For Your Happiness - Chapter 48 - Dad Is Back

Under the meticulous care of her children, Mrs. Shao’s condition gradually improved. A week later, she was able to get out of bed and walk around, though she still needed support. It was a hundred times better than the dizziness she experienced just lying in bed a few days ago.

Mr. Shao was also coming back soon, and Shao Han and the others started to plan how to tell him the truth about the situation.

“Dad is coming back,” Shao Han said to her brother and Wu Di.

“I plan to go to the airport to pick him up myself this time,” Shao Bin said. Previously, it was always Mr. Shao’s driver who went, but Shao Bin wanted to go this time and take the opportunity to discuss their mother’s illness with him on the way.

“Dad has a weak heart, don’t break the news too abruptly,” Shao Han advised.

“I know, I’ll see how things go and decide accordingly.”

“But isn’t it always Xiao Zhang who picks him up? Won’t Dad be suspicious if you go this time?” Wu Di asked Shao Bin.

“It’s fine, I’ll just say I happened to be in Shanghai on business.”

“Okay,” the three of them quickly concluded their discussion. Shao Bin was tactful, and such matters were well within his grasp.

The four children were each outstanding in their own right, and they unwittingly became a spectacle at the hospital. The beautiful daughters and sons, along with a super handsome son-in-law and the elegant beauty Liu Xin, were quite eye-catching wherever they went.

Usually, it was Shao Han who took care of their mother. Occasionally, young male doctors who hadn’t seen Wu Di before would take extra glances at her and strike up longer conversations. Shao Han spoke softly and often just smiled in place of words.

Wu Di was the type of man you couldn’t forget once you met him, so many young nurses left a lasting impression. Whenever there was a need to fetch a nurse, it was usually Wu Di who called, and the nurses would hurry over.

However, seeing how affectionately Shao Han and Wu Di interacted, the male doctors, whether out of envy or jealousy, lost confidence upon seeing such a handsome man stepping into the scene.

Over time, older patients who became more acquainted with Mrs. Shao would often compliment her, saying, “Your children are all so beautiful.”

Mom was delighted to hear that, because Mrs. Shao is also quite beautiful. She took great pride in her children, who not only looked good but were also very polite and well-mannered. As a result, everyone at the hospital, from the doctors to the patients and caregivers, liked them a lot.

As people age, they often enjoy hearing compliments about their children, so Mrs. Shao’s recovery was accompanied by an improved mood.

Mr. Shao was finally coming back home. Shao Bin went to the airport to pick him up. Although Mr. Shao was not tall, his son’s height made him easy to spot. Mr. Shao was usually very strict, but his face would unconsciously light up with a smile when he saw his son doing well outside.

“Why are you here?” Mr. Shao still asked.

“Oh, I was just in Shanghai on business, so I came directly,” Shao Bin said as he reached out to take his father’s luggage.

“How’s the kid?” Mr. Shao was eager to hear about his little grandson.

“He’s just the same-drinks milk, sleeps, wakes up to eat, and after eating, he sleeps again, just like a little pig,” Shao Bin said with a happy smile on his face.

“Do you like your son?” Mr. Shao’s question was a curious one.

“Of course, he’s mine,” Shao Bin replied casually.

“Do you know what kind of feeling that is?” Mr. Shao continued, and Shao Bin, understanding his father’s implication, chuckled.

“Um, it’s really hard to explain this feeling.”

“That’s why they say you’ll never understand your parents’ kindness until you have your own children,” Mr. Shao said, a sentiment Shao Bin now fully understood. In the past, his father always said that once they had children, they would understand the feelings of their parents. This phrase was deeply etched in both Shao Han and Shao Bin’s minds.

“We understand now,” Shao Bin sincerely grasped that emotion.

“Dad…” Shao Bin wanted to talk about his mom. “Dad, there’s something I need to tell you, but don’t worry.”

Mr. Shao found Shao Bin’s words odd and got an uneasy feeling, furrowing his brow and turning his eyes to Shao Bin, waiting for him to continue.

“Some time ago, mom fainted at night.”

“What?” Mr. Shao gasped, his mouth agape, somewhat dazed.

“Don’t be nervous,” Shao Bin said as he glanced quickly at his father while driving. The outer ring of Shanghai was congested at this time, with many heavy trucks passing through, and Shao Bin was carefully watching these vehicles.

“What happened?” Mr. Shao calmed himself.

“I haven’t rested well for several nights, and the excessive stress caused this.”

“Then what?”

“She fainted and is now in the hospital.”

“What?” Mr. Shao hadn’t expected it to be so serious that hospitalization was necessary.

“But she’s alright now,” Shao Bin quickly added, worried that his father might become overly anxious.

“How long has she been there?”

“Over a week now.”

“You all kept this from me?”

“We were afraid that you would worry and fall ill too if you found out while outside, so we didn’t dare tell you. Plus, the first thing mom said when she woke up was to keep it from you.”

“Ah…” Mr. Shao felt anxious. He was used to being in control of the family, and now they had conspired to keep him in the dark, which upset him. However, what upset him more was the gravity of the situation. After years of bickering with Mrs. Shao, they were old companions, left with each other when the children were gone, returning to being just the two of them from the start. His real concern was for his partner.

“Dad, don’t worry. We were just concerned about your heart, so we didn’t dare tell you straight away.”

“I understand your good intentions, but how could I not worry? I don’t even know what condition your mom is in now,” Mr. Shao said, pained by the thought of his lifelong companion who had endured so much with him.

“She’s much better now, just needs time to recover.”

“Alright, let’s go straight to the hospital.” Mr. Shao furrowed his brows and looked ahead, no longer speaking.

Shao Bin drove to the hospital and led Mr. Shao to Mrs. Shao’s ward. As they entered the room, Mr. Shao’s eyes flickered when he saw Mrs. Shao. Shao Han noticed her father’s expression, never having imagined that their generation could show such tenderness. Mrs. Shao also had a slightly aggrieved look. As an old couple, they tended not to express too much emotion in front of their children, keeping it suppressed.

“What’s going on?” Dad asked softly.

“Who knew I would be this useless?” Mrs. Shao was still blaming herself.

“Sigh… How is it now?”

“Much better, the kids are exhausted.”

“This is what we ought to do,” Shao Han interjected.

“We’ve raised them to this age, it’s only right.”

Mr. Shao was still stern. Shao Han, Shao Bin, Wu Di, and Liu Xin exchanged glances, knowing their strict father would say something like this, but inside they all felt very happy.

After Mr. Shao returned, he told Shao Han to go back to Shanghai, not wanting her to strain herself now that the house had extra help, and he had already consulted with the doctor who said a week more in the hospital should suffice for recovery.

Mr. Shao had a close comrade in the Nanjing military district hospital who was a senior officer, and he still wanted to take Mrs. Shao there for a comprehensive checkup to definitively determine her condition.

Shao Han felt a great sense of reluctance, but she couldn’t oppose her father’s insistence. Wu Di was also running around tirelessly, which made her very hesitant.

“Go back, it’s okay now,” Mrs. Shao told her daughter.

“I’m still worried.”

“With your father here, what’s there to worry about?” Indeed, Mr. Shao was the pillar of the family; it seemed there was nothing he couldn’t solve, and Shao Han had always greatly admired her father.

“Oh, alright then.” Shao Han reluctantly walked away with Wu Di, took a few steps, then turned back and said, “If anything comes up that needs me, call me. Don’t hesitate because of the distance.”

“Of course,” Mr. Shao reassured Shao Han.

“Well… I’m heading back.” Shao Han looked at her mother, who nodded at her, “Go on, you must be worn out after these days. Take some good rest.”

“I’ll come over again on the weekend.”

“Okay.”

Shao Han followed Wu Di out of the hospital. Knowing she was still worried, Wu Di said, “It’s always better with Dad around, try not to worry too much.”

“Yeah, haha.” Shao Han looked at Wu Di, who felt she must be very tired after these days, looking worn out: “Come on, let’s go home and you get some rest, you look so worn out it’s heartbreaking.”

“Really?” Shao Han glanced in the mirror.

Wu Di drove towards home; Shao Han had been away for about ten days. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by the comforting, familiar scent of home.

“Wow, it’s really nice to be home.”

“Of course.”

“I’m going to inspect the place to see if you’ve brought any other women here,” Shao Han teased.

“Ah? I forgot to clean up.” Wu Di played along. “Don’t go near the bed; let me check first for anything that shouldn’t be left behind.”

“Wow, look what I found, such long hair,” Shao Han raised her voice.

“Ah? How come? It was supposed to be short.”

“Ah. Wu Di,” Shao Han stormed out, infuriated. “Finally slipped up, huh? Short hair? Who is it?”

“It’s just me,” Wu Di laughed and swept Shao Han into his arms.

“Jerk, explain yourself.” Shao Han was still sulking when Wu Di suddenly kissed her, leaving no room for her to continue her feigned outrage.

After a deep kiss, Wu Di paused. “Did you miss me?”

“Not at all.”

“You always say the opposite of what you feel,” Wu Di teased her.

“Hmph.” Shao Han playfully slapped him and leaned into his embrace. “I’m so tired; it’s most comfortable in your arms.”

“Go take a nice hot bath, and then get some good sleep.”

“Thank you.” After kissing Wu Di on the cheek, she turned and went to take her bath.

Taking care of a sick person wasn’t physically demanding, but the mental strain was exhausting. Fortunately, being young, Shao Han recovered quickly within a few days. She frequently called home to check on her mother’s condition and was relieved to hear of her gradual improvement.

On weekends, she and Wu Di would visit her mother. Before they knew it, a month had passed, and her mother was discharged from the hospital. Once her condition stabilized, her father took her to Nanjing for a more thorough examination, which provided a professional diagnosis and guided the direction for further treatment and care. According to the results from Nanjing, her mother’s illness was not severe; she just needed to rest and take care of herself to avoid relapse.

The whole family felt somewhat relieved.

Time really flies. Around this time last year, Shao Han and Wu Di had not yet received their families’ blessing, but now things have changed. Shao Han reminisced about the past.

“Wu Di, last year at this time, we sneaked out together. Does that count as us eloping?”

“Of course, it does,” Wu Di said, looking at Shao Han.

“We seemed so in love back then.”

“Aren’t we in love now?”

“The passion has faded a bit, and we talk less.”

“Not really. Now that we can be together every day, we naturally don’t need to talk as much. Isn’t that better?”

“If you think it’s better, then it’s better,” Shao Han said, feeling somewhat downcast.

“Don’t be like that.” Wu Di pulled her into his arms. “Okay, I’ll work while holding you.”

“Never mind, if something goes wrong later, you’ll blame me,” Shao Han said as she wriggled out of his embrace.

Shao Han was counting the days, realizing that Wu Di’s birthday was approaching. This day was significant, marking both his birthday and their wedding registration day. She was thinking about how to celebrate this important day, but it turned out that Wu Di had an important meeting in Suzhou for two days, exactly during this period.

When Shao Han learned that Wu Di had to attend the meeting, she became gloomy. Wu Di was generally not very attentive to dates unless he specifically needed to fill them in, so he had informed Shao Han after receiving the meeting notice.

“Is this meeting very important?” Shao Han asked sullenly.

“Important,” Wu Di replied while changing his clothes at home.

“Can’t someone else go in your place?”

“No, there are many people I need to meet in person,” Wu Di said, oblivious to Shao Han’s unhappiness.

“Oh.” Seeing his lack of reaction made her even more upset, and she became silent and did not want to talk anymore.

“What’s wrong? Can’t stand being away from me for just two days?” Wu Di joked.

Shao Han was furious inside, thinking how heartless he was to forget such an important day, yet she said nothing.

Wu Di didn’t think too much about it. He felt that when these days came around, Shao Han would remind him. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about such days; his way of expressing love was just very straightforward.

On December 11th, Wu Di was set to leave for Suzhou. Shao Han couldn’t always follow him, so she stayed at home, feeling very depressed. It was such an important day, yet not only did he forget to mark it, but he also couldn’t be by her side, which infuriated her.

That evening, returning home from work, she sat alone in front of her computer, randomly clicking and browsing in frustration. Wu Di’s QQ was active, but he was too busy to chat. Even when she called him, she could only hear him constantly discussing matters with others. Shao Han didn’t want to interrupt his work, knowing that he was trying to break through a professional bottleneck. As a woman, she felt she should be understanding and supportive, as a man’s career is very important to him.

Close to midnight, Wu Di finally took a moment to talk to Shao Han, calming her with a few words: “Babe, I’m sorry. I’ve been too busy to talk.”

“I know you’re busy,” Shao Han responded, though unhappily.

“Have you had dinner?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You really should take better care of yourself. Can’t you make me worry less?”

“It doesn’t taste good eating alone.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…” Shao Han wanted to remind him that tomorrow was a very important day, but deep down, she hoped Wu Di would remember on his own.

Suddenly, a loud “clang” startled Shao Han-it sounded like the front door of her house. She felt the vibration typical of a door being shut.

“What was that?” she wondered. Besides herself and Wu Di, only their parents had keys to their house. Who could it be?

Shao Han was using her laptop in the bedroom, sitting on the bed, wrapped in her blankets, with the bedroom door locked. She always locked it when he wasn’t home due to her insecurity. At this moment, she cautiously got out of bed and tiptoed to the bedroom door to listen.

“What about tomorrow?” Wu Di asked her over QQ. After waiting a while without a response, he frowned and typed, “What’s happening tomorrow?”

Still no reply from Shao Han, Wu Di, growing suspicious, sent a nudge to shake her chat window. Just then, Shao Han was carefully listening to the noises outside, her mind racing about the door sound-it was too distinct to be a neighbor. A cold sweat broke out over her.

“Shao Han,” Wu Di called out again, concerned as it wasn’t like her to disappear suddenly. Growing anxious, he picked up his phone to call her.

The sudden ring of the phone frightened Shao Han into screaming, and the timid Shao Han burst into tears.