Louis first found a domestic service company. Then he drove to the hospital Anna mentioned. Instead of going directly to Thalia, he went to see the doctor first. He learned the detailed condition of Thalia's mother from the doctor and then went up to the inpatient department, arriving at the door of Room 302.
Outside the ward, Louis composed himself, trying to maintain a cold expression on his face. He lightly knocked on the door a few times. Footsteps approached, and the next moment, the door opened. Thalia, with slightly red eyes, appeared in front of Louis.
Upon seeing Louis, Thalia was momentarily stunned, unsure of why he had come.
"Thalia? Aren't you going to let me in first?" Louis's voice was calm, and towering over Thalia by a head, he appeared quite imposing.
Thalia furrowed her brows but still stepped aside, allowing Louis to enter the room.
"Is this your friend, daughter?" Upon entering the ward, Louis saw an elderly woman with gray hair and sunken cheeks sitting upright on the bed, looking at him.
Before Thalia could reply, Louis quickly walked to the bedside and held the old woman's hand.
"Auntie, my wife is Thalia's friend. She came by before, but you were sleeping, so we didn't disturb you."
"So, you're her friend. Young man, you're really considerate. It's fortunate for my daughter to have friends like you." Thalia's mother gently patted Louis's hand, her face kind, but her emaciated body looked so fragile.
"Auntie, you're too kind. It's a blessing for us to have Thalia as a friend. My wife always talks about how good Thalia is at home, and I've heard it so much my ears are calloused! It's just a pity this time. My wife wanted to go with Thalia, but she's worried about your health and didn't want to go. You don't know how sad my wife was when she came home!" Louis rambled on. Behind him, Thalia's expression suddenly changed.
Was this guy invited by Anna to act as a mediator?
"What job? What's going on?" Thalia's mother didn't know the specifics of her daughter's work. Hearing Louis's words, her gray eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"Mom! Don't listen to his nonsense. There's no job. I'm doing fine with my job!" Thalia glared at Louis and quickly explained to her mother.
Although Thalia's mother was nearly 70 years old, she wasn't foolish. She knew that she had made her daughter worry and caused her to miss work.
Immediately, she clasped Louis's hand and asked, "Young man, my daughter has troubled you. She's stubborn. Tell me, what job?"
Louis looked embarrassed, glanced at Thalia, and then said, "Auntie, I'm not very good with words. Mainly, this job requires traveling. I was originally planning to hire a nanny to take care of you, but Thalia is worried and wants to take care of you personally."
"You child, why didn't you tell me about this? Since the job requires you to travel, then go!" Thalia's mother turned to look at her daughter.
"Mom!" Thalia was anxious, feeling even more resentful towards Louis.
She did want to stay and take care of her mother, but the main reason was that she simply couldn't leave. Where would she get the money to hire a nanny? Even the money for the next surgery was weighing heavily on her.
"Thalia! Let's talk outside." Louis maintained his calm demeanor and, after holding Thalia's mother's hand for a moment, kindly said, "Auntie, don't worry. I'll talk to Thalia about this."
With that, Louis stood up and left the ward.
Thalia gritted her teeth, glared at Louis, and followed him out into the corridor.
"What are you trying to do, Louis?"
"Just think of me as a bad guy. I just don't want Anna to be upset. I understand her. If you don't go with her, she'll keep worrying about you. When the time comes, if she can give five percent of her warmth, it'll be good enough!"
"Oh, and by the way, I've paid for your next surgery, and I've also arranged for a nanny. I'll give you the contact information, and you can choose." Louis replied calmly, the difference in height between them giving him a somewhat condescending air.
"Hmph! Louis! Are you trying to patronize me?" Thalia scoffed angrily.
"You're overthinking it! I'll get it back! From now on, it'll come out of Anna's salary to you! This time, you and Freya went with Anna, it has nothing to do with Ocean Entertainment. How much she pays you, I don't care. Anyway, it's my money! You have to pay me back!" Louis assumed a thuggish demeanor, shrugging his shoulders.
"Anyway, I've already paid for the surgery and hired a nanny. They won't give refunds, and I don't care about what you do next!" Louis finished speaking, not giving Thalia any time to react, and turned to walk quickly towards the exit.
"Louis! Don't tell Anna!" When he was about to reach the door, Thalia's voice came, but Louis didn't turn his head, just waved his hand.
Thalia watched Louis's figure disappear outside the door, her eyes complicated. Half an hour later, she returned to the ward.
"Daughter, did that young man leave?" Thalia's mother saw her come in alone and patted the bedside, motioning for Thalia to sit down.
"Don't blame that young man, he's a good person. Mom has met many people, and you can tell what kind of person he is just by looking into his eyes."
"Mom also knows you're filial, but daughter, there are many paths in life. If you choose the wrong one, you'll regret it later! Mom's health is good now, right? Another surgery will completely cure her, and the doctor also said the risk is minimal."
"So, don't worry about Mom's health. Go! If you really regret it later because of Mom, Mom will be truly sad."
Thalia lowered her head and listened silently to her mother's admonition. After a long silence, she finally nodded gently.
Meanwhile, as Louis just returned home, Anna approached eagerly, her little face full of curiosity.
Louis deliberately ignored her and happily picked up Cicc.
"Cicc, what do you want for dinner?"
Anna's expression froze completely, incredulously looking at Louis who passed by her.
"I love whatever Dad cooks!"
The little one said very accommodatingly, completely oblivious to the fact that her mother was already dejected.
"Great! Dad will cook now!"
With that, Louis kissed Cicc on the cheek and walked to the kitchen.
"Louis! I'm angry!"
Anna pouted, her face full of grievances. How could this man completely ignore her! Didn't he know she was anxiously waiting for him at home?
"What's wrong?"
Louis turned around, his innocent expression making Anna even more angry. He was so tender when he left, calling her a fool, but now he was acting dumb?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Anna sat down on the sofa, crossed her arms, and turned her face away, refusing to look at him anymore.
What a temper! Not bad!
Louis smiled and decided not to tease her anymore.
"Remember to bring your two loyal bodyguards when you go out tomorrow! With your temper, if you don't bring them, people will bully you to death!"
Anna suddenly turned her head, her eyes gleaming. The speed of her mood change made Louis astonished.
"Did Thalia agree?"
"What do you think? Alright, I'm going to cook now! Please don't disturb me!"
"Louis, how do you do it!"
"Uh..."