Shuishui was unable to respond quickly. "Father will be transferred to the capital for treatment?"
"The most important thing is for him to recover. I don't want him to be disturbed by all sorts of people," Jiang Yuan said. He wanted to Qian An to be able to rest in peace and quickly recuperate. When he wakes up, he would not have to see people he disliked.
She nodded, but she did not say whether she would go or not. "Uncle, since you're here, you can stay for a few more days."
He nodded. Indeed, he would stay for a few days. "Although there are matters I need to attend to at the office, this is more important."
"I'm going to see my teacher later because there are some things that I have to explain to him." She couldn't leave directly because she would have to make arrangements with her teachers.
Uncle Jiang planned to go with Shuishui. "En, I'll accompany you. I'll also thank your teachers on behalf of your father."
Shuishui blinked and couldn't refuse. "That's good."
After dinner, they ordered takeaway food for Qian Anzhi and Mu Ziyu. Shuishui was ready to go to her teacher's house with Jiang Yuan, but Mu Ziyu took the initiative to take out his car keys. "Use my car so it will be convenient," he said.
"Thank you," Shuishui said. She didn't hesitate to borrow the car keys. She knew the way, and Jiang Yuan knew how to drive.
Mu Ziyu watched Shuishui leave. Qian Anzhi felt that Mu Ziyu wanted to go with her but simply didn't because Uncle Jiang was there. "Brother Mu, you can actually go with them."
Mu Ziyu was conflicted. He said, "Uncle Jiang doesn't like me."
"Why doesn't he like you? That's strange. Uncle Jiang seems to be good to second sister and cold to us." Anzhi didn't understand why.
"Don't ask so many questions. Let's play chess," Ziyu said. He wanted a bit of fun in spite of the boredom.
Qian Anzhi nodded. Anyway, he was also bored and didn't know what to do. His father's body had already been cleaned up, and the doctor had also said that he might wake up, so Anzhi was waiting expectantly.
Jiang Yuan accompanied Shuishui to see Teacher Hu. At first glance, he didn't recognize the old man. When Shuishui called Teacher Hu, he was confused. 'Is his surname Hu?' he thought as he continued to size up the old teacher. It was him. "Mr. Hu," Jiang Yuan said.
Teacher Hu looked at Jiang Yuan. "This is?"
Shuishui introduced Jiang Yuan. "This is a friend of my father's. He is Jiang Yuan, or Uncle Jiang as I call him. He's here to help us deal with concerns regarding our father."
Teacher Hu knew about what had recently happened to Shuishui's family. Old Li had told him about it a few days back, and he had also read about it in the papers that morning. However, he did not call Shuishui because he expected her to be busy. Instead, he asked someone to investigate on the matter. He did not think that Shuishui would be visiting him on that day.
"Take a seat," Teacher Hu said to Shuishui and Uncle Jiang as he took out tea leaves from a box.
As she was familiar with Teacher Hu's place, Shuishui quickly helped to brew the tea. Jiang Yuan did not expect Shuishui's teacher to be Mr. Hu. Back in the capital, they secretly called him Elder Hu, a member of the Hu family. They had heard that Elder Hu had gone out of town to recuperate, but he did not think he was in City A. "Hello, Mr. Hu. Shuishui's family is currently experiencing difficulties, so I came on behalf of Qian An to thank you for teaching Shuishui so well. Also, since I am now Shuishui's guardian, I am here to inform you that I want to bring Shuishui to the capital to stay with me and my family."
Teacher Hu was surprised. "You're Shuishui's guardian now?"
Teacher Hu was confused. Shouldn't she be with her mother? Why will someone else be watching over her? Shuishui seemed to know about it as well. Shuishui looked at Teacher Hu and quickly explained. "My father transferred my household registration to Uncle Jiang's family, so he is now my guardian." She did not bother to explain why her father did it because it was not something she could talk about easily. It was not a good thing to spread around as well.
Teacher Hu drank his tea. He did not think it was a bad idea for Shuishui to go to the capital earlier than planned. "Shuishui can easily get used to the environment at the capital if she goes there earlier. It's a good idea. I originally planned to wait for Shuishui to pass before I go back to the capital. Looks like I have to go back earlier."
Shuishui chuckled. "Then, Teacher, I can continue learning the erhu."
"Of course. You are not skilled. How could I let you go out and embarrass yourself?" Teacher Hu laughed.
Only then did Jiang Yuan realize that Shuishui and Teacher Hu had gotten along well. Moreover, from Elder Hu's words, it seemed that he was staying in City A because of Shuishui.
Shuishui was lucky to have someone like Elder Hu watch over her as well.
Shuishui continued to pour tea while Jiang Yuan and Teacher Hu started to chat. Teacher Hu also agreed that Shuishui should go to the capital to get used to the life there. Anyway, she had long been planning to attend a university there. To Shuishui, living in the capital or in the city was the same. However, she would have to go to the capital if her father was going to be brought there for treatment. Jiang Yuan had made the decision. "In three days, I will bring Shuishui to Beijing so she can settle in."
Shuishui did not say anything. She was going anyway. If Teacher Hu wanted to go back to the capital too, that would be good. "That means I also have to tell Teacher Li," she said.
Teacher Hu smiled. "Let me help you. Old Li and I stayed here because of Shuishui. Old Li should have gone back there too. I will go see him tonight. You don't have to worry."
Shuishui was also very surprised. Was it really because of her? The other two teachers had not mentioned that they were planning on going back to the capital. She had known that Teacher Hu was from the capital when he had said some things about Beijing. Shuishui guess that Uncle Jiang knew who Teacher Hu was. They did not stay for dinner because Shuishui had to go back to the hospital to see her father. They also had to make arrangements about transferring her father to Beijing.
On their way back to the hospital, Jiang Yuan asked, "What's Teacher Li's full name?"
Shuishui tried to recall Teacher Hu's full name. She was used to simply calling him 'Teacher.' She said, "He's called Li Jing."
"Your teacher is not a nobody." He did not know what to say. Shuishui's teachers were quite known in Beijing. Although Li Jing was influential in the military, many people held him in high regard. He was quite an honorable man.
Shuishui was very grateful towards Teacher Li and highly respected him. "Teacher Li found a lawyer for me, and he asked the lawyer to handle Dad's case. He used his connections to let me see the primary suspects in my father's case."
When she needed help, Teacher Li offered it to her. His fondness of her warmed her heart.
"When the time comes, you have to thank him properly. You will be watching over your father in the next few days. Today, take a bath and rest well. Uncle will go to the hospital and see how it is there." Jiang Yuan also felt sorry for Shuishui. She had dark circles under her eyes. She hadn't had enough sleep in the past days. Previously, when he saw her, she had rosy cheeks and had glowing skin. That day, she simply looked deathly pale and sickly.
"I'm fine, but I really haven't been able to bathe properly in the past few days. I was unable to bring an extra set of clothes, and I simply washed up at the hospital. I'll go back to the apartment later to take a bath, and I can come back to the hospital." Shuishui really wanted to stay at the hospital.
On their way, they dropped by a restaurant to buy food for Anzhi and Ziyu. Shuishui was unsure whether they had already eaten or not.
When they returned to the hospital, everyone sat down and ate together.
Only then did Jiang Yuan really look at Qian Anzhi. "Anzhi, you're going to stay with your mother, right?"
Anzhi shook his head. "No, I'm staying in the apartment with Second Sister."
"What about now?" Jiang Yuan continued to ask. He thought that the child looked quite like Qian An.
Qian Anzhi looked at Shuishui. "I don't really want to stay with my mother and eldest sister. I feel more comfortable staying with Second Sister."
Shuishui stroked Qian Anzhi's head. "Maybe I'll go to the capital in a few days."
"Why?" Qian Anzhi didn't quite understand. It was too sudden.
Shuishui looked at Qian Anzhi. "Uncle Jiang is my guardian, and Dad is going to be brought to the capital for treatment. I want to accompany him."
Qian Anzhi still didn't quite understand. "Guardian?"
Shuishui explained in depth. "You and I have the same father, but we are not from the same mother."
Clang! Qian Anzhi's chair made a loud clanking noise as he stood up. "Sister, are you kidding me?"
Shuishui shrugged, while Jiang Yuan shook his head. He was surprised that Shuishui had said it out loud. Soon, Li Xue would find out that he has custody of Shuishui. By that time, if Li Xue would fight for it, he would have to say it out loud so that he could quickly get rid of her.
Anzhi had grown fond of Shuishui and had become used to her taking care of him and watching over him, so it was wise to tell hi early on. Jiang Yuan said, "Shuishui's mother was your father's first love, and the two of them were supposed to be together. Li Xue's intervention caused them to break up, but they saw each other again a few years after your eldest sister was born. They drank wine, and Shuishui's mother conceived her. Coincidentally, your mother was also pregnant at that time, so their two children were swapped."
"Ah? It's so complicated. My head feels dizzy." He felt a headache. He felt like he was in a television drama. How did everything become so melodramatic?
Shuishui smiled helplessly. "I've already made a personal assessment. She's not my biological mother. We are simply not related by blood. She's been very cold to me since I was young and has never given me any motherly love. I ignored that woman, and was only content that she no longer really troubled me."
Qian Anzhi finally understood. Even so, he and Shuishui were still related by blood. Things had gotten more complicated. He didn't think that Shuishui was at fault. He knew very well how his mother treated Shuishui. Sometimes, Anzhi really pitied Shuishui. There were times, though, that he thought she deserved the beating. She used to talk back a lot and was very stubborn. When he thought about it, he realized that his mother really hadn't treated Shuishui well. No wonder Shuishui was so cold towards his mother. She simply knew that she wasn't her biological mother. Anzhi felt that things had changed.
Shuishui looked at Mu Ziyu. "Why are you so quiet today?"
"I am very surprised, but I realize that you will be safe." Ziyu suddenly understood why Shuishui was so calm. She had already made plans. Moreover, she wanted to go to the capital. It was exactly what Ziyu wanted.
Qian Anzhi's mind finally cleared up. "If Second Sister is going to the capital, what should I do then?"
"You can come with me. Dad left me a house there." Shuishui thought that maybe she could take that property in advance.
Jiang Yuan nodded. "There's a villa that has been renovated for her. But Shuishui, you still have to live with me. I can't be assured of your safety if you live alone. Although you'll be living in the same area, I don't trust you to be alone just yet."
"Sister, I'll go with you! I also want to accompany Dad," Qian Anzhi said firmly. No matter what, Shuishui was his sister. She wouldn't harm him. He couldn't bear the thought of living with his mother and sister because of their terrible personalities. He was too disappointed that Momo had never even visited their father. He also disliked the thought of staying with relatives.
Shuishui nodded. "Sure. We can go together. Besides, you've finished your middle school exams." In fact, it didn't matter if she brought Qian Anzhi with her. Her father would be brought to the capital. Qian Anzhi could occasionally take care of him. Their father would also appreciate it if Anzhi was there.
Qian Anzhi nodded. "En, en, sure. It shouldn't be a problem, but I have to tell my mother. Anyway, I don't want to go with them."
When he called Li Xue on the phone to inform her, he wasn't stupid enough to mention Shuishui's plans for them. He only said that Shuishui was going to the capital to attend high school. He told her that he was going there too and that their father would be brought there to see a different doctor.
Li Xue was unhappy. "Go to the capital? Just stay in City A. There's nothing you can do if your father goes to the capital for treatment. If you go there, who will take care of you and where will you live? Do you think it's that simple? I don't have much money on hand. It's not cheap to rent a house in the capital."
"Mom, Second Sister is going, so I'm going too." Qian Anzhi was not happy. How could they allow their father to go alone? What if he woke up?
Qian Anzhi did not care. He was not young anymore and had the right to choose. He had already prepared his identification cards in case they were needed.
However, not two days later, Jiang Yuan was angry. Because of Qian An's bankruptcy and accident, Li Xue actually filed for a divorce. When Qian Anzhi found out about it, he was furious. He didn't expect his mother to do such a despicable thing.
Shuishui was also very surprised. She thought that Li Xue cared for Qian An. Why did she choose to divorce now? When the time came, the media wouldn't put in a good word for her.
Jiang Yuan didn't expect Li Xue to do such a thing. "It's not really surprising. She filed for divorce so Qian An will bear the bankruptcy alone. By the time Qian An wakes up and signs, they will no longer be a couple. She wants to get out of this unscathed."
Qian Anzhi pulled Shuishui. "Sister, I want to go with Father."
"In principle, it's possible, but it's more troublesome. After all, Qian An is still unconscious. Don't worry. We'll figure it out." Jiang Yuan nodded. This wasn't a problem. If Li Xue had filed for divorce, then Qian An could agree and sign the papers. Li Xue was worthless and would only hold Qian An back.
Qian Anzhi nodded. "I hate the fact that I have a mother like her. How could she do this?"
Shuishui guessed that Li Xue made the decision because she was influenced by her two brothers. However, if Li Xue ended up being a divorced woman, who would dare to marry her in the future? Shuishui thought that it was actually a good move. Her father didn't need to be pestered by such a woman.
Mu Ziyu was also free to help because Qian Anzhi wasn't a one-or two-year-old child. He was already a young ***** and could basically take care of himself. Moreover, Jiang Yuan said that he could become Qian Anzhi's temporary guardian.
In the end, custody of Qian Anzhi had been granted to Jiang Yuan. Li Xue was simply furious. Just before it was declared, she protested, "No, I'm your mother. Anzhi, don't be fooled by them. They aren't good people."
Qian Anzhi looked at his mother and shook his head. "It's scary to have a mother like you. Don't worry. I won't ask for any money from you. In the future, I'll earn back the money and repay Uncle Jiang. I'll go wherever Dad goes. I don't want to have anything to do with you. I don't care if Big Sister goes with you. We don't matter to you, right?"
Anzhi was also very heartbroken. Li Xue had declared in court that she wouldn't pay a single cent for Qian An's medical fees. Anzhi knew that all of the pieces of jewelry that his mother owned were bought by their father. His mother was trying to burn the bridge after she had crossed it. It was really disgraceful. He wasn't very close to his mother to begin with. Even though he was heartbroken, he decided that he would stay by his father's side.
"We will go with Father. We will simply go our separate ways. Don't expect us to support you in the future," Qian Anzhi said coldly.
Shuishui looked at Qian Anzhi. How much courage did it take for him to say that?