Chapter Thirty-Four: A Different Arrangement

“I heard you, the foreman makes a lot of sense.”
Zhao Fan smiled, cracking his knuckles as he took slow, deliberate steps toward the foreman.
He stood tall and straight, and even with a faint curve at the corner of his lips, the foreman felt a suffocating pressure and instinctively retreated.
“W-what do you want?”
Zhao Fan’s smile grew even gentler. “Nothing much. I just want to thank you for looking after me.”
“Aah!”
A shrill scream echoed as the foreman doubled over, clutching his groin, his face drained of color.
Zhao Fan’s eyes turned sharp; the smile vanished from his face. His fist shot straight for the foreman’s chest.
In his previous life, Zhao Fan had worked on construction sites too. Though timid, he’d gotten into his share of fights, learned a thing or two, and knew exactly where to hit to cause pain without leaving evidence.
After a few blows, the foreman lay curled up on the ground, motionless.
It was only then that the people nearby snapped out of their daze and rushed at Zhao Fan.
“Stop!”
“Someone, there’s trouble!”
Amid the chaotic shouting, Zhao Fan rolled his shoulders, but before he could make another move, Zhao Haitian grabbed him by the collar and ran, a crowd of people swarming after them.
“Brother, don’t play the hero! There are too many people here, let’s go!”
Dragged along, Zhao Fan shook his head in exasperation. “Why are we running?”
“Why? Look at how many of them there are! You’ll get killed in a brawl like that. We, the Zhao family, never do things at a loss!”
The two of them tore through the streets, a mob in pursuit, scattering passersby wherever they went.
By chance, there was a police station near the hospital. Hearing about the chase, officers were dispatched immediately and rounded everyone up, herding them all back to the station.
During questioning, the matter of unpaid wages surfaced as well.
Thinking of his daughter, Zhao Haitian couldn’t help but shed tears. “It’s been so hard for me. My daughter has leukemia, and I have to look after her while trying to keep my job. But the foreman used my leave as an excuse to dock my pay, and even wants me to compensate the site for losses…”
Between sobs and complaints, Zhao Haitian repeated the foreman’s words. Even the officers at the station sighed, some with reddened eyes.
Zhao Fan shot him a glance, clicking his tongue. Indeed, hardship tempers a man. In the past, Zhao Haitian would never have spoken up like this.
As dusk approached, the group was released. The foreman was not only warned but ordered to pay Zhao Haitian his wages, calculated at the official daily rate.
For Zhao Haitian, this was a sudden turn for the better. Counting the money, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
“Brother, what brought you to the site today?”
“You know the results for the bone marrow match are out, right?”
“I know.”
“I filed a request with the hospital to compare samples from the marrow bank. But there’s something else I need to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”

“About the Yang family—shouldn’t you try talking to them?”
Zhao Haitian’s face fell, and he shook his head with a bitter smile. “There’s no point. Even if the match is good, they’ll never agree to donate.”
When Zhao Yun’er was diagnosed with leukemia, the Yang family refused even to treat her, declaring her dead outright. How could people like that ever agree to a bone marrow donation?
“Let’s do the test first. If it doesn’t work, fine. But if it does, we’ll think of something else. We have to try.”
Zhao Haitian seemed swayed. “Do you really think it could work?”
“It’s worth a try.”
“All right, I’ll go talk to Yang Qingqing.”
“Good. And if she refuses, tell her I can get five million.”
“Why?”
“You’ll understand when the time comes.”
“…Okay.”
Zhao Haitian nodded hesitantly, leaving with a head full of questions.
Zhao Fan flexed his fingers. If anyone in the Zhao family could be a match, he’d never have turned to the Yang family.
When it came to the marrow match, he couldn’t afford any mistakes.
The next day at noon, Zhao Fan received a call from Zhao Haitian.
“Brother, I did as you said—I mentioned the five million to Yang Qingqing, and only then did she agree to the bone marrow test.”
His tone was deeply dejected.
Zhao Fan sighed. “Feeling let down?”
“It’s nothing. Yun’er never needed a mother like that anyway.”
“Big brother, have you ever considered…” Divorce?
The last two words caught in his throat.
Zhao Haitian asked, puzzled, “Considered what?”
“Nothing. When is the Yang family going to the hospital for the test?”
“Tomorrow.”
“All right. I’ll be there.”
…
The next day, Hospital, Room 806.
Zhao Fan was just outside the door when he heard the commotion inside.
“Oh, I’m just saying, in-law, why keep a child in the hospital? Such a waste of money.”
The shrill female voice dripped with disdain.
Zhao Fan paused, frowning, then strode inside.

“Mother.”
The people in the room all turned to look at him.
“Well, what a crowd. All the Yang relatives are here, I see? Good, the more the merrier. We can have everyone tested now and save trouble later.”
Zhao Fan gave the Yang family no chance to speak, briskly ending the conversation and throwing the door open.
“The child’s health comes first. Let’s save the small talk for later—please, go get tested now.”
A heavy silence fell.
A few minutes later, a woman in the crowd spoke up.
“He just shows up and orders everyone around for a bone marrow test. How impressive.”
Her tone was mocking and sarcastic.
Zhao Fan’s lips curled slightly. “It is impressive. After all, not everyone can get their hands on five million these days.”
At the mention of five million, faces shifted in rapid succession.
A few more minutes passed before the sarcastic woman swept past Zhao Fan.
“The child’s health comes first, right? Let’s get this test over with.”
As she left, the rest, unwilling to fall behind, followed.
Zhao Fan counted—fifteen people in all, with Yang Qingqing’s family at the rear.
“Ah, sister-in-law, you’re here too. My brother’s head injury from being pushed by you still hasn’t healed. Once the test is done, you can’t just leave…”
Yang Qingqing glared at him. “What nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever pushed that useless Zhao Haitian?”
“Useless? Sister-in-law, you’re funny. If my brother’s useless, what does that make you, his wife? A petty person? Or perhaps…”
Yang Qingqing stomped out, fuming.
Zhao Fan let the rest of his words hang in the air and snorted. The Yang family certainly had thick skin—so long as there was profit, they could pretend nothing ever happened.
In that regard, even his own family couldn’t keep up.
His mother had been huddled in the corner, clutching Zhao Yun’er. Now, seeing the Yang family gone, she finally stepped out.
“Xiao Fan, why are there so many of the Yang family here?”
“I asked my brother to bring them. Bone marrow from blood relatives is better than from strangers. We’ll do the tests first and make arrangements once we have the results.”
His mother nodded, only half understanding, and just hugged the little girl tighter.
“Then, you’d better go after them and have a look.”
“All right.”
“Uncle.”
A childish voice stopped Zhao Fan. “What is it?”