Chapter 13:
Chapter 13:
“He… he’s my husband.”
Yang Ruoxi’s tone lacked conviction. Qin Fei appeared far too ordinary—no job, no career, and most obviously, he had physical impairments. Yet, considering how Qin Fei had unhesitatingly offered the five million yuan to help her father, she reluctantly acknowledged their relationship in front of Zhang Hua.
“Oh, your husband,” Zhang Hua said, his smile stiffening. Inside, he was disheartened. Yang Ruoxi was a stunning beauty, the kind who could captivate anyone with a mere glance. Back in the day, the men who pursued her were all exceptional talents, the cream of the crop. Yet, she had ended up marrying someone as plain as Qin Fei—a man whose attire and demeanor screamed mediocrity.
“Pardon me, but does my identity have anything to do with getting the medication?” Qin Fei asked sharply, his voice tinged with irritation. It was clear to him that Zhang Hua harbored feelings for Yang Ruoxi, and the thought annoyed him.
Zhang Hua inwardly sneered, barely masking his disdain for Qin Fei. Still, out of professional duty, he asked, “What medication are you looking for?”
“Senior, it’s the C5 monoclonal antibody. My father is seriously ill,” Yang Ruoxi quickly interjected, giving Qin Fei’s arm a gentle squeeze.
She knew Qin Fei was upset, but they couldn’t afford to offend Zhang Hua now. Her father’s life depended on this.
“The C5 monoclonal antibody, huh?” Zhang Hua drawled, sinking onto the sofa and adopting a bureaucratic tone. “Ruoxi, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this medication is extremely difficult to obtain.”
“That’s why I’m asking for your help, Senior,” Yang Ruoxi said, forcing a smile. It was the first time she had ever asked a man for a favor, as she was usually cold and distant with them.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Zhang Hua replied, opening his computer. Yang Ruoxi’s smile was disarming, and even Zhang Hua couldn’t resist it. Reluctantly, he accessed the hospital’s pharmaceutical database to check the availability of the drug.
Yang Ruoxi exhaled softly, relieved that Zhang Hua had agreed to help. She shot a quick warning glance at Qin Fei, signaling him not to make trouble. This was a life-and-death matter for her father, and she couldn’t risk ruining it with an argument.
After a few minutes, Zhang Hua frowned and said, “Ruoxi, there is one vial of the C5 monoclonal antibody available, but I can’t authorize its use.”
“Why not?” Yang Ruoxi asked, confused.
“To be honest, it’s already reserved for a high-profile patient. Our hospital is the largest hematology center in the southern region, and many prominent figures come here for treatment. This medication is incredibly scarce and in high demand,” Zhang Hua explained, sighing. While he had wanted to impress Yang Ruoxi, he knew he couldn’t risk overriding the reservation. Doing so could lead to severe repercussions.
“What should we do now?” Yang Ruoxi asked, her heart sinking. She bit her lip. “Senior, isn’t there any other way?”
“Well…” Zhang Hua hesitated, his heart aching at the sight of Yang Ruoxi on the verge of tears. A bold idea came to his mind, and he said, “Your husband needs to step out. I want to discuss something privately with you.”
“Alright. Wait for me outside,” Yang Ruoxi said, glancing at Qin Fei.
“Fine. If this doesn’t work, we’ll visit that old man first thing tomorrow,” Qin Fei shrugged and left the office.
Instead of going far, Qin Fei sat on a bench in the corridor, curious to hear what Zhang Hua’s “solution” might be.
Once the door was closed, Yang Ruoxi looked at Zhang Hua and asked, “Senior, what is it you wanted to say?”
“Ruoxi, I’ve always had feelings for you,” Zhang Hua confessed, his gaze intense. He had always remembered Yang Ruoxi as pure and radiant, like a fairy. Over the years, she had only grown more mature and alluring, stirring desires he could no longer suppress. He was willing to risk punishment to fulfill his fantasy of being with her.
Yang Ruoxi frowned but kept her composure. “Thank you, Senior, but I’m already married.”
“That doesn’t matter. I’m married too. All I ask is for one evening—dinner and a movie to relive old times. If you agree, I’ll adjust the records and get the medication for you,” Zhang Hua said shamelessly, laying bare his indecent proposal.
Yang Ruoxi’s frown deepened.
She felt disgusted, but her father’s life was at stake.
Refusing meant risking her father’s life. Agreeing, however, meant compromising her principles. She knew all too well that dinner and a movie would likely lead to something far worse, which crossed a line she could never accept.
As she hesitated, Qin Fei suddenly burst into the office.
Holding a trash bin, he smashed it over Zhang Hua’s head, spilling its contents all over him. “Garbage should stay with garbage,” Qin Fei said coldly.
Grabbing Yang Ruoxi’s hand, he pulled her out of the office, leaving Zhang Hua stunned and humiliated, his glasses reflecting a venomous glare.
In the corridor, Yang Ruoxi yanked her hand away, anger flashing in her eyes. “Qin Fei, what were you thinking? What about my dad?”
“And what? Let that four-eyed dog take advantage of you?” Qin Fei retorted, his tone equally cold.
“That’s not what I meant,” Yang Ruoxi said, her voice trembling. Her mind was a tangled mess. “If I were that kind of woman, I wouldn’t have married you. The issue is, how do we save my father now?”
“Leave it to me!” Qin Fei said firmly.
Her words softened his anger, and he remembered that, despite their awkward relationship, Yang Ruoxi had always conducted herself with integrity. She had never entertained advances from other men.
“Fine. You figure it out. I’ll go ask the doctors again,” Yang Ruoxi said, heading toward the emergency room.
As Qin Fei followed, his mind raced for solutions. While he could manage physical injuries or minor ailments, Yang Guoming’s condition was a complex blood disorder, rooted in genetic issues.
Treating it required advanced medical technology, far beyond his current capabilities.
His best hope lay with Wang Houde. The man’s reputation as a miracle worker in traditional medicine might lead to a solution—or, at the very least, access to the life-saving drug.
With a plan forming, Qin Fei joined Yang Ruoxi outside the emergency room. When the doctor emerged, he immediately asked, “Doctor, how long can my father-in-law hold on with conservative treatment?”
“About two months,” the doctor replied.
“Good. I’ll find a solution before then,” Qin Fei said with determination.
After the doctor left, Yang Ruoxi sighed. “Our best chance is to contact Mr. Wang as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry. I have something he needs,” Qin Fei reassured her, gently squeezing her hand.
By dawn, Yang Guoming had been transferred to a regular ward. Qin Fei and Yang Ruoxi helped settle him in before Yang Ruoxi turned to Qin Fei.
“You go. I want to stay with my dad for a while,” she said.
“Alright. I’ll go contact Mr. Wang,” Qin Fei said, nodding as he left the room.