Chapter Forty-Eight: Gradually Settling

The next day, Zhao Fan arrived at the supermarket early. It wasn’t until close to noon that he finally saw Yang Yuqing. As she checked out, she placed a paper-wrapped package in front of Zhao Fan.

“I’m leaving now. Good luck to you.”

Glancing at the item on the table, Zhao Fan smiled slightly, put it away, and left. The Sun family’s engagement banquet was scheduled for the following evening; all he needed was the invitation, and to arrive before the festivities began.

Before that, however, Zhao Fan had to go to the hospital to arrange some post-surgery matters.

Upon arriving, he was surprised to find his father there as well. A quick inquiry revealed that the renovations at home were already complete.

“Since things finished up over there, I thought I’d come see how things are going here. But you, you’re neither at home nor at the hospital—where have you been?” Zhao’s father eyed him suspiciously.

Rubbing his nose, Zhao Fan replied, “I went to see a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes, a friend.” Zhao Fan answered quickly, eager to shift the topic. “That’s not important. What matters is how to arrange Yun’er’s operation. Has Yang Qingqing come in for her examination yet?”

Zhao Haitian answered, “Not yet. But the doctor says Yun’er’s body is now ready for surgery; it can be scheduled any day now.”

“Brother, call the Yang family and ask Yang Qingqing to come as soon as possible.”

“Um…” Zhao Haitian hesitated.

Zhao Fan shot him a look but said nothing further. Instead, he asked for Yang’s father’s number and stepped out into the corridor to make the call.

“Hello…”

As soon as the phone was picked up, Zhao Fan didn’t let the other party finish. He went straight to the point, “This is Zhao Fan. Yang Qingqing promised to come for the examination today. It’s already afternoon—why hasn’t anyone shown up?”

There was a brief silence before Yang’s father answered, “She went to work.”

“To work?” Zhao Fan found it laughable. “If I remember correctly, she knew about the examination yesterday. Instead of coming early to the hospital, she chose to go to work. Looks like your family intends to break the agreement. If that’s the case, then there’s no need for me to—”

“No, no, absolutely not! Please don’t misunderstand. She simply couldn’t get leave. I’ll bring her over this evening, and we’ll make sure the examination is done.”

“I hope you keep your word.”

Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Fan ended the call and returned to the ward, meeting the expectant gazes of both his parents.

“They said they’ll come tonight.”

Zhao’s father snorted, “I bet they have no intention of coming. The Yang family—pah!”

He had never seen such cowardly people, so oblivious to what’s important.

“Shameless,” Zhao’s mother echoed.

Standing before them, Zhao Fan could only rub his nose and remain silent.

Not long after, Zhao Haitian returned carrying Zhao Yun’er. Even before they entered, the sound of crying reached their ears.

Before Zhao Fan or his father could react, Zhao’s mother, full of concern, rushed out to meet them.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Oh, don’t cry, don’t cry. Come, let grandma hold you. Our darling, don’t cry…”

She comforted Yun’er tenderly, holding her close as she tried to soothe her.

Zhao Haitian stood in the doorway, scratching his head, his face a mix of helplessness and frustration.

Zhao Fan edged over. “What happened? Why is she crying after just a short trip out?”

Zhao Haitian raked a hand through his hair, his expression troubled beyond words.

Zhao Fan frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Yun’er misses her mother.”

At the mention of “mother,” even Zhao’s mother couldn’t say anything. It was only natural for a child to long for her mother, but as for Yang Qingqing…

The whole Zhao family fell silent. Given what kind of mother Yang Qingqing was, perhaps it was better to have none at all.

Carrying the child out, Zhao’s mother murmured, “Don’t cry, Yun’er. Grandma will take you to play. Don’t cry, don’t cry…”

As the sound of the child’s sobbing faded, Zhao’s father sighed. “The Yang family really has brought us nothing but trouble.”

Zhao Fan said nothing, instead turning to Zhao Haitian. With the child crying so bitterly, would he still insist on divorce?

“Little brother, don’t doubt me. If I say I’ll divorce her, I will.”

“What about the child?” Zhao Fan asked.

Yun’er was only five. Such a young child—if the crying continued, could Zhao Haitian really hold firm?

Wiping his face, Zhao Haitian braced himself. “She’s still little. With time, she’ll forget. There’s no real problem.”

Seeing that Zhao Haitian planned to deal with it passively, Zhao Fan didn’t argue. Everyone must make their own choices; as long as Zhao Haitian stayed firm, there would be no real issue.

About half an hour later, Zhao’s mother returned carrying the now sleeping girl, worry etched deep on her face.

“She cried so hard her voice is hoarse.”

A flicker of doubt crossed Zhao Haitian’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He could not afford to waver now. If he gave in to pity, all his resolve would be for nothing.

“Let her sleep for now. I’m going out for a walk.”

With those words, Zhao Haitian left, head down.

Zhao Fan exchanged a glance with his father, signaling that he would follow.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Catching up to Zhao Haitian, Zhao Fan laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You’re wavering.”

His tone was certain.

“No.”

“Big brother, it’s normal to feel bad when your child cries. If you really don’t want to divorce Yang Qingqing, that’s fine too.”

Zhao Haitian shook his head. “It’s not about that. Xiao Fan, the Yang family has always treated me as an outsider. Even if I went back now, they wouldn’t see me or Yun’er as one of their own.”

The rift had begun when the Yang family abandoned Yun’er. No matter how much he compromised later, it would never be repaired.

Zhao Fan patted his brother’s shoulder and sighed. “If we had money, none of this would be a problem.”

The Yang family’s greed and selfishness had been obvious from the start. With enough money, everything would have been much simpler.

Zhao Haitian forced a bitter smile. “I have no talent for making the kind of money that would change the Yang family’s attitude.”

Since it was impossible, he wouldn’t long for it. Whatever will be, will be.

With nothing more to say, Zhao Fan pulled his hand back and shoved it in his pocket.

“As long as you understand. Let’s go back. Don’t let Mom and Dad worry.”

“No, I’m going to see the Yang family.”

Zhao Fan turned to look at him, certain he wasn’t joking, and restrained any intentions to persuade him. “Want me to come?”

“No need,” Zhao Haitian shook his head. “The Yang family won’t do anything to me.”

“All right. I’m heading back, then.”

“Mm.”

As they parted ways, Zhao Fan recalled the bitter expression on his brother’s face and couldn’t help but sigh. Zhao’s father was right—the Yang family truly did more harm than good.

He told Zhao’s parents where Zhao Haitian had gone, then yawned. “Dad, Mom, I’m going to find a place to nap for a while. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Zhao Fan rented a room at a hotel near the hospital and slept until nightfall. The phone beside his pillow rang incessantly until he finally realized it was the front desk calling.

“Hello, sir. This is the front desk. May I ask if you’d like to extend your stay?”

Zhao Fan thought for a moment. “Yes, extend it—and please book me another room as well.”

He’d be staying the night.