Chapter Forty-Three: Terms of Exchange

When they arrived at the doors of the operating room, Zhao Fan let go of his hand and asked, “What did the doctor say?”

Zhao Haitian’s fists clenched tightly. “He didn’t say anything, just went straight into the operating room.”

Straight into the operating room...

Zhao Fan’s expression shifted slightly. He wasn’t afraid of the doctor coming out to speak, but feared most when the doctor said nothing at all.

At that moment, the doors swung open and a nurse called out, “Are you the family? Please go pay the fees.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Fan turned to leave, but saw Yang Qingqing about to slip away on tiptoe. He reached out and pulled her back, then asked the nurse, “If the conditions allow, can we proceed with the bone marrow transplant immediately?”

The nurse was taken aback. “I’ll have to check with the doctor.”

Yang Qingqing’s face drained of color. “No, I don’t want to—mmph, mmph…”

Yang’s mother, who had just caught up, clamped a hand over Yang Qingqing’s mouth. “Do it, do it, as long as the conditions allow, we’ll cooperate right away.”

Zhao Fan glanced at them. “Brother, keep an eye on the two of them.”

Zhao Haitian understood the gravity of the situation, and immediately shifted to the corridor, making his stance clear through his actions.

Yang Qingqing’s eyes widened as her mother dragged her aside. “Girl, didn’t you see the look on Zhao Fan’s face? He looked like he was about to eat someone alive. For the sake of the Yang family’s reputation, you must go through with this surgery.”

“But, mom—”

“Don’t call me mom. Your father said, you’re not to make trouble. Just wait.”

Zhao Fan couldn’t be bothered with the mother and daughter from the Yang family. He went off to pay the fees, and as he returned, he heard Zhao’s mother say, “The nurse said it’s possible.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fan’s gaze locked onto Yang Qingqing. His calm, impassive eyes made Yang Qingqing involuntarily step back.

“What are you planning to do?”

“To get you examined.”

“I…”

“We’ll do it,” Yang’s mother said, gripping Yang Qingqing’s hand so tightly that she couldn’t speak. “This time, it’s our fault. We’ll comply with the hospital’s arrangements.”

“Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

After the examinations were done, Zhao Fan waited for the results before allowing the mother and daughter from the Yang family to leave with him.

Fortunately, Zhao Yuner had already come out of surgery and was wheeled back to her old ward.

“She needs to rest and recover for a few days before we talk about the transplant.”

“Alright.”

The examination reports were placed at the bedside. The small child lay there, an oxygen mask over her face, eyes tightly shut—looking heartbreakingly pitiful.

Zhao Fan flexed his wrist. “Brother, get a divorce.”

“Divorce?” Yang Qingqing’s composure shattered. “What right do you have to tell Zhao Haitian to divorce me?”

“Because he’s my brother. Qingqing, get a divorce. The child stays with me.”

Zhao Haitian’s spirit was utterly broken. He couldn’t understand how Yang Qingqing, as a mother, could be even more ruthless than him, the father. It was as if ten months of pregnancy had meant nothing to her.

“I…” Yang Qingqing opened her mouth, glancing around, then suddenly remembered the five million. She gritted her teeth. “I won’t divorce.”

If she didn’t divorce, she still had a chance at getting that five million; if she divorced, she’d have nothing and would have gone through the bone marrow transplant for nothing.

No, absolutely not. She, Yang Qingqing, would never do anything unprofitable.

Zhao Fan’s face darkened. “You don’t have a choice, Yang Qingqing.”

“I’m the child’s mother. That alone gives me a choice. Haitian, I agree to donate my bone marrow to the child. I don’t want money, I only have one condition: no divorce.”

Zhao Haitian sighed. “Qingqing, have you forgotten? There’s someone else whose bone marrow is also a match for Yuner’s.”

Zhao Fan’s lips twitched hard. This was bad; he couldn’t let Zhao Haitian finish.

“So what? Are you really going to forgo the mother’s bone marrow and choose an outsider’s? Think about it—mine must be more compatible, I’m her biological mother!”

The room fell silent. Even the other patient sharing the ward with the Zhao family was staring blankly at Yang Qingqing.

Time ticked by. Zhao Fan sighed, walked over to Zhao Haitian, and patted his shoulder lightly.

“A hundred thousand.”

Yang Qingqing’s eyes flickered. “What do you mean?”

“As long as you agree to the surgery, I’ll give you a hundred thousand. I’ll also be responsible for your recovery and provide you with further compensation.”

“And then?”

“But the divorce is non-negotiable. Don’t think you can use your bone marrow to threaten us—it won’t work. If it comes to it, we’ll simply part ways. After all, the child has nothing to do with me, whether she lives or dies. The Zhao family’s reputation will remain intact. As for the Yang family, who knows what will happen to you?”

“You’re threatening me?”

“I’m just stating facts—not a threat. Yang Qingqing, you’re not the one in charge of your family. Before you speak, look to your mother.”

Caught off guard, Yang’s mother shivered. “I’m not in charge either.”

“Exactly. So your words mean nothing to me.”

Zhao Fan shrugged, his expression one of innocent helplessness.

Yang Qingqing gritted her teeth in hatred, but there was nothing she could do to Zhao Fan.

“Don’t think that—”

“Qingqing, let’s go home.”

Yang’s mother forcibly dragged Yang Qingqing back. Despite her age, when she really exerted herself, Yang Qingqing couldn’t break free.

The door to the ward opened and closed. Zhao Fan smiled. “Sorry to let you witness such a farce.”

A few dry chuckles followed.

The next day at noon, Yang’s father arrived at the hospital with a grim face, dragging Yang Qingqing along.

“Zhao Fan, let’s talk.”

Zhao Fan, who had been waiting for this, smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Inside a small restaurant near the hospital, Yang’s father spoke in a low voice, “Our family agrees to the divorce.”

“On what terms?”

“You must help clear our name. Let everyone know that the Yang family is not indifferent to life, and you must also spread the word about Qingqing going through with the surgery.”

Zhao Fan smiled. “It seems your family has suffered quite a blow. No problem, but in that case, I won’t be giving the hundred thousand.”

Round and round, it always came down to money and reputation.

Yang’s father agreed without hesitation. “Fine. But you must take full responsibility for her recovery after the surgery.”

“No problem.”

“To prevent any changes of heart, we need it in writing, signed and fingerprinted. Is that alright?”

“That’s fine too.”

Zhao Fan agreed readily. Yang’s father scrutinized him several times, unable to shake the feeling that something was off—why was he so cooperative? Was there a catch?

Zhao Fan, of course, was aware of Yang’s father’s scrutiny. But at this point, there was no need for further complications.

So Zhao Fan pretended not to notice.

They drew up the agreement, both signed and pressed their fingerprints, and for extra security, even Yang Qingqing signed as well.

“Let’s wait for the results. As soon as the bone marrow transplant is done, I’ll help clear your name.”

“The clarification comes after, so the divorce can’t happen before then.”

“Agreed.”

Outside the hospital ward, Zhao Haitian saw Zhao Fan return. “Brother, how did it go?”

“It’s done.”

Zhao Fan handed over the signed agreement.

Zhao Haitian looked it over, his face twitching uncontrollably before he finally heaved a long sigh.

“That’s good.”

He never explained what he meant by “good,” nor did Zhao Fan ask.

Inside the ward, Zhao’s mother was gently soothing Zhao Yuner. All was well.