Chapter 373 - 372: A Disgrace in Beijing City

In the main house, Zhang Qian looked at Xue Xingzhou. "Are you alright?"

Xue Xingzhou smiled. "Why do you ask? What could possibly be wrong?"

Zhang Qian said, "I don’t know why, but I always get the feeling that you have something heavy on your mind whenever you see them."

Xue Xingzhou took off his clothes and lay on the bed. "It’s nothing. Let’s get some sleep."

Seeing that Xue Xingzhou didn’t want to talk, Zhang Qian didn’t press him. She got into bed and turned off the light.

On the way back, Xue Changlin asked Xue Yue, "Doesn’t Xue Xingzhou live with the child’s grandfather?"

Xue Yue was a little surprised that her father would suddenly ask about Uncle Zheng, but she replied, "No, Uncle Zheng has his own house. He comes over to visit sometimes, but he generally doesn’t stay here."

Xue Changlin’s gaze flickered. He had been to the old Zheng family residence before and knew where it was. He had steeled himself to meet Zheng Guofeng today, but he hadn’t expected them not to be living together.

That night, Xue Changlin tossed and turned. Now that he was in Beijing City, memories of the past came flooding back, leaving him unable to find peace for a long time.

Later that night, Liu Hongxing was suddenly struck by a terrible stomachache. She had been afraid of waking anyone and had tried to endure it until morning, but this time, the pain was unbearable.

She got up and went to knock on Xue Xingjun’s door.

"Little Jun! Little Jun—"

After she had been calling for a while, Xue Xingjun finally answered, "What is it, Mom?"

"Little Jun, my stomach hurts."

A loud THUD came from inside, though it was unclear what he had run into.

Liu Hongxing, bent over and clutching her stomach with both hands, slowly squatted down.

Xue Xingzhou came out with a flashlight and saw Liu Hongxing squatting in front of Xue Xingjun’s door.

"What’s wrong?"

The sudden voice startled Liu Hongxing, but she was in too much pain to care. She stammered, "My... my stomach hurts something awful."

Xue Xingzhou shone the flashlight on her face. Her forehead was covered in sweat, her complexion was ghastly, and she was gritting her teeth. She was clearly in real pain.

With a CREAK, Xue Xingjun opened his door and came out.

"Big Brother, you’re up too?" Xue Xingjun’s gaze fell first on Xue Xingzhou, who was holding the flashlight.

Xue Xingzhou said to him, "Your mother’s in a lot of pain. Go back inside and grab a jacket. We’re taking her to the hospital."

"Right now?"

Xue Xingjun looked at the pitch-black sky. It was the dead of night.

Liu Hongxing grabbed Xue Xingjun’s pant leg. "Little Jun, please, take me to the hospital. I really can’t take it anymore."

Xue Xingjun hurried back inside to throw on a jacket, grabbing one for his mother as well. Then, they got on the motorcycle and headed for the hospital.

The motorcycle was incredibly loud in the dead of night, but with the emergency, they couldn’t afford to worry about disturbing the neighbors.

Meanwhile, Xue Changlin had no idea that Liu Hongxing had been rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night.

It wasn’t until the next morning, when Xue Yue was taking him over, that he heard what had happened.

"Dad, I’ll go to my office and ask for some time off, then I’ll take you to the hospital."

Xue Changlin shook his head. "There’s no need. You go to work. I can get there myself."

"Are you sure you can find it? If not, I can ask He Lang to take you."

"I can find it. You don’t need to take me. Go on and tend to your own business."

After saying that, Xue Changlin left by himself.

Only then did it belatedly occur to Xue Yue that her father had lived in Beijing City before, so he probably wouldn’t get lost.

By the time Xue Changlin arrived at the hospital, Xue Xingjun and the others were getting ready to head home.

He entered the hospital room and saw Liu Hongxing, her old face flushed red and her gaze averted in embarrassment.

Xue Changlin asked, "What did the doctor say? What’s wrong with her?"

Xue Xingjun glanced at his mother and said helplessly, "They said she just ate too much."

Xue Changlin was taken aback. "Then what about her stomachaches over the past few months?"

Xue Xingjun sighed. "You should ask Mom how long it’s been since she’s had a bowel movement."

Xue Xingjun cringed just thinking about it. The doctor had run a full examination on his mother, even using a machine to scan her for a good while. The conclusion: her intestines were completely backed up.

When the doctor asked if she was constipated, Liu Hongxing had blushed and nodded.

Apparently, over the past few months, she had barely gone to the bathroom more than a handful of times. Not only that, but each attempt was a huge strain, and she could squat for ages with no result. And somehow, she hadn’t thought any of this was a big deal.

Then last night, she had stuffed herself with rich, heavy food. It would have been a miracle if her stomach *hadn’t* hurt.

Xue Xingjun was confused. If his mother’s intestines were so full, how could it not have affected her appetite?

Liu Hongxing mumbled, "Actually, my appetite has gone down quite a lot."

The doctor had given her a laxative. From the moment she arrived at the hospital until morning, Liu Hongxing had been holed up in the bathroom.

This outcome made everyone’s jaws drop.

Xue Changlin gave Liu Hongxing a cold look. "The doctor back home said you were fine, but you just had to make a scene and come all the way to Beijing City. Why didn’t you tell the doctor you were constipated?"

Liu Hongxing’s face turned beet red. She muttered, "I was too embarrassed."

Xue Changlin sneered. "And now you’ve managed to embarrass yourself all the way in Beijing City."

Liu Hongxing grumbled, "Well, how was I supposed to know it would turn out like this?" ’If I’d known, I wouldn’t have eaten so much last night,’ she thought. ’The pain nearly killed me.’

Xue Changlin asked, "So, is everything okay now? Can we go home?"

Xue Xingjun nodded. "The doctor said she can leave once she’s... cleared out."

"Then let’s go," said Xue Changlin. "Xingzhou, did this make you late for work?"

Xue Xingzhou replied, "It’s not a problem."

Xue Changlin walked straight out, ignoring Liu Hongxing. Feeling she was in the wrong, Liu Hongxing quickly followed him.

Xue Xingjun rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sorry to trouble you, Big Brother."

Xue Xingzhou clapped him on the shoulder. "Let’s go."

Even though the whole thing had been a ridiculous false alarm, Xue Xingjun was still relieved.

He lectured Liu Hongxing earnestly, "Mom, you’re not a young woman anymore. You can’t be so greedy with your food. Eating a little less won’t kill you, but look what happens when you eat too much—we end up at the hospital."

Liu Hongxing nodded. "I know, I know. You kids, just stop it." She felt deeply embarrassed by the whole affair; it was an ugly thing to talk about.

Not long after they got back, Xue Changlin announced he was ready to return to their hometown.

"Go back now?" Liu Hongxing asked in surprise.

Xue Changlin nodded. "Your ’illness’ is cured. Why would we stay?"

Liu Hongxing sat on the bed. "If you want to go back, then you go back. I only just got here yesterday, my legs are about to break from the trip, I was up all night in agony, and now I’m starving and exhausted. And you want me to turn right around and go back with you? If you want me to drop dead on the road, just say so."

Xue Changlin looked at her and hesitated. "Fine. Rest well today. We’ll leave tomorrow."

Liu Hongxing neither agreed nor refused. She simply took off her shoes, lay down on the bed, and closed her eyes, feeling a wave of relief wash over her entire body.

Xue Changlin had no choice but to leave the room. Since Xue Xingjun hadn’t gone to work today, the father and son had a rare chance to sit and talk.

"So, you’re planning to stay here for good?"

Xue Xingjun nodded. "What would I do if I went back? I make good money here every month. I can support myself."

Xue Changlin said, "The only reason you make good money is because your boss is your brother-in-law."

"Dad, can you please not put me down every single time you see me? I’m trying really hard."

Hearing this, Xue Changlin ultimately refrained from saying anything else to spoil the mood.