Chapter Sixteen: The Baby Calls for Reinforcements
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Normally, in the presence of Luo Shicheng, Hua Li wouldn’t even dare to breathe freely. Today, with threats and ultimatums flying, Hua Li was holding on purely by willpower... As soon as Luo Shicheng left, Hua Li collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained from the tension, her vision swimming with stars.
Mom was really incredible today!
Xiao Luo Yan, who had listened to the entire ordeal with her eyes closed, nearly jumped up in joy. But it was too soon to celebrate; struggling, she got out of bed, put on her shoes, and went over to Hua Li’s bedside.
Hua Li’s eyes were tightly shut, half-conscious. Xiao Luo Yan quietly slipped her hand into Hua Li’s jacket pocket, took out the IOU note written by Liu Jingqiu along with the gold bracelet, and hid them behind the ward’s radiator. Then she picked up the paper and pen Luo Shicheng had left behind, scribbled something, tore it off, folded it, and slipped it into Hua Li’s pocket.
Having done all this, Xiao Luo Yan staggered out the door.
The little toddler’s swollen nose was almost obscuring her eyes, and even the medical staff couldn’t help but feel sympathy.
“Little one, what are you trying to do?” a nurse approached, asking Xiao Luo Yan.
Obediently, Xiao Luo Yan replied, “Auntie, I want to call Grandpa.”
Although Liu Jingqiu had written the IOU, it was uncertain whether Hua Li would ever get that money. She needed someone to stand up for her, and naturally, Sun Bailing, who had once helped her and her mother, was the first choice.
The nurse took Xiao Luo Yan’s small hand to the doctor’s office and informed Dr. Li that the child wanted to make a call.
Dr. Li asked for the phone number.
Xiao Luo Yan had no idea.
But since this was a military hospital, Xiao Luo Yan only gave Sun Bailing’s name. Dr. Li then asked the operator to transfer the call to Sun Bailing’s office.
The call rang for a long time with no answer. Just as Dr. Li was about to hang up, someone picked up.
Dr. Li briefly explained the situation, and the other party allowed the call to be passed to Xiao Luo Yan.
With a sweet, soft voice, Xiao Luo Yan called out, “Grandpa.”
Chen Yuanshan’s heart melted at the address, though he regretted being too young.
“I’m your Uncle Chen Yuanshan.”
The mistake startled Xiao Luo Yan, who quickly corrected herself.
“Dad Chen, can you help me find Grandpa?”
Chen Yuanshan was utterly enchanted by being called “Dad Chen.”
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Sun Bailing had a meeting that afternoon but realized upon arriving at the conference room that he had left some documents in his office. Chen Yuanshan, who returned to retrieve the papers, happened to receive the call.
It was impossible to make Sun Bailing skip the meeting to see Xiao Luo Yan, but Chen Yuanshan could.
He instructed Xiao Luo Yan to wait in the ward, promising to deliver the documents to Sun Bailing and explained the situation of Hua Li and her daughter’s hospitalization.
Sun Bailing told Chen Yuanshan to check on things first and said he would come after his meeting.
After reaching Chen Yuanshan, Xiao Luo Yan felt relieved and politely thanked Dr. Li and Nurse Tian before obediently returning to the ward to wait.
During Xiao Luo Yan’s brief absence, Hua Li had slipped into a deep sleep.
Lacking strength to adjust Hua Li’s position, Xiao Luo Yan dragged a pillow to tuck behind her mother’s head and pulled the blanket over her.
Exhausted after these tasks, Xiao Luo Yan returned to her own bed and fell into a deep sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Luo Yan suddenly heard movement in the ward. Peeking through half-open eyelids, she saw Liu Jingqiu returning, lifting the blanket and searching through Hua Li’s jacket pockets.
She pulled out the folded letter, unfolded it, and saw the drawing of a turtle with a long face and willow leaf eyebrows resembling her own. Liu Jingqiu was livid and snarled at Xiao Luo Yan, “You little brat.”
Liu Jingqiu then moved to Xiao Luo Yan’s bedside, beginning to search her body.
Xiao Luo Yan feigned sleep so convincingly that Liu Jingqiu remained unaware she was awake.
Wearing only a dress with no place to hide the IOU, Xiao Luo Yan was powerless as Liu Jingqiu abandoned her and ransacked the entire room.
After Luo Shicheng refused to advance the money for her, Liu Jingqiu returned, intending to steal the IOU to prevent Hua Li from demanding payment.
But the IOU had been transformed into childish scribbles, and Liu Jingqiu couldn’t find the note anywhere. Furious, she was about to explode.
“What are you doing here?” Chen Yuanshan pushed open the door, catching Liu Jingqiu rifling through Xiao Luo Yan’s pillow. Xiao Luo Yan lay sideways on the bed, the blanket thrown to the floor. Chen Yuanshan sharply questioned Liu Jingqiu.
Startled, Liu Jingqiu covered her mouth in mock surprise.
“Comrade Chen, what are you doing here?”
Before Chen Yuanshan could reply, Liu Jingqiu hurriedly headed for the door, saying as she went:
“Take good care of Comrade Hua Li. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
She squeezed past Chen Yuanshan and quickly ran toward the stairs.
Chen Yuanshan immediately guessed her plan and called loudly for the nurses.
Two nurses rushed out at his call, and Chen Yuanshan pointed at Liu Jingqiu.
“Stop her.”
Seeing Chen Yuanshan’s uniform, the nurses moved quickly to intercept Liu Jingqiu.
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Liu Jingqiu tried to run but found herself blocked by another nurse who had heard the commotion.
Realizing she couldn’t escape, Liu Jingqiu angrily demanded, “What exactly do you want to do?”
Chen Yuanshan’s tone was stern.
“You ask me? I should be asking you — what do you mean by ‘I won’t say anything’? I’m here under orders to visit Comrade Hua. What right do you have to spread rumors?”
Liu Jingqiu sneered coldly.
“You say you came because of orders, but who can prove that? Besides, you’re a man and she’s a woman living here alone. I don’t say anything for your own good, yet you don’t appreciate it and even accuse me falsely.”
Chen Yuanshan had never met anyone so brazen in arguing; he said firmly:
“You’ll wait here until the leadership arrives. Once they clarify the situation, you can leave.”
The nurses escorted Liu Jingqiu into an empty ward, with Chen Yuanshan guarding outside. Only when Sun Bailing arrived was Liu Jingqiu released.
After hearing Chen Yuanshan’s report, Sun Bailing’s eyes swept icily over Liu Jingqiu, who stood with her head lowered by the door.
“I asked Chen Yuanshan to visit young Xiao Luo Yan. If Comrade Liu Jingqiu has any objections, she can tell me directly.”
Liu Jingqiu dared not voice any complaints and stammered incoherently.
Sun Bailing snorted coldly and walked toward the ward where Hua Li and her daughter stayed. Chen Yuanshan gestured for Liu Jingqiu to follow.
Hearing a knock, Hua Li, just awakened, got out of bed and opened the door, surprised to see Sun Bailing.
“You… you came?”
Hua Li hurriedly opened the door wide, inviting Sun Bailing in.
Seeing Hua Li’s reaction, Sun Bailing realized she did not know Xiao Luo Yan had called him and explained the situation, asking why Hua Li was hospitalized.
Hua Li recounted everything: Liu Jingqiu’s visit to their home demanding she give up her wages, the accident injuring Xiao Luo Yan, and presented the IOU as proof.
Sun Bailing examined the IOU and handed it back, but Hua Li pushed it back to him.
“I am a lone woman, weak and powerless. I ask you, leader, to stand up for me.”
Had Xiao Luo Yan not called Sun Bailing, Hua Li would never have thought to seek external help. With her daughter’s assistance bringing Sun Bailing here, refusing to seize this chance would be foolish.
Sun Bailing didn’t hesitate, pocketing the IOU in his chest.
“Alright, I’ll hold onto this IOU for you. Tomorrow at ten in the morning, I will personally bring it to you…”