The next day, she regained her spirits. Before going out, to conceal her gauntness, she applied a thick layer of powder to her face and chose a brightly colored dress to make herself appear more energetic.
Otherwise, with her current ghastly appearance, she would truly frighten people if she went out.
Seeing her restored to her usual vigor, Xiaomei happily asked, "Miss Gu, where are you going? You look so energetic."
"I should go pick up Xiao Xingxing now," Gu Susu said with a smile.
Upon hearing that Xiao Xingxing was to be brought back, Xiaomei became even more delighted. "That's great! I haven't seen him in a while, and I miss him. The house is too quiet without that little fellow."
"Mmm, I'll bring him back later then," Gu Susu said, picking up her bag, ready to leave.
Xiaomei added, "Then I'll need to prepare some of the young master's favorite foods. Oh, and I should buy some children's milk, his favorite."
"Then you carry on, I'm going out," Gu Susu said. Just as she reached the door, her phone rang from her bag.
She stood by the elevator and took out her phone. Seeing it was Chen Ma calling, she answered immediately.
"Young Madam, why didn't you come to the hospital today?" Chen Ma's voice came from the other end of the phone.
Gu Susu said sheepishly, "Tianyi... he doesn't really want to see me. Miss Shu is taking care of him at the hospital, and it wouldn't be good for me to interfere with them."
"Miss Shu taking care of him? No, that's not true. For the past few days you haven't been here, it's been me and Xiao Anjing taking turns to look after him. I haven't seen hide nor hair of that Miss Shu. She's such a pampered lady, not someone who takes care of people." Chen Ma said.
Gu Susu felt something was wrong. "But... but when I left that day, he said he would have Miss Shu come to take care of him. He said..."
"Sigh, the young master just says one thing and means another," Chen Ma interrupted her. "Let's not talk about that. Hurry and come to the hospital. Today, the young master is having a major surgery to repair his lumbar spine. He's already in the operating room. I think he'll really want to see you when he comes out."
"A major surgery on his lumbar spine? But I never heard him mention this. The doctor didn't say anything last time I was at the hospital either." Gu Susu's calmed heart clenched again.
Chen Ma said, "This surgery was decided only two days ago. The doctors decided to do it earlier based on the changes in his hand condition. I thought you knew. Seeing you didn't come today, it seems you didn't know at all."
"Then I'll be right there." Gu Susu changed her plans without another word and headed straight for the hospital.
She arrived outside the hospital's operating room and saw only Chen Ma sitting there, waiting anxiously.
"Chen Ma, is Tianyi still in the operating room? How long did the doctor say the surgery would take? Where are the others?"
Seeing her, Chen Ma felt less uneasy. She grabbed her hand and said, "Young Madam, you're finally here. There was some urgent business at the group, so Xiao Anjing went to handle it. He should be here soon."
"What about Miss Shu? Why isn't she here while Tianyi is undergoing surgery?" Gu Susu asked again.
Chen Ma replied, "The young master told us not to notify Miss Shu."
Gu Susu murmured an "oh," thinking it was probably to spare her worry.
He liked Miss Shu, so naturally, he would care about her feelings.
"Young Madam, the young master doesn't like Miss Shu at all. The person he likes is still you..."
Gu Susu interrupted her, "Chen Ma, please don't comfort me. I can't help him with anything. Only Miss Shu can be his capable wife."
Chen Ma sighed, "Sigh..."
"Is this surgery dangerous? How long has he been in the operating room? Why hasn't he come out yet?" Gu Susu looked at the still-lit red indicator light, also worried.
"It's been over an hour since the young master was taken in. The doctor said this surgery would take four to five hours and requires general anesthesia. There will be some risks."
Gu Susu walked to the operating room door. Through the small pane of glass on the door, she could see nothing. She prayed in her heart for his safe recovery.
She and Chen Ma waited silently outside the operating room, keeping each other company, which made them less panicked.
Gu Susu watched as the minutes ticked by, each moment feeling like an ordeal.
After they had waited for nearly two more hours, Gu Susu felt her phone vibrating in her bag.
She took out her phone and went to a corridor further away from the operating room. It was Su Kangxi calling.
Oh heavens, she had forgotten about picking up Xiao Xingxing today and meeting with Yang Sijie.
"Xiao Su, I'm afraid I can't make it today. I'll have to trouble you to look after Xiao Xingxing for another day."
Su Kangxi asked with some disappointment from the other end of the phone, "Sister Susu, did something happen to you? Do you need my help?"
"I'm fine, it's not me who has something. I just found out this morning that Qin Tianyi is having major surgery, and I'm at the hospital now," Gu Susu explained.
Su Kangxi was somewhat helpless. He knew best how Qin Tianyi got injured.
He couldn't help but glance at Yang Sijie, who was beside him, and then at Xiao Xingxing, who was chatting and laughing with Yang Sijie.
Qin Tianyi had risked his life for this child, Xiao Xingxing. Even if Sister Susu and Qin Tianyi were divorced, there was no reason she shouldn't care about Qin Tianyi.
"Okay, I understand."
As he was about to hang up, Gu Susu quickly said, "Oh, and please apologize to Yang Sijie for me. We'll arrange another time to meet."
"Mmm." Su Kangxi hung up, put away his phone, and smiled at Yang Sijie, who was sitting opposite him, tall and refined.
Yang Sijie, dressed impeccably, understood. "Susu isn't coming today because of something?"
Su Kangxi nodded. "She suddenly had something to attend to and asked me to convey her apologies, saying she'll arrange another time."
"It's alright, then next time," Yang Sijie said, being very understanding.
Xiao Xingxing, however, was very disappointed. He pouted and said, "Mommy isn't coming to pick me up? Uncle Yang, will she abandon me?"
Yang Sijie patted his head and said, "How could she? She's just busy and will pick you up later."
"That's right," Su Kangxi said with a smile to Xiao Xingxing. "Look and see what you want to eat. I'm treating today, so order whatever you like. We'll still have fun even if your mom doesn't come."
Xiao Xingxing looked at the two of them. He felt they were both quite nice. Uncle Xi shared his interests particularly, and this Uncle Yang was also good, kind, and patient. It was a pity neither of them was his father.
He still missed his father, but he couldn't say it, or it would make everyone unhappy.
He reluctantly nodded and said, "Okay, then I want to eat steak, fried chicken, fries, and ice cream."
"No problem," Su Kangxi immediately ordered everything he asked for.
This was Yang Sijie's first time meeting the child, and he could tell he was exceptionally sensible.
Sometimes, the child's expression was so much like Gu Susu's when she was young, which gave him a natural sense of closeness.
The two grown men accompanied Xiao Xingxing for a hearty meal of child-friendly dishes, and then they went to an amusement park, playing until evening before returning to Su Kangxi's place.
As soon as Xiao Xingxing arrived, he was so tired that he fell asleep.
Watching Xiao Xingxing sleep, the two men exchanged a smile.