Chapter Forty-One: An Unexpected Mishap

Cheng He learned about Wen Jianan's illness from Xiao Jiang and immediately wanted to go see her, but unexpectedly spotted Liang Yuxiu downstairs at the apartment building.

Shortly after, Wen Jianan also came out of the apartment. Cheng He followed as Liang Yuxiu followed, unaware that Wen Jianan was actually going to meet Liang Yuxiu's mother.

Noticing signs of a recurring low-grade fever, Cheng He took matters into his own hands and firmly brought her to the hospital for an IV infusion.

By that night, Wen Jianan was fully revived.

She followed up on the daytime work of Chen Ling and the others, discovering that Li Ruoruo had made a mistake in her tasks. She pulled Li Ruoruo aside to offer a few words of caution.

There was no intention of reprimanding her, but Li Ruoruo's expression turned very grim as she bit her lip and acknowledged the feedback.

Wen Jianan didn't pay it much mind, maintaining a strictly professional attitude.

After everyone dispersed, Wen Jianan went to the restroom. On her way back to her room, she inadvertently saw Chen Ling in the kitchen making a phone call, her brows fraught with resentment and worry.

She immediately guessed that it was most likely due to family troubles.

Chen Ling hung up the phone and walked out, stopping short when she noticed Wen Jianan was still there.

When Wen Jianan asked about it, Chen Ling gave a bitter smile and said, "My husband, he refuses to give me our daughter."

With that, she added, "But I must have my child."

Wen Jianan nodded and patted her shoulder. "I can introduce you to a reliable lawyer."

"That would be great. I might really need one. Thank you in advance."

There was a sense of finding comfort amidst hardship between the two of them.

Not knowing what else to say to offer comfort, they exchanged goodnights and returned to their respective rooms.

Early the next morning, Wen Jianan received a call from Cheng He's mother, asking if she was free to come over for dinner that evening.

Wen Jianan thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, I am. See you tonight then."

On the other end of the line, Cheng He's mother seemed to be smiling from ear to ear.

Wen Jianan thought that since she had decided to seriously date Cheng He, she owed it to themselves and their families to give everyone more opportunities to interact.

Cheng He soon learned about this as well and sent Wen Jianan a message apologizing that, due to work commitments outside the city, he might not make it back in time to pick her up and head to the Cheng family home together.

Wen Jianan didn't mind and expressed her understanding.

"Work is important, and we didn't go to Quantum today anyway. I can just head over by myself tonight."

Cheng He gave a low acknowledgment. Seeming busy, his tone was subdued and casual.

Just as Wen Jianan was about to hang up, he asked, "How are you feeling today?"

"Pretty good. The fever is gone, and my energy has mostly returned."

"That's good. Make sure to rest," Cheng He urged.

Wen Jianan responded softly, "You too."

After exchanging a few more words, they hung up.

Wen Jianan stared blankly at her phone, suddenly realizing that she was truly and formally dating Cheng He.

Her workload had eased recently, so around 5:30 PM, Wen Jianan got ready, left her apartment, and hailed a cab to the Cheng residence.

As she got into the car, Wen Jianan felt her eyelids twitching violently several times.

She didn't pay it much heed, only to accidentally bump her head against the roof of the car.

"Watch out, miss," the driver cautioned, looking back.

Wen Jianan smiled self-consciously.

At 6:30 PM, Cheng He arrived back at the Cheng home from the opposite direction.

As his car stopped in front of the gate, Cheng Mother hurried out of the house. Seeing that it was Cheng He, she grew even more anxious.

Cheng He killed the engine and got out. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Cheng Mother walked down the steps, craned her neck, and asked, "Where is Nannan? Didn't she come with you?"

"She's coming on her own. We agreed on it."

Startled, Cheng He felt a bad intuition arise and hurriedly took out his phone to call Wen Jianan.

However, the line was busy.

Sensing that something was genuinely wrong, he dialed Xiao Jiang's number instead.

Xiao Jiang confirmed that Wen Jianan had left the house a little after five o'clock.

Cheng Mother heard this too. The moment Cheng He hung up, she grabbed his arm tightly. "What's going on? Has something happened to her?"

Without panicking, Cheng He pondered for a second and tried calling Wen Jianan again. "Don't worry, let me check."

This time it connected after only a few rings, but the background noise was overwhelming.

Cheng He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. "Jianan? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Wen Jianan's voice was trembling slightly, as if she had just experienced something terrifying yet was forcing herself to remain calm.

"I had a bit of an accident on the way and I'm still dealing with it. I'm sorry, could you please tell your mother that I probably won't be able to make it?"

Cheng He wanted to press further, but changed his mind at the last second. "Where are you now? Send me your location, I'm coming."

Wen Jianan wanted to refuse, but Cheng He seemed to anticipate it.

"Jianan, don't say no."

Only then did Wen Jianan send her address.

Rushing over in an emergency, Cheng He discovered that on her way to the Cheng home, the taxi Wen Jianan was riding in had been rear-ended. The collision was severe enough to deploy the airbags.

Both the driver and Wen Jianan had sustained minor scrapes and bruises.

By the time Cheng He arrived, the scene had already been managed and brought under control.

The driver at fault was a drunk and was taken away by the police on the spot, while the driver and Wen Jianan, accompanied by police officers, were preparing to head to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Cheng He went along with them.

At the hospital, he stayed right by Wen Jianan's side.

No matter how strong she usually appeared to be, she was still a woman, and she had genuinely been frightened by the night's events.

When Cheng He took her hand, he was startled to find that her hands and palms were icy cold.

"Don't be afraid."

Pale-faced, Wen Jianan said nothing.

She had bumped her forehead, breaking the skin and leaving a shallow cut that was oozing blood.

Fortunately, the cut was neither deep nor long, and after a simple cleaning, stitches were unnecessary.

Wen Jianan let out a sigh of relief.

The driver fared worse than she did and required a couple of stitches.

After leaving the hospital, both of them still had to go to the police station to make a statement.

Cheng He accompanied them the entire time.

Wen Jianan remained silent throughout, whether from being stunned by fright or something else, but she showed no trace of weakness whatsoever.

Cheng He thought she was pushing herself too hard, but knew it wasn't the right time to lecture her.

It was already nine o'clock by the time they finished giving their statements.

Wen Jianan's stomach was growling with hunger, so Cheng He took her out to eat.

While they were waiting for their food, Cheng Mother called to check on them, unable to hide her worry and anxiety.

Cheng He told the truth, albeit in a condensed version.

Even so, it was enough to frighten Cheng Mother terribly.

She insisted on speaking to Wen Jianan directly.

Cheng He repeatedly refused.

"Give it to me."

Wen Jianan held out her hand, and Cheng He hesitated before handing the phone over.

"Auntie," Wen Jianan's voice was weak and frail, clearly still shaken from the ordeal.

Cheng Mother offered a steady stream of worry and concern.

"I'm fine, Auntie. Please don't worry. I'm just so sorry I couldn't make it tonight and wasted your preparations."

"What nonsense are you talking about? That doesn't matter at all. Just focus on recovering well, and we can schedule another time. I'll make sure Xiao Jiang goes to pick you up then."

"Okay."

After Cheng Mother gave a few more instructions, Cheng He couldn't bear to listen any longer and snatched the phone back, hanging up on her.

"Sorry, my mom tends to be a bit naggy."

"It's fine. My mom is just like that too."

At their core, Cheng Mother and Tan Fang were very much alike, endlessly fretting over their children.

Just as she could understand Tan Fang, Wen Jianan could understand Cheng Mother just as well.

Their food was served.

Cheng He ordered a bowl of hot congee for Wen Jianan. Famished, Wen Jianan abandoned all concern for her manners and scooped spoonful after spoonful into her mouth.

Watching her, Cheng He felt a wave of tenderness and a smile naturally bloom in the depths of his eyes.