Lan Yu recalled that she hadn't conceived in the two years she was married to Xie Qining. Xie Qining's mother had insisted they both get checked at a private hospital.
Xie Qining had been very reluctant to go at the time, while she followed the wishes of the Xie family.
They both underwent examinations at that hospital. She had never imagined that she would have fertility problems. However, when the results came out, it stated that Xie Qining was normal and the issue was with her.
After this incident, her life in the Xie family became even more unbearable. Although Xie Qining didn't say anything to her, he grew increasingly distant. The women in the Xie family were even more prone to taunting and ridiculing her whenever they had the chance.
She couldn't fulfill the Xie family's desire for an heir and felt guilty and self-reproachful. She endured all the criticism and even took a lot of traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning, but none of it worked.
"A private hospital, I went with my ex-husband for a check-up. He was normal; the problem was mine."
Su Su remembered that at a banquet, Xiao An Jing had told her gossip about Lan Yu and her ex-husband, and asked, "Is that the scumbag who abandoned you and married a female celebrity?"
Lan Yu could only manage a muffled "mm" that spoke of her unwillingness to revisit the past.
Su Su immediately said dismissively, "When you're better, get another check-up at a reputable hospital. Maybe your ex-husband had the problem, and you didn't. He deliberately had a doctor he knew at the private hospital say it was your problem, actually gaslighting you."
"What is gaslighting? No, how could he do that?" Lan Yu exclaimed, feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen.
Su Su thought she was too naive and kind, and told her, "It means that scumbag tricked you, and he deceived you to manipulate your emotions."
"He's too much... how could he lie to me like that..." As she spoke, Lan Yu placed a hand on her abdomen, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
Su Su quickly asked, "Don't get agitated. Let's talk about everything after you're better..."
At that moment, a nurse entered with a prescription from the doctor and a bottle of injection, asking Su Su, "Are you her family member?"
Su Su quickly nodded and said, "We're friends. You can tell me anything; I'll help her with the procedures."
"Oh, the doctor said she was lucky to be brought in on time, and there's no major issue. The D&C was also very thorough. She just lost some blood and needs to replenish her nutrients."
"Okay, I'll help her recuperate and get better soon."
The nurse added, "The doctor also said that given her condition, she needs to be hospitalized for observation for two days. If there's no inflammation or infection, she can go home to rest."
"Alright, we'll be hospitalized. I'll go and complete the admission procedures now."
The nurse said "okay" again and began administering the IV drip to Lan Yu, asking if she felt any discomfort.
Lan Yu softly replied, "It's okay, just a lingering dull ache in my abdomen."
"This is a normal reaction. Relax and get a good night's sleep. You'll feel better after these anti-inflammatory injections are finished," the nurse said as she administered the needle. "I'll go prepare a ward for you now."
Su Su glanced at Lan Yu again. Her frail and pale appearance was so pitiable that even a woman, let alone Xiao An Jing, would feel compassion for her.
As they exited the emergency room, Tian Yi, who was waiting outside, immediately asked, "How is that woman? What's her background?"
"She's fine, no major issues. The nurse said she needs to be admitted..."
Before Su Su could finish, Xiao An Jing immediately stood up and said, "I'll do it. You two keep an eye on her."
Tian Yi tried to follow him but was stopped by Su Su.
Su Su held him back and said, "I've met this girl before. She's a simple and kind person."
"Ah, you know her too? I'm clueless," Tian Yi said in surprise.
"I've only met her. I don't know how they got together later. But I suppose I was their matchmaker." Su Su recounted the events of that time and some details about Lan Yu to Tian Yi.
After listening, Tian Yi felt that this woman wasn't good enough for his brother. However, as long as she wasn't a bad woman and wasn't deceiving Xiao An Jing, he had nothing more to say.
But he still had to remind Xiao An Jing that falling for this kind of woman would be very troublesome.
She had a marriage with Xie Qining. Could she completely sever ties with the Xie family? Moreover, her simple innocence might stir a man's protective instincts, but it also made her easily manipulated and deceived. Wouldn't that cause trouble in the future?
Seeing Tian Yi frowning, Su Su couldn't help but ask, "You don't entirely approve of An Jing and Lan Yu being together. Are you worried about An Jing?"
"His protective instinct is too strong; he always feels he can play the hero in front of pitiful women. I'm afraid he'll misplace his affections again."
"Again?" Su Su asked curiously. "Did An Jing like any women before and misplace his affections?"
"Alas, he almost developed genuine feelings for Shu Yan before."
Su Su responded with an "oh," saying, "That's different. If I'm not mistaken, Lan Yu is indeed a kind person."
Tian Yi held her hand and faced her, saying, "Since you say so, I believe your judgment. They're already married, so I can only wish them happiness."
"But there should be many misunderstandings between them. An Jing rushed into this marriage; I hope there won't be too many complications," Su Su expressed some concern for them.
At that moment, the same nurse called two other nurses to help transfer Lan Yu to the ward.
Su Su asked for the room number and followed them, asking Tian Yi to wait for An Jing at their original spot.
Tian Yi hadn't waited long before An Jing returned, having completed the procedures, holding many documents. He looked around and asked, "Where's Su Su?"
"You don't care about your wife, so why are you so concerned about mine?" Tian Yi said irritably.
An Jing, who was usually quick-witted and good at teasing, was momentarily speechless and stammered, "I, I..."
"What 'I'? Your wife has been transferred to the ward, and my wife went with her to the ward."
"Oh, oh." An Jing ran a hand through his hair, preparing to sit back down on the previous bench.
Tian Yi had never seen him so flustered, like a child who had done something wrong. He said, "Why are you still sitting here? Go to the ward and take care of her."
"She won't want to see me. My going there will only make her angry..."
Tian Yi, unable to stand it, directly pulled him up from the chair. "Whether she wants to see you or not, whether she scolds you or hates you, you must go and take care of her at this time. You are her husband, and this is your responsibility. Go now."
Saying this, he also gave Xiao An Jing the room number.
Xiao An Jing seemed to have been awakened. He felt that Tian Yi was right. No matter how annoyed or regretful he was, or how afraid he was of facing her cold gaze, he had to go and take care of her first. Everything else could wait until she recovered.
Suddenly, Xiao An Jing gave Tian Yi a big hug. "Thanks, I'm lucky to have a brother like you..."
Tian Yi broke free from his embrace, saying with disdain, "That's too cheesy. Get going to the ward. Oh, and swap out Su Su. Have her meet me at the hospital entrance. My wife can't stay at the hospital helping you take care of someone indefinitely. We have a lot to do back home."