Chen Jiao Jiao helped Zhou Jin Bei into the car, gave the address, and Xiang Yang skillfully drove off.
Since her miscarriage last time, Zhou Jin Bei had developed painful menstruation. She thought it was almost over this time and it would be fine to have some drinks, but now her stomach was hurting more and more. Chen Jiao Jiao had initially thought she was drunk and weak, leaning on her. But seeing her now, covered in sweat, clutching her stomach in increasing discomfort, she realized something was wrong.
"What's wrong? Is your stomach upset?"
"I don't know, my stomach hurts a lot. It was just a little bit earlier, but now it's getting worse."
"Didn't you say it was almost over?"
"Yeah, it's the last two days. It wasn't hurting anymore... See if there's a pharmacy ahead, buy me a painkiller."
Chen Jiao Jiao frowned.
"Don't talk nonsense, painkillers aren't something you can just take. What if there's something else wrong? It's not too late yet, I'll take you to the hospital."
Hearing them, Xiang Yang's heart sank. It was already late. If they went to the hospital now, he definitely wouldn't be able to get back to school.
Zhou Jin Bei didn't want to trouble Chen Jiao Jiao and was about to refuse when another sharp pain hit her. She was in so much pain she couldn't speak, doubling over and rubbing her stomach fiercely.
"Fine, take me to the hospital, it's too unbearable."
Chen Jiao Jiao looked up at Xiang Yang.
"Sorry. Let's go to People's Hospital."
Since he had taken the job, he couldn't just leave them halfway. And they were two girls who had been drinking, so Xiang Yang had no choice but to drive to the hospital.
When they arrived at the hospital, Zhou Jin Bei was in so much pain she couldn't walk and her hair was soaked with sweat. Chen Jiao Jiao couldn't get her out by herself and had to call Xiang Yang for help. Xiang Yang walked around to the back and saw Zhou Jin Bei looked as if she had just been pulled out of water, her face frighteningly pale.
"Could it be appendicitis? Or a stomach ulcer, how much did you guys drink?"
"Not much, she usually has a high tolerance for alcohol..."
"Forget it, I'll carry her."
Xiang Yang carefully carried Zhou Jin Bei out, and they ran towards the emergency room. Upon examination, Xiang Yang's guess was correct: acute stomach perforation. The doctor scolded them soundly, warning them never to drink again, arranged a ward, and ordered Zhou Jin Bei to be put on an IV drip. With A Zhong away, Chen Jiao Jiao had to stay and keep her company at this critical moment.
Seeing that it was too late to return to school, Chen Jiao Jiao felt awkward telling Xiang Yang after settling Zhou Jin Bei.
"What time is your curfew? Is it already late?"
"It's fine."
Xiang Yang said it, but he had no plan in mind. Since his sister left, he had no one to rely on in this city. If he didn't go back to school at night, he'd have to get a hotel room. He had taken three orders today, just enough to afford a hotel room. Half a day's work gone.
"How can it be fine? Do you have any relatives or friends? Can Jia Nan go?"
Chen Jiao Jiao was very principled.
"Forget it, it's too late to disturb them. It's my fault for delaying you. I'll give you money to get a hotel room."
She pulled out her phone, signaling him to open his QR code for payment.
"Is 500 yuan enough? That should cover a standard double room. If you think it's not enough, I'll transfer you 1000."
They hadn't interacted much, only dealing with money each time. Although it was clear Chen Jiao Jiao was a wealthy woman, she wasn't being ostentatious like this. Xiang Yang didn't move.
"No need. Taking your order and bringing you here is my job. I can't possibly ask for more money."
"But I've delayed you and you can't go back, so I have to take responsibility..."
"Really, no need. Hurry up and take care of your friend, I'm leaving."
Xiang Yang interrupted her politeness and turned to leave. Chen Jiao Jiao hadn't finished speaking when she casually pulled him back.
"If you're too embarrassed to take money, then come stay at my place. I'm not going back tonight anyway. You know where my complex is."
She grabbed her bag and took out her keys, telling him the unit number.
"When you leave tomorrow, just leave the key at the security desk."
They had only met twice, and she didn't even know his name, yet she dared to let him stay at her place. She was too trusting. Xiang Yang didn't take her keys.
"Really, no need, I have a place to stay. Alright, take care of your friend, I'm leaving."
He strode out of the room. Watching his潇洒 departing back, Chen Jiao Jiao's earlier thoughts resurfaced. This kid, though young, had a backbone.
He had been bitten by a dog a week ago and hadn't found time to go to the hospital, but unexpectedly came tonight. Thinking that he couldn't go back to school anyway, since he was here, he might as well ask the doctor if he could get a shot while he was at it. Xiang Yang went to the doctor's office. After explaining his situation, he was again scolded by the doctor. The doctor called him ignorant, said he was playing with his life, and lectured him for a long time. Then they told him he couldn't get the shot there; it had to be done at a specialized CDC center or designated hospital, which they didn't have. It was bad enough they didn't have it, but they also scolded him harshly. Xiang Yang walked away, clutching his arm, feeling a bit wronged.
Half an hour later, a nurse went to change Zhou Jin Bei's dressing. It was late, and everyone was drowsy. Bored, she saw Chen Jiao Jiao leaning on the hospital bed looking at her phone. The nurse started chatting with her.
"That driver who brought you here just now was quite interesting."
Chen Jiao Jiao thought the nurse had taken a liking to Xiang Yang and looked up.
"What was interesting about him?"
"Before you guys came, I heard him asking our ER doctor if he could get a rabies vaccine. He was bitten by a dog a week ago and hasn't gotten the vaccine yet, and he comes to our ER so late at night. He's young and handsome, but so scatterbrained."
The nurse said with a sarcastic tone.
"I've noticed that most handsome guys these days are just pretty faces, all show and no substance, quite boring."
Chen Jiao Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but stand up.
"You said he was bitten by a dog a week ago and hasn't gotten the vaccine?"
"Yes. Weird, isn't he? He doesn't even have this basic common sense. Truly lives life on the edge."
"A few vaccine shots wouldn't cost much, and he's so young, but his brain is so underdeveloped."
She had specifically driven to his school that day to ask him if he had gotten the vaccine, and he said he had. But up until now... Chen Jiao Jiao was truly speechless. Is he really that reckless with his life, or is he that desperate for money? Why is this kid so dishonest? If he couldn't even afford a vaccine, he definitely wouldn't spend money on a hotel room for the night. So where could he go this late? Thinking of this, Chen Jiao Jiao couldn't be bothered to chat with the nurse anymore and dashed out.
However, Xiang Yang had already left. She looked around outside but couldn't find him. Fortunately, he had left his phone number when he took the order, so Chen Jiao Jiao found his WeChat using his phone number and sent a friend request. Ten minutes passed, and it wasn't accepted yet. She couldn't wait, opened Alipay, entered his phone number, and transferred him 1000 yuan.