Twenty-five years ago, his elder brother had suffered from frequent nosebleeds that simply wouldn’t stop.
At the time, the hospital couldn’t determine what was wrong. His family claimed that something unclean had attached itself to his brother. They consulted spirit mediums, performed exorcisms, made him drink talisman water—every possible remedy was tried. Somehow, they managed to keep his brother going like that until 1966, when he finally passed away.
Now that he had studied medicine, of course he no longer believed in such superstitions. But he knew about hereditary diseases. Could it be that his daughter was suffering from the same illness as his elder brother?
The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. If it was hereditary, then would the child in Shao Tingting’s womb also…?
Just then, a nurse pushed open the door and brought in the blood test results. Director Qi took them and glanced over the report. His brows immediately drew together. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up at Zhang Chenghui.
“There’s something wrong with the bloodwork. Both the white blood cell and platelet counts are abnormal. We strongly suspect a blood disorder, but our equipment is limited, so we can’t determine exactly what kind it is. I recommend taking her to a major hospital—preferably in the capital or Haishi. Only hospitals there have the medical facilities to identify it clearly.”
Dani was already terrified out of her wits.
Tears streamed down her face like beads spilling from a broken string.
She felt that her life was unbearably bitter. Her man had been stolen from her, and she had only this one daughter. If anything happened to Yanyan, how could she go on living?
And if they went to the capital, how much money would that cost? Would Qi Yuqing be willing to pay?
Dani could only place her hopes on Zhang Chenghui. She didn’t dare say anything. She believed that Zhang Chenghui had only one child and couldn’t possibly refuse to care for his own flesh and blood.
When Zhang Chenghui heard Director Qi’s words, his mind began to buzz. He had already guessed what was wrong with Yanyan; it was only that they couldn’t perform a bone marrow aspiration here and therefore couldn’t confirm the diagnosis.
“Well… I can’t make this decision on my own. I’ll have to discuss it with the child’s family.”
He knew that this illness was essentially incurable. Taking her to another hospital would only mean throwing away money.
Besides, even if they decided to go, he had no money. Over the years, his wages had gone toward supporting his parents and giving Dani living expenses. Recently, in order to placate Shao Tingting, he had already spent nearly all of his savings.
If they truly had to take the child to the capital, he would need to discuss it with Qi Yuqing. If she was willing to pay, he could take Yanyan there for treatment. At least then, he would have fulfilled his duty as her father and preserved what little father-daughter affection remained.
Director Qi glanced at the time and sighed.
“All right. I’ll arrange for the child to be admitted first. She’ll stay here tonight, and we’ll carry out the necessary tests. If anything happens while she’s in the hospital, it’ll be easier to deal with.”
Director Qi was just about to leave with the doctors when Dani stopped him.
“Director Qi, you can’t leave! What if Yanyan’s nose starts bleeding again after you’re gone?”
A young nurse stepped forward to explain, “Don’t worry, comrade. We have doctors on duty tonight.”
She understood the family’s concern, but the doctor couldn’t possibly work without end. He had to get off duty eventually.
“What use are those doctors? They’re all worthless! Several of them tried just now, and none of them could stop the bleeding. It was only Director Qi who managed to do it. If he leaves and something happens to my daughter, can you take responsibility?”
Dani knew that Director Qi was Qi Yuqing’s father. Qi Yuqing had stolen her man, so what was wrong with her father staying behind to look after her daughter for a few nights? Wasn’t that only right?
Xiao Mandong took a step forward and tried to calm her as well.
“Comrade, you really can rest assured. Director Qi lives in the staff compound. If anything happens, the nurses can go there and call him.”
“Shut up.” Dani glared at her. “I’m talking to Director Qi. What does it have to do with you? I don’t care. He can’t leave!”
Dani truly had been frightened by the sight of Yanyan bleeding uncontrollably. If it happened again, could her daughter endure it?
Zhang Chenghui stood silently to one side. He had been frightened as well, and his mind was still in turmoil. Naturally, it would be best if his father-in-law stayed. Director Qi was also the heir to a family tradition of Chinese medicine. Perhaps he knew some secret remedy that could treat the illness, sparing them the need to go to the capital.
“Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll definitely come back.”
Director Qi lifted his foot to leave, but Dani rushed in front of him and grabbed his sleeve tightly.
Her voice was choked with tears, but her tone was domineering. “You can’t leave! What will happen to my daughter if you go? You’re a doctor—saving lives is your responsibility. If you dare leave, I’ll report you to the commune!”
“Comrade, our director needs to eat and rest too. He’s been busy all day and should have gone off duty long ago. He’s already worked two extra hours for your child,” the young nurse said. She had never seen such an unreasonable patient’s family member before. Wasn’t this simply refusing to listen to reason?
Dani neither spoke nor argued. She merely held on with red-rimmed eyes, stubbornly refusing to let go.
“Director Zhang, this woman is your relative, isn’t she? Aren’t you going to control her? Doctors are responsible for treating illnesses, not for providing round-the-clock care, are they?” Xiao Mandong’s voice was full of sarcasm.
Zhang Chenghui had been pretending not to hear any of it. When she called his name, he hurriedly turned and scolded Wang Dani.
“What are you doing? Let go of him! If everyone behaved like you, how would the doctors be able to work?”
At that moment, the emergency room door suddenly opened with a creak.
Qi Yuqing walked in.
The instant Dani saw her, she reacted as though she had been burned. Her hand froze, and she instinctively released Director Qi’s sleeve.
Zhang Chenghui’s expression changed repeatedly—from surprise to panic, then to forced calm. Soon, his face was covered by a false look of tenderness and concern.
“Yuqing, what brings you here? Are you hungry? Come on, I’ll go home and cook for you.”
He had sensed that something about Qi Yuqing had been off these past two days. He was afraid she might act impulsively and say something she shouldn’t, so he tried to take her away.
Qi Yuqing shook off Zhang Chenghui’s outstretched hand and said to Wang Dani, “I remember your family practices traditional Chinese medicine too, don’t you? Just take the child home. Why waste time here at the hospital?”
Director Qi looked at Qi Yuqing in confusion. “Her family practices Chinese medicine too? How come Chenghui never mentioned it all these years?”
Qi Yuqing slipped her arm through her father’s.
“They specialize in treating infertility,” she said. “It’s a family tradition.”
With that, she pulled Director Qi toward the door.
Zhang Chenghui’s face flushed crimson. He knew Qi Yuqing was insulting him.
Wang Dani’s heart lurched. Could Qi Yuqing have found out something? Impossible. She hadn’t taken that medicine for so many years. How could Qi Yuqing suddenly become suspicious?
But seeing Qi Yuqing’s attitude and hearing what she had just said, Dani understood that unless she got a hold over her, Qi Yuqing would never willingly pay for Yanyan’s treatment.
At this point, Dani could no longer worry about anything else. She would simply go all the way. At worst, once the child recovered, she would leave the Zhang family with Yanyan.
Just as Qi Yuqing was about to walk out of the room, Wang Dani suddenly spoke. Her voice was quiet, yet it carried a sinister edge.
“Yuqing, Director Qi has spent his whole life preserving his dignity. His reputation means more to him than anything. Now that he’s getting older, I’m afraid he couldn’t withstand too much of a shock. Some things are best kept buried in your stomach if you want the whole family to remain safe.”
“Yanyan is still young and can’t endure much more, and Director Qi is advanced in years—he can’t withstand a scare either. Don’t you agree?”
“We’ll move into the staff compound today. It’ll be more convenient to look after her if we live upstairs or downstairs from you. After all, we’re family. My child is your child too. What do you say?”
