Arriving at the hospital and asking the nurse, he learned which ward Zhang Qian's mother was in.
The ward had four beds, and in the innermost bed lay an elder with a kind face.
The police officer asked softly to understand the situation and saw people approaching, "Are you Zhuang Huilan's family?"
Zhang Qian hurriedly said, "Zhuang Huilan is my mother. Is she alright?"
"There should be nothing seriously wrong."
The police officer then turned to Lu Liang, naturally assuming he was her husband, "Sir, please come out with us for a moment."
Zhang Qian was about to speak when Lu Liang patted the back of her hand and smiled, "I'll go and find out what is happening."
Mrs. Zhuang looked puzzledly at Zhang Qian and then at Lu Liang.
Zhang Yun held her hand, squatting beside the bed, unable to hold back tears, "Grandma, are you alright?"
Mrs. Zhuang looked at her lovingly, "Xiaoguai, don't cry, grandma is fine. Tell grandma, were you well-behaved in school today?"
Zhang Qian, watching Lu Liang talk to the police outside, gritted her teeth and said, "His name is Lu Liang, he's my boyfriend."
"Qianqian, you finally came to your senses, it's also time you found a boyfriend."
Mrs. Zhuang was surprised but then smiled—a smile so joyful that she accidentally aggravated her wound, causing her to inhale sharply in pain.
"Mom, be careful, what did the doctor just say?" Zhang Qian forced a smile, not wanting to discuss this topic.
Outside, Lu Liang finished talking with the police, returned to the ward, and informed them that it was a hit-and-run case. Although there was surveillance, there were too many people, and it was unclear who was responsible.
"As long as my mom is alright."
Zhang Qian was still shaken and had no mind to blame anyone.
She was about to thank Lu Liang and then find a chance to clarify to her mother that the two of them were just friends.
Unexpectedly, Lu Liang squatted beside the bed and gently said, "Auntie, hello, my name is Lu Liang."
Mrs. Zhuang nodded, holding Lu Liang's hand, visibly excited and sincere, "Little Lu, Qianqian has had a tough life before, I'm entrusting her to you from now on."
All these years, her daughter had not found another boyfriend, even saying she just wanted to raise her child and didn't need a man.
Now that she had finally brought a boyfriend home, she didn't ask for anything except that he be good to her and her daughter.
"Mom, why mention this, Xiaoguai is here too." Zhang Qian became anxious, fully aware of her relationship with Lu Liang.
Lu Liang paused, then smiled and said, "Auntie, don't worry, I will be good to Qianqian."
He then patted the little girl's head, "And of course, Xiaoguai too."
Zhang Qian was distracted, knowing well that Lu Liang was putting on an act, yet she couldn't help but feel an expectation—if only it were true.
At that moment, the nurse came to inform them that the doctor wanted to discuss treatment plans with the family and also make an upfront payment.
"Qianqian, you go and talk to the doctor. I will go to the entrance to make the payment, Xiaoguai can stay here with grandma."
Lu Liang organized everything, took the documents, and followed the nurse to the first-floor clinic to make the upfront payment.
On the nurse's suggestion, he deposited fifty thousand as an upfront payment and requested a private room.
After completing all the formalities, Lu Liang then went outside to buy several portions of dinner, finally returning to the ward.
Zhang Qian was waiting for him at the door, and Lu Liang signaled that they would talk after eating, reasoning that even if she wasn't hungry, the little girl must be.
"McDonald's, thank you, Uncle. Mom never let me eat this before."
The little girl's mood was like June weather, knowing her grandma was not seriously hurt, she regained the liveliness typical of her age.
"It makes me sound like I mistreat you. Kids should eat less greasy food, but it's okay to indulge occasionally."
Zhang Qian opened the dinner packaging, a tender look in her eyes.
Lu Liang was very considerate, not only buying a kid's meal but also keeping in mind the elder's health by specifically buying a portion of plain porridge.
"Xiaoguai, look what Uncle Lu bought for you as a gift, ta-da~"
Lu Liang, like a magician, pulled out a delicate little box from his pocket—it was a children's watch phone that had recently been released by BBK.
"Thank you, Uncle," said the little girl excitedly, unable to put down the watch, likely having seen this model at school.
"Tomorrow I'll have your mom get you a secondary card, but you must promise Uncle not to play with it during study time."
"Okay~" The little girl stole a glance at her mother and then nodded hastily like a pecking chick.
"Let's make a pinky promise."
Liang, full of childlike spirit, hooked the girl's pinky and they both yelled in unison, "Pinky promise, hang for a hundred years, no changing, whoever changes is a puppy."
Zhang Qian sighed. It wasn't that she couldn't afford it, she just didn't want her daughter to be exposed to electronic products too early.
Mrs. Zhuang, with a face full of loving kindness and a smile, said, "Little Lu and Xiaoguai get along so well, you should be reassured now."
Zhang Qian gave a bitter smile but offered no explanation.
At night, both Zhang Yun and Mrs. Zhuang had fallen asleep, and the hired hospital caregiver had also arrived.
Zhang Qian and Lu Liang stepped outside the hospital room. "Liang, thank you. How much was everything? I'll transfer it to you."
"Would it really be so rude of me to pretend to be your boyfriend?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Consider it a gesture of goodwill to the elderly, and besides, I quite like Xiaoguai."
Lu Liang looked at the little girl lying at the edge of the bed, his eyes filled with tenderness.
If his life plans hadn't gone astray, he would have had a child about her age.
Lu Liang continued, "You really should consider changing jobs. The child is getting older and will find out sooner or later. She even quietly asked me what her mom does outside."
"What did you tell her?" Zhang Qian asked urgently.
Although she bought a house in Modu, she always stayed in the company dormitory, as she didn't want her daughter to know what she did.
"I told her, Uncle is a big boss and your mom is helping me out."
Lu Liang, recalling the moment, couldn't help but laugh. "She also said to give you more leave so you could spend quality time with her."
Zhang Qian fell silent and after a long while said bitterly, "What else can I do?"
"Don't sell yourself short. You have great communication skills and high emotional intelligence. I think running a beauty salon would be great."
"But I don't know anything about that."
"You can learn, and it doesn't have to be in the beauty industry. You could look into other options."
Lu Liang touched her earlobe, gently squeezing. "When the time comes, we could open a store together. I'll invest, and you manage."
"I'll think about it." Zhang Qian shivered, knowing through their days of interaction what her most sensitive spots were.
Her cheeks flushed, she protested quietly, "Let go; we're at the hospital."
Liang chuckled, "Sorry, it's a habit."
"Mama, when are we going home?"
Just then, the little girl, just awake, rubbing her eyes, came over and looked up, "Mamma, your face is so red. Do you have a cold?"
"Go to the parking lot with Uncle Lu first, Mama needs to talk to grandma and the caregiver for a minute," Zhang Qian quickly turned her head away, fiercely glaring at Lu Liang.
"Xiaoguai, grab your backpack. Let's head out," Lu Liang chuckled, taking the little girl's hand as they left the hospital.
As they passed a pediatric clinic, the little girl stealthily watched as other children were carried by their fathers, her eyes filled with envy.
Noticing this, Lu Liang crouched down and whispered, "Xiaoguai, climb up, Uncle will carry you."
The little girl, delighted, excitedly clambered onto Lu Liang's back, whispering, "So broad, not like mom or grandma at all."
"Hold tight, off we go!" Lu Liang grinned, intentionally quickening his pace to give the little girl the thrill of a roller coaster ride.
In the dim, quiet underground parking lot, the little girl's laughter rang out like a bell.
Upon arriving, Zhang Qian, seeing this scene, suddenly froze. She watched covertly for a long time, her eyes gradually moistening, unable to help whispering, "You rascal."
Knowing it was impossible,
why must you always tug at the heartstrings?