Chapter 49: Don’t Speak So Harshly
Madam Liang, lying in her hospital bed, couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re quite straightforward, young lady.”
She seemed to recall something and added, “You’re rather like your father.”
Qiao Jiu was a little surprised. “Madam, you know my father?”
“Not exactly.” Madam Liang replied, “We’ve only met briefly.”
Qiao Jiu nodded. At that moment, she finally understood what Guan Wei had felt: Madam Liang truly seemed to like her.
After a brief hesitation, she took the initiative. “Madam, are you thinking of helping me arrange a job?”
Before the other could answer, she continued, “Young Master Liang has been in contact with Lu Fengzhou recently. The collaboration between the two families should soon be finalized.”
Her meaning was clear, and Madam Liang understood. Still, she said, “I don’t claim to understand business, but I do know there are no true friends or enemies, only interests.”
She leaned back. “If that’s what worries you, I can handle it.”
Guan Wei quickly coughed twice, signaling Qiao Jiu with her eyes.
Qiao Jiu caught her meaning. The bar job wasn’t a long-term solution; she couldn’t spend her life trapped in the kitchen.
Liang Xiucheng spoke up as well. “You can think it over carefully. Some things aren’t impossible to resolve.”
After a pause, Qiao Jiu smiled at them. “To be honest, my current situation is rather difficult. Madam’s offer is quite tempting.”
Madam Liang’s expression remained calm. “If it’s tempting, take your time to consider. There’s no need to rush a reply. The company is large enough—anytime we want to bring someone in, it’s easily arranged.”
Qiao Jiu replied sincerely, “Thank you, Madam.”
Madam Liang fixed her gaze on Qiao Jiu, then suddenly said, out of nowhere, “You must have suffered. Otherwise, how could your character change so much?”
With that, she waved her hand dismissively. “Alright, I didn’t rest well last night. I need a nap. You all may leave.”
Qiao Jiu, Liang Xiucheng, and Guan Wei had no choice but to exit the room.
After closing the door, Guan Wei lowered her voice and asked Liang Xiucheng, “What did your mother mean just now? Has she met Qiao Jiu before?”
Liang Xiucheng shook his head. “I don’t know. She shouldn’t have. I’ve never heard her mention it.”
Qiao Jiu spread her hands. “I don’t recall ever meeting Madam Liang. Not the slightest impression.”
She looked at Liang Xiucheng. “But your mother’s personality is quite nice.”
Liang Xiucheng smiled helplessly. “Only you would think so.”
They said nothing more and went downstairs together, heading outside the hospital.
Guan Wei still hadn’t eaten lunch. Madam Liang had been particular—complaining about feeling uncomfortable from lying in bed too long, itching where she’d fallen, or having no appetite and wanting something to eat. In short, she didn’t want to be left alone. Guan Wei had no choice but to stay and accompany her.
Now, hungry, she hooked her arm through Qiao Jiu’s and quickened her pace. “Let’s eat. I barely ate anything this morning—I’m seeing stars.”
Beside the pedestrian path to the hospital gate was a lane for vehicles leading straight to the parking lot. It wasn’t yet the afternoon shift, so few cars were coming in. After walking a bit, two cars approached from the opposite direction.
Guan Wei’s vision cleared, and she exclaimed, “Your brother’s here.”
The first car was Liang Xiujin’s.
But as the cars drew closer, the second vehicle behind became visible. Qiao Jiu’s expression froze; Guan Wei’s reaction was the same—her smile vanished as she lowered her voice, “Why is he here?”
Liang Xiucheng glanced at Qiao Jiu, then at the car behind and nodded.
Lu Fengzhou didn’t roll down his window. He looked at them through the front windshield, his gaze circling before settling on Qiao Jiu.
The glass reflected a bit, so Qiao Jiu couldn’t clearly see Lu Fengzhou’s expression, but she could sense his displeasure.
Lu Fengzhou waited for a while, seemingly impatient, and honked twice.
Liang Xiujin quickly drove forward to the turn, yielding so Lu Fengzhou could pass.
Guan Wei grew agitated. “What’s he doing here? Did he come with you?”
Liang Xiujin reached out from his car and pinched Guan Wei’s cheek. “Didn’t you see there are people in his back seat? Just a coincidence.”
Qiao Jiu reflexively glanced in the direction Lu Fengzhou’s car had gone; she hadn’t noticed the back seat earlier.
Guan Wei asked, “There were people in the back? Who?”
Liang Xiujin replied, “Looked like Miss Song and her mother. I didn’t ask specifically.”
Guan Wei’s eyes widened. “Song Wan? And her mother?”
Liang Xiujin looked toward the parking lot. “Should be. They look alike.”
He continued, “Are you all heading out? How’s Mom?”
Liang Xiucheng answered, “She’s sleeping. We’re going for lunch.”
Liang Xiujin told them to wait while he parked his car.
Qiao Jiu stood silently for a while, then glanced toward the outpatient building. Soon, she saw Lu Fengzhou.
Standing beside him was indeed Song Wan, and next to her, a woman slightly older.
Lu Fengzhou and Song Wan supported her. The scene—how to describe it—looked just like a harmonious family of three.
Guan Wei saw it too and scoffed, “That woman was in a wheelchair yesterday, now she’s walking. Clearly faking it, just trying to clear her reputation. Just wait, just wait.”
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone, seemingly intent on capturing the scene.
Liang Xiucheng quickly raised his hand to stop her. “Let it be. Don’t stir up trouble.”
Guan Wei gritted her teeth. “I can’t stand this. Yesterday she was so fragile, today she’s full of energy.”
Qiao Jiu added, “Let it go—it’s got nothing to do with us.”
After a while, Liang Xiujin joined them, phone pressed to his ear, speaking to Lu Fengzhou.
His tone was polite. “Oh, I see. Did you make an appointment with a doctor? I know a good orthopedic specialist—if you need, I can introduce you.”
Whatever the response, he nodded. “Good, good, that’s fine.”
He continued, “It’s always like this with the elderly, their bodies are fragile and they need someone with them.”
After a few more pleasantries, he hung up.
Guan Wei didn’t have to ask; Liang Xiujin explained, “That was Miss Song’s mother. She’s having some health issues, so Mr. Lu brought her to see a doctor.”
Liang Xiucheng frowned, “They’ve already met each other’s parents?”
Guan Wei suddenly realized, jumping in, “Right! He’s even taking care of Song Wan’s mother? Aren’t they just in a kept-woman relationship? Does he have to look after her whole family?”
Liang Xiujin glanced at Qiao Jiu, hesitating. “Don’t put it like that. Judging by them, their relationship isn’t as sordid as you think. Probably just a normal romance.”