Chapter Thirty-Two: I Have a Way

Without a word from their mother, Zhao Fan’s expression darkened abruptly. He looked at Wu Qingfeng, asking Old Guo to enter the hospital—how could the nurse have failed to receive the notice?

Zhao Haitian forced a smile. “It’s alright, we’ve met the requirements for the blood transfusion.”

“We’ve met the requirements?” Zhao Fan repeated each word slowly, his gaze shadowed. This wasn’t about requirements at all.

He said nothing more, simply fixing his eyes on Zhao Haitian. As time passed, the atmosphere in the ward grew stifling. Their mother tried to speak several times, but each time, she closed her mouth in silence.

It was frightening.

In that moment, Zhao Haitian and their mother shared the same thought.

Zhao Fan was unaware of their thoughts. He restrained himself and held back his anger.

“Mom, buy something good for my brother to help him recover. And as for you,” he turned to Zhao Haitian, “from now on, don’t go to work.”

The first sentence was for their mother; the latter aimed at Zhao Haitian.

As soon as he finished, Zhao Haitian reacted sharply. “No, if I don’t work, how will I pay for Yuner’s treatment?”

Zhao Fan looked down at him. “If you mean this current situation—where you work and end up collapsing without even the money in hand—then, brother, I’d advise you to stay in the hospital and rest.”

It wasn’t that Zhao Fan was trying to embarrass him. Yuner’s bone marrow matching hadn’t yet begun; Zhao Haitian needed to protect his own health.

With these thoughts in mind, Zhao Fan tried both persuasion and firmness, leaving Zhao Haitian speechless and ashamed.

“I was wrong.”

Zhao Fan’s voice was earnest. “It’s good that you know. But you have to change, do you understand, brother?”

“I do.”

Just then, a nurse pushed open the door. “The bone marrow matching has been arranged. Do you have time now?”

Zhao Fan replied, “Yes.”

He and their mother helped Zhao Haitian to the blood testing area.

After the blood was drawn, the nurse said, “You’ll have the results tomorrow.”

The three Zhao family members left together.

Back in the ward, Zhao Fan said, “Brother, I know you’re anxious, but no matter how worried you are, you have to take care of yourself. You need to understand, we barely know Yuner. In the end, the child will still be your responsibility.”

Zhao Haitian’s face changed. How could he not know that? But the child’s illness was hard to treat, and he lacked both money and resources. How could he not be anxious?

“Xiaofan, the doctor told me this illness can’t be cured, only managed. Even if the bone marrow transplant succeeds, there will be endless expenses after that.”

He covered his face, his voice breaking with distress.

“Xiaofan, the only reason the child is getting treatment is because of you. Look at me—I can’t even afford my own child’s surgery. How could I not worry?”

He’d been distant from the family for years. Zhao Fan’s willingness to help was already a gesture of brotherhood. How could he take it for granted?

The ward was silent. Zhao Fan sighed. “Mom, take Yuner for a walk. There are some things I need to discuss with my brother.”

His mother hesitated but, before leaving with Yuner, couldn’t help reminding them, “Talk, but don’t start fighting.”

She feared Zhao Fan and Zhao Haitian might come to blows.

Zhao Fan smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Mom. I wouldn’t lay a hand on a patient.”

He deliberately emphasized the word “patient.” Zhao Haitian’s hands gripped the blanket, his face turning unpleasant.

When the door closed, Zhao Fan turned to Zhao Haitian. “Brother, now it’s just us. Say what’s on your mind.”

Zhao Haitian nodded, a little hesitant. “Alright.”

“You’re worried about money. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.”

“If I told you I could provide enough, what would you think?”

Zhao Haitian blurted out, “Where would the family get that kind of money?”

Zhao Fan narrowed his eyes. “What makes you think we don’t have money?”

“I…” Zhao Haitian stammered.

Zhao Fan didn’t let his discomfort slide. He took a step forward, making his own guess. “You wouldn’t think that for no reason. Someone must’ve put that idea in your head… The Yang family? No—Yang Qingqing. You met her near the hospital.”

While he spoke, Zhao Fan never took his eyes off Zhao Haitian, watching every shift in his expression. He knew he’d guessed right.

“Has Yang Qingqing seen the child?”

“…No.” Zhao Haitian awkwardly tucked his hands under the blanket. “She wanted to, but I didn’t let her.”

Children can’t keep secrets; it was better they didn’t meet.

Zhao Fan’s expression softened a bit. At least Zhao Haitian wasn’t foolish enough to tell Yang Qingqing everything.

“Brother, I’m not targeting the Yang family. But look at how they left without lifting a finger to help, even with the child so ill. That should tell you what kind of people they are.”

Pain flickered in Zhao Haitian’s eyes. “I know. You don’t have to say more.”

After a long silence, Zhao Fan poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Zhao Haitian. Only after he’d taken a sip did Zhao Fan continue. “I may sound harsh, but you know I’m right.”

“I know. I’m well aware of what kind of people they are, so…”

“Zhao Haitian!”

A sudden female voice cut him off. Both men turned to see Yang Qingqing standing at the door, one hand on her hip, eyes glaring.

“Zhao Haitian, what are you doing here?”

Zhao Fan’s eyes flashed. Who had told Yang Qingqing where to find them?

Zhao Haitian panicked and threw back the covers to go to her. “What are you doing here?”

“That’s none of your business. Where’s the child?”

She tried to enter the ward, but Zhao Haitian blocked her. “You can’t go in.”

“Why not?”

“No reason. You just can’t.”

While the two of them argued, Zhao Fan calmly hid Yuner’s name tag and tossed her medical records into the trash.

“Zhao Haitian, you’ve got some nerve—blocking me now? Get out of my way!”

Yang Qingqing exploded, shoving Zhao Haitian hard enough to topple him to the floor.

“Where’s my daughter? Where have you hidden her?”

She turned on her heel, reaching for Zhao Fan, who dodged. “What do you mean, your daughter? Yang Qingqing, if you’re looking for your daughter, go home. What are you doing here at the hospital?”

He helped Zhao Haitian up as he spoke.

Yang Qingqing shouted, “You took my daughter and still want me to go home to look for her? Zhao Haitian, tell me—where has the Zhao family taken my daughter?”

Zhao Haitian’s face was ashen. “Yang Qingqing, what are you saying?”

“What am I saying? How ridiculous! I’m her mother—can’t I come look for my own child?”

“It was you who said Yuner wasn’t your daughter.”

“Nonsense. She came from my womb—how can she not be my daughter? Oh, I see, you want to sell her, don’t you…”

“Smack!”

The sound rang out as Yang Qingqing’s head snapped to the side.

Zhao Fan’s face was expressionless. “Your daughter is in the hospital receiving treatment; no one is selling her. But as for you—did you come here to give money?”

“Who—who… You actually hit me!” Yang Qingqing went wild, trying to headbutt Zhao Fan.

“Maniac! Who are you trying to fool with this act?”