Chairman Husband, Too Boorish - 149

 Chapter 149 : The Final Decision!

Dr. Zhang had already told her that this man was not to be trifled with.

Li Miao Man had been at the First Hospital in City A for some time, so it was impossible for her not to know Liang Xi Cheng. However, what she had heard and heard rumors about was always just a vague feeling. She had never really taken Liang Xi Cheng seriously, partly because Dr. Zhang had mentioned a better backer—the Ye family!

But now, she deeply felt the gloom emanating from this man, which frightened her.

Liang Xi Cheng would never show her any tenderness or pity. Perhaps he had previously had a basic respect for women, but now—no!

“I’m waiting for your answer.”

Li Miao Man remained silent. Liang Xi Cheng finally grew impatient, increasing the pressure on her. Li Miao Man cried out in pain, almost losing her balance. She grabbed the wall for support and pleaded, “… Young Master Liang, Young Master Liang, please be gentle … I … it hurts …”

Liang Xi Cheng ignored her. His eyes were dark and menacing. He simply repeated, “I’m waiting for your answer!”

“… I … I know, I know this lady.”

She had already prepared an explanation, but she hadn’t expected to be so easily overwhelmed by Liang Xi Cheng’s powerful presence. She trembled, but knew perfectly well that she was already on the receiving end. Forced to calm herself, she had no choice but to say what she had previously intended to say, "... Young Master Liang, I ... I accidentally bumped into her earlier, this young lady, she ... she's a very kind person, she didn't blame me, but I didn't mean to, Young Master Liang, I really didn't mean to, your ... your hand pinched me and it hurt a lot."

"What were you holding in your hand at the time?" Liang Xi Cheng didn't have time to listen to her nonsense, and went straight to the point, "Was something that cut her finger?"

"... Yes." Liang Xi Cheng pushed her forcefully, sending Li Miao Man to the corner of the wall. The woman's body slammed against the hard wall, and the pain made her eyes redden, but she stubbornly endured it, daring not to shed a tear.

"Now I'm giving you a chance. Explain the whole thing to me as quickly as possible." Liang Xi Cheng raised his wrist, glanced at his watch, and coldly uttered, "Two minutes! Speak!"

Li Miao Man took a deep breath and shook her head innocently. "... Young Master Liang, I really didn't know she was your woman. I ... I really didn't mean to. Besides, this lady didn't blame me. She cut her finger, but it was just a minor injury, it really had nothing to do with me ..."

Liang Xi Cheng's deep eyes stared at Li Miao Man with a gloomy expression. "What were you holding in your hand?"

"... Yes, it was a pathogen."

"What's it called?"

"..."

"Why aren't you saying anything? Can't you tell me?"

"... No, Liang ... I really don't know. Another doctor gave me that pathogen, just told me to take it to the lab, so I don't know what it is."

"Oh, is that so?" Liang Xi Cheng was clearly not someone easily fooled. He narrowed his eyes, hands in his trouser pockets, his tall frame exuding an even greater sense of intimidation. "Li Miao Man, 25 years old this year, worked as a nurse at the First Hospital after graduation. Do you think I'm joking with you right now?"

"..."

Liang Xi Cheng raised his wrist, watching the hands point to the last second. He tapped the face of his watch with his long fingers. "Time's up. Since you won't tell me, then now, I will."

Li Miao Man's breath caught in her throat. Only now did she truly realize what a deep and complex man she was facing.

"SARS? I've already asked. Your hospital doesn't have any SARS patients in isolation. Why did you have that pathogen? You said a doctor gave it to you, so tell me now, which doctor gave it to you?"

Li Miao Man's petite body recoiled slightly, shaking her head tremblingly. "... I ... I was actually on duty at the time. I just saw this small bottle over there, with a note saying to send it to the lab, so ... I thought since I was on duty, I did a little extra work. I was carrying that thing to the lab, but halfway there, I accidentally bumped into Miss Bai. But I really didn't think much of it at the time, I didn't know that thing was so dangerous. I saw Miss Bai was alright, so I didn't pay attention ... I really ... I really didn't know anything, I didn't know it was SARS, I really didn't know ..."

Yan Liang suddenly let out a soft hum, interrupting the already tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Liang Xi Cheng reacted instantly. He quickly walked to the bedside. The woman, who had been unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes. Liang Xi Cheng was not afraid that he might be infected with SARS. He held her hand and kept calling her name.

Yan Liang's eyes barely opened before closing again, and Liang Xi Cheng's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand.

His beloved woman was lying there, her fever unabated, her mind clouded. He knew all too well what would happen if this continued— Suddenly, there was a knock at the ward door, followed by the hospital director's voice, "Xi Cheng, I need to come in for a moment."

Liang Xi Cheng reached out and touched Yan Liang's forehead; it was still burning hot, showing no signs of abating. His temples throbbed with pain. He turned to look at Li Miao Man, who stood beside him, extremely cautious, probably afraid of being infected with SARS, yet hesitant to leave directly.

Liang Xi Cheng sneered and responded in a deep voice towards the door, "Come in." When the hospital director entered, he was wearing a mask and gloves. He was somewhat surprised to see Li Miao Man. "... Who are you?"

"... Director, I'm a nurse at the hospital. My name is Li Miao Man."

"What are you doing here?" The director glanced at Liang Xi Cheng, probably knowing that he must have been the one who called her. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "... Xi Cheng, this room needs to be quarantined now. Whether you agree or not, there's no other way. So, let everyone who isn't involved leave."

Liang Xi Cheng's sharp gaze swept over Li Miao Man. Surprisingly, he agreed. "Okay, Nurse Li, you can go now."

Li Miao Man didn't expect Liang Xi Cheng to let her go. She breathed a sigh of relief and, without lingering for a second, turned and ran out of the ward.

"Is this Nurse Li?" the director suddenly called out to her. "Wait a moment."

"Director, is there anything else?"

"There's a SARS patient in this room. You can't leak this information. If anyone else finds out tomorrow that there's a SARS patient in our hospital, I will definitely come looking for you, understand?"

Li Miao Man was only thinking about leaving as quickly as possible; she wasn't thinking about anything else. She nodded repeatedly, assuring him, "Director, I definitely won't say anything."

"You can go now."

The hospital director waved his hand, watching Li Miao Man leave the ward. He sighed, seeing Liang Xi Cheng standing there so unguarded, and worried he might also contract the disease. He patiently advised, "...Xi Cheng, you need to listen to me now. I promise I'll help you cure Miss Bai, but you can't stay here. Her condition will only worsen." He handed Liang Xi Cheng a folder, his voice heavy with sorrow. "You're someone I've watched grow up. I understand how you feel, but now is not the time for recklessness. This abortion consent form—as the father, you must sign it." Liang Xi Cheng stared at the consent form in the director's hand—an abortion consent form!

These words were like a sharp knife, stabbing him deeply into the heart. The pain seemed numb; how much pain could it really cause? Even if it hurt, it couldn't compare to the pain she felt lying there.

Liang Xi Cheng turned away, his hand outstretched, pressing his temples. His voice was hoarse. "... I need you to give me 100% certainty. Tell me you can definitely cure her."

Hearing his tone soften, the hospital director quickly nodded in assurance. "Xi Cheng, I can guarantee you, 100%! SARS has been rampant for about 10 years now. It's controllable and curable; it just requires isolation. I've sealed off all information. No one will know about Miss Bai's condition anymore. So, believe me, I guarantee with my integrity that she will be safe and sound, and there will be no further consequences."

Liang Xi Cheng's hands fell limply to his sides. Even with a 100% guarantee, what good was it?

The last remaining connection between him and her seemed destined to be cruelly taken away. There was a feeling that the whole world had collapsed. If she recovered, but had to endure the pain of losing her child, would she …? Liang Xi Cheng dared not think any further. The ordeal of the past day and night had exhausted him not only physically but also mentally, ravaged by a sense of despair.

He had to make a decision. The dean had been pleading with him from behind, saying almost every kind word he could think of, finally telling him, “…Xi Cheng, continuing like this will only harm Miss Bai. The persistent high fever will have a significant impact on her health. If you don’t sign, we will have no choice but to forcibly isolate her.”

…

“I’ll sign.” Liang Xi Cheng finally turned around, his deep voice revealing the immense pain he had been suppressing. Perhaps only he himself truly knew.

Emerging from the ward, the hospital director arranged for someone to examine Liang Xi Cheng, quickly change his clothes, and disinfect his body. However, due to the special circumstances, he couldn't leave the hospital until the results proved he wasn't infected.

When Guan Jiu came to see Liang Xi Cheng, he was also instructed to wear a mask and gloves.

His deep voice, coming through the mask, sounded even more muffled, "Mr. Liang, I've already sent people to follow Li Miao Man as you requested, but because she entered Madam's ward before, she hasn't left the hospital yet."

"Financial situation," Liang Xi Cheng said, pinching his brow, "Investigate her financial situation, and everyone she's been in contact with. Investigate everything thoroughly."

He simply couldn't believe that this was such a coincidence, such a mere accident.

Even the hospital director said he had no idea why the hospital had SARS. SARS had been well controlled in recent years. If a hospital in City A had a SARS patient, it would definitely alarm the medical community, and the hospital would be completely quarantined. But now, even the hospital director was completely unaware. Did that Li Miao Man really think he was so easily fooled?

Liang Xi Cheng paused, his hand on his temples twitching. Deep within his lowered eyes lay the wounded emotion of a trapped beast. His voice was even lower, yet still cold and stern. "Before dawn, there are still a few hours. Investigate Li Miao Man's matter thoroughly."

Guan Jiu nodded. "Yes."

Actually, investigating Li Miao Man wasn't difficult. Someone like her had no powerful backing. When she used the pathogen given to her to frame Yan Liang, she was already pushed out as a scapegoat. Ye Qing had it done, naturally clearing herself of all responsibility. So, all the information Guan Jiu gathered in over three hours was—

Li Miao Man's financial situation was as follows: last night, 2 million yuan suddenly appeared in her personal bank account. The remitter's information was from overseas, and the details couldn't be traced in such a short time. She didn't have many friends; most of her acquaintances worked at the hospital. However, she was generally considered a good person, so people's opinions of her weren't too bad. She currently didn't have a boyfriend, but she had a close relationship with a doctor at the hospital.

A close relationship—a nurse and a doctor—wouldn't normally be a big deal, but the key issue was that the doctor had been transferred and was already married, a man in his forties.

Liang Xi Cheng held the document in his hand, cigarette between his fingers. His long fingers turned a page, and his eyes fell on the name—Zhang Zi Yue.

He knew a few doctors at the hospital, but he wasn't very familiar with Zhang Zi Yue. He called the hospital director to inquire about Zhang Zi Yue, and the evaluation he received was very positive.

Liang Xi Cheng frowned. There's a saying—anything abnormal is suspicious.

He put his phone away and tossed it onto the table beside him. Liang Xi Cheng tossed the document on top as well. After a moment's hesitation, he asked Guan Jiu, "What's the situation at the company?"

Guan Jiu glanced at the time: 4:05 PM.

"Chairman Liang, we had agreed on a meeting at 9:00 AM to present a plan, but given the current situation ..." Guan Jiu wondered if he should give Liang Xi Cheng some time. "How about I go back and tell the board of directors it's postponed by a day? Anyway, Chairman Liang, you're in the hospital now; even if they try to cause trouble, they won't get anywhere ..."

"No need for that," Liang Xi Cheng waved his hand. "The more justification you give, the more it'll just be an excuse for them. Attend the 9:00 AM meeting is on time."

“But you … aren’t you inconvenient to leave the hospital right now?”

“Go get my computer. Tell them I can’t leave the hospital, but we can have a video conference.” He took a puff from his cigarette. “They just want an explanation from me. If I give it to them, no one will cause trouble.”

“… Then, Chairman Liang, how’s the situation in America?”

Liang Xi Cheng flicked his cigarette ash, his tone calm. “I didn’t go to America.”

“…” Guan Jiu didn’t understand. If he didn’t go to America, then now, doesn’t that mean he has no way out …?

Chairman Liang, is he preparing to fight a battle he has no chance of winning?

He hesitated, but didn’t ask further. Liang Xi Cheng said, “You can go out now. I have a call to make.”

Guan Jiu quickly left. Liang Xi Cheng picked up his phone, his deep, cold gaze fixed on the information Guan Jiu had investigated overnight. After a moment, he finally dialed the number.

Chapter 148        |        TOC        |        Chapter 150