Chapter 15: Not to Force the Issue

Unable to withstand being looked at like that by Lou Yizhou, Song Yin was already on the verge of surrender.

“But I…” Song Yin was caught off guard and didn’t know how to explain herself. Pretending to be innocent in front of him was hardly a wise choice.

However, Lou Yizhou simply withdrew his hand and tucked the blanket around her. Looking down at her like that, the gentle curves of her figure were too obvious—vivid and enticing, accompanied by a faint, warm fragrance that he was finding hard to resist.

Seeing Song Yin’s surprise, he spoke softly, “I’m not unreasonable.”

With that, he stood up and turned on the light in the room.

The sudden bright light made Song Yin close her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, Lou Yizhou was standing a couple of steps away from the bed.

It was clear he really wouldn’t do anything more.

Song Yin breathed a sigh of relief and, seeing him stop, glanced sideways and asked, “Would you be willing to take on a part-time job? You’d just stay nearby these few days and cook a meal for Yueyue.”

So the young lady upstairs was named Yueyue.

But that wasn’t the main point.

Song Yin quickly added, “Sorry, I might not be able to do it. I…”

“You won’t lose out,” Lou Yizhou interrupted in a calm but authoritative tone, as usual.

“Of course, Third Master pays well enough. I really do have things to attend to—not just work, but personal matters too.” Song Yin was easily softened; firstly, she had already accepted payment from Lou Yizhou beyond what her labor deserved, and secondly, she was genuinely worried about the young lady upstairs, who was ill.

She said, “Third Master, I can come over in the evening to cook a meal. You’ve already paid enough; there’s no need to pay more.”

It was just for these few days; once the young lady recovered, her role would no longer be necessary.

“Deal.” Lou Yizhou surprisingly agreed with a somewhat amiable tone. “Yinyin, good night.”

He left the bedroom.

The rain outside continued to fall.

After everything that had happened, how could Song Yin possibly say good night?

She stared up at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, her whole being sinking into a quiet stillness.

The next morning, Aunt Wang came to call her.

She arrived a little earlier to give Song Yin time to have breakfast.

The breakfast on the dining table was overwhelming, far beyond Song Yin’s expectations.

“Xiao Song, did you sleep well last night?”

“Pretty well.” At least, before Lou Yizhou appeared, it was good.

“That’s good. I was worried you might feel uncomfortable.”

“No,” Song Yin replied simply, taking a few bites without seeing Lou Yizhou.

Aunt Wang said, “Third Master left early this morning. He’s a workaholic—who knows how he manages to have so much work all day long.”

Song Yin didn’t respond.

She really knew very little about Lou Yizhou.

“How is the young lady?”

Aunt Wang nodded, “She didn’t have a fever during the night and slept pretty well. She’s still sleeping now; I’ll check on her later.”

Song Yin murmured, “Third Master asked me to come over in the evening to cook a meal. Maybe you can ask the young lady if there’s anything she’d like to eat; I’ll do my best.”

“It’s really a bother for you. Xiao Song, leave me your phone number; if anything comes up, I’ll call you.”

“Okay.”

After just a couple of bites, Song Yin stopped eating. Aunt Wang called the driver to take her away.

Song Yin told her where to go, and on the way, she called Song Yulian, telling her to get ready so they could go to the hospital together.

Back home, Song Yulian was already waiting.

Seeing her, she asked, “Where were you last night? Why didn’t you come home all night?”

“You weren’t home either.”

“How could I be the same as you?”

“What’s the difference? I’m your daughter; isn’t it normal for me to do as I please?”

Song Yulian asked, “Did you take something this morning?”

Song Yin didn’t answer; she really didn’t want to argue with Song Yulian anymore.

She checked the things to bring and took a taxi to the hospital.

Song Yin had registered for an appointment with one of the country's top specialists, though it wasn’t really her who did the booking. Every time the slots opened, they were snapped up immediately. In the end, Song Yin had no choice but to get a scalper to secure an appointment.

While waiting outside for their turn, Song Yulian complained, “What’s so special about specialists? They’re all the same. Why bother with all this trouble? Just listen to the doctor and get admitted for surgery.”

“Mom, I don’t want to argue. Please stop. If you think what I’m doing is pointless, you can leave now.”

Song Yulian opened her mouth and said, “I’m just worried you’re being tricked; those scalper tickets aren’t cheap, right?”

Song Yin lowered her head, handling some messages.

She had taken the morning off but still had some work-related matters to attend to.

Before long, it was their turn.

Song Yin accompanied Song Yulian into the consultation room.

An elderly doctor sat inside, wearing a mask.

Song Yin explained Song Yulian’s condition and handed over all the medical reports.

Dr. Zhu looked them over and said surgery was necessary and couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Song Yin said she knew and had come hoping Dr. Zhu would be the surgeon.

Dr. Zhu asked his assistant, who said his surgery schedule was booked for six months ahead, with no room for additional patients.

Song Yin pleaded earnestly, and Dr. Zhu, unable to refuse, offered to recommend another doctor. Still, Song Yin begged sincerely.

Song Yulian tugged at her sleeve, saying, “Since Dr. Zhu is unavailable, let’s just follow his usual plan.”

Song Yin gave Song Yulian a look that shut her up immediately.

However, Dr. Zhu still didn’t agree in the end.

Song Yin had no choice but to leave.

She felt utterly defeated.

No background, no status, no connections—just her words alone, it was impossible to make this happen.

“Let’s just listen to Dr. Zhu,” Song Yulian said.

“Do you know how authoritative Dr. Zhu is? The five-year survival rate for surgeries he performs is very high. I’m trying to help you live longer—is that wrong?” Song Yin countered.

Song Yulian weakly replied, “Life and death are fate, wealth and honor are heaven’s will. Others have surgery too, it’s the same.”

“Why don’t you go back first? I need some time alone to calm down.” Unable to argue further, Song Yin found a place to sit.

Song Yulian had plans with Li Song today and, seeing the time, said, “I’m leaving now; you’re going to work soon.”

Song Yin didn’t respond.

Song Yulian glanced at her and left.

Song Yin looked at the consultation room door and decided to try once more. She planned to wait until noon when the doctors took a break and then plead with Dr. Zhu again—maybe he would agree.

“Song Yin!” There were hardly any people left in the corridor, and Song Yin was still staring at the door when someone suddenly called her name.

She turned her head, and a person came at her fiercely, cursing, “You little bitch, finally found you!”