"Zhou Qishen is a real scoundrel."
After the insults, the two fell silent and sighed simultaneously: "Xiao Xi is truly stronger than anyone else."
Secretary Xu found the most professional medical staff, two of them. That basically left no room for anyone else. But Gu Heping and Lao Cheng stayed by their side, constantly asking the doctor about the specific situation; their genuine concern was even closer than that of family.
As a precaution after the surgery, Zhou Qishen was placed in the ICU for observation overnight. Seeing that he was still unconscious, Lao Cheng couldn't help but ask the doctor.
"Shouldn't they usually wake up from anesthesia before being taken out of the operating room? Why is he still asleep?"
"The patient has already woken up once in the operating room. The medication is probably still working. Don't worry, things will get better tomorrow."
So, Gu Heping, ever the smooth talker, didn't even spare the unconscious patient, and kept nagging Zhou Qishen like a tortoise chanting sutras: "Don't wake up, your wife and your own son have both run away. Xiao Zhao found a young, handsome guy, a basketball player, 1.9 meters tall, so dashing and strong."
To be honest, this kind of stimulation really brought Zhou Qishen to his senses.
He opened his eyes, just like that, very suddenly, and then the monitor alarmed; his heart rate was too high again.
Old Cheng chuckled and exclaimed, "Amazing!"
Gu Heping smiled and leaned closer, saying, "You're awake. That's good. Now that you're awake, your son and daughter-in-law are still yours."
Zhou Qishen was very weak, with a bandage wrapped around his forehead and an oxygen tube in his nose. He touched his thin lips slightly and asked in a hoarse voice, "Where's Xiaoxi?"
Secretary Xu hurriedly went to call the doctor, and Lao Cheng comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll take care of her. I've arranged for her to rest so she won't worry."
Zhou Qishen's expression clearly showed that he was still worried, but he was weak after the surgery and it was a real struggle for him to even speak a single sentence. Old Cheng knew his concerns and told him with a smile, "You heard me right, Brother Zhou, congratulations, you're going to be a father."
The monitor beeped and screamed. Gu Heping chuckled, "Shut up already. The surgery went smoothly. Don't laugh yourself to death; that would be truly bizarre."
Later, the doctor came in to examine him and gave him an extra dose of medication. Zhou Qishen then drifted off to sleep again. After everything was settled here, Old Cheng brought Zhao Xiyin to see him.
They kept her out of the ward through the glass.
"Don't worry, Xiao west, Brother Zhou will be safe and sound every year," Old Cheng said.
Zhao Xiyin gazed quietly at the person inside, shrouded in the white sheets. His eyes were closed, his sleeping face still handsome. He didn't seem like a patient; it was as if he had simply been exhausted for half his life and was finally able to rest.
Zhao Xiyin's unusually calm demeanor puzzled Lao Cheng, who glanced at her several times, unable to discern her thoughts.
"Little sister, are you unhappy?"
Zhao Xiyin tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Zhou Qishen. "There's really no such thing as being happy or unhappy. No matter what the outcome, I want this person." She lowered her head and smiled to herself.
That smile made Old Cheng understand.
Zhao Xiyin understood that whether the man was dead or crippled, she could accept it and face it.
This is a kind of self-convincing composure, and a surrender to emotions.
Zhou Qishen was transferred to a regular ward the next day, but due to the medication, he slept more and woke up less. Every time he woke up, he looked for Zhao Xiyin. But the nurse told him that Mrs. Tang always came in the morning, stayed for ten minutes, and left. Today, she didn't even come.
Zhao Xiyin's mood had been like a rollercoaster these past few days, filled with worry and distress. Feeling unwell, she didn't force herself to stay awake and went home for a good night's sleep.
Teacher Zhao was unaware of these things and continued to go to get off work as usual every day. Last night, she was excitedly preparing braised pork. However, Zhao Xiyin, still half asleep, had just woken up when she smelled the aroma of meat wafting from the kitchen. Unable to hold it in, she suddenly vomited.
Teacher Zhao thought she had a cold and even went to find some cold medicine for her to take. Zhao Xiyin didn't hide it and naturally said, "Dad, I'm fine, it's just that I'm pregnant."
Zhao Wenchun seemed to have lost his soul, and didn't come back to his senses for a long time.
Zhao Xiyin clutched her chest, frowned, and felt nauseous again.
As soon as I got to the bathroom, I heard a loud crash, the sound of the rice cooker falling to the ground in a panic.
Actually, in the days since Zhou Qishen's incident, another major event has occurred outside.
On the day Zhao Xiyin signed the contract with Su Ying, she spontaneously performed an entire segment of "Rainbow Clouds Flying to the Moon" at the arts center. There was no makeup, no formal costume, and no other dancers to accompany her. She danced entirely on her own whim.
This scene was recorded by Su Ying's assistant, who then casually posted it to her personal Weibo account.
Although the assistant was somewhat of an industry insider, she wasn't responsible for publicity, so her Weibo account was just a regular one, mainly used for reposting short jokes and photos. Unexpectedly, Zhao Xiyin's video attracted widespread attention, with reposts quickly jumping from dozens to hundreds, and then spiraling out of control, exceeding ten thousand in just a few days.
"So beautiful! Her figure, her poise, her movements are absolutely amazing!"
"I died when she laughed."
"Wow, this girl is so pretty! Those are legs like goddesses! As a woman myself, I feel like killing myself."
"She danced to 'The Moonlit Clouds,' a stage play by Su Ying that is only performed in Beijing. The tickets are incredibly good value, so please be sure to go see it live!"
"She's from the Beijing Dance Academy, my senior. She also participated in the filming of 'Nine Thoughts,' so please pay attention to her!"
"Just a casual observer; this is a common tactic used by those who start out in the marketing world, confirmed :)"
Zhao Xiyin truly became famous.
Following closely behind were numerous media platforms contacting Su Ying, offering all sorts of invitations: variety shows, live streams, interviews, photo shoots. Opportunities came like a kaleidoscope, colorful and dazzling, appearing unexpectedly.
Su Ying is a very principled person and refused everything.
She only signed a regular employment contract with Zhao Xiyin, and would never overstep her bounds or make decisions on her own. She also didn't use the opportunity to promote her own drama, "The Moonlit Clouds." Her team's publicity efforts were eager to launch, but Su Ying blocked them all.
She said, "People should respect each other. You may gain temporary benefits, but you will lose people's hearts forever."
Su Ying's assistant told Zhao Xiyin all of this when she came to the art center today. The assistant also apologized to her, "I'm sorry, Xiyin, I uploaded the video online without your permission, but I really didn't mean to."
Zhao Xiyin smiled and said, "It's alright."
At the same time, he felt extremely melancholy, realizing that he had truly let Su Ying down.