Chapter 7: "What a Fine Son-in-Law"

The woman with the permed instant noodle hairstyle was Shen Qing, Qiu Ya’s aunt by marriage. Behind her stood Yun Jiannan, Qiu Ya’s biological uncle, a man whose face bore the look of a devoted husband, with his wife always at the center of his world.

After He Lingfeng hurried into the operating room, the corridor was once again engulfed in silence and anxious waiting.

Shen Qing, that middle-aged woman adorned in designer labels and radiating an air of arrogance, turned her gaze toward Wen Wan’er, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.

“Oh, Wen Wan’er, why haven’t you left yet? We’re family after all. Would you really refuse to sign for the surgery?” Her words dripped with provocation and disdain.

Wen Wan’er’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes calm yet resolute as they met Shen Qing’s.

She did not reply immediately but instead gave Shen Qing a thorough once-over, a flicker of barely perceptible sarcasm passing through her gaze.

“Aunt,” she said with a cold snort, her tone thick with irony, “your outfit is certainly festive. An outsider might mistake you for attending a celebration.”

Her eyes lingered momentarily on Shen Qing’s flashy attire.

At this, Shen Qing’s expression soured. She glanced down at her clothes but quickly regained her haughty demeanor and complained, “This was just temporary. I was supposed to attend a banquet today, but who could have expected this sudden incident with Qiu Ya? It’s really thrown off my plans.”

Listening to Shen Qing, Wen Wan’er’s anger began to rise steadily within her.

Suppressing her growing resentment and rage, her voice turned icy. “If it weren’t for Qiu Ya, you two would still be butchering pigs in that little county town. If anything happens to Qiu Ya, your good times will be over.”

Shen Qing sneered with a blend of contempt and irritation.

“But we still have our son-in-law He, don’t we? He’s our golden son-in-law. If anything were to happen to Qiu Ya, wouldn’t he take care of us?”

Wen Wan’er’s fury became impossible to contain.

She shot Shen Qing a fierce glare, shook her head, her eyes filled with disgust.

“Golden son-in-law? He’s nothing but a phoenix man. If it weren’t for Uncle Yun’s favor back then, he wouldn’t be where he is today. Everything you have comes from Uncle Yun, yet you betray your benefactor and treat outsiders like your sugar daddies.”

With that, she turned and walked to the nurse’s station, pulling out a business card from her bag. In a low voice, she said to the nurse, “Please inform me if there’s any change in the patient’s condition.”

The nurse took the card and nodded in understanding.

Having given her instructions, Wen Wan’er left the corridor without looking back, leaving Shen Qing’s stunned face behind.

Standing where she was, Shen Qing watched Wen Wan’er’s departing figure, her face flushed with anger.

Yun Jiannan quietly approached Shen Qing and lowered his voice, “Don’t take what she says seriously; after all, she’s just a child.” His words were meant to soothe and quell Shen Qing’s fury.

But before he could finish, Shen Qing suddenly turned and shot him a fierce glare, her eyes blazing with discontent and rage.

“Useless!” she muttered under her breath, her voice low but as cold and sharp as a blade.

Without another word, she strode purposefully toward the heavy iron door of the operating room.

At that moment, He Lingfeng emerged from inside, his face pale and his eyes hollow.

Seeing this, Shen Qing immediately hurried to meet him. “How’s the situation in the operating room?”

He Lingfeng shook his head, his voice grave. “The situation isn’t optimistic. It happened on the 27th floor. Although there was an inflatable archway below to cushion the impact, the doctors say it still doesn’t look good.”

He covered his face with his hand and wept, tears slipping through his fingers as he choked out, “I’m sorry, Aunt and Uncle. I didn’t take good care of Qiu Ya.”

Seeing He Lingfeng’s desolation, Shen Qing patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, you’re the general manager of the Yun Corporation. That fact won’t change. If Qiu Ya doesn’t make it through this, we will still support you.”

He Lingfeng stopped crying at once, asking eagerly, “Really?”

Shen Qing nodded firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “We already consider you the future heir of the Yun family. After all, Qiu Ya is just a girl. What great achievements can a girl have?” Her voice dropped to a whisper, yet the words still reached He Lingfeng’s ears clearly.

He wiped away his tears. “If Aunt thinks so highly of me, then I must be strong. I want to go outside and have a smoke.”

Without another word, he turned and left.

No one saw the sinister smile that crept onto his lips as he passed by.

His figure gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Shen Qing remained standing, gazing after He Lingfeng’s retreating back, a proud smile touching her lips. “Truly a good son-in-law.”