Chapter Thirty-Seven: What Should Be Done

The sound of rain splashing down echoed clearly in the silent morning. Zhao Fan stepped out of the taxi and dashed through the downpour into the hospital’s inpatient wing. As he shook the water from his clothes, he spotted Zhao Haitian hunched in a corner and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“Big brother, what are you doing crouched here?”

Zhao Haitian looked up blankly. “Huh? What?”

Zhao Fan sighed and walked over, resigned. “I said, why are you squatting here?”

“Oh, Qingqing is in the ward. I don’t really want to talk to her.”

“Yang Qingqing is in the ward?” Zhao Fan was surprised. Was Yang Qingqing trying to play the devoted mother now?

“Yes.”

Grabbing Zhao Haitian, Zhao Fan strode toward the elevator. “Big brother, don’t blame me for being blunt, but I’ve seen foolish people, never anyone as foolish as you. You know what Yang Qingqing’s like—how could you leave Mom and a child alone with her? Aren’t you worried something might happen?”

“Well, Qingqing wouldn’t go that far…”

Zhao Fan had no patience for Zhao Haitian’s explanations. Yang Qingqing was a selfish woman; if she could abandon her own daughter, what else was she incapable of?

Bang. The door hit the frame as Zhao Fan entered the ward with a grim expression, meeting several surprised pairs of eyes. Only then did he realize there was another patient family sharing the room.

Zhao Yun’er’s ward had only two beds, with a TV and other amenities, so the cost was higher. Zhao Fan hadn’t expected a new patient to be admitted at this time.

“Fan, what’s wrong?” their mother asked in confusion.

Zhao Fan smiled. “Just a bit anxious.”

His eyes fixed on Yang Qingqing. “Yang Qingqing, let’s talk outside.”

A flicker passed through Yang Qingqing’s eyes. “Why do we have to go outside to talk?”

“Money.”

At that single word, Yang Qingqing instantly stood up. “Let’s go.”

The change was abrupt and swift.

“Mom, I’ll be back soon.”

“All right.”

Zhao Yun’er clung to their mother. “Mommy.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” Their mother comforted her, and Zhao Fan smiled and nodded at the other patient’s family before turning to leave. As the door closed, he grabbed Zhao Haitian, and the three of them exited in succession.

“Yang Qingqing, I’ll get straight to the point. The sooner the bone marrow transplant, the better. I plan to talk to the doctor and arrange it within the next couple of days.”

Yang Qingqing’s expression changed. “What bone marrow transplant?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. The compatibility results are in. You and the child—”

“I won’t donate my bone marrow.”

“Are you sure?”

A glint flashed in Yang Qingqing’s eyes. “You’re Zhao Fan, right? I know what you want—you just want to save her. But have you thought about it? She’s just a child. Is it really worth spending all that money on surgery for her?”

“The one you’re dismissing as not worth saving is your own daughter, Yang Qingqing. Don’t you feel any motherly affection at all?”

“Of course I do, but you…”

“I’ll pay. As long as you agree to the surgery, I’ll cover all your recovery and care expenses afterward,” Zhao Fan said coldly, laying out his terms.

Yang Qingqing looked uncomfortable. “Zhao Fan, that’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t care what you mean. Just tell me—will you do it or not?”

“This…” Yang Qingqing lowered her head, hiding the anger in her eyes. Could this man really not take a hint? Why force her to answer now? It’s just a little girl—spending money to treat her was a waste.

In the silence, Zhao Haitian’s face turned pale. “Qingqing, you carried her for ten months—you really have the heart to refuse?”

“What do you mean, have the heart? I just—I need time to think.”

Zhao Fan’s voice was mocking. “You need time to consider whether to save your own daughter? Money for your bone marrow is already more than she deserves. Don’t think you’ll get a penny if you refuse.”

If she wanted to pocket his money, that depended on whether he was willing to give it.

Yang Qingqing’s body trembled. “What are you talking about? I—I’m not doing this for money.”

“Oh? Then you can cover half the surgery costs?”

Yang Qingqing opened her mouth, then closed it in silence. She had no intention of paying a cent.

After a while, she muttered, “I’ve read that a marrow transplant could harm my health.”

Zhao Fan calmly brushed his sleeve. “I already said, I’ll pay for your post-op care.”

“Not enough.” Yang Qingqing looked up, greed naked in her eyes. “Just care expenses aren’t enough.”

Zhao Fan narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.

“Yang Qingqing, what nonsense are you spouting? My brother’s already being generous—how can you…” Zhao Haitian’s eyes reddened with anger, his whole body trembling.

Yang Qingqing snapped, “Zhao Haitian, I’m negotiating with your brother—why are you butting in? Go away.”

Zhao Haitian pointed at her with a shaking finger. “You, you…”

Zhao Fan pressed his hand down. “How much do you want?”

Yang Qingqing’s greed became even more blatant. “Five million.”

“Heh.” Zhao Fan sneered. “Yang Qingqing, do you really think your bone marrow is worth that much?”

Yang Qingqing smiled smugly. “I’m her mother—my marrow is definitely the best match. As long as you give me five million and pay for my recovery, I’ll get on the operating table right away.”

She’d researched it: as long as recovery was handled well, a bone marrow transplant wouldn’t cause any major health problems. Five million—she’d never earn that much in her life. Once she got it, she’d kick Zhao Haitian out and find someone else to marry.

The more she thought about it, the happier she became. Chin lifted, she asked, “Well? Am I being cooperative enough?”

Zhao Fan’s lips curled slightly. “Quite cooperative, indeed.”

“So you agree?”

“I agree.”

The moment Zhao Fan said it, Yang Qingqing was elated and Zhao Haitian was shocked.

“Brother…”

“As if.” Zhao Fan leisurely added two words, dousing their emotions at once. Indifferently, he said, “Yang Qingqing, it’s not about five million, even if I had ten million, you’re not worthy of it.”

Yang Qingqing glared. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, we don’t need your bone marrow. Big brother, let’s go.”

Zhao Haitian’s mind was spinning, but hearing Zhao Fan say “let’s go,” he followed at once.

Yang Qingqing was frozen for a moment, then chased after them. “Wait, Zhao Fan, think carefully—no one else is a match but me! Do you really want—ah!”

She missed the step and fell flat on her face.

Zhao Haitian instinctively wanted to turn back, but Zhao Fan pressed a hand to his shoulder.

“Big brother, think carefully. If you go back now, Yun’er won’t make it.”

Zhao Haitian froze. Torn between Yang Qingqing and Zhao Yun’er, he finally chose the latter.

“Back—back to the hospital.”

Afraid he might regret it, Zhao Haitian strode ahead.

Zhao Fan chuckled softly, glanced back at Yang Qingqing’s resentful gaze, shook his head, and followed.

Outside the hospital, Zhao Haitian crouched on the steps, cigarette between his fingers. Zhao Fan stood quietly behind him, silent as the crowd passed by.

“Brother… if we don’t use her marrow, what do we do?”