5: Why are you back?

The hospital gave me two days to settle down before starting work. This was at least some time to keep my things in order.

So Tuan Tuan and I moved into an apartment we bought at the Eastern Palace. It was a nice place, though not nearly as luxurious as the kind of homes people like Qing Han lived in.

All that mattered was that it was mine. I finally had a place of my own, and I did not have to depend on anyone.

I chose the place because it was quiet ans secluded. It would not be so easy for my enemies to find me.

Since I could not leave Tuan Tuan home alone, I enrolled him in a daycare, even though he did not like it much.

He was still too young for school, and I had always believed that forcing a child to start too early would only make them hate it later.

“But mama, I don't like staying here,” he said, his eyes a little downcast. “I liked it more when I stayed home with Big Xuan. Can Big Xuan come to the country with us?“

I sighed deeply. “Sweetheart, Big Xuan is busy for now. But I'm sure he'll come to visit when he has time,” I explained.

Mo Xuan had been a great help abroad. Tuan Tuan and he were very close. It was reasonable that he missed him.

After making sure Tuan Tuan was ready for the day, I left for work, promising him that I would pick him up as soon as I finished.

I was given a schedule for the day, and the first task was induction.

We had barely started when Mr. Zhong appeared. "Doctor Wan Mei, what are you doing right now?" he asked.

He was polite as always, and I had already begun to admire his calm leadership style.

"I just started my induction," I said.

He looked at me for a moment before sighing, which made me uneasy.

"Pause the induction for now. There is a patient I would like you to check on in room 525," he said.

I was surprised. I had just arrived and barely knew my way around the hospital.

"But sir, I just got here," I tried to explain.

Mr. Zhong pressed his lips together. "I would not ask if it were not important. Please go to room 525."

I hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. "Okay, sir."

Even though I did not understand why he wanted me to see that patient, I decided to follow his instructions. It would not look good to start off by refusing.

He gave me directions, and I took the elevator up.

Room 525 was on the top floor of the building. Strangely, it was the only room there. It was clearly the best suite in the hospital.

I frowned. Who could possibly be staying in a room like that?

After a moment, I knocked. When no one answered, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

That was what doctors did. I assumed the patient might be too weak to respond, so I took the initiative.

A man stood by the window, dressed in a black suit.

"I did not expect you to be out of bed," I said, walking toward him.

But when he turned around, hands in his pockets, I froze.

For a few seconds, I could not move. My hands trembled as I stared at his face.

Then instinct kicked in. I needed to run.

Qing Han.

Mr. Zhong had set me up. No wonder he had looked uneasy earlier.

I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, someone closed it from the outside. We were locked in.

Still, I tried the handle, but it would not budge.

I turned back slowly, facing the man who looked like he wanted to crush the air out of me.

"Qing Han… what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice shaking.

He stared at me for a long moment before scoffing. "I thought you would pretend not to know me," he said.

His voice was cold, sharp enough to make my skin crawl.

"What do you want?" I asked, glancing around the room.

"What I want?" he repeated, stepping closer.

"Do not do anything," I said, backing away, but it was too late.

He grabbed me by the neck and slammed me against the wall. "You are asking what I want? I should be asking you that. Why are you back?"

I struggled to breathe, clawing at his hand. "It has nothing to do with you," I managed to say.

His expression darkened. "Oh? After you scammed money from my mother? After you—"

He stopped, closing his eyes tightly. I knew what he wanted to say.

"I never liked you, Chen Xiu," he said through clenched teeth. "But I did not think you were a murderer. You killed my child."

His grip tightened, cutting off my air. For a moment, I thought he would actually kill me.

I could not blame him for being angry. I had made him believe I ended my pregnancy before I left.

Qing Han was heartless. That was how he had been raised—to protect the Qing family and its name at any cost.

If I made one wrong move, he would lose control and finish me. No one would ever know what happened.

And all I could think about was my son. I could not let Tuan Tuan grow up without a mother.

"What do you want?" I gasped. "Tell me. I will do anything."

His grip tightened again, as if my words only made him angrier.

Just when I thought I was going to die, he let go.

I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. I had survived by sheer luck.

Qing Han looked down at me with disgust. "Stay away from me and my family. If I ever see you near them again, I will kill you."

Even though I was terrified, anger burned inside me.

"That is what I was planning to do anyway. Who do you think you are?" I said.

He stopped at the door and turned his head slightly. "What did you just say?" His voice was ice cold.