Chapter 7

“I…” Jiang Bailu’s head felt foggy, and she couldn’t quite understand what Zhai You meant.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a fake marriage?

Why did she have to go home with her?

She was probably feverish enough to be stupid. Jiang Bailu’s brain simply crashed, leaving her frozen in place as she stared blankly at Zhai You with a pair of watery eyes.

Were all Omegas this delicate? Zhai You lowered her gaze toward her. She hadn’t even seriously gotten angry yet, and Jiang Bailu already looked so aggrieved, as though Zhai You had done something terrible to her.

Seriously.

It made her heart ache.

Zhai You lifted Jiang Bailu’s hair and tucked it behind her ear, revealing her delicate, beautiful face.

Only after staring for a long while did she finally look away. “Getting married is a pretty big deal. Aren’t you at least going to go through the motions of meeting my parents? Don’t worry, I won’t let them make things difficult for you.”

Zhai You’s throat moved as a sudden impulse stirred inside her.

She bit down on her index finger and turned her head to the other side, her [read the original at bailiantales.com]teeth leaving a mark behind.

If she didn’t do this, she felt like doing something to Jiang Bailu.

Like some kind of pervert.

Absolutely shameless.

Jiang Bailu seemed to understand. She nodded but avoided looking at Zhai You, completely missing the possessive look in Zhai You’s eyes. “I understand. I’ll go back with you later. But before that, I want to make sure my mother is properly taken care of.”

“Mm.” Zhai You lowered her hand and casually tried to slip it into her pocket, only to discover that the clothes she was wearing today didn’t actually have pockets.

The pockets on clothes from this brand were fake!

Zhai You cursed them inwardly while calmly placing her hands behind her back. “Go get your medicine first. Once you’ve taken it, then you can go see… Mom, cough. As for taking care of her, leave that to the nurses.”

You’re sick yourself. You’re a patient too. How are you supposed to take care of someone else?

Zhai You couldn’t exactly say that she would take care of her instead. For one thing, Zhai You had no experience taking care of anyone. For another, saying something like that right now would probably have the opposite effect and make Jiang Bailu distance herself emotionally.

So she could only vaguely dump the important responsibility onto the nurses.

Nurse sisters, you’re all angels.

Because Omegas had weaker immune systems and were more prone to illness, they received some priority when registering for treatment, so Jiang Bailu’s turn came quickly.

The doctor asked why she had gotten sick.

While asking, the doctor also cast a reproachful look at Zhai You. Seeing how exquisitely Zhai You was dressed while Jiang Bailu wore only light, simple makeup made the doctor even more dissatisfied with her.

What kind of Alpha had she found? Were Alphas really so scarce in this society that it had to be her?

Zhai You obviously could have avoided following Jiang Bailu in here and getting scolded, but she insisted on coming anyway.

That would have been one thing, but after being scolded a few times by the doctor, she actually seemed rather pleased. If Jiang Bailu hadn’t been so feverish that her brain was barely functioning, she probably would have backed away from Zhai You in horror.

There was definitely something wrong with this woman.

The doctor thought so too and almost wanted to suggest that Zhai You go have her brain examined.

“I was only taking care of my mother at her bedside,” Jiang Bailu explained. She had also figured out why she had gotten sick. She hadn’t rested properly, had stayed up late caring for her mother, and had caught a chill during the night.

During the day, instead of catching up on sleep, she had hurriedly sought out Zhai You so they could register their marriage.

So her getting sick really couldn’t be blamed on Zhai You.

Jiang Bailu had only meant to say a few words in Zhai You’s defense out of kindness.

No matter how awful this person might be, right was right and wrong was wrong. Jiang Bailu still had her own sense of fairness.

After hearing this, the doctor became even angrier. “You look rich enough. Couldn’t you hire a caregiver? Why insist on working her to the bone?”

That was exactly what Zhai You wanted!

She said delightedly, “You’re absolutely right! I’ll arrange for a caregiver right away. Doctor, do you happen to know any companies you can recommend?”

The doctor raised her brows and snapped, “You have to ask me even that?!”

“Got it. I’ll learn how to search Baidu right now.”

“No!” Jiang Bailu had been listening in a daze and only caught the part where Zhai You planned to hire a caregiver for her mother. She hurriedly stopped her. She couldn’t let Zhai You spend that money!

Zhai You had already given more than enough. Her mother’s medical bills were far beyond what an ordinary person could afford.

Zhai You hadn’t said a single unnecessary word before paying them, and Jiang Bailu was already deeply grateful.

How could she possibly let her spend even more?

Perhaps because she was too anxious, or because the fever had burned away some of Jiang Bailu’s rationality, she actually had the courage to snatch Zhai You’s phone right out of her hand.

Zhai You looked at her suddenly empty palm in confusion.

Only then did Jiang Bailu realize what she had done. Awkwardly holding the phone, she said, “You don’t need to hire a caregiver. I can take care of her. And you don’t have to…” be this nice.

How could she possibly use the word nice to describe Zhai You?

Jiang Bailu tilted her head slightly. Her mind was so muddled that all she could think was that she absolutely could not get sick again.

Her situation right now was far too passive.

A little frustrated, Jiang Bailu bit her lower lip and handed the phone back, emphasizing again and again, “You don’t need to hire a caregiver.”

“Okay.” Zhai You took back her phone and immediately called her assistant. “Quick, find a caregiver and send them to XX Hospital!”

She had been stupid just now. She didn’t know which company’s caregivers were trustworthy, but she could ask her assistant!

Regardless of how bewildered the assistant was after answering, Zhai You hung up immediately after giving the order, moving so quickly that Jiang Bailu didn’t even have time to react.

The doctor beside them also got to watch quite an entertaining show.

After thinking it over, the doctor realized that perhaps Zhai You wasn’t the one to blame after all. Jiang Bailu was the one whose way of thinking seemed problematic.

So the doctor began giving Jiang Bailu a lecture. “Since you two are together, don’t be afraid of troubling each other. She has the ability to help, so why wouldn’t you let her?”

Jiang Bailu wanted to explain, but Zhai You firmly grabbed her hand.

Thinking about the clauses written in their contract, along with the things Zhai You had said, Jiang Bailu closed her mouth.

They finally managed to finish the consultation smoothly, and the doctor directly handed the prescription slip to Zhai You and told her to go pick up the medicine.

Zhai You: “……”

I’ve never done this kind of thing in my life!

Wrinkling her nose, she took the prescription slip, preparing to give herself an entirely new life experience.

Jiang Bailu tried several times to speak, but her ability to think was deteriorating rapidly, and she simply couldn’t find anything to say.

She absolutely could not get sick again.

Absolutely. Absolutely!

Jiang Bailu swore inwardly. Fine, let Zhai You hire the caregiver. At worst, she could pay the money back later.

If she got sick again and became this stupid, who knew what things might develop into?

Jiang Bailu’s brain had practically turned into mush from the fever, yet she was still forcing herself to think everything through.

She simply wasn’t used to accepting kindness from others, especially when that person was Zhai You—the same Zhai You who had once said those things to her.

Zhai You arrived in the main lobby and—

Ha.

She couldn’t even figure out which counter she was supposed to go to. She looked like a complete idiot.

Jiang Bailu was actually familiar with this sort of thing, but there was no way Zhai You could bring herself to go back and ask her.

If she couldn’t even manage this level of care, then she was a useless Alpha.

Zhai You refused to admit that she was a useless Alpha. Even if she had to force herself through it, she was determined to get the job done. Holding the prescription slip, she finally gave up and prepared to ask someone.

A petite figure suddenly charged into the hospital like a whirlwind, her destination so precise it [unauthorized copy]was as though she had several extra pairs of eyes growing out of her head. She crashed directly into Zhai You’s arms.

It was the short, adorable girl from the private room last night.

Zhai You immediately raised her hands, demonstrating her innocence.

Then she realized that wouldn’t do. She hadn’t done anything, but the petite girl had taken advantage of her. She had to get even!

Zhai You pulled her away. “What are you doing here?”

The petite girl—whose name Zhai You still didn’t know—looked up, her pupils filled with worry. “Are you sick? Why do you need a caregiver? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Three questions in a row left Zhai You instinctively silent.

The original owner hadn’t done anything with her, right?

How was she supposed to react?

“How did you know?”

“Your assistant told me!” the petite girl shouted anxiously, even stomping her foot.

“……”

Zhai You didn’t dare act rashly.

She wasn’t the original owner. She had no idea what the original owner had done, but she was currently using the original owner’s identity.

“Since you’re already here…” After a while, Zhai You swept her gaze over the petite girl. “Go pick up this medicine for me.”

Petite girl: “……”

No, I actually came here just to make sure you remembered my face, curry favor with you, and make it easier to ask you for gifts later.

Why are you taking advantage of the situation and ordering me to go pick up your medicine?

Then she thought that Zhai You might be sick. Perhaps Zhai You was especially vulnerable at a time like this (?), and taking care of her might touch her heart (??).

So the petite girl accepted the prescription slip.

She still had no idea that Zhai You couldn’t even remember her name.

And willingly went to line up for the medicine.

With someone taking over the job, Zhai You nodded in satisfaction.

Then she pulled out her phone and sent her assistant a message:

“You’ll never know what you missed out on, but I hope you don’t ask, because if you do, you’ll only become sad and heartbroken.”

The assistant quickly replied with three question marks.

Then a flood of messages followed.

“What?”

“What is it exactlyyyyy?!”

“Tell me already! I’m dying of curiosity! Don’t tell me there’s some gossip I don’t know about!”

Seeing that she had successfully piqued the assistant’s curiosity, Zhai You gave a wicked smile and furiously tapped away at her phone screen.

“I originally thought asking you to find a caregiver was a hassle and planned to give you a bonus, but you actually leaked my whereabouts! Very good. You did very well! Now, not only have you lost your unexpected windfall, you’re also about to face the risk of having your salary deducted!”

“I suggest you behave yourself from now on!”

Just as Zhai You had said from the beginning, the assistant immediately became heartbroken, devastated, and hysterical.

Waiting for the petite girl to finish getting the medicine was a little boring.

Zhai You wanted to return to Jiang Bailu.

But if she went back now, wouldn’t she be returning empty-handed?

Then the petite girl would get all the credit!

No. She had to snatch the medicine from the petite girl and personally bring it back to Jiang Bailu.

She waited patiently for a while. The moment the petite girl returned with the medicine, Zhai You snatched it from her hand and even said, “That took a little long.”

Petite girl: “???”

Wasn’t she supposed to be moved?

Wasn’t she supposed to hug her and say, I’m so glad you’re here at a time like this?

She had done all this just so Zhai You could tell her she was slow?

“I’m going to see your sister-in-law now,” Zhai You said seriously.

Hopefully, this person would stop following her.

The petite girl…

Got angry.

When Zhai You walked back toward the hospital room carrying the medicine, unwillingness flashed through the petite girl’s eyes. She was absolutely determined to see who had stolen Zhai You away from her.

Jiang Bailu had been waiting in the hospital room for quite some time.

Her mother had already woken up and, when she saw her daughter, took her hand and talked to her for a long while.

She talked about things from Jiang Bailu’s childhood and about plans for the future. Her tone was so natural that it was as though she didn’t have life-threatening cancer at all, but merely some ordinary minor illness.

Her mother did this because she didn’t want her daughter to worry.

Her calloused hand touched Jiang Bailu’s hair. “You poor child. You’ve suffered so much.”

As she finished speaking, her eyes grew damp.

Her daughter had always been the most obedient child.

Even when she was little, whenever her mother came home from work, Jiang Bailu would sweetly call out “Mom” and take the groceries from her hands. Rice would already be cooking in the kitchen, just waiting for the dishes to be prepared.

Back then, Jiang Bailu had only been around ten years old, yet she could already do so many things.

She had never made her mother worry and always tried her best to handle everything thoughtfully.

Her mother blamed her own useless body for developing cancer at such a crucial point in her daughter’s life.

She didn’t intend to continue treatment. She knew cancer was a bottomless pit. No matter how much money you threw into it, you wouldn’t even see a ripple.

Watching Jiang Bailu run around everywhere trying to gather money for the medical bills made her heart ache as though it were being cut apart.

She did her best to talk about lighthearted things so Jiang Bailu would feel a little better.

But it seemed her obedient, sensible daughter was distracted.

A mother and daughter’s instinctive bond made her suddenly wary. She tightened her grip on Jiang Bailu’s hand. “You didn’t go and do something behind my back, did you? Silly child, it’s fine if I don’t treat this illness. Whatever you do, don’t do anything foolish.”

A trace of panic flashed through Jiang Bailu’s eyes. She wanted to explain, but she didn’t know where to begin.

Her mother’s grip was very tight. Jiang Bailu forced a troubled smile. “Mom, I didn’t do anything foolish. [read the original at bailiantales.com]You’ll get better very soon, and when you do, we’ll go visit Grandma’s grave together.”

“You… you!” Her mother’s hands trembled, and she couldn’t speak.

Tears poured down her face.

Jiang Bailu’s heart twisted painfully. Just as she stood up to wipe away her mother’s tears, Zhai You walked into the room.

Holding the medicine in her hand, Zhai You naturally handed it to Jiang Bailu. The two of them looked so familiar with each other that anyone would think they had known each other for a long time.

After doing that, Zhai You turned toward the woman lying in the hospital bed and gave her a sincere smile.

She glanced at the nameplate beside the bed.

Jiang Bailu’s mother was named Zhu Rong.

A pretty good name.

“Auntie Zhu, I’m your daughter’s friend. I came especially to visit you.”

The moment Zhu Rong saw Zhai You’s obviously expensive outfit and the natural presence she carried as an Alpha, she immediately understood.

She was certainly a very beautiful young woman.

But she was still a wolf trying to carry off her daughter.

Terrible.