The man was silent for a long time, then chuckled bitterly, "You really are open-minded."
"Let's move on from that. Tell me about yourself." Shen Qingqing finally revealed her true purpose.
"Me? What's there to tell about me?"
"Not about yourself, but about your wife." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Mentioning his wife, the man had a flood of words to pour out. "My wife goes for a physical check-up every year. This year, she was suddenly diagnosed with a contagious disease. Director Liu said it was some kind of virus that could be spread, and my wife needed to be isolated. He also said that this illness was highly contagious, but not difficult to cure, as long as she stayed in isolation at the hospital. She'd definitely recover and be home in less than half a month…"
Initially, he didn't take it too seriously and even went home to comfort their families. But when he went to the hospital to pick her up half a month later, he didn't see his wife at all, only Director Liu.
He said his wife's condition had worsened, and she couldn't be cured in half a month. The virus was spreading too quickly within her body, requiring her to stay longer.
What could the man do?
He could only obey Director Liu, as he wanted his wife to get better as soon as possible.
But who knew that she would end up staying for another half a month? And during this time, he couldn't see her at all, while the medical bills accumulated astronomically.
After the man spent all their family savings, he also borrowed a lot of money from their parents. When their parents ran out of money, they borrowed from relatives and friends.
In just one month, he had already incurred debts of several hundred thousand.
But today, Director Liu delivered more devastating news, saying his wife was declining rapidly, and her life was on a countdown.
The man clutched his hair, his voice hoarse, "But I can't even see her. He said the virus on my wife can spread, and no one is allowed in…"
He desperately clawed at his scalp.
"But I just want to see her one last time. Is my wife going to die without me by her side?!" His emotions flared, and his voice inevitably rose.
This drew the attention of other guests.
Shen Qingqing shot a look of apology at the onlookers, then gently tapped the table with her finger. "Don't get agitated. There isn't no solution."
The man's head shot up. "What do you mean? You have a way?!"
"I can help you," Shen Qingqing said, stroking her chin in thought. "Whether this Director Liu has good taste in clothes is another matter, but any patient, regardless of their condition, should have the right to see their family before they die. His actions are unreasonable."
When the man heard that she had a solution, it was as if a ray of sunshine broke through a gloomy sky. He sniffled, "I understand that, but Director Liu is my wife's attending physician. If he says no, then we can't do anything."
Shen Qingqing scoffed, "Is he God? If he says no, then it's impossible?"
Preventing them from seeing each other was inherently unreasonable. There was likely something amiss here.
The man murmured, "But I'm just an ordinary citizen. Director Liu has a very high position in the hospital. I really don't have any recourse."
"Haven't you thought about contacting the hospital director?"
"I asked the nurses earlier. The director is abroad recently, reportedly attending a seminar." The man had truly exhausted all possibilities.
"Haven't you tried calling the police?"
The man gave a wry smile. "Of course, I have! But Director Liu let the police in to see. After they came out, they said my wife showed no abnormalities and was indeed being treated for a contagious disease…"
"If the police could go in, why can't you?" Shen Qingqing clicked her tongue. This was too bizarre. Who would be kept from seeing their loved one upon entering a hospital for treatment, unless it was for internet addiction therapy!
The man looked bewildered. "I don't understand either. After the police left, I still couldn't see my wife. Now Director Liu says my wife doesn't have much time left, but I don't even know what she looks like now…"
The man's voice was filled with self-reproach.
"The priority now is to find a way for you two to meet. I also want to see this person myself." Her father couldn't be seen now, and she didn't know where Director Liu had transferred him. But this woman had to be seen!
The man naturally agreed. "If you can really let me see my wife, I'll be forever grateful. I'll do anything for you!"
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "That won't be necessary. However, this matter must be kept quiet. I'll make arrangements. After we return, you should act as usual. Don't let Director Liu suspect anything is amiss."
The man immediately nodded. "I understand. I'll do as you say!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his stomach grumbled loudly.
The man looked embarrassed. "I haven't eaten in three days. I'm really hungry…"
Shen Qingqing found it both amusing and pitiable. "The food is right in front of you. Since you're hungry, eat quickly. After you're done, we'll go back to the hospital."
"Thank you!"
The man was truly famished. Before, he had been preoccupied with thoughts of ending his life and hadn't paid attention to his hunger. But now, it was different. He now had a new motivation: to see his wife again.
As for what would happen afterward, he would deal with it then.
The two returned to the hospital and parted ways in the corridor. On her way back to her ward, Shen Qingqing encountered Director Liu. She took the initiative to greet him.
Director Liu returned her smile. "Why aren't you in your ward with your son?"
Shen Qingqing said with a sigh, "I can't just spend all my time with my son. My father hasn't been found yet. He's been in this hospital for so long. Shouldn't you let me see him?"
"It's really inconvenient. I told you before, your father has a contagious disease," Director Liu explained patiently.
"Then can you at least let me have a look from the doorway?"
"What's the point of you looking? It will only cause you more grief. Don't worry, your father's treatment is very effective. Once he's mostly recovered, I'll bring him back to you."
Director Liu spoke with conviction.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes and said, "It's fine if I can't see him. But you must at least tell me which ward he's in?"
"Since you can't see him, what's the use of knowing? Don't worry. This is a hospital, and I'm a doctor. I won't harm your father."
Shen Qingqing didn't press further. "Alright. Director Liu is so dedicated to his patients; I'm sure he will be rewarded."
Director Liu smiled. "Thank you for the blessing."
Shen Qingqing watched him leave, and the smile vanished from her face as soon as she turned away. She returned to her ward to find Fu Jingshu already there, accompanying Shen Jinxi while he ate.
She watched them from the doorway for a while.
She noticed that when she wasn't around, the little one got along better with Fu Jingshu, as if he had shed all his defenses.
At some point, Shen Jinxi looked up and saw her. He immediately stood up and ran towards her, hugging her legs.
"Mommy! Daddy bullied me!"
Shen Qingqing raised her eyebrows and looked at Fu Jingshu.
He stared at Shen Jinxi with a deep gaze. "When did I bully you?"
"Just now! Mommy, you have to stand up for me!" Shen Jinxi pouted pitifully, hugging her and shaking her gently.