243 You Don'st Own Me

Zhao Lifei prioritized Yang Ruqin's status in the hospital so she drove there before her lunch with Wei Hantao. At the First Hospital, she wrote her name in the visitors' log and went upstairs.

When she got near Yang Ruqin's room, she gave the people guarding outside a nod. They responded by bowing their head and stepping to the side. She pushed the door open and realized there were signs of other visitors here. She guessed it was Mr. and Mrs. Yang who might have come to visit last night.

Placing her purse down, Zhao Lifei checked to make sure everything was running smoothly. She changed the water tank in the humidifier, added in droplets of lavender essential oil, and then made sure Yang Ruqin was properly tucked in.

In her haste, she did not realize two people were standing by the door, watching her every move.

Fan Jielan had just arrived at the door of the VVIP room when she saw Zhao Lifei moving around.

Fan Jielan always knew Zhao Lifei was looking out for her daughter. It had been that way since they were merely children. Even to this day, she fondly remembered a little girl passing her favorite dessert to Yang Ruqin, despite wanting to eat it herself.

Seeing Zhao Lifei in the hospital room while making herself useful, Fan Jielan felt her impression drastically improve. Even with a tainted name and reputation, it did not belittle Zhao Lifei's characteristics. Times have changed and so has her behavior.

Yang Qianlu warily glanced at the woman tucking his daughter into bed. He refused to believe someone would be this kind and giving without asking for something in return. He continued to watch as her slim fingers delicately placed the blanket up to Yang Ruqin's chin, brushed her hair away, adjusted the settings on the humidifier, and then checked the IV drip.

All of her actions, they seem natural...As if she did it on instincts. He certainly did not miss the reports of what had happened. She was the one who discovered his Xiao Qin in such a horrid state and was the one who pummeled Mu Ting.

Even so, he could not find it within himself to fully accept her like his wife had secretly done. He favored Su Meixiu greatly for all of the things she had done for his son. Remaining by his side for nine years was not an easy job. She had suffered a great ordeal to get to where she stood today, only for it to all come crumbling down because of a single woman.

"I'll be heading back now, Qinqin." Zhao Lifei gently whispered to the sleeping woman. She felt a pang of guilt hit her when she realized it had been two days already and her Qinqin has yet to wake up.

Zhao Lifei did not want to imagine or even entertain the idea of what would have happened if she had discovered Yang Ruqin too late. The results would be disastrous.

Zhao Lifei picked up her purse and it was then she felt two pairs of eyes on her. She instantly turned around to see Mr. and Mrs. Yang standing by the door.

She held her purse in front of her body and bowed a bit. "Good morning."

Yang Qianlu grumbled under his breath, "It was a good one until I saw you."

Fan Jielan roughly elbowed her husband, slightly glaring at him. Did he want his eldest son to hate him? Besides, what was so wrong with Zhao Lifei? Reputations can easily be changed!

"Good morning, Lifei. I did not expect to see you here this early." Fan Jielan warmly smiled, slipping her hand through her husband's elbow and dragging him into the room.

"I was worried about Ruqin and decided it was best to come here early in case she wakes up." Zhao Lifei calmly responded, her mouth lifting into a tiny, graceful smile.

Fan Jielan could already imagine how beautiful her grandchildren would be. Both her son and Zhao Lifei had very favorable features that would certainly mix well together.

"Before coming to this room, we consulted the doctor in charge of her." Fan Jielan felt a squeeze on her arm, a warning from her husband to not speak anymore. For the first time in a while, she ignored him.

"The doctor reported Xiao Qin's condition is very stable, thus, she would wake up very soon." Fan Jielan could feel her husband shooting daggers with his eyes, angered that she had disobeyed him. She coldly glowered at him, her eyes boring a hole through his skull.

Her message was clear: You don't own me.

They were husband and wife, which meant they were on equal footing.

Zhao Lifei felt her heart soar at the good news. Her face became visibly brighter, her eyes shining more. "Is that so? That's wonderful to hear."

Fan Jielan felt her heart softened when she saw the happiness on Zhao Lifei's face.

- - - - - -

After the brief run-in with Yang Feng's parents, Zhao Lifei made her way to Feili's headquarters. She walkedupstairs and when she was right outside of Wei Hantao's doors, Huo Qiudong spoke up from his desk, "President, Mr. Wei is not in his office right now."

Zhao Lifei paused and checked the time. Their lunch would begin in approximately two hours. Where was he? "That's fine, prepare the documents that must be looked over and signed today. As well as this week's report."

"Mr. Wei has already checked over everything yesterday as well as this morning."

"Even the ones for today…?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Zhao Lifei always knew Wei Hantao was a hardworking man, ever since their high school years. Even though he was the school's Prince Charming and could ask any straight-A student to do his homework, he did not seize the chance. He did everything on his own and after finishing the assignments for the entire month, he'd complete workbooks too advanced for his age.

Wei Hantao was trained to become the next CEO of his father's company like all of his siblings. However, when the selection year came along, his eldest brother was effortlessly chosen to be the successor, whereas Wei Hantao was forced to stand on the sidelines. He was the second son of the family and despite the title, was not bestowed the name of Vice President.

Zhao Lifei remembered stumbling upon his drunken body at a nightclub two years ago. He had drunk half the bar dry, was basically crying in the ample chests of a woman, and babbling about his pathetic state. Luckily for him, she was able to step in before any paparazzi photos were taken.