Chapter 33: Turmoil in the Ward

"You have no idea. Madam Chen called me in the middle of the night and, without even giving me a chance to explain, launched into a harsh, abusive tirade against me."

Lin Xiu spoke as she looked up at Su Mian. "Talk to your older brother and have him release Chen Fang. Otherwise, how am I supposed to face them in the future?"

If Su Mian’s heart had felt half-frozen last night, it was now completely ice-cold. She looked at Lin Xiu with a touch of sarcasm. "Sometimes I wonder, am I really your biological daughter?"

When she asked this, Lin Xiu nodded quickly, her voice rising. "Of course you are! You were born from my own flesh and blood; I care about you, too."

Su Mian felt as if she were hearing a joke. It was hard to believe her own mother could be so biased toward outsiders. She didn't know how to describe the feeling in her heart, but she knew that if there was a smile on her face right now, it must be a bitter one.

"But I was the one who was hurt! As a mother, you don't care about me, and instead, you speak up for the perpetrator, hoping he gets released! What about me? Am I just meant to be humiliated? Would you only show the slightest bit of pity if I had died there last night?"

She looked up at the woman before her with a bitter smile, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Lin Xiu was stung by her gaze, but years of living in the Huo family had made her feelings numb. "What are you talking about? I came here to see you, of course, but also to ask you to talk to Huo Beihan and see if you can get him to let the boy go. This Mrs. Chen is truly impossible to deal with."

Around and around it went; she still only wanted her to release the man.

Su Mian’s disappointment turned into despair. This feeling was harder to endure than being killed the night before.

"If that is your purpose for coming here, then I’m telling you, it’s impossible."

"Why? I see that you and Huo Beihan have a good relationship. If you just put in a word, he won't disagree." Lin Xiu looked at Su Mian with a searching gaze, her confusion masking any shred of pity she might have felt.

"Why? Don't you think that’s ridiculous? For all these years, you’ve ignored me, and now, for your own interests, you’re willing to sacrifice me at will. Do you know that, right now, I wish I weren't your daughter?"

Su Mian’s eyes stung, but she couldn't shed a single tear; only a choked sob escaped her.

"Mother didn't do it right, but I’m doing this for your own good. You aren't a child anymore. While you're still young, get yourself married off early so you don't end up following my path."

Su Mian pointed toward the door. "Leave. Go away now. I want to rest."

Lin Xiu wanted to say more, but seeing the resolve in Su Mian’s eyes, she sighed and eventually left.

It was nearly noon when Mother Qin arrived. Along with her came Qin Yunzheng.

Su Mian’s gaze lingered on Qin Yunzheng for a moment before she immediately turned to look at Mother Qin.

"Mianmian, how are you? Are you feeling any better?"

Mother Qin sat down before Su Mian with a food container, her eyes full of concern as she took Su Mian’s hands to check on her.

"I’m fine, Auntie. The doctor said I need quiet rest," Su Mian answered earnestly.

"That’s good. You rest well. I made this food for you; try some."

Mother Qin took the dishes out and arranged them on the table. Su Mian tasted them, and the flavor was just as it had been before.

"Thank you, Auntie Qin. It tastes very good."

Mother Qin looked at Su Mian and felt a pang of heartache. "You were doing so well; how could something like this happen? You must be more careful in the future. You need to recover quickly so you don't forget to attend your Uncle Qin's birthday banquet."

Su Mian swallowed the food. Compared to Lin Xiu, Mother Qin’s kindness made her feel even more bitter. She forced a smile. "Don't worry, I’ll remember."

Seeing how sensible Su Mian was, Mother Qin grew even more indignant. "Your mother is really something. Although I'm in no position to judge, how could a mother treat her own child—" Mother Qin stopped herself, realizing this was a sore spot for Su Mian. "Mianmian, regardless of whether you and Yunzheng are together, I just want you to be well."

Qin Yunzheng stood behind her, silent. Before they arrived, Mother Qin had said that if possible, she would help reconcile them. She had hoped for Su Mian to be her daughter-in-law, but seeing her current state, those words died in her throat.

Seeing the atmosphere in the room becoming increasingly stifling, Mother Qin gave Qin Yunzheng a look and stood up. "Auntie has some things to take care of this afternoon, so I won't stay here with you. I'll let this boy keep you company."

"All right, Auntie. Take care on your way back." Su Mian smiled and bid her farewell.

Once she left, the room fell into silence again.

"What do you want to say now?" Compared to the respect she showed Mother Qin, Su Mian had little patience for Qin Yunzheng.

"Is that the only attitude you have toward me? I was the one who saved you last night; must we be at each other's throats like this?" He had envisioned many ways to try and win her back, but the words tasted different once they reached his lips.

Seeing his stubborn expression, Su Mian suddenly recalled the night she took him home, wondering what those things he had said really meant.

"Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you."

"What is it?" Qin Yunzheng looked expectant, hoping Su Mian would take the initiative to ask him to stay or admit she cared.

But the question Su Mian asked left him stunned.

"That day you were drunk, Zhang Tao and I took you home. You asked me why I treated you that way, and why I was with 'that person'?" Su Mian carefully recalled what happened, trying to replicate his tone as accurately as possible.

Qin Yunzheng’s expression shifted from shock to something twisted. He shook his head, trying to make his voice sound steady. "It’s nothing. People say all sorts of nonsense when they’re drunk."

That was the fatal pain of his life; just thinking about it made him feel like he was suffocating, let alone speaking of it aloud. He couldn't do it.

Su Mian felt she understood Qin Yunzheng well enough to know he was hiding something. Just as she was about to press him further, the crisp sound of high heels echoed from the door.

"Sister Su Mian, so this is the room you're in."

Even without looking up, Su Mian could guess the expression on Lin Qingqing’s face. She felt her luck had taken a turn for the worse since being hospitalized, having met with all sorts of demons and monsters today. Perhaps she should put a basin of chicken blood outside the door to ward off bad luck.

"Why are you here?" Qin Yunzheng asked, his tone unfriendly as he saw Lin Qingqing appearing with a basket of fruit.

"I came to see Sister Su Mian. That area around the apartment is really not safe. If she hadn't saved me last time, I would probably be in even worse shape than her."

Qin Yunzheng looked confused, so Lin Qingqing gave a downplayed account of what had happened that day.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Qin Yunzheng’s tone carried a hint of reproach. If Lin Qingqing had told him earlier that the apartment area was unsafe, he might have taken precautions, and Su Mian wouldn't have ended up in the hospital.

Lin Qingqing, however, misinterpreted his tone, thinking he was worried about her. "It’s all in the past, and the company has been so busy, I didn't want to trouble you."