Chapter 197: Boundless Merits

The next day.

When Li Dong opened his eyes, he saw Qin Yuhan tiptoeing as she dressed.

Li Dong yawned and asked, "Why are you up so early?"

"There's a class this morning; I have to go back to school."

"Just take the day off."

"The morning class is very important; I can't miss it."

Seeing Li Dong look a bit disappointed, Qin Yuhan bent down and kissed him, playfully saying, "I'll come find you after class."

Li Dong thought for a moment and said, "I have a few things to do in the morning. If everything goes smoothly, I might go back to Pingchuan in the afternoon."

Now it was Qin Yuhan's turn to look disappointed. She asked, "Can't you stay another day?"

"Depends on the situation. I might not be able to leave today."

Li Dong wasn't sure if Wang Jia could be discharged today. If she could, he would have to leave.

Wang Jia's mother was waiting for surgery, and although Li Dong was reluctant to leave Qin Yuhan, he couldn't afford to delay. Wang Jia's mother's condition was deteriorating day by day; the sooner he went back, the sooner the surgery could be performed. He wasn't about to drag things out on purpose.

Seeing Li Dong's decision, Qin Yuhan didn't push further and just reminded him, "If you go back, call me. Be careful on the road."

Li Dong nodded, got dressed, and after breakfast, took Qin Yuhan back to school before heading to the hospital.

…

At Beiyi Third Hospital.

"Director Chen, can she fly in this condition?"

"If it's not urgent, I'd suggest she rest a few more days. If it's really urgent, it should be fine as long as she's careful."

Hearing the doctor's words, Wang Jia sighed with relief and said to Li Dong, "I'm okay. Li Dong, let's go back this afternoon."

Li Dong considered it for a moment, seeing Wang Jia's anxious face, and finally nodded.

Once Zhou Haidong completed the discharge procedures, Wang Jia kept urging to hurry up and get on the road.

Li Dong, seeing her impatience, smiled and said, "It's still early. The flight is at 1:30 this afternoon. We'd just be waiting at the airport if we go now."

He added, "You should rest a bit in the hospital. I'm going out to take care of some things."

Wang Jia asked, "Going to see your girlfriend?"

Li Dong nodded. Although Qin Yuhan said a phone call would suffice, Li Dong thought it was better to see her in person.

Besides, since he was heading back to Pingchuan, he didn't know when he'd be back in Beijing.

Wang Jia didn't say more. Once Li Dong left, she quietly asked Zhou Haidong, "Brother Zhou, have you met Li Dong's girlfriend?"

Zhou Haidong nodded and mumbled, "Yes."

"Is she pretty?"

Zhou Haidong thought for a moment and then nodded, "Yes, pretty."

"How pretty?"

Zhou Haidong seemed a bit flustered and said, "Well, um…"

Wang Jia laughed softly and didn't press further.

Zhou Haidong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that being a bodyguard these days wasn't easy. If he had known, he would have left Cao Hongbing to stay and accompany Li Dong.

…

After getting off the plane, Li Dong took a deep breath.

Wang Jia's health wasn't too bad. Although she felt uncomfortable during the trip, it wasn't serious.

Two days of travel finally got her back, and Li Dong felt like he had really done a meritorious deed.

Lost in thought, Wang Jia said weakly, "Li Dong, thank you so much this time."

Li Dong waved his hand and smiled, "Don't mention it, it was just a small favor."

Seeing his response, Wang Jia didn't continue. Some gratitude needed to be kept in the heart; words alone didn't mean much. After talking for a while, Wang Jia said, "I'll go to the hospital by myself. You've already been running around for me. You should go back and rest."

"You're going to the hospital now?"

"Yeah, I haven't seen my mom for several days. I want to go see her."

"Better wait until tomorrow. Go back, freshen up, and prepare yourself. You don't look fit to visit your mom right now; you'll just make her worry more."

Hearing this, Wang Jia smiled wryly. She indeed wasn't in a condition to see her mother. She was thin and hadn't bathed in days, so she had an odor.

She didn't insist and agreed, "Okay, I'll go tomorrow. I'll leave now."

Li Dong, worried, said, "Let me give you a ride."

Wang Jia shook her head, "No need, I can manage myself."

"Should I have Fang Qingfei come pick you up?"

"Really no need. I'm almost recovered. I can handle it myself," Wang Jia declined.

Li Dong glanced at her and asked, "Where are you staying?"

Wang Jia cleared her throat and smiled, "I'll stay at Feifei's place."

Li Dong could tell from her tone that she probably wouldn't stay at Fang Qingfei's place. As for Wang Jia's concerns about high-interest loans, Li Dong knew well enough. 

Wang Jia was afraid of those loan sharks, but Li Dong wasn't concerned: "How about this? My cousin lives alone now. You can stay with her for a few days. You know the place, it's in Wanyuan Community. My cousin can also look after you."

As a man, Li Dong wasn't suited to take care of Wang Jia, but it would be fine with Cao Yu.

Plus, Cao Yu and Cao Feng lived across from each other, so if Cao Yu needed help, Cao Feng could assist.

"No, really. Li Dong, you've already done so much for me. You've helped a lot with my mother, so it's not right to trouble you further."

Wang Jia quickly declined, adding, "I won't stay long in Pingchuan. After seeing my mom, I need to return to Beijing."

She couldn't stay in Pingchuan for too long; those loan sharks were too keen.

Wang Jia knew their capabilities and understood they would find her quickly. The last time she secretly came back to see her mother, she almost got caught by them.

That's why she hadn't returned since. She knew that if they caught her, the outcome wouldn't be good.

"Are you really planning to hide forever?"

"I'll work hard to earn money. Once I pay off the debt, they won't bother me anymore."

"Naive!"

Li Dong shook his head, feeling Wang Jia was too simplistic.

Unless she paid off all the debt at once, it was impossible to clear high-interest loans. Relying on Wang Jia's current salary, she could never repay it in her lifetime.

Li Dong said, "Don't worry about it. I'll handle it for you."

Wang Jia quickly said, "Li Dong, really don't…"

The debt her father owed wasn't a small amount; it was nearly two million.

Wang Jia could accept borrowing money for her mother's treatment, but borrowing more to repay high-interest loans was too much for her to handle.

"You think I'm helping you pay off the debt?"

Li Dong rolled his eyes and said, "My money isn't so easily given away. Just don't worry about it. Focus on staying at my cousin's place."

Wang Jia wanted to argue further, but Li Dong impatiently said, "It's decided. Stop being so wishy-washy."

Wang Jia was so angry she wanted to bite him. If he was going to be nice, he could at least be a little less irritating.

What was initially a hundred percent gratitude now felt halved due to his remarks.

Although she was afraid of dragging Li Dong down, Wang Jia couldn't refuse his help at this point. She finally sighed and stopped arguing.