Yunji Hospital.
Ge Baitao was also hospitalized. The abdominal pain last time was not due to overeating, but appendicitis, which required surgery.
Ge Baitao didn't want to go. She still had a lot of work to do and no time at all. So she left on the day the results came out. But who could have predicted that something bad would almost happen later?
She chose a time to bring Duan Xiu back to see her grandfather. Everything was going smoothly. Although Duan Xiu was not talkative and his personality was rather reserved, he was adept at pleasing elders, no doubt about it.
Ge Baitao had not seen her grandfather smile so happily in a long time.
"Taotao, I'm very satisfied with your boyfriend."
Hearing this, Ge Baitao felt a sense of relief, while already anticipating what excuse she would use to fob off her grandfather after she and Duan Xiu "broke up."
"Old Ge, you've won again."
Three consecutive games, and the old man had won them all.
The old man laughed heartily: "You know, you really have a bit of Yu Ming's shadow."
Mentioning Lou Yu Ming, Duan Xiu's eyes lit up.
Old Ge said unhurriedly: "You play chess so skillfully even when you lose, don't think I can't see it, you did it on purpose."
Duan Xiu was stunned for a moment. "No, it's your superior chess skills."
Old Ge said nothing more, knowing it all.
This child, humble and polite, quite good.
"Stay for dinner tonight," Old Ge said proactively.
Duan Xiu was about to speak when Ge Baitao interrupted him first: "No, Grandpa! We... we're going out to eat today, Duan Xiu said he's treating me."
Duan Xiu glanced at Ge Baitao, then nodded: "Mm."
Old Ge frowned: "How can outside food be as clean as home-cooked meals? Just eat at home. I'll call Yu Ming and ask him to come over too."
Ge Baitao's face fell.
Duan Xiu said: "Old Ge, Uncle Lou is sick, he can't come."
"What's wrong with him?"
"Seems like he has a cold."
Old Ge said: "How can he not take care of himself at this age?"
Duan Xiu thought, Uncle Lou isn't that old.
Ge Baitao said sarcastically: "Grandpa is right, he's already in his thirties or forties, he should have some self-awareness."
Although Duan Xiu knew Ge Baitao was just complaining and didn't mean anything else, he still felt a flicker of displeasure when she spoke of Lou Yu Ming like that.
Seeing that not everyone could be gathered, Old Ge had to say: "Alright then, Xiao Xiu, come again next time. You two should take care of yourselves."
However, before they even reached the door, the old man's words came true, and Ge Baitao's appendicitis suddenly flared up.
Duan Xiu: "What's wrong with you?"
Ge Baitao slowly crouched down, clutching her stomach in pain.
Seeing this, Old Ge shuffled over anxiously: "Taotao!"
"What's wrong with Taotao!" Old Ge asked Duan Xiu.
Duan Xiu didn't know either. The last time Ge Baitao went to the hospital, he was paying attention to Lou Yu Ming. Ge Baitao said she was fine, so he didn't press. Now, it didn't seem like she was fine.
Appendicitis was agonizing. Ge Baitao felt like there was a needle churning in her stomach.
Her face was pale, cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her voice grew weaker and weaker: "...Append...icitis!"
"Quick, call an ambulance!" Old Ge immediately instructed.
"You didn't even know Taotao had appendicitis!"
The usually kind and amiable old man became extremely stern at this moment, his weathered eyes sharp and severe.
Duan Xiu was instantly stunned by that gaze.
When Ge Baitao woke up in the hospital, she heard her grandfather say: "Duan Xiu, this child, I still need to observe him further."
It's over, all the effort was in vain.
Recalling it, Ge Baitao felt she hadn't thought things through completely. She should have told Duan Xiu in advance.
Once her grandfather developed a prejudice against someone, it was hard to shake.
Duan Xiu would likely not receive a good look from him in the future.
After Old Ge left, Duan Xiu walked into the ward: "I'm sorry."
Ge Baitao, having just had surgery, looked somewhat sickly: "It's okay, you weren't scared by Grandpa, were you?"
"It... was alright."
Ge Baitao said: "Alright, if you have something to do, go ahead. I'm fine now."
Perhaps out of guilt, Duan Xiu stammered, then walked to the water dispenser and got her a cup of hot water.
Ge Baitao was surprised for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Thanks."
After leaving the ward, Duan Xiu still intended to go see Lou Yu Ming.
As soon as he got out of the elevator, he saw a woman lurking suspiciously by the ward door, but not going in.
Duan Xiu thought it was some paparazzi or someone with ill intentions, so he strode over and knocked off the hat on her head.
"Who are you!"
Song Xi almost cried out in surprise.
She covered her mouth, looking at the man in front of her who was strangely familiar.
Their eyes met, and both recognized each other.
"You..."
Song Xi was very surprised: "What are you doing here?"
She didn't know Duan Xiu's identity, nor his relationship with Lou Yu Ming. She thought he was sick, or visiting a patient.
"What a coincidence."
Song Xi nervously picked up the hat on the ground and put it back on.
Duan Xiu, however, was aggressive, his eyes filled with hostility: "What are you doing here?"
"Come to... see a friend."
Duan Xiu's sharp gaze bore into her, as if to say: Then why aren't you going in.
Song Xi gave an awkward smile: "I... I'll go in in a moment."
Duan Xiu remained silent, still gazing at her intently.
Song Xi felt immense pressure.
"...I'll go in now."
She smiled awkwardly as she pushed the door open, then shuffled backward.
"...Goodbye."
After watching the door close, Duan Xiu didn't leave immediately. He stood by the door, like a security guard.
Uncle Lou had been emotionally unstable recently, and it was all this woman's fault!
So her appearance at this time was like a lamb walking into a tiger's den!
Duan Xiu wouldn't mind Lou Yu Ming losing his temper and chasing her away! After all, in his eyes, Song Xi was simply not good enough for Uncle Lou!