Chapter 182: Parting
Su Shuochi wished he could be by his wife’s side to wipe the sweat from her brow, but his wheelchair took up too much space, making it inconvenient for him to enter the medical room.
As the patients’ family, Uncle Song, Aunt Song, and the other members of the Song family were not allowed to see their children being cut open.
They could only wait outside the operating room with Su Shuochi, who was worried about his wife.
The Song family was worried about the patients inside, so they were like ants on a hot pan, anxiously pacing in circles.
The most worried of all was Wang Gang. One moment his wife was perfectly fine, and now she was inside being cut open.
His brow was tightly furrowed, his hands clenched into fists, his face a mask of tension. It was obvious to everyone how deeply unsettled he was.
He fidgeted restlessly, first scratching his ear, then grabbing at his hair, looking as if he wanted to storm into the medical room.
Su Shuochi was a rough-around-the-edges but thoughtful man. At such an anxious moment, he, in contrast, appeared very calm.
"Try not to worry so much. The worst possible result can’t be worse than the situation before. Go sit over there and wait. Just standing here isn’t a solution, and who knows? They might be out soon."
"Okay, we’re not worried. We just want to see Jie’er and Xiaxia the moment they come out."
Su Shuochi’s composure had a soothing effect on Uncle Song, and his agitated heart began to calm.
Aunt Song led her husband to a nearby bench, then took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat that had beaded on his forehead.
Uncle Song nodded. Since it seemed pointless to just stand there, he figured he might as well sit and wait.
But he knew this was the only way to calm himself down, even a little.
Just by thinking about his son’s swift recovery, he could hold on to his last shred of composure.
Even so, Uncle Song couldn’t suppress the fear in his heart.
However, he knew his elderly father and his wife were there, so he didn’t dare let any of his fear show.
"Dad, don’t worry. Jie’er will be fine," Uncle Song quietly reassured Mr. Song.
Mr. Song was a man who had weathered great storms. He glanced at his second son, who was shaking like a leaf.
"We’ll have the results in a few more hours. There’s no use in us worrying. There’s clearly a fan in this room, yet you’re drenched in sweat. Can’t you just sit here and wait properly?"
Uncle Song was speechless.
Outside the operating room, they were tormented by the wait, while those inside remained hard at work. Time ticked by, second by second...
Old Sir Gu and his group went to Mei Mountain, but they only took in the scenery at its base, lacking the energy to climb.
Mr. Geng was a very busy man. He had specifically taken time out to see his son, so of course he wanted to spend that time with him.
At noon, he invited everyone to have lunch at the best restaurant in Qing City. He had to return to the Imperial City that afternoon.
Geng Ruixian was recovering well, so Mr. Geng planned to take him back to the Imperial City.
In truth, Geng Ruixian didn’t want to go back to the Imperial City. He wanted to wait until he was better, then join Mr. Su and Su’s mother in selling cold-skin noodles at their stall.
But facing his elderly father, he couldn’t bring himself to say he wanted to stay. He only mentioned that he wanted to leave money for his room and board.
This was only natural. While Mr. Geng wasn’t carrying a lot of cash, he had more than enough to cover his son’s room and board.
Mr. Su and Su’s mother hadn’t expected to receive so much money for taking in a patient. They were at a loss, not knowing whether they should accept it.
"In-laws, even close brothers keep clear accounts. Please, just take it. We are staying in your home to recover, and Jiaojiao already factored in our food costs."
Mr. Gu said with a chuckle, sincerely admiring his daughter’s foresight.
From the very beginning, Jiaojiao had insisted that from the money he and his second son earned at their stall, their family’s expenses for room and board must be deducted.
It was because of this that their family was able to live there with a clear conscience.
His eldest son and his father both needed to focus on their recovery, and his wife also needed to rest quietly.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t move elsewhere, but they treasured the warmth of living together with their daughter.
Mr. Gu planned to return to the Imperial City when the school year began. He figured that in two years, once they had earned enough money, they would buy a courtyard house together with their daughter and son-in-law.
Geng Ruixian insisted on waiting for Gu Jiaojiao and the others to return before leaving with his dad.
Li An and Professor Cheng also planned to return to the Imperial City with Mr. Geng and his son.
So the two of them took a ride in Mr. Sheng’s car to the guest house to pack their luggage, then returned to the Su family’s home to wait.
After six long hours, the door to the operating room finally opened. The first to emerge was Xia Qiuming, dressed in a white lab coat and a surgical mask.
Gu Jiaojiao walked out after him, taking off her mask to reveal a stunningly beautiful face.
"Divine Doctor, how is my son?" Seeing the door open, Uncle Song rushed forward and asked urgently.
His expression was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, panic, and worry.
"Rest assured, the surgery was a success," Gu Jiaojiao said calmly.
"That’s good to hear." Hearing Gu Jiaojiao’s words, Uncle Song finally breathed a sigh of relief.
His whole body went limp with relief, and his eyes welled with tears. He swayed on his feet, and Mr. Song had to steady him.
He looked up at Gu Jiaojiao, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Su Gu."
"It was nothing," Gu Jiaojiao said, waving her hand dismissively.
The words had barely left her lips when Uncle Song asked excitedly, "Can we go in and see Jie’er and Xiaxia?"
"You may, but the patients are not awake yet. Please don’t disturb them," Xia Qiuming said, his voice as gentle and smooth as jade.
"Of course, of course," Uncle Song quickly agreed.
Only two people were allowed in at a time. Uncle Song and Wang Gang walked into the ward, one after the other.
A pang of sorrow struck Uncle Song’s heart, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably as he looked at the two sleeping figures on the beds.
The ward was plunged into a dead silence, as if the very air had frozen solid.
Wang Gang closed his eyes, his hands clenched tightly into fists, his body trembling uncontrollably.
His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly haggard. The rims of his eyes were bright red, and the corner of his mouth twitched as if he were trying to suppress a sob.
He stood by Song Xiaxia’s bedside, watching the girl he loved. His heart ached, yet he was utterly powerless.
He knew this wasn’t the time for grief. The priority was helping her recover as quickly as possible.
"You two should come out now and let the next two people go in," Xia Qiuming’s gentle, jade-like voice called out.
Outside, Su Shuochi watched Gu Jiaojiao wash her hands, his gaze fixed on her. He didn’t want to leave her side for a single moment.
His deep eyes shone with an intense heat, as if he wanted to devour her.
"Su Shuochi, why are you looking at me like that?" Gu Jiaojiao rolled her eyes while washing her hands.
"Honey, you’ve worked hard. I’m waiting for you to finish washing your hands so I can give you a massage."
"Scram."
’Though Gu Jiaojiao said that, her heart felt as sweet as honey. In this vast sea of people, there was a man like Su Shuochi who cherished her, felt for her, and always worried for her well-being.’
’And so, all her trials and tribulations seemed to melt away in the warmth of his ardent gaze, leaving behind a slow, gentle peace.’
Su Shuochi didn’t mind his wife telling him to scram. He knew she was easily embarrassed, so he changed the subject.
"Honey, let’s leave things here to Xia Qiuming and He Shen Yi. We should go home for dinner. Grandpa and the others must be getting really impatient waiting."