Chapter 217: Old Flame

Zhang Yingdi glanced at Meng Xiaoya, nodded, and said, "I know. He was unwell before, couldn’t even get out of the wheelchair without someone visiting him; otherwise, he wouldn’t meet anyone. I’ve been caring for him for so many years and never saw you, so I know you haven’t been in contact for a long time."

Su Yaoguang mentally gave Zhang Yingdi a thumbs-up.

It turned out her aunt wasn’t a pushover either; she knew very well how to deal with women who appear innocent but have ulterior motives. Look, with these words, if she had any self-respect, she’d know not to come and cause trouble.

Meng Xiaoya’s eyes reddened, and she said aggrievedly, "I know Brother Huanzhi has had a hard time these years, but as a woman, many things are out of my control. Boohoo..."

Wang Huanzhi came out with Jiang Jing and saw Meng Xiaoya crying like a tearful, delicate flower. Zhang Yingdi’s face didn’t look good, so he asked, "What’s going on?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Meng Xiaoya exhibited a tense and uneasy demeanor.

Zhang Yingdi rolled her eyes, "She said you two haven’t been in touch for years, and I said I know, after all, I’ve cared for you for ten years and never saw her crying here. I don’t even know what she’s crying about. Our Taoyao Square is a place of business; crying is bad luck here. Please tell your old acquaintance to cry elsewhere and not cause us trouble here."

Wang Huanzhi looked at Meng Xiaoya, "Xiaoya, the child will be fine, you don’t need to be so anxious. This is Doctor Jiang, let her take a look at the child!"

Jiang Jing said to Meng Xiaoya, "Bring the child to the examination room inside."

"Brother Huanzhi, can you accompany me? I’m scared."

"I..." Wang Huanzhi glanced at Zhang Yingdi, then turned back saying, "Xiaoya, Doctor Jiang is also a woman, if you have anything, tell her directly. Among women, there’s nothing that can’t be shared. I’m essentially an outsider, so it’s not appropriate for me to keep asking about your family’s matters. If you lack silver, as a fellow townsman and neighbor, I will lend you some, and you can return it when you have the means."

"Brother Huanzhi, are you still blaming me?" Meng Xiaoya choked back tears.

"I’m not blaming you. Everyone has the right to choose happiness." Having said that, Wang Huanzhi chased after Zhang Yingdi. "Madam... let me carry what you need to move."

Meng Xiaoya watched Wang Huanzhi’s figure, her eyes full of unwillingness.

Wang Huanzhi’s health has improved well, and now he’s joined the provincial exam; soon he’ll be a scholar lord.

As for her, not to mention she’s just a widow now, even if she hadn’t been widowed, she’s been beaten all over without an unhurt spot by that man all these years.

She and Wang Huanzhi grew up together, their relationship was great before; if it weren’t for Wang Huanzhi’s health issue, it would’ve been her by his side now.

Since marrying that man, there’s not a day Meng Xiaoya hasn’t regretted it. The man spoke nicely before marrying her, but once married, his face changed completely.

Everyone knew about her engagement with Wang Huanzhi. Back then, everyone said they were a golden couple. The man she married also knew, and claimed he didn’t mind, but used it as a pretext to torment her after the marriage, making her life unbearably difficult.

Since fate has toyed with her, she should return to her rightful place now.

As for that woman, she doesn’t believe Brother Huanzhi truly likes her. When Brother Huanzhi liked her, he would meet her at every possible moment with enthusiasm and sincerity. In contrast, facing that woman, Brother Huanzhi seemed cool, as calm as stagnant water, merely going through the motions.

"Qiao’er, Qiao’er..." Jiang Jing called out to Meng Xiaoya.

Meng Xiaoya returned to her senses and asked, "How’s my daughter?"

"How long has she been feverish like this without improvement?"

"Two days."

"Two days before you brought her to a doctor?"

"I didn’t want to delay, but we have no silver, and no doctor was willing to see my daughter," Meng Xiaoya said, eyes red. "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

"She’s very hot now; we need to bring down her fever first, or she could end up with brain damage." Jiang Jing said while writing a prescription, then addressed Jia Chunni, "Take this prescription to get the medicine, then arrange for an assistant to decoct it. We’ll bathe the child with the medicinal broth to try to reduce the fever."

"Alright."

Meng Xiaoya held onto the little girl in her arms and didn’t let go, "Doctor, will she become brain-damaged from the fever?"

"Don’t hold her so tightly, and you’ve dressed her warmly. Take off some clothes, keep her in just her outer coat to keep her warm. She’s burning up, wrapping her like a furnace doesn’t allow the heat to dissipate."

Zhang Yingdi moved goods from the storeroom.

Wang Huanzhi helped with the lifting.

In reality, they didn’t need to do this heavy labor. The shop had plenty of assistants for such work. But right now, Zhang Yingdi just wanted to escape, to avoid embarrassment.

She wasn’t truly indifferent.

The woman’s words intentionally provoked her, Zhang Yingdi recognized that, and she knew how to retaliate. But afterwards, she felt pitiful.

This was her husband, yet she argued with a stranger over who her husband’s heart was with.

"Husband..." Zhang Yingdi put down her things and looked at Wang Huanzhi.

She made up her mind.

She wouldn’t wait for the provincial exam results.

After all, she would have to mention it sooner or later, might as well talk about it now, and give him freedom, to save him from being in a difficult position.

"Let’s divorce!"

Wang Huanzhi released what he held, dropping it on his foot.

"Ah..." he winced in pain.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Yingdi quickly supported him. "This is heavy; how could you be so careless? Quickly take off your shoe, let me check for injuries."

Wang Huanzhi clutched Zhang Yingdi, his pale face full of pain, "It hurts... I think it’s broken."

"Someone... help..." Zhang Yingdi shouted loudly.

The assistants heard and rushed over.

"What’s wrong, steward?"

"My husband is injured, hurry and carry him out for Doctor Jiang to check."

The assistant promptly picked up Wang Huanzhi and hurried outside.

Wang Huanzhi called out, "Madam, it hurts... where are you?"

"Stop shouting, I’m right behind," Zhang Yingdi said.

Su Yaoguang saw them running over in alarm; Wang Huanzhi kept complaining of pain, and Zhang Yingdi’s face was terribly pale. She asked, "What happened?"

"Your uncle accidentally dropped something on his foot while moving goods. Each box weighs dozens of pounds, and he’s a frail scholar, recovering from illness, this drop could be bad."

Su Yaoguang thought about the goods in the box, then the image of it falling on the instep, muttering to herself, "Though the boxes are full, they’re small, fifteen pounds per box at most, so it might not be severe enough to cripple someone, right?"