Chapter 142: Assessing

Both sets of parents gazed at their children, who lay motionless and devoid of life, their hearts heavy with unbearable sorrow. Each blamed themselves—for failing to stay by their children’s sides, for being away for months at a time, for failing to fulfill the duties of a mother and father.

The nurse entered at that moment and said tactfully, "I apologize, but the patients require rest. You may return to attend to them in three days."

Knowing they could not linger, they reluctantly turned toward the door. Qin Shuhua, who had been in the room with Bai Fanhao, kept looking back as she walked, as did Shen Yali. Finally, Mu Yuncheng spoke up, "Let’s go. Xiaoxi will wake up."

Bai Liye added, "Come along, Shuhua. Let’s go pack our things now."

The four of them stepped out one by one. As they met each other’s gazes, their thoughts began to churn.

Bai Liye looked at the other couple, then fixed a fierce glare on Mu Qingxi’s hospital door. He thought to himself that it was only because his son had tried to save that girl that he had ended up in this condition.

Mu Yuncheng watched Bai Liye, silently wondering why that man’s son was always hovering around his Xiaoxi, causing his daughter to end up in such a state.

Qin Shuhua, meanwhile, cast a thoughtful, scrutinizing look at Shen Yali and then at the hospital door. She wondered who this girl could be, to have made her son risk his life to save her.

Shen Yali caught the malicious stare Bai Liye directed at her daughter’s room and noted the inquisitive gaze of Qin Shuhua. She thought to herself that their son, Bai Fanhao, was nothing but a source of trouble.

The four stood there, staring at one another, each harboring their own distinct thoughts and judgments.

Finally, Mu Yuncheng broke the silence, saying to Shen Yali, "There’s nothing left to see here. Let’s go."

Bai Liye pulled his gaze away and said to Qin Shuhua, "Indeed, there is nothing to see. Let us go as well."

Just then, Qin Yu arrived. Seeing the four of them emerging from the corridor, she stepped forward to offer her greetings. Although she had only met Shen Yali in person, she recognized Mu Yuncheng from photos Mu Qingxi had shown her. Having never met Bai Fanhao’s parents, she did not greet them, saying only, "Auntie Shen, Uncle Mu, hello. I’m here to visit Mumu."

She then turned to Bai Liye and Qin Shuhua and added, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie."

Shen Yali managed a weak, strained smile. "Qin Yu, you’re here. Xiaoxi cannot be visited just yet; you may see her in three days."

Concerned by this, Qin Yu asked, "Auntie, is Mumu’s condition very serious? She’ll be alright, won’t she? I’m so worried about her."

"Don’t worry, Qin Yu. Xiaoxi will be fine," Shen Yali replied gently, her voice thick with the nasal congestion of recent tears. "Why don’t you go home for now, and come back when family members are allowed to visit?"

"Alright, that’s a relief. Auntie, please take care of yourself. I’ll come to see Mumu in three days. Goodbye, Auntie, goodbye, Uncle."

Bai Liye and Qin Shuhua stood to the side, but since Qin Yu did not know them and they remained silent, she overlooked them entirely. This left Bai Liye feeling deeply annoyed; he had been standing there for so long, and she hadn’t even bothered to greet them!

Hearing Bai Liye let out a huff, Qin Shuhua knew he was being temperamental again. "The girl doesn’t even know who you are," she said. "Come on, you go take care of the paperwork, and I’ll go pack the things."

Xi Haifei had slipped away shortly after Mu Qingxi and Bai Fanhao were admitted. He was currently at the airport, waiting to pick up Zuo Jun. Disheveled and indifferent to everything around him, he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the airport exit.