He felt deeply embarrassed, having truly embodied the phrase "self-inflicted sentimentality" to its extreme.
After speaking, both mothers turned their heads to call out to Jiang Sicheng.
"Cheng, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Beibei!"
"It's all your fault! You didn't even care for your pregnant wife and almost caused a major disaster!"
"Quickly, coax Beibei properly and take her back! If Grandpa finds out about your scoundrel behavior, he'll skin you alive!"
Jiang Sicheng obediently walked to Zhou Jinbei's bedside.
Zhou Jinxiu and Father Zhou quickly gathered around as well.
Everyone crowded around Zhou Jinbei like they were protecting a panda, showering her with concern.
The word "crestfallen" was the most fitting description for Zhong at that moment.
After watching the harmonious family for a while, he quietly withdrew from the ward.
Chen Jiaojiao emerged from the elevator, holding a bouquet of flowers, and happened to run into Zhong.
She had a joyful expression on her face.
"Where are you heading? Not staying with Beibei anymore? Has she woken up? Have you two spoken? Did you clear things up? How are you feeling now?"
Zhong walked expressionlessly towards the elevator and pressed the down button.
"Not good. I'm leaving the country immediately and will never return."
"Her affairs have nothing to do with me. Don't talk to me about her anymore."
"..."
What happened?
He had just paid the hospital bills and looked so devotedly after Zhou Jinbei, and only a few hours had passed?
The moment she stepped out to buy flowers, his attitude had changed like this?
Could it be that Zhou Jinbei had woken up, they hadn't seen eye to eye, and things had fallen apart?
She hurried with the flowers towards the ward.
Upon entering, she was almost startled to death.
A sea of people had gathered in the room.
Was this still Zhou Jinbei's ward?
No one had ever seemed to care about her like this before.
Zhou Jinbei was on the verge of desperation.
Her pregnancy had indeed been handled carelessly.
She had intended to trick the Jiang family out of their money, but it turned out the whole family were misers.
Now that she had finally drawn a line between them and they were no longer involved, her parents shamelessly brought them to seek reconciliation.
In front of so many people, she couldn't possibly say the child wasn't Jiang Sicheng's, could she?
Seeing them perform their act with such enthusiasm, Zhong left the ward with a troubled expression. Zhou Jinbei wished she could push them all away and chase after Zhong.
But she was utterly immobile.
Fortunately, Chen Jiaojiao returned at this moment.
Spotting Chen Jiaojiao through a gap in the crowd, Zhou Jinbei immediately cast a pleading look her way.
Chen Jiaojiao, being very smart, understood immediately.
She squeezed through the crowd and grasped Zhou Jinbei's hand.
"Mom, I feel unwell, I can't breathe..."
Chen Jiaojiao put on a professional demeanor.
"Beibei just woke up, and the doctor said she needs plenty of rest. Moreover, so many people are packed in here, the air isn't circulating well, which is not conducive to her breathing."
"You are all her family, aren't you? Considering her health, why don't we all step out for a moment?"
Mother Zhou glanced at Chen Jiaojiao.
"Who is this young lady? Your friend?"
"Beibei, look at you. It's not that I want to lecture you, but with such a major incident, you'd rather confide in a friend than your own family. What do you take us for?"
"Alright, alright, Mom knows you're not feeling well now, so I won't say any more. You should rest."
"My dear sister-in-law, you all go back first. Ah Cheng and I will stay here to look after her. Sorry to have worried you all."
Jiang Sicheng, that scoundrel, was still going to stay?
Chen Jiaojiao was the first to object!
"Auntie..."
Mother Zhou placed a hand on her arm.
"Beibei's illness this time, we are truly grateful for your presence by her side. You've worked hard."
"You must be tired from running errands at the hospital. Since we are here now, you should go back and rest."
"When Beibei recovers, Auntie will have the time, and I will definitely thank you properly. You are truly a good girl."
Instead of driving others away, she herself was being shown the door.
Seeing this situation, Chen Jiaojiao could guess what kind of grievance Zhong had suffered just now.
Fearing that he would leave in such a confused state, leading to deeper misunderstandings with Zhou Jinbei.
Chen Jiaojiao immediately went down to the third floor to look for Zhong.
However, after a thorough search of every ward, she couldn't find him.
She went to the information desk to ask the nurse.
The nurse said she didn't know: "His father's ward is in 3102. You can check there."
Chen Jiaojiao ran to the door of the ward and took a look.
A middle-aged man lay on the bed in 3102, sleeping soundly. Zhong was not there.
Fortunately, his father was still here.
As long as there was a hostage, she wasn't afraid he would slip away quietly!
She hoped he had just gone out for some air, unable to cope.
Chen Jiaojiao left the hospital with some concern.
Who knew that the moment she left, Zhong discharged his father from the hospital.
Zhou Jinbei lay there, feeling agitated, until midnight. She couldn't sleep at all.
Jiang Sicheng had left, and her mother had finally fallen asleep. She took out her phone and sent a message to Chen Jiaojiao.
Asking about Zhong's whereabouts.
Chen Jiaojiao replied: "It's alright, his father is still in the hospital, he won't be able to leave for a while."
"Tomorrow, I'll go to the hospital to find him and help you explain things. But before that, you have to tell me what exactly happened between you two?"
At this point, she couldn't hide it from the only person who had been running errands for her. Zhou Jinbei recounted everything that had happened between her and Zhong.
"The child you're carrying is Zhong Jiaming's? You're actually carrying Zhong Jiaming's child?!"
Zhou Jinbei curled her lips.
"I knew you would react this way, which is why I never told you."
Chen Jiaojiao was indignant.
"Damn it, from now on, when things happen, can you tell me the truth earlier? If you had told me sooner, would the situation have become so complicated?"
"You say the child is gone and it's Zhong Jiaming's, but will he still care about you?"
"What? The child is gone?"
Zhou Jinbei was unaware of the immense changes that had occurred in her body.
Although Jiang Nanfang had instructed her not to tell Zhou Jinbei yet, to avoid causing emotional instability that would hinder her recovery.
But since the cat was out of the bag, Chen Jiaojiao had no choice but to tell the truth.
This made Zhou Jinbei even more unable to sleep.
"Jiaojiao, please, can you come to the hospital right now to help me find him?"
"Explain things to him, I will not reconcile with Jiang Sicheng, absolutely not! Give him another chance!"
Chen Jiaojiao drove back to the hospital in a flurry.
However, the nurse informed her that the person had already left.
Almost unable to catch her breath, Chen Jiaojiao quickly messaged Zhou Jinbei.
"He must have taken his father back to their hometown. I'll send you the address, can you run this errand for me?"
Feeling like a righteous messenger saving the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, Chen Jiaojiao unhesitatingly drove to Zhong's hometown again that night.
However, the gate was locked.
Unwilling to return just like that, she knocked on a neighbor's door.
The neighbor told her.
"Little Zhong has become successful. He made a fortune abroad and didn't want his father to suffer alone and miserably in the old home. He's taking his father to immigrate abroad."
"He entrusted me to dispose of the entire house and the livestock. They have already left."