Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss-Chapter 553 - 527: Facing the Future

"After so much treatment, it feels shameful not to give you something." Jingjing’s mother said regretfully. Even though Dr. Chen Xiaoqian was young, she was the most dedicated doctor they had ever met.

Qian’s gaze swept around and suddenly stopped at a small keychain on the table.

On it was a slightly faded metal rogue rabbit pendant.

"Can I have this?"

"Of course—but it’s a bit faded. If you like, I can buy you a new one?"

Qian waved her hand, "Faded objects hold unfaded memories. Take good care of your daughter who has returned to you; this might be our last meeting."

"Thank you, Dr. Chen! You are a good person!"

Jingjing’s parents bowed to Qian’s departing figure.

Qian gently tightened her grip on the rogue rabbit pendant, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

A good person?

She still preferred being a bad person, yet she was a good doctor.

Being a bad person doesn’t conflict with being a good doctor.

Upon leaving Jingjing’s house and reaching the entrance of the neighborhood, she suddenly heard someone calling her name. Qian looked around but didn’t see a familiar face.

"It’s me!" Qiuqiu removed his hat and sunglasses and approached Qian.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Qian looked at Qiuqiu in his beggar’s outfit, with a hat askew on his head and large sunglasses covering half his face. One couldn’t truly recognize him without getting close.

"These days, I’ve been pretending to be a beggar sitting at the entrance of the neighborhood. You said you didn’t want her to find out about me, right? How’s the treatment going?"

"No problem, rest assured. She will surely have a renewed life in the future. Are you okay?"

"What’s there to worry about? I’m fine—Qian, can you have a drink with me?"

"Let me make a call first. If there’s nothing from my mom, I’ll stay with you for a while."

"Mom, have you had your checkup?" Qian called Jia Xiufang.

"I did, nothing serious, just a mild inflammation. Some medicine will do." Jia Xiufang’s voice sounded a bit weak, perhaps due to her illness.

"I’ll come back to check on you." Qian was always concerned.

"Why come back? We spent money to get you to study, and you’re running back and forth? Focus on your studies. I can handle it!"

Hearing her so energetic, it didn’t seem like a big problem.

"Then give the phone to Elder Sister-in-law, I have a few words for her."

Jia Xiufang handed the phone to her sister-in-law, winking and gesturing silently. Elder Sister-In-Law cleared her throat before answering.

"Qian, it’s your elder sister-in-law."

"Elder Sister-in-law, what’s the matter with my mom?"

"Chronic—uh, salpingitis." Under Jia Xiufang’s gaze, she mentioned an ailment they had pre-agreed on.

"Is it serious?"

"Not serious, it’s just—"

Elder Sister-in-law glanced at Jia Xiufang, who was silently pleading with her hands together.

"Just what? Do I need to come back and take care of her?"

Qian knew their mom had no relatives around, and her brother was still a child. The two brothers of their mom didn’t help either, with one out of town and the other merely causing trouble. After the divorce, the Chen Family hadn’t been in touch, and the only fourth uncle and aunt they contacted were busy taking care of their grandmother.

"No need, I can take good care of Auntie here, it’s really not a big issue, don’t worry."

"Alright then, let’s stay in touch if anything comes up."

Qian wasn’t suspicious and ended the call, turning to Qiuqiu.

"Come on, I’ll keep you company for a while."

At the hospital, Elder Sister-in-law said to Jia Xiufang, who was lying on the bed.

"Why did you hide it from Qian? Appendicitis surgery isn’t a big deal. Wouldn’t it be better to let her come back to see you?"

Jia Xiufang wasn’t suffering from a gynecological issue; she had chronic appendicitis, and after a detailed diagnosis, the doctor suggested removing it to prevent recurrent attacks.

It’s a very minor surgery with almost no risk. Elder Sister-in-law thought it might be better to tell Qian and let her come back to take care of her.

"Qian’er is still a student, and she has lots of schoolwork. Although the surgery is minor, there’s a recovery period, and I don’t want her distracted and exhausted by coming back and forth. I’ll just hire a caregiver with some money."

Jia Xiufang felt that bringing Qian back for such a small matter would exhaust the child. To her, Qian was still a kid – she couldn’t cook or take care of people – what would she do if she came back?

"That’s not necessary; I have two little aunts at home who can come over to take care of you. I’m also around the hospital, so there’s always someone there. But if you don’t tell Qian, she might worry or even blame you later."

Elder Sister-in-law, who had been in the hospital for many years, knew that having family accompany during a hospital stay meant not only caregiving but also reassuring. Seeing one’s family upon waking could elevate one’s mood.

"It’s alright, I know my daughter. She’s tough on the outside but soft inside. She couldn’t possibly be angry with me. Elder Sister-in-law, you must keep this a secret and not tell my Qian’er."

"Alright."

Qian and Qiuqiu had a quiet drink. They just randomly picked a place where Qiuqiu drank gloomily while Qian sat beside him, listening to his droning stories about his time with Jingjing. Qian played the role of a silent audience. She knew that Qiuqiu only needed someone to listen at this moment, not someone to offer opinions.

"I’m happy she’s doing well today, starting a happy new life. Forgetting me isn’t a bad thing. If she thinks of bad memories when I’m around, isn’t it better if I leave? I have no regrets, just a bit of remorse—not seeing her in the dress I bought for her, not witnessing the flowers in full bloom..."

Qiuqiu continued to speak intermittently, not fully aware of what he was saying. Whether the weather warmed or the flowers bloomed, it was ultimately a one-sided love with no ending, where much was given for her to forget.

Two empty bottles were already on the greasy table of the small tavern. Seeing the time, Qian asked,

"It’s about time. Don’t you want to see her one last time?"

"Go where?" Qiuqiu, slightly drunk, but still clear-headed.

"The train station, to say goodbye to the girl who lingered on your mind for months."

"I should go... Is it right to do so?"

"We can hide in the crowd, not letting her notice."

This tempting suggestion made Qiuqiu hesitate. Qian opened her hand, revealing the rogue rabbit in her palm.

The welding marks on the ears were recognizable. It was through this rabbit pendant that Qiuqiu and Jingjing met.

Back then, Jingjing was still scared and avoided men. He found her lost rabbit, fixed it, and returned it to her. It started their sweet yet bittersweet, unspoken yet well-understood, vague romance.

Qian hadn’t taken Jingjing’s parents’ consultation fees but had brought this along.

This object stirred Qiuqiu’s emotions. He grabbed the small rabbit and held it in his hand, and Qian pulled him up.

"Let’s go. Seeing might not change anything, but not seeing will lead to lifelong regret. Only by facing the past can you move toward the future. Let’s go!"

The two of them hailed a cab and headed straight to the train station, hidden in an inconspicuous corner, quietly waiting for Jingjing to arrive.