Chapter 196 Accepting Bai Jie

Until one night a few months ago, it started raining suddenly. He was on a house call and ran to a shopping mall to take shelter from the rain. The mall was already closed, but Aunt Wu, who was cleaning up inside, not only didn't kick him out, but also brought him a cup of warm water to warm him up. After he had rested, she even gave him an umbrella.

Love in middle age is not about love at first sight, but about a slow and steady flow. A cup of warm water to soothe the stomach, a small umbrella to shield from the rain—these are the beginnings of their paths crossing. As they interact, feelings begin to blossom, but unfortunately... neither of them dares to break the ice.

Today, Bai Jie, exhausted from long hours of work, collapsed at his desk and was rushed to the emergency room. His phone's emergency contact number showed that it belonged to a supermarket. The staff naturally dialed that number, and Wu Lifang, who received the call, panicked, fearing she wouldn't be able to see him one last time. She dropped everything and rushed to the hospital.

After anxiously waiting for hours at the emergency room entrance, he hurriedly expressed his feelings the moment he was wheeled out, as if afraid that if he was even a second late, he would never hear it again.

The secret was broken, and the two's feelings for each other quickly intensified. Bai Jie, who was ill, needed someone by his side, so Wu Lifang stayed to take care of him. That's why Jiang Chao saw what had just happened when he came in.

After she finished speaking, the ward fell silent. Wu Lifang blushed so much that her ears turned red, but she didn't dare to look up at her son.

“We’re all open-minded people, and we wouldn’t break up a couple. Since you both have feelings for each other, why hide it from others?” Jiang Chao was the first to break the ice.

"There are so many things to consider. I'm afraid you, An'an, Xiaxia, and Lingling won't agree. I'm afraid of all the challenges that will come after we're together. I'm afraid of the gossip from the neighbors. I'm afraid of..."

"You're so timid and hesitant, not like my mother at all. You go back first, An'an is getting impatient waiting!"

"That……"

"Don't worry, I've got this covered. I'm an expert at taking care of patients!"

Even if you've never eaten pork, haven't you at least seen a pig run?

During my hospital stay in Rongcheng, I kept the precautions for taking care of patients firmly in mind.

"Lifang, it's nothing. You go back and rest. Come see me again tomorrow!"

"Alright... Ah Chao, get along well with your uncle. He's sick and weak, so don't hurt him too much!"

"Do I look like someone who would use violence? Why are they all saying that!"

With a stern face, he exuded a gloomy aura, his eyes sharp as he looked at people, as if he would pick up a brick and smash someone at any moment.

"Bai Jie, watch your words, don't anger him. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, he slung his bag over his shoulder and left the ward, leaving the two people staring at each other in disbelief. "Is your hand... broken? You need someone to feed you just to drink water!"

Before he could even exchange pleasantries, Bai Jie was speechless. He picked up his soup bowl and began to sip it silently. Jiang Chao caught a glimpse of his little action out of the corner of his eye, snorted coldly, and thought to himself that it was just as he had thought. This person was using his illness as an excuse to take their relationship to the next level.

The next day, early in the morning, Wu Lifang brought chicken soup to the hospital. She saw her eldest son sitting to the side, quietly peeling an apple, while Bai Jie was leisurely flipping through a medical book. The huge weight in her heart was lifted off her shoulders.

"Ah Chao, you must be tired after watching all night. Go back and rest first. There's still chicken and soup in the pot. Remember to heat it up before you eat."

With a whoosh, the apple peel was tossed into the trash can, and Jiang Chao began to eat the crisp apple himself, seemingly having no intention of sharing it with anyone.

"I'm sorry, Ah Chao has been like this since he was little, please don't blame him!" Wu Lifang said helplessly as she poured chicken soup.

"How could that be? I think he has a good temper; he may seem cold on the outside, but he's warm on the inside. Once you get to know him, you'll discover his good qualities, like..."

"Ahem, that's all for me, I'll head back now." With that, she glared at Bai Jie and turned to leave the ward.

After a few minutes, once he was sure the person had really left, the man dared to continue, “For example, I couldn’t sleep well at night, sometimes I was hot and sometimes I was cold, and the blanket was being kicked around everywhere. In my drowsy state, there was someone who kept helping to cover me with the blanket, but his eyes were a bit sinister.”

She was in a private room, and besides herself, the only other person was Jiang Chao. It was obvious who had helped cover her with the blanket.

“That’s just how A-Chao is. I remember when Xia Xia first came to our house, he scolded her a lot, but whenever she made a request, he would find a way to fulfill it. He even carried her on his back once.”

My thoughts drifted back to the past. Back then, my family was poor, and we had to stretch every penny we had. But even so, we were happy.

"The hardest part is over, now it's just Yunxia and Jiang An. How about... we get things done before the New Year?"

Wu Lifang blushed for a long while before finally speaking, "Xiaxia is easy to talk to, she's open-minded. As for Jiang An... it's really hard to say. As for getting things done, I..."

"Lifang, we're not young anymore. I'm serious. If you marry me, the house, the car, and the savings will all be transferred to your name. I'll treat Jiang Chao and the others like my own children."

Her eldest son and Xiaxia are mature and grown up, no longer needing their father's love. But she couldn't make up her mind about An'an's reaction. "I have my own hands and feet, and I earn enough for the family. Why should I take your retirement money? I'll find an opportunity to sound out An'an."

"Why do we have to make such a clear distinction? Doctors have good benefits and high salaries, and I am very frugal. Over the years, I have saved quite a bit, which is more than enough to send them to university."

"No need. A-Chao has good grades and his tuition and fees are all waived. He takes on freelance work every day, and after deducting his living expenses, he still has a lot left over. Yun-Xia is even more outstanding. Her grades have always been among the best, and her little head is full of ideas for making money. No one needs to worry about her college expenses. As for An-An, let's talk about that after she gets into college."

"Debating this now will only increase disagreements," Bai Jie joked, changing the subject and praising the deliciousness of the chicken soup.

Three days later, Bai was discharged from the hospital. Given that his sudden illness was due to overwork, the hospital granted him a month-long recuperation leave. He took this opportunity to infiltrate the Jiang family.

When buying groceries, I've encountered people who help me bargain, carry heavy items like potatoes and sweet potatoes, and even offer to help me lift heavy loads. On the bus to the city library, I've also been offered a seat and even had someone shield me from the sun...

Yunxia was speechless. Seizing an opportunity, she pulled him to a deserted alley and looked at him with disdain as he looked around helplessly.

"Hey, are you a stalker? I see you everywhere. Believe me or not, I can knock you out with a few punches." As he spoke, he lowered his thigh, clenched his fist, and made an attacking stance.

"I...I didn't, I was just...passing by, yes, just passing by." Bai Jie, who usually exudes a gentle and warm demeanor, became nervous, just like a normal person, and even struggled to speak properly.

"Heh, do you think I'm a three-year-old? You lie without even thinking. Tell me, what's your purpose in following me? If you don't tell me... I'll take you to the police station."