Chapter 13: The Feasibility of His Words

Lu Yan's heart couldn't help but tremble along with her. She was just about to step forward and knock on the door to ask what was going on when the light inside the room suddenly went out.

She must be going to rest.

Lu Yan stood there for a while longer.

With the buses no longer running, it took Lu Yan nearly forty minutes to walk to Su Yang's door and stop there.

Fortunately, Su Yang's daughter cried day and night, so Lu Yan's arrival at this hour wouldn't disturb the couple's sleep.

Su Yang, cradling his wailing daughter, led Lu Yan into the house. "The little one is crying terribly. There's hot water on the coal stove—help yourself and wash up."

Lu Yan nodded. "Thank you!"

* * *

Early the next morning, Lu Yan returned home and woke Lu Fan. "I have to go to work. Mom's in the hospital, and we don't have enough money. Take this to her."

As she spoke, she turned her pocket inside out and placed ten yuan on the table.

"What if it's still not enough?" Lu Fan knew Qian Guihua wanted to squeeze more money out of Lu Yan. After paying the hospital bill, how much would be left from ten yuan?

Lu Yan hesitated. "That's all I have. Mom doesn't usually get seriously ill, it shouldn't cost much."

She gave him the hospital room number and turned to leave.

Lu Fan was stunned for a moment. So this was how his good second brother kicked the ball back to him with only ten yuan?

But he had his orders, and if he didn't go, Qian Guihua would kill him when she got back.

Lu Fan took the ten yuan to the hospital, only to discover not only was there nothing left, he had to add fifteen more out of his own pocket.

It was an appointment with a specialist, the best single room, and she even asked the doctor to prescribe a pack of supplements.

Qian Guihua's hand trembled as she paid. No wonder the specialist said her son was so filial.

Chen Haixia, seeing Qian Guihua's expression, didn't dare linger. "Auntie, I have to get back to work. Lu Fan will wait with you for the test results. I'll visit you again next time."

Lu Fan politely said to Chen Haixia, "Thank you for all your trouble!"

"We're all from the same village, what's there to thank me for?" Though Chen Haixia was burning with anger, her face still wore a bright smile.

Lu Fan was briefly dazed. Only after Chen Haixia walked off did he notice Qian Guihua's face had darkened.

"Mom! Why are you glaring at me like that?"

Qian Guihua wanted to vent her anger, but since it was her own bad idea, she could only scold Lu Fan, "He tells you to come and you just come? Didn't you just get beaten up by him? Couldn't you say you're still in pain? You're hopelessly stupid."

"But he has to go to work. If he doesn't, where will the money come from? Besides, he can't run forever. Why rush?"

Qian Guihua's chest heaved, her brow knotted tightly. "Trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice—this is a total loss. Forget the test results, we're leaving!"

"But we've already paid! And it was even an express test."

Hearing this, Qian Guihua was so angry she nearly fell ill on the spot.

* * *

"An'an, didn't you say your dad would come play robots with you? Why hasn't he come again today? Did he forget about you?"

An'an stared at the television, his little face flushed red, silent.

Wang Doudou said again, "Let me play with your robot. I'll have my dad teach you how to swim, how about that?"

"I don't like swimming."

"How can a boy not like swimming? You shouldn't always stick to your mom. Boys only have fun with other boys," Wang Doudou said, desperate to get his hands on An'an's robot.

"What kind of fun?" An'an was a bit curious.

"We can see who can pee farther!" Wang Doudou replied proudly.

Just then, Shen Qingyi came out with a dish and overheard this. She was about to call An'an to eat when she looked up and saw Lu Yan standing at the door.

Remembering how he made An'an wait all evening yesterday, Shen Qingyi cast him a cool glance but said nothing.

Lu Yan entered, placed his backpack on the sofa, and called out to An'an.

When Wang Doudou heard the voice, he looked up, saw Lu Yan, and darted away.

An'an also saw Lu Yan and immediately pouted, ignoring him. Twisting away, he slid down from the sofa and ran to the dining table to sit.

Shen Qingyi served a bowl of rice to Doudou, then one to herself. Mother and son remained silent.

Lu Yan pulled out a chair and sat at the table, explaining, "I made a mistake yesterday and my supervisor kept me back for a talk. I couldn't make it in time. I'm sorry."

Shen Qingyi paused, looking up at Lu Yan. There were faint shadows under his eyes; he must have slept poorly.

Knowing how demanding and meticulous his work was, her irritation with him vanished instantly.

She glanced at An'an. "Daddy's job is very important. He's already apologized—don't be upset."

She stood, went to the kitchen, fetched another set of utensils, and served Lu Yan a bowl of rice.

Something in Lu Yan's chest felt struck. He almost wished she would make a scene with him, just once. But she was always so understanding, always letting things go with just a simple explanation.

After a while, she brought out another dish. "This duck was made yesterday. Since you didn't come, I put it in the fridge. My son and I don't like leftovers." With that, she placed the duck in front of Lu Yan.

Seeing his mother no longer angry, An'an peeked at Lu Yan and accidentally met his gaze.

Lu Yan patted An'an's head. "After we eat, Daddy will play with you."

An'an nodded and hurriedly shoveled rice into his mouth.

He finished first, staring intently at Lu Yan.

Feeling his son's gaze, Lu Yan paused mid-bite and asked, "What's wrong?"

An'an's black eyes flickered. "I just want to know if you or Doudou's dad can pee farther?"

Hearing this, Shen Qingyi almost spat out her soup. She glanced at Lu Yan, who answered his son with an unruffled seriousness, "Of course Daddy can!"

Shen Qingyi: !!

An'an's eyes curved into crescents. "I knew it."

Shen Qingyi had a small appetite and was finished as well. The topic made her slightly uncomfortable, so she got up, went to the backyard, poured herself a glass of water, and sat in a wicker chair to sip it slowly.

Lu Yan really could talk about anything with his son.

But remembering that night, she realized he had every reason for such confidence.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingyi's face flushed involuntarily.

She patted her cheek. What was she thinking? It was just children's silly talk, yet here she was seriously considering the feasibility of his claim.

After a while, Lu Yan took the plates and bowls to the kitchen.

Remembering how long An'an had waited for his father, Shen Qingyi got up and followed him, saying, "Go play with An'an. I'll wash the dishes."

She reached for the towel in Lu Yan's hand.

He glanced at her neatly rolled-up sleeves, revealing a slender white forearm, averted his gaze, and paused. "Let me do it. It won't take long. I'll leave a bit later."