Mrs. Zhao instinctively covered her child's ears.
But Yuanyuan still heard, grabbing her hand and asking, "Mom, what did you do?"
Mrs. Zhao's face grew paler. She held her tightly, her voice trembling slightly, "It's nothing, nothing. You're too young to ask about these things. They're adult matters."
Her gaze pleaded with Shen Qingqing.
Begging her not to tell the child.
She knew she had done wrong. If the child found out, she would have no face to face her, and how could she be a mother anymore?
Shen Qingqing averted her gaze, not looking at her.
Mrs. Zhao covered her daughter's ears. Fortunately, her daughter was well-behaved and didn't struggle. She said softly, "Miss Shen, I'll do anything for you. I'm willing to atone for my sins. I beg you, don't tell the child..."
Seeing Shen Qingqing unmoved, she looked at Fu Jingshu.
But his face was even colder.
Mrs. Zhao sat on the ground in despair, holding her child tightly. Having done something like this, if the child knew...
She truly had no face to see her child again.
Let alone teach her how to behave in the future.
Just as she was full of despair, Shen Qingqing suddenly said, "First, tell me, what did Director Liu threaten you with?"
At this point, Mrs. Zhao had nothing left to hide.
"For the medical fees."
"Isn't the child's father a company executive?"
Mrs. Zhao gave a bitter laugh. "The child's father died three years ago. For so many years, I've raised the child alone. Originally, life was bearable. The child's father died in a car accident, and there was some compensation. But then the child fell ill..."
To treat the child's illness, she had spent all her savings.
Now, she had no money left.
Shen Qingqing looked at her. "Did he give you any money?"
Speaking of this, resentment flashed in Mrs. Zhao's eyes. "No. I asked him before, but he said my task wasn't finished yet, and he couldn't give me money until I completed the next step."
"Then how can you still stay in the hospital?"
"He said he'd spoken to the hospital administration and would give me a few more days. If I still couldn't do it..." Tears streamed down Mrs. Zhao's face. "My Yuanyuan... my unfortunate child..."
She was truly at her wit's end.
She couldn't even protect herself now. If she was really sent to the police station...
Every moment spent with her child now seemed precious because she might be leaving her child soon.
"I'm sorry." She looked at Shen Qingqing, her eyes filled with apology. "I was bewitched. For my child, I had no choice but to do this. Since you found out, I have nothing to say. It was my fault. I don't care what you do to me, but I beg you, don't blame Yuanyuan."
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. "How did you administer the poison?"
A flicker of guilt crossed Mrs. Zhao's eyes. "I put that medicine on Yuanyuan's hand. When two children play together, they're bound to touch..."
"Weren't you afraid your child would be harmed?"
"Director Liu said no. He added an antidote to the injection he gave Yuanyuan..."
Shen Qingqing was so angry she laughed. "He truly calculated everything. What a malicious scheme."
Mrs. Zhao lowered her head deeply. "I'm sorry."
Shen Qingqing took a deep breath, looked at Mrs. Zhao, and said faintly, "I can help you apply for subsidies from the foundation. It should be enough to cover your child's hospital expenses."
Mrs. Zhao suddenly looked up, disbelieving. "R-really?"
"But I have conditions."
Mrs. Zhao's hands trembled with excitement. "Whatever your conditions are, I'll agree. Even if you want my life, I can give it to you!"
At this moment, Shen Qingqing was touched. She was also a mother and could give everything for her child. The lingering resentment towards Mrs. Zhao finally dissipated.
"Actually, you should have guessed what I want you to do."
Mrs. Zhao thought carefully and quickly understood. "You want me to trick Director Liu into giving us evidence of his crimes?"
"Mhm."
"No problem!" Mrs. Zhao agreed without hesitation. "I'll do it!"
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "Won't you consider it? If evidence is found and Director Liu is guilty, as his accomplice, even though you were threatened, you are also guilty."
"I'm willing."
Mrs. Zhao's expression was firm. She understood this. But she had made a mistake and needed to atone. Now that there was such a perfect opportunity, she would cherish it.
As for the potential danger, she didn't consider it at all.
Shen Qingqing had to mention it. "Director Liu is ruthless. If he discovers your intentions, he might do something to harm you."
"It doesn't matter." Mrs. Zhao looked at her daughter's tender face in her arms and smiled gently. "As long as Yuanyuan is well, and I can clear my sins, nothing else matters."
Yuanyuan sensed something and said, "Mom..."
"Good child."
Mrs. Zhao held her tightly.
Shen Qingqing suddenly turned her head and said coldly, "Forget it, you don't need to do this."
Although Mrs. Zhao was detestable, her child was innocent. If she lost her mother... the impact on this child would be lifelong and irremovable.
But Mrs. Zhao said, "No, I want to go!"
"Are you crazy?"
"I must go!" Mrs. Zhao did this not only to atone for her sins. "Miss Shen, it's also out of gratitude. You helped me apply for the relief funds, saving my daughter. You are my benefactor, and you can overlook what I've done. I want to do something for you too."
"But..."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Shen Qingqing looked at her, slightly stunned.
When they first met, she noticed Mrs. Zhao's very gentle nature, so gentle that she had no sharp edges. But these two incidents had greatly changed her impression of Mrs. Zhao.
This woman truly embodied the phrase "a mother's strength."
"Alright, I'll trust you this once."
With these words, Mrs. Zhao showed a gentle yet determined smile. "Okay, don't worry, I definitely won't disappoint you!"
Before she left, Shen Qingqing gave Mrs. Zhao time to speak with Yuanyuan.
However, before leaving, she turned back and asked, "Director Li gave you a lot of poison, right?"
Mrs. Zhao slightly froze and said, "Yes. He said all of it was used, enough to be fatal."
"But you didn't use all of it."
Shen Qingqing looked at her and smiled slightly before turning and leaving.
Mrs. Zhao lowered her head and sighed softly. "In the end... I couldn't bring myself to do it."
That child was good-looking, and called her "Auntie" repeatedly. Especially since he played so happily with Yuanyuan, she could see that he took good care of Yuanyuan.
Yuanyuan also liked him a lot.
She ultimately couldn't go through with it.
Mrs. Zhao met Director Liu. Director Liu sat behind his desk and smiled. "Did it work?"
Mrs. Zhao nodded. "Yes. Can you give me the money now?"
"What's the hurry!"
Director Liu stood up unhurriedly. "I need to see the results with my own eyes."
"But..."
Mrs. Zhao clenched her hands tightly. "But my child can't wait."
Director Liu glanced at her upon hearing this, then suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Why are you in such a hurry? Didn't we agree that you'd get paid after it was done? As for your daughter, I've already spoken to the hospital administration. What are you rushing for?"
Mrs. Zhao flinched. "I'm just worried about my child..."
"Did you really succeed?"
Director Liu suddenly asked.