Chapter 40: Discharge

Qiao An’s dark expression softened as she waited quietly for the old man to continue.

“Well, a few months ago, I had a physical. Unfortunately, I have lung cancer. I’m on the brink of death, so I’ll spill my guts to you.”

“An’an, I was blinded by greed a few years ago and felt that my son, Xiaoran, had become a poor doctor. I looked down on him. In order to punish him, I distributed all my assets to my other descendants, but he didn’t receive a single stitch of my inheritance.”

At this point, the old man sighed in disappointment. “But now, I understand many things. The descendants of the Li family are all fighting for fame and fortune. They don’t care about their bloodline and kinship and fight openly and secretly. Only Xiao Ran is the most honest and affectionate. However, his foundation in the Li family is not deep. If I leave, I’m afraid he will be devoured by these wolves and leopards of the Li family.

I’m thinking that before I die, I have to plan for Xiaoran. The Li family’s newly established company is actually my compensation to Xiaoran. If this company can’t be successfully listed, Xiaoran can only survive in the cracks for the rest of his life.”

“Qiao An, I hope you can empathize with an old father like me.”

Qiao An was dumbfounded.

If the old man had mentioned someone else, she would definitely not be moved. But it had to be Brother Xiaoran?

Li Xiaoran, who loved her?

The old man said, “Qiao An, I know that you’re a grateful child. Xiaoran saved your life. I think you’re willing to suffer for a year and a half to pave the way for the rest of his life, right? Just treat it as repaying Xiaoran’s kindness?”

Qiao An said, “Grandpa, I don’t think Dr… Dr. Li cares about these superficial benefits. You don’t have to plan something he doesn’t care about.”

The old man glanced at Qiao An with admiration in his eyes. “You’re his soulmate.”

The old man revealed an unknown secret. “An’an, the fights between wealthy families are never as peaceful as you see. Xiaoran’s biological mother died in an unknown car accident.”

“Xiaoran doesn’t want to provoke trouble, but that doesn’t mean that others won’t provoke him.”

Qiao An’s eyes widened in horror. She wasn’t stupid enough to analyze the powerful conspiracy behind the old man’s words.

Li Xiaoran’s biological mother was actually not Madam?

She had always thought that Li Xiaoran was the son of Old Master and Madam Li. It turned out that he was the son of an outsider.

If he was an outsider with no power, even if he was doted on by the Old Master, she might be persecuted by the Old Madam.

How could Li Xiaoran fight against his first wife’s family with his own strength?

It turned out that the fights between wealthy families were so dark.

Qiao An’s heart turned to ice.

The old man continued, “An’an, the economic foundation determines the superstructure. Xiaoran is not a child of an ordinary family. He is destined to not be able to live an ordinary life. As for me, I only want to pave the way for his safety.”

Qiao An agreed to the old man’s request.

“I promise you that I will divorce Li Zecheng after the company is listed.”

The old man was overjoyed.

“Qiao An, during this period of time, you and Zecheng will be in a loving relationship. Of course, Grandpa won’t mistreat you. How much do you want? Name a price. As long as it’s not too much, Grandpa will satisfy you.”

Qiao An refused Grandpa’s material reward. “I volunteered to help Dr. Li, Grandpa. No compensation is required.”

When Qiao An returned to the hospital, the first thing she did was enter the bathroom and wash away the traces of last night’s passion.

Fortunately, Li Zecheng had slept like a pig last night and did not notice anything strange about her body when he woke up. Otherwise, with his shrewdness, he would definitely have realized that the person she had sex with last night was not him.

After all, their lovemaking had never been so crazy.

Qiao An recalled the scene of Li Xiaoran kissing her last night with deep love, like the eruption of a sleeping volcano. It was so intense and gentle.

The tips of Jo Ann’s ears began to burn.

After her shower, she was uncharacteristically out of her hospital gown and into clean, private clothes.

After last night’s absurdity, Qiao An could no longer face Li Xiaoran calmly. So she decided to be discharged.

Not long after, Li Xiaoran came in for a ward round.

He caught a glimpse of Qiao An in a white dress, her long hair as black as ink, her skin as white as snow, sitting quietly on the bed.

Today, unexpectedly, Qiao An wore light nude makeup. It made her bright-eyed features more defined, and she was as beautiful as a porcelain doll.

Li Xiaoran was a little lost.

He liked Qiao An’s appearance in every way. However, he had missed such a wonderful Qiao An.

“Qiao An.” He walked over.

Qiao An looked at him. Her gaze wasn’t as simple and pure as it had been before. Instead, it held a mixture of love, melancholy, and loneliness.

“Doctor Li, I want to be discharged,” she said calmly.

Li Xiaoran’s mind wandered…

“Qiao An, will you really divorce Li Zecheng?” he asked.

Qiao An stared blankly at Li Xiaoran, his handsome and noble face filled with joy and longing.

But Qiao An disappointed him. She shook her head.

Li Xiaoran’s eyes dimmed.

He really couldn’t understand why Qiao An had been so quickly brainwashed by his grandfather and given up on the idea of a divorce after so indignantly and decisively asking for a divorce.

Like a big brother, Li Xiaoran guided her gently. “Qiao An, be brave. Li Zecheng doesn’t love you. An unhappy marriage will only kill you. If you leave him, you’ll only be in pain for a while. If you don’t leave, you’ll be in pain for the rest of your life.”

Qiao An saw the genuine worry and anxiety in his eyes. In the past, when she’d seen him like this, she’d thought it was his overflowing love as a doctor. Now she knew that the way he looked at her was unique.

Qiao An apologized to Li Xiaoran in her heart.

‘I’m sorry, Brother Xiaoran, for worrying you.’

Just a little longer.

However, she could not tell Li Xiaoran the reason why she did not want a divorce.

Qiao An muttered under her breath, “Dr. Li, haven’t you heard? Better ten temples than one marriage.”

Li Xiaoran slapped her head. “You’re hopeless.”

Li Xiaoran quickly wrote Qiao An’s discharge certificate and asked her, “Who will pick you up when you’re discharged?”

Qiao An was silent.

Li Xiaoran glanced at her feet and reprimanded, “Why? Are you preparing to walk home in a wheelchair?”

Qiao An was dumbfounded.

Already her legs could walk. She just couldn’t let him discover the secret.

Li Xiaoran snatched the discharge certificate back and put it in his bag. He said, “I’ll help you with the discharge procedures. After I get off work, I’ll drive you home.”

With that, Li Xiaoran turned around and left.

Qiao An looked at Li Xiaoran’s imposing back and his eyes turned red.

Brother Xiaoran…

If only she hadn’t mistaken someone else for him back then.

If only she had run away with him on their wedding day instead of mistaking him for a philanderer.

Li Xiaoran was very busy in the afternoon.

Bored, Qiao An took the time to visit Li Zecheng in the ward next door.

Looking at the bloody Li Zecheng gloatingly, Qiao An’s eyes bloomed with the joy of revenge.