…
Tang Qing left after that.
In the cafe, Luo Nanchu exhaled slowly.
The cafe's temperature was regulated, but her whole body was chilly, as though the blood flowing in her veins was made of ice fragments.
Her brain felt like it was about to freeze completely as well.
To be honest, she was actually unsure how much longer she could last.
She had never been so tired in her entire life.
The feeling of letting anyone trample on her dignity was something that she, with that disposition of hers, was unable to imagine.
Tai Huan would be utterly shocked if she was beside her.
She would be horrified at how Luo Nanchu, who used to have an ego higher than the sky, could turn out to be so lowly right now.
On the sofa, Luo Nanchu rubbed her temples vigorously, trying to fling away the thoughts in her head.
She was thinking about the past again.
That was not good.
She could not chase after the past, for it had already passed. There was no use reminiscing about the past, no matter how easy and happy her life was before.
She was afraid that she would not be able to face reality and would commit suicide if she sank into her thoughts too often.
She really couldn't die now.
She was carrying the weight of several people on her back. If she were to die, her entire family would die along with her.
How could she end her own life when she was the one who had brought this calamity upon the Luo family?
On the table, her phone suddenly rang.
Luo Nanchu's mind went blank for a moment, but she hurried to pick it up when she saw that it was the hospital calling.
"Is anything the matter, Director Xu?"
"Ms. Luo, please remember to pay your father's nursing fees by today," said Director Xu in a genial tone.
Luo Nanchu started slightly and asked, "Aren't there three more days?"
She used to pay the fees at the start of every month. Even though there were still three more days to that date, it was her first time receiving a personal call from him to expedite her payment.
"I heard that you have been undergoing some difficulties recently." Director Xu's voice was as warm as before. "You have to keep in mind that Mr. Luo's nursing fees amount to 5,000 yuan per day. Our hospital is not a charity, so we cannot afford to lose a single day's payment."
"…" So it turned out that he had heard about Fu Tingyuan's revenge on her and was afraid that she would be unable to pay up.
Luo Nanchu balled her hand into a fist. Her voice was slightly tense as she pleaded, "Uncle Xu, you used to regard my father as your good friend when he was still well. Now that the Luo family is in trouble, are you unwilling to sacrifice even a single day's payment for us?"
Director Xu's voice hardened instantly as he responded, "Nanchu, if not for my hospital, do you think that any other hospital in the entire city of Tong City would admit any patient from the Luo family? Think about who you offended!"
Luo Nanchu closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She then whispered, "I understand. Director Xu, I will pay the fees by the first of next month at the latest. I promise that every single cent will be paid."
"Remember your promise, Nanchu. If you don't pay up by the first of next month, I will throw your father out of my hospital!"
Luo Nanchu did not speak, but hung up immediately. She pressed a hand against her forehead before biting her lip forcefully. It was only after it started bleeding that the intense expression on her face faded. The pain calmed her emotions, which had been on the verge of collapse.
She lifted her head again, her expression once again peaceful. As she looked down at the time on her phone, her gaze darkened. Then, she stood up and walked out of the cafe to hail a taxi.
"Drive me to A&M International."
…
What had once been named "Luoyang Corporation" had long since changed its name to "A&M International" when Fu Tingyuan took over the Luo family. For the past half-year, it had expanded into many businesses, surpassing Luo Juntian's former glory.