Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 18

When Liang Qi received the call, she was in her study doing her homework.

She never expected Jiang Yuan would call her, much less expected her to ask for a favor.

A leave of absence?

Why so sudden?

She couldn’t help but recall the events of the day; starting from that phone call in the afternoon, Jiang Yuan had been preoccupied, and they had barely spoken on the walk home.

Could it all be related to that call?

Liang Qi put down her pen and said into the phone, “Okay.”

After a pause, she added, “Did something happen?”

Silence followed on the other end of the line.

Liang Qi waited quietly.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

“Mhm, my mother needs someone to look after her.”

Liang Qi was taken aback.

Xu Chengyu?

How could it…

She wanted to ask for more details, but Jiang Yuan spoke first: “I have things to attend to, so I won’t talk further. I’m hanging up now.”

The screen showed the call had ended, and Liang Qi completely lost her motivation to do homework.

Something significant had clearly happened at Jiang Yuan’s home; otherwise, she wouldn’t have sounded so hesitant.

Remembering that Jiang Yuan’s mother had passed away early in her previous life, Liang Qi couldn’t help but feel deeply worried for her.

No, she had to find out exactly what was going on.

So, she immediately started sending WeChat messages to Jiang Yuan.

Cookie Biscuit: What happened? Do you need my help?

Cookie Biscuit: If you don’t mind, you can talk to me. I promise not to tell anyone else.

Cookie Biscuit: Maybe I can find a way to help.

Cookie Biscuit: Yuanyuan, please reply when you have a moment, okay? I’m very worried about you.

Four consecutive messages went without a response.

Waiting like this wasn’t a solution. Furthermore, knowing Jiang Yuan’s personality, she would likely avoid troubling others and try to solve everything herself.

It seemed that if she wanted to get to the bottom of this, she would have to find another way.

But, what could she do?

She only had Jiang Yuan’s contact info. If she had known, she would have found a way to add Jiang Mu on WeChat; then she could have asked him. No one else in class would know about Jiang Yuan’s personal affairs. What should she do?

Liang Qi thought it over her best bet was probably Jiang Mu.

Perhaps… she could ask around to get Jiang Mu’s contact information?

With this thought, Liang Qi opened her contact list and looked for friends with wide social circles.

A few minutes later, through a few mutual acquaintances, she managed to get Jiang Mu’s WeChat business card.

The nickname was “Exceedingly Handsome”—an incredibly narcissistic name.

Liang Qi sent a friend request, and in less than a second, she received a notification that it had been accepted.

Exceedingly Handsome: ?

Cookie Biscuit: Hello, I’m Liang Qi.

Exceedingly Handsome: Oh, it’s you. Why’d you add me?

Cookie Biscuit: Your sister asked me to help her request leave. I feel like she’s not in a good state. Do you know what happened to her?

Exceedingly Handsome: My mom fainted in the kitchen today. We’re at the hospital.

Jiang Mu clearly didn’t see a need to hide it.

In his eyes, since Jiang Yuan was willing to walk home with Liang Qi, they must be very good friends. Moreover, after several interactions with Liang Qi, his impression of her was quite good. Since she was concerned, he might as well tell her.

Cookie Biscuit: Fainted? Is it serious?

Exceedingly Handsome: We don’t know yet. We’re waiting for the doctor.

Cookie Biscuit: Which hospital are you at? Can you tell me?

Exceedingly Handsome: Shengjiang First People’s Hospital.

Jiang Yuan and Jiang Mu waited for a full two hours before the lights of the emergency room finally went out.

The doctor pushed the door open and saw Jiang Yuan and Jiang Mu standing up. Closing the door to the ward, he spoke: “The patient hasn’t woken up yet, but she’s out of life-threatening danger. This was likely caused by overexertion. However, our examination found some cardiac issues. We suggest she stay in the hospital for observation for a period of time.”

“Cardiac issues? Is it serious?”

“We can’t be certain yet. We’ll know more after a period of observation.”

“How long… will she need to stay?”

“If there are no issues, she can be discharged in less than a week.”

“And the costs?”

“Oh, the costs will be around five to six thousand.”

After the doctor left, Jiang Mu called out to Jiang Yuan, “Sis… what should we do? Mom definitely won’t agree to stay if it costs five or six thousand.”

Jiang Yuan’s expression was grim. “I’ll find a way to borrow the money. Go ahead and handle the admission procedures later; I’m going home to grab some things we’ll need for the stay.”

“But even if we borrow it, we have to pay it back. Where will you get the money?”

“Sister Yan just recommended a part-time job to me. Just help me keep it from Mom. When she asks, tell her the money came from Dad’s side.”

Jiang Mu was stunned and immediately objected: “How can we do that? Sis, you’re in eleventh grade! If Mom finds out I helped you hide something like this, she’ll kill me!”

Jiang Yuan met his gaze, her tone solemn. “Do you want anything to happen to Mom?”

This question silenced Jiang Mu instantly.

“I…”

“If you don’t want anything to happen, then help me hide it.”

“But what if it affects your studies? Your grades are so good. Even if someone has to go, it should be me.” Jiang Mu was clearly still against the idea.

“No, you’re not even sixteen yet. Hiring you would be illegal,” Jiang Yuan rejected the possibility outright. “And if you go, Mom will definitely get suspicious. At least she’s used to me going to the library on weekends. As long as you’re willing to help, there’s a good chance she won’t find out.”

“Sis, but this…”

“Don’t say any more. It’s settled. Can’t you trust a job recommended by Sister Yan?”

With that, Jiang Mu reluctantly agreed and nodded. “Okay… fine.”

“When Mom wakes up, stay with her and keep her happy. Don’t let her get too anxious.”

“I know, Sis.”

“Then I’ll be heading back first.”

“Be careful on the road, Sis.”

“I will.”

Jiang Yuan pulled back the hospital curtain and hurried out of the emergency department. Unexpectedly, right at the main entrance, she ran into a familiar figure.

A young girl stood on the steps of the entrance, backlit by the lights. A slight smile graced her clean face, and her aura was bright and generous, adding a touch of warmth to the cold hospital air.

Jiang Yuan was slightly dazed and blurted out, “Liang Qi? What are you doing here?”

Liang Qi blinked, her tone as serious as if she were making a confession: “Because I was worried about you.”

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