Chapter 50: Saved at Last~

Meng Qiaoyuan hurriedly pulled a blanket over Jiang Zao, then took a pillow and propped it under Jiang Zao’s lower back, offering her own thigh as a headrest so Jiang Zao could lie steadily.
“Their dosage of ether wasn’t high, so it shouldn’t harm you much. Just sleep, everyone’s constitution is different—you might still have traces of the anesthetic in your system, but a nap will help. Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you.”

Perhaps it was because her spirit had reached its limit, or maybe she was just unusually sensitive to anesthesia. She only remembered the hazy drowsiness, not knowing how long she slept.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a different room. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant, and the familiar pattern on the ceiling brought a huge sense of relief.

“Saved.”

…

Jiang Zao didn’t know what had happened, but Meng Qiaoyuan had lived through it all with full awareness.

She had never seen Shen Mushi like that before—his hair disheveled, veins bulging, fists raised as if he might fight to the death.

Before the police arrived, he stood firmly in front of the bed, using his body to win a sliver of hope for them.

Shen Mushi was supposed to be the elegant, refined image of a neurosurgeon, always immaculate. His hands were the steadiest, most precise instruments in the world, yet for the two women on the bed, he wielded an iron pipe with wild, furious blows, each strike fierce and unyielding.

Meng Qiaoyuan would never forget the way Shen Mushi looked when he burst in wearing his white shirt.

The way he confronted Lin Rui with sharp, commanding words.

She hadn’t realized that “Mr. Green Tea” Shen Mushi could have such a forceful side.

Returning to the hospital, Meng Qiaoyuan finally allowed her nerves to relax.

After a simple examination confirmed she was unharmed, she was sent back.

Meng Qiaochong cornered his sister and scolded her at length, but her eternally unchanged expression defeated him, leaving him almost with internal injuries from suppressed frustration. He tossed out, “Do as you like,” and marched off.

After her scolding, Meng Qiaoyuan returned to Jiang Zao’s ward. The doctors’ checkup was thorough—Jiang Zao was overly sensitive to anesthetics, but her other injuries were minor.

Fortunately, they didn’t take blood or do an MRI, or Jiang Zao’s pregnancy would have been impossible to hide.

After this ordeal, Meng Qiaoyuan understood more clearly another reason why Jiang Zao was determined to conceal her pregnancy.

Her situation was precarious, with dangers lurking everywhere; this child had come at the wrong time.

Du Bin and Shen Mushi went to the police station for follow-up. Zhou Jiayan remained at the hospital with Meng Qiaoyuan and Jiang Zao.

Sitting in the chair beside the bed, Zhou Jiayan sighed as she looked at Jiang Zao’s swollen, bruised face.

…

“My brother hasn’t even seen his beautiful wife yet, and she’s already been beaten like this,” she grumbled.

Meng Qiaoyuan suddenly realized, “Zhou Licuan woke up?”

Zhou Jiayan nodded, “Yes, he woke up just as you two got back. He heard what happened to you and was quite agitated. The doctor had to give him another sedative to calm him down. Aunt’s been with him the whole time.”

Meng Qiaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief, “As long as he’s safe, and the surgery went well. If he recovers, Jiang Zao won’t have any more trouble.”

Zhou Jiayan didn’t understand, “What trouble?”

Meng Qiaoyuan didn’t answer, but instead asked, “Did Shen Mushi say anything about his condition? Is it serious?”

The question made Zhou Jiayan eager to talk, “That tumor of his was practically textbook. Halfway through the surgery, all the interns came in to observe. Shen Mushi finished it quickly and said there were no issues at all—so long as he recovers well, there shouldn’t be any lasting effects.”

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded, “That’s good. Now everything’s over, and only good days lie ahead.”

Zhou Jiayan agreed, tilting her head back with a smile, “Exactly, exactly.”

…

When Jiang Zao awoke, she felt only one thing—hunger.

Real, gnawing hunger.

She’d thrown up everything she’d eaten that morning and spent the whole day on an empty stomach.

She sat up, trembling from hunger.

Just then Meng Qiaoyuan came in carrying a thermos, and hurried over when she saw Jiang Zao. “How are you feeling?”

Jiang Zao’s eyes nearly glowed green, “Is that food in your hands?”

Meng Qiaoyuan quickly raised the small table and opened the thermos, letting a fragrant aroma of red beans waft through the room.

“My second brother brought it—my eldest sister made the red bean porridge. I didn’t eat it, kept it just for you,” she said, pulling a vacuum-sealed salted duck egg from her pocket and peeling it with care. “I bought the egg from the supermarket downstairs—their eggs are delicious, perfect with rice. Have a bite, and whatever you want to say, save it for after you’re full.”

Seeing Meng Qiaoyuan’s relaxed expression, Jiang Zao’s worries eased.

Whether it was Zhou Licuan or the kidnapping earlier in the day, if anything had gone wrong, Meng Qiaoyuan would never look so calm.

She ate the red bean porridge in peace, and her distressed stomach finally settled.

…

Jiang Zao wiped her mouth and finally asked the question she’d been worrying about, “How’s Zhou Licuan?”

Meng Qiaoyuan smiled, “He’s fine, don’t worry.”

Jiang Zao, excited, tried to get out of bed to see him, but Meng Qiaoyuan stopped her. “He can’t have visitors yet. When he first woke up, someone accidentally let something slip and he got so worked up it nearly caused trouble. He needs less stimulation right now.”

Jiang Zao nodded, dazed, “That’s good, that’s good. When can I see him?”

Meng Qiaoyuan looked at the sky outside, now dark, and tucked Jiang Zao’s blanket. “Lie down and sleep through the night. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to see him.”

Her words had a subtle magical power. Jiang Zao obediently lay back.

Her lower back touched the soft pillow and she jolted upright again, grabbing Meng Qiaoyuan’s hand, “The child…”

Meng Qiaoyuan immediately hushed her, glancing toward the door.

Guarding the ward door were members of the Zhou family’s security detail.

Meng Qiaoyuan smiled, patting Jiang Zao’s shoulder, “Don’t worry.”

Finally soothed, Jiang Zao lay back and stared out at the now pitch-black sky, drifting to sleep once more.

Once Jiang Zao was asleep, Meng Qiaoyuan quietly left the ward.

After a few turns in the corridor, she entered another room.

On the bed sat Shen Mushi, bare-chested. There was a wound on his shoulder blade, stitched with more than ten sutures; it was too awkward for him to wear a shirt, so he simply stayed undressed.

Shen Mushi, wearing glasses, sat in the middle of the bed, looking down at his phone. When he saw Meng Qiaoyuan enter, he put the phone aside and looked up.

“Is Jiang Zao alright?”

Meng Qiaoyuan gently shook her head and sat on the stool beside him, “She’s fine, just a bit exhausted. She’s been stressed and hasn’t rested properly. After today, it’s natural she’d sleep longer.”

Shen Mushi relaxed, “Good. She really does need to rest well.”