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Chapter 635: Chapter 635: Awakening
Tong Yao recalled the dangerous scene of Zhang Lijuan’s first delivery and suggested: "Let’s have a medical check-up once Boyi wakes up!"
Before Zhang Lijuan could respond, Chen Jinlan said: "What a waste of money! In our time, we didn’t get check-ups while pregnant, we gave birth at home. Our kids came out healthy, plump and fit. Lijuan had a check-up early in her pregnancy, she can just go straight to the delivery room when it’s time. I tell you, the midwife who delivered my children was the best, she had decades of experience, way better than the doctors at the hospital."
Chen Jinlan’s thinking was conservative, typically feudal. She believed they had already spent a lot on Si Boyi’s hospital stay, and he now has to rest for a month before he can work again, so they needed to save anything they could.
Zhang Lijuan was aware of their difficult situation. She had just saved a small sum, and now it’s all spent on the hospital. There isn’t even enough money for her delivery, let alone for Boyi’s extended hospital stay.
They couldn’t contact Si Chen abroad. She didn’t know what was happening between Tong Yao and Si Chen, and felt awkward asking for more money, especially since Tong Yao has already covered many of the medical expenses.
Just as Zhang Lijuan was contemplating giving birth at home, Tong Yao spoke up. "Auntie, Lijuan’s first childbirth was quite scary. We can’t take that risk again. It’s safer to give birth in the hospital."
Chen Jinlan retorted, "The risks during the first childbirth was because she fell. This time she didn’t fall, so there’s nothing to worry about."
Tong Yao disagreed, "It’s better to give birth in the hospital. When Boyi wakes up, he wouldn’t agree to have Lijuan give birth at home. As for the fees for the check-up and the delivery, don’t worry about those, I can cover them."
Si Boyi and Zhang Lijuan are simple and honest, without ulterior motives. As they are now the closest people to Si Chen, Tong Yao felt obliged to help them for Si Chen’s sake.
Upon hearing Tong Yao’s offer, Chen Jinlan immediately cheered up. "Yaoyao, thank you so much. What would they do without you? It’s not that I don’t want her to give birth in the hospital. As her mother, of course I want what is best for her, but things at home are just too tough."
Tong Yao nodded and said, "Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll pay for the tests and delivery. I will also hire a nanny to take care of her during her confinement period."
Zhang Lijuan, moved, felt tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you so much, sister-in-law."
Tong Yao cautioned her, "Don’t cry now, or your eyes will swell again. Boyi will be heartbroken to see it."
Upon hearing that, Zhang Lijuan immediately stopped crying. Chen Jinlan, holding Tong Yao’s hand, couldn’t hold back her tears. "Yaoyao, you have such a kind heart. I will repay you in any way I can in the next life."
Tong Yao felt a bit embarrassed as she wasn’t fond of emotional scenes. To change the topic, she said: "Auntie, once the baby is born, we will need your help, especially while Lijuan is recovering and Boyi still being incapacitated."
Knowing that Tong Yao was referring to Zhang Lijuan’s first child, Chen Jinlan immediately assured her, "Don’t worry, I will take good care of the child."
As the three of them were talking, Gu Hongwei returned with breakfast. Seeing Chen Jinlan’s red-rimmed eyes, he said nothing and distributed the meal as if everything was normal.
"I bought steamed buns, fried dough sticks and soy milk, eat whatever you like!"
Chen Jinlan said, "This is not a simple meal! To have this kind of breakfast is a luxury."
With Si Boyi’s condition now stable, everyone was feeling better and enjoyed the breakfast that Gu Hongwei brought. Chen Jinlan’s appetite was particularly good and she ate six meat buns.
In those days, meat buns were quite large, about three times the size of modern ones. Tong Yao was not surprised considering Chen Jinlan’s health and growing up without a lot of good food. When living at home, it was a luxury to have meat buns once a year.
It was only in the past two years, since Zhang Lijuan married Si Boyi, that Chen Jinlan improved her living standards. Fortunately, she did not choose the wrong family for her daughter. Thankfully, her daughter did not adamantly go after Si Chen.
If her daughter had ended up with Si Chen, life would not have been this easy. Just like now, Si Chen is overseas, and without him, wouldn’t her daughter be just like a widow?
Tong Yao, being the only child of a wealthy family in the big city, had financial support from her parents, thus her life was more comfortable. They, however, were not that fortunate.
Right after they finished breakfast, Si Boyi slowly woke up. His body was strong, so he woke up earlier than the doctors had expected. Seeing him awake, Gu Hongwei went to fetch the doctor.
Si Boyi looked around the ward blankly, stopping as his eyes rested on Tong Yao. He opened his mouth to speak, but his throat and mouth were too dry to utter any words.
Zhang Lijuan rushed to explain, "Boyi, my sister-in-law came back last night after hearing about your accident."
Si Boyi’s eyelids fluttered, seemingly in acknowledgement. Tong Yao softly said, "Boyi, don’t rush to talk, we’ll get the doctor to check you out, then we will give you some water. Speak once your throat is soothed."
It was normal for his throat to be dry, having not had water for a long time and losing a lot of blood.
On hearing this, Si Boyi stopped trying to speak. His eyes moved towards Zhang Lijuan. Seeing her swollen eyelids, he felt a pang of sadness, which caused him to swallow hard.
Chen Jinlan stood to the side without a word. She felt it wasn’t her place to show off when her son-in-law was completely focused on her daughter.
The doctor soon arrived and after a thorough examination of Si Boyi, said, "You can now give him some water. His mental state is good, so you don’t need to worry too much. After resting for a few days he’ll be able to get out of bed. Young people recover fast."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief on hearing this. Si Boyi too seemed a bit more relaxed.
After the doctor left, Zhang Lijuan gave Si Boyi some water. Having drunk the water, he felt a bit better and rested for about half an hour before he could start talking.
Tong Yao said, "You’re still weak. Don’t talk too much. Rest a bit more."
Si Boyi was indeed weak after suffering severe injuries. Shortly after, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Not convinced, Zhang Lijuan tried to feel his breath on her finger. Chen Jinlan scolded her in a low voice.
Zhang Lijuan murmured, "I was just worried."
