Chapter 143: A Husband to Be Proud Of

After making all the arrangements, Xu An’an felt exhausted. Her cold had not yet fully recovered, but she had no desire to sleep.

Auntie Zhang, who was nearby, wanted to chat with Xu An’an to build a rapport. However, Jiang Li’s presence was overwhelming. He stood right beside Xu An’an, and a single look from him was enough to make her lower her head in fear, leaving her too intimidated to speak.

Noticing Jiang Li’s intensity, Xu An’an told him he didn’t need to keep her company.

"Your cold has just started to get better; you should go back and rest."

"And what about you?"

Jiang Li leaned in slightly and reached out to touch Xu An’an’s forehead. "Don't push yourself. If you want to stay, I’ll have someone set up a cot for you to take a nap."

Without giving Xu An’an a chance to refuse, Jiang Li ordered a comfortable cot to be brought in. Fortunately, the room he had arranged for Mother Xu was spacious, much like an apartment, complete with a small kitchenette and a balcony.

Once everything was settled, Jiang Li insisted that Xu An’an take a rest. "I’ll leave once you’re asleep."

Hearing that he was going to leave, Xu An’an felt a subconscious pang of reluctance, but she obediently lay down, watching him unconsciously. There were so many words caught in her throat. If she were to list the person she was most grateful to—the one who stood at the very top of that list—it would be none other than Jiang Li.

"Stop looking at me and close your eyes," Jiang Li said in a low voice.

"You’re still sick, too. You shouldn't push yourself either; you need to rest more," Xu An’an said before quickly closing her eyes and turning her back to him. She knew he might not listen, but if she didn't say it, it would keep weighing on her mind. As for the reason, she attributed it to a guilty conscience; after all, Jiang Li had helped her so much that not even a notebook could contain it all.

Once Xu An’an fell asleep, Jiang Li left quietly. He had been ill all day, and there were many matters waiting for his attention. The Jiang family was currently beset by troubles both internal and external, with hostile predators lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. If he were to let his guard down even for a moment, they would surely pounce and tear a piece of him away. Since that was the case, if anyone dared to be the first to "rebel," Jiang Li certainly wouldn't mind making an example of them, showing these people who had been idle for too long exactly who they relied on to survive.

When Xu An’an woke up, it was already dusk outside the window.

"An’an."

Mother Xu had woken up much earlier. Seeing her daughter sleeping on the cot filled her heart with warmth. Even though she had lost her memory, she was certain that this was her own daughter.

Meeting her mother’s gentle gaze, Xu An’an felt her eyes grow hot. This was a scene she had longed for for years, and today, it had finally come true. Xu An’an sat up and flashed a sweet smile. "Mom."

Mother Xu reached out to stroke Xu An’an’s hair. "Are you hungry?"

Auntie Zhang, observing the moment, quickly stepped in. "I’ll go prepare dinner for the two of you right away. The hospital food is quite good—nutritious and tasty."

Mother Xu nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."

While Xu An’an had been sleeping, Mother Xu had woken up to find a stranger in the room. She had hoped it might be a relative, but upon learning the woman was merely a caregiver, she felt deeply disappointed. She had kept her eyes on the door, not even knowing what she was waiting for—a hope that ultimately came to nothing. The hospital’s visiting hours had already passed.

Sensing her mother’s low spirits, Xu An’an asked with concern, "Mom, are you feeling unwell?"

Mother Xu shook her head. "I was just wondering, when is your father coming?" She paused, looking a bit embarrassed. "I surely didn't bring you into this world by myself. If I’ve forgotten your father, he must be very sad."

At the mention of Xu Fengnian, Xu An’an’s expression darkened. Because Wen Huairou had warned her not to let Mother Xu experience any significant emotional distress, Xu An’an had no choice but to keep the truth hidden.

"Mom, Dad passed away many years ago." Her voice grew softer as she spoke, her long eyelashes drooping. "He... he drowned while saving a child who had fallen into the water. Many people praised him as a great hero; many people loved him."

This was the image of a father Xu An’an had always craved. Who wouldn't want their father to be a reliable mountain, a hero in their own heart? It was just a pity that her biological father was a filthy, despicable, and disgusting man. Since her mother had forgotten, she would never let her recall those painful memories or pine for a heartless man.

Perhaps because of her memory loss, Mother Xu had no recollection of her late husband. Hearing that he had died saving someone made her heart ache with grief, but she felt a swell of pride for him as well. He was the great hero she had imagined. And so, neither mother nor daughter spoke of Xu Fengnian again.

Before Auntie Zhang returned, Mother Xu shared her thoughts. "An’an, I really don't think there's anything wrong with me. When can I be discharged? Besides, I don't need a caregiver."

Xu An’an took her mother’s hand and comforted her. "Mom, Auntie Zhang is only here to handle your meals. If you prefer to be alone, you can have her attend to her own business during the rest of the day. As for being discharged, we have to wait a little longer until your health is fully restored."

Mother Xu had to agree. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "An’an, do you have a boyfriend? A very handsome, very wealthy boyfriend? Is he the one who arranged for me to stay in this VIP room?"

Xu An’an figured Auntie Zhang must have been the one to tell her, which left her feeling a bit displeased; basic professionalism for an employee included not gossiping about their employer. "Mom, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a friend."

Mother Xu felt a tinge of disappointment, but she quickly cheered up, saying proudly, "My An’an is so beautiful, I’m sure there are many boys who like you. When you decide to settle down, you’ll surely find a wonderful husband soon enough."

Xu An’an smiled and nodded. "You’re right, Mom."

After dinner, Xu An’an let Auntie Zhang go home. She spent some time watching television with her mother before helping her take her medicine and tucking her in for the night. Looking at the silent night outside the window, Xu An’an didn't feel sleepy, having slept too much during the day.

Just then, a nurse arrived to deliver medication—not for Mother Xu, but for Xu An’an.

"The Second Master asked us to bring you this cold medicine," the nurse said. "He wants you to take it and get some sleep early so you can recover."

A wave of warmth flooded Xu An’an’s heart. She hadn't expected Jiang Li to be thinking of her amidst his busy schedule. After taking the medicine, she lay down on the cot. After a few seconds of hesitation, she decided to send a message to Jiang Li to express her gratitude.

Xu An’an: [Just took my medicine and am getting ready to sleep. Don't work too hard—please make sure you take your medicine and get some rest, too.]

After a pause, she added a simple two-word message: [Good night.]

Thinking of the implications of those words, Xu An’an closed her eyes, and a sweet, faint smile escaped the corners of her lips.