For Your Happiness - Chapter 44 - Fulfilling Filial Duties

After a busy morning, dawn had already broken. Shao Bin needed to go to work, and Shao Han hurriedly said, “You go on to work.”

“Yeah, I’ll stop by the office and arrange to take a few days off so I can take care of Mom,” Shao Bin said, feeling somewhat guilty. He blamed himself for his mother’s illness, thinking that if he hadn’t let her sleep with little baby, she might not have become so exhausted.

“It’s not convenient for a man to take care of Mom. I’ll be fine here on my own,” Shao Han reassured Shao Bin.

“You alone? That’s too hard on you,” Shao Bin expressed his concern for Shao Han.

“We’ll see if I can handle it.”

“That won’t do. How about we alternate days?” Shao Bin insisted.

“Let’s talk about it later. I’ll take care of her for the first few days. The doctor said she can’t walk yet anyway, and it would be inconvenient. Even if you were here, it would only make Mom feel embarrassed. She might end up feeling uncomfortable,” Shao Han understood that it was often easier for a daughter to take care of her mother than a daughter-in-law, as a daughter could assert more authority.

“Alright, I’ll go handle things at the office, and then we can discuss further,” Shao Bin said, glancing at Mrs. Shao before speaking to Shao Han.

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Shao Bin, you go. I’m here with Shao Han, and I’m available if needed,” Wu Di quickly added.

“Yeah, Wu Di, Mom has a CT scan scheduled today and she can’t move on her own; I really appreciate your help,” Shao Bin acknowledged Wu Di’s support at this time, grateful to have another man in the house.

“It’s no trouble at all, we’re family,” Wu Di chided him playfully.

“That’s true,” Shao Bin laughed. “I’ll head off then. Call me if you need anything.”

“Sure, go ahead,” Wu Di and Shao Han saw Shao Bin off.

During the day, the doctor had scheduled many tests for Mrs. Shao. Since she was mostly dozing on and off, Wu Di and the caregiver carried her from one examination room to another, making for a hectic day. At noon, they also bought lunch for Shao Han, but she had little appetite. Wu Di encouraged her to eat, but seeing her reluctance, he also lost his appetite. After a tiring day, they barely ate, only drinking water instead.

In the evening, after all the tests were completed, Mrs. Shao went back to her ward and fell asleep again.

“Shao Han, why don’t you go home? I’ll stay here and take care of Mom these next few days; it’s more convenient,” Shao Han suggested to Wu Di.

“I’ll stay with you,” Wu Di replied. Since marrying Shao Han, he had never been apart from her. Mrs. Shao’s illness was chronic and would take several days, if not weeks, to improve. Wu Di found it hard to be away from Shao Han.

“It’s not practical; there’s so much to do at the hotel. I’m her daughter, and it’s easier for me to take care of her when she’s sick,” Shao Han understood Wu Di’s reluctance but felt that family emergencies like this meant putting her parents first.

“Ah, I understand the situation, but it’s hard not being able to see you, worrying you might overexert yourself,” Wu Di said as he gently rearranged her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear to reveal her cute, plump ear, his voice tinged with concern.

“Young as I am, how could I easily get tired? Besides, even if it’s tiring, it’s only right. When we were little and got sick, our parents took care of us. Now it’s our duty to do the same,” Shao Han said seriously, feeling grown up and ready to stand up and protect her parents, doing something for them in return.

“I know, I just wish I could share the burden, so you don’t have to struggle alone,” Wu Di expressed his desire to help.

“It’s okay, really. If you were running back and forth, I’d worry about you too, with the traffic and congestion on your commute. I don’t want to be distracted worrying about you while my mom is sick. So, please, just go straight home after work and take good care of yourself for a few days, okay?” Shao Han pleaded, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Wu Di.

Wu Di looked down at their intertwined hands and remained silent.

“Don’t be like this, dear. It’ll make me sad, and I can’t bear it either. Let me fulfill my filial duties first,” Shao Han said, gently shaking his hand.

“Alright, I understand. I’m not a child, but you must take care of yourself. This is a hospital; don’t wander around carelessly, as it could be easy to catch something contagious, which would only complicate matters.” Wu Di said.

“Sure, don’t worry about it.” Shao Han smiled at him, though she was actually quite reluctant to let him go. She worried he wouldn’t eat properly, that he’d stay up too late, or that he’d secretly drink until the early hours-she had a hundred different worries. “So, you must promise not to make me worry, okay? Let me take care of Mother without any concerns. Don’t you dare get up to no good at home alone,” Shao Han pouted, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

“Do you think I’m a child? That I’d be so irresponsible?” Wu Di pinched her nose gently. Could he really afford to distract her at such a time? The silly girl was underestimating him again.

“Still, I’m worried. And, no seducing other women, hmph, don’t even talk to your exes,” Shao Han commanded dominantly.

“What?” Wu Di’s eyes widened as he started to protest. “Okay, okay, I won’t talk about it. Is that better?”

“That’s more like it. Be careful, though. If you lie, Thunder God will ‘zap zap’ you,” Shao Han said, gesturing with her hands.

“Wow, that vicious?”

“Hmph, just so you know not to offend women. Women can be very scary creatures,” Shao Han said with a mischievous look.

“Yes, they can be,” Wu Di replied as he pinched her cheek.

“Hehe, alright, go back now,” Shao Han didn’t want Wu Di to be unhappy, so she was just teasing him.

“I’m not going back today. I’ll stay with you one more day, and go back tomorrow. Besides, I’m not comfortable leaving you here alone,” Wu Di said earnestly.

“There’s no place to sleep here tonight,” Shao Han pointed out.

“That’s okay, I can stay awake.”

“No, I hate it when you don’t sleep. You’ll be out of sorts for days afterwards,” Shao Han thought for a moment. “Go sleep at my place. I’ll sleep on the caregiver’s bed here, and you can come over early tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, but…”

“No buts. The nurse will be kicking people out soon, go on. I’ll be fine. After the nurse checks my blood pressure, I’m going to lie down and sleep,” Shao Han urged Wu Di.

“Alright then, I’ll come early tomorrow to bring breakfast for you both.”

“Great.” Shao Han’s face was full of comforting smiles as she watched Wu Di.

“I’m leaving now,” Wu Di decided to leave, not wanting to disturb the other patients by staying too long.

“Okay. Call Shao Bin,” Shao Han instructed.

“Sure, don’t worry,” Wu Di said as he took one last look at the sleeping Mrs. Shao before turning to leave the Ward. Shao Han followed him to the door. At the entrance, Wu Di turned back to take another careful look at Shao Han, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, and then smiled as he opened the door and walked out. Shao Han watched him with a smile, as Wu Di kept turning back to look at her until he disappeared around the stairwell corner.

Shao Han chuckled to herself, then lowered her head and re-entered the Ward. She checked on her mother, the IV drip, and the oxygen machine before gently sitting down on the chair beside the bed. She watched the peaceful figure of Mrs. Shao, feeling a bittersweet ache in her heart, dreading the day…

Just a year ago, her mother was still accompanying her for IV treatments, but now suddenly, Mrs. Shao lay here so seriously ill. Yet, deep down, Shao Han felt that her mother wasn’t gravely sick. She was still young, not even sixty years old.

The doctor had mentioned that it was due to excessive fatigue and stress, so Shao Han believed her mother was just tired and needed rest. She held onto this thought until her mother fully regained consciousness.

Feeling weary herself, Shao Han lay down beside the bed and unwittingly fell asleep.