The hospital was busy but orderly. Wu Linlin was quickly diagnosed and given an IV drip, and the bleeding gradually stopped.
Xie Sui was also busy. He found familiar doctors, secured a private room, and called Xie Chen to comfort his aunt. He was too busy to even grab a sip of water.
Xie Chen's call didn't go through; he was out inspecting villages. Xie Sui left him a message, asking him to come to the county hospital as soon as possible.
This cousin, whoever married him would be unlucky.
Because Xie Sui had donated money to the hospital, the hospital director personally came to see them. Seeing the group of doctors, Xie Sui's aunt was speechless.
Xie Sui's uncle was even more ill at ease, not knowing where to put his hands, only begging them to save his daughter-in-law.
The director, however, reassured them: "Don't be nervous. We will do our best to treat her. A six-month-old fetus is not so easily in danger. We will use the most advanced medicine to save the baby."
"Thank you."
The diagnosis results came out, and the director of the obstetrics and gynecology department said, "Has this patient not been for prenatal checkups? The wall of her uterus is anterior, which can easily lead to miscarriage. In the later stages, she needs absolute rest and cannot be careless."
"What do you mean anterior? Don't you only come to the hospital when giving birth?"
Xie Sui said, "Pregnant women need prenatal checkups. At three months, you can see if the baby has any physical deformities. At four months, you check the brain, and also screen for any hidden diseases. These can all be checked in advance. Don't worry, listen to the doctor. It's not too late to come to the hospital now."
The director said, "Factory Director Xie is well-informed. That's indeed the case. Your wife's prenatal checkup records were indeed done at our hospital. This lady has symptoms of threatened miscarriage, perhaps she fell accidentally, or maybe her emotions fluctuated too much, both can cause premature birth. We will start with conservative treatment. If the bleeding stops, there won't be much of a problem. As long as the fetus can be saved until eight months, a Cesarean section can be performed early."
Xie Sui's aunt's face turned pale: "Seven months is for living, eight months is for dying. It cannot be born in eight months."
"Aunt, don't be superstitious. Believe the doctor. Maybe a C-section won't be necessary? Alright, you two elders, calm down. Don't say so much to your cousin-in-law, let her relax, it's good for the baby. Also, has her family been notified? It would be good for her to have her mother-in-law with her at this time."
Xie Sui's eyes flickered. Her emotional fluctuations, perhaps because of him. It was good that she felt guilty and scared; there was still hope. Some people do evil deeds without remorse, only rejoicing that they were not discovered and live peacefully, such people are inherently bad. Wu Linlin was not like that; her conscience was uneasy, and her wrongdoing was an impulsive act.
When she was alone in the ward, Xie Sui went in to see her. Wu Linlin's face turned pale. Xie Sui quickly said, "Don't worry. This child almost had an accident because you were too worried. I already know what you did. Do you want to apologize to me?"
Wu Linlin burst into tears: "Yes, I've always wanted to apologize to you. Actually, I regretted it after writing the complaint letter. I don't know what was going on then, I truly regret it. I'm sorry, fortunately, Wanwan is fine, otherwise, I would never have peace of mind."
"I forgive you. Don't be confused anymore. Not every bad deed can be rectified. Wanwan and the baby are fine, that's why I forgive you. Otherwise, no matter how uneasy your conscience is, I wouldn't let you off. Rest well. I'll have Wanwan visit you another day."
"Thank you. Wanwan is a good woman. She deserves to be this happy."
Xie Sui smiled and said, "You can be happy too. Wanwan is very good, and you are not bad either."
Wu Linlin's face darkened: "Xie Chen only cares about his career and doesn't care about me and the baby."
"People only know to cherish after they lose. Cousin just hasn't realized your importance. Let me come this time, and you cooperate a bit, so he knows where he went wrong."
"How to cooperate?"
Xie Sui also felt that Xie Chen had many problems. He didn't understand human relationships, was stubborn and rigid. Even if he pursued a career, he wouldn't do very well. It would be better to care more about his family, lest he lose both his career and family in the future.
Xie Chen arrived in the evening. His father and mother were resting in the adjacent ward. Xie Sui had booked a separate room for them to take care of them. When Xie Chen arrived, he saw Xie Sui sitting outside the ward and anxiously asked, "How is the baby?"
Xie Sui: "You're asking about the baby first, not your wife? Xie Chen, you are too much. How can you ask about the baby first? If your wife is not well, how can the baby be well? Was the baby born on its own? Does it not need a mother's womb? Even if you borrowed someone's womb to have a child, you can't only care about the child in your heart?"
Xie Chen: "I, I haven't had time to ask yet. How do you know I don't care about Linlin?"
"Heh, a person's subconscious reaction best reflects their inner thoughts. I've seen too many people. Don't argue with me."
Xie Chen was angry: "Even if that's the case, it's our marital matter. You're meddling too much."
Xie Sui's eyes darkened. Xie Chen instinctively took two steps back. He was angry.
"Fine. If that's what you say, then I'll leave. Here is the hospital payment receipt. Your son had a miscarriage, costing five hundred and eighty yuan. I paid it for you. Pay me back, and I'll leave immediately."
Xie Chen wanted to say, you're so rich, do you care about this little money? His monthly salary was only over a hundred yuan. This much money was half a year's salary. He still had some shame and didn't say it. He said, "I don't have it now, I'll pay you back later."
"Write an IOU."
Xie Sui didn't want to argue with him, but he was too angry. They were both of Xie family blood. Why was he so heartless? Xie Chen was ashamed and indignant: "Xie Sui, you're going too far. You're my cousin, and you want an IOU from me?"
"As a cousin, shouldn't I run around for you, spending money and effort, and in the end, not even get a thank you? Xie Chen, do you deserve to be called my cousin?"
"Yes, I don't deserve it. You, Xie Sui, are talented, you are successful, and you look down on me, your cousin. I don't beg you. It's just over five hundred yuan, isn't it? Am I going to default on it?"
"Good. Remember, you owe me five hundred yuan. Pay the subsequent medical expenses yourself, which will be at least another thousand. Be tough and don't come begging me."
"I won't beg. The child is gone anyway, so why treat it? Get discharged and go home!"
Xie Sui was stunned. Was this something a human would say? Wu Linlin, whose heart had also turned cold, never expected him to be so heartless.
"You scoundrel."
Xie Sui couldn't help himself and punched him in the face, saying, "You're not worthy of having children. I was lying to you. Your wife didn't miscarry, but she's in critical condition. She'll need to be on bed rest later and be hospitalized frequently. Do you want this child or not? Make your own decision."
"What's going on? Why are you fighting?"
Lin Wanwan arrived, carrying chicken soup. Nanny Li accompanied her. Xie Lan was at home taking care of the two little ones. Xie Sui had called her. Lin Wanwan was worried and made chicken soup to see what was happening. Even though Wu Linlin had tried to harm her before, Lin Wanwan, hearing her apology, had forgiven her and came to see her regardless of past grievances.
Xie Sui quickly took the chicken soup: "Why are you here? Are you tired? Did the children cause you any trouble? Sit down first, and I'll explain slowly."
"Talk it out properly, why resort to violence?"
Xie Sui was furious: "He's too much of a scoundrel. If I don't hit him, I'll be suffocated with anger."
After listening to him, Lin Wanwan got up and said, "Let's go home. Don't interfere in their family matters. Even brothers are divided, let alone cousins."
Xie Sui smiled, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The two left affectionately. Xie Chen wiped the blood from his mouth, his face filled with gloom. He was jealous of Xie Sui, yet he had to beg him. Pushing open the ward door, he saw Wu Linlin standing behind the door, her face full of tears.
"Linlin, why are you up? Are you alright?"
Xie Chen felt a pang of guilt in his heart. Did she hear?
"Xie Chen, you can leave. I'll save my child myself. I don't need you to pay this money. I'll ask my mother to provide the funds."
"I didn't mean that. I was just too angry, and the words just came out. Are you going to be so petty about it? This is my child. I'll sell everything I have to save the child."
Wu Linlin said, "If it weren't for this child, would you abandon me? Am I not your wife? In your heart, am I just a tool for you to have children?"
"No..."
Xie Chen's words lacked conviction, making Wu Linlin even more disappointed. She lay on the bed, silently shedding tears. The argument alerted Xie Sui's aunt. She came over and said, "Xiao Chen, you're here. Fortunately, Xie Sui was here today, otherwise, the child would have been in great danger. Coax Linlin, she was also frightened today."
"I know, Mom. You don't need to worry. I can handle it."
"Okay, don't argue. Linlin is pregnant. It's hard work, and it's not easy. Do you think being a mother is easy?"
Xie Chen patiently coaxed her. Wu Linlin's parents also rushed over. Wu Linlin hugged her mother and cried. Her mother's heart ached: "Didn't they say the baby is fine? Why are you still crying? Don't worry, don't worry, Mom is here."
Xie Chen walked out of the ward to get some air. He was also worried about the baby's subsequent treatment. Should he really ask Xie Sui for help? He couldn't swallow his pride. At worst, they could give up on the child. They were still young and could have another. They couldn't bow down to Xie Sui.
Xie Chen made a decision, ambition flashing in his eyes. He would never bow down to Xie Sui in his lifetime.
At the Xie family's home, Du Feiyang listened to Xie Chen's operations and was amazed. "A grandson of the same grandfather, how can there be such a big difference between him and Brother Xie? Fortunately, Pan'er didn't marry him, otherwise, how much would Pan'er have to endure!"
Xie Sui said, "Your older brother and you share the same father, but don't you have different personalities? Pan'er is a fortunate woman who doesn't enter a door without fortune. You kid, be happy secretly."
"That's right. I am also fortunate, otherwise how would I have met Pan'er? I should thank your cousin for not marrying her. I'm calling Pan'er. She and my mother have been playing together recently, and I can't find her all day. Sigh, I won't have to worry about mother-in-law problems anymore. It seems I'm redundant. They play like sisters."
Xie Sui said, "That's a good thing, isn't it? It's better than them glaring at each other, and you being stuck in the middle like a biscuit?"
"That's true, but with them both squeezing me, I'm the most miserable."
"Men are all like this, there's nothing you can do. Be a woman in the next life."
Lin Wanwan was so amused by them that she bent over with laughter, her stomach aching. She held her stomach and groaned, which frightened Xie Sui. He helped her back to the room to lie down.
Du Feiyang called Hu Pan'er and they chatted for two hours. Xie Sui felt sorry for the phone bill and urged them to hang up several times.
This night, some were happy, and some were worried. The joys and sorrows of the world have never been the same.