Chapter 4 I Really Want to Scratch Your Face with a Knife

Three hours later, the lights in the operating room finally went out. Her mother was pushed out from inside. Jiang Ruan immediately snapped back to reality, stood up, and a sharp pain from her knees made her gasp for air, her vision dizzying.

"Family members of the patient, please go and make the payment and collect the medicine. The patient has just undergone emergency surgery and cannot eat yet; she needs to be given IV nutrition first."

Jiang Ruan, disregarding the pain, nodded immediately, "Okay, I'll go right now."

By the time she got back to the ward with the medication, her mother had already woken up.

Jiang Ruan's lips curved into a gentle smile; she trotted over and sat on the bed, taking her mother's hand. Her voice was soft and obedient, "Mom, you're awake. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Are you hungry? You just had minor surgery and can't eat yet. I'll set up the IV nutrition for you."

Li Xiangyu looked at Jiang Ruan caring for her with such earnestness—her eyes devoid of any sympathy, "How many days has it been since you last visited me? Are you that busy with work?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes, "Mom, I'll have more time to visit you after these few busy days. I can also move out of the Jiang Family's house to stay with you here..."

Ever since the surgery had been scheduled, with costs reaching nearly a million yuan, Jiang Ruan's work had taken up most of her time each day, especially these last few days as she tried to gather the 100,000 yuan needed. Aside from those three days, she had barely any time to rest…

But no sooner had she spoken than her mother's reprimand came!

"What nonsense! Jiang Ruan, I sent you to the Jiang Family for a reason. You should know my intentions. If you behave well, they won't mistreat you. Why are you still so thoughtless! Haven't I told you not to oppose Madam Jiang and to listen to Miss Yuning? Only by pleasing them can you have an easier life, and I can rest easy!"

Looking at her mother's angry expression, Jiang Ruan remembered the doctor's advice and immediately stepped forward to pat her on the back, her voice trembling slightly, "Mom, don't be angry. I haven't been opposing them. I've been obedient in the Jiang Family and haven't done anything wrong. But more than staying with the Jiang Family, I want to be with you, mom. I know you want what's best for me, to have a good life there, but I'm happiest with you. I can also earn money so that we can live well."

Li Xiangyu frowned and immediately pushed Jiang Ruan away.

Caught off guard, Jiang Ruan stumbled backward, her palm hitting the corner of the table. The acute pain made stars dance before her eyes.

Li Xiangyu looked over to find Jiang Ruan so pained that she had turned pale, blood beads forming on her knees once more.

Jiang Ruan also noticed her mother's gaze and tried to prompt a few words of concern from her, but saw her mother coldly shift her eyes away.

"You mentioned moving out to care for me in the ward, did something happen at the Jiang Family? Jiang Ruan, I hope you can behave more sensibly. Miss Yuning is so beautiful, a top student, talented, and about to marry into the Zhan Family. You selling alcohol at the bar is already humiliating for the Jiang Family. I know my illness has burdened you, and if that's the case, I would rather you not bother with me anymore."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruan immediately stood up and went to hold her mother's hand.

"Mom, I know I was wrong. You just had surgery, don't be angry. The doctor said you need to recover well and not get too emotional. I went to sell alcohol at the bar to raise money for the surgery. I didn't do anything wrong. I've already saved up sixty thousand yuan, and I haven't made any mess."

Sixty thousand?

Li Xiangyu gently grasped Jiang Ruan's hand, "You have sixty thousand yuan on you, what if it gets lost or stolen? Let mom keep it safe for you, save it."

Jiang Ruan pursed her lips. This was the money for her mother's treatment, so without much hesitation, she took out her bank card and handed it over, "Mom, you know the PIN; it's your birthday."

"Hmm, good child."

Seeing her mother finally relax, Jiang Ruan allowed herself a tearful smile, pressing her face gently against her mother's hand, "I will definitely cure mom."

Jiang Ruan didn't stay in the ward too long; she had taken three days off from the bar, and the manager was already urging her to return.

She hurried out of the elevator, squeezing through the crowd in the hospital, and was immediately met face-to-face with Jiang Yuning.

She was dressed in a white outfit, draped in a high-end tailored cashmere coat, and looked down from her high heels as Jiang Ruan approached.

Jiang Ruan paused, unable to ignore the dazzling ring on Yuning's middle finger. She clenched her hand slightly.

Just about to call out "Miss Yuning," she was met with a slap to the face!

Jiang Ruan's right cheek turned with the slap, burning painfully, the embarrassment rising from the soles of her feet to her cerebral cortex.

Jiang Yuning showed an expression of extreme distaste, "Jiang Ruan, spending three days with Xiaohan and now you're dreaming of being a swan? Such an important thing as the tail ring and you didn't even inform me. I really want to take a knife and scratch up your face!"

Jiang Ruan bit down hard on her lip, wanting to retort, but her mother's words echoed in her ears.

She closed her eyes and forcefully swallowed all her emotions.

What came next was Jiang Yuning's relentless threat, "Jiang Ruan, I'm warning you for the last time. If you dare reveal anything about Xiaohan, I'll make sure you and your mother disappear!"