The Beta Wife Claimed by Competing Alphas - Chapter 17

“I’m sorry, I’m really troubling you,” Mu Yan said with his head lowered. Because he lacked any confidence, his voice was very low and soft. “I can pay for this one time. Could you please let my mother have today’s albumin infusion first?”

“Sir, I can’t make that decision. These are hospital regulations,” the nurse said awkwardly.

“I know, I know.” Mu Yan felt a sourness in his eyes, but he absolutely could not cry right now.

“I know I’m bothering you. I know you’ve already helped our family so much. I’ll work hard to pay back the arrears next week, but could you please make an exception just for today?”

The nurse shook her head, indicating she was truly powerless to help.

Mu Yan was not a thick-skinned person, and he knew he was asking for the impossible. But when anyone encountered such a situation, things like dignity and principles seemed much less important.

“Xiao Wu, take Mr. Mu’s mother for the infusion first.”

A calm voice rang out. Mu Yan turned and saw Director Liu, his mother’s attending physician.

Director Liu was over fifty and was a stern, humorless man. Mu Yan was actually quite afraid of him. In the beginning, he had tried to give Director Liu fruit and cigarettes, but the man had rejected them harshly every time.

“Thank you, Director Liu! Thank you, Director Liu!” Mu Yan couldn’t help but choke up, nearly unable to speak, repeating his thanks over and over.

Director Liu shook his head. “There’s nothing to thank me for. Hurry up and take your mother.”

“But Director, how do we handle this? We can’t even print out the order for Ms. Mu Juanhua,” the nurse hesitated.

“A life is at stake, and Mr. Mu has paid a fee. The order doesn’t necessarily have to have Ms. Mu’s name on it.”

The nurse seemed to understand something but still had doubts. “But the patient in the next bed only gets it once a week too. If anyone checks.”

Mu Yan said urgently, “If anyone checks, say it’s mine.”

“As long as no one’s interests are harmed, no one will investigate us,” Director Liu said with a frown. “I believe Ms. Mu’s relatives will make up that 150,000 yuan.”

In an instant, the nurse realized what was happening. She grabbed Mu Yan’s arm and led him out.

“Mr. Mu, please make sure not to tell anyone about this.”

Mu Yan nodded repeatedly.

When he returned to his mother’s ward, she had already packed up the meal boxes and washed the thermos in the bathroom. Mu Yan asked with a hint of reproach why she hadn’t waited for him. His mother smiled and said it was just a small task; she wasn’t incapable of working.

After the albumin infusion was finished, Mu Yan stayed with his mother for a while longer.

“Xiao Yan, you look good in this outfit today. It’s lively, like a university student.”

Mu Yan smiled. “Mom, it hasn’t even been two years since I graduated. I’m only a year older than a student.”

Mu Juanhua looked at him. “Yes. If I hadn’t dragged you down, you would still be studying now. Many of those with grades worse than yours are already working on their master’s or doctorates.”

Mu Yan said softly, “Don’t talk about dragging me down. If it weren’t for you, Mom, I probably would have dropped out in middle school. And Mom, you have to take exams for master’s and doctorates too. I just had a stroke of luck during the college entrance exam. I couldn’t be that lucky every time. I might not have passed anyway.”

Mu Juanhua didn’t speak, her eyes turning a bit red.

“You would have passed. Your grades have been good since you were a child.”

“They weren’t as good as you say.” Mu Yan lowered his eyes, not daring to meet his mother’s gaze.

His mother was right; he had lied.

To keep his scholarship, his grades had always been in the top three of the entire department. He had frequently participated in various competitions. How could he not have been eligible for post-graduate recommendation?

Furthermore, he had always been part of Professor Zhang’s research group. Even if he hadn’t been recommended, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to pass the entrance exam for his own school’s graduate program.

Professor Zhang liked him very much and had said that even if Mu Yan didn’t like his research direction and wanted to join a group abroad, he would help write a recommendation letter.

But Mu Yan didn’t want to keep studying.

He didn’t feel he had sacrificed anything. He didn’t enjoy doing scientific research. Compared to soaking in a lab reading papers every day, he wanted to get out early and find a high-paying job that could ease the pressure on his brother.

Mu Yan’s major valued personal technical skill over academic credentials. Working for three years wouldn’t necessarily teach him less than three years of graduate school. As for a doctorate, that was something he had never even considered.

To others, a campus was an ivory tower, a greenhouse where one didn’t have to interact with society. That wasn’t the case for Mu Yan. Studying meant he couldn’t earn money; it meant his brother would have to continue bearing the burden of their mother’s monthly costs, at least 3,000 yuan, alone.

Professor Zhang had urged him, “If you keep studying, you might be able to earn more money later.”

Yes, Professor Zhang certainly wouldn’t lie to him, but could his mother really wait for “later”?

For twenty years, Mu Yan felt like he was scurrying like an ant on a hot pan every day for the sake of money.

But did he really care about money that much?

Actually, no.

If he could live like a normal person, not worrying about having enough to eat, not worrying about being kicked out by a landlord, not worrying about his mother’s illness, Mu Yan could also treat money like dirt, just like a “white lotus” Omega in an idol drama.

Leaving his mother’s ward, Mu Yan slumped onto a cold iron chair on the first floor of the hospital.

A mechanical female voice coldly called out numbers. The large screen displayed the gender and names of patients. The screen outside the infusion room on the third floor was likely continuing to call out numbers as well.

This sound had practically worn calluses into Mu Yan’s ears.

The phone screen showed the contact “Lin Yi,” but he couldn’t bring himself to press the call button.

The password for that bank card. Only his brother knew it.

Mu Yan believed his brother wouldn’t do such a thing. However, if the password Lin Yi set was related to his or his mother’s birthday, ID number, or phone number, then if someone was determined to keep visiting different bank branches to try the password. It could definitely be guessed.

The total debt of 150,000 yuan was like a heavy blow that left him dizzy.

How was he going to talk to his brother?

Suddenly, the phone screen flashed. His brother Lin Yi’s name appeared on the caller ID. Mu Yan took a deep breath, forcing his tone to sound calm as he answered.

“Xiao Yan, did you take Mom for her infusion today?”

“Brother,” Mu Yan’s voice trembled slightly. “I.”

“Do you know about the card? Don’t worry,” Lin Yi’s voice was very gentle on the other end. “It can be arranged. I spoke to Dr. Liu last week; I forgot to tell you he would help. Go find him for assistance.”

“Brother,” Mu Yan asked softly. “Did you. Know the password was lost a long time ago?”

The linked phone had always been Lin Yi’s.

That time at the “Liuguang” club, he thought Lin Yi was desperately taking on business because of the gambling debts Lin Guojun owed. Because of that, he had even helped Xiang Zhuo say some harsh things to Lin Yi.

He had scolded Lin Yi for being foolish, for knowing exactly what kind of person Lin Guojun was and yet still doing so much for him.

Lin Yi hadn’t said anything; he just listened quietly. At the end, he stroked Mu Yan’s head and said Xiao Yan was right, that he had noted it and wouldn’t make the mistake again.

“The hospital told me last week. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d worry. I intended to tell you today that I was taking Mom to dialysis, but Jiajia had a bit of a fever, and I got busy and forgot.”

“I set the password; it’s my responsibility that Dad guessed it. I’ll find a way to solve it. I’ll make up the money before next week’s infusion. Don’t worry, Xiao Yan.”

Lin Yi’s tone was so calm and matter-of-fact that it almost made one forget that 150,000 yuan was not a small sum they could dispose of at will.

“Brother, where did you get the money?”

The other end was silent for a moment. Lin Yi seemed blocked by the question, responding only after a few seconds with some difficulty. “I’ve been working for so many years; I can still find a way for this amount of money.”

Mu Yan keenly sensed Lin Yi’s evasiveness and immediately became uneasy.

He was familiar with his brother’s personality. Lin Yi was always steady and rational; he wouldn’t easily make a decision beyond his capabilities.

“Where did you get the money?” Mu Yan repeated the question.

“You can’t go to ‘Liuguang’ with clients anymore, Brother. They’re just making fun of you. That’s how rich people are. If you go to those places with them, they won’t just agree to sign a contract. Their next step will only be to push for more.”

“Xiao Yan, why do you think of me that way?” Lin Yi asked in return.

Lin Yi’s response left Mu Yan at a loss. A wave of guilt suddenly rose in his heart. His lips moved slightly, not knowing what to say to make amends.

But Mu Yan knew the situation in Lin Yi’s home better than anyone. Lin Yi’s base salary wasn’t high, and Xiang Zhuo had a fixed salary. Every month, after deducting the mortgage, their mother’s hospitalization and dialysis costs, and daily expenses, there was almost no money left.

“Sorry, Brother. I didn’t mean to think of you that way. I was just afraid you’d think the person last time was an isolated case, because ‘Liuguang’ really isn’t a good place.”

Lin Yi said warmly, “I know you’re concerned about me. I’m your brother; how could I be angry at you for that?”

“But Brother,” Mu Yan didn’t know if Lin Yi was trying to change the subject, but he asked anyway. His voice was very low, his heart racing. “Where exactly did you get the money?”

“Enough, Xiao Yan. You don’t need to worry about me. I said I’ll handle it; just trust me. I’ve been working in society for so many years; I have friends I can borrow 150,000 from. Xiang Zhuo’s parents also have some savings.”

How could Mu Yan not overthink it? This money had come too quickly, so quickly it felt unreal.

He grit his teeth, a sudden, indescribable restlessness rising in his heart.

But since Lin Yi didn’t want to talk, he didn’t dare to keep pressing.

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