Back To The 80s-Chapter 23: Acting_1
Shen Heng didn’t take Gu Xiaobei to the military hospital but to T City People’s Hospital. The entire way, Gu Xiaobei ignored Shen Heng, still angry about the last time at the E Restaurant when Shen Heng pretended not to know her. She found him a petty man.
Shen Heng watched as Gu Xiaobei stared out the car window, her demeanor proclaiming ’no strangers allowed’. He couldn’t help but smile wryly, then asked, "Should I notify your family today or tomorrow?"
After some thought, Gu Xiaobei said, "Today would be fine." It didn’t matter whether it was earlier or later.
After Shen Heng had completed the paperwork for Gu Xiaobei’s hospitalization, he asked the hospital to call Gu Xiaodong’s home.
Chen Qiumei and Gu Xiaodong arrived at the hospital shortly after receiving the call. When Chen Qiumei saw Gu Xiaobei laying in the hospital bed, she started to cry. "You, a headstrong girl, vanished for three to four days, and now you land yourself in the hospital only to call us today?"
While lying in bed, Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. Her stepmother’s immediate crying implied that they hadn’t even looked for her since she left. Before Gu Xiaobei could respond, Chen Qiumei had already grabbed her hand and asked, "What’s wrong with your body?"
"Mom, I lost my baby," Gu Xiaobei said, genuinely heartbroken, especially after the dream she had while unconscious for three days.
"What? How did you lose the baby?" Chen Qiumei exclaimed in surprise. However, Gu Xiaobei still noticed the visible sigh of relief from her and Gu Xiaodong, who was standing aside.
Gu Xiaobei was sure now. Her stepmother and stepbrother had been anxiously awaiting the loss of her unborn child. A chill ran down her spine.
Gu Xiaodong stepped forward to console her, "Why didn’t you call us sooner when you lost the baby? Do you know how worried Mom and I were?" He then asked, "Why didn’t Lu Zhanguo come with you?"
"How would I know where he is right now?" Gu Xiaobei grumbled softly.
"I never approved of this Lu Zhanguo. You’re in such trouble, and he’s nowhere to be found. It’s all because your father didn’t think things through." Chen Qiumei never liked Lu Zhanguo and took every opportunity to bad mouth him.
"Mom, how can you say that? No matter how bad Lu Zhanguo is, he’s still Xiaobei’s husband. Do you want them to divorce?" Gu Xiaodong advised from the side. But to Gu Xiaobei, it sounded like a deliberate attempt to instigate trouble.
Observing the pair before her, Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but wonder if their ultimate goal was to push her into divorce.
Chen Qiumei didn’t say anything distasteful after that. She just held Gu Xiaobei’s hand and asked her what she wanted to eat. Gu Xiaobei, albeit discontent, answered her questions obediently.
"We’ll ask the doctor later if you can be discharged. Once you’re discharged, you’ll stay at your brother’s house. You should have a good confinement period," Chen Qiumei told Gu Xiaobei, while looking at Gu Xiaodong.
"Sure, let her stay at home," Gu Xiaodong casually agreed, although visibly uncomfortable. When he convinced Liu Mei to return home, she specifically stated that she would not allow Gu Xiaobei to visit. If they wanted to meet Gu Xiaobei, it had to be outside their home. He agreed to it then. And now, barely two days after that statement, he had brought his younger sister home. He had no clue how Liu Mei would react to this.
After staying a while, Gu Xiaodong left to placate Liu Mei before he brought Gu Xiaobei home. This constant commotion had also upset his father-in-law. How could anyone in their right mind trust someone unable to manage family relationships with any significant responsibility?
After Gu Xiaodong had left, Chen Qiumei served Gu Xiaobei hospital food. She watched as Gu Xiaobei finished her meal and washed up. She sat by the bed, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
In the end, she decided to speak her mind, "Xiaobei, everything your brother does is for your good."
"What has my brother done? I don’t remember anything that has benefitted me," Gu Xiaobei truly couldn’t understand how hurting Lu Zhanguo was of any benefit to her.
Chen Qiumei opened her mouth to say something, but quickly changed the topic, "When we go back to your brother’s house and meet your sister-in-law, try to tone down your hostility and humble yourself."
"Mom, hasn’t Liu Mei fallen out of your favor too? Why are you now asking me to humble myself?" Gu Xiaobei was surprised at how quickly Chen Qiumei’s attitude had changed.
"Your brother is up for a promotion soon. His family relationship will be part of the review process. Moreover, Liu Mei’s father now disapproves of your brother," Chen Qiumei explained.
Gu Xiaobei huffed silently, suspecting that Chen Qiumei was probably playing the role of an obedient husband because Liu Mei’s father had expressed his dissent.
"Alright, I get it. As long as she doesn’t provoke me, I won’t go out of my way to antagonize her," Gu Xiaobei said.
"Don’t worry, Liu Mei has her new company to manage. She’s so busy that we hardly see each other." Chen Qiumei snorted. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
"Starting a company requires a lot of money. My brother must be really wealthy to allow her to venture into business. I hope he doesn’t go bankrupt." Gu Xiaobei asked innocently.
Chen Qiumei assumed that Gu Xiaobei was mocking Liu Mei and chuckled, "Isn’t that the truth? But I heard she’s partnered with a boss from the south. She doesn’t have to put in money. All Liu Mei has to do is facilitate T city’s relationships."
Gu Xiaobei silently mused; What connections could Liu Mei possibly have? All she had was a father who was a deputy commander at the military area command, to whom local officials gave a little face.
Chen Qiumei continued on with another shocking revelation, "As a matter of fact, I suspect that your brother is seeing someone. If Liu Mei finds out, she will create a ruckus."
Go Xiaobei, intrigued by gossip, asked eagerly, "Really? How did you find out? My brother’s marriage was arranged by the military. If he were found engaging in inappropriate behavior, his career prospects would be over."
"Who are you telling? Once, I needed some fabric and went to the city’s department store. I saw your brother talking intimately with a woman outside the utilities bureau residential complex across the street." Chen Qiumei revealed in a hushed voice.
Gu Xiaobei held her forehead in disbelief. So, talking to someone at the entrance of a residential complex meant having an affair? Chen Qiumei’s imagination was astoundingly vivid.
By the afternoon, Gu Xiaodong had arrived to discharge Gu Xiaobei from the hospital. They returned home, where Liu Mei was present. She looked at Gu Xiaobei and coolly said, "You’re back," before falling silent and settling on the couch.
With a stern face, Chen Qiumei helped Gu Xiaobei to her bedroom. After closing the door, she spat towards it angrily, "What a disgrace! If it weren’t for her father, I’d have convinced your brother to divorce her already."
Gu Xiaobei, watching Chen Qiumei’s display of snobbery, didn’t bother to substitute a single word. She climbed into bed and closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
After covering Gu Xiaobei with a blanket, Chen Qiumei said, "You should rest. I’ll go make some chicken soup."
Gu Xiaobei didn’t open her eyes; she simply hummed a response. When Chen Qiumei exited the bedroom, she found that Liu Mei had already left, and only Gu Xiaodong was there in the living room. She immediately complained, "Look at how your wife behaves! Leaving as soon as she finishes eating, only to return right at mealtime. Does she consider me her nanny? I’m telling you, once Xiaobei’s fine, I’ll head back to H city. I’d rather not see her and get worked up."
"Mom, can you stop complaining? Liu Mei running a company is a good thing. You need not worry about it. Hurry and prepare Xiaobei’s food." Gu Xiaodong replied annoyedly.
"I don’t care, and if I continue to not care, the Gu family will face extinction. You figure out how to handle it." With these angry words, she walked into the kitchen.
