Chapter 12: Something Feels Off Somehow

Lu Yan glanced at Lu Fan, who was lying on the hospital bed, pried apart Qian Guihua’s hands, and walked to the nurse’s desk. “Does Lu Fan need to be transferred to another hospital?”

The nurse looked up and caught sight of Lu Yan, a flicker of amazement flashing in her eyes. “He requested a transfer himself, said he had abdominal pain. We couldn’t find anything wrong here, so it’s better to go to the People’s Hospital for an X-ray.”

Lu Yan nodded. “Thank you. And my mother, what happened to her?”

The nurse was about to answer when she saw Qian Guihua behind Lu Yan, frantically signaling her. A troubled look appeared on her face. “Oh, it’s… just a bit of discomfort.”

They all lived in the same family compound. Usually, Auntie Qian was very friendly to her, so she couldn’t bring herself to ignore such a plea and ended up telling this lie.

Lu Yan more or less understood. He turned and walked to stand before Lu Fan. “I heard you broke a rib?”

He reached out, intending to check.

Lu Fan instantly crossed his arms protectively over his chest. “What are you doing?”

Lu Yan’s hand froze midair, a faint smile at his lips. “Just seeing if it’s serious.”

He smiled gently, yet Lu Fan felt a chill down his spine. With Lu Yan’s hand, even if his ribs weren’t broken, they might be now.

When he was young and went out to work—whether it was chopping wood or cutting grass—if he was alone and met other kids from the village, they’d almost always steal his things. But if Lu Yan was there, those kids would keep their distance.

Back then, he’d wonder: was this quiet, studious second brother really so frightening?

Now, he understood all too well.

Lu Fan edged further toward the inside of the bed. “I just said it hurt like a broken rib, not that it was actually broken. It feels much better now.”

Lu Yan’s delicate lips curved slightly, his long lashes lowering as he spoke with a half-smile, “How much better?”

To any observer, Lu Yan looked every bit the caring elder brother.

But Chen Haixia knew—he was angry.

“Lu Fan, if you’re fine, stop making a fuss. Pay the bill and go home, so your brother doesn’t have to worry,” Chen Haixia kindly advised.

Lu Yan turned back to the nurse. “Since my mother’s unwell, let her have an IV drip.”

The nurse smiled, “It’s not that serious.”

“She fainted—how can that not be serious? Or is it another undiagnosable illness?” Lu Yan tapped the desk thoughtfully.

The nurse was at a loss for words. Qian Guihua interjected, “Lu Yan, it’s just my old problem. Don’t make a fuss; I’ll be fine if I tough it out. Let’s all go home.”

Lu Yan was no fool; he wouldn’t let them trick him. He went ahead and settled Lu Fan’s medical bill, then said, “That won’t do. Since I’m here, let’s go to the People’s Hospital.”

He supported Qian Guihua and looked at Lu Fan. “Are you coming?”

Lu Fan shook his head at once. Why make a fuss when he wasn’t sick? He’d rather be sleeping at home. “No, I’m not going.”

“You’re not going to accompany Mom?”

“No, let Sister Haixia go with you!” Lu Fan quickly replied.

Lu Yan nodded and turned to Chen Haixia. “Sorry to trouble you.”

Since the two women got along so well and liked being together, he might as well grant their wish.

Chen Haixia was happy to accompany Lu Yan, even if it meant extra work.

Qian Guihua, on the other hand, was caught in her own trap. She’d only wanted Lu Yan to give more money. He’d just received 450 yuan in wages but brought home only eighty. Who knew if the rest was on him or given to that woman?

If she didn’t act pitiful today, he’d never hand over the money. Meanwhile, her eldest son was waiting at home for funds to transfer his grandson to another school.

Lu Yan walked a few steps, saw Qian Guihua still standing dazedly, and called back, “Come on, if we wait any longer, we’ll miss the last bus.”

Chen Haixia took Qian Guihua’s arm and pushed her forward, following Lu Yan to the bus stop.

When they arrived at the People’s Hospital, Qian Guihua was stunned by its size—so imposing she felt a flicker of fear. She whispered to Chen Haixia, “What if the doctor finds out I’m not actually sick?”

Lu Yan would never fall for her tricks again if that happened.

Chen Haixia leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t worry. Just insist you’re unwell. If they say you’re fine, claim it’s something undetectable.”

After a few more steps, Qian Guihua suddenly remembered her real reason for feigning illness wasn’t this—so why was Chen Haixia so eager to help?

She looked up and caught Chen Haixia gazing dreamily at Lu Yan’s back, a smile playing on her lips.

A wave of discomfort swept over Qian Guihua. So that’s it—she was being used as an excuse to spend time alone with Lu Yan. All three sons took after their father, handsome as could be.

Especially the second, whose looks and bearing were exceptional. In scholarly terms, he was the classic case of the student surpassing the master.

But his temperament was unfathomable—not as obedient as the eldest, nor as ingratiating as the youngest. No amount of discipline could change that.

Lost in thought, Qian Guihua was led by Lu Yan into the medical office of the internal medicine department.

The doctor performed a thorough examination and said bluntly, “There’s nothing wrong.”

Lu Yan suggested, “How about a blood test?”

At the mention of a blood test, Qian Guihua’s face turned pale. The doctor said, “You need to fast before a blood test. Come back tomorrow morning, don’t eat anything.”

Lu Yan seemed very concerned. “In that case, could you arrange a room for her to be admitted for observation tonight?”

What, hospitalization? Chen Haixia’s face turned green. If she spent the night in the hospital, how would she go to work tomorrow?

Qian Guihua felt uneasy too—this was her first time in such a big hospital. She tugged at Lu Yan’s sleeve. “What about you?”

Lu Yan smiled, “I just remembered—I probably don’t have enough money on me. I’ll have to go back and raise some funds, so I’ll leave first.”

Chen Haixia froze as she watched Lu Yan’s departing back.

Qian Guihua’s face was equally unsightly. The doctor, however, smiled kindly at her. “Is that your son?”

Qian Guihua nodded numbly.

“He’s quite handsome. And so filial, too. In my experience, unless it’s something serious, family members rarely insist on hospital admission!”

Though the words sounded nice, Qian Guihua couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

The doctor filled out an admission form and had a nurse lead her to a ward.

…

Lu Yan left the hospital, checked his watch—it was already half past ten, too late for the last bus.

He hailed a taxi and headed straight to Shen Qingyi’s neighborhood. By now, except for the moonlight above, everything was shrouded in darkness.

Lu Yan didn’t even know why he felt compelled to come here at such an hour. His steps unconsciously carried him to the Shen family’s gate, where he noticed a light still glowing in Shen Qingyi’s room.

A slender silhouette moved behind the window: sometimes pausing in thought with pen in hand, sometimes bending over her desk to write or draw. Still awake so late?

Lu Yan stood watching that shadow, wondering what she was doing.

He remembered the professor often spoke of Qingyi with regret, lamenting that she hadn’t inherited his academic talent—unable to sit still, poor grades, failed the college entrance exam, and ended up chasing impractical artistic pursuits with a friend.

He never really agreed with that. Everyone had their own strengths, and he remembered her paintings brimmed with a certain spirit.

He doubted he could ever create such vivid, fantastical scenes.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly jolted by a fit of coughing from within the room.