish.”
Jiang Zongyan’s striking lips lightly uttered those two words.
Zhou Sui'an wasn’t angry. He tilted his head slightly and leaned close to Jiang Zongyan’s ear, lowering his voice as he replied, “Some people should try not to look so sour.”
Jiang Zongyan: “…”
Zhou Sui'an let out a smug little snort.
Did Jiang Zongyan think he was blind?
The man claimed he had no interest in his sister, but his eyes had been glued to her the entire time.
“Brother Sui'an, what are you and my brother talking about? You seem to be having such a great time.”
Jiang Ruitian came over with a cup of water and happened to see the two men leaning toward each other, chatting back and forth. She was immediately delighted.
Who on earth had started the rumor that they didn’t get along?
Look at them. They clearly got along perfectly!
People who could sit together and whisper to each other were obviously good friends.
Jiang Zongyan cast a cool look at his foolish little sister.
Zhou Sui'an smiled awkwardly. “Just making conversation.”
She didn’t believe him at all.
They were definitely discussing some secret they didn’t want to share with the girls.
Jiang Ruitian pouted and glanced at the current seating arrangement.
Zhou Suisui was seated at the far right, with no room beside her.
There were only two adjoining empty seats to the left of her brother.
She wanted to sit next to Suisui. Without giving it any thought, she reached out and took Zhou Suisui by the arm.
“Suisui, come sit over here with me.”
As she spoke, she pulled her up with surprising force and pressed her down into the seat beside her.
That seat happened to be right next to Jiang Zongyan.
“…”
Zhou Sui'an’s expression instantly turned dark, the resentment in his eyes practically condensing into something tangible.
Damn it.
He had planned for everything, yet somehow forgotten about Jiang Ruitian, the last “stray fish” that had slipped through the net.
She had definitely done it on purpose. She was helping her brother create an opportunity.
As expected, everyone in the Jiang family was on the same side.
Jiang Zongyan’s back tensed instantly.
The girl moved in front of him, and a few strands of her drifting hair brushed unintentionally across the tip of his nose.
It was light, like a feather sweeping over his skin.
A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, bringing an itch all the way down into his heart…
Just then, a sob came from ahead.
“Wah… honey… it’s all right. Your husband is here. I’ll stay right here with you.”
Jiang Xingming was crouched at the operating room entrance, desperately trying to peer through the narrow crack in the doors.
A nurse carrying medical equipment came out of the operating room and nearly stepped on him. She was so startled that she almost sent the tray flying.
“Who does this family member belong to? Come and take him away.”
“He’s only getting in the way by crouching here.”
The nurse probably never would have imagined that the chairman of the Jiang Group could be so shameless in private.
Irritated, she called toward the waiting area.
The others froze.
Jiang Ruitian was the first to react. Her dad was making a scene again.
She hurried over and pulled Jiang Xingming to his feet.
“Dad! What are you doing crouched here?”
“I’m worried. Your mother is afraid of pain even when she gets an injection. And now they’re making an incision in her chest…”
At that, the grown man’s nose reddened, and his eyes began to sting with tears.
“Even if you’re worried, you can’t crouch here.”
Jiang Ruitian dragged him over to a nearby chair and made him sit down. Then she threatened him sternly, “If you do that again, once Mom gets better, I’ll take her overseas for a month and leave you at home by yourself.”
Jiang Xingming immediately shut his mouth and looked at his daughter with wounded eyes.
Why did his little sweetheart have to leak cold air like this?
He turned to glance at Jiang Zongyan, who sat beside him with an expressionless face, and sighed.
Forget it… His leather jacket could at least help him save face in public. As for expecting him to be thoughtful, he might as well wait until the day he was buried.
Finally, his gaze fell on Zhou Suisui.
